September 2013
SENIOR TIGER
NEWSLETTER
A Note From Your Counselors…Happy Senior
Year!! We are looking forward to sharing in all of
the joys you will experience this year as a senior. We know the road has not always been easy
but we can assure you that the rewards are priceless. Continue to make wise academic decisions,
come to school and be on your best behavior while you are here. We know you have lots of
questions about your senior year. You will be receiving an appointment letter from us soon to
discuss your postsecondary plans and to answer any questions you may have at this point. Have
a great SENIOR YEAR!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Please see Ms. Miller in the School Counseling Office if you are interested in any of the
scholarships listed and need a paper application. Scholarships with an asterisk (*) do not have
paper applications available.
Horation Alger Scholarship*
Deadline: October 25, 2013
Amount: up to $20, 000
Requirements: U.S. citizen, full-time high school senior who will graduate in the
spring/summer of 2014, 2.0 GPA, exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a
bachelor’s degree at an accredited public or private U.S. institution, demonstrate financial need
($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income), involvement in extracurricular activities,
display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
How to apply: Applicants must apply online at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships
South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program*
Deadline: December 1, 2013
Amount: Up to $24,000
This scholarship is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching. It is based
upon academic achievement, references, community and school involvement, an interview and a
writing assessment. Students must attend one of the eleven Teaching Fellows Institutions
(Anderson University, Charleston Southern University, College of Charleston, Columbia
College, Francis Marion University, Lander University, Newberry College, USC-Columbia,
USC Upstate and Winthrop University) in order to qualify. There are no GPA or SAT/ACT
requirements but test scores must be submitted. The SAT code is 3680 and the ACT code is
3873. Applicants must apply online at www.cerra.org.
Call Me MISTER program *
Deadline: Not specified
Amount: $5,000
This scholarship is designed for African-American males who are interested in pursuing a career
in education. MISTER is an acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role
Models. Applicants must apply and be accepted to one of the participating institutions
(Anderson, Benedict, Claflin, Clemson, College of Charleston, Coastal Carolina, Greenville
Tech, Midlands Tech, Morris College, South Carolina State University, Tri-County Tech,
Trident Tech or USC-Beaufort). Once you complete the college admissions application, you
must complete the Call Me Mister online referral application. This can be accessed at
www.callmemister.clemson.edu.
Remember to keep a list of your scholarship offers and college acceptance letters even if
you do not plan to accept them or attend that institution. We will ask you to provide a list
at the final senior meeting. You may also submit them to Ms. Kinard as you receive
scholarship offers and college acceptances. The Class of 2013 received over $1 million in
scholarship offers! Come on…the Class of 2014 can do it, too!
EDUCATIONAL LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Palmetto Fellows
For public and private four-year institutions
Award Amount: Maximum Award amount of $6700
Requirements: SAT Score: 1200 OR ACT Score: 27
3.5 GPA on Uniform Grading Scale
Top 6% of sophomore or junior class
OR
SAT Score: 1400 OR ACT Score: 32
4.0 GPA on Uniform Grading Scale
Mrs. Kinard in the School Counseling Office will notify you if you qualify for Palmetto Fellows.
LIFE Scholarship**
For public and private four-year institutions
Award Amount: Up to $5000 (including a $300 book allowance)
Requirements: Must meet 2 of the following three criteria: 1) 3.0 GPA on the Uniform Grading
Scale, 2) SAT Score of 11 or ACT Score of 24 3) Top 30% of graduating class.
LIFE Scholarship**
For two-year public and two year private technical colleges
Award Amount: Up to the cost of tuition plus $300 book allowance
Requirements: 3.0 GPA on Uniform Grading Scale
HOPE Scholarship**
For public and private four-year colleges
Award Amount: Maximum of $2800 plus $150 book allowance
Requirements: 3.0 GPA
**There is not an application for the HOPE or LIFE scholarship. At the end of your senior year,
we will send a copy of your final transcript to the college/university you decide to attend. The
college/university will review your information and include the scholarship award in your
financial aid package if you meet the requirements.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
September 2, 2013
September 5, 2013
August 24-Sept 6 2013
September 6, 2013
September 10, 2013
September 18, 2013
September 20, 2013
September 21, 2013
September 30, 2013
October 2, 2013
October 5, 2013
Labor Day (No School)
CSRA College Night
LATE registration deadline for Sept. 21st ACT
Regular registration deadline for Oct. 5th SAT
Senior IGP Meetings/ Audits (See details below)
Interim Progress Reports
LATE registration deadline for Oct. 5th SAT
ACT
College Fair (see details below)
College Application Day
SAT
COLLEGE FAIR
CACRAO (Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers) will be
hosting its annual college fair on Monday, September 30, 2013, in McBryde Hall (Winthrop
University) from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Over 80 colleges and universities will be represented.
