Senior NEWS!!!!

SENIOR NEWS
April-May 2009

SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT is May 4 at 6:30 (not 7:00)!!  We will be distributing invitations on April 21 when Mr. Smith delivers your caps and gowns.  We do not want to overlook anyone who has been offered a scholarship.  We want to recognize all offers, even if you are not sure where you’re attending college yet.  There is a clipboard on Mrs. Smith’s desk in the counseling office for you to let us know about your scholarship offer(s).
                                                           
HOPE
To be HOPE-eligible you must have a 3.0 GPA for the College Prep Diploma or 3.2 GPA for the Tech Prep Diploma at the end of the senior year.  All core courses are averaged together to determine HOPE eligibility.  You must apply for HOPE.  You can use the FAFSA or the simple HOPE form on the gacollege411.org website.

MEN:  By law, you must register with the Selective Service up to 30 days before or 30 days after your 18th birthday.  Register online at www.sss.gov or pick up a registration form at the local post office.  More information is available on the wall in the hallway outside the counseling office.

EVERYONE:  Register to vote as soon as you turn 18!!  Your vote matters.  Forms are available at the public library or county administration office.

SAT REASONING TEST DATES & DEADLINES – Register online at www.collegeboard.com
June 6 (offered at Fannin Co. and Calhoun High School ) – Registration deadline is May 5
PHS school code = 111695                 Test fee:  $45.00                    Late Fee: $23.00                   

COLLEGE VISIT DAYS – You are allowed 2 days in which you are NOT counted absent to visit colleges.
Forms are on the wall in hallway outside the guidance office.  Questions?  See someone in the counseling office.
                                                  
Kennesaw State University:  Application deadline for Fall 2009 is May 15.  If you’re interested in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, contact them directly at 678-797-2025. 

Other colleges: Check the colleges’ websites to see if/when they have open house or other special visitation days.  This is a great opportunity to see a campus and determine if it’s a good fit for you.

Visits from College Representatives (updated frequently – see Mrs. Pickering in the guidance office)

 

OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
April 18 – Deadline for having acceptance letter to Big Canoe for scholarship applications. 
April 21 – Caps/Gowns delivered during morning break; Scholarship invitations distributed to students
April 28 – Cap and gown pictures made
April 29 – Awards/Honors Day
May 1 – NIGHT SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT DEADLINE
May 4 – Scholarship Night –6:30 p.m. PHS auditorium
May 4 – 8  - AP Exams
May 7 – 8 Senior End of Course Test (EOCT)
May 19-21 – Graduation Practice – Tuesday Practice @9 AM, Wednesday Practice @8:30 AM, and Thursday Practice @ 9 AM  
(Students MUST be present all three days for the entire practice to participate in the Graduation ceremony)
May 23 – Graduation Day – 9:00 AM

 

 

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
The best source of financial aid is the Office of Student Financial Aid at the college you plan to attend.  Financial aid info. is available on the college websites.  Go to the Financial Aid office when you visit a college.

*Financial Aid websites:  www.gacollege411.org,  www.fafsa.ed.gov, www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com. There are other sites, but beware of scholarship search scams – scholarship information should be free.  Here’s a new one that may be worth a look:
 www.college-scholarships.com

***File your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible.  Online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  We have guideline brochures in the counseling office – this may be helpful.

SCHOLARSHIPS
(see the PHS website or the counseling office for our complete list of available scholarships) 
Check the counseling office often for new scholarships.

Bethel Scholarships at Georgia Tech – for male students who have been accepted at Georgia Tech.  Two scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to qualified young men entering Georgia Tech. in Fall 2008.  Get application form in counseling office.  Include official transcript.  Must be mailed to address on application to be postmarked no later than April 15, 2009.

Scholarship for Triumph – sponsored by the Pickens County Lawyers of the Appalachian Bar Association.  Can be used at a 2 or 4-year college or technical/vocational school.  Must have B average or above to be achieved jr. and sr. years.  Application package includes transcript, list of extracurricular activities, essay regarding an adversity you have overcome and describe your education and career goals, three reference letters from teacher and/or employers, copy of college acceptance letter.  Information sheet available in counseling office.  All applications are to be sent directly to Mr. Morris Martin, local attorney,  (TBA - check Counseling Office for announcement)   

Ed and Jo Jenkins Young Harris College Scholarship – a $3,000 scholarship to Young Harris College.  Must be a senior enrolled in the Pickens County School System.  Must attend Young Harris College after graduation.  Criteria include achieving a GPA that shows marked effort, improvement, or success as well as demonstrating community service or volunteerism.  Guideline sheet available in counseling office.  Application includes personal statement explaining why you want to attend Young Harris College, two letters of recommendation, and transcript.  Completed application packets due to Mr. Cain no later than April 15. 

Truett-McConnell College (Cleveland, GA) has several huge scholarships for females – any girl who wants to attend college and doesn’t mind running on college cross-country team for two months in the fall to do so.  See the counseling office for details.

Jasper Banking Company Scholarship:  Applications available in counseling office.  Requires essay, list of extracurricular activities and honors, references (more details on application form.)  All documents due to Mr. Cain by April 21.  

Pickens County Retired Educators Scholarship – $500 Scholarship for students planning to enter the teaching profession.  Must submit and application form, at least two reference letters from teachers, counselors, supervisors, or clergy on their appropriate letterhead in a sealed envelope, Written profile of yourself stressing factors relevant to your occupational choice and goals- stress your personal qualifications for pursuing education as a profession, Official proof of acceptance from the college will attend, Official high school transcript-including SAT/ACT scores.  Submit all documents to Mr. Cain no later than April 20.

