January
2012 Senior Newsletter
Seniors of 2012, this is an important
month. You need to be paying close
attention to application and scholarship deadlines. Also, beginning this month, application can
be made for FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Make sure you are applying now to your top-choice
colleges so that your federal financial aid package can be available to them. Next month, the Guidance Office will be
hosting a “FAFSA Night”, an event which will allow you and your parents an
opportunity to come to the school’s computer lab to fill out the FAFSA. Watch for more details about this event in February’s
newsletter. At the end of this
newsletter is some more information about filing the FAFSA. As always, if you have any questions or
concerns, seniors and parents can email the high school counselor at dnicholson@ashgrove.k12.mo.us or call at 751-9616.
Online
Resources:
The
Guidance Office page, http://ashgrove.k12.mo.us/aghs/Counselingtext/index.html,
on the Ash Grove High School website features current scholarship opportunities
as well as important announcements about upcoming college and career
events. The site also has information
about the ACT and the FAFSA.
The
Missouri Department of Higher Education produces a website “Monthly Student Reminder” that is
packed with postsecondary tips for Missouri’s students and parents. A wide range of topics from financial aid
planning to colleges and programs is presented on this website. To access this information, visit http://www.dhe.mo.gov.
FastWeb.com is another online resource
for scholarships available throughout the United States. It specializes in personalized scholarship
matching, college searches and comparisons, tools and tips to help you pay for
college, plus jobs and internships as you launch into your new career. To get started, visit www.fastweb.com and set up a personal
account.
Upcoming
ACT Test Dates:
Test Date Registration
Deadline
February 11, 2012 January 13, 2012
April 14, 2012 March 9,
2012
June 9, 2012 May 4,
2012
We
encourage you to register online. When
you create a web account, you are able to choose your test date, know
immediately where your test center will be, print your admission ticket, make
changes to your registration, view your scores at no charge, and send scores to
additional colleges. If you would like
some help with this, please come by the counselor’s office and we will be glad
to help you.
ACT Practice Tests are available for those who
want to prepare for taking the ACT.
First, there is a practice booklet which may be obtained from the
counselor’s office. The ACT website also
offers Test Prep questions at www.actstudent.org. To access other online tools, visit www.actexampracticetests.com or www.learningexpresslibrary.com. If you have questions about these resources,
come to the counselor’s office.
www.WhatWillTheyLearn.com
– by the American Council of Trustees
and Alumni is a free, online resource for students and parents to see which
colleges are designed to give college students a firm grounding in the areas of
knowledge they will use for a lifetime.
Because they are committed to academic freedom, excellence, and
accountability at America’s colleges and universities, ACTA evaluates and
reports whether major colleges and universities require the seven core subjects
which equip students with broad-based skills and knowledge to succeed in the
global marketplace. Visit the ACTA
website, www.whatwilltheylearn.com,
to take advantage of this service.
Area
Workshops, Informational Sessions, and Special Visit Days:
Mizzou Music Days – in Columbia,
MO, offers the opportunity to experience the creative energy of the
University of Missouri. Visit the School
of Music and audition for scholarships on February
20 or March 3. For more information,
visit www.music.missouri.edu.
Missouri Southern State University – in Joplin,
MO, is hosting several special visit days this winter:
Honors
Program Discovery Day – January 20, 2012, 9:00am to 3:00pm at Corley
Auditorium for honors program prospects.
Future Lions Day
and Basketball Game – February 4, 2012, 1:00pm at Robert Young Gymnasium for
prospective students to learn more
about
MSSU and the admissions process.
Fine Arts
Discovery Day – February 17, 2012, 9:00am at the Fine Arts Complex, Spiva Art Gallery for music, theatre, and art majors
Scholarship Opportunities:
The Missouri JCI Senate – awards $250
scholarships to two graduating seniors in Missouri and then presents the
winners to the United States JCI Senate Foundation to compete for $1,000
scholarships. For more information and
an application, visit www.jojcisenate.org/scholarships.html. You may contact DeWayne Cartee
#62218 at scholarships@mojcisenate.org
with specific questions. The application
deadline is January 3, 2012.
Profiles in Courage Essay Contest - It takes courage to stand up for your beliefs. Some
elected officials risk their careers to do right by their community and
country. In Profiles in Courage, John F. Kennedy described eight U.S. elected
officials who demonstrated political courage. Here’s your chance to write a new
profile in courage. The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation invites U.S. high
school students to write an essay on an act of political courage by a U.S.
elected official who served during or after 1956. For contest information,
registration, and to submit your essay visit the Profile in Courage Essay
Contest at www.jfklibrary.org.
First-place winner receives $10,000
Second-place winner receives $1,000.
Up to five finalists receive $500
each. Winner is awarded with an expense-paid trip to Boston to receive
recognition by Caroline Kennedy at an awards ceremony. Deadline for submission
is January 7, 2012.
