Guidance Newsletter:  April 2008

Additional information is available on most scholarships.

See the postings outside the guidance office, or contact Mrs. Kaiser: kaisera@fr.noacsc.org.

 

General News:                                                                                                                                         .

 

1.       Looking for an apartment in Dayton?  I have some information on Woodman Park apartments.

2.       Need counseling? I have lots of information on private counseling services in the area…just ask!

3.       Practice ACT and AP Exams online at http://www.infohio.org/ER/secure/LearningExpress.asp.  Click on “Learning Express Library”.  You will need to create a user account.  See Mrs. Pottkotter for a username and password to use this at home.

4.       FAFSA:  All seniors planning to attend college this fall should file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):

·         Go online and obtain a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov (2 PIN’s are required:  1 for a parent and 1 for the student)

·         Fill out the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet anytime after January 1st (you will need tax info.)

·         File your FAFSA online at:  www.fafsa.ed.gov prior to your school’s priority deadline.  (If your tax returns are not yet completed, it is okay to estimate on the FAFSA.  You can go back and edit them later via the website.)

·         Paper FAFSA’s (for students without internet access) can be obtained by calling

1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).  Forms are also in the guidance office.

5.       ACT National Test Dates 2007-2008                                 Registration Deadline

April 12, 2008                                                    March 7, 2008

June 14, 2008                                                    May 9, 2008

FRHS Code:  362-165

 

            **Students can register via paper packet or online at:  www.actstudent.org

 

**if you are on an IEP/504 Plan and would like special testing accommodations for the ACT, you must see Mrs. Kaiser well in advance of the registration deadline to file your paperwork

 

**Students may take the ACT at any time:  you need not be a junior or senior.  Younger students sometimes take the ACT for the purpose of practicing and studying for future tests.  The following are the times I suggest students take the ACT:  Seniors should take the October (and December?) ACT.  Juniors should take the ACT for the first time in February, April and/or June.

 

**Hints for the ACT:  STUDY FOR IT!  Practice tests are available in the guidance office and online.  Pace yourself, and don’t leave any questions blank (it is to your advantage to guess).

 

6.       Fee Waivers are available for the ACT…check out the details on the website to see if you qualify:  www.actstudent.org

7.       Rhodes State Financial Aid: One-on-one assistance with completing the FAFSA in the Rhodes office is available. Contact Rebecca J. Phillips at 419-995-8033 to discuss available dates or with any other questions and concerns.

8.       Looking for a college or a career that’s right for you?  Check out collegeboard.com or http://ocis.ode.state.oh.us (Ohio Career Information System…username:  ftrecov and password:  ohiocis03).  They are BOTH great websites to help you narrow down your choices!

9.       Catalogs are available in the guidance office that highlight all of Ohio’s Private and Public Colleges.  These books are excellent resources for students to make comparisons between schools….they let you know enrollment, tuition rates, admission policies and fees, locations, and much, much more!

10.   Don’t rule out Private Colleges!  In many cases, you can afford the tuition…apply for the scholarships and grants available to you.  Sometimes, you can attend a private school for the same price as a public one.  The Ohio Student Choice Grant is an automatic award to students opting for private universities, and will be awarded after filing the FAFSA.

11.   Students Interested in Optometry:  The Ohio State University College of Optometry Open House & Career Day is Saturday, April 12, 2008 from 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.  You will be discovering the many opportunities a career in optometry has to offer.  For more information check the flyer outside the guidance office. 

12.   The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy is hosting two Pharmacy Summer Camps for high school students in the Class of 2009 who are considering careers in Pharmacy.  Camp dates are Sunday, July 27- Wednesday, July 30 and Sunday, August 3- Wednesday, August 6. Any more questions see the poster in the hallway.

13.   Fifteen Summer Honors Institutes will be held this year on college and university campuses around the state, and are open to current ninth and tenth grade Ohio students who meet the criteria for gifted identification.  Tuition is free, and most residential Summer Honors Institutes offer a limited number of scholarships to cover room and board costs for gifted students from low income families. Information about each Summer Honors Institute is available from the ODE Website.  To access the Summer Honors Institute start page, visit www.ode.state.oh.us and search “Summer Honors Institute.”

