Counselor's Corner

2009-2010 ACT Tests

$cholarship$

College and University Visits @ SCHS

Financial Aid

Contact Information

Free application for Federal Student Aid "FAFSA"

Federal School Codes

Applying for Financial Aid

Federal Student Loan Programs

ACT TEST DATES AT STANTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

OTHER TEST LOCATIONS

MONSANTO COMMITMENT TO AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP

NAFB Foundation Scholarship

St. Bernadette of lourdes knights of columbus scholarship

Abbott & Fenner SCHOLARSHIP

KANSAS MASONIC FOUNDATION STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

MASONIC LODGE SCHOLARSHIP

helium litigation Scholarship fund

GLENN LYGRISSE/KACRAO SCHOLARSHIP

Pioneer Scholarship programs

Before you get started get organized:

By: Jack LaFay

02/19/10 Update:

JOSEPH B. CHILEN & EARL B.WILLIAMS PIONEER COMMUNICATIONS SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE IN COUNSELOR'S OFFICE

SOUTHWEST KANSAS RINGNECKS ----- PHEASANTS FOREVER
APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE IN COUNSELOR’S OFFICE

DEADLINE ON BOTH SCHOLARSHIPS IS APRIL 1

02/08/10 Update:

College Goal Sunday
February 21, 2010 – 2-4

Anyone who is interested in attending a post-secondary institution and might need financial assistance in paying for college is encouraged to attend this event. Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to attend as well.

Garden City High School will be hosting College Goal Sunday between 2 and 4 pm. Financial Aid professionals will be at this location to help students and their families complete the “Financial Aid Applications”.

Visit www.collegegoal.org to learn more about College Goal Sunday: Southwest Kansas Coordinator – Kathy.blau@gcccks.org – 276-9598

New Scholarship Opportunities

Southwest Kansas Bar Association - $1000 – deadline – March 26 – available in the Counselor’s office.
Knights of Columbus Scholarship – deadline – April 1.
Seward County Community College Presidential Scholarship – Full books and tuition – available in Counselor’s office.

Interested in attending a Community College in Kansas? Drop by my office and I will visit with you about some tremendous scholarship opportunities.

- Mr. LaFay

ULYSSES - MOSCOW - ELKHART
OCTOBER 24 - DEADLINE - SEPTEMBER 18
REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.ACTSTUDENT.ORG OR PICK UP A REGISTRATION PACKET AT THE COUNSELOR’S OFFICE
QUESTIONS: CONTACT JACK LAFAY AT STANTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

ACT TEST

THE ACT TEST IS USED TO MEASURE STUDENT ACADEMIC SKILLS IN THE AREAS OF MATH, ENGLISH, READING, SCIENCE AND WRITING.THE TEST IS BASED ON CURRICULUM TAUGHT IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHAT COLLEGES EXPECT STUDENTS TO KNOW WHEN THEY BEGIN THEIR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE. ACT SCORES ARE ACCEPTED BY VIRTUALLY ALL COLLEGES IN THE NATION. A STUDENT’S ACT SCORE IS CONSIDERED BY COLLEGES FOR ADMISSION AND COURSE PLACEMENT.

Amount: $1,500
Number of scholarships available: 100
How to apply: Submit online application at http://scholarships.ffa.org, along with signature page.
Deadline: February 15, 2010
Eligibility: Must be a high school senior from a farm family with above-average academic record, and plan to enroll as a full-time student in an agriculture-related academic major at an accredited school. FFA membership is not required to be eligible for the scholarship program.

Applicants -- in their junior year of college or university prior to application deadline -- must be enrolled in or transferring to an agricultural communications curriculum with concentration and/or application in broadcast media, including that may be delivered via the Internet. Graduate students pursuing studies in agricultural broadcast media communications may also apply
Successful completion of application and all supplemental materials
Provide three letters of reference (academic, personal and leadership references)
Remain in “good standing” with school for the duration of semesters scholarship is to be awarded
Provide Agriculture Future of America with a billing statement per semester scholarship is to be paid

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION AT: nafb.com/images/357/2009ScholarshipApplication.pdf

Available in Mr. LaFay's office or to receive an electronic version of the application email: daren@pld.com.

