Merry Christmas

I'll be back to blogging again on January 3, 2012.  I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :)

Have it Your Way Foundation Scholarship (Burger King) - January 10 deadline

High School Seniors who are US Citizens and have at least a 2.5 GPA are eligible to apply for a $1,000-$50,000 scholarship for college.  The deadline for applications is January 10th, 2012.  Apply at:

http://www.haveityourwayfoundation.org/bksp_scholarship_eligibility.html

Highlights from College Funding Night on Monday

For those of you who were unable to make it to the College Funding Night, here are some of the highlights:

Fill out your FAFSA early (FREE Application for Federal Student Aid) to get the most money.  January 1st is the ideal time to submit it, and you will need a PIN for the student and a PIN for one parent prior to this date.  If you don't have your taxes done by January 1, you can use last year's information for now and update it later.  www.fafsa.ed.gov   Make sure you list all the colleges you are considering at this time, so they will get your financial aid report :)

NEW!  When you finish your 2011 taxes, you can log back into your FAFSA and "autofill" your tax information by linking to the IRS website.  Cool!

It's best not to take out loans, but since most people DO take some loans, Terri offered the following advice:  If you DO take a loan, take the Federal Perkins Loan as your #1 choice as it has the lowest interest rate.  If you need another loan, the next best is a Subsidized Stafford Loan.  AVOID unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, parent loans, or private loans if at all possible.

Once you have your FAFSA done, you can do the Oregon Student Assistance Commission scholarships (if you are going to college in Oregon) at www.getcollegefunds.org .  It's best to do this by February 1.

When you have narrowed down your college choices, you can apply for "institutional" financial aid by contacting each individual college's financial aid offices directly.  Each college will send you an "award letter" that tells you what they are offering you in scholarships, grants, and loans.

NEW!  If your family is paying for college for one or more students AND paying for tuition at WMS or another private elementary, middle, or high school, you can complete a "special circumstances" form at each individual college, and they may be able to offer you more money :)  Other special circumstances would be if you lose your job, have a lot of medical expenses, or any other unusual expenses that you couldn't specify on your FAFSA application.

Terri Crawford, our presenter and the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at George Fox University, has offered to answer individual questions that WMS students or parents may have regarding financial aid, regardless of whether or not you plan to attend GFU.  Her e-mail is tcrawford@georgefox.edu

Are you having trouble deciding on a career?

Consider this unique way of finding a career that honors the way that God made you.  Instead of starting with choosing a career, start with choosing a subject that you like to study.  It could be a subject that you have taken in high school, or one that interests you in general.  Now, go to the following link to explore careers that would use this college major :)

http://www.myplan.com/majors/what-to-do-with-a-major.php

Senior to-do List for Christmas Break

Seniors - I know it is a challenge to fit in post-high-school planning into your busy schedules when school is in session, so I have some recommendations for over Christmas Break:

1. Finish any loose ends for your college applications (request transcripts, SAT scores, letters of recommendation, etc. before you leave for the break), if they are not all done yet.  Remember to apply to at least one "sure thing" so you have a back-up plan in place.

2. Make sure you and your parents have a PIN for the FAFSA.  www.fafsa.ed.gov so that you can get online on January 1st to do your FAFSA.  Remember, you do NOT need to have filed your 2011 taxes to submit your FAFSA...you can use last year's for now and then update it with this year's once you have filed your taxes.

3.  If you have received acceptance letters in the mail already, CONGRATULATIONS!  You can use Christmas Break to fill out housing applications and also schedule visits to your top schools so you will be prepared to make an informed decision before their response deadlines (usually in May).

4.  Compare your GPA/SAT scores to your colleges' academic scholarship criteria and decide if it's to your benefit to re-take the SAT again this year.  If so, go to www.collegeboard.org and sign up.

5.  Check out www.fastweb.com , www.getcollegefunds.org , and each of your colleges' financial aid pages for in-house scholarships that you can do over the break as well.  Many of these have EARLY deadlines, and you must be accepted to the college before you can apply.

6.  For those of you who are wanting to do a year of service prior to starting college, check out the service links on the Guidance and Counseling page of www.westernmennoniteschool.org our WMS Website.

7.  This is also a good time to explore college majors if you haven't decided what you want to do yet. There are links on our WMS Website to help you with this as well.

8.  Enjoy your time with your family; ask for advice from people you love and respect like parents, youth pastors, and friends who are already in college.  Taking advice from others can save you a lot of stress.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

KFC Colonel's $20,000 Scholarship

KFC Colonel's Scholars is looking for HS seniors with financial need and an entrepreneurial spirit to qualify for up to $20,000 for tuition, fees, books, room/board.  If you have at least a 2.75 GPA and you plan to attend a public college in Oregon to pursue a bachelor's degree...and...you have financial need...apply online before February 8th, 2012 at www.kfcscholars.org

U.S. Bank Scholarship

Are you feeling LUCKY?  U.S. Bank is offering (40) $1,000 scholarships, in a random drawing, to students who apply online between October and March, 2012 at:  www.usbank.com/scholarship

College Funding Night - December 12th at 6:30

Terri Crawford, Assistant Director of Financial Aid at George Fox University, will be presenting an essential information session for ALL SENIORS and their PARENTS at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 12^th in the WMS Chapel.  Terri has 20 years of experience working in Financial Aid, and she will be presenting important information about college funding, deadlines, and resources to find funds.  She will also give details about filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and she will be available to answer any and all college funding questions.  This session is a GENERAL one, and will be applicable regardless of whether you plan on attending a community college, state college, or a private university.

