NB Counseling Weekly Update

Important updates pertaining to the school counseling department can be found here weekly. Announcements, important dates, and relevant articles will be included.

• Jan. 26: HESSA Strategies for Making the Most of Scholarship Applications Webinar
  

• Feb. 1: RCBC Nursing Program Information Session at Mount Laurel Campus

• Feb. 6: Counselors begin meeting with students for scheduling

• Feb. 10: Deadline to register for the Mar. 11 SAT

• Mar. 6: Deadline to register for Spring SAT Prep Program

• Apr. 7: Deadline to register for the May 6 SAT

• NB’s own 6-week SAT Prep program continues in-person on Saturdays from March 11- April 29, 2023. The program is contingent on sufficient enrollment of at least 17 students. An afternoon session will be added if needed to meet all registration requests. The registration deadline is Monday, March 6, 2023, 2023 SAT Prep Program Registration.
  
• The 2023-2024 High School Program of Studies is available on the High School Counseling Department Web Page. Course selection will occur electronically via PowerSchool as it did last year. Please contact your student's counselor if you have any questions. High School Counselors will meet with students in grades 9-11 to confirm their course selections starting in February. The counselors will start with current 11th graders, then meet with current 10th graders and then current 9th graders.
• Interested in RCBC's Nursing Program? The nursing high school application will open soon - join RCBC for an information session to find out more about their associate and bachelors programs and how to apply. It will take place on February 1, 2023 from 6-7pm at RCBC Mount Laurel. Please see this link to register for the session.
  
• When it comes to getting money for college, scholarships can be critical. HESSA is offering two sessions of a free "Making the Most of Scholarship Applications" webinar. This webinar will address tips and techniques for applying for scholarships. The webinar is intended for both high school students and parents. They will take place on Tuesday, January 24th at 7:00pm and Thursday, January 26th at 2:00pm. Please use the links to register.
• We are seeking military students new to Northern to join the Military Peer Support Group. Run by the MFLC and counselor Mrs. Pona, we will meet during school weekly until winter break, then start up again at the end of January. This group will plan, design and implement the event for April Month of the Military Child at Northern. We need interested students who would like to be a part of history! Supporting our military students, and allowing them to support each other makes for a great year at Northern. See the MFLC (at the high school Tuesdays and Wednesdays) or Mrs. Pona. Students need to have a permission slip signed to be part of the group. Looking forward to meeting you!
  
• Attention Juniors! Would you like to learn more about STEM careers using Virtual Reality? If so, have your parent/guardian complete the attached consent form, and you will be helping Rowan University discover how VR can help students explore careers. Please email your completed consent form and/or any questions to mpona1@nburlington.com.

The 2023 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar Program Application is now open. Every year, HSF selects 10,000 outstanding students as HSF Scholars from a broad and talented pool of applicants. HSF Scholars have access to a full range of Scholar Support Services, including career services, mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training. Career services include access to internships and job opportunities with HSF corporate partners. HSF Scholars have access to valuable Scholar Support Services and, as funding permits, scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.

In order to be eligible to apply, students must meet the following requirements:

• Must be of Hispanic heritage
• U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA
• Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students
• Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the U.S., for the 2023-2024 academic year
• Submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms (if applicable)

To apply, visit HSF.net and log into or create your myHSF profile to access the HSF Scholar Program Application. Applications are due by February 15, 2023.

The Bordentown Elks Lodge Scholarship application is now available. Graduating seniors who wish to further their education scholastically or vocationally may apply. Criteria to qualify for this scholarship are excellence in academics and/or involvement with community service in and outside of the Bordentown Elks Lodge 2085.

Please see this link for access to the application. Paper copies are also available in the counseling office. Applications are due on April 1, 2023.

The Tzu Chi Foundation is now accepting applications for its scholarship program, Tzu Chi Scholars 2023. All high school graduating seniors are encouraged to apply. Scholars are selected on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement. This is a nationwide program and each selected scholar will be awarded a total of $1,500.

Please see this link to access the scholarship application. Applications are due by March 18, 2023.

The Polish Arts Club of Trenton is offering scholarship awards to qualified seniors of Polish extraction who will be attending an institution of higher learning after high school graduation.

Please see this link for access to the scholarship form. Applications are due no later than February 20, 2023.

The Mason Williams' Memorial Scholarship Application is now available for all seniors who plan to attend a reputable two-year or 4-year college or trade school. Applicants must be residents of Burlington County.

Please see this link for access to the scholarship application. Applications are due by February 28, 2023.

The Cooper Levenson Foundation scholarship applications are now available for the firm's 2023 program. Applicants must be college-bound seniors in high school. Scholarship(s) of up to a total of $2,500 will be awarded to students who demonstrate civic responsibility and academic achievement, for use at an accredited college or university.

