RB '16
Senior Newsletter, September 14, 2015
Welcome Class of 2016!
RBHS Counseling & Advisement Connecting via Social Media
RBHS School Counselor Caseloads for the 2015-2016 School Year
Naviance, Senior 101 & College Application Day
Naviance eDocs is now live!!! All transcripts will be delivered electronically through Naviance, and the process is easier than ever.
Log in to Naviance at http://connection.naviance.com/riverbhs
- Select all the colleges to which you are planning to apply
- For each, check the box to request a transcript
- Transcripts will be uploaded on September 15th
Several college admission representatives will be visiting RBHS in September and October. Dates and times have been posted to Naviance.
All scholarships will be posted to Naviance. Access to a national database as well as local scholarships are available there.
Senior 101: Tuesday, September 15th at 7pm in the PAC
This meeting is for all seniors and their parents. Hard copies of transcripts will be provided to include updated rank and GPA, and important information relevant to ALL seniors will be covered.
College Application Day: Wednesday, October 21st in C&A
Counseling & Advisement will be hosting a College Application Day and will encourage any senior who has not submitted his or her college application by then to participate. There is more information to come.
Link to NAVIANCE
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS: ACT and SAT
General Information
Please be reminded that it is the responsibility of the student/parent to register for the ACT and SAT tests. The C&A staff can answer questions at any time. The materials to get started are available in the Counseling & Advisement office.
- The ACT / SAT are college admissions tests & aid institutions in determining a student’s potential for success in college. (Students planning on attending a 2-year or technical college generally do NOT need to take either test.) Colleges/universities in S.C. accept both ACT and/or SAT scores. Students should refer to the admission requirements for each institution they plan to attend.
- If you plan to take the ACT, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED you take the writing component at least once. It is not so necessary on subsequent retakes.
- If you are a special needs student and would like to request testing accommodations for the ACT or SAT, it is your responsibility to initiate the process by discussing the procedure with your counselor. The process is very time-consuming (minimum 6 – 8 weeks). Each testing agency (College Board / ACT) has its own application for accommodations.
VERY IMPORTANT! Please make sure that you fill in the school code for River Bluff High School when registering for the ACT/SAT. If you fail to do this, our school will NOT receive your scores. The school testing code is 411292.
SAT Test Date
- Late Registration Deadline is September 22, 2015
- To register, visit sat.org
Saturday, Oct 3, 2015, 07:45 AM
SAT Site will list locations
ACT Test Date
- Regular Registration Deadline is September 18, 2015
- Late Registration Deadline is October 2, 2015
- To register, visit http://www.actstudent.org/
Saturday, Oct 24, 2015, 07:45 AM
ACT Site will list locations
SAT Test Date
- Regular Registration Deadline is October 9, 2015
- Late Registration Deadline is October 27, 2015
- To register, visit sat.org
Saturday, Nov 7, 2015, 07:45 AM
SAT Site will list locations
ACT/SAT/College Application Fee Waivers
ACT College Application fee waivers now available
Students who have used ACT testing fee waivers and plan to enter college by fall 2016 are eligible to receive these waivers.
ACT Test fee waivers now available
- Must demonstrate economic need
- Students may register on-line or by mail
- Covers the registration fee for either the ACT (No Writing) or the ACT Plus Writing
- Waivers also cover the cost of registration, including one report to the high school and up to four college choices (if valid codes are provided at the time of registration)
- No refunds can be made to students who have paid their test fee, even though they would have been eligible for a waiver
- Due to processing costs, the waiver is used once the student registers, even if the student does not test on the test date requested
- Valid only if it is properly completed and signed by both the student & school official
SAT College Application fee waivers now available
Students who have used SAT testing fee waivers and plan to enter college by fall 2016 are eligible to receive up to four ‘Request for Waiver of College Application Fee’ forms. Colleges and universities listed in the Directory of Colleges Cooperating with the SAT Program Fee-Waiver Service booklet will consider waiving your application fee but they are NOT obligated to do so.
