LANCERS
CLASS OF 2016
From The School Counseling Department:
Mrs. McCrea A-Dh
Mrs. Meade Di-J Vol. I
Mrs. Clark K-Q December 2015
Mrs. Thomas R-Z
Mrs. Sandidge Secretary
Mrs. James AEC
Mrs. Fluker Career Coach
DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES
By now you are fully into the swing of your senior year and those decisions concerning next year are creeping closer and closer. This is an exciting time for you, but can be stressful if you procrastinate! As a reminder, we MUST have at least 2 weeks notice if you need help reviewing applications and/or getting transcripts and recommendations. We want to be able to do the best job we can for you, but are not able to if you do not allow us enough time! If you are applying to a college that has a deadline in early January, we must send the transcripts and recommendations (if needed) before the holidays. We will not be back in the office until January 4 and we don’t want you to miss your deadlines. You must notify your counselor no later than Monday, December 14 if you need anything sent from the school counseling office before winter break.
THE WORLD OF WORK – WHERE DO YOU FIT? WHERE DO YOU START?
As you continue to think about what you want to do in life, there is good news! We now have a Career Coach in the Counseling Department. Michelle Fluker has joined us from CVCC and is excited to create a career plan with you. Students with a career plan are 47% more likely to complete their post-secondary education and be ready for college or the workforce. 85% of current jobs and 90% of fast growing jobs will require post-secondary education. There are multiple ways to get to your end goal. Stop by the Counseling Department and sign up to speak with Mrs. Fluker.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING
In most cases, your college admissions testing should be completed by December and we hope that all of you (if you need to do so) have registered for the SAT or ACT (or both) by now. If you still need to test, the deadline for the January 23 SAT is December 28; the February 6 ACT deadline is January 8. You may register online at www.sat.org/register for the SAT; www.actstudent.org/start for the ACT or pick up a paper registration form in the counseling office. Don’t forget that your scores will not be on your transcript; you must send them directly from the testing companies. You should do this when you register for the test.
TIME IS FLYING
Do not, we repeat, do not underestimate the importance of any course you are taking this year. We want to see each and every one of you walk across that stage at the Vines Center in late May. If you are not pleased with your grades thus far, today is the day to make some changes in what you are doing. If you don’t, you will get the same results at the end of the first semester. Time is flying—do not let it get away from you.
NCAA ELIGIBILITY CENTER
If you are a prospective student-athlete hoping to participate in intercollegiate athletics at a NCAA Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to establish academic eligibility. You may access the registration materials by going to www.eligibilitycenter.org. From that site, click on “NCAA College-bound Student Athletes Enter Here” and that will link you to the necessary information. Also, don’t forget to send your SAT and/or ACT scores directly to the Eligibility Center from the College Board and/or the ACT. The code to do so is 9999.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is one of the most important aspects of the college application process. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form used to apply for financial aid. All colleges use the information provided on this application to determine financial aid awards. You may submit an online FAFSA by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please note that you cannot actually submit the application until after January 1, 2016, but you can go to the website now and get familiar with what is required.
Sweet Briar College will be holding their annual Super Saturday workshop on January 16, 2016 from 10 am to 2 pm in Benedict Computer Lab. The workshop will assist high school seniors and their parents in completing the FAFSA (Federal Student Aid) form. In the event of snow, the workshop will be held on January 23.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Information on the following scholarships is available in the counseling department. A “scholarship corner” has been set up where you will find information on all the opportunities we have received so far. You should get in the habit of checking this on a regular basis. Please carefully read the information posted there before you take anything. Keep in mind that if the scholarship needs to come back to us for processing, the deadline for you to turn it in may be an earlier date than what is listed below. This deadline to us will be clearly marked on the application, so there should be no confusion.
1. The Lee-Jackson Scholarship Program awards 18 scholarships ranging in amount from $1,000 to $10,000 to students in Virginia who submit the best essays on the career, character, or some other aspect of the life of Robert E. Lee or Stonewall Jackson. The applications are located on the Lee-Jackson Foundation website, www.lee-jackson.org and are due to your counselor by February 5.
2. If you are applying to the University of Michigan and are interested in studying engineering, physics, mathematics, or computer science, you should apply for the Gloria Wille Bell and Carlos R. Bell Scholarship. Visit www.bellscholarship.org for more information. Applications are due February 1.
3. Check out the AXA website to learn about the $2,000 AXA Achievement Community Scholarship. Go to www.axa-achievement.com for information and to download an application. The deadline is February 1 or when AXA has received 10,000 applications (whichever comes first).
4. The scholarship program of the Virginia Golf Foundation is for those students who are interested in golf and who plan to attend a college or university in Virginia. Applications must be received by your counselor no later than February 15, 2016. The Foundation’s website is www.vsga.org. See the scholarship corner, if interested.
5. The National Co-op Scholarship Program has announced its 2015-16 scholarship competition. If you are interested in pursuing a college cooperative education program, visit www.co-op.edu for information. The scholarship deadline is February 15, 2016.
6. The George E. Allen Academic Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 each will be offered to fifteen high school seniors throughout Virginia. The scholarship is designed to recognize students, who despite obstacles or special challenges have achieved high standards of performance. Students may be planning to attend a two or four-year college, nursing school, or business, trade, or technical training program. Applications are available in the counseling corner and must be returned to your counselor by February 15.
