MAX4Kids Foundation Scholarship

THe MAX4Kids Scholarship Program began in 2001 and has donated more than $290,000 in scholarships to local high school seniors.  This scholarship program awards ten graduating seniors with a $2,500 non-renewable scholarship to the institution of his or her choice.

Criteria:
The student must be a MAX customer, with an open account by OCTOBER 10, 2014.
The applicant must attend a high school in central or east Alabama.
The applicant must be a graduating senior of the class of 2015 and entering a 4 year institution, junior college or technical school in the fall of 2015.
The applicant must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA

MAX4Kids Scholarship applications are available in my office, at all MAX locations and online at www.myMAX.com.

Deadline to apply is February 13, 2015.

Scholarship and College Info Binder - OFFICE COPY

The UPDATED office copy of the Scholarship and College Information Binder is now available.

The binder has 4 sections - In State Schools, Out of State Schools, Local Scholarships and National Scholarships.
 I will post new additions to the binder as it is received.  Scholarships (not school specific - ex. Auburn) will be copied for the students to add to their binders.
College Admissions Info will be in the binder.  If you would like a copy of a specific school - I'll be glad to do that for you!

In State:
*Auburn University - Must apply to Auburn by Jan 15th, must apply for scholarships through AUSOM by Feb 15th.
*Central Alabama Community College
*Huntingdon College (Plus Band Scholarship information)
*Jacksonville State University - Preferred Deadline - March 15
*Stillman College
*University of Alabama - December 15
*University of North Alabama - Scholarship Deadline - December 15

Out of State:
*Mississippi State University - Scholarship Deadline - December 1
*University of Southern Mississippi - Scholarship Deadline - February 1

Local Scholarships:
*Smith Scholarship  -  Must be a senior, must have a C+ average, plan to attend college in the State of Alabama, must have made a significant contribution to family or community.
Online application:  www.smithscholarships.com
I have common questions about the application and additional information in the binder.

The Common Application

What is The Common Application?
The Common Application is a not-for-profit membership organization that, since its founding over 35 years ago, has been committed to providing reliable services that promote equity, access, and integrity in the college application process. We serve students, member institutions, and secondary schools by providing applications that students and school officials may submit to any of our over 500 members. Membership is open to colleges and universities that promote access by evaluating students using a holistic selection process. (from their website)

Not sure where to go and want to check out MANY possibilities?  Take a minute to check out the "Common App"...

Use the website link above as well as this additional information.  I have a copy of the additional info link in my office if you would like to check it out.

Scholarship Junkies - GREAT FIND

Scholarship Junkies (found while looking for scholarship information on PINTEREST - make sure you are googling and looking every day!) is a great find.  You are able to submit any essays that you are using for applications and scholarships - they set you up with a student who has won a scholarship in that area to check what you are submitting.  This is a free service!  They also have a great FAQ section about scholarships in general.  Check this out!

What can I DO with this Major?

GREAT tool to help you explore majors and jobs that match up!  Take a minute to check this out.  :)
(from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor)
http://careerservices.umhb.edu/what-can-i-do-with-this-major

MORE scholarship links

A huge list of scholarships can be found here:

http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/average.phtml


Don't underestimate the power of Google!  Found this list while searching for something else.  Spend time everyday looking for scholarships!

Flex Request Link

Click here to Choose your Flex Classes!

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