BK Scholarship Program – sponsored by Burger King awards
scholarships in the amounts of $50,000;
$25,000; $5,000; and $1,000.
Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
The application deadline is January
10, 2012. For more information and
to access the online application, visit www.haveityourwayfoundation.org.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship
Program – is a $1,000 to $3,000 scholarship awarded to selected high school
seniors who have MS or who have a parent with MS. All applications will be done online, and the
application deadline is January 13, 2012. For more information and to access the
application, visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/scholarship.
Missouri Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship – awards sixteen $1,000
scholarships for Missouri high school seniors who intend to pursue a criminal
justice career and will be attending a Missouri college or university. Applications are available online at www.mosheriffs.com, and the application
deadline is January 31, 2012.
MSCPA Educational Foundation High School Senior
Scholarship - is awarded so that high
achieving high school seniors have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling careers
as CPAs. MSCPA, through
University of Missouri – Robert J. Trulaske,
Sr. College of
Business – For the 2011-2012 school
year, the Trulaske College of Business awarded over
500 scholarships totaling over $1.75 million to incoming and returning
students. To apply for their top three scholarships visit www.business.missouri.edu/scholarships.
The deadline for these is February 1,
2012. If you have any questions please contact cookaa@missouri.edu or call
1-573-882-7073.
The
Drury University Theater Grant Program – gives awards from $2,100 to $3,500 with the possibility of yearly increases based on
the quality of work and the availability of funds. Grants are awarded on the basis of
performance ability and experience in technical aspects of theatre
production. Students who plan to begin
majors or minors in theatre may receive larger grants. Applicants need not have selected theatre as
a major or minor but should have applied for admission to Drury before
auditioning. Audition dates are February 4 and February 18, 2012. To schedule an audition/interview, submit an
electronic registration at www.drury.edu/theatregrant
or call 417-873-6832. Registration
must be completed at least two weeks before the audition date selected. You will be notified of the
audition/interview time at least five days before your appointment.
KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program – awards up to $20,000
for tuition, fees, textbooks, room and board for high school seniors with
financial need and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Online applications are available starting December 1, 2011 at www.kfcscholars.org, and the deadline for
submission is February 8, 2012.
Best Buy Scholarship Program – awards over a thousand $1,000 scholarships to students in grades 9-12. Applicants should have solid grades and
demonstrate commitment to and involvement in community volunteer service or
work experience. Consideration may also
be given to participation and leadership in school activities. For more information and to apply online, go
to www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com
or www.at15.com. Application deadline is February 15, 2012.
Mediacom World Class Scholarship Program – Mediacom Communications is again offering fifty $1,000 non-renewable scholarships to
senior high school students in areas of 15 states. While it is not required
that a student be a customer, applicants must live in the region serviced by
the North Central Division of Mediacom. Ash Grove is in the area. Applications
are in the counselor’s office or you can apply online at www.mediacomworldclass.com. All
completed applications must include an essay on leadership, a transcript, and
two recommendation forms. The deadline is February
15, 2012.
Missouri State PTA Teacher Education Scholarship – sponsored by the Missouri Congress of Parents and
Teachers awards $500 scholarships
for the purpose of educating students of outstanding ability and sincerity of
purpose who will enter the teaching profession and
pursue a Missouri State Teaching Credential.
Scholarships will be awarded based on character and personality,
scholastic record, aptitude for teaching, sincerity, and financial status. Scholarship recipients must work as a teacher
in a Missouri public school on year for every two years of scholarship funds
received. Come to the Guidance Office
for more information and for an application.
The application deadline is February
15, 2012.
Dr. Darrell “Jack” Holley/M.U.S.I.C. Scholarship – sponsored by the Missouri United School Insurance
Council awards six $2,000
scholarships to graduating seniors of districts like Ash Grove that are
M.U.S.I.C. members. Only ONE application
from each high school is to be submitted.
So if you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please
contact the Guidance Office for more information. The
application deadline is February 17, 2012.
Springfield Area Legal Support Professionals
Scholarship Program – awards a $400 scholarship. Selection is based on scholastic achievement,
leadership ability, and need. Special
emphasis will be given to those whose work is of a legal nature. For specific instructions on applying for
this scholarship, come to Guidance Office.
The application deadline is February
24, 2012.
CU Succeed Scholarship 2012 – sponsored by
Educational Community Credit Union will award two $1,000 scholarships.
Applicant must be a member of ECCU and submit a completed application by
February 29, 2012. The application requires several short
answer/essay questions and a letter of recommendation. Come to the Guidance Office for more
information and for a copy of the application.
ASSE International Student Exchange Program – offers two types of scholarship for its Academic
year Programs. Both are awarded
primarily on the basis of financial need and secondarily for academic
excellence. Selection is based upon
financial need, academic record, essay content, your ASSE Area Representative’s
recommendation, and the overall appearance and neatness of the
application. If you are interested in
studying abroad, explore the website www.asse.com
or come to the Guidance Office for more information. The application deadline is March 1, 2012.
