ACT Test

Registration packets are available in the guidance office, or students may register online at  http://www.actstudent.org .  Students who create a free ACT Web account and register online may use the account to make changes to their registration, print a copy of their admission ticket, and view their scores at no charge after they test.  All 2009-2010 test dates and registration deadlines are posted at www.act.org.

Recommended ACT test preparation websites are http://www.actstudent.org/ and http://www.number2.com/ .  Free study guides are also available in the guidance office.

PLAN Test

On Thursday, October 29, all tenth graders took the PLAN test.  This is the official ACT practice test that is used to predict an ACT score range, provide feedback about college readiness, as well as careers of interest.  Scores will be distributed to the students in December.

EXPLORE Test

On Tuesday, October 27, all eighth graders took the EXPLORE test.  This assessment provides students with feedback about their academic performance, college readiness, and career exploration.  Scores will be distributed to the students in December.

Financial Aid

Every senior who plans to attend a two- or four-year college in Tennessee or a Tennessee Technology Center should submit a "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, 2010.  Parents should file their 2009 tax returns as soon as possible after January 1, 2010, as this information will be required to submit the FAFSA.  The FAFSA is required to determine a student's eligibility for federal grants, loans, work-study programs, and Tennessee lottery scholarships.  The recommended priority deadline for filing the FAFSA is February 15, 2010.

COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY!!!

  Tennessee Technology Center at Crump

February 14, 2010 - 2:00 p.m.

College Goal Sunday is a free program which provides help to parents in filing the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA). Financial aid professionals will be available to answer your questions and help you fill out the application for federal, state, lottery, and other financial aid.  Students should attend with their parent(s) or guardian(s) and bring their parents' completed 2009 IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms and other 2009 income and benefits information.

Students and parents should also obtain PIN numbers at www.pin.ed.gov prior to College Goal Sunday and bring the PIN numbers with them.  Additional information is available at www.tn.gov/collegegoalsunday. 

Financial Aid Meeting

A financial aid meeting for junior and senior parents will be held at AHS at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 7, to provide information about submitting the FAFSA. Parents will receive a letter with more details in November.

FAFSA4caster is a financial aid estimator that parents and students can use before officially applying for financial aid using the FAFSA.  FAFSA4caster may be accessed at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. 

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program - UPDATE!  

Current lottery information is available at http://www.collegepaystn.com/ .  Seniors with a 3.0 GPA or a 21 ACT are now eligible to receive $4,000 per year.  Those who attend a Tennessee Technology Center are also eligible for up to $2,000 a year.  Details about qualifications and other award amounts are available at this site and in the guidance office. 

Athletic Scholarships  

Students who would like to participate in NCAA college sports must apply through the NCAA Clearinghouse at http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ or from links at http://www.ncaa.org/ .  After a student submits the online NCAA application, he or she should inform Ms. Russell so that the student's official transcript can be mailed to NCAA.

Scholarship Scam Warning Signs!

The following could be an indication that you are dealing with a scholarship scam:  Fees required, sometimes referred to as "application" or "processing" fees; request for credit card or bank account information; guarantee to find scholarships; no effort on your part (they will complete applications for you); no contact information provided; unsolicited scholarships (you receive a call that you have received an award for which you did not apply); pressure tactics for upfront money; claims of "exclusive" scholarships that no one else knows about; official-sounding names and seals, with words like "national" or "federal"; not receiving straight answers to your questions.

Wendy's High School Heisman Award -  This award honors both male and female high school students who excel in academics, athletics, and student leadership.  Any student-athlete who has at least a "B" average and participates in at least one school-sponsored sport may register and begin the application process at www.wendysheisman.com.  One male and one female School Winner will be selected in late October.  The online application must be completed by the student no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 1, 2009.

College Application Process  

Seniors, if you are planning to apply to a college, it is very important to check its website for important deadlines.  Some colleges have a separate scholarship application which must be submitted by a certain date in order for the student to be eligible for scholarships. Others use only the admissions application and the student's ACT score to award scholarships and do not require a separate application. 

The ACT score may be submitted to the college in one of two ways.  If the student listed the college as a recipient on the ACT registration form, the score will automatically be sent to that college.  The ACT score is also included on the AHS transcript, unless the ACT was taken so recently that the guidance office has not yet received it. 

When a senior submits an application for admission to a two- or four-year college or technology center, he or she should request that the guidance office send a transcript to the college.  This transcript must be mailed directly from AHS to the college and will not be accepted as official if mailed by the student.

Karen Russell, School Counselor, 731-632-3273