Raider Nation Rising
The Class of 2023 Senior Edit
Warm Winter Wishes!
I hope this December finds you and your family well! As we look to the close of the year, it's hard to believe that our Seniors are at the midway mark... That's right, you're halfway there to graduation. Winter break is upon us and we all are in need of some well needed rest and recharge, this is also a great time for Seniors to do mid-year check to evaluate where they are in their future planning, and take this time away from busy schedules to attend to some important items on your checklists!
This newsletter is full of helpful information to help you start the new year feeling ready for your next steps, so grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, and catch up on the latest college and career info.
Senior students who have applied early action to colleges are starting to hear back from their schools and the process of financial aid is in full-swing. If you have received an acceptance letter, please screen shot it and send it to Ms. Hennessy via email at rhennessy@bcps.org or send me a message Schoology. We look forward to celebrating your successes with you!
Make sure that you are connected to the Loch Raven Counseling, College, and Career Schoology Group where all things college and career related are posted. Scholarships opportunities, college and career events, application deadlines, are updated here frequently... Join code is: 27M4-GHJF-9XPX9 and the Class of 2023 Schoology Group to stay up to date on all Senior Events: Join Code: CV2X-WZQ6-HN8DV
If you would like to be able to view your child's progress in their Naviance account, please email Ms. Hennessy for a registration code at rhennessy@bcps.org
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and gentle winter break. See you in 2023!
- Ms. Hennessy
Seniors-What should I be doing now ?
Finalize your post highschool path: Are you planning to apply to a 4 year college, community college, military branch, or trade school? Taking a gap year and working? Seniors are basically done with school by the end of April, so that means only 4 months before graduation when we return from winter break. No matter your path, there are important steps you need to take to set that plan in motion.
Work on college applications. If you did not apply for early action deadlines, now is the time to begin your college applications for the regular decision deadlines. These deadlines are most often early January-Mid February-- and they are approaching quickly! See below for an application checklist, there are a lot of steps to the process, make sure you are checking off each one. please note the application process is very different for 4 year universities vs. Community College and you will need to request transcripts, letters of recommendations, and other needed paperwork a minimum of 2 weeks before your school deadline to ensure they are ready in time.
Complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA using 2021 tax information. This FAFSA is where all financial aid starts for 2-year, 4-year and vocational/career training programs. Even if you don't think you will qualify for federal student need-based aid, many colleges require the completion of the FAFSA in order to offer school specific scholarships, grants, and create your financial aid package. Make sure that you have added all schools that you are applying to in the FAFSA. In order to access additional Maryland grants and scholarships, your FAFSA must be done by March 1st and include at least one MD school (including CCBC) in your FAFSA list. http://www.fafsa.gov or download the myStudentAid app (iOS or Android) and fill it out from a mobile device.
Create an MDCaps account In order to qualify for State of MD Financial Aid ( this is additional funding available for students who attend an in-state school) including the College Promise Scholarship (see below for more information). If you have completed your FAFSA application, and included at least one Maryland school, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) should have sent you an email, directing you to create your MD caps account. ( Make sure to check your Spam and enable emails from MHEC if you have not received it). You will be able to apply for MD specific scholarships/ grants and MHEC will begin sending out notifications in January to students via email who are eligible to receive the Guaranteed Access Grant for the 23-24 academic year. https://mdcaps.mhec.state.md.us/MDCAPS/login.aspx?c=-8586565387562627690&ReturnUrl=/MDCAPS/int/FinAid/index.aspx
Begin applying for scholarships: See below for scholarship resources and make sure that you are checking the Counseling Schoology page, your Naviance account under "Scholarship List" and then "Local and Regional Scholarships" as well as the schools you are applying to which will have school specific scholarships, as well as your Maryland Senator and Delegate Scholarships. Just as with college applications, if you need something from a counselor or teacher for a scholarship application, please make that request at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
Turn in your Transcript Release Permission Form: * Reminder* your school transcripts will be requested by all colleges, trade schools, and military, maybe even some jobs. We cannot send your transcripts to anyone with the Naviance Consent Transcript Request Form completed, signed and turned into the counseling office. You can access the form below or pick up a hard copy in the counseling office.
Make a appointment with your counselor: Not sure where to start or what you are doing? Make an appointment as soon as possible with Mrs. Hennessy or your school counselor in the new year to work on plans and get support!
Mrs. Hennessy, College & Career: rhennessy@bcps.org
Mrs. Johnson: ( Last Names: H-T) tjohnson2@bcps.org
Ms. Moody:Dept Chair, (Last Names: A-G, U-Z) jmoody@bcps.org
Ms. Perna: Counseling Secretary, sperna@bcps.org
Why is it important to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible?!
Please note* The FAFSA is needed for more than just * need based aid* Even if you believe that you may not qualify for need-based aid, you may be surprised depending on the cost of the school you're attending what you may be eligible for. Additionally, many states and individual colleges use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for state or school specific aid and offer scholarships, and some private financial aid providers may use FAFSA information to determine eligibility as well.
