Financial Aid and Scholarship Presentations for Sophomores in Health Classes

This week I am visiting sophomores in their health classes to talk about financial aid and scholarships in planning for college as a follow up discussion to the presentation that the counselors had with sophomores on college and career planning in World History classes a couple of weeks ago.

My presentation is a brief 30 minute introduction on scholarships and financial aid, including; institutional scholarships, financial aid, and private scholarships.  Many students do not know that about 39% of college aid comes from the institution, 40% of college aid come from federal aid, 13% comes from private scholarships and 8% comes from the state.

We used Naviance Family Connections to complete a scholarship search based on the colleges they were interested in when meeting with their counselors.  (The sophomores learned how to navigate Naviance Family Connections with their counselors, so I hope this was more good practice.)

We briefly discussed financial aid and the different types of aid a student can receive, including grants, loans and work study.

Naviance Family Connections also has a great scholarships search engine, Sallie Mae, where the students started searching for private scholarships based on their interests.

Last but not least, Family Connections has a wonderful resume template tool.  We all started building resumes that they can continue to build throughout their high school career.  The resume tool will help them track their student involvement actives and accomplishments throughout high school.  It will help them when applying to college and scholarships down the road.

It is never to early to start applying for scholarships or planning for the costs of college.  Please feel free to make a 1:1 appointment with me to learn about these opportunities.

Happy Holidays!

Thank you,
Heather Briley
Scholarship Advisor, PCHS
hbriley@pcschools.us
435-645-5650 ext. 2085

Sophomore College and Career Readiness and ACT Plan scores distributed

Last week, counselors visited sophomores in World History classes to start the process of 10th grade college and career planning as well as to distribute and explain the ACT Plan test results.

This was a two day event where students explored possible career pathways on day one using career assessments and on day two students discovered colleges that would help them prepare for the careers they researched by learning to use the new Family Connections program by Naviance.  Stay tuned for more info on our new Naviance program and please ask your student to show you what they did in class!

Counselors will be meeting with every sophomore student individually this winter for their College and Career Readiness meetings.

Sophomores who took the ACT Plan test have been given their score results which will give them a projected ACT score, help them to start thinking about studying for the ACT, discover what classes they should be taking to get ready for college, and investigate possible career interests.

Students were given a booklet "Using your PLAN results".  Please use this guide to go through their answer folder.  This is a very important piece of information that can help students prepare for future ACT exams.  You may also visit: www.planstudent.org for more information.

We look forward to working more with the sophomores in the coming months!  

Happy Holidays!

Please donate to the Community Scholarship Program online at https://livepcgivepc.razoo.com/story/Pcscholarships

Live PC Give PC scholarship donations will go towards the 2016 senior scholarship fund!

 Thank you for your support!

Live PC Give PC Community Scholarship Program

Hear how the community scholarships

made a difference for these students!

We are looking forward to participating in Live PC Give PC on Friday, November 6^th.   It is one day where you can donate to many wonderful organizations throughout our community.  Please consider donating to the Community Scholarship Program at Park City High School online at https://livepcgivepc.razoo.com/story/Pcscholarships

Morgan Stanley Financial Aid Presentation

October 20th, 2015, 7-8:30pm Lecture Hall, PCHS
This presentation, by Mike Walsh and Tim Tank of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, is a great starting point for parents and students who have unanswered questions about the costs and issues associated with planning for college. It dispels common myths about sources of funds, reviews unique education planning strategies, and discusses how college financial planning fits into your comprehensive financial planning strategy. It is intended for parents and grandparents who are interested in learning how the admission process and financial planning process are connected, which may lower the cost of attendance for your student.

Sterling Scholar Awards Program

Sterling Scholar Awards Program

The Deseret News and the KSL Broadcast Group Sterling Scholar Awards Program recognizes outstanding scholastic achievement of high school seniors in the state of Utah.  The program is sponsored in the cooperation with the Utah State Office of Education, district officials, and high school administrators.  Utah Colleges and Universities also support the program through varied scholarship opportunities for Sterling Scholar winners. 

Regional winners from PCHS will receive a $1,000 college tuition scholarship whether they attend an in state or out of state college.

Park City High School is looking for well-rounded seniors who have a strength and passion in a particular area of study.  Students will be recognized for their talent in a specific category, their academic achievements, leadership and citizenship.  

