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Homestead's Guidance Department
School Counselors at Homestead High School strive to provide our students with numerous opportunities for academic, personal, career, and post-secondary counseling. Students are invited to visit the Guidance office regularly.
SACS Education Foundation
The SACS Education Foundation is excited to announce a district-wide scholarship opportunity. The goal is to award ten $500 scholarships to deserving students to use towards a summer enrichment program or camp of their choice. There are no grade, age, gender, or academic restrictions, so all students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. This opportunity is also extended to students enrolled in ESACS. Below is a formal letter and flyer about this scholarship. The application is linked below. Applications are due on 3/14/25.
Graduation Pathways
Graduation Pathways
Hopefully students have noticed that they each have a 9th period course on their PowerSchool homepage (Project Based Learning). This course represents the students' work with the Graduation Pathways Canvas course being completed during 5th period Spartan 40 time. During this time, students work on the Graduation Pathways Canvas course related to college and career aspirations and readiness. More specifically, they are working on grade level specific slides within THIS Google Slides document. Please talk to your student about their Slides and their college and career goals beyond Homestead.
Students without a 5th period class should make time to complete the tasks in this Canvas course as well because it is a requirement of all Indiana high school students. Because completion of these activities is a graduation requirement put forth by the state, listing it in PowerSchool will allow it to show up on their transcripts. At the end of the semester, students will then have a “Pass” in PowerSchool to represent they have completed the necessary graduation requirement for a high school diploma. Below is an image of the course listed in PowerSchool.
FAFSA Information
FAFSA Information
FAFSA is required for the Class of 2025
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now available for the Class of 2025. The FAFSA must be completed by April 15 to qualify for Indiana state aid, but filing as soon as possible is recommended. Many schools have deadlines as early as February, and some types of aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. You will need:
Student’s and parent's Social Security numbers
Student’s driver’s license number
Parents’ 2023 federal taxes and taxes for students if filed
Information on untaxed income for students and parents
Information on cash, savings and checking account balances, and investments for student and parent
Have questions or need help? Homestead is hosting a representative from a local college to talk about financial aid on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Gray Box. Enter through Door 33 off Homestead Road. Questions are encouraged and handouts will be provided.
Opting Out of the Class of 2025 REQUIRED FAFSA
Students who do not wish to file the FAFSA may opt out in one of the following ways:
a parent/guardian of the student submits a FAFSA Waiver Form https://www.in.gov/che/files/FINAL-2025-26-FAFSA-Opt-Out-Waiver.pdf certifying the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it
the student, if the student is an emancipated minor or is at least 18 years old, submits a signed waiverhttps://www.in.gov/che/files/FINAL-2025-26-FAFSA-Opt-Out-Waiver.pdf certifying the student understands what the FAFSA is and declines to complete it
Completed waiver forms should be emailed to Lauren DiSilvestro at ldisilvestro@sacs.k12.in.us
Have questions or need help? More information is available on the Homestead website.
Purdue College Campus Visit Opportunity
Purdue College Campus Visit Opportunity
On behalf of the Purdue University Women in Engineering Program, we would like to share information regarding a free college campus visit opportunity. Exploring Engineering at Purdue invites high school juniors interested in engineering to Purdue’s campus.
Students who register will enjoy a comprehensive, full-day engineering experience on Monday, April 14, 2025. An optional ‘meet and greet’ on Sunday, April 13, will be offered with extended opportunities to speak directly with engineering majors, programs, and clubs. Parents or guardians are encouraged to attend on both dates.
Displayed here is a flyer for the Women in Engineering Program. You can scan the QR code for more information about the program and the process of registration. You can also click this link and find information under the "Exploring Engineering" tab.
SAT & ACT Testing
With the school year beginning, some students may find it valuable to take one of the optional Saturday SAT or ACT tests in order to earn a higher score for college applications or gain a solid starting point for the state-scheduled tests in October and March. If you are interested in Saturday testing, please review upcoming dates below.
PSAT Scores
PSAT Scores
Grade 10 and 11 students who took the PSAT/NMSQT on October 8, 2024, can view their results on the College Board website. We encourage all students to utilize the full potential of their results by accessing "My Score Reports" found here. Students who provided their mobile numbers on test day should have received a text to access their scores through the BigFuture School mobile app. PSAT scores are also available to view in PowerSchool. At this time, Ivy Tech has not released information regarding dual credit qualifying scores for the PSAT October 2024 testing.
