Welcome, SENIORS of 2010!!!

This page is dedicated to INFORMATION for SENIORS, ranging from helpful websites and college entrance information, to job openings and scholarship opportunities . . . . . brought to you each week  by your Senior Counselor, Ms. Jeana Womble, M.Ed., NCSC

UPDATED:  February 20, 2010

WEBSITES          HINT:  You should not have to pay someone or some organization for scholarship searches.  These are free!

www.admissions.com - Comprehensive online resource for college information.

www.cappex.com - "College Search Made Simple"  FREE college and SCH search tool.  View enhanced college profiles and reviews for 3,000+ colleges; "What are My Chances" calculator; admissions stats and detailed majors; tuition and financial aid information; $11 billion in Merit SCH's.

www.christianconnector.com - FREE Christian college information service; also, a $2500 scholarship drawing.

www.college.gov - Why to go, How to go, How to pay for college/other postsecondary programs.

www.college-scholarships.com - Offers information on SCH's, college admission and contact information, traditional colleges, HBCU's, colleges for women, Christian colleges, colleges for students with learning disabilities, career schools, vocational schools.

www.CollegeWeekLive.com - Browse information on 100's of colleges; chat with admissions rep's and show your interest; video chat with current college students and get a feel for student life; watch videos featuring admissions experts and get great advice and answers; and learn about scholarships/financial aid.  

www.elearning.makingitcount.com - FREE resource provides interactive overview of college funding process, information about FAFSA, types of financial aid, and more.  Making College Financial Planning Count.

www.EnrichmentAlley.com - Comprehensive database of summer, school year, and gap year enrichment programs.

www.fastweb.com - FREE scholarship search, financial aid plus much more information pertinent to high school seniors.

www.finaid.org - FREE comprehensive guide to student financial aid.

www.gocollege.com - FREE scholarships & financial services; ACT/SAT test prep; and more!

www.KnowHow2Go.com - Advice on preparing for college; college students post their tips on their blog.

www.meritaid.com  - Scholarship search and college matching.

www.nextSTEPmag.com - register to win Free College Tuition; college planning timeline; college search; career discovery; and more.

www.scholarshipexperts.com - FREE scholarship search.

www.scholarships.com - FREE scholarship search and financial aid information.

www.studentaid.ed.gov - "Financial Aid and Scholarship Wizard" - FREE scholarship search.

www.studentaid.ed.gov/collprep - "College Prep Checklist."

www.TalentSpotz.com - The college clearinghouse for Student Musicians.  Free resume listing; information about non-traditional music programs such as guitar, music therapy, audio engineering, and the commercial music industry.  Gain access to every college/university Music Department in the U.S.

www.unigo.com - Short for 'University Go,' this site is generated 100% by college students.  Features rankings of intellectual life, campus safety, political activity, Greek life, sports culture, etc.

www.youniversitytv.com - Offers videos of 400 four-year institutions all over the U.S.  Videos show campus landmarks, indroduce students and faculty, and describe some of the course offerings.

ACT - www.actstudent.org - Ph. (319) 337-1270

Registering for the ACT

• In Block L, use  Broadmoor High School's code - 190-183 
• If you hope to qualify for a TOPS scholarship, be sure to use code 1595 in Block O - College & Scholarship Choices - so that your ACT score will be sent to LA Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA)
• In Block P - Educational Opportunity Service (EOS)- mark YES, in order to receive information about educational, scholarship, career, and financial aid opportunities from colleges, governmental agencies, ACT, and other organizations.
• Eligible students may use a total of two (2) fee waivers EVER, to cover the cost of the ACT Assessment or the ACT Plus Writing.  Eligible students are those who:  receive public assistance; are a ward of the state; reside in a foster home; receive free or reduced lunch; are involved in Upward Bound; OR whose family income is at a certain level.  [See counselor at your lunch shift to obtain an ACT fee waiver.]
• If applying online, be sure to print out your Admission Ticket before logging out.

Taking the ACT Assessment

On test day, be sure to:

• Arrive as EARLY as 7:30 a.m., but no later than 8:00 a.m., and be sure to take . . . . . . . . . . .
• Photo ID - This can be school ID, driver's license or state ID. This is absolutely MANDATORY!
• Admission Ticket - Ideally, you should have this in hand, but if not, you can still be admitted to the test with your photo ID, if you registered correctly.
• Calculator - Be sure to check the ACT registration booklet for a list of approved calculators
• Two #2 pencils        
• Long-sleeve clothing -- it's sometimes quite chilly in testing rooms.

EVENTS & EMPLOYMENT

**February has been officially proclaimed as "Financial Aid Awareness Month" (FAAM) in Louisiana.

**The Louisiana Education Loan Authority (LELA) has launched a statewide campaign to inform college-bound students and their parents that financial assistance is available for college, and to apply early!  Go to www.GoFAAM.com for many helpful resources:  how to apply for financial aid; financial aid workshops in your area; other useful financial aid links.  LELA will award 9 SCH's through "Cash for College-What's Your Story" SCH contest. See below.    