Follow the signs from the main entrance on Oakland Avenue for parking.
USEFUL WEBSITES
ACT
SAT
FAFSA (financial aid)
Commission on Higher Education
Fast Web (scholarships)
www.act.org
www.collegeboard.com
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.che.sc.gov
www.fastweb.com
IGP Meetings
Senior IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) meetings will begin September 10, 2013. You will
receive an appointment letter from your School Counselor indicating the date and time of your
meeting soon. This is an opportunity for seniors and their parents to meet with the student’s
counselor to plan for their senior year. It is also helpful to have a resume available to give to
your counselor. This will help him/her when it is time to write a recommendation for you.
School Counselors will conduct 8-10 IGP meetings per day so please try to honor the
appointment time indicated on your letter.
____________________________________________________
DID YOU KNOW?
You can use ONE application to apply to 35 different Historically Black Colleges & Universities
(HBCUs). The application fee is $35 and can be accessed online at www.eduinconline.com.
“Exploring College Options”
There will be several student/parent information sessions held for seniors who are interested in
attending Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania or Stanford.
Charleston, SC: Tuesday, September 10, 2013 @7:30 pm.
Columbia, SC: Monday, September 9, 2013 @7:30 p.m.
Greenville, SC: Sunday, September 8, 2013, @ 7:30 p.m.
Visit www.exploringcollegeoptions.org for more information
GENERAL INFORMATION
Applying for College Instructions
Most colleges/universities want you to apply on-line. Once you complete the on-line
application, check to see if the institution requires you to have a recommendation form
completed by your school counselor. If so, print the form and submit it to your school counselor
along with a business sized envelope. Neatly print the name and address of the institution on the
envelope. Do NOT write a return address on the envelope. You will also need to place one
stamp on the envelope. Your counselor will complete the form and mail your official transcript.
If you are submitting a paper application, you will need to give your counselor a manila envelope
with four stamps. It is important that you follow these instructions to ensure your transcript is
received promptly by the institution. Please pay close attention to deadlines to give your
counselor at least a week’s notice to process your requests for recommendation letters,
transcripts, etc.
SAT/ACT
If you need to register for the SAT, you can register online at www.collegeboard.com
If you need to register for the ACT, you can register online at www.act.org
We have a few study guides in the School Counseling Office. Do not wait until you receive your
test scores to apply to college. All SAT/ACT testing dates are listed in your student handbook
on page 18.
College Visits
All seniors receive two college days. If you would like to visit a college/university, you will need
to contact them in advance to research their visitation policy. While you are visiting the
college/university, you will need to obtain verification of your visit on the institution’s letterhead
and submit to the Attendance Office when you return to school.
Job Shadowing
All students receive two job shadowing days per year. You must submit a permission form one
week prior to job shadowing. Please see Mr. Brandyburg in the School Counseling Office for
details.
Military
If you’re planning to join the military after high school, please make sure you have taken the
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). If you have questions about the
ASVAB or need assistance in speaking to a military recruiter, please see Mr. Brandyburg in the
School Counseling Office.
Prospective College Athletes
If you’re planning to participate in a sport at the college level, please make sure you have
registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Please see Ms. Miller in the School Counseling
Office for additional information.
Senior Resume
It is helpful to have a senior resume to give to your counselor, teacher or anyone you ask for a
recommendation letter. The following is a list of items you can include in your resume: GPA,
class rank, types of courses taken, future plans, awards/achievements, volunteer
work/community service, club memberships, athletic information, employment, etc.
All of our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them.
-Walt Disney
AFHS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Department Chair: Coby Brandyburg
Telephone: 803-584-2311 Ext. 1331
E-Mail: brandyburgc@acs.k12.sc.us
Pamela Kinard
Shantell Miller
kinardp@acs.k12.sc.us
millers@acs.k12.sc.us
803-584-2311 Ext.1332
803-584-2311 Ext. 1305
There are several scholarships available that are not published in this newsletter. It is recommended that you
also do a scholarship search on your own. Beware of scholarship service agencies who ask you to pay a fee to
search for scholarships. There may also be college/university activities that are not included in this newsletter.