March Senior Newsletter

Mar. 5, 2024 - Alma College campus tour permission slips distributed.

Mar. 5, 2024 - Kendall College of Art & Design admissions representative visit.

Mar. 8, 2024 - The Real Scoop on Paying for College: Students' and Families' Expectations vs. Reality WEBINAR 10-11am.

Mar. 11, 2024 - Alma College campus tour permission slips due to office.

Mar. 13, 2024 - Board Scholars Ceremony in CHS auditorium @ 6:30pm.

Mar. 15, 2024 - Delta College Course Registration Opens.

Mar. 15, 2024 - Career and Technical Education Scholarship Application Opens.

Mar. 18-22, 2024 - Spring Application Week--Institutions will be waiving application fees!

Mar. 19, 2024 - Early College and Dual Enrollment 10th Grade Parent Meeting 6:30-8pm.

Mar. 21, 2024 - Alma College Campus Tour.

Mar. 22, 2024 - CHS Scholarship Applications Due to Mr. Zink's office by 3pm. (HARD DEADLINE)

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Rumor has it, higher ed institutions will receive the Institutional Student Information Report (FAFSA information) by March 15th. Afterwards, these reports will be processed, and financial aid packages will be generated and sent to families by mid April.

If you have not filed your students' FAFSA, and would like to meet with me, please email me to schedule this!

REMINDER: Parents will be prompted with the question, “at any time during 2022 or 2023, did the student or anyone in their family receive benefits from any of the following federal programs” at which point they can check off a long list of federal assistance programs, including Free or Reduced-Price School Lunch. While it is recognized that EVERY student in public schools in Michigan RECEIVES free lunch, not every student actually QUALIFIES for free lunch. The NEW GUIDELINES FROM FEDERAL STUDENT AID say that families should only indicate that they receive F/R Lunch ONLY if the family meets the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) income eligibility guidelines.

We have been advised to tell families that if you have already checked the box for receive F/R Lunch, yet you don’t meet the USDA Income eligibility guidelines, to NOT SWITCH/CHANGE your answers. Just hang tight for now.

Please see THIS or THIS article for more information.

Below are all FAFSA resources for you to utilize:

GoingMerry FAFSA File Assistance (user friendly with live assistance for the FAFSA)

How to Create a FSA ID (video)

Create FSA ID

FAFSA website

Who needs to contribute to the FAFSA?

Just a few general updates for families.

• With the delay in financial aid packages, many higher ed institutions are pushing back their deposit deadline. Please refer to this spreadsheet for the most up-to-date financial aid information from ALL Michigan institutions.
• Important letter offering support and encouragement to your student(s)!
• Michigan institutions with FREE-tuition opportunities.
• Coleman Scholarship Application
• Article on Student Debt Relief Update.
• Here is my scholarship page that lists local, county, state, and national scholarships.
• I have updated my running list of college/university Spring Open Houses, and different tour options. Over SPRING BREAK, please sit down with your student and explore their campus with them virtually, or please reach out if you'd like assistance scheduling an in-person campus visit. (We may be able to assist with transportation costs!)
• I have also had the Counselor page on the Colemanschools website updated. Please use that as a resource as well!

I have created a multitude of different ways for students and parents to stay connect with me, and the career/college happenings. Please utilize any of the following:

Remind.com: code @3habdc4

Google Classroom invite code: iurpfbl

As always you can email me at szink@colemanschools.net or call my office phone at 989-465-6171