Information for Seniors!
As you work through the process of transitioning from high school to post-secondary (after high school), here are some links, tips, and information that you may find helpful. Please reach out if you have any questions. If it is college-specific, the most up-to-date and accurate information will always be from the college directly. Their admissions department would be a great resource.
One of THE most helpful resources available: ICAN website
College and Career Transition Coordinator - Mrs. Prososki
Here every Monday and Wednesday morning or by appointment. Email mary.prososki@elc-csd.org or stop by her office (by Mrs. Brechwald’s Office - across from the Activities Office) on Mon/Wed mornings to set up a time.
She can help parents and families with:
College Applications/College Search Assistance
FAFSA
ACT Registrations/ACT Waivers
Career Exploration
Post-Secondary Planning
Scholarships
Students and parents can sign up for e-alerts for any of the topics listed on the site. ICAN is a great resource! Scroll down on the following page to sign up for the e-alerts. Many students are already enrolled but there is one specifically for parents also.
https://www.icansucceed.org/planning-hub/e-alerts-tips-signup
FAFSA - FREE Application for Federal Student Aide
HERE- This is an important piece of the process. It is Free….If you have an unusual financial circumstance, you should contact the financial aid office at the college. For more info, click HERE Mrs. Prososki is also available by appointment to help. The financial aid offices at the colleges also have people who can assist. Even if you do not feel you will qualify for federal aid, you may still want to complete the FAFSA. Some colleges use it for scholarship purposes. The Last Dollar Scholar is one example of this. Certain programs at certain colleges may be eligible for this.
Priority Deadlines
Watch for priority deadlines of colleges (Iowa college deadlines HERE) - they are all different. It doesn’t mean you can’t apply after that, but you may miss the best $$$. These deadlines also mean they prefer you complete the FAFSA by then. Double-check with the college itself on the deadlines, as this site is fairly accurate but colleges make changes sometimes, and this link doesn’t always get updated immediately.
College Reps
SEE THEM WHEN THEY ARE HERE! They are your connecting piece to the college. They can provide you with information regarding the college, admissions requirements, scholarships, applications, financial aid, etc!!!
Each college has an Admissions Counselor assigned to ELC. If you call or email the college(s) of interest, you can ask for the admissions counselor for our school. They are THE MOST IMPORTANT person you should be in contact with. They are the EXPERT on their school and can give you and/all info on their college, what is required, how to apply, what scholarships are available, and anything else! We have already had a couple of colleges here. Not all colleges do visits to the schools.
XELLO and Career and College Exploration
Xello - All our students have access to Xello in ClassLink. They can do college and career exploration within this program.
Scholarships
The most important place to look is your college of interest (Call them and/or look at their financial aid website - talk to the admissions counselor)...then our site mrs brechwald.blogspot.com and then other free scholarship sites. All local scholarships are on mrsbrechwald.blogspot.com. These scholarships have varying due dates and turn-in locations so please be mindful of this.
https://www.step1scholarships.org/
Niche
Going Merry
Common App
Last Dollar Scholarship
This program, as the name implies, is intended to cover any remaining gap between federal and state grants/scholarships and tuition and qualified fees. Credentials include postsecondary certificates, diplomas and associate degrees.
Click HERE for more information and to see what schools/programs are eligible!
ILCC Online Scholarship App for ALL STUDENTS
All students attending college should fill out the ILCC online scholarship application. Most are for students attending ILCC but there are a couple that are designated for ELC students attending any college. To qualify for these students must apply to ILCC (even if not planning to attend ILCC - this is so you have an account to log-in to the scholarship with), and students should also have their FAFSA sent to ILCC. If students are currently taking college courses they may be able to use their current login information to apply.
dlutat@iowalakes.edu could answer questions regarding the ILCC scholarship process
https://iowalakes.edu/paying-for-college/scholarships/
Letters of Recommendation
Give the recommender about 3 weeks before due. Ask politely if they would do that for you - some teachers get MANY they are asked to complete. Thank the recommender. It is helpful to give them a list of what you have been involved in. Activity resumes are a great idea for scholarships and to give your recommenders - samples HERE. Another great tool is this form that students complete before asking a recommender for a letter or online recommendation. This helps the recommender write you the best recommendation possible. Mrs. Brechwald asks students to complete this prior to a recommendation. HERE
High School Transcripts
If students need their transcripts for any college or work, they can view them on JMC To view unofficial Transcripts in JMC:
Log in to student or parent JMC
Go to “transcripts”, click “print”
This will download an unofficial transcript.
It will include GPA/CLASS Rank/Cumulative GPA
Official transcripts can be requested HERE or go to Marlis!
ILCC Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts can be found at MY IOWA LAKES account HERE (similar to viewing your high school transcript in JMC). Request Official Transcripts HERE
ACT Dates and Sign Up
HERE Trio/Talent Search and Free/Reduced students can get a fee waiver from Mrs. Brechwald’s office or your Trio Advisor. Students should check with colleges to see if the ACT is required - ask about *admissions or *scholarships. Your ACT scores are not on your transcripts. If you have taken the ACT and would like it included on your transcript, please let Marlis or Mrs. Brechwald know. Many schools are advising not to have the scores automatically sent and to decide after scores are back if you want to report them. Students may request an official one from ACT - students must contact ACT for that HERE. Superscoring may be accepted by your colleges, check with them. Superscores would have to come directly from ACT to the college for a fee.
How to Apply
To apply to a college, generally you look under “admissions” on their sites. See us if you need help! Some schools are offering free application weeks. Most Community Colleges are free to apply to. Applying DOES NOT commit you to attending!!!
Common Application - If you are applying to multiple colleges you can see if the Common Application will apply to them all. Check to be sure your schools are on here first. https://www.commonapp.org/
If you qualify for free or reduced lunch or are in a TRIO program you may qualify to have your application fee waived for college. You can ask the college or check with Mrs. Brechwald or Mrs. Prososki.
Military
If you are interested stop in the guidance office and we will help get you connected with the reps or watch for them to have lunch tables set up!
Apprenticeships
Not interested in college? This is a great opportunity to earn a certificate, get paid to work and get paid for the training you need to become certified! Stop in guidance or see Mrs. Prososki for more information! HERE is a link to opportunities in Iowa.
Helpful Websites:
https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out
https://mrsbrechwald.blogspot.com/