7. The Virginia Mayflower Society has announced the 2016 Mildred Ramos Scholarship in the amount of $1,620. You may find information about the scholarship and how to apply by going to www.virginiamayflower.org/scholarship. The application deadline is March 15.
8. If you work at Walmart or Sam’s Club or are the dependent of a Walmart or Sam’s Club employee, you should look into the Walmart Foundation Scholarships. Information can be accessed at www.walmartfoundation.org. On the website, under “Community Giving,” click on “Our Focus,” then click on “Education.”
9. The creators of the “Student Award Search Aid” website are offering the B. Davis Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Please visit www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships for more information. The deadline for applications is May 23, 2016.
10. The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Virginia announces an essay contest for scholarship to seniors planning to attend a four-year college. Deadline is March 18, 2016. See the scholarship corner for the application and further details.
11. The BigSun Organization is offering a $500 scholarship to a student athlete who participates in any sport. Visit the website at www.bigsunathletics.com for information about how to apply. The application deadline is June 17, 2016.
12. SunTrust will award two seniors and undergraduate students a $500.00 scholarship. Rewards are randomly chosen every two weeks until May 13, 2016. Apply at suntrusteducation.com/scholarshipsweepstakes
13. Scholarship opportunities for students looking to attend UVA can visit www.admission.virginia.edu/outreach
14. Announcing the 2016 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program for seniors who embody the characteristics of President Ronald Reagan. This is a renewable scholarship of $10,000. Apply at www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships by January 7, 2016.
15. Central Virginia Federal Credit Union is offering the Joseph P. Crouch Memorial Scholarship of $1000.00. See the scholarship corner for application requirements and form. Deadline is March 18, 2016.
16. Plum Creek Community Scholarship Program is offering $1000.00. Apply at www.scholarsapply.org/plumcreekcommunity by January 27, 2016
17. Students planning to attend Virginia Tech can visit www.univhonors.vt.edu/html/sholoarships for a list of scholarships.
18. Students seeking to attend Washington University in St. Louis can email the admissions office at or for scholarship information.
19. SportQuest is offering a $2,000.00 Scholarship for Christian Student Athletes. Apply online at www.playingwithpurpose.org by February 1, 2016.
20. Davidson College is offering a scholarship to students attending their institution. Those interested can visit www.davidson.edu/belk. Deadline is April 1, 2016
21. The Orthopaedic Center of Central Virginia is offering The Barnard Family Health and Wellness Scholarship. See the counselor corner for application; deadline is April 20, 2016.
22. Amherst County Retired Teachers is offering two $500.00 scholarships for only ACHS students pursuing a degree in education. Deadline is January 15, 2016. See the scholarship corner for more information.
23. Price Benowitz, LLC has 10 different scholarship programs through the firm. See the scholarship corner for more information.
24. Student Scholarships.org has a list of three different scholarships for Virginia students. Deadlines are as soon as December 31, 2015 up to February 15, 2016. See the scholarship corner for more information or visit www.studentscholarships.org/newsletter.php
MISCELLANEOUS STUFF . . .
1. If you will be attending a private college in Virginia next year, you will be eligible to receive the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG), a monetary award for undergraduate students which you do not pay back. The amount of the award varies each year, but is in the $2,800 range. Once you have decided where you will be going, make sure you ask the college’s financial aid office about the TAG.
2. www.MeritAid.com is a website that helps students locate merit-based scholarships from colleges all across the country.
3. CollegeWeekLive is an online college fair that lets students interact with admissions reps and students at 300+ colleges nationwide. You can register for free at www.collegeweeklive.com. Take a look at it; could be useful as you make decisions about your future!
4. Visit www.StudentScholarships.org for more information about available scholarships. Who knows, you might find something you’re interested in!
5. The Exchange Club of Lynchburg has announced its A.C.E (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) Award. Each high school in the central Virginia area has the opportunity to nominate seniors who have overcome adversity and have made a positive change in their attitude and progress in school. From the nominees, the Exchange Club will select one student each month to be recognized at the organization’s monthly luncheon meeting. The monthly winners will also be candidates for the A.C.E. Student of the Year, an award that includes a $1,000 scholarship. If you are interested in being considered as a nominee from ACHS, please see your counselor for more information.
6. Visit www.legion.org/needalift to find out more information about scholarships offered by the American Legion. Might be worth your while!
7. Apprenticeship! Any student interested in Heating/Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Process Piping and the Environmental Systems Fields can apply for an apprenticeship through STEAMFITTERS Local Union 602. Please visit website at www.Steamfitters-602.org for more information.
TOP 10 REASONS TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GRADUATE:
10. The top eight future jobs require a high school diploma and some post-secondary education.
9. The average yearly income of a high school dropout is $19,365.
8. The average yearly income of a high school graduate is $33,633.
7. A high school dropout has only a 58% chance of steady employment.
6. Three in every ten students will not graduate.
5. High school dropouts are significantly higher risk candidates for substance abuse and crime.
4. High school dropouts are twice as likely as high school graduates to slip into poverty.
3. Increasing the national graduation rate by 10% would reduce homicides and assaults by
approximately 20%.
2. Individuals with high school diploma have better indicators of general health.
1. Individuals with a high school diploma live longer. Sources:
Education Week; Diplomas Count (2006)
Education Commission of the States (2008)
Hope you enjoy your break. Prepare to be rested
and ready for the second semester.