Postsecondary counseling newsletter

November 28th, 2023

Seniors and Families,

I hope you all had a wonderful week off and enjoyed some time doing things that fill your cup with people you care about!

Reminders:

College Application Next Steps:

• Check your applicant portals and emails: Portals are the place where colleges keep applicant information and where you can update contact information, monitor application status, upload and track documents, and view the final admission decision. If you miss a request for more information or a document, it could jeopardize your admission chances, so make it a habit to check regularly.
• If you haven't sumitted all of your college applications yet, don't fret! See below for application deadline information.

Dual Enrollment @ FLC

• Dual Enrollment Advising and course selection is open now. If you are interested in taking a free class at FLC next semester, please fill out the google form immediately and follow up with Erin CR. For more detailed information about how dual enrollment works, take a look at this email

FSAID - Get yours now!

During Advisory on the Wednesday before break, some Seniors created their FSAIDs. This is the username and password that all students and Parents need in order to access and sign the FAFSA form. Students were encouraged to go home and assist their a parent in applying for their own FASAID. Parents, if you already have an FSAID for another student in college or yourself, you do not need to create another one.

If you do not yet have a student or parent FSAID, now is the time to get one. Please follow the links above and complete the process. This should be done prior to FAFSA night on Tuesday, January 23rd.

Date change! Mark your calendars: FAFSA night is now January 23rd, 2024.

With the release of the updated FAFSA now scheduled for late December we have been advised to move our FAFSA night to later in January to allow for some time for the Federal government to work out bugs and website issues.

What: Come to AHS and complete the FAFSA as well as learn about what happens with the financial aid process after you submit.

When: Tuesday, January 23rd, 5:30pm - 8:00pm

You do not have to stay the entire time! Plan to arrive at 5:30 but you can depart once you've copmleted the FAFSA.

Where: Animas High School

Food Provided!!

Need to bring younger family members? No problem!! We will feed them & provide childcare during the event. Please let Erin CR know so we know how many to plan for.

**Parents and Caregivers: we understand that not everyone has a job that allows you to attend evening events. We are hoping that with so much advance notice you can request this time off to attend. If you are unable to attend, we will ensure that we schedule time with you to provide assistance with submitting the FAFSA.**

Scholarships

All Seniors have been provided with instructions on how to apply for scholarships and where to look. Seniors should be actively applying NOW!

Here is how to prioritize your time in applying for scholarships:

Institutional (these are scholarships awarded by the colleges to which you've been accepted). There is usually one general application that is accessed through your student portal that you create after you've been accepted.

State and Local Scholarships

National Scholarships

Also check out web search engines and apps:

• Scholarship Owl
• Bold.org
• Cappex Scholarship List
• College Board
• Going Merry
• Fastweb
• IEFA International Scholarship Search Tool
• Peterson's
• Raise.Me (More like a scholarship predictor/estimator for specific schools)
• Scholarships.com
• TFS Scholarships
• Unigo

Applying to College: Deadlines

Early Decision (binding commitment if admitted): Nov. 1st & 15th

Early Action (NOT committed if admitted): Nov. 1st & 15th

Regular Decision: For most schools it is January 1st.

Schools with regular decision deadlines that are earlier than Jan 1:

-University of Washington 11/15

-University of California system and most CA schools: 11/30

Rolling Admission: There is not an official application deadline - you can apply just about any time up to approximately 1 week prior to the start of classes for the term. Community colleges have a rolling deadline. Examples of these schools are: PCC, San Juan College, or any other Community college such as Colorado Mountain College.

**Remember, it is a graduation requirement that each senior apply to at least one college. Everyone should aim to have all of their college applications subitted prior to winter break. This will allow time to shift our focus to completing the FAFSA and applying for scholarships***

Upcoming College and Career Events

11/28: New FLC Dual enrollment advising/registration @ 12:00pm

College & Career Events Calendar

Financial Aid & Paying for College

Check out this podcast episode from Dartmouth College about paying for college and why you shouldn't always take the sticker price at face value.

November resources for 12th graders-

• UC and CSU applications are due at the end of the month, so make sure you don’t miss the deadlines for these California universities.
• Supplemental essay responses: This is your go-to guide when applying to colleges that require more than a personal statement.
• Check your applicant portals and emails: Portals are the place where colleges keep applicant information and where you can update contact information, monitor application status, upload and track documents, and view the final admission decision. If you miss a request for more information or a document, it could jeopardize your admission chances, so make it a habit to check regularly.
• The Great College Essay Test: Assess how ready your essays are to submit.

Resources:

Check out this How to apply to College at AHS slides presentation

Are you interested in construction, education, early childhood education, firefighting, law enforcement, or nursing?

• The Career Advance Colorado program provides free training for in-demand jobs through

the state’s 19 community and technical colleges.

• Starting in August 2023, students who enroll in qualifying programs will have tuition, fees,

course materials, and other costs completely covered while program funding is available.

• Students must apply for federal and/or state financial aid to enroll in a Career Advance

Colorado program.

Article: Pueblo Community College offers tuition-free options for high demand jobs

Are you interested? Meet with Erin CR to discuss next steps!

Starting in Fall 2022, students who enroll in one of the following healthcare certificate programs will have tuition, fees, and course materials covered as Care Forward Colorado funding allows.

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Phlebotomy Technician
• Pharmacy Technician
• Medical Assistant
• Dental Assistant
• Nurse Refresher
• Integrative Health Practitioner & Massage Therapy
• Sterile Processing
• Paramedic Certificate
• Echocardiography Certificate
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Medical Office Certificate

Are you interested? Meet with Erin CR to discuss next steps!

INTERNSHIP/EMPLOYMENT & other OPPORTUNITIES:

LINK & LINK 2.0

Thinking about a different elective other than what is offered at AHS for next semester? What about a LINK 2.0???

LINK 2.0 is a great way to continue with an internship you had and loved, or start something new. Students who complete 60 hours of internship with a qualified mentor will be awarded .5 elective credit (one semester's worth). This is a great way to continue to build your resume and demonstrate rigor as a senior!

Please reach out to Elliot if you have LINK questions or to make arrangements for a LINK 2.0. His email is: elliot.baglini@animashighschool.com

Erin Cummins-Roper (she/her)

Director of Career & College Counseling  

Animas High School |Tel: (970) 247-2474 | x2335 | Cell: 970-903-1617

www.animashighschool.com 

Schedule an appointment with me!

Office hours:

T/TH 1:00pm-3:00pm

Fridays: 9:00am-12:00pm

Financial aid and scholarship help every Friday 12:00pm-3:00pm