Resources available utilizing PSAT scores:
Free, personalized SAT study on the Khan Academy® platform based on your test results (This is a great way for juniors to prepare for the March 4th, 2025 SAT, which is their required graduation exam.)
AP courses through AP Potential™ feedback
Roadtrip Nation, where you can create your own career roadmap
College Search and Major and Career Search on BigFuture
SAT registration (Juniors – You do not need to register for the state-required March 4th SAT exam. Homestead has done this for you.)
Need help understanding your PSAT/NMSQT scores? Below is a link for a short video guide to understanding your scores: https://youtu.be/LJEeKZxLjpA
Scholarships!!
Below is a list of scholarships with upcoming deadlines for applications. Students are heavily encouraged to use these opportunities to their full advantage. For a full list of scholarships, visit the Homestead High School General Scholarships page on the Homestead website!
BBB Students of Integrity 2025 Scholarships: Six individual $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating seniors to pursue a variety of post-secondary interests. Deadline: Submitted to Student Services office by 3/11/25 by 2:45 p.m.
BBB Charitable & Education Foundation Scholarship
Brotherhood Mutual Scholarship
Paul Davis Scholarship
C & E Excavating Scholarship
Charly Butcher Scholarship
Indiana Tech Scholarship
Questa Scholars Program: Scholars receive up to $5,000 per academic year to assist in covering educational expenses. The program also features a low-interest, forgivable loan. Deadline: 3/15/25
Edgar H. Kilbourne Scholarship: Scholarship for seniors affiliated with or a member of a church or religious organization. Demonstrate financial need and qualities of leadership. Rank in the top 50% of the class. Deadline: 3/31/25
Men’s College Scholarship: Scholarship designed to identify and reward outstanding high school male seniors who have demonstrated an ability to excel in fields of academics, extra-curricular school activities, and community involvement. Deadline 4/1/25
Allen County Extension Homemakers Scholastic Award: One $2,000 scholarship awarded to an Allen County high school senior planning to attend Purdue University, West Lafayette, or Purdue Fort Wayne. Must be a full-time student in the College of Health & Human Sciences. Deadline: 5/1/25
Parkview Opportunity Scholars Program: Recipients pursuing an eligible 2-year degree program at Ivy Tech Northeast can receive up to $10,000 in college funding. Scholar loans are 100% forgiven when the scholar works at Parkview Health for one year after graduation. Deadline: 6/30/25
Army ROTC Scholarships: Full-tuition scholarships for 2-4 years are available. Includes room and board with an additional stipend for books and fees. Deadlines vary.
Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne: All scholarships listed (except for 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.
BigFuture Scholarship Search: Students in the class of 2025 who use BigFuture Scholarship Search and save 3 scholarships to their list will earn entries in monthly drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships. Deadlines vary.
Students are encouraged to review scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen at their colleges and universities of interest. Additionally, students can peruse national scholarship search sites, such as the College Board Scholarship Search or Fastweb to widen their scholarship search.
Common Applications
Common Applications
Why Common App?
Why Common App?
The Common App makes college applications stress-free as everything is all in the same place. This application is used broadly by 950 universities and colleges and has helped many students accomplish the first steps needed to begin the process of the next step of pursuing their education.
Not only can the common app be used for applying to schools across the country, but it can be used to find scholarships and financial aid opportunities!
What are the Application Requirements?
What are the Application Requirements?
Many universities and colleges will have the same requirements, which entails filling out the information that provides details about your background, extracurriculars, and just essential information about you. Some schools will require that the student provides an essay that is a minimum of 250 words with a maximum of 650 words.
Many students are intimidated by the essay requirement, but do not stress! Start off with one of the seven prompts below:
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to our success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
If you are unsure of your essay's quality or what college admissions look for in the requirement essay, ask for a teacher, family member, or counselor to help review and provide feedback on your essay before submitting your final application!
Recommendation Letters
Recommendation letters are an essential aspect of applying to colleges and universities. Some schools require recommendation letters, and some do not. It is always beneficial to include one to polish up your application.
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