Weekly College Advising Newsletter
January 5th, 2024
Hello, Pirate Family!
Thank you for signing up for the College Advising Newsletter. My name is Ms. Tori Harris and I am your college adviser for the year! If you want to read more about me and the services I provide, follow this link to the student services website! It is also where I will be posting the schedule and registration links for college rep visits, scholarship opportunities, and resources to help you on your path! Here is an update of some information to be mindful of.
IMPORTANT:
The 2024-2025 FAFSA application will be doing a "soft launch" and will be available periodically throughout the coming weeks. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, log out and try again at a later time. In the meantime, I encourage students AND parents to create their FSA ID on studentaid.gov. It takes 3 days to verify your information before you can complete the form. Students must have an SSN to be eligible for federal student aid, however, there may be other opportunities to receive other forms of financial aid from an individual institution. Parents who do not have an SSN can still create an FSA ID.
To see a walkthrough of what the 2024-2025 FAFSA Application will look like, please visit this link. This is a prototype that was created by FAFSA to help students and parents have a better understanding of what to expect.
To ensure that you are prepared to complete the form, have the following materials accessible when applying:
- Laptop
- SSN
- 2022 Tax Information
- Records of child support received (if applicable)
- Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
- Net worth of investments, businesses, and farm
UPCOMING EVENTS:
College Visits: *These opportunities are open to Juniors and Seniors only. You are responsible for any information or materials that you may have missed during the trip. You must complete the interest form to be considered for the trip. but completing this form does not guarantee a spot on the trip*
Criteria:
Have applied or plan to apply to the school
Must have at least a 2.5 GPA (weighted)
No write ups / referrals for the semester
Tuesday, January 23rd : College Visit to UNC - Greensboro (8:30 AM-3:30 PM)
- If you want to visit UNC-Greensboro, complete the interest form here. You must meet the minimum criteria to be considered. Please submit the interest form by Monday, January 15th. Submitting the form does not guarantee a spot on the trip*
Thursday, February 1: College Visit to NC Central (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
- If you want to visit NC Central, complete the interest form here. You must meet the minimum criteria to be considered. Please submit the interest form by Monday, January 15th. Submitting the form does not guarantee a spot on the trip*
Workshops:
Monday, January 8th at 6:00 PM - Family FAFSA & Financial Aid Night
There will be a financial aid representative at Riverside to provide comprehensive guidance on the FAFSA process and the financial aid opportunities available. Parents and students will also be able to get assistance with completing their portion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, if needed. Pizza will be provided. Sign up here!
Tuesday, January 16th at 3:00 PM: Family FAFSA Night
- The Emily K Center will be hosting a Family FAFSA night to help students and families complete their FAFSA form. If you are interested
in attending this event, please sign up here.
SCHOLARSHIPS:
All students who apply for a scholarship through DPS Foundation are automatically entered into consideration for a Durham Promise award. The Durham Promise will be awarded to one graduating senior in each senior high school in the Durham Public Schools System in the amount of $3,000 (non-renewable). Eligible students must be graduating seniors who expect to enroll in a post-secondary institution in the fall. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required.
- Andrew Edward Crabtree Scholarship
- Available for seniors at Riverside High School in the amount of $5,000 (non-renewable). Eligible students should demonstrate a strong and significant interest, proficiency, passion and participation in drama, choral music, history, or creative writing. A minimum 2.75 GPA is required. Deadline is March 4th, 2024.
- Available for students with and unweighted GPA of 2.5-3.5 and demonstrate financial need. Student applicants must come from underrepresented populations and historically underserved communities who have faced systemic barriers and challenges to economic mobility. Students from Black, Latino, Native American (with documented tribal affiliation) and underrepresented Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage are encouraged to apply. Deadline is January 11th, 2024
- Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarship
- The Aubrey Lee Brooks scholarship provides an award up to approximately one-half of the cost of an undergraduate education to students who demonstrate financial need. Selection for the Brooks Scholarship is competitive. Successful applicants have excellent high school grades and SAT/ACT scores. Applicants are expected to have participated in extracurricular activities, volunteered in their community and/or been regularly employed. These students often demonstrate leadership within the organizations with which they work. Deadline is March 1st, 2024
More Scholarship Search Engines
- bullcityschools.awardspring.com
- North Carolina Scholarship Search Tool
- North Carolina Community Foundation
- trianglecf.org/students/scholarships-awards/
COMMUNICATION RESOURCES TO SAVE:
Email: tori.harris@duke.edu
Scheduling meetings: calendly.com/ms.harris
Text: (919) 627-7332
Join my Reminds!
SENIORS ONLY: Text @rhscac24 to 81010
For college visits, events, and workshops: Text @eventatrhs to 81010