Counselors:  Wanda Bird and Amy Gogas

OCTOBER 2007

New Online Tool Simplifies Financial Aid Process
The new online tool to help students and families prepare financially for college before a student's senior year of high school is now available.  It is called FAFSA4caster and it provides high school juniors with an early estimate of their eligibility for federal financial aid.  The FAFSA4caster allows for an easy transition to FAFSA on the Web, the online version of the federal application.  The FAFSA4caster is available in both English and Spanish at http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/.

WEST VIRGINIA STATE COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE --- will be offering ACT Review Courses in English, Math, and Reading/Science.  These will be completed just prior to the October 27, 2007 ACT testing date.  Register and pay online at www.wvsctc.edu/ContEd.htm.

Link Child Care Resource and Referral is contracted by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to manage their child care subsidy program.  This program offers low cost or no cost child care to low income families so they may improve their lives through employment, school, and the WV Works program.  This service is also available to high school students.  Go online at www.wvdhhr.org/link for more information.

The number of students who register for the ACT test online at www.actstudent.org has steadily increased each year.  With the expansion of the ACT Web services for students in 2007-08, ACT is encouraging all students, including those who register by mail, to establish a FREE student Web account.  They may use this account to make changes to their registration, print a copy of their admission ticket, view their scores at no charge after they test, and request Additional Score Reports.

Register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com.  Visit the SAT preparation center at www.collegeboard.com.  Take a Free full-length official practice test and get a practice score report.  Sign up for the SAT question of the day.  You can’t take both the Reasoning test and Subject tests on the same test day.  You can take either the SAT Reasoning test or up to 3 SAT Subject tests.  Plan your testing schedule carefully.

The PSAT/NMSQT score report arrives in December.  Go to www.collegeboard.com/psatextra for explanations of the answers to all PSAT/NMSQT questions.

WV EDUCATION PLANNER—was designed to help students with customizable planning resources and information for higher education.  Go online at www.wveducationplanner.org to explore career and college searches, a free scholarship database, on-line admission and financial aid applications for more than 3,000 colleges, a college comparison worksheet, use the on-line financial aid award analyzer, resume builder, learning-style quiz and access many more free materials, including tips on how to avoid financial aid scams.

CITIZENS BANK—has an on-line search engine with a nationwide database of colleges and universities, College Search, to help find schools that meet your criteria.  Go to citizensbank.com/edu.  Click on Resources for Students and Families.  Select College Search and follow the instructions provided.  Other helpful resources found are:  Countdown to College Calendar (A checklist to help you and your parents plan for college.) Understanding Financial Aid (A practical guide to help students and parents with financing a college education.)  Student Financial Handbook (An easy to read guide for college students on their personal finances.

ATTENTION:  JUNIORS

The ASVAB test will be given to juniors in the Media Center on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 beginning promptly at 8AM.  The ASVAB test is a Multi-Aptitude Test Battery.  It helps the student identify his/her different abilities.  This test is free.  Representatives of the military will be administering the test.  Students planning to take the ASVAB test are to sign up with Mrs. Bird by Friday, November 2.

VISIT COLLEGES.  Take campus tours and, at colleges you’re serious about, schedule interviews with admissions counselors.

WEST POINT UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY – to start your admissions candidate file, fill out the candidate questionnaire and return it with a copy of your high school transcript.  You should do this in the spring of your Junior year or as soon thereafter as possible.  You may fill out a candidate questionnaire on line at www.admissions.usma.edu.  

ATTENTION: ATHLETES IN GRADES 9-11

Any athlete planning to play ball for a Division I or a Division II school following graduation from high school must meet certain standards.  The NCAA Clearinghouse determines whether or not an athlete is eligible to play.  All rules and regulations may be found at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. 

ATTENTION:  SOPHOMORES

 It is time to select our school’s HOBY Ambassador.  HOBY’S purpose is to bring together a select group of high school Sophomores who have demonstrated leadership ability so that they can interact with groups of distinguished leaders in business, government, education, and the professions to discuss present and future issues.  The informal question-and-answer format during these seminars meets HOBY’S specific goals.  Sophomores who are interested in attending HOBY are to sign up with Mrs. Bird by November 1.  Teachers are also welcome to submit names for this opportunity by November 1.

