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.
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!
Indiana University Wells Scholars Program: Awarded to graduating seniors attending IU Bloomington. Full tuition, room and board, and a stipend for four years. Deadline: 10/10/24 by 2:45 p.m.
DAR Good Citizen Scholarship: A scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to a high school senior who demonstrates qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism. Deadline: 10/24/24 by 2:45 p.m.
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship: Scholarships ranging from $1,000-$7,5000 per year will be awarded to highest-rated applicants pursuing a 4-year degree on a full-time basis. Deadline: 11/12/24
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: 3/1/24
BigFuture Scholarship Search: Students in the class of 2024 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.
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.
The FAFSA must be completed by April 15 to qualify for Indiana state aid, but it is recommended to file as soon as possible. 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 parents’ Social Security numbers
Student’s driver’s license number
Parents’ 2023 federal taxes and taxes for student if filed
Information on untaxed income for student and parents
Information on cash, savings and checking account balances, and investments for student and parents
Remember: The FAFSA is now required.
Have questions or need help? Homestead is hosting a representative from a local college to talk about financial aid on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM in the Gray Box. Enter through Door 33 off Homestead Road. Questions are encouraged and handouts will be provided. More information is available on the Homestead website.
Harvard, Princeton, the University of Virginia, Wellesley, and Yale would like to spend some time with you.
Don't miss your opportunity to hear admissions officers from all five schools discuss the variety of opportunities one can find at our institutions. Learn about scholarships and our generous need-based financial aid offerings.
Admissions Resources
· Harvard Office of Admissions
· Princeton Office of Admission
· Wellesley Office of Admission
Click here for virtual program dates and to submit questions: The Office of Undergraduate Admission (virginia.edu)
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!
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.