WELCOME LIBERAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!

Redskin graduate ü Read the Counselors’ Notes often;

ü Listen to 4^th hour announcements;

ü Check the bulletin board (commons area) for college information

Seniors Welcome back to LHS! The goal this year is to formulize (seniors) your plan for post-secondary education. Let’s face it, the need to continue your education after high school is critical – whether your goal is a technical job or one requiring a four year college degree. And remember, the better you do academically, the more options you’ll have available next year.

· Schedule to take the ACT exam. See the dates at the top of the page. If you plan to attend a college or university out of state, check to see if the writing portion of the ACT is required. Currently, Kansas colleges & universities do not require the writing portion of the ACT. Also, check interested out-of-state universities for SAT test requirements. These dates are found in the Counselors’ Office or visit www.collegeboard.com.

· Keep your grades up. Your junior and senior year is extremely important in college admission.

· Plan College visits whenever possible. It is suggested that time for college visits be arranged on weekends and school holidays to avoid the loss of semester test exemptions. Each college has its own admission policy and schedule of information. As you do your research on the school(s) in which you are interested, you should note carefully the policies and procedures each college outlines.

· Create a file to manage your college search, testing, and application information.

· Use this college planning checklist to keep track of your progress and important application deadlines: www.actstudent.org/college/checklist.html.

STUDENT ATHLETES

Athletes interested in participating in sports at the college level need to register with the NCAA Clearing House. We will have some forms available shortly in our office. Or better yet, go to The NCAA website and register on-line. You will need to print a sheet and bring it to our office so we can send a transcript. Website is www.ncaa.org.

Listen to announcements for College Representative Visitation dates!

Please see Mrs. Heston in the Counselors’ Office to sign up for a visit with a College Representative.

HAVE YOU COMPLETED YOUR 20 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE?

Pick up a community service form in the Counselor’s Office for documentation of your community service hours.

ACT Assessment

Remember these dates!

Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration
October 24, 2009	September 18, 2009	October 2, 2009
December 12, 2009	November 6, 2009	November 20, 2009
February 6, 2010	January 5, 2010	January 15, 2010
April 10, 2010	March 5, 2010	March 19, 2010
June 12, 2010	May 7, 2010	May 21, 2010

Online registration information is available at www.actstudent.org. If you choose to register online, register early to avoid heavy Web traffic and delays. While you are at the website, don’t forget to take advantage of test prep aids, including free sample test questions. Other great websites to prepare for the ACT are: www.number2.com (pulls random questions – access often for different questions; www.vocabulary.com (has a specific section for ACT vocabulary).

Tips for Taking the ACT (http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/tips/index.html)

Carefully read the instructions on the cover of the test booklet.
Read the directions for each test carefully.
Read each question carefully.
Pace yourself—don't spend too much time on a single passage or question.
Pay attention to the announcement of five minutes remaining on each test.
Use a soft lead No. 2 pencil with a good eraser; do not use a mechanical pencil, ink pen or correction fluid.
Answer the easy questions first, then go back and answer the more difficult ones.
On difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess among those remaining.
Answer every question. Your scores on the multiple-choice tests are based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.
Review your work. If you finish a test before time is called, go back and check your work.
Mark your answers neatly. Erase any mark completely and cleanly without smudging.
Do not mark or alter any ovals on a test or continue writing the essay after time has been called or you will be dismissed and your answer document will not be scored.
If you are taking the Writing Test, see these Writing Test tips. (see web site)

SCHOLARSHIP AND ADMISSION DEADLINES

Important deadlines if you plan to attend a Kansas college!!

You need to make application for admittance and pay the admission fee before being considered for scholarships. Many departments, such as music, art, or engineering will have specific scholarships that have their own deadline. Obviously, there are too many to list. To get information about a specific college, go to their website. You can apply online or print a copy of the application. On many of the sites, you will need to print out a sheet that Mrs. Rito must fill out relating to your GPA, class rank, etc. Most schools will accept general admissions very late, even up to the time class starts; however, for scholarship consideration, please apply for admission before the deadlines listed below.

School Scholarship Deadline Admission Fee

K-State University ..................... November 1, 2009 (Premier Scholarships) ........................... $30

February 1, 2009 (College & Departmental)

University of Kansas ................. November 1, 2009 (Priority Deadline) ................................... $30

December 1, 2009 (Final Deadline)

January 15, 2009 (Final Application to Honors Program)

April 1, 2009 (Final Admission Deadline)

Wichita State University ......... No Deadline – Apply early to ensure fall consideration ..... $30

October 1, 2009 - DSI Scholarship

Fort Hays State University ..... February 15, 2010 ..................................................................... $30

December 15, 2009 - Priority Deadline

Emporia State University ........ February 15, 2010 ..................................................................... $30

Pittsburg State University ...... February 1, 2010 (Includes Honors College) ....................... $30

Washburn University ................. February 15, 2010 ..................................................................... $20

December 15, 2009 - Leadership Scholarship

Seward Co. Comm. College .. April 1, 2010 (Tuition Grant)

College Admissions Glossary

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU MEET DEADLINES!