ACT has a Writing test option.  Students who take the optional writing test will receive all the same scores that students who do not take the Writing test receive.  In addition, students who take the Writing test will receive:  1. A scaled score, ranging from 1-36, that reflect their performance on the Writing test and the English test combined.  2.  A Writing test sub-score ranging from 2-12 that reflects performance on the Writing test only. 

The 2007-08 basic fee for the ACT assessment plus writing is $44.50 (act assessment - $30, writing test - $14.50.  This includes score reports for up to 4 college choices for which a valid code is listed at the time of registration.

How will students know what colleges and universities will require or recommend a Writing test score?  Check with colleges that are being considered and go to www.actstudent.org for a list of institutions that require or recommend the writing test.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Seniors need to check the scholarship file located in the counselor’s office for scholarships about every two weeks throughout the school year.  Most of the scholarships have an on-line application.  The on-line addresses of the scholarships that we are made aware of will be in the school newsletter and on the school website under Counselor News.  Each month the Newsletter will be on-line.  All of the monthly newsletters will be deleted at the end of the school year.   

Seniors may request applications from colleges. Check important dates---some universities have early dates or rolling admissions.

Scholarship and Financial Aid Information

CASHE Scholarship Search                                         www.salliemae.com

College Net                                                                  www.collegenet.com

College View                                                                www.collegeview.com

College Ink                                                                   www.fastweb.monster.com

FAFSA                                                                        www.fafsa.ed.gov

Financial Aid                                                                www.finaid.org

MENTOR                                                                    www.wvmentor.org

West Virginia Higher                                                     (304) 558-4614

   Education Grant Prog.                                               www.wvapply.com

FASTWEB                                                                  www.fastweb.com

SCHOLARAID                                                           www.scholarAid.com

ACT (register online)                                                    www.act.org

ACT practice tests                                                        www.4tests.com

College Board                                                              www.collegeboard.com

(register online for SAT)

SAT Test Prep                                                             www.number2.com

ETS NET                                                                     www.ets.org

KAPLAN                                                                    www.kaplan.com

PETERSON’S                                                             www.petersons.com

THE PRINCETON VIEW                                           www.review.com

Federal Resources for

  Educational Excellence                                                www.ed.gov/free

PROMISE                                                                   www.promisescholarships.org

                                                                                    www.wvapply.com

WV Education Planner                                     www.wveducationplanner.org

WV Clearinghouse                                                       www.wvclear.wvstateu.edu

Citizens Bank College Search                                       www.citizensbank.com/edu. 

American Educational Services                         www.aesSuccess.org.

AES Debt Management                                                www.YouCanDealWithIt.com

Further Your Education                                                www.FurtherYourEducation.com

Historically Black College/University                                               www.HBCUmentor

Student Athletes                                                                                  www.CampusChamps.org

STATE LEVEL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS—Scholarships awarded to students do not have to be repaid.  However, in WV the Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship and the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship have a return service obligation for recipients. Awards are given based on student achievements.

Grants are generally need-based and do not need to be repaid unless the student withdraws from the college or university.  To receive a grant, a student must be pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Loans allow students to borrow money for school at a specific interest rate.  Students who participate in loan options must repay money borrowed.

West Virginia Higher Education—program for qualified students who demonstrate financial need, meet academic performance standards and are pursuing a Certificate, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. Grants are renewable up to 8 semesters.  Deadline:  March 1 for FAFSA and Common Application.  Contact www.hepc.wvnet.edu.

Promise scholarship—merit-based program provides scholarships to qualified students.   Scholarships are renewable up to 8 semesters. Deadline—March 1 for FAFSA and Common Application.  Contact www.promisescholarships.org.

Heaps Grant—encourages and enables needy students to study part-time, achieve educational goals and improve the workforce in WV.  Deadline—rolling application process.  Contact—1-888-825-5707

Engineering, Science & Technology Scholarshp—attracts talented students to pursue degrees in Engineering, Science or Technology.  Assists WV in retaining a highly skilled workforce.

Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship—program enables and encourages outstanding students to pursue teaching careers in WV.  Deadline—March 1.  Contact—1-888-825-5707.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship—program promotes student excellence and achievement, and recognizes exceptionally able students who show promise of continued excellence.  Deadline—March 1.  Contact—1-888-825-5707.

