October 2015
LA QUINTA HIGH SCHOOL
DENISE HALSTEAD, PRINCIPAL
(714) 663-6375
COUNSELORS: SHERRI GRELLE (A-HOA)
ADRIANA ESQUIVEL (HOB-NGUYEN,D)
HUY TRAN (NGUYEN,E-Q)
LUCY FITZRANDOLPH (R –Z)
A MESSAGE FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
Class of 2016 … We hope that your senior year has started off to a great start. As some of
you may have noticed your senior year is going to fly by, which is why it is so important to
pay attention to the minor details and make sure you don’t miss out on anything! In addition
to staying on top of your class work, it’s important that you be sure to meet all the necessary
deadlines for SAT and/or ACT testing, college applications, scholarships, and financial aid.
Decisions Decisions Decisions
College is Affordable and Sometimes Free Many La Quinta senior s ever y
year think that attending a four-year university is unaffordable and out of their
reach because they believe their parents do not make enough money to pay for
it. In reality not only students who qualify for free or reduced lunch will receive grants when they apply for financial aid. Grants like the Cal Grant and
Pell Grant are monies provided to families to pay for college which they do not have to pay
back. Last year between 50% to 70% of La Quinta seniors received Cal Grants for college
which is enough to pay for the full California State University tuition. This means students
who attend schools like CSU Fullerton will not be paying any tuition and fees and may have
financial aid money to spare if they live at home. So it is possible for students to attend a fouryear university and receive their four-year bachelor’s degree for no money out of their pocket!
How to Receive Financial Aid for College All senior s should apply for financial aid
through www.FAFSA.ed.gov no matter how much money they think their families make. In
addition to grants, FAFSA provides work study aid as well as loans. The window to apply is
from January 1st through March 2nd and the application is free. La Quinta counselors will be
holding workshops to help students complete the applications in January.
Attention Seniors, please remember to turn in your green Cal Grant GPA release forms to the counseling office. This gives your counselor per mission
to send your GPA to the Cal Grant office before you complete the FAFSA application in January. If you need a new green form, please visit the counseling
office.
Important Tips for Completing CSU Applications
1. Make sure you use your legal name, it should be the same name on your transcript. Also,
make sure your social security number and your birthday are correct. This is extremely
important especially when telling College Board to submit your SAT scores. Hundreds of
scores don’t get sent because names, birthdays or social security numbers don’t match up.
2. Make sure to choose an alternate major that’s not impacted when completing your CSU
application.
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Starting your College Applications
Filling out your college application may seem completely overwhelming, which is why it is so important for you to start early. Make this process less stressful and time consuming by having your
transcript, test scores, and your parent’s income in order. This will help tremendously!
Applying to California State Universities - applications are available online at www.csumentor.edu
beginning October 1st. The deadline to apply is November 30th.
Applying to Universities of California - applications are available online at
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply. Beginning October 1st you can access the application, but
you cannot submit it until November 1st. The deadline to apply is November 30th.
Applying to private and out-of-state colleges and universities - these schools vary in their application procedures and deadlines. Please visit the college website for further information. Most private schools require letters of recommendation.
Applying to community colleges - community colleges begin accepting applications in March. Check
out www.californiacolleges.edu. Counselors will help students with this process as well as signing
IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!!
You still have a chance to sign up for the SAT and/or the ACT. See your counselor for a fee waiver.
SAT November 7
Register by 10/9 to avoid late fee SAT: www. Collegeboard.com
SAT December 5
Register by 11/5 to avoid late fee
ACT December 12
Register by 11/6 to avoid late fee
ACT: www.actstudent.org
When signing up for your SAT’s on Collegeboard.com, if you want to send your
scores to more than 4 Cal States use code 3594 (CSU Mentor, Long Beach). This
will send your SAT scores to all Cal States for FREE! If you want to send your
scores to at least 1 UC, list a UC, and Collegeboard.com will send your scores to
all UC’s for FREE.
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
Many of you may need to request a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, group
advisor and/or coach. In order to get a well-written letter you must give them at least two weeks
notice. Provide them with a “resume/informational handout” that lists your extracurricular activities, volunteer work within the community, and challenges or obstacles that you may have
had to overcome that have influenced your education. Take a few minutes to meet and discuss
some of the things that you include in your “resume/informational
handout”.
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La Quinta High School Fall 2015
Mark your calendars ….important upcoming events!!!!!
200 Lab Open After School and Lunch Time
Counselors will be available to help you fill out your Cal State or UC applications,
starting Thursday October 5th. You must submit your CSU and/or your UC application as soon as possible, not later than November 30th!
LQ COLLEGE INFORMATION DAYS in 200 Lyceum
(Sign up in Guidance Office with Ms.Davila)
Listen to announcements for more colleges and days!
Friday, October 9
Monday October 12
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 22nd
University of San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Riverside
UC Berkeley
Period 5
Period 1 and 2
Period 4
Period 6
CAP AND GOWN!
