985-863-2591

GUIDANCE INFORMATION

CLASS OF 2012

April 2012

Seniors - only 3 weeks to go!! By now FAFSA should be completed and applications for college finalized. See below for additional FAFSA and college application information.

Please provide a copy of all scholarship offers to me even those you are not accepting. We keep track of all scholarship dollars. Thanks! And keep applying for scholarships.

Seniors in need of attendance recovery MUST make plans to attend either after-school or Saturday sessions. All hours must be completed BEFORE exams! Credits are VITAL!!

Applied to college yet? Why not? Now is the time. All LA colleges and universities have online applications that are VERY easy. Questions? come see me. Need more information regarding college admission (ACT scores, etc)? www.regents.state.la.us for links to college and university websites. Remember to check the ACT score requirements. Many schools have minimum score requirements to avoid developmental courses.

See the attached Steps to Federal Student Aid. Give it to your parents!! www.FAFSA.ed.gov FAFSA must be completed for most types of Financial Aid including TOPS and TOPS TECH.

Graduation and TOPS Information:

I will be giving out the newest TOPS GPA information soon. Some students have below the required 2.5 GPA. TOPS does not round up! If you have a 2.49 - no TOPS money! Now that the school year is under way, please stay focused on grades. If you are planning to attend a 4 year college, you must be enrolled in the LA Core 4 which includes Fine Arts Survey and English IV, plus a 4th Math, Science, and Social Studies. You must have completed or be completing 2 year of foreign language to earn TOPS and complete the LA Core 4. This year can make or break your TOPS! So do not blow it now!!! Remember to qualify you must have a 2.5 or better and an ACT score of 20 or better. I have given you a TOPS Detail Report. Share the information with your family. Need more information regarding TOPS and TOPS TECH? Visit their website www.osfa.la.gov

All students must complete 4 years of English (English IV or Sr. Apps in English) and 4 years of Math to meet the basic graduation requirements.

Please see me if you have any questions!!! Parents if you like to discuss graduation requirements or TOPS, concerns regarding your student's progress, please call me at 863-2591 to schedule an appointment.

Want to find out how much college really costs? Visit www.simpletutition.com.

Parents and Students - the college planning handbook has a link on our website under the student/parent information tab. Lots of helpful information. Check it out.

THIS JUST IN!!!! Scholarships are pouring in!

Le Sanctuary Book Club Scholarship - open to black female Seniors. Due May 2. See me for an application.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Scholarship - open to all African American Seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA. See me for an application. DUE APRIL 20

Pearl River High Memorial Scholarship - Due April 10. See me for an application.

Juanita Sandifer Memorial Scholarship - Due April 16. Open to Seniors planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college, have a 2.5 or better and financial need. See me for an application

Buster Bynum Scholarship - open to students of parent's that drive a school bus. See me for an application.

The Carol Meyer Memorial Scholarship - interested in teaching math or pursuing a degree in math? This may be the scholarship for you! See me for an application.

Zeta Amicae of Slidell Scholarship - GPA of 3.0, extracurricular involvement, leadership in school or community. DUE April 15. See Mrs. Graham for an application.

Washington-St. Tammany Electric Cooperative will be awarding TEN scholarships worth $1000 each. It is randon drawing open to all WST members. See me for an application. Due May 3 at 12:00 - no later!

Southern Association for College Admission Counseling Human Relations Committee (SACAC) is offering a scholarship. To apply www.sacac.org.

Keller Williams Scholarship- Based on qualifications including active involvement in school, church, or other community service, financial need, academic achievement. See Mrs. Graham for an application. Due May 15.

Want to attend Tulane? Have a 27 on the ACT? See me for this wonderful scholarship that our new State Representative, Greg Cromer, has announced a new 4 year scholarship for students planning to attend Tulane University next year. Provide a resume, transcript with GPA to Mrs. Graham. You must be willing to meet with the screening committee. Apply by mid March. Only applies to student going to Tulane. Tulane has several other scholarships available - the John Hainkel Louisiana Scholars Award, Valedictorian Scholarship, and others. See Mrs. Graham for information or visit http://admission.tulane.edu under the deadlines and forms section.

Scholarships for Military Families:Army ROTC www.goarmy.com/rotc Air Force ROTC www.afrotc.com, Navy ROTC www.nrotc.navy.mil.

Veterans Service Organization Scholarships: American Legion www.legion.org/scholarships; Disabled American Veterans www.dav.org/volunteers/scholarships Paralyzed Veterans of America www.pva.org/site. Veterans of Foreign Wars www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.levelc&cid=1836&tok=1 Vietnam Veterans of America www.vva.org/scholarships.

US Dept. of Education Grants- The US Dept. of Education makes grant funds available to students whose parent or guardina died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. Student MUST complete FAFSA.

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program: Applicants must show leadership, drive, integrity, citizenship. Up to $10,000 renewable scholarships. Apply online through www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships or http://facebook.com?GEReaganScholarships

B. Davis Scholarship - visit www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm to apply. Deadline is May 28, 2012. Possible $1000 scholarship!!

