February 12, 2025

Seniors:

This edition of the College Update has several new scholarships posted. Don't forget to click on the scholarship link at the bottom to see all of the scholarships mentioned in previous newsletters.

Also, if you have been accepted to a school where you know you will not attend, make sure you let them know soon. You will need to email their admissions' department or make a change in your admissions portal.

Juniors:

Mrs. Darley will be holding one on one appointments with all juniors over the next few weeks. You will receive a slip of paper with a predetermined appointment time. Most of you will meet with Mrs. Darley during your study hall. For the few juniors that don't have study hall, you were assigned a time during an elective class. If for any reason you can't meet with Mrs. Darley during the assigned time, please reschedule.

Overall:

• Each appointment will last up to 25 minutes.  
• Appointments will take place the weeks of February 24th, March 3rd, March 10th or March 19th
• Juniors must complete this survey before their appointment time. CLICK HERE FOR THE JUNIOR SURVEY

Monday, March 10- SAT at Aquinas: The SAT will be offered at school. All juniors are required to take the SAT at school on this day.

Sophomores & Juniors:

Start planning a productive summer. It is important to consider adding things to your summer plans that can help make you more marketable during the college search. Several summer programs are mentioned in this College Update as well as a link to more programs.

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. The scholarship provides $2,000 to help pay for essential items to attend college and up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Free workshops, Free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and Free Study Abroad provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum. Hagan Scholars have attended 637 colleges and universities located in 49 states and the District of Columbia and have studied abroad in 58 countries.

The Submittal Deadline is March 15, 2025. Link to Scholarship.

The intended scholarship recipient is a high-achieving student having substantial financial need.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must be high school seniors (including homeschool students) residing in Harlem, Appling, Grovetown, or McDuffie County. They must be zoned to attend Harlem High School, Thomson High School, or Grovetown High School and plan to pursue further education at a trade school, technical college, junior college, or four-year college. (Private school applicants qualify as long as they are in included in on of these zones)

Submission Deadline: April 15, 2025

Only completed applications submitted by this date will be reviewed by the Selection Committee.

Click HERE for application.

Schoolhouse.world is a non-profit started by Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, that provides free peer tutoring over Zoom. Join their small-group SAT Bootcamps, College Admission Workshops, and Math Learning Labs or get extra homework help – all alongside a global community of students like you. Create a free account at https://schoolhouse.world!

Program Calendar

• SAT Bootcamps: 4-week programs in the month leading up to each official SAT date. Run by certified peer tutors who scored 700+. Average score improvement: 40-55 points. 
• College Admissions Workshops: 2-4 week programs designed to support students throughout the college admissions process. Run by incoming and current college students. 
• Math Learning Labs: 3-4 week programs focused on one specific math topic from Algebra 2 or Pre-Calculus. Programs follow the Khan Academy curriculum. 
• Homework Help: Organized by subject where students can attend small-group sessions via Zoom or get 1:1 homework help via text. 

The American Nuclear Society Savannah River Section (ANS-SR) is once again offering one-year scholarships to qualifying current high school seniors and technical college students in the memory of its long-time member, Dr. Richard (Dick) Benjamin. The 12th year of the Benjamin Memorial Scholarship is a competitive award for academic study in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year.

Click HERE for more information.

The REALTORS® of Greater Augusta is offering their annual President's Scholarship! In 2006, the REALTORS® of Greater Augusta (RGA) started the President’s Scholarship Award Program to recognize area high school seniors for their accomplishments and award scholarships to alleviate expenses of their college education. Since its inception and including this year’s recipients, RGA has awarded $162,000 to local students. The committee selects recipients based on academic achievements, extra-curricular activities, honors, and leadership positions held throughout their high school years. 

There are (14) $1,000 scholarships available to local graduating seniors. This scholarship is open to all fields of interest (not just real estate). Applications must be completed and returned to the Association by March 7, 2025.