Please see this link for the application and for criteria. The deadline for this scholarship is April 7, 2023.

Attention female seniors! Zeta Delta Zeta sorority of Burlington County is accepting scholarship applications including the Cl ara Bennett Scholarship, Estelle Rice Scholarship, Glenda Wilson Scholarship and the ZDZ Archonette Scholarship and range from $1,000.00 to $2,000.00.

For scholarship criteria and to access the application, please see this link.

The 2022-2023 Coolidge Scholarship application is now live. This is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that may be used by recipients for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the US. Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2024 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply. Current seniors are not eligible to apply. Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major.

Criteria to be considered: Academic excellence, interest in public policy, and appreciation of values president Coolidge championed. Successful candidates will also demonstrate humility and have a record of genuine service to their communities.

Please see this link for a complete description of the scholarship's criteria, along with the online application and much more info. The submissions deadline is 5:00pm EST, Thursday, February 23, 2023.

The Rancocas Valley Alumnae Scholarship Fund's annual scholarship is open and is accepting applicants for the graduating class of 2023 until February 5, 2023. Interested applicants should be graduating senior Black female students who are currently enrolled in high schools located in Burlington County, NJ.

This is a four year $1000 per annum scholarship that will be awarded based upon the successful completion of the application and interview process. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain a certain GPA in order to receive the additional per annum stipend for a total of $4000.00 in award funds. Please see this link for more information.

The Burlington Chapter of the New Jersey School Buildings and Grounds Association seeks to assist students who will continue their education by offering scholarships to high school seniors in search of an Associate or Bachelor's degree; or training in the Trades or Technology fields. This Scholarship Program is open to any graduating senior, who is enrolled in a high school within Burlington County. Candidates must meet all school criteria, and are scheduled to graduate June 2023, to be eligible to apply. For 2023, a total of 4, $1,000 scholarships will be awarded; with selections based on the criteria set forth in the attached application.

Individuals interested in being considered for this scholarship must complete all application materials, which can be found at this link and submit all required documents by the submission deadline. All applications must be either emailed or postmarked no later than Tuesday April 18, 2023.

The Janet Logan Daily Foundation grants an annual award to one graduating HS senior from New Jersey who will be enrolling full-time in an accredited post-secondary university or college. This scholarship rewards students from varying academic backgrounds who have routinely demonstrated maturity and integrity within and beyond the classroom.

To access the electronic application and review eligibility requirements, click here. The deadline to submit is April 1st, 2023.

Applications for the 2023 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program are open now through January 5, 2023. This $10,000 renewable scholarship opportunity-- up to $40,000 per recipient-- is open to high school seniors nationwide who showcase leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship. Recipients also join the Reagan Academy network of exceptional students and young professionals who desire to lead, serve, and have a positive impact on their communities.

Candidates can access eligibility requirements, past recipient insights, and applications at this link.

The Governor's Urban Scholarship supports the higher education goals of New Jersey students who have compiled stellar academic records and reside in designated high-need communities. Students may be eligible for an annual $1,000 GUS scholarship that is renewable for up to four (4) years of enrollment at a college or university within New Jersey if they completed their junior or senior year of high school in the top five (5.0) percent of their class and they reside in a designated municipality listed here: https://www.hesaa.org/Documents/GUSScholarshipProgram.pdf.

It’s just enough time after New Year’s has passed to have broken those resolutions or veered off from the goals you or your child/student may have set! Change takes time, effort and commitment and understanding how the stages of change work may help you keep on track or re-commit. According to VeryWellMind, the keys to achieving and maintaining your goals are to try new techniques and find ways to stay motivated”. Being ready to change, getting rid of barriers, and knowing what might cause you to fall back into old habits can also be helpful. The article includes characteristics and strategies for each stage discussed below.. The stages of change even apply when one wants to buy a car or make a career jump.. Figuring out where you are at in the cycle, whether by writing or drawing it out, can help the process along.

If you are in the pre-contemplation stage where it is hard to recognize that there is a problem you might want to ask yourself if you have tried to change this behavior before.The next stage is contemplation and the article states that some people never make it past this stage, or that it can last months or years.. Again, asking yourself questions about why the change is important to you or how you would benefit would help. The preparation stage comes next and if you make it this far, you are gathering new information such as looking up consumer reports or downloading a marathon training program. The action stage then takes place and with it can come relief that you have made a decision or even just started following up your words. Maintenance stage has its own challenges and you might really need to reward yourself for resisting temptation in order to stay focused. Almost certainly you may relapse, it’s so common that it is even listed as one of the stages! That’s ok, remind yourself/your child/student how far you have come and the benefits that came along with it and jump back on track to one of the other stages. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You are a work in progress! Click here for the article.

Please use this link for counselor contact information. Students can use the QR code below to request a meeting with their school counselor.