14.   The University of Dayton is offering a Summer Advancement Program for area rising seniors. The program is available to qualified juniors. The courses listed in the application are for college credit, and tuition is free. Students are responsible for books and other fees. Most classes run form June 23 to August 2.  Applicants have a minimum of 3.0 GPA. (Fulfilling theses qualifications does not automatically guarantee admission to the program.) Deadline for applications is May1, 2008.

15.   Xavier Jump Start Program (gr 10-11) Xavier University is offering a special two-week residential program (June 14-28) for students interested in pre-medicine or criminalistics/forensic science. Students can go online to www.xu.edu/jumpstart to apply or to request additional information.

16.   Girls Interested in Engineering:  The University of Dayton is offering a summer camp (July 13-18) for young women interested in engineering.  This week long camp gives you the chance to dabble in engineering through hands-on, learn-by-doing experiences.  UD professors guide conducted experiments, innovate, and take things apart and put them back together again.  For an application or more information see Mrs. Kaiser.

17.   I have a Tech Prep packet available for any Tri-Star students who wish to fill out the college credit articulation applications.

18.   First Choice Credit Union (grade 12):  300 W. Sycamore St., Coldwater offers 2008 grads a “Congratulatory Graduation Package’ of free checks when they open a checking account between 4/1/08-9/30/08.

19.   Pregnant/need help?  Family Life Center of Auglaize County can offer some help.  Phone:  419-394-9756.  They also offer a support group for New Moms and Moms to be…call 419-300-9756 if interested.

 

Scholarships/Grants/Loans:  (Circle ones you have questions about, and come see Mrs. Kaiser.)                                                                                                      

 

20.   Ohio Northern University would like to have the names and addresses of seniors who may qualify for one of their many scholarships and awards.  If you are considering ONU, see Mrs. Kaiser ASAP so scholarship information can be mailed to you.

21.   ROTC (Military) Scholarship Information is available on flyers posted outside the office.  Military recruiters visit FRHS throughout the year, and set up in the Commons area at lunch so students can gather information about the military and ask questions.

22.   Imagine America Scholarship (grade 12):  FRHS can select up to three students to receive this $1,000 scholarship.  Only recent high school graduates who are qualified applicants and who meet the following recommended guidelines should apply: Likelihood of successful completion of postsecondary education, High school grade point average of 2.5 or greater, Financial need, and Demonstrated voluntary community service during senior year  High school graduates of 2008 can apply from January 1 - December 31, 2008.  Students must plan to attend a “career college” (such as ITT or Lincoln Tech) to be eligible.  Students should visit the website for more information and may apply online at www.imagine-america.org.

23.   FISCA (Financial Service Centers of America) Scholarship:  FISCA will award a minimum cash grant of $2,000 for the freshman year of study to at least two (2) outstanding college bound high school seniors, from each of the five geographic regions across the nation, using leadership skills in both school and local community and academic achievement as the criteria to identify winners.  The application can also be obtained by visiting FISCA's website at: http://www.fisca.org/scholar.htm.  Applications must be postmarked by 4/3/08.

24.   Rhodes State Scholarship Opportunities (grade 12):

·         Rhodes to Success” Achievement Scholarship, available in the guidance office (deadline: April 18, 2008). 

·         “Rhodes State Foundation” Scholarship application can be found at www.rhodesstate.edu/departments/development/scholarships.asp, and is due April 1, 2008.

·         Tech Prep graduates are also eligible for a $1000 Tech Prep Scholarship.

·         NEW THIS YEAR – all tech prep students who complete their first year at Rhodes with a 3.0 cum GPA or higher will have their scholarship renewed for a second year of study.

25.   AAA Ohio Auto Club will again offer high school seniors the opportunity to apply for one of ten $1,000 grants by competing in the AAA School Safety Patrol $1000 Grant Award Program. The program is limited to high school seniors who once served as a member of a AAA School Safety Patrol team. The grant awards are not limited only to students planning to attend a university or college.  Applications can be found online at www.aaaohio.com or pick one up in the Guidance Office and are due April 4, 2008.

