Class of 2023 Senior Newsletter
Volume 7 - 3/8/23
Hello Seniors!
SENIOR MEETING - March 23
THE BEST WAY TO COMPLETE YOUR FAFSA IS THROUGH GOINGMERRY!
In the past, students have sometimes struggled with the government version of the FAFSA. That’s why this year we’ve partnered with Going Merry to offer you their version of the form, known as: “FAFSA Made Easier.”
Watch this short video to learn about the FAFSA Made Easier form:
https://www.loom.com/share/b0ab40b0efa743e3923976471cd56a23
As you know, college is expensive. But that’s why the federal government sets aside $135 billion (with a B!) each year to give students as college financial aid. In fact, the average student gets about $15,000 in federal and state financial aid. (This is a combination of grants, work-study, and loans.)
What does your family have to do to get access to financial aid? Fill out the FAFSA form. This is the #1 most important thing your family can do, to get money for college.
Benefits of Going Merry's FAFSA Made Easier:
This FAFSA Made Easier form is completely FREE for you to use.
This FAFSA Made Easier form replaces the government version. (You do not need to fill it out on the government website, only on Going Merry.)
Going Merry has strict security protocols, including encryption of all information and safe storage of your personal data. They do NOT sell your data to third parties.
To access Going Merry’s FAFSA Made Easier:
Sign up for Going Merry here (if you don’t already have an account).
Make sure you list Hastings High School as your high school.
Then go to the FAFSA Made Easier page and begin filling out the form!
If you have any issues, you can consult their FAFSA Knowledge Base, contact Mrs. Heaton, or Ms. Tolles, or email the Going Merry team of financial aid advisors at financialaid@goingmerry.com.
SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHING
HHS Scholarship Process - MUST READ!
1) Complete the entire scholarship application besides the documents needed by the Counseling Department
2) Bring the completed application to Mrs. Erb, where the necessary documents will be added and the scholarship will be mailed for you.
3) If the scholarship is asking for these items to be uploaded, see Mrs. Erb and she will upload them for you.
NOTE:
* The transcript that was emailed to you earlier this semester is an unofficial transcript and cannot be used for this process. This transcript must come directly from us, not you.
* Do not ask us to give you these documents. Doing so makes them unofficial. Finish your part first then bring everything to Mrs. Erb.
*DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE - we expect these requests be at least one week before the scholarship due date, or we cannot guarantee they will be completed on time.
Any questions about this process? See Mrs. Erb
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
(Note: The application will go "live" on March 27, and will be due by April 14.)
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY INTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS
GRBS PERSEVERANCE SCHOLARSHIP
BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TRUST SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship honors young leaders who demonstrate Trust and Ethics in their daily lives as they work to make a difference in their school and community. This scholarship is open to High School seniors (class of 2023) who will attend college in the fall of 2023. BBB will award three (3) scholarships worth $1,500 each.
Applicants will be asked to make a 800-1000 written submission that, using an example or examples from their life, shows how they demonstrate or have demonstrated the characteristics of Trust and Ethics. Applications will be judged by a panel of BBB staff and members of the business and nonprofit community. Scholarship winners will be honored at the Trust Award Celebration to be held July 25, 2023.
The application can be found here and is due by March 20th, 2023.
THORNAPPLE CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIP
1. Scholarships are available to members of TCU who are high school seniors or home-schooled seniors.
2. Must be a member, in good standing, of Thornapple Credit Union. If you do not have an account but would like to apply for this scholarship, you will need to open a new account at TCU.
Criteria for awarding the scholarship from TCU:
1. Scholarship - The recipient must have attained a total GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Citizenship - The recipient must have a good citizenship record, such as outside work activity advantageous to their church, family or community.
3. Attitude of Recipient - The student’s attitude must be that which, in the consideration and opinion of the committee, will make additional education or training beneficial to him/her in the community which the student will reside.
Apply here by March 31, 2023.
UNION BANK SCHOLARSHIP
- Student must plan to attend a private or public college, university, or trade school. If the student has not yet been accepted into a college or university, they may still apply for the scholarship.
- Student must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4-point scale).
- Student must submit a copy of their high school transcript (grades 9-12) with the application.
