Welcome to Senior Seminar! This page contains information specifically for seniors. However, much of the information is helpful for sophomores and juniors to know as well. At the bottom of the page are documents to download or peruse.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one

wild and precious life?" ~ Mary Oliver

Class of 2021 Graduation

will be Friday, May 21, 2021

7:30 p.m.

A. S. "Bro" Erwin Stadium

“Be prepared and be honest.”

~ John Wooden (renowned basketball coach at the University of California at Los Angeles and winner of 10 NCAA championships.)

SENIORS- things to remember...

PARENTS AND SENIORS FAFSA/YOUniversal Application

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the YOUniversal Application came online October 1st. You'll be using your and your parents' 2019 federal income tax form and W2s to complete this. Sometimes parents have not filed in several years and are reluctant to do the FAFSA. I do want parents to understand that your child cannot qualify for state or federal funding if you do not complete the FAFSA.

I'm happy to help any parent or student who wants to do the state YOUniversal application or their FAFSA. Just give me a call to schedule a time. You'll need parents and students both, if possible, to be together to do these. You'll also need other information. Click here for that list:

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out#documents

We held a virtual Financial Aid Night, Monday, January 25th. Tori Ware from ASU Beebe/ Heber Springs and Stacy Dicken from ASU Beebe presented. If you missed it, here's the recording to catch up: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XxW5KBDxrhjaGKPwIcwyY1GEYXfuOZEZ/view?usp=sharing

Arkansas Rehabilitation Services

Students who have physical, mental, emotional, or psychological disabilities that may hinder or preclude their getting an education or training after high school may be eligible for funding or special help through the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services. Our students will have the opportunity to meet individually with a representative from this agency at school. At that time, she will determine if the student may qualify and will request papers such as a medical diagnosis, parents' and student federal income tax forms, copies of IEPs or 504 Plans, report cards, and final transcripts. If you think you may be eligible, it would help you to go ahead and collect those documents as soon as they are ready. The check sheet of what you need to bring with you to the meeting is below at the bottom of the page and is called Items List for Questionnaire. You'll also need to complete the ARS Intake Form, which is also below. http://ace.arkansas.gov/arRehabServices/Pages/default.aspx

Students who are younger than 18 years of age must have a Parental Consent form signed by a parents. You may find that form at the bottom of this page.

Senior Seminar Schedule

Once a month I will be meeting with seniors in the computer lab, Main Building, Room 305. You will meet during your normally scheduled senior English class time. During that time, we will work on college and career exploration, personal assessments, resumes, essays, college admission and scholarship applications, scholarship searches, and financial aid paperwork. This is a very important work time for you. If you are not scheduled in a senior English class, I encourage you to find a time period when you can meet each month with us.

January 20th - Ms. Wallace's classes, Mrs. Embrey's 1st and 8th periods

January 21st- Mrs. Embrey's 3rd period and Mrs. Hall's 5th period classes

January 22nd- Mrs. Schoonover's 5th and 7th period classes, Mrs. Hall's 7th period class

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The Arkansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers Director is a tremendous resource. Go here to get a quick snapshot of important information for all Arkansas colleges and universities:

https://arkacrao.org/directory/

APPROACHING DEADLINES!

UCA Scholarships January 25th

UCA Foundation Scholarship- January 29th
University of Arkansas- February 1st
ASTATE Privately Funded Scholarships- February 1st
Check your schools' web sites for important days.

Worktime

I'm in Room 305 in the Main Building 2nd period.

I plan to be in there almost every day during 2nd period. I've got computers for you to use or bring your own Chromebooks to come in and work on applications, resumes, college and scholarship searches, and anything else we need to attend to. Feel free to text me, email, phone, leave a message in my grey box by the office door across from the library, or come see me! Remember to watch your deadlines and don't wait until the last minute.

That's the best way to avoid stressing about all you need to do!

I will share dates I KNOW I will not be there here:

January 29th
February 4th, 5th, 10th,11th, 12th
May 14th, 21st

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WHEN YOU NEED A TRANSCRIPT...

In Xello on the first page under LINKS AND RESOURCES, there is a TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM that you will complete on line. When you do this, it goes straight to our registrar, Mrs. Burnett, who will send your transcript to the entity you list. This will also include all SAT and ACT scores that we have been given. Please allow at least 5 days advance notice in order to get your records sent in a timely fashion.

You must fill this form out to get a transcript sent.

Do NOT go to the MAIN office to request this. The secretaries there do not have your complete file to send all that is required.

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Letters of Recommendation

Don't forget to ask for these at least 2 weeks in advance, to give the recommender a LOR Request form (you'll find that in Xello under the Links and Resources Heading) and a copy of your resume, (also found on Xello) and to say "thank you!" for doing it for you!

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Days for College Visits

You are given two excused days to visit colleges during your senior year. You may not rollover unused junior days into your senior year. I strongly encourage you to visit those schools you are considering. For ideas and suggestions on how to make the most of your visit, check these links:

http://www.princetonreview.com/college/college-visit.aspx

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-solution/2011/03/15/7-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-college-tours

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/know-yourself/6-steps-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-campus-visit

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR SENIORS

Right now, you should be making college visits (remember you get two excused), working on your resume, using Fastweb and Fund My Future (and more), studying for the ACT and/or SAT, and completing applications.

You should have a list of schools with their deadlines in bold type.

If you're not going to a university, you should be contacting places for job information, apprenticeship applications, or military recruiters.

AWARD LETTERS

Many of you will be getting AWARD LETTERS from your schools. Here is a link to an article that explains more about such letters. In addition, there is a comparison chart that may help you sort out the aid offered by different colleges.

https://www.collegeanswer.com/paying-for-college/financial-aid/evaluating-award-letters.aspx

Below is a link from Hendrix College with a copy of an award letter. Notice that it is divided by semester and list expenses and awards, as well as payment options.

http://www.financialaidletter.com/hendrix.html

Here are two more helpful website devoted to understanding award letters:

http://www.finaid.org/fafsa/awardletters.phtml

http://www.financialaidofficer.com/how-to-read-an-award-letter.pdf

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Vote button Royalty Free Stock Photography

VOTER REGISTRATION!

Students who are at least 17 years old and who would like to

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Character Traits

Employers tell me over and over again that a formidable problem they have is finding employees with SOFT SKILLS. Included in these are many of the character traits we'll be talking about each month.

Selective Service Registration

Males who have turned 18 years old are required to register with the Selective Service. Go to www.sss.gov to do so.

Remember, failure to register precludes your eligibility for

federal student aid.

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Arkansas NEXT

This is the 2020 version of the magazine. There is wonderful information that you can still use now. Go to www.arkansasnext.com. You can 'like' them on Facebook at Facebook.com/ArkansasNext and get daily posts about financial aide, high school, ACTs/SATs, campus life, scholarships, internships, contests, and giveaways! I am also giving you hard copies of the magazine in the October Senior Seminar.

Writing Help

Purdue University has a wonderfully helpful site for questions about writing. I think it's also useful in studying for the English section of the ACT/SAT. Here's the main link:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/

Interested in the Performing and Visual Arts?

The website below has a list of college fairs for those majors. The nearest to us is in St. Louis in early October. Click on the link below to learn more.

www.gotomypvafair.com.

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A Really Good Place to Start Searching for Scholarships!

http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships is the federal government's web page for financial aid information, scholarship searches, and more.