The FAFSA is free to complete and opens on October 1st each year. Some scholarships and funding opportunities are on a first come first serve basis, so students should complete the form as soon as possible in order to be eligible for the most aid.
Click on the " Financial Aid 101 Resource Guide and Applications" button below for access to your one stop spot for all funding opportunities and application sites ( FAFSA, MD CAPS, CSS PROFILE, SCHOLARSHIPS )
Community College
Community College is also a helpful in between step for students who need to improve their GPA / Academic record before enrolling into a 4 year college, since there is not a minimum GPA or test score requirement to enroll. community colleges also do not require a essay or letters of recommendation, making the application process easier.
Students should look into varying community colleges to review their program offerings. CCBC also offers the Baltimore County College Promise Scholarship, where students who meet a 2.3 GPA or higher and have a combine total household income of 150,000 or less are eligible to attend CCBC tuition free!
CCBC also offers students scholarships through their Honors Program. Students must apply to the Honors program through their application. Additionally, students enrolled in the Honor Program are guaranteed admission to 12 MAryland State School upon completion of their associates degree, including University of Maryland! Applications are due by April 1st
Community College of Baltimore County Instant Admission Days at Loch Raven
Starting in February, we will host three CCBC instant admission sessions for our Seniors who are interested in attending CCBC following graduation. This is a great opportunity for students, as they will leave school that day, as a college student with a plan!
There will be three sessions offered, each during 2nd period. Each session has a max amount of students that can sign up, so please sign up in advance to get your spot. Students can register up to 24 hours before the session.
2/14
2/28
3/2
Our CCBC admissions rep, Ms. Jennifer Jeandell, will be onsite to assist students with submitting their applications, and providing placement testing and academic advising appointment set up to assist students with registering for their classes. Students must sign up to attend a session using the link here.
Monday, Feb 14, 2022, 09:00 AM
Loch Raven High School, Cowpens Avenue, Towson, MD, USA
CAREER, TRADE SCHOOLS AND MILITARY LINKS
ASVAB TEST REGISTRATION
Results of these tests can be used to help with career planning in whatever path students choose to pursue. Once students take the test, they will participate in a post-test interpretation session and will have access to career planning tools using OCCU-find.
Loch Raven will host ASVAB testing on site on February 7th from 7:45-10:45. Students will need to register to take the test through their Naviance account. There is a consent form that must be completed in order for students to take the test. Har copies of the form can be picked up in the counseling office, or an electronic copy found here:
All questions regarding ASVAB should be directed to Ms. Jennifer Madrid at jmadrid@bcps.org
Wednesday, Dec 7, 2022, 07:30 AM
Loch Raven High School, Cowpens Avenue, Towson, MD, USA
Available Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships in Naviance
January
Ron Brown Scholar Program for African Americans -deadline 1/9/23
Alexander Hamilton Scholars - deadline 1/25/23
To log into Naviance:
1. Go to NAVIANCE.COM
2. Select "ACCOUNT LOGIN"--> Click FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
3. WHICH SCHOOL…? Enter LOCH RAVEN click on Loch Raven High
4. Select STUDENT on the next page
5. Click CONTINUE WITH CLEVER (blue box)
On the next page it may ask you to type Loch Raven again
6. Click LOG IN WITH ACTIVE DIRECTORY.
Parents/ Guardians have access to their student's account. To gain access to your child's account you may need a registration code, please email me at rhennessy@bcps.org and I will send you your code.
New Scholarship Opportunities
First Financial Credit Union's 2023 Scholarship Program launched on December 1st, 2021. Students must be a member of FFCU. ( Becoming a member is easy and you can close your account after the scholarship awardee is announced)
Students should submit their scholarship application online at www.FirstFinancial.org/ScholarshipApply One Student from Loch Raven HS will be awarded a 3,000 scholarship from FFCU! The student deadline will be February 1st, 2022.
MD JCI Senate Scholarships - deadline January 13, 2023
Each year the Maryland JCI Senate awards two $1,000 Scholarships to deserving seniors from Maryland high schools. The Maryland winners are chosen based on merit and need. The applications of the Maryland scholarship winners are then forwarded to the US JCI SENATE FOUNDATION for consideration for an additional $1,000 Scholarship.
Information, applications, and instructions for these scholarships are located at the UNITED STATE JCI SENATE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION website at www.usjcisenate.org.
Attached please find a flyer with the scholarship information on it.
Please note that the application must be filled out adhering to the guidelines within the application or it will not be judged. This includes submitting by the postmark date, page numbering, etc.
Orrstown Bank Foundation Scholarship - Deadline March 3rd
The 2023 Orrstown Bank Foundation Scholarship application is now live! The application deadline is Friday, March 3rd. Please use the link below to apply.
https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarships/OrrstownBankFoundation23
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Other Helpful Forms
Connect with us
Email: rhennessy@bcps.org
Website: lochravenhs.bcps.org
Location: 1212 Cowpens Ave, Towson, Baltimore, MD 21286, USA
Phone: (410) 887-3525
Twitter: @lrhscounseling