26.   William D. Squires Scholarships:  The William D. Squires Scholarship is primarily need-based and is only for students from Ohio. (Each applicant must have an EFC (from FAFSA/SAR) of less than $10,000.) A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required. Deadline for this scholarship is April 5th.

27.   Senior Athletes: The Ohio High School Athletic Association is pleased to support the application of one senior female and one senior male student-athlete from our high school for one of the OHSAA Foundation of OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Scholarships.  Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.25, plus three varsity letters in one sport or four varsity letters in two sports.  (Note:  recipients of athletic scholarships in NCAA Division I or II are not eligible.)  Applications are due by April 7, 2008.

28.   Mote & Associates Scholarship (Greenville, Ohio): The scholarship is for a commendable student seeking a post high school education or enrolled in an accredited college program in the field of engineering, surveying, architecture, or a closely related field of study.  Applications can be completed on-line at www.moteassociates.com; or may be requested by contacting the company at 937-548-7511.  Applications must be returned to the office of Mote & Associates, Inc., 214 West Fourth Street, Greenville, Ohio by April 11, 2007.

29.   The University of Northwestern Ohio College of Technologies is offering a junior scholarship testing and open house. It will be held on April 11 and 12, from 9 am to 4 pm.  See the poster in the hallway or call 419-998-3120 for more information.  Register online at:  www.unoh.edu.

30.   The Winners Club Scholarship:  This scholarship is for students who are pursuing a degree in the field of education. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required. Applications are online at:  http://winnersclubscholarship.visioncomm.net, and must be submitted between February 1 and April 15, 2008.

31.   Ft. Recovery American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship:

·         Past President’s Parley- Nurses Scholarship:  Candidates must be a child or grandchild of a veteran who has served in a war, and must be a senior in high school.  Applicants must plan to study nursing.  Applications due April 15th.

32.   Dick Meyers Memorial Scholarship: The Ohio Association of Litter Prevention and Recycling Professionals (OALPRP) is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving student from Ohio who will be enrolled (or is presently enrolled) at an accredited Ohio College, University or Technical School. This individual must be enrolled in a major relating to natural resources conservation, environmental sciences and/or environmental education. Deadline is April 15, 2008

33.   Nursing Scholarship:  The JTD Hospital Foundation will be offering $1,000 scholarships to local residents studying nursing for the 2008-2009 academic year. To be eligible for the scholarship, the individual must be a high school senior, current college student, or adult returning to school who is a resident of Auglaize of Mercer counties or graduate of a high school in those counties. Joint Township Hospital and Grand Lake Health System employees are not eligible. Final applicants will be chosen and must be available for interview on Saturday, June 14 between 9 AM and 12 NOON. Application may be received by contacting the JTD hospital Foundation at (419)394-3335, ext. 3567. Applications must be completed and returned by April 18, 2008.

34.   The Citi(R) 2008 Scholarship Contest (grades 11-12):  Citibank will award more than $35,000 in college scholarships to 11th and 12th grade students. Teachers of winning students will also receive prizes!  Enter at: http://message.scholastic.com/W0RT013040912EB92391D35EDFED70 Entry deadline: April 18, 2008.

35.   Mercer County Sportsman Assn. Scholarship:  This $500 scholarship is available to any Mercer County high school senior with a 2.5 GPA or higher.  The purpose is to encourage students to enter the following courses of study:  Natural Resources, Environmental, Biological, Conservation, or Law Enforcement studies (or other fields related to protection, improvement, or public education concerning wildlife and nature).  Applications due April 30, 2008.

36.   2008 Mercer County Farm Bureau Scholarship:  for high school seniors entering college in the fall of 2008 majoring in Agriculture. Parents of the applicant must be members of the Mercer Co. Farm Bureau in good standing. A $500.00 scholarship will be given and student must maintain a 2.0 GPA for the quarter/semester. Applications are due by May 1, 2008. 