Please call 503-363-2000 x231 or e-mail dfritz@westernmennoniteschool.org Darlene Fritz to RSVP.  Thank you!

Chemeketa Scholars 2012 - UPDATE

Seniors - if you have a 3.5 gpa or higher...and...you plan to attend Chemeketa full time next year, make sure you meet the deadline for this scholarship! (see below)

What's new for this year - for more info: www.chemeketa.edu

• The application packet must be personally hand-delivered by the applicant
• The application period is April 16 - 20, 2012

Chemeketa Scholars may receive a full tuition scholarship for up to two years in any field of study, including one of our career technical programs. The scholarship is awarded to applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements -

High School Students

• Attend high school in Chemeketa’s district or reside within Chemeketa's district
• Earn a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5 or better (as of first semester/quarter grades of final year in high school)
• Earn minimum COMPASS placement test scores of 80 in Reading and 75 in Writing; a minimum math score is not required (although you must take the math placement test)*
• Be on track to earn a regular high school diploma
• Enroll full-time (12-18 credits) at Chemeketa the fall that immediately follows high school graduation

Job Boom in North Dakota

You may have heard about the oil boom in North Dakota, but did you know that this boom has trickled into entry-level jobs and also college tuition rates?  Check out the link below from CNN:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/28/pf/north_dakota_jobs/index.htm

Also, at the National College Fair, I talked to admissions reps from the University of North Dakota, and their Tuition/Room/Board/Books for Oregon residents is only $16,899/year...and...they have automatic scholarships for students based upon GPA and SAT.  Check out their website at www.UND.edu

Mennonite Mission Network

Thank you to Jill Schmidt, from Mennonite Mission Network, who shared in chapel yesterday.  Students interested in doing a summer mission trip, gap year, or long term mission experience can contact Jill for more information at 316-281-4265, JillS@MennoniteMission.net , or check out the website at www.MennoniteMission.net .  Potential locations for summer 2012 include Botswana/South Africa, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Hondouras, France, Alaska, California, Texas, and Florida.

Warner Pacific College

Warner Pacific College, a Christ-centered liberal arts college near downtown Portland, visited WMS today, and they are offering "free" applications for Juniors and Seniors during the month of November.  Students can apply online at www.warnerpacific.edu.  Upcoming campus preview dates are April 12 and January 27/28, but a personalized visit can be scheduled at any time.  For more information, e-mail Brynn Otness at botness@warnerpacific.edu

Mennonite College Fair coming to WMS on October 27

The following Mennonite colleges will be at WMS all day on October 27th:

Bethel
Bluffton
EMU
Goshen
Hesston

All WMS high school students and their parents are invited to attend this event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Thursday.  All 8th grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade students will be spending 45 minutes interviewing admissions reps and learning about the college admissions process, college majors, and financial aid.  The Mennonite Colleges are also providing PIZZA for all the seniors during 2nd lunch.  Students or parents who wish to have an individual appointment with an admissions rep can sign up with Darlene.

Canadian Mennonite University Campus Visit Days

Upcoming campus visit dates include November 25, February 3, and March 16.  Ask about travel subsidies and overnight accommodations.  Apply for admission to CMU by November 30 and your $50 application fee is waived.  Apply by February 28 to be eligible for scholarships.  For more information, call toll free 1-877-231-4570, e-mail info@cmu.ca , or website www.cmu.ca

Scholarships with 2011 Deadlines

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing

For young women (grades 9-12) interested in working in technology and computing.  For more information visit www.aspirationsaward.org.  Deadline: October 31, 2011.

Jefferson Scholars Foundation

Students interested in attending the University of Virginia – merit based scholarship.  For more information, click on www.jeffersonscholars.org.  Deadline is November 1, 2011.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Volunteer-based scholarship.  Program details available at http://spirit.prudential.com and www.nassp.org/spirit.  Deadline to principal: November 1, 2011 and his nominee must be submitted by November 8, 2011.

Seattle University’s Sullivan Leadership Award

Four-year scholarship equal to full tuition, room and meals for each of four years of undergraduate study at Seattle University.  Recipients are selected on the basis of commitment to service and leadership, academic rigor, community, spirituality and global awareness.  For more information, click on www.sleattleu.edu/sullivan.  Deadline: November 15, 2011

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

“Freedom in Academia” high school students essay contest.  Please see www.thefire.org for more information about how to enter this contest.  Deadline: December 16, 2011

Performing and Visual Arts College Fair on October 25

If you are interested in more information about Performing and Visual Arts colleges (e,g, Dance, Music, Graphic Design, Drama, Art), check out this event to be held on Tuesday, October 25 from 6-8 p.m. at Portland State University, Smith Memorial Union.  For details, go to:  www.nationalcollegefairs.org and click on the Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs link :)

Eastern Mennonite University - VISIT DAYS

See for yourself why EMU is a Christian university like no other.  Visit EMU any time or register for one of our 2011-2012 campus visit dates:

October 27/28
November 17/18
February 23/24
March 24

www.emu.edu/campusvisit

Looking for Scholarships for Christian Universities?

The Christian Connector provides a FREE Christian College Scholarship Resource online.  For more information, check out their website:  http://www.christianconnector.com/

National College Fair, November 6 & 7, 2011

Over 250 Colleges will be available to answer questions, plus there are FREE workshops on financial aid, standardized testing, and the college application process.  All Juniors at WMS will be attending this on Monday, November 7th, but we also encourage all parents and Seniors to attend the Sunday afternoon session (from 1-5 p.m.).  For more information, go to: www.nationalcollegefairs.org or to register, go to www.nacacnet.org/ncfstudent