Guidance
Guidance Updates
Hello Spartans!
Below you will find important information from the Guidance Office regarding scheduling, graduation progress, SAT, ACT, college admissions, etc. If you are an upperclassman, this is a great spot to stay up-to-date on all guidance information!
AP Exam Information
It is that time of year again, Spartans! The 2023 AP Exams will be administered in schools as paper-and-pencil exams May 1-5 and May 8–12. To view the AP testing letter to students, click here. This includes all the information for students on what to bring and what not to bring to school on exam day. AP teachers will notify students when and where to report for the exams. Early testing or testing at times other than those published by the College Board is not permitted under any circumstances. Late testing dates are available if students cannot test during the first two weeks of May. To view the AP testing schedule, click here.
Requests to leave early will be denied. Do not make outside appointments on testing days. Students who play a sport or have a job: it will be your responsibility to inform coaches or employers of your AP obligation and arrangements should be made accordingly.
Seniors: Bucket List Scholarship Opportunity
Seniors, is there something you have been wanting to do this summer after finishing high school? Beginning the next chapter of life is always exciting, and Homestead's Parent Club wants to sponsor your endeavors! Whether that is going on a road trip, giving back to the community in a unique way, or completing an enrichment activity, the Homestead Parent Club is offering scholarships up to $1000 to graduating seniors for these activities. Apply by April 28th to take part in this incredible opportunity!
Bucket List Scholarship fund application (1).pdf
Purdue Women in Engineering Program
Attention Homestead Junior Girls! If you are interested in exploring a career in engineering and have not yet used all your college visit days, check out this April 17th opportunity at Purdue. For more information, click here.
To register for the SAT, visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration
To register for the ACT, visit https://my.act.org/account/signin?location=https://my.act.org
Senior Information
Seniors, click the drop-down groups below for specific information regarding college applications and senior meetings. REMINDER: 2023 Graduation Day is a week later than usual. It will be on Sunday, June 11th, 2023. Graduation will be in the arena, NOT in the Convention Center where we have been the past few years. Please mark this date in your calendar and plan your summer festivities accordingly!
Cap and Gown Update: Cap and gown pickup will occur on Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27 during all lunch mods.
Cap & Gown Orders
SENIOR Cap & Gown Orders will be delivered during all lunch mods on Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27!
Jostens' reps will be in the cafeteria commons during all lunches (11:05AM-12:50PM). Students should plan to pick up their Cap and Gown orders at these times.
If you are not on campus during lunches, you may check in at Door #26 (Ninth Gr. Academy entrance) and walk to the cafeteria to pick up your order. If you will be unable to pick up your delivery on April 26 or 27, please make arrangements for a family member to pick it up for you.
In order to participate in the Graduation Ceremony, students will need a Cap and Gown. Still need to order? Contact Jostens at 1-800-567-8367 or email Aaron.Richie@Jostens.Com ASAP.
If you are unable to pay for this expense, please reach out to Mrs. Bay at jbay@sacs.k12.in.us
Financial Aid
State Financial Aid
The Commission for Higher Education is dedicated to making college affordable through need-based financial aid awards and to allow choice by granting awards to those attending public, independent, and proprietary colleges.
Award notices contain information about a student's eligibility for Indiana student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the approved tuition and regularly assessed fees at the college the student will be attending, the type of high school diploma the student earned, and the number of credit hours the student has successfully completed.
Indiana ranks fifth in the nation in the need-based grant aid per undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment, making higher education more accessible and attainable for more Hoosiers. Indiana has two primary grant programs: The Frank O'Bannon Grant, Indiana's primary need-based financial aid program, and the 21st Century Scholarship, Indiana's early promise program where students sign up in middle school.
Please visit the Indiana Commission for Higher Education website at https://www.in.gov/che/ for more information about Indiana's grant programs.
Diploma Type Verification
Scholartrack is used to facilitate the reporting of eligible Academic or Technical Honors graduates to the Commission. Graduates not reported through ScholarTrack may not receive the full financial aid award for which they are eligible. To report this information in ScholarTrack you need to create your own account. If you have not already created your own ScholarTrack Account, please visit https://scholartrack.che.in.gov/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f#/RegistrationAccountType
FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available for the Class of 2023. The FAFSA must be completed by April 15th to qualify for Indiana state aid, but it is recommended to file as soon as possible. Many schools have deadlines as early as January 1, and some types of aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need:
Student's & Parent's Social Security numbers
Student's driver's license number
Parent's 2021 federal taxes and taxes for student if filed
Information on untaxed income for students and parents
Information on cash, savings, and checking account balances, and investments for students and parents
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
As we enter the season of college applications and scholarships, remember that many of these applications will require letters of recommendation from school personnel. Make sure you give some time and consideration to those you choose to write your letters of recommendation. Please consider the following when requesting a letter of recommendation:
Ask someone who knows you well
Ask early and provide appropriate time to construct a well-written letter (at least two weeks)
Ask before assigning them as a recommender
Ask in person
Provide your resume or counselor information sheet (see attached) to the recommender
Send a thank you letter
College Application Information & FAQS
What does “Test Optional” Mean?
