Athens High School
SENIOR NEWSLETTER
Yes you- YOU did it!
This was my first time participating in College Application Week and to be honest, it was a bit intimidating. Before it began, we had about 10 seniors who had turned in acceptance letters and around 70 that had sent transcripts. Even those we couldn't be sure had completed an application. That left about 130 who had not started the college application process. Therefore we had to get 95% of your senior class to either complete a college application or prove they had completed one already- makes me tired just thinking about it!
With the help of some very generous volunteers and a fantastically willing senior class, we exceeded even my expectations! By the end of last week 95% of the Class of 2017 had completed at least one college application. YOU DID THAT!
Thank you so much for be willing to jump right in. I hope it feels as good to you to have those completed as it does to me!
KEEP THOSE ACCEPTANCE LETTERS ROLLING ON IT!
www.achievealabama.org
The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) and the Rotaract Club of Birmingham have partnered to launch the first state-specific scholarship database - AchieveAlabama.org.
The site is cost-free and is available to all high school students in the state. It houses thousands of university-specific and private scholarships. The site also focuses specifically on local scholarship dollars that are awarded each year by Alabama businesses and private foundations.
Registration for the site is free and voluntary, and all student data is secure and protected in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. No student information is ever provided to any third parties unless a student opts in to share information with colleges.
For more information about Achieve Alabama or to access scholarship information, please visit www.achievealabama.org.
John Baylor Prep
If you haven't already heard, Athens High School has purchased John Baylor Prep for all students grades 9-12. The mission of JBP is to help schools and families create college graduates with minimal debt. Jumping scores helps, but study skills, general test taking skills, and skilled college counseling do as well.
Available to you now are ACT Prep, ACT Fundamentals Course, SAT/PSAT Prep, and ASPIRE Early High School Prep.
You can access it now by going to www.johnbaylorprep.com.
Login: your school email address
Password: eagles
FAFSA- Know The Changes
What is the FAFSA?
You must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you want to apply for federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, also require the FAFSA. You must submit the FAFSA every year that you want aid.
The FAFSA is available in several formats, including online, PDF and paper versions. The best option is to complete the web-based version of the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov, known as FAFSA on the Web.
What are the changes to the FAFSA?
You can start completing the FAFSA in OCTOBER using your parents 2015 taxes. This is a significant change for the better. You will have more time to complete the FAFSA. Most colleges & universities have a preferred deadline of March 1.
Want FREE help in filling out the FAFSA? The is ANOTHER opportunity scheduled in November for FAFSA Assistance at the Athens High School campus with The North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence. This will be the last time for FAFSA assistance before many of the December deadlines. Please see below for more information.
FAFSA Assistance Meetings
Karlton Stephens from the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence will be available to meet with parents and/or students to assist them in filling out the FAFSA. Meetings will take place every thirty minutes. Please try and get both the student and parent FSA ID prior to meeting with him. Directions to do that are listed below. You will need a copy of the student (if they have one) and parent(s) 2015 taxes and W2. If you have any specific questions prior to meeting, please call the NACEE office at 256-350-6478.
Please click here to reserve your time.
Wednesday, Nov 30, 2016, 08:30 AM
AHS Guidance Department
**IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES**
December ACT- Late Registration Deadline
The December ACT is the last opportunity to work on your score before many scholarship deadlines. Don't forget to sign up at www.actstudent.org.
Friday, Nov 18, 2016, 11:45 PM
AHS
BALFOUR Orders
LAST CHANCE! A representative will be here from Balfour to collect orders and money for senior products. If you lost your packet or never received one, please stop by the Guidance Department and pick one up.
Go to www.balfoursrc.com for more info.
Tuesday, Dec 6, 2016, 11:30 AM
AHS Lunchroom
NCAA & NAIA
Interested in playing sports at the collegiate level? Make sure that you have signed up with NCAA or NAIA. If you have an questions, please see Mr. Cliff Smith.
Sign up for the ACT at www.actstudent.org today!
