Many scholarships ask for ACT scores and those scores qualify students for $$.  The results of earning anywhere over an 18 could mean up to $100,000 or more.  The career opportunities found with that degree are priceless! 

Many registered adult apprenticeship careers require placement exams for entrance.  If someone wants to apply to a Steamfitting Apprenticeship, for example, that person needs a high school diploma and a 17 in both reading and math on the ACT.  The ACT is valid for 5 years.  If a student tried on the ACT while in high school, that student may be sitting better for an apprenticeship.  According to the Dept. of Workforce Development (DWD) experienced Steamfitters earn $79,147/year in Wisconsin.  Many registered apprenticeship programs require placement testing. People don’t have to take the placement tests as adults if they do well on the high school ACT.  Otherwise an adult exam will be required to pass.

Army ROTC requires that people have a high school diploma, a 2.5 GPA in high school, and an ACT composite of 19.  This gives students full college tuition, fees, and books paid by the military.  An additional stipend of up to $5,000 per year to pay for other items needed by the student can also be offered. 

The Marines ROTC requirement is a 22 composite on the ACT.  The Marines also pay full college tuition and fees, textbook stipend, uniforms, and additional stipends each month.  Military Information

Students who try to do well on each exam, could more easily be placed into classes and not be required to enroll in lower level, remedial class(es) before they get into their program.  Students can potentially skip some courses (i.e. English 101) if they perform well on subject area tests.  Some colleges are ACT score reporting optional.  If students do not submit their ACT score, they may then be required to take an additional exam for placement into college courses.  Please see this reference page for an example.

The Scholars of Promise program is offered to any Fort Atkinson High School senior who fills out the FAFSA, is Pell grant eligible, has a 2.25 GPA, and takes the ACT.  Your college course placement will be dependent on your ACT scores on the individual exams.  The better you do, the quicker you will get through your college program! 

Most private colleges and some public universities across the U.S. offer merit-based scholarships.  This is based on an individual student’s GPA and ACT.  The higher the ACT, the more $$ a student can be given.  This is before a student even applies for scholarships! 

If a student wants to play Division 1 sports, that student needs a 2.3 core class GPA, or for Division II sports, a 2.2 GPA in core classes.  If a student has a low ACT score, then that student needs a higher GPA in core classes.  The core course GPA and ACT are on a sliding scale.  Students must realize that excellent athletes with a poor ACT and GPA will be unable to play at D1 or D2 colleges. Reference page

Students who earn a 27 on their ACT, who are academically and financially eligible (parents earn $60,000 or less) can potentially earn the Bucky Tuition Promise which covers tuition and fees at UW-Madison for 4 years.  This is over a $43,000 award for doing well on the ACT.  

Students can send their scores to 4 colleges for free when they register for the ACT.  It costs $18/score report to send the scores after the exam.  Our March exam should be taken seriously and all students should send their scores out.

The ACT given at FAHS is free for students. The cost to retake the test on your own is $88.  Fee information can be found here.

The ACT scores are valid for 5 years.  If a student decides to apply to college, an apprenticeship, or a military officer program within 5 years of graduation, that ACT score can potentially get adults admitted or denied.  Try to do well now!