Tri-County Educational Foundation

Seniors~2010

ACT INFORMATION

Seniors need to participate as much as possible during their senior year.

IF YOU HAVE NOT TAKEN THE ACT AND PLAN TO ATTEND COLLEGE/VO-TECH, YOU NEED TO REGISTER ASAP.

ACT Registration Dates and Test Dates

Test Dates: April 10, 2010

                   June 12, 2010……May 7

Log onto www.actstudent.org to register.

Please be sure to have scores sent to any colleges in which you are interested. You will list these when you register!

ACT School Code:  250-948

Congratulations go out to the following seniors for being awarded these scholarships:

Ginny Mills-fast pitch softball-Holmes Community College

Kyle Walker-tennis-Holmes Community College

Corey Macumber-tennis-Holmes Community College

Joan Childress-National Wild Turkey Federation-Flora Chapter

Kyle Irwin-National Wild Turkey Federation-Flora Chapter

To apply for federal financial aid:

Log onto www.fafsa.ed.gov

To apply for state financial aid:

Log onto www.mississippi.edu/financialaid

For the yearbook:

ü     Please bring a baby picture (no larger than 4X6) by April 9^th

ü     Senior Ads are for sale until May 1^st.

Prices:

Full page  $250.00

Half page $125.00

Fourth page  $60.00

Eighth page $30.00

Please send any ad info and/or pictures with payment at the same time.

Information on scholarships, awards, transcripts, and college will be given to the seniors over the next couple of months.

Questions? Please call or come by.

Things to do:

Ø   Take the act

Ø   Apply for college

Ø   Have your transcript sent

Ø   Apply for financial aid

Ø   Be at school on time, prepared

Tips for Seniors Final Countdown to College
Source: Education Services Foundation

Fall Semester

1. Make sure you are meeting high school graducation and college admission requirements
2. Sign up to win ESF FREEBIES at www.esfweb.com
3. Keep a calendar of important deadlines for applications, test registration and scholarships
4. Register to take the ACT or SAT again (October - Decmeber) to improve your scores.  Contact Education Services Foundation at 1.800.986.4322 or www.esfweb.com for test-taking tips.
5. Meet with your high school counselor to review you academic record and discuss your options.  Keep your grades up.
6.  Attend college fairs to find out about additional colleges and plan visits to college campuses.
7. Narrow down your list of colleges.
8. Complete admissions applications to your final college choices and meet all deadlines.
9. Give recommendation forms to teachers, counselors, employers and coaches at 2-4 weeks before they are due
10. Do a scholarship search at www.esfweb.com and other Internet sites use scholarships directories at the library.
11. Update your high school resume to include activities or work experience you have had over the summer or sinch school began.
12. Investigate career interests by interviewing or job shadowing someone in that profession for a day.  ESF can assist with career interest and aptitude surveys.
13. Keep your college inforamtion organized- use a separate folder for each college you are considering as well as a calendar to keep track of deadlines.

Spring Semester
Source: Education Services Foundation

1. Complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid, and submit as soon as possible after January 1. You and your parents will need to have your tax returns completed early in order to submit the FAFSA.  Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or call ESF toll-free at 1.800.986.4322 for a forma or assistance.
2. Be aware of scholarship applications deadlines- they approach rapidly.
3. Turn in any remaining college admission applications
4. Complete applications for state financial aid programs.
5. By May 1, you should decide which school to attend.  Notify the school and send in any required deposits or forms
6. If you are eligible for a student or parent loan as part of your financial aid package, choose ESF for money-saving borrower benefits, including ZERO FREE Stafford Loans
7. Watch for important deadlines for pre-registration, housing applications and orientation
8. Take advanced placement tests in May
9. After school ends, have your final academic transcript sent to the college you will attend.

FREE Interactive Online Resources

ACT and SAT Test Prep:
Interactive sessions allows you to:
1. Acquire test-taking skills
2. Take practice tests
3. Follow customized curriculum to improve areas of weakness.

Follow the instructions below to access.
1. Log onto www.access.Bridges.com
2. Enter site ID: 10000566
3. Enter password: collegeplanning
4. Create user name and password
5. Enter universal code: 14668853

College and Career Planning
Allows you to:
1. Take a career assessment
2. Learn the steps to achieving your goals
3. Track your college and career planning activities in your own portfolio
4. Explore extensive databases for careers, colleges, scholarships and finicial aid

Follow the instruction below to access the interactive resource page.
1. Find Choices Planner at www.access.Bridges.com
2. Enter the Site ID: 10000566 and the Password: collegeplanning
3. Create a Portfolio Name and Password you will remember
4. Inforamtion you enter into your portfolio will be saved for future use.  On future visits, log in with the name and password you created.