- December 10, 2016** (last chance for many scholarship deadlines) LATE REGISTRATION BY NOV 18
- February 11, 2017
- April 8, 2017
- June 10, 2017
Buy your Senior Yearbook
The Aquila is for sale online at Balfour.com or in Room 204. Students can see a publications member for more information.
FALL PREVIEW DAYS
Don't forget to sign up for Fall Preview Days. They are a great way to see many facets of a college or university. Go to a school's website to sign up online to participate in their preview day. If you cannot make the preview day, then sign up online for a tour of campus. If the preview day or campus visit takes place on a weekday, make sure to pick up a form in the attendance office to get it approved. Use your 2 FREE college visit days!
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE
Nov 19, 2016
**FEATURED WEBSITES**
^^THE SCHOLARSHIP BINDER^^ WITHIN THE SCHOLARSHIP BINDER YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS PRINTED IN THIS NEWSLETTER AS WELL AS COPIES OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS. YOU CAN ACCESS IT IN THE GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT AT ANY TIME. CHECK IT ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR UPDATED INFORMATION.
SCHOLARSHIPS
All scholarships and special opportunities will be listed here in chronological order. This section will continue to grow throughout the year. Keep an eye out as new information is listed.
- Huntsville Hospital Athlete of the Year Scholarship Program is taking applications. From September to April, a panel of judges selects one Athlete of the Week. Applicants must be a high school senior, have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and display a history of athletic and academic accomplishments, as well as community/civic involvement. All weekly winners are invited to a banquet held in their honor in May, and two students are selected as Athletes of the Year. The two Athletes of the Year each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Go to http://www.huntsvillehospital.org/aoy to apply today.
P.O.E.’s Alabama Chapter Z Scholarship is open to young women in Limestone County entering college in Fall 2017. Minimum scholarship award is $500. Must be actively involved in community, extracurricular and/or work activities and have a 3.0 GPA. Applications available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is December 1, 2016.
- The Smith Scholarship Foundation is an Accountability Scholarship Program providing assistance to high school seniors who have "given back" to their community through volunteering or care of family while overcoming financial and personal challenges. The SSF Program provides up to $15,000 a year in financial assistance in addition to many other opportunities. Please visit their website at www.smithscholarships.com for additional information. Deadline for application is December 1, 2016. Letters of Recommendation are due January 15, 2016.
- The FBLA-PBL Foundation Scholarship will be awarded to one paid, senior member of each Alabama district for FBLA students. Deadline is December 15, 2016. Applications are available in the Guidance Department.
The Burger King Scholars Program offers up to $50,000 in scholarship awards for the 2017-2018 school year. You must have a 2.5 GPA to apply. Applications are available at www.bkmclamorefoundation.org/WhatWeDo/ScholarsProgram. Deadline is December 15, 2016.
The Alabama Army National Guard Minuteman Scholarship Campaign is to recruit highly qualified cadets to the Army National Guard each year. Recipient’s will receive tuition and fees or room and board, personal stipend, book stipend and other benefits. Must have 2.5 GPA to accept and maintain a 2.0 GPA to stay eligible. More information available in the Guidance Department. Two different selection boards. Deadlines are December 15, 2016 or February 1, 2017.
- The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invite all 9th-12th grade students to participate in the Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest. Each students 5-6 minute speech will be judges based on its composition, delivery, significance and historical accuracy and relevance. Cash prizes range from $150- $4,000. Deadline is December 20, 2016. Applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- The Linley Heflin Scholarship grants four-year scholarships of $4,000/year to Alabama women with significant economic need and sound academic record. Requirements are a minimum composite ACT of 23, Alabama resident and US citizen, financial need, academic proficiency and must be attending a four-year Alabama SACS accredited college. Applications can be downloaded at www.linleyheflin.org. Deadline is January 9, 2017.
- The National Beta Scholarship Program will award over $300,000 in scholarships with awards ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 to outstanding 12th grade Beta members. Applications can be found at www.betaclub.org/scholarship. Click Apply Now for details. Deadline is January 26, 2017.
