Embedded Files
CCRC Newsletter -
ENJOY YOUR MEA BREAK!
ENJOY YOUR MEA BREAK!
This week in the CCRC...
This week in the CCRC...
We'll be highlighting the following topics:
Field Trip to the University of MN, Twin Cities *40 spots reserved for Seniors only*
October is College Knowledge Month
FAFSA Workshop During Advisory
Continue Requesting Transcripts through Xello
Applying to Colleges Using Common App
Optimist Scholarship - Nominations Due!
-----
Remember that in the CCRC, you can connect with:
Mr. Billy (Career & College Readiness Coordinator)
Can provide resources to college info, scholarships, FAFSA, and more!
Ms. Voigt (Work Based Learning Coordinator).
Can provide resources to internship & job opportunities, trade school info, career pathways, and more!
The CCRC is located in room 1017, right next door to the Counseling office. Please take advantage of this CCRC Newsletter, which will be sent out to you on a bi-weekly basis!
We hope you can stop by the CCRC to plan for your future!
SCHOLARSHIP & FAFSA NIGHT * HAPPENING TONIGHT!!!
SCHOLARSHIP & FAFSA NIGHT * HAPPENING TONIGHT!!!
- Tonight, Wednesday October 15th, 2025
- 5:00 - 7:00 PM; dinner provided at 4:30 PM
- Johnson Senior High School, Cafeteria
- Seniors & Families
- Tonight, Wednesday October 15th, 2025
- 5:00 - 7:00 PM; dinner provided at 4:30 PM
- Johnson Senior High School, Cafeteria
- Seniors & Families
This year, Johnson is hosting our annual Scholarship & FAFSA Night in the Johnson Cafeteria on Wednesday October 15th from 5:00-7:00PM. Come learn about multiple scholarship opportunities you can take part in to help you pay for college. Also come and submit your FAFSA application to possibly receive some grants, scholarship, work-study, and loans to help you pay for college!
RSVP FOR THE EVENT HERE!
(you do not have to RSVP to attend the event, if you decide later that you'd like to come, please do so regardless of RSVP'ing!)
PREPARING FOR THE FAFSA *click here*
PREPARING FOR THE FAFSA *click here*
1. Know When to Apply
The FAFSA opens on October 1st, 2025
Apply as early as possible—some financial aid is first-come, first-served
Mark your calendar and check college and state deadlines too.
2. Create an FSA ID
Before you fill out the FAFSA, you and one of your parents/guardians (if you're a dependent student) need to:
Visit studentaid.gov/fsa-id
Create an FSA ID (username + password) & write the information down and keep it somewhere safe
This lets you sign the FAFSA electronically and access your financial aid info later (do this a few days in advance—your FSA ID may take a little time to activate)
Keep in mind, if your parent or an older sibling who has the same parent/guardian as you do previously attended college, then most likely they already have a FAFSA account and do not need to make another one. Check-in with them to see if this applies to them. If they don't remember the login, they can do the "forgot username/password" options to recover their login information.
Everyone only gets one FAFSA account as it is linked to their identity and their social security number. There is no way to "create a new account" if one already exists. If you are having trouble with this, connect with Mr. Billy in the CCRC.
3. Gather Required Information
You’ll need personal and financial details. Here’s what to collect:
Student Information
Your Social Security Number (or Alien Registration Number if you’re not a U.S. citizen)
Your driver’s license (if you have one)
Your personal email address and phone number
Parent(s)’ Information (if you’re a dependent)
Parents’ Social Security Numbers
Marital status and household info (e.g. number of people in the home)
Financial Documents (for you and your parent(s))
You’ll need tax info from two years prior to the school year you’re applying for, for example, if you’re applying for aid for the 2026–2027 school year, you’ll need 2024 tax returns.
Things you'll need:
2024 Federal tax returns (IRS Form 1040)
2024 W-2 forms and records of money earned
2024 Records of untaxed income (like child support received)
2024 Info on cash, savings, investments, and bank accounts
*GREAT TIP* Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) in the FAFSA to automatically import tax info—faster and more accurate.
