Guidance Newsletter for Seniors
2016– 2017
Marion High School Counseling Department
Grade level Assignments
Ms. Monica Rogers / All JuniorsMr. Harry Smith / Seniors and Sophomores last name M-Z
Mr. Anthony Santo / Freshman and Sophomores last Name A-L
Mrs. Alanda Crawford / Gear Up
Mrs. Donnie Watts / Guidance Secretary
IMPORTANT DATES:
· September 1, 2016 - Ed Op Day for Sr.1:00–2:00 & Jr.2-2:30
· Sept. or Oct. TBA - Junior/Senior Parent Meeting (5:30pm)
Overview of Guidance Office. Financial Aid Workshop-
assistance completing the FAFSA and other
financial aid tips will be provided by a College financial
aid representative.
· October 5, 2016 - College Application Day- Seniors will complete
application in the Lab during English class.
· October 25, 2016 - ACT/SAT Workshop- Cost $35.00
· November 10, 2016- ASVAB – 8:15am – JROTC RM
Reminders:
· Guidance Office will be closed every Wednesday from 8:00- 10:00am.
· We will also start IGP’s in September or October. Students and parents will meet with their counselor to review transcript, test information and scholarship information (College, Career and Military information).
· Ms. Crawford will assist 12th grade students with tutoring, mentoring,
college visits, college and financial planning. www.scgearup.org
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
**If you need my email for an application, use the following
COLLEGE APPLICATIONPROCEDURES:
1. Obtain the application from the guidance office or apply online
2. Answer all residency questions.
3. Always write and proofread the essay or personal comment
4. If you need a recommendation, give the individual at least two weeks notice.
5. When the application is complete, bring it and the application fee to the guidance office; give it to Mr. Smith or Mrs. Watts, the guidance secretary.
6. If you apply online, some schools will have a printable transcript request form. If there is no separate form, remember to come into guidance and complete a transcript request form. Without a transcript your application is incomplete.
7. Some college participate in the Common Application, an application completed once and sent to multiple colleges. Details and applications are available at www.commonapp.org. If you use the common application, print the counselor forms and bring them to the guidance office to be completed. These forms are personalized, so you must bring the forms designated for you. Application fees apply for each college. Use of the Common Application is optional; not all college participate, so check the list of college who accept the Common Application.
8. The Common Black College Application permits students to apply to 36 Historically Black College for one $35.00 fee. Application may be completed online at www.eduinconline.com;paper applications may be downloaded at the website. Recommendations, essays, transcripts, and test scores must be sent separately. Follow the direction because most college require that transcript be sent directly to the admissions office and not the EDU office.
9. Some college require the student to upload an unofficial transcript as part of the application process. Request the transcript in guidance. Do not wait until the deadline to request a transcript.
*Follow all direction exactly! Meet all deadlines!
*Plan to apply before December 1, 2016. Some college may have earlier deadlines for scholarships or Honors College
PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP
The 2016 Palmetto Fellows Scholarship award for SC private and public four-year schools will be worth up to $6,700 for freshmen ($7500 for sophomores, juniors and seniors). For early awards online applications must be submitted to the Commission on Higher Education by the mid December deadline, and early applicants must meet all of the requirements in one of the two categories listed below:
· 1200 on the SAT (highest Math and Verbal can be combined/ students cannot use the writing subsection to meet the 1200 requirement) or 27 on the ACT (the ACT composite must be at one test sitting) by November test date. Test scores must be submitted to the Commission on Higher Education by no later than the December deadline
· 3.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale or the Uniform Grading Scale at the end of their junior year grade point averages must be reported to two decimal places and cannot be rounded
· Rank in the top 6% of the class at the end of the sophomore or junior year
OR
· Score at least 1400 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT by the November test date and earn a 4.0 on the Uniform Grading Scale at the end of the junior year without regard to class rank
For final awards, applications must be submitted to the Commission on Higher Education by the June deadline and must meet all the requirements in one of the categories listed below:
· 1200 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT. Test scores will be accepted through the June national test administration of the senior year.
· 3.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale or the Uniform Grading Scale at the end of their senior year
· Rank in the top 6% of the class at the end of the sophomore, junior year or senior year
OR
· Score at least 1400 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT and earn a 4.0 cumulative GPA on the Uniform Grading Scale at the end of the senior year without regard to class rank
Students receiving a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship are ineligible for the Life Scholarship, the SC HOPE scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance.