Colleges that are test optional de-emphasize the importance of the SAT and ACT by making the tests an unnecessary component of the admission process. So if you took the SAT or ACT but didn't score as highly as you'd hoped you would, you can apply to test-optional colleges in order to avoid having to send in any unsatisfactory test scores that could potentially hurt your application. https://blog.prepscholar.com/test-optional-colleges-list
Important information regarding college applications:
Students must allow counselors/teachers at least two weeks to complete applications and letters of recommendations. Recommendation sheet (purple sheet) for students to complete and provide to recommenders.
Here are instructions for sending your transcripts through Parchment, it is important you list Homestead High School (Fort Wayne, IN) as your school. Please make sure to enter your year of graduation correctly.
Although SAT and ACT scores are on your transcript, most colleges want them sent directly through College Board or ACT. Students have to make this request; counselors cannot request official scores to be sent.
If applying to colleges using the Common Application, make sure you have email addresses for your recommenders and counselor. You do NOT have to have your portion of the application completed in order to submit the application to your counselor. Common Application allows students and counselors to work simultaneously.
Although colleges might offer multiple ways to submit information and transcripts, you should only use one. Priority should be given to Common Application and Parchment.
FAQs for College Applications
What is my class size (Class of 2023)?
590
Do you report class rank?
No (unless you have officially released your rank)
Do you have weighted grades?
Yes
Are you on a block schedule?
No
Have you ever attended another college or university?
Check with individual colleges as it varies by college. For example, Indiana University reports wanting students to mark “No” if it is dual credit or higher education. Whereas, Purdue University prefers students to mark “Yes”.
What is your school graduation date?
June 11th, 2023 at 4 pm
How should I send my high school transcript?
Electronically-Parchment unless applying with Common Application
What is Early Decision?
Early Decision is an early admission policy indicating that the college you apply to Early Decision is your top choice. Applying Early Decision is binding, meaning if accepted you are expected to attend that particular college. Students and parents should read the policy entirely before applying Early Decision to understand the terms of the commitment.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships
A few featured scholarships with upcoming deadlines for Homestead High School students are listed below. For a full list of all available scholarships and their detailed eligibility criteria, please visit the Homestead High School General Scholarships page on our website.
Students are encouraged to review scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen at their colleges and universities of interest. More information about these opportunities at some of our most commonly attended post-secondary institutions can be found on our Collegiate Scholarships page: http://homestead.sacs.k12.in.us/guidance/scholarships/collegiate_scholarship_listing.
HITEC Foundation Scholarship: $5,000 scholarships awarded to graduating high school seniors who are of Hispanic/Latinx heritage. Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Deadline 4/14/23.
NE Indiana Chapter Ball State University Alumni Association Scholarship: Scholarship may be used toward tuition, room and board, books, fees, and other qualifying educational expenses. Must be accepted to BSU for fall semester 2023. Deadline 4/21/23.
Homestead High School Parent Club Senior Bucket List Scholarship: One $1,000 scholarship and four $500 scholarships will be awarded to Homestead High School seniors to fund their favorite bucket list items for the summer of 2023. Deadline 4/28/23 @ 3:00 p.m.
Fort Wayne Central High School Alumni Association Scholarship: Minimum $500 scholarship for high school seniors entering first or second year of higher learning at an accredited school, college, university, trade school, or apprenticeship program. Must be a descendant of a Fort Wayne Central HS attendee/graduate. Deadline 5/1/23.
Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne: All scholarships listed (with the exception of a few) require students to be residents of Allen County, Indiana. Scholarship deadlines will vary by institution.
MadeByMe Scholarship: $1,000 award for residents from Allen County pursuing a certificate or degree in a skilled manufacturing or trade program.
The Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant offers free job training from Ivy Tech or Vincennes for Hoosiers in high-demand sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing, Building & Construction, Health & Life Science, IT & Business Services, and Transportation & Logistics.
Students are encouraged to review scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen at their colleges and universities of interest. More information about these opportunities at some of our most commonly attended post-secondary institutions can be found on our Collegiate Scholarships page: http://homestead.sacs.k12.in.us/guidance/scholarships/collegiate_scholarship_listing.
Additionally, students can peruse national scholarship search sites, such as the College Board Scholarship Search or Fastweb to widen their scholarship search.
Again, for a full list of scholarships and eligibility information, please visit the Homestead High School General Scholarships page on our website.