September

College Applications are in Full Swing for Seniors

If you have a senior, you have probably been getting a lot of mail and other communications from colleges. Right now is the time for seniors to submit applications to as many colleges are they are considering. Submitting an application is not a commitment to any particular college-final decisions don't have to be made until next semester. Many colleges have priority deadlines for admission in November, December, or January, so it's important to submit applications early.

How should your senior apply? All colleges have a link for their application on their Admissions web page. Many colleges also use the Common Application. The Common App allows for students to submit ONE application to multiple colleges-streamlining the college application process. Since outside documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) are uploaded to Common App, it also eases the worries about important items getting lost in snail mail.

Check out the information about the Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org/

Paying for College

After deciding what colleges to apply to, the next, and probably most stressful part of the process is figuring out how to pay for a college education. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available October 1. The priority deadline in Missouri is February 1, but federal aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't wait!

By completing the FAFSA using 2017 tax documents, you will determine your eligibility for federal money (grants, work study, student and/or parent loans). Even if you don't think you will be eligible for federal money, it is still important to fill out the FAFSA-many scholarships require a FAFSA to be completed prior to the release of the scholarship money.

We will be hosting a Financial Aid Night on October 25 during Parent-Teacher Conferences to help you understand this process and answer any questions you might have.

Click on the link below to learn more about the FAFSA:

7th and 8th Grade Classroom Counseling Lessons

• 7th Grade:
  • Getting to Know You
  • Junior High Transition-checking in on the first month of 7th grade, discussing organization strategies
  • Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals
• 8th Grade:
  • Goal Setting
  • What is My Legacy? (how I am vs. how I want to be remembered)
  • Be an Upstander (someone who recognizes when something is wrong and acts to make it right)