New scholarship find from Pinterest!

List of "easy" scholarships found on Pinterest!  Worth taking a look...  :)

http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/blog/college-planning-2/a-slackers-guide-to-scholarships

Senior Parent Letter

Seniors,
Please take a moment to share this information with your parents.  I will send this letter home tomorrow with the permission form for the Career Fair!

VHS Senior Parents,


Welcome to Senior Year!  I wanted to share a few important tidbits from the Counseling Office so that I may best assist you!

I have College Planning Binders for sale in the Counseling Office for $5.  These binders have a wealth of information for you and your family.  If you do not wish to purchase a binder, I also have copies in the library.  I recommend buying your own - it is a great place to have a central location for all of your federal aid, scholarship and application information.  As more information comes into my office, I will copy that for your child to add to his/her binder.

Please take a moment to subscribe to my blog:
http://cochrans-corner.blogspot.com/
I post scholarship, school and other information regularly.  There are also many post that are archived on the list that you can look over from last year.  This is a great way to stay in touch and up to date on the information from my office.

Also, please feel free to email or call me to set up an appointment.  I would love to meet with your family and discuss how best to help your child plan for life after VHS.
My email is cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us and my office phone is 205-280-2822.

Here are a few upcoming dates of importance:
September 10th - Chilton County College Fair Cost is $3 to cover transportation
                              Dress is “Interview Appropriate”
                                Students need money for lunch
Sunday, September 14th - National College Fair Birmingham, BJCC   1-4 PM
                        Not a school event, but I will be there!
                                                Students must Pre-Register
                                                                                https://www.gotomyncf.com/Registration
                                                This event is FREE
September, 13 - ACT         VHS   8:00 AM
September, 19th - University of Montevallo Visit from Adrian Cofer during Flex
September, 26th - University of West Alabama Visit from Libba McClendon during Flex

It’s a busy month!  I will send more information home as I have it available.
Please let me know how I can help you!

Thanks,


Christina Cochran

Scholarship Links

Here's another great place to look for scholarship information:
http://www.wendyshighschoolheisman.com/resources/college-counseling/scholarship-links/

Ag Exploration Days - Auburn University

I just received materials for several events held at Auburn for those interested in their Agriculture program.  Please see me or follow the link below to the events listing!
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/students/future/events/

Upcoming Events...National and Local College Fair

The Birmingham National College Fair will be on Sunday, Sept 14th from 1-4 pm at the BJCC.  This is a great opportunity to meet college representatives from around the country, as well as attend FREE workshops!
You will need to login and print off a barcode.  The barcode will be used at the event - don't forget to bring it!  If you are talking with a vendor that you would like more information from, they will scan the barcode, saving you both time.  :)
To register:  www.gotomyncf.com
For a list of schools attending:  http://bit.ly/NCFExhibitorSearch

Our local Chilton County Career Fair will be on Wednesday, September 10th.  We will travel to Jefferson State CC in Clanton that morning and stop for lunch on the way back.  More information soon!

Senior Portraits Thursday (Aug 7)

Seniors:  If you did not get a post card about senior pictures...call the main office in the morning.  If no one answers, just try back again.  :)  There is a sitting fee for pictures  ($25).  That is ONLY if you want to be able to purchase pictures.  If you pay the fee - they will make you a proof book that you can pick the poses that you wish to purchase.  The $25 does not actually buy you anything...  :)  Just the opportunity to purchase later.
If you do not want order pictures please come by and take your formal picture - those are the ones that are used for school.
*If you DO want to buy pictures and want to take other poses...just bring things you would like to change into - like taking a "band" themed picture, favorite outfit, etc.
Again, please call the office with any questions!  :)  280-2820

Seniors - Dual Enrollment

Seniors:
If you are interested in Dual Enrollment at Jeff State - we have paperwork that needs to be filled out!  I have that available in the office or you can find it on Jeff State's website:
http://www.jeffstateonline.com/enroll/become/high-school-students/dual-enrollment/

Remember - this year is is a little different.  They will be offering English 101 and Western Civilization in the Fall and Eng 102 and Western Civilization (Second Part) in the Spring.  You would need to be at Jeff State M-Th for 1st block all year.
***You only receive HIGH SCHOOL credit for English.  If you decide to not take the Western Civilization - they will allow that too.  Please talk to me if you would like to just take English!  (it is cheaper)  :)

To apply - you must have a 3.0 GPA (or higher) and scored at least a 20 on the English sub test of the ACT.  IF YOU DID NOT - that's ok - you need to take the COMPASS placement test.  They offer it every Thursday from 8:30-10:30 AM.

Please share this with others that might be interested!  Call the school before you come by to make sure I'm in the office or set up an appointment.

FREE ACT/SAT Apps

This article has a few FREE apps to get you started.  Check it out here:

US News "Jump Start SAT and ACT Study Plans with Free Apps"

Scholarship Search Engines

Seniors:

Please make sure to sign up on the following search engines for scholarships!  This is a wonderful FREE service.  PLEASE make sure to not give out credit card or social security number to ANYONE.  If someone asks, please check with me first!  :)

www.fastweb.com

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to the Class of 2014!  Best Wishes!!!!!
Click here - Clanton Advertiser Article

ABC 33/40 Texting and Driving Campaign

Recently ABC 33/40 came to VHS to spread the word about the dangers of texting and driving.  Here is a link to the clip that aired today!!!!  Take a look! 
ABC 33/40 Video

ACT - ALL GRADE 11 Students - April 23rd

Please don't forget...all 11th grade students will be taking the ACT at school (for free!) on Wednesday, April 23rd.  Students need to arrive on time - well rested and ready to go!  We will provide a snack during the break as students may have a later lunch due to the testing schedule.  Please do not schedule any appointments for this date.  Students may also use an ACT approved calculator.
If you have any questions - please give me a call!  280-2822

Jefferson State Community College - Clanton Summer Schedule

Looking for a summer class?  Check out the link below?  Students in Grades 10-12 are able to participate with Accelerated Classes. 
If you would like to learn more about Accelerated Classes, please see Mrs. Cochran!

http://www.jeffstateonline.com/files/schedule_clanton.pdf

Don't Forget! FASFA Drop in Session Friday

Don't forget!

