To Do
Programs
Competitions
SAT/ACT News
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
Document your college acceptances and scholarship offers here. Why? State/School Board reporting and Class of 2026 Profile.
Complete the Applications and Recommenders Plan and update it as your plans change. Why? We need to know where to send your high school credentials.
Need to send a transcript to a non-Common App school or to a scholarship selection committee? Use your Parchment account. No Parchment? See Ms. Hughes.
Keep your eye on scholarships and school outreach by closely monitoring your college application portals, often the best means for updating your schools with good news.
Some schools accept ACT/SAT self-report and/or transcript, and some do not. If a school. If a school has reached out for you to send this information, verify its policy and act immediately. (See ACT/SAT News)
Many colleges require mid-year reports. Keep those GPAs healthy.
Academic and Leadership Programs Not Associated with a University
Become a Schoolhouse tutor in many topics, including the SAT, deadline dependent on program.
Receive training, develop leadership, accumulate service hours!
To become an SAT Bootcamp tutor you need a score of 700+ on SAT Math or SAT Reading and Writing.
Academic and Leadership Programs, University-Affiliated
Nothing for now!
The Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation essay contest entries are due December 10, Human Rights Day.
The question: Many claim climate change poses a threat to human rights. Do you agree? Provide a clear explanation of the reasons you think specific proposals to deal with the issue are beneficial or harmful.
Prizes of $5,000, $2500, and $1250 offered
Flyer for U.S. residents or citizens
Note the need for a teacher to verify the authenticity of your work.
Presidential AI Challenge projects due Jan 20, 11:59 p.m. Local Time
Groups of 1-4 students and a Supervising Adult (>= 18 yrs old) must submit consent and release forms to AI.Challenge@science.doe.gov and must register at the link found here.
Teams choose from two tracks:
Track 1: proposal for how AI can address a community challenge.
Track 2: build a solution with AI that addresses a community challenge.
Projects winning at the National Level earn $10,000 per team member.
New MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge registration open!
Many prizes for finalist teams, including a trip to NYC.
Teams consisting of 3-5 students with a coach (minimal role). Only open to juniors and seniors.
Teams must request their free MATLAB license by February 20.
Registration closes on February 24.
Challenge Weekend: Feb 27-March 2.
College Outreach News
USI comes to visit on Monday, December 1! Sign up on your class Schoology page.
The rep is happy to field all questions related to college apps.
College App/Decision Resources
Was your Early Action application deferred to regular decision? Waitlisted? Follow the directions your school sent, often involving a letter of continued interest, tips here.
Planning a college visit? You must print out and complete the College Visit form.
Order a transcript sent to Common App through Parchment. Still no Parchment account? Check for the emailed invite; see Ms. Hughes.
Resume building resources
Does your college require you to send official SAT results for admission? Here's the link to make the order. If you qualify for an SAT fee waiver, you will not pay to send your scores.
Does your college require you to send official ACT results for admission? Here's the link to make the order. If you qualify for an ACT fee waiver, you will not pay to send your scores.
Teacher Recommendation
Get your website documentation ready.
Update your CAS page.
Obtain your recommender's consent.
If the recommendation is for a 2025-2026 college application or scholarship:
Register your recommendation request here. Complete the form for each request. You may upload or link files to the form. (A recommendation request for the Common App is considered one request.) Print a hard copy of the form and any additional documents like your PS Profile for your recommender's files.
Complete the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire. You may upload or link files to the form. Print a hard copy of the questionnaire and any additional documents for your recommender's files.
Counselor Recommendation
Ensure that you and your parents have completed the Student and Parent/Guardian Questionnaires availabe since last fall and that you have completed the College Interview with Ms. Hughes. See earlier editions of the Notes for links.
Update your news by completing the College Counselor Information questionnaire.
Complete the Counselor Recommendation Request form for each new request or set of requests needed.
Scholarship Information: No School Affiliation
NHS Scholarship app due November 24, 5 p.m ET. Many substantial awards offered. See the FAQ.
The need-based and merit aid Hagan Scholarship application is due December 1 for the Fall 25 cycle.
Adjusted Gross Income in 2024 < = $100,000
If non-citizen, then must be fluent in English
3.5 cumulative unweighted GPA; high-achieving, goal-oriented
Must work 240 hours from January 1, 2026 to September 1, 2026.