- Student must demonstrate achievement and high standards in academics, character, leadership, citizenship, and involvement in school and/or community activities.
- Student must submit a 500-word essay. In 500 words or less, the student should discuss how they selected their intended field of interest or major. The applicant should share any experience they have in their intended field of interest (e.g., volunteer work, summer jobs, extracurricular activities, internships, etc.) and share what they gained from that experience. The essay should describe how the student’s college, university, or trade school education will contribute to their immediate or long-range career plan(s).
- Student must submit a letter of recommendation with the application, must not be from a family member.
- Children or immediate family members of Union Bank directors, officers, and employees are not eligible.
Apply here by April 1, 2023.
Highpoint Community Bank Scholarship
The Highpoint Community Bank Scholarship, founded in 2018, is to award a high school senior accepted into a post-secondary education program in finance or a business related field.
The scholarship amount is $4,000 with $1,000 payouts per year up to four years.
Scholarship Criteria for Consideration:
- Student must be a high school senior.
- Student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
- Student must be pursuing a certificate, associates, or bachelor's degree.
- Qualifying degree programs include finance, business administration, economics, accounting, etc.
- Student must demonstrate leadership qualities. A letter of recommendation must be submitted from someone other than a family member.
Learn more and apply here - Deadline March 31st, 2023
Great Lakes Energy Scholarships
Great Lakes Energy is proud to offer scholarship opportunities for students pursuing careers in electrical linework, electrical engineering, and information technology.
Up to six $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually.
Scholarships are also available for students seeking degrees in electrical engineering or in information technology. Two $2,500 scholarships are available for each of these two areas of study.
The scholarships are available for residents of Michigan who have a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and are enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited program for the upcoming school year or program term.
Electrical Engineering/Information Technology - apply HERE
Lineman Program - apply HERE
THE NATIONAL CCAA SCHOLARSHIP
The $1,000 National CCAA Scholarship is offered annually to 16 college-bound high school seniors attending one of the National CCAA member institutions in the fall.
To be eligible for the National CCAA Scholarship:
- Applicants must graduate in the spring (e.g., spring 2023 high school graduation for fall 2023 awards).
- Recipients must be accepted to one or more National CCAA member institutions.
- Recipients must enroll in a National CCAA member institution beginning in the fall.
Award recipients will be selected by random drawing. Apply here. Application due Monday, April 1st, 2023.
SET SEG SKILLED TRADE SCHOLARSHIP
- Must have been enrolled in a Career and Technical Education Program (and provide transcript)
- Must be enrolled in or plan to enroll in an accredited two-year college, technical school, or other accredited technical institutes in the next 12 months
Apply here by April 17th, 2023.
SCHOLAR'S APP-- PB & J SCHOLARSHIP
IMAGINE AMERICA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
We encourage all students looking to apply for scholarships to career, community and technical colleges to take a few minutes to take the steps laid out here.
PLAN TO ATTEND A LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE? CHECK OUT THESE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KCC, KVCC, AND GRCC!
To apply for these scholarships, you must be accepted to the respective school. However, community colleges are open enrollment institutions, so once you apply, you're automatically accepted!
- Priority deadline March 1
Grand Rapids Community College: https://www.grcc.edu/employers-community/grcc-foundation/scholarships#:~:text=The%20GRCC%20Foundation%20awards%20more,or%20financialaid%40grcc.edu%20.
NACAC In- Person and Virtual College Fairs
Below is information about some national college fair events. These are a great way to learn about many schools all at once. RSVP for the events that interest you.
SCHOLARSHIP FORM
HOW TO CONTACT THE COUNSELING OFFICE
Mrs. Heaton - melinda.heaton@hassk12.org
Call or text me at my Google Voice number: 269-218-0108
Ms. Herbert - renee.herbert@hassk12.org
Call or text me at my Google Voice number: 269-340-0361
Mrs. Coltson - dawn.coltson@hassk12.org
Call or text me at my Google Voice number: 269-948-7105
Ms. Peg - peg.denman@hassk12.org
Call or text me at my Google Voice number: 269-205-3106
Ms. Tolles - elliza.tolles@hassk12.org
School Phone: 269-818-2409
Click here to schedule an appointment with me
Mrs. Erb - kristi.erb@hassk12.org
School Phone: 269-945-6169