ACT April Deadline March 4th

If you need help signing up for the April test - please see me this week!
Juniors, you will already take the test with your class for free during school on April 19th.

FastWeb Scholarship Types

Introduce your students to our scholarship and internship theme articleswhich are filled with opportunities that focus on the interests and attributes of all student types. There's something for every student.

SEE THEM NOW

Jefferson State CC Scholarships REMINDER

Many of your students are applying for college admissions and scholarships. I just wanted to make you aware that Jeff State has several full-tuition scholarship opportunities available for your students.

1)      We offer Academic Scholarships based on ACT scores and gpa. The deadline for this scholarship is MARCH 1. Click here for the link to this scholarship application http://www.jeffersonstate.edu/financial/financial-aid/scholarships . Students must have at least a 22 ACT composite score and overall cumulative 3.0 gpa.

2)      We also offer the guidance counselor’s scholarship that allows the counselor at each high school to select a student to receive a scholarship – students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative gpa. We only ask that you submit your student’s information at least 3 weeks prior to your school’s honors day program.

3)      Ambassadors scholarship – This is not based on ACT score. Students selected for this scholarship become representatives of Jeff State and will participate in numerous activities and events. Click here for the Ambassadors scholarship application (http://www.jeffersonstate.edu/student-activities-clubs-organizations/ambassadors ). Deadline for this scholarship is March 4.  Attached is an informative sheet regarding roles/responsibilities of an Ambassador.

4)      There are also other types of scholarships available at Jeff State, including Jeff State Singers, Scholar’s Bowl, Children of Blind Parents, SGA, Enactus, Speech/Debate Team, etc. Just contact the person listed with each of these scholarships/organizations. http://www.jeffersonstate.edu/financial/financial-aid/scholarships  

Scholarship Bank - New Listings March 1st

The Scholarship Bank

Are you ready for March?

It is time to get ready to do a ton of scholarship applications! March is the biggest scholarship deadline month of the year. With several dozen due on March 1st, you're going to need to set aside time for all those essays! We add more daily, make sure to keep the Bank bookmarked and check it often.  The Scholarship Bank recently went through some design changes so it is easier to navigate, and it is just in time for this big month! Now you can easily find the categories you are interested in by selecting the tabs on the bottom of the page, check it out here.  As always, we are looking for your feedback. Is there a specific category you think we should focus more on? Or something we can add to the bank? Let us know. Help us help you connect with as much money as possible.

FAFSA Completion Assistance - File ASAP

Seniors and Parents:
Please keep in mind that the priority deadline for many schools is approaching.  If you haven't filed your FAFSA, it is time to do so.  Please call me if you need assistance, I should be in the office all day on Monday.
280-2822
Please refer to the previous posts on FAFSA for additional assistance!
http://cochrans-corner.blogspot.com/2016/01/fafsa.html

Jeff State Preview Days

Preview day at Jeff State, Clanton on Friday March 11th from 9-2.  You can register at www.jeffersonstate.edu/preview.

Scholarship opportunity...pick up in the office!!!!

Wallace Visit

AUM info

We had a great trip to AUM last week with our juniors and seniors.  I have a box of info in the office if you would like to pick up a copy.

Jefferson State Academic Scholarships

If you are planning to complete the packet for Jeff State - let me know!  ALL of your information must be submitted by March 1st.  This means that we need to send it ASAP.  Come by the office and show me what you have done so far or still need help with!

Regions Scholarship (Seniors and Graduates)

HOW TO ENTER

• 1

  COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION

  Click here aim.applyist.net/ridingforward to enter the Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Essay Contest between January 18, 2016 and February 25, 2016. Complete and save all requested information.
• 2

  WRITE YOUR ESSAY

  Choose the African-American you want to write about. It could be someone famous, a relative or a person you know. Just make sure they inspire and motivate you. Make your essay 500 words or less and review the “Contest Judging Criteria” in section 5 of the Official Rules for guidance in writing your essay. You can write your essay directly in the application or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.
• 3

  REVIEW AND SUBMIT

  Review your information, check your essay for spelling and submit your entry by 11:59:59 PM central time on February 25, 2016.
• 4

  AWAIT NOTIFICATION

  Students with winning essays will be notified by International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS) in April – May 2016. Essays are judged by an independent panel of judges through ISTS and Regions is not involved in the judging of the essays or selection of winners. If your essay is selected, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information. Scholarship checks will be awarded by July 31, 2016.

