Mr. Goodman, Counselor
email: pgoodman@rivervalleyschools.org
Seniors: Information about local scholarships will appear here in the Spring
Senior Information
This forum will update you on all matters that pertain to senior activities including applications, testing, and financial aid. All seniors will be seen on an individual basis during the first semester of the school year to discuss these issues and provide applications and other materials.
ACT TEST DATES: Listed below you will find the test dates and deadlines for the ACT.
Test Date |
Registration Deadline |
(Late Fee Required) |
February 6, 2010 |
January 5, 2010 |
January 6-15, 2010 |
April 10, 2010 |
March 5, 2010 |
March 6-19, 2010 |
June 12, 2010 |
May 7, 2010 |
May 8-21, 2010 |
To register for an ACT test listed above, you should go online to www.act.org. You will need a credit card to cover the fee. You should probably choose the ACT & Writing option, as more and more schools are requiring the essay as part of their admission requirements.
APPLICATIONS: Applications for all of the schools in the state of Michigan are available in the guidance office. I will also be glad to get any out of state applications that you may desire. However, many schools now prefer that you apply online. This has many advantages, including faster processing and, in some cases, reduced application fees. If you do apply online, be sure and print out the counselor recommendation section so I can fill it out and mail your transcripts in for you.
If you decide to apply with a paper application, please remember the following:
- Fill out the application in pen. I have plenty, so if you mess one up, I can give you another one.
- Type up a list of activities, awards, and honors that you have received. This can then be copied and attached to your application.
- If you need to write an essay, do it on a separate piece of paper first and bring it to me to read. I will be glad to make suggestions on ways that you might improve your composition. Do not be afraid to sell yourself. This is what the essay if for. Be sure and point out your strengths and those things that set you apart from others.
- Let me send the application in for you. That way I will be able to attach a copy of your transcripts and ACT scores, as well as a letter of recommendation.
FINANCIAL AID - Trying to figure out how to pay for college can be one of the most stressful activities that you may ever face. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is assuming that the family makes too much money to qualify for aid. There are tons of scholarships, grants, and work study options available, some based on need and some based on other factors.
The major component of this process is the federal form known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Awards based on this application are made on a need basis. Academics are not taken into consideration. Eligibility for any need based award from the federal government will be determined by simply filling out this one application. This form is also used by the State of Michigan to help determine the Michigan Competitive Scholarship winners, an award based on ACT scores and financial need. It is important for everybody who desires financial aid to fill out this form. Do not assume that you make too much money to be eligible. Some colleges will not even consider you for any other money until you have demonstrated that you won’t receive anything from the federal government. The FAFSA will be available shortly before Christmas break.
Scholarship Search Services: These services will typically ask the student to provide some personal information, such as religion, heritage, and hobbies. Based on this profile, the student will typically receive a computer printout which will list different scholarship possibilities. It is then up to the student to write to the address provided and request an application. You will receive many advertisements in the mail for this type of service, asking you to send anywhere from $80.00 to $500.00 to do a search. Usually there is a guarantee involved, in which they state that if you don’t receive a certain number of awards they will refund your money. Unfortunately, in order to take advantage of that guarantee, you have to prove that you applied to all of the possibilities sent to you. In most cases, this is impossible because many times the places listed will not respond to your inquiry. However, there is a search service on the web that will do this for free.
FASTWEB - Simply point your browser to the following URL: <www.fastweb.com>. The opening screen will ask you to provide a username, password, and e-mail address. You will then fill out their search form online and scholarship possibilities will be sent to your fastweb mailbox, along with instructions on how to apply for the award. There is no guarantee, but it easily provides as much information as the services that charge a fee.
SCHOLARSHIPS (newest additions will be at the top):
Cass County Conservation Club Scholarship: The Cass County Conservation Club of Union, Michigan annually awards a scholarship to a deserving college bound student. This scholarship was established in memory of Mr. Emil Schmeling and is awarded to a student intending to pursue some area of study related to conservation. One thousand dollars ($1,000) has been designated for the scholarship this year.
To be eligible for the scholarship, an individual must:
- Be a high school graduate or a graduating senior
- Be registered with a college or university to attend this year
- Must pursue an area of study related to conservation
- Must agree to report their progress to the club at the end of the school year
To apply, please print or type the following information:
- Student name
- Address
- Telephone number
- E-Mail address
- High school name, address, and phone number
- Submit a letter of recommendation from his/her counselor, teacher, or professor
- Include a copy of your current high school transcript
- Please include academic accomplishments, extra curricular activities, community involvement, honors awards, and/or employment
- Include proof of college acceptance
- A type written essay describing how his/her chosen field will impact conservation and a definition of the difference in conservation vs. preservation.
Applications must be postmarked no later than May 30, 2010. Please see me for more information.
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THREE OAKS MASONIC LODGE SCHOLARSHIP: Applicants must be a high school senior who plans to attend full-time at an accredited college, university, or trade school, and must reside in Michigan and be a citizen of the United States. You must use the official Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation form. The form must be signed and dated by the student and his parent or guardian, and the Lodge Secretary and Worshipful Master. Typewritten applications and statements are preferred. Two copies of the application must be submitted. Letters and statements must be originals on one side of a sheet, dated and typed, and signed by the author. You must include an official high school transcript, as well as ACT or SAT scores (these may be photocopies).
Two $750 scholarships will be awarded. The deadline to get the completed scholarship application to the guidance office is February 19, 2010.
The materials must be arranged in the order described below:
- Application for Scholarship
Carefully plan a response to each item before typing the final draft. Use 1 for the freshman year of high school and number the subsequent years 2, 3, and 4, to identify the appropriate scholastic, extracurricular, and civic activity. Secure all required dates.
The applicant shall prepare a statement of 250 to 300 words in length setting forth his/her vocational or professional goals and relate how past, present, and future activities make the accomplishment of these goals probable. The applicant, by deed and circumstances, must demonstrate his/her worthiness. Excess verbiage will detract from the statement. The additional criteria by which applications will be judged are scholarship and leadership in school and non-school related activities.
- Letters of Recommendation
Current letters of recommendation are required from at least two, but not more than three, persons in authority from the school last attended by the applicant. The letters must be on official school letterhead, signed and dated by the author, and include the title of the writer. The letters may cover the applicant’s ability, work habits, leadership, personality, and integrity.
Current letters of endorsement are required from two responsible non-school persons. These persons shall not be related to the applicant and should be capable of reporting the applicant’s participation in non-school activities in terms of work, service, leadership, notable skills, and outstanding recognition. It would be helpful to note how the writer came to know the applicant.
The decision to grant or deny an award by the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation is final. All application materials remain the property of the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation and will not be returned.
Applications are available in the guidance office.
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KFC COLONEL’S SCHOLAR PROGRAM: The KFC Colonel’s Scholar Program was created in 2006 and dedicated to assisting students with financial need who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a public institution within their legal state of residence. To qualify, a student must be:
- Graduating from high school this academic year
- Maintaining a minimum high school GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Enrolling in a public, in-state college or university
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Students complete their application online at www.kfcscholars.org. The online application will be available December 1, 2009 through February 10, 2010. Students will be asked to provide pertinent information about themselves and their family life, their activity level during high school, and compose a few short answer responses to various questions. The online application will allow the student to save their work as they go.
The KFC Colonel’s Scholar Program will announce the winners by June 2010.
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