SAT Test fee waivers now available
- Must demonstrate economic need
- Students may register on-line or by mail
- Test fees are not refundable, even if a student who has paid test fees would have been eligible to use a fee waiver
- Fee waiver recipients will receive credits to send up to 4 additional scores reports at any time. These can be used for score reports ordered via Internet, paper, or telephone. Eligible students will be able to check on their number of remaining score report credits by email, telephone, or internet
Visiting Colleges? Senior College Days
Seniors may take a maximum of 2 College Days to visit prospective colleges.
- Students must call or visit the website of the Admissions Office at the college to make an appointment
- Students must turn in documentation on college letterhead to Mrs. Martin in RBHS attendance, verifying their attendance on campus that day
- Documentation must be turned in immediately on the first day back to school
In-State College Open House Days & Events!
Anderson University
http://www.anderson.edu/admissions/discover/visit
Clemson University
http://www.clemson.edu/visit/events.html
College of Charleston
http://admissions.cofc.edu/explorethecollege/events/index.php
Furman University
http://www.furman.edu/admission/EngageFurman/Visit/Pages/default.aspx
Lander University
http://www.lander.edu/admissions/Campus-Visit.aspx
Midlands Technical College
http://www.midlandstech.edu/admissions/visit-campus
Newberry College
https://my.newberry.edu/ICS/Admissions/Events_and_Visits.jnz
Presbyterian College
http://www.presby.edu/admissions/home/visit/
Spartanburg Methodist College
http://www.smcsc.edu/campus-maptour/
University of South Carolina - Columbia
http://sc.edu/visit/schedule_a_visit/
University of South Carolina - Beaufort
http://www.uscb.edu/admissions/visit-uscb/visitation-events.html
Winthrop University
http://www.winthrop.edu/admissions/visit/
Wofford College
Turning Your Attention to ATTENDANCE
WATCH your ATTENDANCE – remember that absences count for each class -- a maximum of 10 days for a full year class, 5 days for a ½ year class.
- You’ll receive “FA” (Failure due to Absences) & a grade of ‘61’ for classes with excessive absences
- Please see Mrs. Martin in the attendance office for questions concerning absences
Current Scholarship / College Funding Opportunitites
Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market allows S.C. residents who are enrolled in specific programs at public out-of-state institutions to be charged only the applicable in-state tuition by the institution in which the student is enrolled.
- For more information, visit http://www.che.sc.gov/Students,FamiliesMilitary/LearningAboutCollege/AcademicCommonMarketInfor mation.aspx or call 803-737-2274
Anderson University – First Choice Scholarships
Get accepted to Anderson University and become eligible for one of several scholarships. The key is to apply EARLY!
- Information is available by visiting http://www.andersonuniversity.edu/finaid.aspx?id=2417&ekmensel=c580fa7b_145_0_2417
The Art Institutes
The Art Institutes specialize in hands-on, career-oriented education that prepares students for entry-level employment as creative professionals. They offer degree programs as well as certificate & diploma programs in the areas of design, fashion, media arts, and culinary arts.
- Visit their website @ www.aiadvantage.com for more information
AXA Achievement Scholarship (in association with U.S. News & World Report)
One South Carolina winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship, with a chance to win $15,000 more!
- To qualify, you must demonstrate ambition and drive; determination to set and reach goals; respect for self, family and community; ability to succeed in college
- Go to www.scholarshipamerica.org/axa-achievement to learn more about the scholarship program and download an application. Application deadline is December 15, 2015
BigSun Scholarship
All student athletes are eligible to apply, regardless of sport. Requires a short essay to a prepared question. $500 available to announced winners.
- Visit www.bigsunathletics.com to register. Deadline: June 17, 2016
Christian Connector Scholarship
Simply log onto the website and request information, and you will be automatically entered in drawings. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500.