*** Enhanced Palmetto Fellow Scholarship of up to 10,000 annually will be available to sophomore year to Palmetto Fellow who continue to meet the scholarship guidelines and who major in eligible math or science programs. Incoming freshmen who want to qualify for the enhanced award will need to take fourteen credit hours in math and or life/physical science or a combination of both during the freshmen year. Listing of eligible majors and eligible courses, as well as complete scholarship information, are available and eligible course, as we as complete scholarship information, are available at www.che.sc.gov under the students/families tabs and at the college websites
Students who are eligible to apply for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship will be notified by the guidance office and will receive detailed application instructions.
LIFE SCHOLARSHIP
No application- colleges evaluate your post/final graduation transcript
In order to qualify for the LIFE scholarship, for 2016 for four-year institution a student must meet two of three following criteria:
· Graduate with a 3.0 (B) average on the SC Uniform Grading Scale
· Score an 1100 on the SAT (cannot use writing section) or 24 on the ACT.
· Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class, no rounding is permitted
*Full-time students attending an eligible four year institution may receive up to $5,000
Two year institution:
· Graduate with a 3.0 based on the Uniform Grading Scale
· There are no test score or class rank requirements
Full-time students attending an eligible two year institution may receive up to cost of tuition not to exceed $5,000
Student who are not eligible for the life or Palmetto fellow mey be eligible for hop Scholarship
SC HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
Students who are not eligible for the Life or Palmetto Fellow maybe eligible for the HOPE scholarship worth up to $2,800 for full-time students for the first year of college attendance at a SC four year college:
· 3.0 GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Scale upon high school graduation.
No second or subsequent drug or alcohol convictions in the last academic year and no felony convictions ever. (This requirement also applies to the Palmetto Fellows, and life Recipients.)
LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE (LTAP)
Two year/ Technical Colleges only
The Award amount is determined each term based on the number of eligible students and available funding. To receive funds a student must:
· Complete FAFSA annually
· Enroll in minimum of 6 credit hours
· Not be a recipient of life, Palmetto fellow, or SC Hope Scholarship.
SC NEED BASED GRANT PROGRAM
Grants for students with the greatest financial need-fulltime students may receive up to $ 2,500 per year, and part-time students may receive up to $1,250 per year. Students may also receive Life, Palmetto Fellow, or Hope.
· Must complete FAFSA annually
· Must complete 12 credit hours if full time and 6 if part time
· Must meet all general eligibility criteria
MARION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OF EXCELLENCE
The requirements for the Diploma of Excellence are listed below:
· Minimum 29 units,
· Must have a minimum of 4 math units and 4 science units
· Overall GPA of B with no individual course average of less than C.
· Eligibility determine at the end of the seven semesters.
GRADUATION POLICY REMINDER
Remember, in order to participate in graduation ceremonies a student must have fulfilled all state requirements by earning the 24 units required for graduation. The purchase of class rings, cap and gown, invitation, etc. does not guarantee the right to participate in graduation activities nor does it guarantee that the student will graduate.
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH
https://fafsa.ed.gov/
· FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) students/parent can apply online, and paper or by phone. –you must wait until Oct. 1, 2016.
· Federal Student Aid https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
· Other scholarship information-newspaper, community stores, industries, specific areas or subject – always check with the financial aid office of any school to which you apply
· Military- see the recruiters
· Share with you parents the scholarship information sheets that you will receive. Ask your parents about scholarships from their work place, fraternities, sororities, and etc.
