Class of 2026 Notes 2-25
Updated 3-5
Updated 3-5
To Do
Programs
Competitions
SAT/ACT News
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
CASCASCASCASCASCASCAS
Draft guidance for students considering otherwise
File your FAFSA today!
Are your IBIS credentials in working order and safely stored for future reference?
Document your college acceptances and scholarship offers here. Why? State/School Board reporting and Class of 2026 Profile.
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 has reached out to you to send this information, verify its policy and act immediately. (See ACT/SAT News).
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.
New The Jane Street Academy of Math and Programming (AMP) app is due March 11.
Open to 2026 high school graduates interested in math and computer science and have experienced barriers in accessing advanced STEM educational opportunities. Participants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship. When I reached out to program organizers for a definition of "experienced barriers," I received this: Our definition of such barriers is broad; they could be related to personal circumstances or financial hardship. We acknowledge the breadth of challenges that could lead a high-achieving student to be under resourced or under exposed to advanced STEM studies. Examples include, but are not limited to: being a first-generation college student, identifying with an underrepresented ethnic/racial minority group, receiving free/reduced lunch, being Pell Grant eligible, having a notable need for financial assistance, attending an under-resourced or rural school, coming from a marginalized community, or experiencing personal hardship. This list is not exhaustive, and we encourage any student who is interested and believes they fit the criteria for the program to apply.
June 29-July 31, 2026
Free: tuition, fees, travel, housing, meals--all covered
$5,000 scholarship to support future educational opportunities
Academic and Leadership Programs, University-Affiliated
Nothing for now!
New The University of Pennsylvania is hosting a remote global pitch competition (Eco-Venture Challenge) promoting climate innovation. Round 1 applications are due March 21, 11:59 PM ET.
The competition is free.
Teams of up to 5 may compete.
Open to any high school or university student.
Up to $10,000 in prizes.
If interested, send an interest form NOW.
Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge submissions are due May 3.
Civic engagement contest that rewards student service projects with cash prizes of up to $10,000.
Send a project report of up to 2000 words, an essay of up to 1200 words on how your project upholds one civic virtue and one founding principle, and photo or video documentation.
Entries may be from groups of up to 5 or from individuals. Winning group entries split the prize money.
College Outreach News
No news for now!
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
Foundation 649 Scholarship for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders application due March 1 ($4000 over 4 years). Must demonstrate financial need. Big Future advertisement here.
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.
Liberty Federal Credit Union Ted Hitch Scholarship application must be RECEIVED by March 6:
Applicant or guardian must be a member of LFCU for at least 18 months by March 6, and members must use at least 3 LFCU services (see Section 1 of the application);
10 awards of $5,000.
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
Gill-Wedding Orthodontics scholarship application due March 13.
Must be a current or former patient
Must have a 2.5 unweighted GPA
2 one-time $1500 awards
Hagan Scholar applications due March 15.
Parent Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 taxes <= $125,000.
Student has a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA
Must work 240 hours from January 1 to September 1 prior to the start of each academic year
If not a citizen, then must be fluent in English
Provides up to $7500 per semester, free workshops, brokerage accounts, and study aboard
2026 UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship application due March 15.
Eligibility requirements: diagnosed with epilepsy or a caregiver of someone living with epilepsy; academic and personal achievement;
30 $5000 and 3 $10,000 scholarships.
National Panhellinic Centennial Scholarship application due March 23, intended for women planning on joining a sorority. 10 $2000 scholarships available.
Indiana Sheriff's Association scholarship due April 1
40 $750 awards will go to students attending an Indiana college and majoring in a law enforcement field.
You must be a member of the association. Find the membership application attached to the scholarship application.
Vanderburgh County Extension Homemakers Association scholarship due by traditional mail on April 1
An undisclosed number of non-renewable $1500 awards offered
Eligibility
Reside or carry out most activities in Vanderburgh County; plan to major in Consumer & Family Science or related field such as Dietetics, Restaurant Management, Interior Design, Fashion Merchandising, or Child Development.
3.0 unweighted GPA, good interview skills, demonstrate community engagement, demonstrate financial need
Indiana Oil and Gas Association Scholarship application due April 1 (scroll to bottom of page for application and history of giving)
Amounts vary, but multiple awards were distributed in 2024, from $7500 to $500.
Must plan to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry and to major in Earth Sciences, Petroleum or Chemical Engineering, or Geology
Requires a 3.0 GPA or better
New Kiwanis Club of Evansville Scholarship app due April 6
$2,000 awards, # unclear
Must show leadership, volunteerism, and community service
Bally's Evansville Project 21 Scholarship Program for 2026 due April 7
3 $2,000 nonrenewable scholarships awarded to the winning poster, essay, or video submission on the subject of deterring underage gambling
American Public Works Association of Indiana scholarship application is due April 10.
Eligibility: plan to major in Engineering, Public Works Administration, Public Relations, Finance, or other program within the public works field;
One renewable $1000 scholarship to be awarded, for a total of $4000.
Scholarship Information: School Affiliated
Applying to SCAD with an excellent record (UW GPA of 3.75, exceptional visual arts, performing arts, writing, STEM, business or equestrian capabilities, honors and awards, leadership skills)? Let Ms. Hughes know. I'd love to nominate you for a $25,000 Scholar Award. Nominations close Sunday, February 15.
Financial Aid and Merit Aid Information/News
File your FAFSA today. This is an Indiana requirement.
Sig's Financial Aid Information Night was on September 15. Notre Dame's Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Gary Rigley, presented:
Explore Scholarship Databases
BigFuture’s Scholarship Search
Financial Aid Information Guide (includes FAFSA info)