What YOU parents NEED to know! Senior Night What YOU parents NEED to know!

2018-2019 Counselors Mary Dobson A-Ch Mia Morrison Ci-Gom Tisha Henderson Gon-Lam Miranda Todd Lan-Par Jake Wolff Pas-Sta Rebecca Shay Ste-Z Wendy Knight…..Counseling Secretary Rosa Smith…..Registrar

Visits Starting next week, Counselors will be meeting with each senior on an individual basis to go over senior year information and the college application process. We will also review the classes students need to graduate and any testing they need as well. Please ask your student to bring their questions they may have at the meeting.

College applications Narrow their search: 3-5 colleges is the average number students apply especially because of application fees. Use resources: Opportunity Books, Naviance and College Board Work on applications according to deadline and make sure they are filling them out completely. Follow instructions regarding: SAT/ACT scores, Transcript request, Letters of Recommendation and Personal Essays. Have your student proof read EVERYTHING!!! Have someone else proof read. Students may want to print a copy of the essay in case the college contacts with questions.

College applications cont’d The counselors do not have access to user names and passwords. Please make sure your student is writing them down in a safe place. Include all activities the student has done throughout their high school career. This includes activities outside of school.

Transcripts/grades Maintain grades through the year. GPA’s and ranks will be updated twice per year: The end of 1st semester and end of the year. Mid-year reports will be automatically sent to every college the students has requested an initial transcript. Final transcripts will be sent to the students final college selection.

PARENTS Finally The colleges know the difference!! PLEASE do not do the college application for your student. The colleges know the difference!!

scholarships Four of the major legitimate scholarship search sites are Stafford County is proud to offer the Naviance Family Connection program for students to use for career and college research. All students registered at Colonial Forge High School have a Naviance account. Please note that all local scholarships are advertised through Naviance. All relevant information and scholarship applications will be stored in Naviance.  The website is https://connection.naviance.com/family- connection/auth/login/?hsid=colonialfh Four of the major legitimate scholarship search sites are www.collegeboard.org www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch

Tips for Winning scholarships Apply early and apply often! It’s common sense that the more scholarships you actively seek to win, the better your odds are of winning. Cast a wide net – applying for as many scholarships as you’re matched to will make all the difference in winning one. Stay organized, keeping deadlines in mind! Always aim to complete your applications before the deadline so that you have plenty of extra time to fix your application should any issues occur. Application deadlines aren’t suggestions – they are final. Keep a calendar that outlines your application deadlines. Complete papers applications as neatly as possible. Never use pencil. Never wait until the deadline to submit your application – apply as early as possible. Make a scholarship application schedule and stick to it. Set aside a specific time that you’re going to focus on applying for scholarships. It can be one night a week, an hour each day or whatever works with your schedule. When the designated time rolls around, focus your efforts solely on your scholarship applications to ensure that you follow through with the process.

Beware of scholarship scams and financial aid scams Familiarize yourself with the warning signs for scholarship and financial aid scams. They’re easier than you think to spot! Here are some scholarship scam warning signs you should be aware of: • Fees: True scholarships are there to aid you, not the other way around so never pay to apply for scholarships or financial aid. • Guarantees You’ll Win: Legitimate scholarship sponsors will never guarantee that you’ll win. If an offer is guaranteed, it’s exactly as it seems: too good to be true. • You’re already a winner! You didn’t apply, yet you’ve won. Legitimate scholarship offers are those you need to put effort into winning through the application process – you aren’t just awarded money for no reason. • Personal Information Requests: A legitimate scholarship sponsor will never request personal information that you shouldn’t be giving out, like your social security number. If you’re ever uncomfortable with the type of information requested, it’s likely not a legitimate offer. • Missing Sponsor Information: When a scholarship sponsor is legitimate, you will always be able to access their contact information in some form. If it seems like a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” type of situation, look at it as a red flag for a scam.

Things to remember College Fair October 17th 6:30-8:30 Spotsylvania Towne Center (pre-register at www.gotocollegefairs.com) CFHS SAT Prep Class sessions $140.00 (SAT dates 11/3 and 12/1) ASVAB November 7th or 8th @CFHS Schedule to take SAT and/or ACT. Check the College Board and ACT website for dates/locations Financial Aid Workshop Tonight right after program! Scholarships will be listed on Naviance College Visits @ CFHS (updates on website). Sign up with Ms. Knight in Counseling Military Recruiters during lunches (refer to counseling link on website) NCAA Clearinghouse for athletes: ncaa.org Twitter: @ForgeCounselors

College visits 2018-2019 Please be sure to check the counseling calendar for all upcoming visits. Students will need to see Mrs. Knight in the counseling office to sign up for the visit, a pass will be sent for your student to get out of class. Dates subject to change due to any testing conflicts. 9/18/18 @ 8:30 AM   University of William and Mary 9/19/18 @ 1:30 PM Christopher Newport University 9/24/18 @ 1:00 PM Campbell University 9/25/18 @ 8:30 AM Germanna Community College 9/25/18 @ 10:00 AM Mary Baldwin University

College visits cont’d 10/1/18 @ 1:00 PM Richard Bland College 10/2/18 @ 1:00 PM George Mason University 10/5/18 @ 1:00 PM Shenandoah University 10/9/18 @ 9:00 AM Old Dominion University 10/11/18 @ 8:00 AM University of Mary Washington 10/15/18 @ 10:00 AM Widener University 10/16/18 @ 8:30 AM University of Scranton 10/17/18 @ 8:00 AM Massachusetts Maritime Academy

College visits cont’d 10/18/18 @ 8:00 AM University of Virginia (UVA) 10/18/18 @ 9:30 AM James Madison University (JMU) 10/18/18 @ 1:00 PM Randolph College 10/19/18 @ 1:00 PM Randolph-Macon College 10/29/18 @ 9:00 AM University of Lynchburg 11/15/2018 @ 8:00 AM Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) 3/12/18 @ 8:00 AM Germanna Community College

Military recruiter visits Air Force 2nd and 4th Thursdays SSgt. Davis 703-200-8148 Army 2nd and 4th Wednesdays SSgt. Empie 540-720-7296 Coast Guard 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Petty Officer Davis 540-785-4063 Marines 1st and 3rd Wednesdays SSgt. Gwin 540-659-5452 Navy 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Petty Officer Wilson 540-657-6778 National Guard 1st and 3rd Thursday SSG Kathy Hopkins 434-962-7253