37.   The Road Sweepstakes/Fifth Third Bank is offering ten $530 scholarships for graduating seniors in 2008 that will enroll in a college or university this upcoming academic year. There is no essay requirement and no purchase is necessary. To enter, students need simply submit a form online at: www.53EducationLending.com/TheRoad . Deadline for this scholarship is May 3, 2008.

38.   Dayton’s CW Televisions and WSU Scholarship: Win a 4-year scholarship to Wright State University by writing an essay with a maximum of 200 words entitled “How a college education will help my dreams take flight!” See Mrs. Kaiser for more information and applications. Deadline for entry is May 30, 2008.

39.   The Mercer County Civic Foundation has a small pool of student loan funds available.  These low-interest $900 college loans are renewable, and the 4% interest rate does not begin to accrue until 6 months after graduation from college, and are interest-free if repaid within that time.  Applications due by June 1st.

40.   BigSun Scholarship:  The BigSun Organization is offering a $500 scholarship to a student athlete.  The successful applicant will be a high school senior or be attending a post secondary institute and currently involved in some sport at that institution. Visit our website at http://www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply.  Deadline is June 20, 2008.

41.   Loans for Future Medical Students:  The Medical Educational Foundation Academy of Medicine of Lima and Allen County is offering loans to assist with tuition while students are in medical school.  If interested, see the flyer in hallway or call Susan L. Hubbell, M.D. at (419) 226-9810. 

42.   AES Engineers Scholarship:  Students are NOT required to be taking Engineering courses to be eligible.  Students must submit an essay of no more than 1000 words in answer to one of the two questions that are posted on:  http://www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.php  Amount of the award is $500.00 and deadline for entry is September 15, 2008

43.   National Scholarships:  Check out schoolsoup.com, www.big33.org (through Feb.2008), and fastweb.com for scholarship and college information.  There is also a scholarship search feature at:  www.charterone.com/edu/scholarshipsearch (click on “Resources for Students and Families”, select “scholarship search”, and follow the instructions.

44.   The Ohio Board of Regents sponsors several programs for college-bound students:

·         Ohio Academic Scholarship:  given to at least one FRHS student, $2,205 for up to four years of study, students do not fill out an application…recipients are chosen using a formula based on GPA and ACT scores.  The HS guidance counselor submits student information for scoring.

·         Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund:  for children and spouses of peace officers, fire fighters and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line-of-duty.  Applications must me requested from the Ohio Board of Regents.

·         Ohio War Orphans Scholarship:  for children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict, applications available from the Ohio Board of Regents.  Due:  July 1.

·         Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program:  $3,000 for up to four years of study, but must agree to work as a nurse in the state of Ohio for a minimum of five years after graduation, must file the FAFSA, then apply online for the NEALP.  Must apply before July 15.

·         Regents Graduate/Professional Fellowship Program:  Students are nominated by their undergraduate colleges and universities.  Fellowships provide $3,500 each year for two years.

·         Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship: Recipients may receive up to $1,500 each year for undergraduate studies.  Recipients are selected on class rank, GPA, ACT scores, and activities.  Nominations are made by the high school and the scholarship is awarded equally across Ohio’s congressional districts.

·         Additional Questions?  Contact State Grants and Scholarships at 888-833-1133.

45.   First Choice Credit Union in Coldwater offers student loans to students pursuing higher education.  Check out their website at:  www.1stchoicecu.com and click on the student H.E.L.P. loan program link or call 419/678-3335.

46.   Don’t wait too long to complete your applications!  You never know when school will be delayed or cancelled, so ask for letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc., well in advance!

47.   If you receive a scholarship, be sure to send a Thank-You note showing your appreciation.

 

Upcoming Events:                                                                                                                   ____

·         Local Scholarships are due this month.  (All seniors received this information in W. History.)

·         AP Exams in May:

o        May 7:  AP Calculus

o        May 8:  AP Lit and Comp

o        May 13:  AP Chemistry

o        May 15:  AP World History