WEB RESOURCES

Financial Aid Assistance Financial Aid Associations

www.fafsa.ed.gov www.nasfaa.org (National Association)

www.wiredscholar.com www.kasfaa.org (Kansas Association)

www.finaid.org

Scholarship Search Engines Other Useful Websites

www.fastweb.com www.act.org (American College Testing)

www.collegeboard.org www.collegeboard.com (SAT Test)

www.scholarships.salliemae.com www.ed.gov

www.srnexpress.com http://studentaid.ed.gov

www.scholarships.brokescholar.com

www.collegeview.com Minority Student Searches

www.princetonreview.com www.hsf.net (Hispanic Scholarship Fund)

www.xap.com

www.braintrack.com www.gmsp.org (Gates Millennium Scholars

Career Information

http://online.onetcenter.org/ (Excellent site to match occupations with colleges)

Click Find Occupation, under Quick Search and type your interested occupation, e.g. Dental Hygiene.

Select your interested occupation from the Quick Search screen. Review the summary report for information about the occupation.

To find which colleges offer this degree program, scroll to the bottom of the screen and select a state.

Scroll to the bottom of the screen and check Education and Training. Click Update.

Scroll to the Education and Training section and link to: Find colleges, training schools and instructional programs for this occupation.

From this screen, click Change State, to find colleges that offer this degree program throughout the U.S.

www.cybercareers.org/students/central (Cyber Careers – Student Central)

www.acinet.org/acinet (America’s Career Info Net)

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

There are many national scholarship opportunities. Only a very few will be listed in the Counselors’ Notes. The web resources are the best source of finding national scholarships based on a variety of criteria including merit, community service, financial need, and special circumstances. Check them out. Someone will win them and it might as well be YOU!

Elks National Foundation

2010 Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Students are eligible to apply for a scholarship that will award a total of 42,296,000 in scholarships this year. The local chapter will choose two applications to go on to the state level. The state level will choose the applications that will go on to the national level. The application is in the counselor office. www.elks.org/enf/scholars.

Kansas Board of Regents

Vocational Education Scholarship Program

Deadline: October 1, 2009

The vocational Education Scholarship Program was established by the 1987 Kansas Legislature to provide financial assistance to full time students who enroll in designated one or two year vocational programs. To apply for the vocational scholarship, you must be a Kansas resident (live in Kansas one year before attending a Kansas school and applying for any state aid), a graduate from an accredited high school (or received a GED), plan to enroll full time 912 credit hours) in a designated vocational program in Kansas, and take the designated vocational scholarship test. The test is given twice each year. See. Mrs. Rito if interested ASAP

STATE OF KANSAS FINANCIAL AID

Programs below are sponsored by the State of Kansas that incorporates very specific guidelines:

www.kansasregents.org/financial_aid/awards.html

Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship—this program is designed to assist financially needy, academically competitive students who are identified as member of the following ethnic/racial groups: African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; or Hispanic.

Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship—designed to encourage talented students to enter the teaching profession and teach in Kansas in specific curriculum areas or in underserved areas of Kansas. Hard-to-fill disciplines for 2007-08 are: Special Education, Math, Science, Music, Foreign Language, and English as a Second Language (ESL). Underserved geographic areas for 2007-08 have been identified as: USD 416 Louisburg; USD 373 Newton; USD 500 Kansas City, KS; USD 259 Wichita and State Board of Education Area 5 (which includes all of the western 1/3 of the state of Kansas).

Nursing Service Scholarship—designed to encourage enrollment in nursing programs by Kansans committed to practicing in Kansas. Recipients sign agreements to practice nursing at specific facilities one year for each year of scholarship support.

State Scholarship—this program is designed to assist financially needy students in the top 20-40% of Kansas high school graduates who are designated as state scholars.

Kansas Comprehensive Grants—Kansas Comprehensive Grants are available to needy Kansas residents enrolled full-time at eighteen private colleges and universities located in Kansas, the six state universities, and Washburn University. The Kansas Legislature provides limited assistance to financially needy students. To be considered you must complete and submit the FAFSA, listing one or more eligible colleges in the FAFSA. The priority receipt deadline is April 1 so the completed FAFSA should be mailed by March 15.