Academic Common Market—cooperative tuition agreement among states in the Southern Regional Education Board.  Deadline—aranged prior to enrollment.  Contact—www.sreb.org. 

Medical Student Loan—provides loans to medical students with designated academic standards.  Deadline—determined by medical school.  Contact—1-888-825-5707.

Health Sciences Scholarship—provides an incentive for students to become Rural Practitioners or Nursing Faculty in WV.  Medical students and students in graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant programs are eligible.  Deadline—October 15 for application.  Contact—1-304-558-0530.

ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANT(ACG)—requirements are:  First and second year undergraduate students, Federal Pell Grant recipient, U.S. citizen, Full time, Completed rigorous secondary school program, Award amounts: $750 first year students---$13  second year students, Portable.

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS ACCESS TO RETAIN TALENT (SMART) GRANT—requirements are:  Third and fourth year undergraduate students, Federal Pell Grant recipient, U.S. citizen, Full time, Eligible major, 3.0 GPA, Award amount--$4000 for third and fourth year of study, Portable.

THE WEST VIRGINIA DIVISION OF REHABILITATION SERVICES (DRS) is a state government agency whose mission is to enable and empower people with disabilities to work and to live independently.  What is a disability?  Disabilities are conditions such as:  learning disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech impediment, hyperactivity, diabetes, respiratory disorder, cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, major depression, heart condition, knee, back, arm, leg or joint injury, epilepsy, eating disorder, and other physical or mental problems.  

You may have a disability if you have limitations in: lifting, standing, climbing, driving, hearing, seeing, reading, math, writing, or coping with stress.

You may be eligible for services such as:  diagnostic medical or psychological tests, vocational evaluation, career counseling, training, assistance with college costs, therapy prosthetics and orthotics, adaptive equipment or placement assistance.  Call Marcia Vanhook to find out more at (304) 766-2634 or e-mail marciav@wvdrs.org. .

The 2008-2009 Federal School Code List will be available as of November 1, 2007 on the Information for Financial Aid Professionals Web site at http://ifap.ed.gov/.

A representative from Washington and Lee University will be coming to Charleston on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 7PM.  Interested parents and students may speak with the representative at the Capitol Conference Center located at the corner of Lee and Capitol Streets, Charleston, WV.

New Accession Training—email: nat@navy.mil or call: 800-282-1384

Now available to High School Seniors

Up to $20000 signing bonus

8 weeks recruit training command

4-12 months job training

Return to home town reserve center assignment

Drill as a reservist 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & THE COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE AT TECH---have scheduled their Fall Open House for: Saturday, October 13, 2007 at Davis Hall.  Register on-line at: www.wvutech.edu.

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY ---is having three Open House programs.  The dates are: Saturday, October 21, February 17 and March 10.  Register at www.marshall.edu/admissions.  The new 2007-2008 catalog and other MCTC news and updates may be located on-line at www.marshall.edu/ctc.  

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ---the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources announces Visitation Day on Saturday, November 10.  Reservations must be made by October 26.  Interested students are to e-mail their name, address, phone number and year of graduation to Migri.Prucz@mail.wvu.edu.

WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY---offers students a mining engineering scholarship ranging from $2000 to $3000 for their freshman year when they are admitted into the engineering program at WVU.  This annual scholarship can be retained until graduation provided the terms of the scholarship agreement are met. Interest seniors or juniors may forward their names, addresses and phone numbers to the Department of Mining Engineering, 365 MR Bldg., PO Box 6070, Morgantown, WV 26506-6070.

THE RON BROWN SCHOLAR PROGRAM ---awards scholarships to academically talented, highly motivated African American students who are currently seniors in high school and plan to pursue undergraduate degrees full-time.  Students must be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident visa cards.  Go online to www.ronbrown.org for more information.  Deadline:  postmarked November 1.

THE GREATER KANAWHA VALLEY FOUNDATION ---is available on-line only.  The application will be available at www.tgkvf.org on October 15.  Students must read the Five Steps to Prepare and Apply before starting the application.  They must create a password to complete the application in multiple sessions, if necessary.  They must save their work or it will be lost and they will have to re-enter all information.  Deadline:  January 15, 2008.