- The National Co Op Scholarship Program is for students interested in attending one of these 10 schools: Clarkson U, Drexel U, Johnson & Wales U, Merrimack U, Rochester IT, State U of NY Oswego, U of Cincinnati, U of Mass. Lowell, U of Toledo, Wentworth IT. You must have a 3.5 GPA and apply to one of the schools above. Awards range from $24,000 to $26,000 over 4 years. Applications available at www.waceinc.org. Deadlines vary from November 1- February 15 depending on the school.
- The Athena League recognizes the importance of academic achievement, need, extracurricular activities and community involvement, thus establishing the Athena League Trent-Crutcher Scholarship. The award is a one-time $1,000 scholarship. Senior girls planning on starting college in the fall of 2017 are eligible (except daughters of Athena League members past and present). Deadline is March 1, 2017. Applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- The University of North Alabama’s Department of Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene awarded over $32,000 for the 2016-2017 school year. Application for their endowed scholarships are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 1, 2017.
- Enter the Suntrust Off To College Scholarship Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 30 $500 scholarships. You can enter once each drawing period from September 12- May 12, 2017. Enter to win at www.suntrusteducation.com/scholarshipsweepstakes
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
- Miss Alabama’s Outstanding Teen Pageant will take place March 3-5, 2017. Contestants must be 13-17 years old, and up to a junior in high school. Winners and participants are eligible for a lot of cash scholarship monies. Go to the website www.missalabamaot.com for the necessary paperwork.
- The Veteran's of Foreign Wars will host the Voice of Democracy Essay Contest. Students grades 9-12 are eligible to apply with winners ranging from Post, District, State and National Levels. Deadline is November 1, 2016. More information and application available in the Guidance Department.
- The Ringling College of Art and Design sponsor the Annual “Storytellers of Tomorrow” High School Creative Writing Contest. This is open to students in grades 9-12. Stories will fall into two categories- Literacy Stories or Genre Stories. Only one submission allowed per students. Awards range from $50 to $200 dollars. More info in the Guidance Department. Deadline is December 1, 2016.
- The University of Alabama Department of Theater and Dance invite any student interested in pursuing a degree in Theater to attend auditions for departmental scholarships. Students must have a 3.0 GPA to be eligible. Audition days will take place on November 5, 2016 and January 28, 2017. Information and applications are available in the Guidance Department.
- The JFK Presidential Library & Museum will host the 2017 Profile in Courage Essay Contest. This year's topic is "Describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917, the year of JFK's birth". First place prize is awarded $20,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Boston, MA. Deadline is January 4, 2017. Go to www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest for more info.
- The North Alabama Community of Character Summit will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Columbia High School. Students from k-12 can enter the Character Summit Contest in two art categories or four character divisions. You can enter into up to two categories. Cash prizes and scholarship money will be awarded to winners in the 9-12 grade. Applications and entry requirements are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline to enter is February 10.
- The University of Alabama’s Rural Health Scholar’s Program is available to 25 11th grade students in the state of Alabama. The program pays for all expenses including tuition, housing, books and meal allowance. Requirements are a 21 on the ACT, a resident of rural Alabama for 5 years, currently in the 11th grade with a 3.0 GPA, 2 letters of recommendation and a statement of interest essay. Applications are available in the Guidance Department. Deadline is March 15, 2017.
NEED A TRANSCRIPT?
All schools that you apply to will require that you send an official transcript which must be sent directly from Athens High School. Most scholarships will require a transcript as well. The Transcript Request Form is located in the Guidance Department or on the AHS Website. Turn the form into Mrs. LL Smith (outside the door) or Ms. Ramona Malone.
Please allow ample time for the transcript to be processed.
NEED A RECOMMENDATION?
- Look at the recommendation criteria. It will be specific in who the recommendation can come from.
- Choose someone with whom you've had a positive relationship.
- Provide them with a resume, what or who the recommendation is for, and when you need it completed.
- Let them know if it is to be returned to you or if they are to mail it. If they are to mail it, please provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope.
- Give them ample time to write the recommendation. A month before the deadline is preferable.
Mrs. Laura Lou Smith
Email: LauraLou.Smith@acs-k12.org
Website: www.athenhighschool.org
Location: 100 U.S. 31, Athens, AL, United States
Phone: 256-233-6613