MARION HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE
Please visit Marion High School Guidance website for information about the SAT, ACT Dates, Scholarship and other essential information at: http://mahs.marion.k12.sc.us
South Carolina Commission of High Education http://www.che.sc.gov/
List of Colleges and Universities in the State of South Carolina
http://www.sciway.net/edu/colleges/alphalist.html
Other Websites
www.peterson.com www.collegetown.com www.campustours.com
www.collegenet.com www.finaid.org www.princetonreview.com
www.fafsa.ed.gov/ www.kaplan.com www.usnews.com
www.novakint.com/college www.scicu.org www.sctecheduletec.sc.us www.studentsaid.ed.gov www.scfcollegeaid.org www.fastweb.com www.studentsloan.org www.scpathways.org www.sccango.org
www.scholarship4students.com www.salliemaecom ($1000) drawing
http://eligibilitycenter.org (NCAA) Military website http://todaysmilitary.com
BEWARE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS-DON’’T PAY
FOR LIST OF SCHOLARSHIPS
SAT
The registration fee is 54.50 paper registration forms are available in the guidance office students can apply online by using www.collegeboard.com Note: $54.50 with Essay and $43.00 without Essayl
TEST DATE REGISTRATION LATE REGISTRATION
October 1, 2016 September 1, 2016 Sept. 13 paper Sept. 20 online
November 5, 2016 October 7, 2016 Oc.t 18 paper Oct. 25 online
December 3, 2016 November 3.2016 Nov. 15 paper Nov. 22 online
January 21, 2017 December 21, 2016 Jan. 8 paper Jan.10 online
March 11, 2017 February 10, 2017 Feb. 21 paper Feb. 28 online
May 6. 2017 April 7, 2017 April 18 paper April 26online
June 3, 2017 May 9, 2017 May 16 paper May 24 online
*SECURITY REQUIRES STUDENTS TO SUBMIT A PHOTO AS PART OF THE SAT REGISTRATION PROCESS**
ACT
Be sure to register for the ACT plus writing. The Fee for the ACT Plus Writing is $56.50. Students can register online by using www.act.org or by using the paper forms available in the guidance office.
TEST DATE REGISTRATION LATE REGISTRATION
October 22, 2016 September 16, 2016 Sept. 17-30, 2016
December 10, 2016 November 4, 2016 Nov. 5-18, 2016
February 11, 2016 January 13, 2017 Jan. 14-20, 2017
April 8, 2016 March 3, 2016 March 4-17, 2017
June 10, 2016 May 5, 2016 May 6-19, 2017
*STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT A PHOTO AS PART OF THE ACT REGISTRATION.
FEE WAVIER POLICY
Limited test fee waivers for the SAT or ACT are available for students meeting eligibility guideline; the form (available in guidance) must be signed by parent.
In order to receive a waiver, students must ALL of the Conditions listed below:
· Only seniors will receive fee Waivers
· Students must complete the test recommendation form and obtain the necessary signatures; forms are available in the guidance office.
· Students must have passed or currently be enrolled in Algebra II.
· Students must have passed or currently be enrolled in SAT Prep.
· Students must request a fee waiver at least one day prior to the postmark deadline- no wavier will be issued on the final registration day.
· If submitting the paper registration form, students must have completed all section before requesting a fee waiver.
· Students may receive a maximum of one wavier for the SAT and one for the ACT as recommend.
ATHLETES NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE
The NCAA no longer accepts SAT or ACT scores from the high school transcripts. Student athletes who plan to play college athletics in division one or division two NCAA schools must register with the clearing house. Test scores for the ACT or SAT must be sent directly to the clearinghouse using the code 9999.
· Your initial eligibility cannot be determined until you both applied to the Clearing house online at http://eligibilitycenter.org and have requested that the College Board and or the ACT send your scores directly to the Clearinghouse
· Remember to choose a PIN that you can remember because its use is the only way to access your account.
· You need to print and sign the preliminary transcript request form and bring it to the guidance office. If you are under 18, your parent must also sign the transcript request form.
· In the spring before graduation, you must update the amateur status section of your clearinghouse application.
*** It is the responsibility of each senior to know which courses she or he needs for graduation. If you are uncertain, check with Mr. Smith in the guidance office.
** AWARDS DAY-SCHOLARSHIP LETTERS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE GUIDANCE OFFICE FOR ANY SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED AWARDS DAY. STUDENTS SHOULD BRING A COPY OF THEIR FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTER TO THE GUIDANCE OFFICE AS SOON AS IT ARRIVES
Sample Recommendation Form
REQUEST FORM FOR COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIP RECOMMENDATIONS
Teacher’s Name: ______
To: ______
For: ______
Date Needed: ______
Mail/Give to: ______
Student Name: ______
*Remember to give the reference a copy of the qualifications for the scholarship and to provide
any needed information. ** Give the reference at least two weeks’ notice.