Cash for College - FAFSA Session TUESDAY 8-10 AM

Freddie Dunning from the financial aid office at Jefferson State Community College has graciously agreed to be on campus this TUESDAY to help any parents and students with the FAFSA from 8-10 AM.  We will have laptops set up in the kitchen and I encourage you to drop by and take advantage of this free service.
Please take the time to file for Financial Aid, especially with someone as knowledgable as Mr. Dunning.  If you cannot make that time, please call my office and we will schedule an individual appointment.
The following information will help you prepare if you haven't had a chance to read the previous financial aid post:
(From the Cash for College Toolkit - Copy in my office)

When do I need to start to fill out the FAFSA?
If you are graduating from high school in 2016, you can start filling out your FAFSA on January 1,2016. Colleges and scholarships might have specific deadlines so file the FAFSA as early as possible. March 1 is most colleges’ priority deadline. Financial aid dollars are limited and usually are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To speed up the process, apply for your FSA ID before January 1, 2016:
Students should apply for a FSA ID at www.fafsa.gov If you are a “dependent” student, a parent/legal guardian will ALSO need to apply for an FSA ID at www.fafsa.gov
Keep your FSA ID and password in a safe place. You will need it to log in each time to work on your the FAFSA. Once you receive an FSA ID, you are ready to begin your FAFSA at fafsa.gov on January 1, 2016.
You will need information from these documents to fill out your 2016-17 FAFSA:
• Your Social Security card
• Your driver's license (if any)
• Your 2015 W-2 forms and other records of money earned
• Your (and if married, your spouse's) 2015 Federal Income Tax Return • Your Parents’ or Legal Guardians' 2015 Federal Income Tax Return
• Your 2015 untaxed income records
• Your current bank statements
You do not have to complete your FAFSA in one sitting - you can save your application and return to it later. Make sure to keep these records. You may need to refer to them later.
Get your taxes done for free:
United Way of Central Alabama (Income up to $53,000)
To schedule an appointment contact, 1-888-421-1266 or financialstability@uwca.org
Impact America SaveFirst (Income up to $57,000)
To schedule an appointment, call 1-888-99-TAX-AL or file your taxes for free at http://www.myfreetaxes.com/SaveFirst
Other locations
http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/

Please see the previous post for more information - also checkout https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
If you choose to go ahead and file - MAKE sure you use the website listed above this line.  Do NOT pay to file your FAFSA.  This is a free program! 

ACT Boot Camp

See Mrs. Cochran for more information.

9 Scholarships - Newsletter

Go to www.studentscholarships.org/newsletter.php to sign up for their scholarship newsletter.  Nine scholarships are posted on their most resent newsletter.

West Point Information

Learn More!  discover.usma.edu/guide

Apply (Juniors):  apply.usma.edu

usma.edu/admissions

Preparing for College Workshop (FREE) Grades 8-12 April 12th

Preparing for College Workshop-MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!!!!! GRADES 8-12 Notice from Career Coach, Kim Benson
 Countdown to College Workshop for April 12.

The event will be a county-wide event and will be held at Clanton Performance Arts Center(Jeff State).  The event will be for 8th - 12th grade students and their parents.

Summary of the workshop:
The workshop is conducted by Potential Magazine and educates parents and 8th - 12th
grade students about the college admissions process, scholarship opportunities and information to help students prepare during their high school years for graduation and beyond.

The Countdown-to-College Workshop is a moderated panel format with representatives from 3-5 colleges and universities.  The 90-minute workshop will cover insight into the college admissions process, scholarship opportunities for students, 10 tips to earn scholarships, full understanding of the 3 areas that ACT scores impact, ACT/SAT tips for improving scores, encouragement that practice and studying produces results, impacts of different real-life scenarios (missing deadlines, changing your mind, etc), benefits of community college attendance and dual-enrollment, and importance of FAFSA and ways you can prepare your family finances to maximize your awards.

(This will be a DYNAMIC opporutnity.  Mrs. Cochran has seen this panel, and it is EXCELLENT!!!!!)


Kim Benson
Career Coach
LeCroy Career Technology Center

Shelton State Preview Day

ALFA Scholarship

FEDERATION MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR $1,000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Alabama Farmers Federation members can now apply online for a $1,000 college scholarship funded through the Alfa Foundation.

Applications are due April 1. The scholarships will be awarded to 100 students attending Alabama colleges, universities or technical schools and may be used for tuition, fees, books or supplies required for coursework.

Alfa Insurance President Jimmy Parnell said supporting the continuing education of Alabama's youth is a wise investment.

"At Alfa, we're proud to help students achieve their goals of earning a degree through this scholarship program," Parnell said. "College is important, but it can also  be expensive. Hopefully these scholarships will allow students to focus on their education with less worry about how to pay for it."

In its three-year history, the Alfa Foundation Scholarship Program has provided $250,000 in scholarships to Alabama students.

The program is open to high school seniors and post-secondary undergraduates enrolled or planning to enroll in a two- or four-year school in Alabama. Winners will be notified in May.

Scholarships will be awarded based on academic record; demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities; honors; work experience; and statement of goals and aspirations. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required. To be eligible, the scholarship applicant must be a member of the Alabama Farmers Federation, and the membership must be issued in the name of the scholarship applicant.

Juniors-Quest Bridge Scholar