Graduation will be here before you know it! Seniors you need to order your Cap and Gown!
Place your order on Wednesday, October 28th during break and lunch outside the Cafeteria! Cap, Gown and Tassel is $20 plus tax ($21.60). Bring a check made out to Scott Graduation.
The Senior-Only Cap, Gown, and Ring Assembly is Monday October 19th at 11:40am!
College and Career Fairs
What: District College Fair
When: Monday October 12 FROM 6:30 - 8:00pm
Where: Bolsa Gr ande H.S.
What: La Quinta College Night
When: October 14, 2015 FROM 6pm to 7pm
Where: La Quinta High School
COLLEGE PREVIEW /INFORMATION DAYS
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Oct 10
CSU Monterey Bay Open House Parents/students, register at: CSUMB.edu/openhouse, or call
831-582-3738
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Oct 11
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) - Los Angeles Music Center, Dorothy
Chandler Pavilion register at: saic.edu/ugevents
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Oct 17
Preview Day at Cal State East Bay 8am - noon - New university Union Lawn Area, 25800
Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA
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Oct 21
Discover Duke University - Tiger Woods Learning Center 7:00pm, Anaheim, register
admiss.ugrad.duke.edu/discover-duke
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Oct 24
Chico Preview Day Open House, register at www.csuchico.edu/Admissions
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College info and Scholarships
Personal Statement
Writing your personal statement is another key component to your UC application. The personal statement
allows you to really introduce yourself to the college admission readers. It is an opportunity for you to become an individual by sharing your experiences and/or challenges, your personality, and lifelong goals. Your
personal statement consists of responses to two prompts. Be sure to read each prompt carefully and respond to
all parts. Use concrete examples to help support your responses. It is important that you take the time needed
to write and edit each individual response. Your English teachers will be a great resource with editing and
content.
Scholarships are the ideal form of student aid, as they are basically gifts that
never have to be paid back! Ü
GRANTOR
Horatio Alger
Association
Scholarship
REQUIREMENTS
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Zombie Apocalypse
Scholarship
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National Association of
Secondary School
Principals (NASSP)
Herff Jones-Principal
Leadership Award for
the Prudential Spirit of
Community Awards
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$5,000 - $22,000
Min GPA 2.0 & be a U.S. Citizen
Pursue Bachelor’s degree starting at a college, or university
Have financial need ($55,000 or lower AGI, Adjusted Gross Income)
Involvement co-curricular & community service activities
Display integrity & perseverance in overcoming adversities
Apply: www.scholars.horatioalger.org
DEADLINE
October
25, 2015
October
$2,000
31, 2015
Must be enrolled in college in the Fall of 2016
Submit an online short written response of 250 words max):
“Imagine your entire high school has been overrun by zombies.
Your math professor, the cafeteria ladies, and even your best
friend have all joined the walking dead. Use your brain to flesh out
a plan to avoid the Zombies, including where you would hide, and
the top 5 things you would bring with you to stay alive.”
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/apply.htx
$1,000 or more, unrestricted, engraved medallion & a trip with a
parent to Washington DC for 4 days in the Spring
Leadership & made an outstanding difference in service organizations & clubs where some was done after Sept 2014
3.5 GPA or higher
Apply: http://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit, click
on “Apply Now” link and follow instructions
November
3, 2015
GRANTOR
Moose Youth
Awareness
Program
REQUIREMENTS
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Disneyland
Dreamers and
Doers
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Elks National
Foundation Most
Valuable Student
Scholarship
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NFIB Yef Young
Entrepreneur
Foundation
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DEADLINE
November
Round-trip to International Youth Awareness Congress in Williams12, 2015
burg, VA & either $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, $8,000 or $12,000
Must first attend and receive a certificate as a Kids Talk Presenter, at the
Association Youth Awareness Congress at the Buena Park Moose
Lodge #195, 8651 Knott Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620 on November
14, 2015 - Registration 8:00– 9:00 AM Congress starts 9:00-3:00 PM.
Free Breakfast, lunch & parents can attend!
Go to: http://www.mooseintl.org/members/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/
Youth-Awareness-Brochure.pdf
Application: http://www.mooseintl.org/portal/pdf/YouthAware/
StudentApplication.pdf
November
Two Disneyland 1-day Park-Hopper tickets will go to 2 LQ students!
Disneyland Dreamers & Doers celebrates power of possibility & youth 18, 2015
who take action to improve their community, home or school.
From nominated group of “Dreamers and Doers” 60 students will be
identified as “Shining Stars” & invited to a Celebration Lunch w/2 family members & a representative from their school
To inspire fellow students to make their school a better place, each of
the 60 students selected as “Shining Stars” will receive $1,000 grant for
their school, as well as a Dreamers & Doers medal of recognition
Six “Luminaries” will be selected to receive a Disneyland Resort weekend prize package to enjoy with their families
Additional surprises will be announced at the Celebration Luncheon
Must have a 3.0 GPA
Must have completed some community service, and made a positive
change in your home, school or community.