Nashville Auto-Diesel College Scholarship – (1) student will be awarded $1,000.  Eligibility Requirements: Be graduating member of the current senior class in good standing, Complete a scholarship application, be selected by the Scholarship Committee, Awarded student must be enrolled and enter NADC by September 20, 2009.  Submit all documents to Mr. Cain no later than April 21

Lyda Walden Fletcher Scholarship – Sponsored by The Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia. $1,000 per year for four years.   Must have resided in Pickens County at least 24 months prior to graduation from Pickens High School.  Minimum GPA 3.5.   Must be planning to pursue a four-year degree.  Considers academic achievement, leadership potential, well-defined goals and aspirations, balanced extracurricular activities, and financial need.  Application forms available in counseling office.  Include essay, counselor endorsement letter, two additional recommendation letters, copy of FAFSA, and copy of college acceptance letter.  All documents due to Mr. Cain no later than April 22. 

BETA Club Scholarship – Application form is in counseling office.  Include statement explaining why you need and/or deserve the scholarship, transcript, and three references.  All documents due to Mr. Cain no later than April 22. 

Student-View 2009 Scholarship Program – Quick and easy to apply.  Log on to www.student-view.com and complete a 15 to 20 minute application survey about colleges in your area.  To be awarded:  One $3,000 scholarship; two $1,000 scholarships; six $500 scholarships.  Scholarships awarded via a random drawing from all completed applications.  Deadline is April 22.

2009 Lockheed Georgia Employee (LGE) Community Credit Union Scholarship – Sponsored by the Lockheed Georgia Employee Community Credit Union.  Eligibility:  Student and at least one parent must be a LGE Community Credit Union member in good standing, Applicant must be a graduating high school senior and must begin college or technical school as a first-time, full-time freshman in the following Fall semester, Applicant must have already been accepted at a college or technical school and provide verification of acceptance.  Employees of LGE Community Credit Union and their immediate family members are not eligible to win.  Completed Application must be received by LGE Community Credit Union by the close of business on Wednesday April 22, 2009. 

G.D. Mosley Automotive Scholarship – At Appalachian Tech.  For a graduating senior from Gilmer or Pickens High School who plans to enroll full-time in the Automotive Technology program or a full-time App. Tech student pursuing a career in the automotive technology field.  Three $500 scholarships to be awarded.  Application forms available in counseling office.   Other documents required include transcript, 2-page essay, and letter of recommendation from teacher.  Criteria:  Completed application packet, character, financial need, recipients’ goals and objectives, and availability of funds.  Send application directly to Financial Aid office at App. Tech.  Deadline to apply:  April 30.

Cleo Ingram Nursing Scholarship and Helen E. Roper Nursing Scholarship – both at Appalachian Tech.  $500 scholarships.  Available to Pickens High graduating seniors planning to enroll full-time in the practical nursing program at App. Tech. or full-time App. Tech students pursuing a career in the practical nursing field.  Application forms available in counseling office.  Other documents required include transcript, 2-page essay, and letter of recommendation from teacher.  Criteria:  Completed application packet, character, financial need, recipients’ goals and objectives, and availability of funds.  Send application directly to Financial Aid Office at App. Tech.  Deadline to apply:  April 30.

B.E.S.T. Scholarship – At Appalachian Tech.  For a graduating senior from Fannin, Gilmer, or Pickens High School who plans to enroll full-time in a diploma or associate degree program at Appalachian Tech.   Two $500 scholarships to be awarded.  Application forms available in counseling office.  Other documents required include transcript, 2-page essay, and letter of recommendation from teacher.  Criteria:  Completed application packet, character, financial need, recipients’ goals and objectives, and availability of funds.  Send application directly to Financial Aid Office at App. Tech.  Deadline to apply:  April 30.

Mobley Scholarship – Sponsored by the Georgia Cotton Women.  The Mobley Scholarship is present annually to the son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of an active Georgia Cotton producer with priority given to children of Georgia Cotton Women members.  Eligibility:  The student must attend a college in Georgia, A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, Recipients should possess demonstrated leadership potential and participation in organized activities, Must be a entering freshmen or rising sophomores.  The committee may interview the top three to five applicants before making the final decision.  Application and required documentation is available in the Counseling office.  Scholarship application and required documentation must be submitted by May 1, 2009.  

Gainesville State College Science, Engineering, and Technology Scholarship – Must be majoring in some aspect of science.  Merit-based.  Must have B average in math and science courses.  Application form available in counseling office.  Requires letter of recommendation from math or science teacher and transcript.  All documents must be received at Gainesville College no later than May 15. 

American Legion Scholarship – four $1,000 scholarships to be awarded across the state.  Must be child or grandchild of a military veteran who is or was a member of an American Legion Post in Georgia.  Must be sponsored by an American Legion member.  Application form available in counseling office.  Requires short essay based on questions from application form.  Minimum GPA 3.0 in core subjects.  Requires SAT scores, official transcript, and written recommendation from high school principal.  Deadline:  July 1, 2009.

Georgia Engineering Foundation Scholarships - $1,000 to $5,000 scholarships.  Must be U.S. citizen, resident of GA, enrolled in an engineering or engineering technology ABET-accredited program leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or engineering technology.  Requires final official transcript in sealed envelope; two letters of recommendation from teachers, employers or mentors; SAT scores; and photograph.  Apply online or download the application form:  www.GEFinc.org    Use Scholarship A – for high school seniors or college freshmen.  Applications due to the foundation by August 31, 2009.