- Visit http://www.christianconnector.com for more information
CSS/Financial Aid Profile – Student Guide
Using PROFILE, college financial aid administrators can develop a more accurate, economically sound assessment of a family’s ability to contribute to college costs & thus award their private (nonfederal) student aid funds more equitably. A Spanish version of the Pre-Application Worksheet is available on the PROFILE Home Page. Columbia College and Furman University are PROFILE users:
- Complete your PROFILE online by visiting https://profileonline.collegeboard.com
Gates Millennium Scholarship
- Offers full tuition to any US accredited college or university
- Must be a US Citizen or legal resident
- A 3.3 GPA (unweighted) is required, and a financial need must be demonstrated (must be eligible for a Pell Grant)
- Visit www.gmsp.org for more information. Deadline for all required forms is January 13, 2016
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
This scholarship database is completely devoted to those of Hispanic descent.
- Visit www.hsf.net to create an account and become immediately accessible to many scholarship opportunities
- Visit www.collegescholarships.org/minority2.htm for become informed of many more college funding resources
Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Programs
This scholarship program provides financial assistance to students throughout the nation who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity.
Criteria include commitment to pursue a bachelor’s degree and US citizenship.
- Go to www.horatioalger.com/scholarships to submit an online application for the national scholarship program. The deadline to apply is October 25, 2015
NHA Scholarship Fund
This scholarship an individual must be a prospective or current high school graduate and the natural, step, or adopted son, daughter or grandchild, or a spouse, of a current or former Navy, USMC or Coast Guard rotary wing aviator or air crewman. Also eligible are individuals, their spouses, or children of individuals who are serving or have served in maintenance or support billets in rotary wing squadrons and Wings.
- Visit http://www.nhascholarshipfund.org for more information
S.C. Teaching Fellows Program
Up to $24,000 in scholarship money! Available to students who are serious about entering the teaching profession in SC. There are no GPA or ACT/SAT score requirements for eligibility. Any high school senior who is a US citizen and SC resident can apply. Initial scoring is based on a combination of scholastic information, community and school activities, and references.
Students must attend a Teaching Fellows Institution [Anderson University, Charleston Southern University, College of Charleston, Columbia College, Francis Marion University, Lander University, Newberry College, USC-Columbia, USC-Upstate, and Winthrop University and others].
- Application and FAQ are available online at www.cerra.org/teachingFellows
- There are no paper applications. All students must apply using the online application. You will need the following email addresses to apply: Principal: lclamp@lexington1.net Counselor: Refer to 2015-2016 counselor caseloads
- The deadline to apply is December 1, 2015
SunTrust Off To College Scholarship Sweepstakes
High school seniors can win a $1,000 scholarship for their first year of college or private career school. One winner will be chosen at random every two weeks from September 14, 2015 until May, 2016.
- Students can register after each completed drawing for the next scheduled drawing
- To enter the drawing, visit www.offtocollege.info
TEACH Grants - new program for future teachers
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (TEACH) will be available at some colleges and universities beginning this academic year. Students considering a career in education should check with the financial aid office at the college or university they plan to attend to determine the program’s availability and if they qualify.
- Eligibility criteria include certain academic achievement requirements generally scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test
- Visit online at http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/TEACH.jsp
U.S. Army
There are scholarship opportunities such as merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, an annual stipend of up to $5,000 to cover living expenses, plus additional allowances for books and fees. For more info, visit http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html
2-Year College Bound Students
Don’t forget to set up your personal profiles on the internet for scholarships.
www.scholarships.com, www.collegenet.com, www.collegescholarships.org, www.fastweb.com, www.petersons.com and www.salliemae.com/scholarships are great sites to use as resources, but are certainly not the only ones.
- Start submitting college applications
- Visit prospective schools
- Make an appointment to take the ASSET or COMPASS, the required placement tests for 2-year technical colleges
4-Year College Bound Students
Don’t forget to set up your personal profiles on the internet for scholarships.
www.scholarships.com, www.collegenet.com, www.collegescholarships.org, www.fastweb.com, www.petersons.com and www.salliemae.com/scholarships are great sites to use as resources, but are certainly not the only ones.
- Start submitting college applications
- Visit prospective schools
- Repeat the ACT / SAT as necessary
Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net if you plan on playing sports your first year of college.