BHS SENIOR NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER

 

Dear Senior,

 

It is hard to believe that the first semester of your SR. year is almost over!!  Let me encourage you to study for your EXAMS.

If you are applying to schools and for scholarships – BE AWARE OF ALL DEADLINES!!!  If you need a transcript sent, be sure to write it on the transcript list right inside the door to my office.

ANYONE planning to attend school (2yr, 4yr, technical, career or trade) must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) form.  To complete online go to  www. fafsa.ed.gov.  This form will determine if you qualify for a grant, any loans or scholarships and the work-study program. In addition to these programs the FAFSA is also the application for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship(lottery).  You must meet the eligibility requirements (see www.state.us.tn/tsac) and be sure to list a TN school you want to attend.  You do not receive Lottery money if you go out of state.

 

Have safe and happy holidays,

Mrs. Kasmai

 

REMINDERS

 

**.  The ACT is required for students that plan on attending a 2-yr. or 4 yr. school.  There is no limit on the number of times you can take the ACT.  If you are not satisfied with your score, you were not feeling well on test day or you have completed a class that will help you on the ACT – then take it again!!  The remaining testing dates are February 9 and April 12.

 

**All courses taken 2nd semester are just as IMPORTANT as the courses taken in the 1st semester.  Your GPA will change in May and be on your final transcript that is sent to the schools.  YES – 2nd semester counts!!!!!!

 

**Any senior who has a minimum of a 3.0 GPA after 7 semesters will receive an Honors designation on their diploma.

 

** After applying to college(s), you must request a high school transcript be

sent to that college.  In May, you must request that your FINAL transcript be sent to the school that you have chosen to attend.

 

**All seniors are allowed 1 COLLEGE DAY! You must make an appointment with the school you plan to visit and return to school with an “official” note from the school for this to be excused

 

 

SCHOLARSHIP INFO

 

Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation Scholarship Applications are now available online.  The website is www.state.tn.us/tsac or www.collegepaystn.com

 

Dependent Children’s Scholarship – dependent of a law enforcement officer, fireman or emergency medical service technician that was killed or permanently disabled due to an accident that occurred in the line of duty while employed in Tennessee.  Deadline is July 15.   (TSAC)

 

Ned McWherter Scholars Program – for academically superior Tennessee students who will attend college in the state of TN.  Must have a 3.5 GPA and an ACT of 29.  Deadline is February 15.  (TSAC)

 

Minority Teaching Fellows Program – to encourage talented minority students to enter the teaching field.  $5,000.00 award annually and incurs an obligation to teach in a Tennessee Public School for every year the award is received.  2.75 GPA and 18 ACT.  Deadline is April 15.  (TSAC)

 

Robert C Byrd – a random selection procedure scholarship.  Must have a 3.5 GPA or  a 3.0 and at least a 24 ACT.  Deadline March 1.  (TSAC)

 

FFA Scholarships – Book containing scholarships for FFA members in the counselors’ office.  Can visit web site at www.ffa.org.  Each scholarship has its own criteria to meet.

 

University of Tennessee Nat’l Alumni Association scholarships – www.utenn.edu for Knoxville, Martin and Chattanooga.

 

American Cancer Society – Must have a cancer diagnosis before the age of 21, and have a GPA of 2.5—based on financial need.  To obtain an application, call 1-800-acs-2345 or visit www.cancer.org..

 

 

Dixie Youth  - Scholarship available to students who played on a Dixie Youth team at any time while age 12 and younger.  Check the website at www. dixie.org. 

 

 

TN Burglar and Fire Alarm – Student must have parent or guardian who is a full-time active duty employee of police or sheriff’s dept or a full-time paid member of a TN Fire Dept. –See me for application.

 

Burger King – go to #12 and click on www.bkscholarshipamerica.org

 

Applications do not magically get filled out – you must be responsible!!  Use the website’s I’ve given you for scholarship searches—be aggressive if you want to receive money!!

 

CAREERS !!

 What to do – that seems to be the million$ question!  Deciding what to do when you graduate from high school is a big decision and it is hard to make a GOOD decision without some thought and research applied.

Although it is important for a student to select a career based on their personal interests, the job availability and salary are also important.

A common mistake is to assume you need a four-year degree.  More than 2/3 of today’s students say they plan on earning a four-year degree.  Some of these may do better if they attend a community or a technical school, but feel they need a four-year degree to really be successful.  Meanwhile, many fields requiring two years or less of technical training are in need of employees. Success in life can be achieved through a variety of paths. Information on various careers can be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook (also online).  Be sure to take advantage of any job shadowing opportunities available.

 

GET YOUR PIN NUMBER FROM WWW.FAFSA.ED.GOV TO BE ABLE TO FILL OUT THE FAFSA ONLINE.  You need one for you and one of your parents.  The FAFSA can be filled out and submitted after Jan. 1 of 2008.  There are numbers to call if you need help – better to ask than to put the incorrect answer. You will need income tax information for 2007 to be able to complete the FAFSA.