**Special Event at CollegeWeekLive** 

• Who:  College-bound students and their parents       
• What:  World's Largest College Fair -- connect to hundreds of schools, live online                    
• When:  Wednesday-Thursday, March 24-25;  10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (EST)                          
• Where:  Online, FREE.  Sign up NOW @ www.CollegeWeekLive.com

SCHOLARSHIPS     SCH= Scholarship /LOR=Letter of Recommendation

Baton Rouge Area Foundation manages numerous SCH's.  Visit www.braf.org for a complete listing, and access specific links for an application or for more information. 

Louisiana Education Loan Authority (LELA) Awards a $1000 SCH on the last day of each quarter:  3/31 and 6/30.  Register at www.askLela.org  to win.

LELA will award nine SCH's through their "Cash for College - What's Your Story" SCH contest.  Three $1000 SCH's to be awarded through "What's Your Story" segment of the contest, and six $500 SCH's to be awarded through random drawings.  Go to www.GoFAAM.com to register for SCH drawing, and download rules/guidelines for the "What's Your Story" SCH contest.                           

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LA. Bar Foundation 'Kids' Chance SCH Program' -- SCH will range between $500 - $3000. 

• SCH for dependent child of a worker killed or permanently and totally disabled in an accident compensable under a state or federal Workers' Compensation Act or law
• must have a 'C' average or higher
• must pursue college degree or vocational education from a LA. university, community, technical or vocational college
• must demonstrate substantial financial need
• see Ms. Womble for application and checklist
• completed application packet must be postmarked by March 1, 2010

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Will award six $1500 academic SCH's as well as the Audrey Daste LeBlanc Memorial SCH for $600.                   

• Female graduating senior
• Must have 3.0 GPA
• High moral standards, leadership ability, self-confidence, plans to pursue college education.
• Must provide a resume and two LOR's
• Participate in essay writing contest
• Participate in personal interview
• See Ms. Womble for application
• DEADLINE is March 3, 2010, which is the day you must participate in the Essay Writing Contest at Southern University Lab School.

"Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year" (SAMMY) 2010 Award Program -- Sponsored by America's Milk Processors ("got milk?" and Milk Mustache ads) and USA Today.  $7500.00 SCH

• honors students who are both scholars and athletes
• leadership and community service are also important
• personal observation:  it seems that GPA, rank in class, Honor Society, class officer, etc. play a more important role than having made major accomplishments in athletics.  Student does have to be involved in one or more forms of athletics, including cheerleading, tennis, golf, gymnastics, etc., as well as team sports, but does not necessarily have to have excelled in athletics.  Ms. W.
• Student should self-nominate online at bodybymilk.com by no later than . . . . .
• March 5, 2010

Our Lady of the Lake College-Board of Trustees Opportunity SCH.  A Broadmoor High School student who plans to attend OLOL and pursue a career in the health sciences may be selected for this SCH.

• demonstrate academic achievement by having at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA, and have at least a B in all current coursework
• be recommended by high school counselor or principal
• demonstrate financial need as determined by your FAFSA and Our Lady of the Lake College
• see Ms. Womble immediately, if you are interested; she must submit recommendation by no later than March 10, 2010

Kohl's Kids Who Care SCH Program - Recognizes outstanding young volunteers, and rewards kids ages 6-18 for their good deeds.

• 2,100 kids will win/earn prizes ranging from $50 Kohl gift cards to a total of $10,000 in SCH's for their great work to benefit their community.
• Nominate yourself at www.kohlskids.com.
• SCH nominations will be accepted through March 15, 2010.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority - 4-Year SCH for a . . .

•  female who will attend Southern University
• GPA of 2.5 or higher
• submit transcript and ACT score
• participation in school and community; honors and awards
• write an essay.
• one LOR required
• obtain application from Ms. Womble, or download from website at www.brsigma.org
• application and other documents must be received by March 31, 2010

Greater Baton Rouge Area Military Officers Assoc. Lt. Col. Marvin T. Stewart Memorial SCH ($1500) for a graduating senior who will enroll in a collegiate ROTC program -- does not have to be enrolled in JROTC in high school.Selection criteria are:

• academic achievement
• demonstrated leadership qualities
• school and community service
• personal initiative
• two LOR's
• see Ms. Womble for application
• application packet must be received by April 1, 2010

Louisiana Sheriffs' SCH Program - 64 SCH's of $500 each will be awarded.  Student must:

• enroll as a full-time undergraduate student,at...
• an institution of higher learning within the state of LA
• selection based on scholastic performance, activities/achievements, honors, reason for applying, need for financial assistance
• see Ms. Womble for application
• application packet due to Sheriff's Office by no later than April 1, 2010