K-STATE ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP DAY SEMINAR (October 12, 2009)

Deadline: September 26, 2009

A senior, whose ACT score is 29 or above and who enrolls in and pursues an engineering degree, is eligible to participate in the KSU engineering Scholarship Day Seminar on October 17, 2009. Please visit the visit the following website, www.engg.ksu.edu/info/2007sd.htm, for event information. If you have any other questions please come by the counselor’s office & see Mrs. Rito.

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (November 13, 2009)

Deadline: October 1, 2009

DSI is one of the premier leadership based scholarship competitions in the country. Through this competition, about $200,000 in scholarships is awarded, including $48,000 Harry Gore Scholarships – the largest individual undergraduate scholarships in the state of Kansas. To receive an invitation for the November 15, 2009 competition, a senior must submit an official transcript with a minimum 3.5 GPA, have a minimum ACT of 24 on file at WSU, and be admitted to WSU by October 10, 2009. This means you would have to apply for admission immediately. Call 1-800-362-2594 for more information.

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY Scholarship Competitions (November 14, 2009)

Wallace Invitational Scholarship in Engineering, Barton School of Business and Music

Deadline: October 1, 2009

To be eligible for these scholarship competitions to be held on November 14, 2009, students must apply to WSU by October 10, 2009 Eligible students will receive an invitation to compete and will be asked to write an essay which will be due prior to the competition. Please visit www.wichita.edu/thisis/admissions/undergrad.asp to apply for admissions to WSU.

DANFORTH SCHOLARS PROGRAM - WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, ST. LOUIS, MO

Deadline: October 15, 2009

If any seniors are interested in attending Washington University in St. Louis, please tell Mrs. Rito by October 1, 2009. We will then check to see if you qualify for the Danforth Scholarship. You must be nominated by Mrs. Rito before you make application. Washington University is a very prestigious university. A wide variety of scholarships are available.

HORATIO ALGER SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: October 30, 2009

The Horatio Alger Association seeks to assist students who have demonstrated integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society. Eligibility criteria includes a minimum GPA of 2.0, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, involvement in co-curricular and community service activities, and a critical financial need, preferably $50,000 or lower adjusted gross income per family. Students must submit an online application at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.

THE COCA COLA SCHOLARS FOUNDATION

Deadline: October 31, 2009

Coca Cola will award 50 scholarships of $20,000 and 200 scholarships of $10,000. In order to be eligible, you must be: a U.S. Citizen: U.S. National; U.S. Permanent Resident, plan to attend a post-secondary institution, and have maintained a 3.00 GPA. This is a thorough application that asks questions about school activities, community/volunteer service, academic information, and employment. You must make application on-line at www.coca-colascholars.org. Click on: Coca-Cola Four Year Award for seniors. LHS had a $20,000 winner from the graduating class of 2005.

Available to Student in Grades 5-12 - PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARD

Deadline: October 31, 2009

The Prudential Company recognizes high school students who have volunteered their time in supporting or starting a community service project. There will be 2 winners in each state, with these 2 going on to national competition. The application involves descriptions of the community service performed and motivation for doing so. Please pick up an instruction sheet in the counselor’s office for applying online or go directly to www.prudential.com/spirit for instructions and applying.

SAE FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS

Deadline: December 1, 2009

The Society of Automotive Engineers offers undesignated scholarships as well as university sponsored scholarships in the field of engineering. Qualifications for these awards include a 3.5 GPA, qualifying ACT or SAT scores, and declare a major in engineering or a related science. If you are planning to pursue a degree in engineering, you should check into these scholarship opportunities. Area schools that offer designated scholarships include K-State, Pittsburg State University, Wichita State University, University of Missouri-Rolla, and OSU in Stillwater. For full details, applications, & FAQs, visit www.sae.org/students/engschlr.htm.

K-STATE CIVIC LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: December 14, 2009

The K-State Civic Leadership Scholarship competition identifies and rewards exceptional high school seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to serving others in their community, school, or place of worship. First Place is awarded $4,000, 2^nd place, $2,500, and 3^rd place, $2,000. To apply, complete the K-State scholarship application at: www.consider.k-state.edu/financialaid/ and complete the supplemental application at www.k-state.edu/nss/scholarships.

GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP

Deadline: January 11, 2010

Students are eligible to be considered for the GMS scholarship if they: are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American, are a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the U.S, have attained a minimum GPA of 3.3, will be enrolling for the first time at a U.S. college or university, have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities, and have all the required forms submitted (Nominee Personal Information Form, Nominator Form, and Recommender Form) by the deadline. This is a need based scholarship so students must meet the federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria! The application process for awards is highly competitive, and students are urged to submit their nomination packets as early as possible. Visit http://www.gmsp.org/ for full details on submitting an application. Please visit the counselor’s office for questions.