4. Make a List of Schools You Want to Send your FAFSA To
You can list up to 20 colleges or career schools on your FAFSA. Each will receive your info to create a financial aid package if you apply and get accepted.
Tip: You don’t need to be accepted yet to list a certain school—just include any you’re considering.
5. Talk to Your Parent/Guardian(s)
Since their financial info is needed (if you’re a dependent), make sure:
They understand what the FAFSA is
They’re ready to provide the necessary documents
They also create an FSA ID for signing
If your parent is having a difficult time understanding the FAFSA, you can have them connect with Mr. Billy in the CCRC to help better explain this procedure to them.
FIELD TRIP - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TWIN CITIES
FIELD TRIP - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TWIN CITIES
- Thursday, October 30th, 2025
- 8:30AM-12:00PM - All students attending will return to school to eat 2nd lunch
- Meet in the Johnson Senior High School, Front Atrium
- 40 Seniors Only (must be highly considering attending UMNTC)
- Thursday, October 30th, 2025
- 8:30AM-12:00PM - All students attending will return to school to eat 2nd lunch
- Meet in the Johnson Senior High School, Front Atrium
- 40 Seniors Only (must be highly considering attending UMNTC)
Did you know...
- The UMNTC is a pretty competitive school
- The average RANK of students admitted to the UMNTC is within the top 25% of your Senior class
- The average GPA of students admitted to the UMNTC is a 3.5+
- The average ACT score of students admitted is between 27-33
- In order to receive admission to the UMN, you must have taken 4 years of math
GRAB A PERMISSION SLIP FROM MR. BILLY IN THE CCRC
OCTOBER IS COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE MONTH
OCTOBER IS COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE MONTH
In the month of October, apply to a select number of colleges FOR FREE! See list of free colleges HERE!
In the month of October, apply to a select number of colleges FOR FREE! See list of free colleges HERE!
- Simply find the school’s application and apply for free this month!
- Some colleges are free all year, but others do require a payment to apply.
- Come chat with Mr. Billy in the CCRC if you have more questions.
- Simply find the school’s application and apply for free this month!
- Some colleges are free all year, but others do require a payment to apply.
- Come chat with Mr. Billy in the CCRC if you have more questions.
FAFSA WORKSHOPS DURING ADVISORY
FAFSA WORKSHOPS DURING ADVISORY
Mr. Billy is now beginning to host FAFSA Workshops during Advisory on Thursdays. If you'd like to stop by the CCRC during this timeframe, please make sure to do so! Find details about our first session below:
- Thursday, October 23rd
- During Advisory- 9:55-10:15 AM
- See Mr. Billy for a pass!
CONTINUE TO REQUEST your school transcript
to be sent to a college on xello
CONTINUE TO REQUEST your school transcript
to be sent to a college on xello
Watch the video tutorial below to learn how you can request for your school transcript to be sent to a college:
Applying for colleges using the Common App
Applying for colleges using the Common App
Are you applying to colleges using the Common App? Are you still unsure if the Common App is a route you wanna take? Learn more below:
What is the Common App?
A standard college application used by over 1,000 colleges throughout the US. This could be a good application to use if you are planning to apply to more than 10 schools that could be using the Common App.
Should I do the Common App, or should I just apply directly to the college, using their own application?
If a college has their own application available, I always encourage to just apply through that. The Common App, although is good, can be very tedious and a lot of work. Sometimes, the actual college application itself does not even require all the things the Common App is asking for. I really only encourage the Common App if you are planning to apply to more than 10 schools, this could save you lots of time.
What is on the Common App?
There are some rigorous things the Common App requires from students. This ranges from your personal contact info, to your academic records, to letters of recommendation, to extracurricular activities, essays, and more.
Sometimes, the application through the actual college does not require all of these things, so check to make sure the Common App is worth your time and effort.
Requesting School Transcripts with the Common App
Make sure to connect your Common App to Xello
To do this, log in to Xello, follow the steps in the video tutorial above ^ and in the "Admission Type" reponse, indicate "Common App". From there, it will task you to connect your Xello to the Common App.
