The ACT will be given February 11th and April 14th at BMHS, and on June 9th at U-Rock and Janesville Craig. If you are a college bound junior and have not yet taken the ACT, you should take the test on one of these dates.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS!

College admission counselors have asked us to pass on this message to seniors. "Your favorable admissions decision is conditional. You are expected to complete the senior year courses that you identified at the time of application, at the same grade point average if not at a higher level of success than your cumulative grade point average indicates." Seniors must seek permission from colleges prior to making changes to their course selection after they have submitted an application and/or been notified of admissions for the fall of 2012.

Seniors-Financial Aid Paperwork

Parents of seniors who are planning on applying for financial aid should plan to complete their 2011 income tax forms ASAP in January. FAFSA forms are available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. (Make sure you use this address for the free federal site, if you go to a commercial fafsa.com site, they will charge you!) Since the FAFSA should be sent as soon as possible (before the schools give away all their money), doing taxes early is essential.

Child's E-mail Address

As students approach their senior year, they often rely on e-mail to contact schools they are interested in attending and/or scholarship resources. They may also use e-mail to apply to colleges or for financial aid. Unfortunately, many teens do not think this far ahead when deciding their e-mail addresses. Please find out what your child is known by in the e-mail world.

IMPORTANT: Parents of Seniors:

It is imperative that you know what the graduation status of your student is. Are they on track for graduation? If you have any questions, call your students counselor.

JUNIOR YEAR: Suggestions and Timetable of Events

*Consider taking the PSAT test

*Consult monthly guidance calendar and listen to the daily announcements for important news.

*Consider attending one of the Wisconsin Education Fairs to meet with college reps.

*Meet with college reps that schedule school visits.

*Pick up an ACT/SAT registration packet and take the practice test. Plan to take your official ACT/SAT in April or June 2012.

*Consider a campus visit during vacations or summer.

*Write for private or out of state applications.

*Update your resume.

*If you are working part time, seriously evaluate the pros and cons working has on your study time and grades.

Student Vaccinations

If you son or daughter is going to be living in a dorm next fall, Wisconsin Act 61, which took effect January 1, 2004, requires that he or she be vaccinated for Hepatitis B and meningococcal disease before moving into the dorm. Most of our students have already received Hepatitis B vaccinations, but will have to be vaccinated for meningococcal disease.

Unofficial and Official Test Score Reports & Transcripts

Most colleges and universities require freshmen applicants to send or arrange to send scores from the ACT (or SAT) to the campus. If the word "official" is printed in the directions that usually mean the scores have to come directly from ACT or SAT testing agencies. You have the option of listing schools to get your scores when you register for the test. These are official scores, as they come from the testing agency. If you need more official scores sent, you need to contact the testing agency yourself and have them send the scores, usually at a charge of about ten dollars each. We can send a copy to the college or university, but the scores we send are "unofficial."

"Official" and "Unofficial" transcripts mean a different thing. Official transcripts are mailed by the school, with the principal's signature and the school seal. Unofficial copies are sent by you. Most colleges, universities, and scholarship agencies want official transcripts. As a student at Beloit Memorial, we will send out as many transcripts as you want or need, no charge. Once you graduate or leave the school, there is a $3.00 charge per transcript, or $6.50 for same day service.

College Goal Sunday (FAFSA Workshop):

This year's College Goal Sunday will be held on Saturday, February 19th. Information and assistance will be provided to high school seniors and their families in filling out the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is the first and most important step in qualifying for financial aid. Parents, if you have questions regarding what you must bring along with you, please call Mrs. Wolf at 361-3027. You can also visit www.collegegoalwi.org for details.

Youth Options:

Youth Options applications must be filled out and turned in to Mrs. Snow no later than March 1, 2012 if your student wants to sign up for a college class that will begin in the fall.

Check Out Our Website:

The Counseling Office Website, www.sdb.k12.wi.us/memorial/schoolcounseling/ has over 500 links to information about helping your son or daughter make decisions concerning careers, colleges, technical schools, the military, apprenticeships, financial aid, scholarships, etc. Check it out!

Upcoming Events:

*BMHS Expo and AP night will be held on January 24, 2012.