The areas are broken into 16 categories, including: English, Mathematics, Social Science, Science, World Languages, Computer Technology, Skilled and Technical Sciences Education, Agricultural Science, Family and Consumer Sciences, Business and Marketing, Speech/Theater Arts/Forensics, Vocal Performance, Visual Arts, Instrumental Music, Dance and General. 

Paper applications are in Ms. Briley's office, in the Counseling Office.  Applications are due to Heather Briley: Friday, October 30th, 2015.  

Final candidates will be selected by faculty and staff within the high school and notified mid-November.  Once selected, students will work with faculty mentors and Ms. Briley in preparing their online portfolios and interview skills for the regional competition in March.

All students interested in the program are encouraged to apply whether you are considering an out of state or in state college experience.  This prestigious and competitive program can be a great experience and resume builder.   

 

Again, please let Heather Briley know if you have questions at hrbiley@pcschools.us or 435-645-5650 ext. 2085

PLAN and PSAT Tests

Coming to Park City High School on Wednesday, October 14th- the ACT Plan test (practice ACT) for all sophomores and the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) for juniors who choose to participate.

All sophomores are automatically registered to take the ACT Plan. 

Juniors must choose to register for the PSAT/NMSQT

                                                         registration form and $20 fee are due to the counseling office by 10/9/15.

For more information on the ACT Plan visit:

 http://www.act.org/products/k-12-act-plan/

                                                        For more information on the PSAT/NMSQT visit:

                                                                 https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10

Why do we take the ACT Plan?

Taking ACT Plan is a great way to prepare for the ACT® college readiness assessment. It covers the same subjects and gives you an estimated ACT score.

ACT Plan also:
• lets you know if you’re on track for college
• points out your academic strengths and areas you need to improve
• helps you find careers that match your interests
• connects you with more colleges interested in you 

Why do we take the PSAT/NMSQT?

Free SAT® Practice Powered by Khan Academy
You’ll receive a unique SAT study plan based on your performance on the PSAT/NMSQT that features:

• +  Personalized online practice tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.
  
• +  SAT practice questions and full-length tests.
  
• +  Detailed feedback on your progress.
  Visit khanacademy.org/sat to learn more. 
  
  Enter Scholarship Competitions*
  By taking the PSAT/NMSQT and meeting published entry requirements, you may enter the National Merit® Scholarship Program conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
  Go to www.nationalmerit.org to learn more. 
  
  
  
  Access to College Planning Resources
  Your PSAT/NMSQT results will connect you to valuable resources that include:
  

  • +  An interactive score report with answer explanations to help you practice for the SAT.
    
  • +  A detailed personality test to help you find majors and careers that fit your talents and interests.
    
  • +  Tools allowing you to search for and explore colleges, majors, scholarships, and more.
    
    Connect with Colleges That Are Interested in You
    Through the Student Search Service you can receive free information about admission and financial aid from colleges, universities, and scholarship programs that are interested in you. Just say “Yes” to the Student Search Service when you take the PSAT/NMSQT.‡ 
    
  
  
  
  

Schedule a Meeting: How to Pay for College

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year.  I am available to meet with parents and students to talk about financial aid and scholarships.  Please email me to make an appointment at hbriley@pcschools.us , or stop by the Counseling Office.

I am also available to meet with all high school students and parents.  It is never too early to start planning on how to pay for college.

Thanks,
Heather Briley
Scholarship Advisor
435-645-5650 ext 2085

Community Scholarship

Community Scholarship Applications Due!

Deadline: Friday, April 24th at 3pm.  

The application and list of scholarships 

can be found online at http://pchs.pcschools.us/index.php?page=42

You can contact me at hbriley@pcschools.us if you have questions.

Regents' Scholarship Presentation

Regents' Scholarship

A Scholarship Specialist from USHE is visiting PCHS this Friday, April 24th at 9am.  If you are interested in learning more about the Regents' Scholarship and if you qualify, please visit the presentation in the Counseling Office at 9am.  All students are welcome!

Help raise money for the Community Scholarship fund!

Our school and our state need your support and your voice in the Your Utah, Your Future campaign. Please take a moment to fill out a survey that will help build a plan for our state¹s future at envisionutah.org. Not only will you be helping our state, but Park City High School Scholarship fund will also receive $1 for every high chool student or  adult who takes the survey. (There will be an option at the end of the survey to list Park City High School) 

Thanks!
Heather Briley
Scholarship Advisor

College Financial Planning Presentation by Morgan Stanley

Need to learn how to pay for college?

