Announcements from the Counseling Office
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School Counselor Announcements
HOMEROOM TEACHERS PLEASE READ OR POST
Week of: October 9, 2013
Seniors: What should you be doing now?
1. Work on those college applications – Go to CFNC.org for applications for
colleges located in North Carolina.
2. Register online for the ACT and/or SAT
3. Visit the counseling office regularly to check out new scholarships!
4. Check out scholarships online (CFNC.org)
The Forgivable Education Loans for Service (FELS) program provides
funding for North Carolina students pursuing programs leading to careers in areas with critical
need, such as nursing, teaching, allied health fields, and medicine. The FELS application and
program information for the 2014-2015 academic year will be available in November 2013 at
www.CFNC.org/FELS. The priority deadline for submitting the FELS application is April 1, 2014.
Students who receive funds through this program must sign a promissory note agreeing to work
in North Carolina after graduation in an approved position, one year for each academic year of
funding received. Students who do not perform the required service must repay the loans in cash,
with interest.
In order to view the FELS brochure online go to:
http://www.cfnc.org/static/pdf/home/sc/pdf/FELS_Loan_Program_Brochure.pdf
Many Students wonder if they should take the ACT more than once? Consider retesting if
one or more of the following applies to you:
1. Did you have any problems during the tests, like misunderstanding the directions or
feeling ill?
2. Do you think your scores do not accurately represent your abilities?
3. Are your ACT scores what you expected based on your high school grades?
Announcements from the Counseling Office
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4. Have you taken more coursework or an intensive review in the areas covered?
5. Do you want to apply to a college that requires or recommends the Writing test?
Expected Composite Score on a Retest
no change,
21%
Increased,
57%
decreased,
22%
Go to www.actstudent.org and click “Retake the test” for more information.
The ACT is given free of charge to every student in the 11th grade. Students desiring to take the
ACT in other grade levels must go online and register.
Students: Don’t forget that CFNC.org provides a wide range of information that can help you
plan for, and apply to college. It is not too early to open a “free” account and start making a plan
to reach your post-secondary goals.
Terms to Know:
Associate degree – a degree granted by a two-year college upon successful
completion of undergraduate courses of study. For example this type of degree is
awarded by community colleges.
Baccalaureate or Bachelor degree – This is the degree offered by 4-year
colleges and universities. This degree is normally earned after successful
completion of undergraduate courses of study.
Undergraduate student – a student at a college or university who has not yet
earned a bachelor's or equivalent degree.
Graduate student – someone pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree.
Announcements from the Counseling Office
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GPA – This acronym stands for “Grade Point Average”. An average of a
student’s grades—normally on a scale from 0.0 to 4.0.
Un-weighted GPA – This is an average of a student’s grades that does not take
into consideration any honors or AP courses that have been taken. (Student
transcripts will display both the un-weighted and the weighted GPA).
Weighted GPA – This is an average of a student’s grades that does factor in
grades earned in honors and AP course grades.
AP courses – This acronym stands for “Advanced Placement”. Course content,
pace and academic rigor follow similar standards as specified by college level
courses and as adopted by the College Board. Two quality points are added to
the grade earned. Failing grades are not weighted. AP exams are offered in May
of each year. If desired, parent/students may pay to take these tests. Students
taking AP courses during the current school year will be asked if they plan to take
the AP test(s) in May 2014.
Paper Copies of this newsletter are available upon request from the
guidance office.