Deadline: April 1

Abbott & Fenner are committed to continuing our efforts at helping those who have the desire and ambition to succeed.
The winner(s) of this annual scholarship will receive their award within 2 weeks of the listed deadline. All applicants should include their full name and mailing address with their submissions.

RENEWED DEADLINE: June 19, 2010

AWARD VALUE: $1,000

The A&F Scholarships are available to all high school juniors and seniors as well as all students currently registered in any accredited post secondary institution.
Between the ages of 16 and 30

Application Procedure for 2010
To apply for this scholarship you will need to write an essay on the topic below. The essay should be between 500 and 1000 words. Your submissions must be sent to us by email at:
scholarships@abbottandfenner.com

TOPIC:
What do you see as the long term impact of our current recession on the average family? How might it affect their future decisions?

Click here for more information:
abbottandfenner.com/scholarships.htm

THIS IS A LOAN PROGRAM FOR KANSAS STUDENTS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AT A KANSAS POST-SECONDARY SCHOOL .THESE LOANS ARE INTEREST- FREE TO THE STUDENT UNTIL THEY GRADUATE OR END THE LOAN AGREEMENT .

FOR A LOAN APPLICATION CALL 785-357-7646

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION AT: kmfonline.org

LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL----- ESSAY REQUIRED

CONTACT JACK LAFAY FOR INFORMATION

~~DEADLINE NOV. 6~~

STATE LEVEL--- $ 1000-- $4000

LOCAL --- AMOUNT TO BE ANNOUNCED

The Helium Litigation Scholarship Fund, Inc., is a non-profit corporation established to grant scholarships to students who will be engaged in agricultural, environmental or energy related studies at an accredited college, university or junior college.
Incoming college freshman from a 17-county area of Southwest Kansas, and the Panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas are eligible to apply.
Only interest earned on the fund will be used to fund the scholarships. The eligibility requirements are detailed below.
- Under the guidelines established by the Scholarship Fund Board, six incoming college freshmen from this area will be chosen to receive a $1,000 scholarship.
- As long as the selected students maintain eligibility for the scholarship, they will be able to renew the scholarship each year during their undergraduate studies.

More Information (click here for printable PDF)

Application (click here for printable PDF)

Reference Sheet (click here for printable PDF)

Application Deadline: February 1, 2010

The Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO) offers scholarships to reward students who have demonstrated quality leadership during their high school years. There are four $500.00 awards available for the school year, which may be used at KACRAO member institutions. The awards are not need-based and may be used in conjunction with other awards.

More Information

Application (click here for printable MS Word document)

Application Deadline: March 12, 2010

2010 Leadership Through Learning Program

Now accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors in the Pioneer Communications service area.
Application deadline is December 11, 2009.
Sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED), the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA), and Pioneer Communications.

2010 FRS Scholarship Program

Now accepting applications from high school seniors in the Pioneer Communications service area.
Application deadline is February 17, 2010.
Sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Service and Pioneer Communications.

2010 FRED Scholarship Program

Now accepting applications from high school seniors, current college students and non-traditional students from the Pioneer Communications service area.
Application deadline for submissions to Pioneer Communications is January 29, 2010.
Sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Education and Development and Pioneer Communications.

2010 PRIMO Scholarship Program

Now accepting applications from graduating high school seniors or current undergraduate college students from the Pioneer Communications service area attending an accredited Kansas university, college or technical school.
Application deadline for submissions to Pioneer Communications is March 12, 2010.
Sponsored by the Public Relations and Independent Marketing Organization and Pioneer Communications.

2010 Pioneer Communications Memorial Scholarship Program

Applications will be made available in January of 2010. Please check back for more information.
Sponsored by Pioneer Communications in memoriam of former General Manager Joseph B. Chilen and former Board President Earl B. Williams.

SCHOLARSHIP FACTOID:

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS:

ACADEMIC ACHEIVEMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL, TEST SCORES –ACT OR SAT-, RANK IN CLASS, SPECIAL ABILITIES OR TALENT, RECOMMENDATIONS, OR AWARDS

HOW TO SPOT A SCHOLARSHIP SCAM

1. THE SCHOLARSHIP IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK
2. YOU CAN’T GET THE INFORMATION ANYWHERE ELSE.
3. I JUST NEED YOUR CREDIT CARD OR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBER TO HOLD THIS SCHOLARSHIP.
4. WE WILL DO ALL THE WORK
5. THE SCHOLARSHIP WILL COST YOU MONEY
6. YOU ARE A FINALIST IN A CONTEST YOU NEVER ENTERED.