College Financial Planning 

by Morgan Stanley

Wednesday, March 18th

Park City HS Lecture Hall 

7-8:30pm

Topics: Costs and issues associated with planning for college and how the admissions and financial planning process are connected. This is a great presentation for parents, grandparents and students of all ages.

Registration Dates and Information!

Registration for the 2015-16 school year is coming up soon!

On Monday, February 23rd and Tuesday, February 24th,  PCHS counselors will be in the 9th grade Geography classes at Treasure Mountain Junior High to distribute course registration materials, discuss college and career readiness planning, and to introduce them to the opportunities available to them at Park City High School.

There will be a Sophomore Parent Orientation for current 9th grade parents on Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm in the Park City High School Lecture Hall (directly following parent/teacher conferences) that will review the information presented in class and give parents and students the opportunity to meet with teachers and ask questions about PCHS course offerings.

PCHS counselors will then visit with current 10th and 11th graders in their English classes on Wednesday, February 25th and Thursday, February 26th to distribute course registration materials.  All juniors and parents should have met with their counselor, or have a meeting scheduled, by this point to ensure they have the information on their graduation requirements.  Counselors will be meeting with all Sophomores during March to complete our college and career readiness (CCR) meetings and review their registration selections to ensure they are on track with their CCR goals and graduation requirements.

9th graders will register with the PCHS counselors for next year's courses in their Science classes on Tuesday, March 3rd and Wednesday, March 4th.  In order to register students MUST have with them on those days a completed registration form that includes parent signatures, teacher signatures (where required) and alternate course choices.

10th and 11th graders will register in their English classes on Thursday, March 5th and Friday, March 6th.  In order to register, students MUST have with them on those days a completed registration form that includes parent signatures, teacher signatures (where required) and alternate course choices.

Make up registration will take place the week of March 9th.

University of Utah Financial Aid Presentation

University of Utah Financial Aid Presentation

Tuesday, February 10th 7pm Lecture Hall

Please bring your parents if you are interested in learning more about the FAFSA, financial aid process, loans and scholarship opportunities.  All students are welcome to attend. 

PCHS Counseling Needs Assessment

Dear Parents of High School Students,

The PCHS counseling department is conducting a needs assessment to determine what you feel are the most pressing needs of our students to be addressed by the counselors as well as feedback on our college and career readiness process.  

Please take a few minutes (it should take no longer than 5 minutes) and complete this survey.  We greatly appreciate your input!

www.counselorsroom.org/Utah22

Thank you for your support!

Please Donate to the Community Scholarship Fund for Seniors

Donate a Community Scholarship

2015 is our 28^th year of helping Park City students achieve their college dreams.  We continue to have a strong need to recognize seniors as well as provide much needed scholarship funds. For many of our students the cost of college is a stretch.  Our students do a great job balancing academics, involvement activities, work and the college and scholarship application process.  We have many first generation students attending college and many who struggle to meet the basic necessities.  Your scholarship gift will go towards college tuition. 

If you are interested in donating, please let me know by March 15th and I will email you a donation form.

Thank you so much for your support!

Heather Briley, Scholarship Advisor

435-645-5650 ext. 2085

hbriley@pcschools.us

Schedule your Junior College Planning Meeting!

Attention Parents of Juniors! Schedule your student's College and Career Readiness Meeting ASAP by calling the counseling office!  View the video to see some of the things we will cover in our meetings.  Looking forward to seeing you soon! 

It's Time to Apply for Financial Aid

It's Time to Apply for Financial Aid!

The 2015-2016 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is available online at https://fafsa.ed.gov

If you have questions or would like to meet to talk about financial aid and scholarships, please make appointment to meet with Heather Briley, hbriley@pcschools.us 435-645-5650 ext. 2085

Wells Fargo Financial Aid Presentation
Tuesday, January 20^th at 7pm in the Lecture Hall, PCHS
Learn more about the financial aid process, loans and scholarship opportunities.  All students and parents are welcome to attend. 

University of Utah Financial Aid Presentation
Tuesday, February 10th at 7pm in the Lecture Hall, PCHS
The U of U Financial Aid Office will be presenting on financial aid and scholarships.  All students and parents are welcome to attend regardless of where you are applying or planning on attending college.