Landon Taylor will be here Friday to help you fill out the FASFA!  This is a free workshop for seniors that will take place in the ACCESS lab from 3:30-5:00 pm.  This will be setup for you to drop in when you can.  The process takes about 30 minutes to complete!  If you need more information, please send me an email or give me a call!

280-2822 or cscochran@chilton.k12.al.us

Mrs. Cochran  :)

Jefferson State Scholarship Due/New Scholarships in the Office!

Students who qualify for the Jefferson State Community College scholarship need to submit their information ASAP.  If you are unsure if you qualify or not - please come by my office.

There are several new scholarships that have been passed out to the senior classes.  If you happened to miss me, please come by the office and take a copy.  :)

Random Acts of Kindness Week

This week, we have been celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK).  Our staff have been watching for students and other staff members who are demonstrating kindness to others.  Once they have been spotted, they are putting their names in a drawing.  One staff member and student at the annex and high school will be drawn on Monday morning for a fun prize and their pictures will be sent to the paper.  Watch these videos below to learn more about this global movement and celebrate with us!

http://youtu.be/nwAYpLVyeFU  (RAK - LifeVest Inside)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9b1cq-PAI
(Commercial from Thailand - appropriate for older students)

College Counts Scholarship (Due 3/19)

You’re going to love college, but paying for it can be tough. That’s why, on behalf of the CollegeCounts Board of Directors, Alabama State Treasurer Young Boozer has introduced the CollegeCounts Scholarship: to provide funding assistance to Alabama high school students with demonstrated financial need to attend college for the betterment of the student and the state. If you’re thinking about enrolling at an Alabama college or university, the CollegeCounts scholarship might be for you. 
Be a high school senior or first-time college freshman beginning in fall 2014

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be an Alabama resident
• Planning to enroll in an Alabama eligible educational institution in fall 2014
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Have an ACT score of 26 or below
  (applicants attending a two-year school will not be required to submit ACT scores)

Apply Here:  http://collegecountsalabama.com/

Stonewall Jackson No Interest Loan/Scholarship (Due 4/1)

Stonewall Jackson Memorial Fund Repayable Scholarship

The Stonewall Jackson Memorial Fund was established in 1955 by an act of the Alabama Legislature to “...memorialize that great American and Confederate general, ‘Stonewall’ Jackson, through a program of education...” consisting of essay contests and repayable scholarships. The fund is used to award several repayable scholarships each year. The scholarship functions as a repayable no-interest loan which must be repaid after graduation from college. One year after graduation recipients will be contacted to repay the scholarship amount under a scheduled repayment system set up by the individual.

Contact information and application is linked to the website listed below and a copy available in the scholarship binder.

http://www.archives.alabama.gov/stonewall/2014_app3.html

Scholarship Opportunity for Business or Education Majors (due 3/31)

Please read the information below, I have the application information in my office!

This year, the Alabama Association of School Office Personnel will award up to four (4) $1,000.00 scholarships to students pursuing a degree from the college or business of K-12 education.  Listed below are specific rules and regulations concerning these scholarships.  Each applicant should furnish ALL requested information.  This information will be kept confidential.  The recipients will be notified no later than May 2, 2014.  The completed application must be received by March 31, 2014.

Please Mail to:                        Yolanda Grace

                                    3165 Reeves Street                        334-794-1436

                                    Dothan, AL  36303                        yograce@dothan.k12.al.us

RULES AND REGULATIONS

1.     Scholarships will be given to high school graduates (or graduating seniors) who desire to pursue a degree from the college of business or a degree in K-12 education at an accredited Alabama school, college or university.  The student’s parent does not have to be a AASOP member to apply.

2.     A scholarship may be given to an AASOP member who is pursuing a degree from the college of business or K-12 education.  If no qualifying applications are received from members, then this scholarship may be awarded to eligible applications.  Of the scholarships awarded, the Georgia P Gallis scholarship is to be designated for the child of an AASOP member, if no applications are received from children of AASOP members, the scholarship will be awarded to an eligible applicant.

3.     The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of scholastic record and financial need.

4.     A previous recipient may re-apply for a scholarship.

5.     Scholarship money will be paid directly to the school upon certification of enrollment.  This certification must be received prior to November 1 in the year awarded.

TASKS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE APPLICATION CAN BE PROCESSED.

1.      Plan to enroll in the college of business or K-12 education.

2.      Complete all items on the application.

3.     Attach a recent photograph (optional).

4.     Attach a personal letter stating your financial need for the scholarship.

5.     Attach a transcript of your school grades through the first semester of the current school year, with the grade point average listed.  This is not necessary for AASOP members applying for the scholarship if they are not currently enrolled in college.

6.     Attach one letter from each of the three references listed on your applications.

APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED UNLESS ALL INFORMATION IS ENCLOSED.  APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 31, 2014.

How much sleep should your child be getting????

Check out this article about kids and sleep...it's amazing how much they need compared to adults.
http://www.angieslist.com/articles/infographic-bedtime-how-much-sleep-should-your-child-be-getting.htm?CID=Social09202012BedtimeGraphic