Mapletown Jr./Sr. High School Counseling and Guidance

Mr. Fink

School Counselor

Guidance Services Provided by the School Counselor

1. Academic and Career Planning

Support students in selecting courses, programs, and pathways that align with their interests, strengths, and future goals.
Monitor progress and ensure students are on track for graduation and college or career readiness.

2. Counseling Services

Provide confidential, professional counseling for individuals and groups.
Address academic, social-emotional, and personal challenges, including stress management, mental health, and peer relationships.
Promote a safe and supportive learning environment where all students feel valued and heard.

3. Information and Resources

Offer access to up-to-date educational, occupational, and social resources, including college planning, scholarship opportunities, and career pathways.
Educate students on 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, financial literacy, and career exploration tools.

4. Self-Assessment and Individual Growth

Help students understand their strengths, interests, and learning styles through assessments and inventories.
Support goal-setting, decision-making, and development of personal, academic, and career plans.
Encourage reflection and self-awareness to guide students toward meaningful postsecondary opportunities.

About Me

Dear Families of Mapletown Jr./Sr. High School,

My name is Mr. Thomas C. Fink, Jr., and I am proud to serve as the school counselor at Mapletown Jr./Sr. High School. This year marks my 16th year working with our students, and I am excited to continue supporting them in achieving their academic, social, and personal goals.

Professional school counselors play a vital role in helping students succeed. Through leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, we work to promote equity, access, and rigorous educational experiences for all students. We strive to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment, safeguard the rights of all members of our school community, and provide culturally relevant programs that address the diverse needs of our students.

I’d like to share a little about my background so we can get to know each other better. I am a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology from Duquesne University, followed by two Master’s Degrees in School Counseling and Administrative Leadership, and a Certification in Sports Counseling from California University of PA.

Throughout my career, I have worked in a variety of counseling roles, including as:

High School Counselor at Mapletown Jr./Sr. High School
Liaison for The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh
Counselor Holy Family Residential Learning Center
Drug and Alcohol Counselor at Gateway Rehabilitation Center

Over the years, I have been continually impressed by the dedication and resilience of our students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators. I am confident that, together, we can help every student succeed. A strong partnership between families, students, and the counseling office is essential, and I encourage open communication so we can work together toward each student’s goals.

I look forward to another great year of supporting your children and helping them reach their full potential.

Sincerely,
Thomas C. Fink, Jr., M.Ed., NCC
School Guidance Counselor
Mapletown Jr./Sr. High School

Useful Info For Seniors

(Click to Expand)

Senior Year College Planning Timeline

SEPTEMBER

Most seniors apply to 5–10 colleges/universities. If applying to more than 10, be aware of application fees ($50–$100 each). Many schools waive fees if you meet a representative or visit the campus.
Maintain a master calendar of test dates, application deadlines, financial aid forms, and other important materials.
See your high school counselor if you need assistance with fee waivers.
If you need to retake the SAT or ACT, September or October is the last recommended test window—sign up early!
For Common Application colleges: submit your Student Report to School Counselor Form after submitting your application. Your counselor will send your Secondary School Report with your transcript and evaluation.
Submit letters of recommendation requests to teachers using the Common App Teacher Recommendation form.
You may begin completing and submitting the Common Application this month.

OCTOBER

Finalize your college choices.
Prepare Early Decision or Early Action applications as soon as possible.
Confirm that you have received letters of recommendation from at least two teachers.
Complete your application essays according to each university’s requirements.
Ensure your test scores are sent to colleges (via College Board or ACT). Fee waivers may provide up to 4 free score reports.
SUBMIT YOUR FAFSA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
- Class of 2026: You and your parents can file the 2025–26 FAFSA beginning October 1, 2025, using 2024 tax information.

NOVEMBER

Nov 1–15: Early Decision colleges may require applications and test scores.
Complete and proofread your application essays carefully.

JANUARY

Admissions decisions may begin arriving. Report all acceptances, rejections, and scholarships to the Guidance Office.