See Ms. Grelle for an application!
December
Ranging from 1,000 to 12,500 a year
4, 2015
Must be citizens of the US
Based on Scholarship, Leadership, Financial Need
Apply: www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm
Entire application must be delivered by December 4th no later than 4pm
to 11551 Trask Ave., Garden Grove
More info visit: www.elks.org/enf/scholars
Between $2,000 - $15,000 scholarships so far, over 2.5 million!
Are you a young entrepreneur? Have a business, babysitting, lawn care,
dog walking, tutoring, etc.
Must enter a 2 or 4-year university, or vocational school in Fall 2016.
Graduating high school seniors who operate your own small business
are eligible to receive a 2016 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award from
the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation
Submit typed 1,000 word essay describing your entrepreneurial experience & involvement w/small business. Financial need not a factor
Apply: www.nfib.com/YEA
December
18, 2015
GRANTOR
REQUIREMENTS
DEADLINE
January 6,
2016
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$10,000 first place prize and an expense-paid trip to Boston with
family and nominating teacher!
Essay no more than 1,000 words but must be a minimum of 700.
Must describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official
that occurred during or after 1956
Go to: www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest
APIASF Asian &
Pacific Islander
American
Scholarship Fund
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$2,500 - $15,000
Be Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by U.S. Census
Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the US.
Enroll in a college or university in the Fall of 2016.
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
Must apply for federal financial aid
Submit one letter of recommendation online
Apply: http://www.apiasf.org/scholarship_apiasf.html
January 8,
2016
Gates Millennium
Scholars
Program (GMS
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January
Thru doctoral degree, need based, merit scholarship
Be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Ameri- 13, 2016
can/Pacific Islander or Hispanic American
Be citizens, legal permanent residents or nationals of the US
Cumulative GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or earned a GED
Demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities
Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria
Attend College or University in Fall as first time degree-seeking individual.
Have the following forms completed and submitted by the deadline:
A Nominator Form (an evaluation of student’s academic record, and
a Recommender Form (an evaluation of student’s community service
and leadership activities
Apply: www.gmsp.org
2016 Profile and
Courage Essay
Contest
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Navy ROTC
Scholarships
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January
$180,000 - earn your commission as a Naval Officer
31, 2016
Tuition, books, fees to 150 universities, & monthly stipend
Guaranteed employment for at least 5 years
Potential for post graduate degree at no expense!
SAT requirements: 530 Critical Reading & 520 Math or
ACT requirements: 22 English & 21 Math
Release scores to code 0656 via Collegeboard.com or Actstudent.org
Apply: https://www.nrotc.navy.mil Questions: call Travis Dobson:
714-396-2227 or 858-537-8044
The Make Sense
Foundation (MSF)
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$10,000 or more to selected applicants
Must be female and preparing to enter college in Fall 2016
Must complete an application and email, mail, or fax
See Ms. Grelle for an application
February
15, 2016
REQUIREMENTS
GRANTOR
The Dream.US
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Power
Scholarship
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Marine NROTC
(Naval Reserve
Officer Training
corps) Four Year
Scholarship
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“Aspiring Anima- 
tion Professional” 
Scholarship
Program
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DEADLINE
February 15,
Scholarship helps cover Tuition, Fees, and Books for an AA or BA
2016
Be DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) or TPS
(Temporary Protected Status) eligible and have applied for or received DACA or TPS approval
For highly motivated DREAMers who want a college education and
demonstrate significant unmet financial need
Must be a first-time college student (i.e., a student with no more than
12 college credits excluding credits earned in a dual enrollment program or advance placement testing)
Intend to enroll in and attend one of TheDream.US Partner Colleges
in 2016 and be eligible for in-state tuition
Minimum un-weighted 2.5 GPA
Have come to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday
Go to: http://www.thedream.us/scholars/
March 31,
$2,500
2016
Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) on:
Which superhero or villain would you want to change places with for
a day and why?
Enroll in the Fall to college or university
Apply: http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/apply.htx
April 1, 2016
$180,000
Tuition, books, fees to 150 universities, & monthly stipend
Guaranteed employment for at least 5 years
Potential for post graduate degree at no expense!
Minimum of 1000 SAT (critical reading and math combined)
22 ACT (composite) or a minimum of 74 on the ASVAB
Email: Stevenson.jao@marines.USMC.mil or call Sgt Jao Stevenson
at 619-504-9786
Be physically qualified by USMC standards
No moral disqualifications or criminal record of any kind
$1,000
Must be interested in pursuing a degree related to Animation, Computer Graphics etc., career path
Apply: http://www.animationcareerreview.com/
animationcareerreviewcom-aspiring-animation-professionalscholarship-program
June 1, 2016
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