Alexis Wilkins Scholarship Fund - Based on academic performance, community involvement, and the quality of the essay submitted. Completed applications are due on April 30. See Mrs. Graham for an application.

Vancouver Restaurant Scholarship - May 30. Must complete the essay in the application. www.studentsscholarships.org/scholarship.

Healthy Lifestyles Scholarship - May 30 deadline. www.studentsscholarships.org/scholarship.

Big Dig Scholarship - Deadline June I. Must complete the essay with the application.www.studentsscholarships.org/scholarship.

Man Mac Automatic Scholarship - June 15 deadline. www.studentsscholarships.org/scholarship.

American Cancer Society offers a scholarship to Seniors that have been diagnosed with cancer. Applications will be available online in late November at www.caner.org/midsouthnews.

Have you made a difference in your community through volunteer efforts? If so, you may qualify to win $1000 and a trip to Washington DC next May. Apply for the Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Visit http://spirit.prudential.com to apply and for more information.

Northwestern State Louisiana University Scholars College - Students must have a 3.3 GPA or better and have an ACT score of 27 or better. See Mrs. Graham or contact Northwestern State Louisiana University at 800-838-2208 for information.

Begin your scholarship search now! Deadlines must be met for all applications. Please pay close attention to those details.

Scholarship databases: Begin with www.fastweb.com. This search engine can lead you to other scholarships. The only scholarship will not ever get, is the one not applied for! See the attached for other scholarship databases.

Other great scholarship databases - www.cappex.com. www.scholarship.com www.scholarshipexperts.com, www.youniversitytv.com. www.college-scholarships.com, www.online-degrees-and-scholarships.com, www.meritaid.org. Take a look!

NEVER GIVE A CREDIT CARD, CASH OR CHECKS TO ANY SERVICE OFFERING GUARANTEED SCHOLARSHIPS.

College Search Begins Now!!

Explore websites for those colleges/universities that you are interested in attending. When is the early registeration deadline? Scholarship application deadline? Deadlines are set in stone! Do not delay!!Please try to schedule visits so that you do not miss school. Most applications cost money so apply to those schools that you are really interested in attending. Also make plans to attend Open House that many universities have during the Fall semester.

Open Houses are a GREAT way to preview a university, learn more about areas of study, scholarship information, and more! Make plans to attend!

Northwestern State New Student Orientation - May 31- June 1, June 21-22, and July 17. Register at www.studentlife.nsula.edu/firstyear

Additional information for various colleges and universities is available in the school library. See Ms. Chandler.

FINANCIAL AID:

Financial aid applications will be available online this year at www.fafsa.gov. after January 1, 2012. More information will be given to you later this semester. This is the only application you will need to complete for TOPS. Even if you are going to delay entering college (example - entering the military, you must still completed the FAFSA.) If any site asks for you to pay for the application, you are AT THE WRONG SITE!

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/publications.jsp - this site has lots of information for you and your parents regarding FAFSA.

REMEBER THE WEBSITE IS WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV. ANY OTHER SITE IS NOT CORRECT! PLEASE APPLY EVEN IF YOU MAY BE DELAYING COLLEGE ADMISSION. THINGS CHANGE. BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!

Protect your identity also by giving your personal information to www.fafsa.ed.gov only. Scholarships may require information regarding your Social Security Number - be certain that your information will be kept confidential and secure.

Do not use a search engine to accss the website. Students who are eligible for any level of TOPS or TOPS TECH MUST fill out a FAFSA form to be eligible. FAFSA is required of all types of financial aid.

TOPS INFORMATION: Visit the LOSFA website for all your TOPS information needs and to track your progress. It is up to you to earn TOPS!! Remember 2.5 or above and an ACT of 20 or above to qualify. www.osfa.la.gov

NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE: All future college athletes, this is for you.

If you are an athlete who has the possibility of obtaining an athletic scholarship, you must complete the NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility form at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Or visit the NCAA website.

NAIA schools also require potential scholarship athletes to register at www.playNAIA.org. Please inform me if you are planning to participate in college sports.

ACT REGISTRATION DEADLINES:

Registration Deadline: Test Date:

Register by May 4, - Test Date June 9, 2012 (Can take for TOPS but you will lose a semester)

All Seniors are encouraged to take the ACT. All 2 year and 4 year colleges and universities require an ACT score. TOPS also requires your ACT score. Be sure that you are sending your scores to TOPS when registering for the ACT.

Remember to register on-line for the ACT. Our high school code is 192-327. www.actstudent.org

IMPORTANT**TOPS code for the ACT - 1595 - use this code when you register for the ACT.**You must use this code to have your score sent to TOPS!! I cannot stress this enough.

All students that are trying to get TOPS (minimum 20) and TOPS TECH (minimum 17) need to have the appropriate ACT to qualify. TOPS needs to receive your ACT score! Be sure that you have indicated your want your scores sent to TOPS. See Mrs. Graham if you have questions.

Great information sites:

www.fastweb.com - scholarship search engine

www.cappex.com- scholarship search engine

www.asklela.org - financial aid information site