FEBRUARY

Mid-Year Reports: Many Common App and out-of-state schools require first-semester grades. Submit a mid-year transcript request to the counseling office.
Stay focused—no senioritis!
Continue reporting admissions decisions and scholarships to the Guidance Office.

MARCH

File income taxes early; some colleges require copies of family tax returns for finalizing financial aid.
Continue reporting admissions decisions and scholarships to the Guidance Office.

APRIL

By mid-April, you should be receiving acceptance letters and financial aid offers.
Notify your counselor of your college choice so they can celebrate your decision!
For housing or deposits, contact the college immediately.

MAY

May 1st: Colleges cannot require a deposit or commitment before this date. You may submit a deposit if you have made a decision.
Inform each college of your acceptance or rejection (follow their instructions).
Send a deposit to one college only.
Wait-listed? Contact the admissions office to express interest and ask about strengthening your application.
Resolve any remaining financial aid questions with the college’s financial aid office.

JUNE

Congratulations, Seniors—your journey is nearly complete!
Request that a final transcript be sent to your college after graduation.
NCAA Eligibility Center will also require your final transcript.
All males should register with Selective Service.
If eligible, register to vote.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Check back frequently for the latest news and happenings from the School Counseling Department!

PSAT

The PSAT was administered at Mapletown on October 23, 2025. This exam serves both as preparation for the SAT and as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. To be eligible for National Merit consideration, students must take the PSAT during their junior year; therefore, all juniors were automatically registered for the test. Please check your College Board account or email for your scores, or see Mr. Fink if you have any questions.

Financial Aid Workshop (VIRTUAL)

💰 Financial Aid Night

Mapletown High School hosted a Virtual Financial Aid Night on September 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA).
A PHEAA representative presented information about the many aspects of the financial aid process.

All juniors and seniors planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college after graduation were encouraged to participate along with a parent or guardian.

If you were unable to attend the live event, you can view the full recording below:

🎥 Greene County High Schools Financial Aid Presentation
Watch the Recording

📅 Upcoming PHEAA & PA Forward Webinar Events

Representatives from PHEAA are hosting a variety of upcoming free webinars to help students and families better understand the financial aid process.
Topics include applying for aid, reviewing offer letters, planning timelines, and managing student loans.

🔗 View All Upcoming PHEAA Webinars

Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account

Learn how and when to create your StudentAid.gov account—required for submitting the FAFSA®.
📆 Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | ⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM (ET)
👉 Register for this session

Financial Aid Timeline — Know What to Do When

An overview of key steps and resources for planning your college financial journey.
📆 Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | ⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM (ET)
📆 Thursday, November 20, 2025 | ⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM (ET)
👉 Register for these sessions

Understanding the Offer Letter and Balances

Learn how to interpret your college financing plan, compare aid offers, and plan for remaining balances.
📆 Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | ⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM (ET)
📆 Thursday, December 18, 2025 | ⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM (ET)
👉 Register for these sessions

Keystone Student Loan Program

Learn about PHEAA’s Keystone Student Loan Program—available to students in PA and neighboring states.
📆 Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | ⏰ 2:00–3:00 PM (ET)
📆 Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | ⏰ 2:00–3:00 PM (ET)
👉 Register for these sessions

Financial Aid 101

Understand the financial aid application process, types of aid available, and how to plan for affordability.
📆 Thursday, November 6, 2025 | ⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM (ET)
📆 Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | ⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM (ET)
📆 Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | ⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM (ET)
👉 Register for these sessions

FAFSA® Overview — Line by Line

A detailed walkthrough of the 2026–27 FAFSA® and PA State Grant application.
📆 Wednesday, December 18, 2025 | ⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM (ET)
👉 Register for this session

📞 Need Help?

PHEAA’s Higher Education Access Partners are available to assist students and families with financial aid questions or FAFSA completion.
Visit PHEAA.org to find your county’s Access Partner and contact them for one-on-one support.