ACT TEST TAKING TIPS
1. GET PLENTY OF REST BEFORE THE TEST
2. IF YOU FEEL NERVOUS BEFORE BEGINNING THE TEST, TRY TAKING A FEW DEEP BREATHS
3. READ AND LISTEN CAREFULLY TO ALL INSTRUCTIONS
4. FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE TEST
5. BE SURE TO ANSWER EVERY QUESTION

~~KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - SEPTEMBER 30 -- 2:47~~

~~Garden City Community College OCT. 20 - 1:55~~

~~Dodge City Community College OCT. 21 - 12:50~~

~~FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY - NOVEMBER 3 --10:00~~

~~SEWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE - NOVEMBER 5 --12:11~~

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT 492-6284 OR DROP BY THE OFFICE.

The seven steps to financial aid with"FAFSA"

Complete the FAFSA application. This application is available in the counselor's office.Information from you tax return will be needed to complete the FAFSA. You can also complete the FAFSA on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
In about four to six weeks, you will recieve your student aid report, "SAR". Verify the information on the SAR, this will be sent to the college financial aid office electronically. Also, a copy of your high school transcript will be needed at the college financial aid office.
The college will send you an "award letter" which outlines the federal programs and amounts you are to recieve. The programs available for undergrads are: Pell Grants, SEOG Grants, Work study, Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans and Plus Co-Parent Loans.
If you qualify for a loan you will need to complete a "master promissory not" and return it to the financial aid office or lender that you choose on the award letter.
The lending institution will send you a "notice of Loan Garantee" after you loan is processed. This document gives you the terms of your loan. Call the financial aid office or th lender to find out the status of your loan.
Loan proceedes will be sent to your college on or after the date stated on your "notice of Loan Garentee" or when all of the college's requirements are met, which includes viewing the "Entrance Counseling video".
The college will release the funds to you after all tuition and fees are satisfied.

To be used when filling out your FAFSA form

Barton County Community College	004608
Colby Community College	001911
Dodge City Community College	001913
Fort Hays State University	001915
Garden City Community College	001919
Hutchinson Community College	001923
Kansas State University	001928
Northwest Kansas Technical College	005267
Seward County Community College	008228
University of Kansas	001948

Keep in mind that you must reapply for aid each year that you are in school, or when you transfer to a different school. Timelines and accuracy are the keys to successfully applying for financial aid. Incomplete or late forms can greatly reduce you chances of getting financial aid for school. Keep in mind the schools financial aid office is available if you have questions of need assistance.

Keep a file with all the information you have gathered about various aid programs.
Set up a calender noting application deadlines and important requirements then follow the schedule to a letter.
Keep copies of all applications you file and record dates you file them.
Gather the documents you will need, including revent bank statements, your drivers license and your latest federal tax returns, and W-2 are needed.
Remember that timelines and accuracy are the watch words when you apply for financial aid. Colleges award aid o on-time applicants first. If you send incomplete forms or submit you forms late, you may not recieve the maximum aid for which you are eligible.

Remember, if you plan to utilize the federal studne loan programs, you must fill out a FAFSA form(Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is another avenue to assist in financing your student's education. The Stafford Loan Program incolves a low-interest loan made to you by an approved lender. The interest rate is variable but has a cap set by the government. There are two kinds of Stafford Loans. The subsidized loan is based on need and the government pays the interest while you are in school. THe unsubsidized loan is not need based, so itis available to all students regardless of financial need. Students must pay the interest or add it to principle while they are in school. Most Students begin payment six months after leaving college or dropping below half time status.

The unsubsidized loan is the one the majority of college bound students are eligible for. Again, this one is not need based and everyone qualifies for the loan; however, you must fill out a FAFSA Form to be eligible.

~~December~~

~~November~~

~~January~~

If you have any questions please call me at the office. My telephone number is 620-492-6284. My hours are usually from 7:30 am Until 12:30 pm Monday through Friday.

Thought for the Day: Don't be afraid to learn Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.