RB '18
Senior Newsletter, September 2017
Counseling & Advisement
Website: http://rbhscounseling.weebly.com/
Location: 320 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC, United States
Phone: (803) 821-0729
Facebook: www.facebook.com/riverbluffcounseling
Twitter: @rbhscounseling1
What is RB '18?
RB '18 is a monthly newsletter that will keep you informed with all things SENIOR! The information in each month's newsletter is very important, so please read it! You will find important dates, how to instructions and much more that will help you navigate through your senior year. Please feel free to stop in to Counseling & Advisement if we can assist you in any way. If you are in need of a one-on-one with your counselor, an appointment can be requested by email. Below, you will find your counselor assignments for 2017-2018.
Senior 101 Parent Information Night
• How to Stay in the Know • Graduation Supplies & Procedures • Important Senior Dates • Graduation Requirements • College Application Process • Scholarships & Financial Aid
Mark your calendar now for this important event.
Tuesday, Sep 12, 2017, 06:30 PM
Performing Arts Center-River Bluff High School
Graduation Ceremony - Class of 2018
Saturday, Jun 2, 2018, 08:00 AM
Colonial Life Arena, Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC, United States
Taking the ACT and SAT
RBHS AI/CEEB Code 411292
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. Log on to sat.org/register or www.actstudent.org to register.
- 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.
Important Dates
College Visit-Roanoke College
Thursday, Sep 14, 2017, 08:30 AM
Main Street in front of Counseling & Advisement
College Visit-Clemson University
Thursday, Sep 28, 2017, 10:00 AM
Main Street in front of Counseling & Advisement
College Visit-Presbyterian College
Thursday, Sep 28, 2017, 11:00 AM
Main Street in front of Counseling & Advisement
College Visit- American University
Wednesday, Oct 4, 2017, 11:30 AM
Main Street in front of Counseling & Advisement
College Application Day
COLLEGE APPLICATION DAY IS ALMOST HERE!!! Click here to reserve your spot in our CAD event on October 18th so you can complete and submit all your college applications with the help of college admissions reps and your school counselors. Students must be logged in to Google with your LexOne account to access registration form.
It is recommended you start your applications prior to College Application Day so you will be able to complete and submit them. If your application has an essay, you should have this written before you arrive. Admissions representatives and your counselors will be there to look over your applications and essays.
These will be important components of your applications so you should be prepared to complete these items on each application you complete:
• Personal Data (e.g., personal email, drivers license number (and date of issue), social security number (optional for some schools), citizenship and residency information, and parental information (such as their highest level of education earned and how long they have lived in SC. Some schools will require their drivers license number and date of issue for residency purposes).
• Educational Data (GPA, SAT/ACT scores, senior schedule, copy of your transcript - bring the copy you received at Senior 101 or in your IGP so you can enter courses you have taken in HS)
• Honors and Awards
• Extracurricular, Personal, and Volunteer Activities
• Employment, Internships, and Summer Activities (Some colleges allow you to submit a resume in addition to the activity section of their application.)
• Essays, both short answer and a longer personal essay
• Disciplinary information (typically out of school suspensions and expulsions, not minor offenses)
• Application Fee (Many colleges will accept fee waivers and/or waive their application day if you apply on your schools College Application Day event.)
Wednesday, Oct 18, 2017, 09:00 AM
Learning Commons
2yr 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.
Applying to Colleges
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) for classes with excessive absences
- Please see Mrs. Wood in the attendance office for questions concerning absences
College Open House Days and Tour Dates
Seniors are given TWO excused absences for College Days. In order to have the absences excused, it will be necessary to turn in a note on college letterhead with the student's name and date of the visit. This should be turned in to Mrs. Gunter in Attendance.