Aspire Program

Mentorships available with $5000 scholarship

(TBA for 2026)

FAFSA Opening DAY

2025–26 FAFSA® Form Launch

The 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is now available. You can complete this form to apply for financial aid for college attendance between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

The FAFSA website may occasionally undergo maintenance or updates to improve your experience.

New Update: Students can now invite contributors who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) to participate in their FAFSA form.

FAFSA Deadlines

Federal Deadline: To be considered for federal student aid for the 2025–2026 award year, submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1, 2025.
State and College Deadlines: Many states and colleges have earlier deadlines for state and institutional aid. Check your state’s deadline and contact your college’s financial aid office for specific dates.
Early Filing Recommended: Because deadlines vary, completing the FAFSA early ensures you don’t miss out on available aid.

Important Update on FAFSA Processing

Due to system updates, postsecondary schools may not receive FAFSA information immediately after submission. This can affect when financial aid award offers are sent. Students may receive information from their colleges several weeks after the school receives their FAFSA data.

Special Notes for Pennsylvania Students

First-Time Applicants at Community Colleges, Trade/Technical Schools, Nursing, and PA Open-Admission Institutions: Applications must be submitted by August 1, 2025 (midnight CT).
All Other Applicants: Submit by May 1, 2025 (midnight CT). Additional forms may be required depending on the school.

Other Aid: Always check with the financial aid office at your college or career school—additional forms may be required for institutional or state aid.

FAFSA Completion workshop

FAFSA® Completion Workshop

Do you need one‑on‑one help completing your 2025–26 FAFSA®? Join us for a personalized workshop with PHEAA’s Higher Education Access Partner. Sessions are virtual and by appointment only.

Dates & Time: TBD for 2025–26 (typically weekday evenings)
Format: Virtual 45‑minute one‑on‑one appointment via Microsoft Teams
Registration required. Spaces are limited.
A meeting link will be sent to you once you register.

Before you file the FAFSA, have these ready:

Your FSA ID (username & password) — create it at StudentAid.gov/fsa-id at least 3‑4 days before filing.
Your Social Security number (or Alien Registration Number if you are not a U.S. citizen)
A list of the colleges/career schools you wish to include on the FAFSA
For each contributor (usually parent/guardian): name, email address, date of birth, Social Security number
Your most recent federal tax return (1040 and schedules) — FAFSA can import data via the IRS Direct Data Exchange
Bank statements and records of investments, stocks, business/farm assets, etc. (Note: the home you live in is not counted)
A personal email address (not a school‑provided email)

📌 Useful link: PHEAA FAFSA Help Events – find the latest workshop listings and registration details.

Scholarships

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w5YuTOSM0yqUz9fmmjxooDo9IUtcLdU4kN9UtLApe0c/edit?usp=sharing

pheaa and PA forward student loan program webinar events:

Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account

Learn how and when to create your StudentAid.gov account—required for submitting the FAFSA®.
📆 Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | ⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM (ET)
👉 Register for this session

Financial Aid Timeline — Know What to Do When

Understanding the Offer Letter and Balances

Keystone Student Loan Program

Financial Aid 101

FAFSA® Overview — Line by Line

A detailed walkthrough of the 2026–27 FAFSA® and PA State Grant application.
📆 Wednesday, December 18, 2025 | ⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM (ET)
👉 Register for this session

📞 Need Help?

College Visits

Check Back For More College Visit Announcements!

Community foundation of greene county, pa

Scholarship Information Seminar

Greene County high school students and their parents will have the opportunity to learn about local scholarship opportunities that can help with costs of attending college or technical schools.

The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) and the Greene County Memorial Hospital Foundation (GCMHF) are partnering to hold a Scholarship Information Seminar on (TBA for 2026).

Dave Jones, Executive Director of GCMHF will host the program in the community room at the EQT REC Center, 400 EverGreene Drive, Waynesburg, PA 15370.

The seminar is open to all Greene County students and their parents, particularly for graduating high school seniors, to learn about local scholarship opportunities. Information will be available for students graduating from all five school districts, the GCCTC, as well as private schools and homeschool programs.