Kansas City Association Equipment Distributors Scholarship
Program – awards up to four annual
scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each ($500 per semester) to up to four
full-time students. Applicants must
attend a vocational/technical school and be pursuing a certificate or associates
degree in Diesel Mechanics or Heavy Equipment Repair. Selection is based on the individual’s
general aptitude and personal traits that are conducive to success in these
fields of study. The application
deadline is March 1, 2012. For more information and for an application,
come to the Guidance Office.
Missouri State University’s B. Frank and Ora Dale Ryan Gillette Scholarship – is awarding a scholarship of about $1,500 to a student that has graduated
from Ash Grove High School and is enrolled at Missouri State University. Students must be accepted for admission prior
to applying. Once you have received your
Admissions Packet, you will be able to log into the MSU student portal and
access the scholarship application. If
you are interested in this scholarship, come to the Guidance Office for more
information. It is recommended that
students submit the scholarship application by March 1, 2012, as that is the date on which many committees begin
selecting recipients.
Project 21 2012 Scholarship Program – sponsored by the Missouri Gaming Association is
awarding two $1,500 first place
scholarship prizes and four $1,000 2nd
place scholarship prizes for students who win the 2012 essay/poster/video
contest. The goal of the contest is to
inform youth that is it is not permissible in Missouri for persons under the
age of 21 to gamble in a casino and to also educate them about the dangers and
consequences associated with underage gambling.
The scholarship deadline is March
9, 2012. For more information about
this scholarship, come to the counselor’s office.
US Bank Scholarship Program – awards forty $1,000
scholarships to high school seniors who will be attending a US Bank Student
Loan eligible four-year college. Winners
will be selected at random. Online
applications are accepted until March
31, 2012. For more information and
to apply, visit www.usbank.com/scholarship.
B. Davis Scholarship – sponsored by the “Student Award Search Aid” website is
awarding a $1,000 scholarship. This website was developed solely for the
purpose of helping students locate and apply for scholarships. The site is free and they charge nothing for
the information or for the scholarship application. The deadline for applications is May 28, 2012. Visit www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm
for more information.
Campus Visits:
Each senior gets 1 campus
visit day for
FAFSA News:
Seniors, the FAFSA is a very important step in the process of obtaining financial aid! In order to be considered for federal and state aid, you must complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The Department of Education uses the FAFSA form to determine your eligibility for federal assistance (loans, grants, work-study appointments, and need-based scholarships). Most colleges also base their financial aid package on the FAFSA. There is no cost to fill out the FAFSA. The new FAFSA form becomes available each year around January 1. At many colleges, funds are limited; so submit your FASFA as soon after January 1as possible. If you submit your FAFSA too late, certain schools may not have any financial aid left for you. The FAFSA website is: www.fafsa.ed.gov and the FAFSA information line is 1-800-433-3243. If you need assistance in applying, come to the counselor’s office.
Here is a brief overview of what is required in filing the FAFSA:
Get A
Gather the Information
Required To Apply:
·
Your Social Security number and your parents’ Social Security numbers
if you are providing parent information.
·
Your driver’s license number if you have one
·
Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a
·
Federal tax information or tax returns, including W-2 information, for
yourself, for your spouse if you are married, and for your parents if you are
providing parent information, using income records for the year prior to the
academic year for which you are applying.
·
Records of untaxed income, such as Social Security benefits, Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and veterans benefits, for yourself (and
for your parents if you are providing parent information)
Be Aware of Deadlines: You may have to meet
application deadlines, depending on your college and where you live. State and school deadlines are usually
earlier than federal deadlines.
Use the FAFSA on the Web
Worksheet: Your
high school has a copy of the Worksheet, or
you can print one from www.fafsa.ed.gov. This Worksheet is optional, but it will help you collect the information
you need to fill out your FAFSA online.
Complete Your Application At
www.FAFSA.ED.GOV: Enter all necessary
information. If you need help, there are help links on each page of the online
application.
Submit Your Application: After you submit your
application, make sure you receive a confirmation number. This number tells you your application has
been successfully submitted. Keep this confirmation number for your records.
Follow Up on Your FAFSA: Your application will be
processed and you will receive an e-mail with a link to your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you did not
provide an e-mail address, you will receive your SAR by mail. You should review
your SAR for any necessary corrections or updates. If you do not hear from FAFSA
within three weeks, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and select: “Check the
Status of a Submitted FAFSA.”
Online: “Help” buttons on every page
of the online application will take you to additional help. You can also click
the “Live Help” button to chat with a customer service representative directly
online between the hours of
By Phone: For help toll-free between
the hours of 8 am and midnight Eastern Time, call 1-800-4-
In Person: Talk with your high school
counselor or contact the financial aid office of the college or career school
to which you have applied.
Information: Go to the online version of Funding Education Beyond
High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid at www.studentaid.ed.gov/guide. This guide covers
financial aid topics from preparing for college to repaying student loans.