Receive up to $7,500 per semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters plus many other opportunities.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship application is due January 7, (link to flyer).
Scholarships offer up to $35,000 plus mentorship and support
Eligibility: h.s. senior, U.S. citizen, demonstrates financial need, excellent academic and leadership record
Intensive application includes CSS profile, 4 essays, and more. Don't delay.
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship application due January 9, at 3 PM CT.
Eligible students have finanicial need, at least a 2.3 GPA, and are pursuing a career in computer science, robotics, software/computer/mechanical/electrical engineering, or other computer science related field.
400 students will win up to $40,000 for college and internship opportunities at Amazon.
New Vanderburgh County Community Foundation Scholarships, dates/amounts/eligibility vary. Most due January 19. Coming December 1. Don't miss these!
The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship is due January 31, 2025.
Up to $10,000 per year for students who plan to teach in Indiana 5 years or more
Apply through ScholarTrack.IN.gov.
Foundation 649 Scholarship for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders application due March 1 ($4000 over 4 years). Must demonstrate financial need. Big Future advertisement here.
New Horatio Alger Targeted Scholarships open December 1 and are due March 1 for students with families with financial need (usually $100,000 or lower AG family income). There are many scholarships here, some to specific universities and some that may be applied to various schools.
New Diamond Valley Federal Credit Union 2026 Scholarship application deadline is March 6.
Open to any graduating senior whose parent, guardian or grandparent is a credit union member by the app deadline.
Requires 2 recs, only 1 from a teacher or counselor, an essay, and a copy of your Student Aid Report (FAFSA)
10 nonrenewable $1000 scholarships offered
Scholarship Information: School Affiliated
USI's highly selective, full-ride plus Presidential Scholarship application due November 21. Note that the required 4.0 refers to a weighted GPA.
Ranked #21 in US News Liberal Arts Colleges, Washington and Lee's full ride plus Johnson Scholarship application due Dec 1. Apply to W & L through the Common App and submit the supplemental Johnson essay.
44 scholars selected based on academic achievement, leadership and integrity, and potential to contribute to the intellectual and civic life of the W&L campus and the world at large.
Benefits: tuition, fees, room, board, and $10,000 for summer study. Students with financial need may qualify for me.
Centre College's full-tuition plus Lincoln Scholars application is due December 1. Eligibility extends to domestic and international students with strong academic and leadership records. Nominations are not required, but Ms. Hughes is happy to nominate you if interested.
ISU's Presidential Scholar due Dec 15 but must apply to ISU by Dec 1; full-ride plus housing and food; 18 seats; 3.8 GPA, 1270 SAT/27 ACT
Boston University's highly selective, full-tuition plus fees Trustee Scholarship is due December 1.
Centre College's full-tuition plus for First Gen students Grissom Scholars due January 15. Want a non-required nomination? Let Ms. Hughes know!
Considering medicine? Consider tuition-free/reduced + B/MD programs.
ISU's Rural Health Scholarship application opens Oct 1 and is due Dec 15. Requirements: apply to ISU by Dec 1, reside in rural Indiana, 3.5 UW GPA, 1270 SAT/27 ACT, have an interest in rural medicine
IU-SouthEast's B/MD program application opens October 1 and is due January 8.
Financial Aid and Merit Aid Information/News
College Kickstart's list of merit aid deadlines by school (not comprehensive and many deadlines already listed in the Notes)
Emory University just launched its Emory Advantage Plus grant: students with families earning $200,000 or less pay NO ($0) tuition. Note that many Ivies, especially Princeton, have similar grant programs.
Emory Deadlines: Emory University Scholars must apply (directions here) by Nov 15 unless applying ED 1, in which case apply by Nov 1. ED I: Nov 1, ED II & Reg Dec: Jan 1
Are you eligible for admission? Emory is test optional; 2029 Class Profile.
Sig's Financial Aid Information Night was on September 15. Notre Dame's Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Gary Rigley, presented:
File your FAFSA today. This is an Indiana requirement.
Explore Scholarship Databases
BigFuture’s Scholarship Search
Financial Aid Information Guide (includes FAFSA info)