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
New Application and Notification Deadlines:
Early Decision Deadline: November 1 Notification: December 1
Early Action Application Deadline: December 1 Notification: January 15
Honors College Priority Application Deadline: December 1 Notification: January 15
Regular Notification Application Deadline: February 15 Notification: April 1
Columbia College
http://www.columbiasc.edu/admissions/womens-college-admissions/open-house
Francis Marion University
http://www.fmarion.edu/fmuadmissions/campusvisit
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/
Seton Hall University
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
University of Virginia
https://admission.virginia.edu/outreach
Winthrop University
http://www.winthrop.edu/admissions/visit/
Wofford College
https://www.wofford.edu/admission/visitWofford/Scholarship Search Engines
Additional College Funding Opportunities
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. http://www.che.sc.gov/Students,FamiliesMilitary/LearningAboutCollege/AcademicCommonMarketInfor mation.aspx or call 803-737-2274
AES Scholarship
Scholarships are intended for our future leaders across a wide spectrum of fields of study. This award is available to high school seniors and all students attending a post secondary educational facility. Students must submit an essay of between 500 and 1000 words in answer to the following question: When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey? The mount of award is $500.00. The deadline for entry: October 6. Submit essay to: scholarships@aesengineers.com . For more information, go to http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm.
Anderson University – First Choice Scholarships
Get accepted to Anderson University and become eligible for one of several scholarships. http://www.andersonuniversity.edu/finaid.aspx?id=2417&ekmensel=c580fa7b_145_0_2417
Archibald Rutledge Scholarship
The South Carolina Department of Education is announcing the Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program. This annual program offers public school twelfth-grade students the opportunity to compete for a scholarship worth approximately $2,000 in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. The purpose of the competition is to encourage and recognize academic and artistic excellence. Applicants may participate in one of the following discipline areas: creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts. To compete, students should submit one original composition and a process folio for the visual arts area and an original and two copies of the original composition and process folio for the creative writing, dance, music, or theatre categories. Entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. or postmarked on or before Monday, February 6, 2017. For more details: http://www.ed.sc.gov/instruction/standards-learning/visual-and-performing-arts/2014-15-archibald-rutledge-scholarship-program/
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. www.aiadvantage.com
AXA Achievement Scholarship
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. Application deadline is December 15, 2017. www.scholarshipamerica.org/axa-achievement
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. Application deadline is June 17, 2017. www.bigsunathletics.com
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. http://www.christianconnector.com
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. https://profileonline.collegeboard.com
The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program
The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program at The University of Texas at Dallas is one of the nation’s most generous and selective undergraduate merit awards. Valued at more than $250,000 (out of state) or $150,000 (in state), the scholarship includes tuition, stipend, study abroad and professional development funding. Deadlines: Oct. 25, 2017 (early) or Jan. 4, 2018. Qualifications and deadlines are online. Please contact mcdermott@utdallas.edu or visit our website for more information.
Gates Millennium Scholarship
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
This scholarship database is completely devoted to those of Hispanic descent. www.hsf.net, www.collegescholarships.org/minority2.htm
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. Application deadline is October 25, 2017 https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities. Selected from a nationwide pool of applicants, up to 40 students will become Jack Kent Cooke Scholars and have access to funding for up to four years for undergraduate studies. For more information and to apply: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarship-programs/college-scholarship/how-to-apply/
National College Funding Services Scholarship
The amount of the Scholarship is $250 for participating high schools within Lexington Once School District for a 2017-2018 graduating senior. In order to qualify for the scholarship an individual must complete the official scholarship form. The winner from each school must attend an accredited college, university or technical school to validate the scholarship. The scholarship is a random drawing by April 1st or before Awards Night. Official scholarship forms are available in Counseling & Advisement.
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. http://www.nhascholarshipfund.org
S.C. Teaching Fellows Program
Up to $24,000 in scholarship money is 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. The application deadline is December 1, 2017. https://www.cerra.org/teaching-fellows.html
Spartanburg Methodist College Scholars Program
A full tuition financial package is offered to seniors who graduate with a 3.0 grade point average. In addition, students can also qualify for "Open House Scholarships" of $500 when they visit campus on an Open House Day.
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, 2017 until May, 2018. 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. 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. http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html