
College Application Month
October 2023
October is College Application Month!
Now is the time that Seniors are thinking about their future after high school. Does it include college, military, traveling, working or volunteering? Whatever pathway you are thinking about pursuing, RHS is here to help you with the journey.
College is one pathway that many RHS students pursue after graduation. During the month of October, there are many opportunities provided for students and parents to research colleges, attend events, receive help with college applications, and much, much more!
It is RHS's goal to provide every senior with guidance and assistance towards planning their post-secondary journey! The RHS Counselors started the school year by presenting to Seniors on August 30 and September 1 in the auditorium. The Senior Presentations were the beginning step in assisting students with their post-secondary planning.
In addition to the Senior Presentation and this newsletter, seniors will also receive information through the Class of 2024 Career and College Team, emails, announcements, and individual Senior meetings.
Please make sure to read through the entire newsletter so you don't miss out! It is filled with information and events that can assist you in the college application process.
If you have any questions, please email me at schneider.tammy@westada.org. I look forward to working with all of you during the year! Take care and have an amazing day!
Tammy Schneider
RHS College Career Counselor
College Planning
What steps should Seniors be completing during first semester?
1. Research Colleges
- Attend College Events during October. Information on College Events provided below
- Finalize college list (3-6 Colleges)
- Create spreadsheet of College requirement and deadlines
- Apply
Seniors will have opportunity to apply to colleges with counselor and college reps help during College Application Week (October 23-27)!
2. Create FSA ID and Submit FAFSA
- Create an FSA ID now. It takes 3-5 days to create and verify. Both parent/guardian and student will need to have an FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA!
- FAFSA opens up in December 2023!
- More information on FAFSA and Financial Aid provided below.
3. Research Scholarships
- Further scholarship information provided below
College Planning Resource: Next Steps Idaho, SCOIR, or RHS College Research Website
RHS College Planning Events
Monday, Oct. 23rd thru Friday, Oct. 27th - College Application Week (CAW)
- College Application Week (CAW) provides an opportunity for all Idaho seniors to complete and file college applications.
- October 26th and October 27th, Senior students in TOK and PPS will attend workshops on applying to college, financial aid, scholarships, and more with the goal of ensuring that all students apply to at least one certificate program or college/university program.
- Counselors and College representatives will be available to assist senior students during CAW sessions.
College Fair
Thursday, October 19th – National College Fair
Upcoming College Events
Envision - University of Idaho
October 6, 2023 OR November 4, 2023
University of Idaho Campus (Moscow, ID)
October 20, 2023
BYU Idaho Campus (Rexburg, ID)
Bronco Day - Boise State University
October 14, 2023
Boise State University Campus (Boise, ID)
Experience Idaho State University
October 27, 2023
Idaho State University Campus (Pocatello, ID)
Discovery Day - Lewis Clark State College
November 3, 2023 OR November 10, 2023 OR November 11, 2023
Lewis Clark State College Campus (Lewiston, ID)
October 27, 2023 OR November 17, 2023
Northwest Nazarene University Campus (Nampa, ID)
College of Idaho Fall Discovery Day
October 28, 2023
College of Idaho Campus (Caldwell, ID)
Students…especially Seniors…are encouraged to attend these events if they are interested in attending the college or university!
School event not listed? Check the college or university’s website for college tours and visits!
College & Military Visits - RHS Campus
College and Military rep visits are usually held during lunch.
Students can check SCOIR or https://www.westada.org/o/rhs/page/college-visits-and-events for College and Military visits. Visits are also in the announcements.
Financial Aid - FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is scheduled to open December for Seniors!
Seniors planning on going to college in Fall 2024 are encouraged to have parents complete the FAFSA to receive Financial Aid.
Information on the FAFSA at
https://studentaid.gov/ or Next Steps Idaho.
Did you know…many scholarships and other forms of financial assistance require the FAFSA be completed prior to distributing funds. Deadlines for specific post-secondary programs and financial assistance opportunities vary for each educational institution.
Check with your college or university for financial assistance deadlines.
Financial Aid or FAFSA Resources
- Financial Aid and FAFSA Information Night @ RHS (November 14th - 6:30-8:00 PM)
Scholarship Resources
Students are encouraged to check the following sites for scholarships and begin “mapping” out deadlines & criteria!
Types of Scholarships to Research:
College Scholarships
- Check college website for scholarship opportunities available to incoming students!
Regional/Idaho Scholarships
Additional Regional/Idaho Scholarship websites can be found on the RHS Counseling website.
National Scholarships
Additional National Scholarship websites can be found on the RHS Counseling website.
RHS Website
Check out RHS website for ADDITIONAL scholarship information, resources, and websites.
During Senior year, LOCAL scholarship opportunities are updated weekly on the website from December through April!
Idaho Launch Grant
Eligible Institutions:
Programs aligned to in-demand careers at the following:
- Idaho CTE Schools
- Workforce training opportunities through colleges and private providers (i.e., CDL schools, Training Centers, etc.)
Idaho 2-year Community Colleges
- Programs prioritized by in-demand careers before two-year academic degrees.
Amount:
This is a one-time benefit that provides a grant toward 80% of the tuition and fees at an eligible institution up to a maximum of $8,000.
Students can receive up to one-half of the initial grant award in the first year of a program.
However, for programs that are less than 12 months in length, students can use the full award amount (80% of tuition and fees up to $8,000) in one year.
Eligibility:
- Graduate from an Idaho High School or equivalent
- Be an Idaho resident.
- Be enrolled in or have applied to an in-demand career program at an eligible Idaho institution.
- Begin enrollment by Fall Semester after graduation.
- Complete Next Steps Idaho Career Pathway Plan
- Review the approved list of eligible in-demand careers
Application Process:
1. Apply through Scholarship Idaho – Opens October 3rd
2. Receive a Contingent Award Letter (the award is contingent upon meeting the eligibility requirements).
3. Receive and accept the Final Award Letter, which is emailed through Scholarship Idaho after eligibility is verified.
Deadline: April 15
For further details, visit https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch.
Questions? Email idaholaunch@wdc.idaho.gov
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship
Eligible Institutions:
Must attend one of the following Idaho 4-year college or university:
- Boise State University
- Brigham Young University–Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Lewis Clark State College
- Northwest Nazarene University
- The College of Idaho
- University of Idaho
- Western Governors University
Amount:
Up to $3,500
Renewable up to 4 years
Eligibility:
- Have an unweighted, cumulative GPA of at least 2.7.
- Be an Idaho resident.
- Graduated or will graduate from an eligible Idaho high school, Idaho home school, or its equivalent (GED/HSE from Idaho)
- Must attend during the upcoming academic year (fall semester)
- Must pursue a first bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1
Application Process:
1. Apply through Scholarship Idaho – Opens October 3rd
2. Complete a FAFSA application by March 1.
Deadline: March 1
For further details, visit https://boardofed.idaho.gov/scholarships/idaho-opportunity-scholarship/
SCOIR
SCOIR will help students with:
Sending Transcripts
Managing College Applications
College Visits
Finding A College Fit
Any school moved to your "applied" column on the far right, or added to your applied column by clicking "add college" at the top of the "applied" column, will have a transcript sent to it.
Need Help?
Do you need help with your future plans? Do you have questions about college, financial aid, careers, and much, much more? Let the Career College Counselor help you! Email or schedule an appointment to see Mrs. Schneider (schneider.tammy@westada.org) and she can assist you with the future!