The application and information can also be found here: https://www.augustarealtors.com/youth-scholarship-program/

Through SCAD Summer Seminars and SCAD Rising Star, future creative stars make new friends, trendsetting work, and career connections with acclaimed professors — all while getting a glimpse into university life. Explore the options:

SCAD Summer Seminars

Session 1: June 22–27; Atlanta and Savannah

Session 2: July 6–11; Atlanta and Savannah

Session 3: July 13–18; Atlanta and Savannah

Session 4: July 20–25; Savannah only

During SCAD Summer Seminars, participants spend a week attending two workshops from an array of academic programs, including animation, business of beauty and fragrance, fashion, film and television, graphic design, illustration, interior design, sequential art, and more. Each night, connect with creatives from around the world in exciting events unique to the city. Open to current high school first-year, second-year, and third-year students. Learn more!

Rising Star

June 29-July25

Atlanta and Savannah

Through SCAD Rising Star, students enroll in two courses and earn college credit over four weeks. Courses are taught by SCAD faculty in inspiring SCAD spaces, and students live in residence halls. Rising Star students have access to industry-leading technology, software, and resources to complete their class assignments, including 4K cameras, 3D printers, and the full Adobe Creative Suite. Open to current high school third-year (junior year) students. Learn more!

Georgia Boys and Girls State is a comprehensive one week course in state and local government and is a program of the American Legion Department of Georgia. The date for the boys' program is June 8-14, 2025 and the dates for the girls' program is June 8-13. Both programs will be held at Valdosta State University in Valdosta.

If you are selected, your expenses are paid for by the local American Legion. Current Juniors, please submit 4-6 sentences about why you would be a good representative from Aquinas to attend Boys or Girls State. Email your statement to Mrs. Darley by March 10. We will select 4-5 boys and girls to attend to represent Aquinas.

Boys State information, Click HERE.

Girls State Information, Click HERE.

The United States Military Academy at West Point is excited to offer opportunities for high school students to experience the Academy this summer.

Summer Leader Experience (SLE) View Flyer

This one-week program is designed for current high school juniors, offering them a unique opportunity to experience life as a Cadet at West Point. The action-packed week will be both challenging and rewarding, with participants taking part in:

• Four hands-on academic workshops selected from 17 different options, taught by West Point faculty.
• Physical and mental challenges, including indoor and outdoor obstacle courses, intramurals, and the Candidate Fitness Assessment.
• Leadership and character development through team challenges, the Leader Reaction Course, and ethics discussions led by West Point Cadets.

Check out the SLE 2024 VIDEO to learn more about the experience.

Students can choose between two SLE sessions:

• May 31 – June 6
• June 7 – June 13

Applications for SLE open on February 15, and selections will be made on a rolling basis starting March 15. Completing this application also fulfills the first portion of the application to West Point.

West Point provides scholarships to cover the costs of SLE fees and travel expenses for students who have proven financial need.

Learn more here: West Point Summer Leader Experience

Apply to SLE:  SLE Application

Unlock your student's curiosity at a SCAD event! 

Meet future SCAD Bees and chat with admission reps at a SCAD admission event near you. Discover the university’s 100+ degree programs and explore its global locations, alumni success, and chat one-on-one with admission staff. Click below to learn more and register.

Thursday, March 6

• Augusta, Ga.

The 2025 Guide to College Admissions is a free, comprehensive resource designed to make your college prep journey as smooth as possible. The guide has everything from academic prep in high school to writing standout essays, applying for scholarships, and choosing the right school. It offers expert insights and a roadmap to help you confidently navigate each step. Check out the comprehensive guide and take charge of your college application today!

Download Now

A Preview Day is an open-house style event that allows you to get familiar with a campus, faculty, staff, and current students. Most Preview Days are offered on Saturdays, so they are a very convenient way to get to know a campus and the community.  Preview days will be listed on our site as I receive information. I will post new dates on here first and then the information will be listed at the link below.

Augusta University

March 1

Presbyterian College

April 26

Western Carolina University

Feb 22 and March 22

Maria Darley

Director of College Counseling

mdarley@aquinashigh.org

706-736-5516