*Term 3 Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on February 16th, 2012 from 4-7:30 p.m. in the BMHS Field House.

*SAT will be held January 28, 2012. If interested please see Mrs. Grace-McKinley for more information.

Scholarship Information:

Are you looking for scholarship money to pay for college? Visit the Stateline Community Foundation's website www.statelinecf.org beginning January 9, 2012 for more information.

Please join us for a scholarship presentation: "From Good Grades to Skateboarding, There is a Scholarship for you" on January 25th from 5-6:30 PM in the School Counseling Office.

Scholarship Search Scams:

Parents may be getting mail from various scholarship search businesses guaranteeing financial aid, inviting you to a "special meeting" or promising you "money for college." Let the buyer beware! No one can guarantee you a scholarship, especially since the companies providing this service are not the ones awarding the money. The definition of financial aid also includes loans, which almost any student can get, so the promise of aid for college can be rather deceptive.

SCHOLARSHIP LIST

Join the "A-team"

Every local student who earns an A has a chance for a $1,000.00 scholarship through Blackhawk Bank (this is ongoing).

Abbott and Fenner Scholarship Program

$1,000.00 for writing an essay on the topic that appears on the scholarship website Full details available http://abbottandfenner.com/scholarship.htm

American Business Women's Association

Applicant must have a family member who is a member of Park City Chapter of ABWA. Applications can be found in the Counseling office.

Angel On My Shoulder Scholarship Program

For senior students who are survivors of cancer or have an immediate family member affected by cancer. Applications can be found in the Counseling office.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB)

$2500.00 (4 yr or Technical) scholarship to a Wisconsin student entering an industrial or technical trade, who has demonstrated ethics and integrity WWW.WISCONSIN.BBB.ORG/SCHOLARSHIP

Burger King Scholars Program

Two scholarships are available, one for seniors and one for children of employees or employees of Burger King. See file for application or visit
 http://www.haveityourwayfoundation.org/bksp-scholarship-eligibility.html

Charter Student Scholarship Program

This is for qualifying high school seniors who exemplify academic excellence and community involvement. Apply by visiting www.chartermainstreetgld.com or pick up an application in the
Counseling office.

Dream Scholarships

Complete list of scholarships available to those regardless of immigration status. Golden "K" Kiwanis Club of Beloit - applications are in the Counseling office. Applications are due February 24, 2012 to Mrs. Wolf.

National Wild Turkey Federation Scholarship

Download application at http://www.nwtf.org/education/ 

Prince Hall Masonic Foundation Scholarship Application

For high school seniors who are continuing in College, Universities or Trade Schools. Applications can be found in the Counseling office.

Rock Energy Cooperative

This is limited to senior students whose parents/guardians are members of REC. Applications can be found in the Counseling office.

School Band and Orchestra Essay contest 2012

Finish this essay: "Dear School Board Member- why we need music education in our schools." Please visit http://www.sbomagazine.com/essay-contest/ 
and click on Essay Contest 2012 for an application.

STARFLEET Scholarship Program

Available only to those who have been a STARFLEET member for at least 1 year prior to applying for scholarship. Applications can be found in the Counseling office.

U.S. Bank Scholarship program

Random drawing for 40 $1,000 scholarships, no essays! Go to www.usbank.com/scholarship to apply.

Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates

Must be a child/grandchild of a prior active duty serviceperson during the Vietnam Era January 1, 1959 - May 7, 1975). Applications can be found in the Counseling office and are due March 19, 2012.

If you are accepted to the following universities or colleges you may be able to receive the following scholarships:

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Go to www.uwec.edu/admissions/scholarships

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Once students are admitted they can apply for scholarships at http://www.foundation.uwlax.edu/schprocess.html 

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Academic and housing scholarships available to students at http://www.deltathetasigma.com/scholarship

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Go to http://www4.uwm.edu/financialaid/scholarships/available_scholarships.cfm

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Go to www.uwplat.edu/foundation/csp/apply.html

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Scholarships available at http://admissions.uwstout.edu/tabid/3351/Default.aspx

University of Wisconsin - Superior

A complete list of scholarships available at http://www.uwsuper.edu/admissions/cost/index.cfm#_2_695798