On the Common App, assign your School Counselor as your Advisor
From there, it will ta your Counselor with sending your transcript to the school indicated on your Common App.
Common App link HERE
Optimist SCHOLARSHIP - NOMINATIONS DUE Oct 27th
Optimist SCHOLARSHIP - NOMINATIONS DUE Oct 27th
If you are someone who applied for the Optimist Scholarship, remember that the student portion was previously due on October 7th. You were tasked to provide a REFERENCE to help nominate you for this scholarship. The nomination deadline is quickly approaching us on Oct 27th- please make sure to reach out to your reference to ensure they get your nomination in by Oct 27th.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Billy in the CCRC.
This week's Highlights
This week's Highlights
41 Students Attend Field Trip to National College Fair
On Wednesday Oct 8th, 41 Johnson Juniors & Seniors went to the National College Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center to meet with college reps from colleges all across the US (and even some out of the country.) This event happens every single year, so make sure to attend if you'd like to go next year! This is a great event for students who are still exploring colleges and want to see their options!
17 Students Attend MN State University-Mankato Info Session
MSU-Mankato Rep, Soren Schaust, visited us in the CCRC this week where we got to learn more about their school. MSU-Mankato is a wonderful school if you're considering going far from home and attending a college for cheap prices that can still offer you great programs. I encourage you to apply for their college this month, as their application is free for the month of October! Come chat with Mr. Billy if you were unable to attend the MSU-Mankato session!
Throughout the school year, lots of College Reps will be visiting the CCRC to give students more info about their school! If you'd like to attend one of these sessions, make sure you are keeping track of these visits when they are announced on the bi-weekly Newsletter, on Schoology, over the announcements, and more!
Current scholarships to apply for
Current scholarships to apply for
You are not limited only to the ones listed below
The United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP)
Deadline: October 17th, 2025
Award: $10,000
Point Foundation Access Scholarship
Deadline: October 23rd, 2025
Award: $1,500
STARBASE Minnesota Scholarships
Deadline: October 24th, 2025
Award: 1,000
Delete Cyberbullying Beyond School Walls Scholarship
Deadline: October 31st, 2025
Award: 1,000
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship
Deadline: November 11th, 2025
Award: Up to $55,000
Deadline: November 24th, 2025
Award: Varies
Deadline: November 30th, 2025
Award: $1,000
Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Scholarship Council
Deadline: November 30th, 2025
Award: $1,000
Various Scholarships Available on the FIRST Scholarship Portal
Website HERE
View scholarship page HERE for more info on available scholarships!
upcoming CCRC events
upcoming CCRC events
Wednesday Oct 15th - TONIGHT!
Scholarship & FAFSA Night
Where: Johnson Senior High School
Time: 5-7pm
Bring your family and friends to help you learn about scholarships and help you apply for the FAFSA
Dinner provided
Monday Oct 20th
Rep Visit to the CCRC from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design
During Advisory, 9:20-10:25 AM
Sign-up HERE
Monday Oct 20th
Rep Visit to Johnson from Dakota County Technical College, Trades Programs
During Advisory, 9:20-10:25 AM
This visit will be in ROOM 2211
Sign-up HERE
Tuesday Oct 21st
Rep Visit to the CCRC from the Macalester College
During Advisory, 9:20-10:25 AM
Sign-up HERE
Thursday Oct 23rd
FAFSA Workshop
During Advisory, in the CCRC
Connect with Mr. Billy to get a pass
Monday Oct 27th
Rep Visit to the CCRC from the University of MN, Twin Cities
During Advisory, 9:20-10:25 AM
Sign-up form coming soon
Tuesday Oct 28th
Rep Visit to the CCRC from Saint Catherine University
During Advisory 9:20-10:25 AM
Sign-up form coming soon
Thursday Oct 30th
Field Trip to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
8:30 AM-12:00 PM
40 Spots Reserved for Seniors Only
Grab a permission slip from Mr. Billy in the CCRC
See the CCRC Calendar HERE!
Questions? You can Contact:
Questions? You can Contact:
Page updated
Report abuse