Future Ready Massachusetts is a public communication campaign designed to promote awareness and understanding of what it takes for all students to be "college and career ready." To be Future Ready means a student has the knowldege, skills and experiences needed to complete further education and training that will provide access to the career of their choice.
Three key messages:
START NOW: It's never too early or too late to start planning for your future. Sometimes knowing the options is all it takes. As early as middle school students should have a college and career plan and success in ninth grade is critical. Get all the supports your student needs to pass all their classes in ninth grade and have a plan for the rest of high school.
AIM HIGH: Students who challenge themselves through a rigorous course of study are usually the ones who go the farthest. Taking challenging courses in high school is the single best predictor of how well students will do in college. Encourage students to take advanced placement, dual enrollment and online courses.
LOOK BEYOND:(outside the classroom) for learning opportunities that support career pathway development. Good grades and "book smarts" are not enough. Students need our help to identify jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities that interest them so they can plan for a career and gain experience for their life. These opportunities will help build workplace and interpersonal skills while identifying and supporting their career path.
MASHPEE LOCAL & COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS and MASHPEE SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION & TRUST
The Mashpee community is very generous in providing many local scholarships to our graduating seniors. All of the local, regional, and national scholarships are listed on Naviance. The application for most of the local scholarships is also on Naviance. The deadline for the local scholarships is in the month of March.
Log on to Naviance. Click on the COLLEGE tab; Scroll down to Scholarships.
Review list of all scholarships to determine your eligibility.
Fill out the local and community scholarship application and print.
Write an essay (of at least 300 words) describing YOU: your passions, your goals, any hardships you’ve had to overcome AND why you feel that you deserve scholarship assistance. This essay must be typed, with your name and signature at the bottom.
Then, make an appointment with Mrs. Maureen Goldsmith (mgoldsmith@mpspk12.org) to go over your list of scholarships, and create packets for each of the scholarship committees. (Please note: some may require recommendation letters or additional essay)
* Mashpee Local & Community Scholarship Deadline MARCH
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
* Please be aware that there are various deadline dates for Regional and National Scholarships.
Along with searching Naviance local, community and state scholarships, students can search the following free scholarship matching service.
FAFSA's can be submitted October – May ..do not delay!
Before filling out the FAFSA, be sure to:
Apply for a FSA USER ID!
Go here to apply for a FSA User ID to sign your FAFSA electronically and speed up the application process. If you are a dependent student for financial aid purposes (under 24, not married, no children), your parent will also need to apply for a PIN.
Gather Documents! YOU MUST HAVE:
Your social security number and your parents’ social security numbers, if you are providing parent information. You will also need your parents’ dates of birth. If your parents are divorced, separated, or widowed, you will need the month and date of the divorce/separation/death.
Your driver’s license number, if you have one.
Your alien registration number, if you are not a U.S. Citizen.
A Federal tax information or tax returns that are from 2 years prior, including W-2’s for yourself, for your spouse, if you are married, and for your parent, if you are providing parent information.
Records of untaxed income from 2 years prior (such as child support and retirement contributions). Information on savings and investment for yourself (and your parents, if you are providing parents information). This includes the balance of all checking and savings accounts.
Current market value of all real estate property including multiple family houses NOT the student’s, spouses, or parent’s primary residence.
Remember you can START applying as of October do not delay….
PLEASE be sure to answer all the required questions; leaving questions blank causes delays in processing your aid.
When you are ready to begin select “filling out the FAFSA” and follow the on-screen instructions.
If you have questions or need help click the “live help” link. Send and receive real-time answers to questions by email, or call 1-800-4 FED-AID to speak to a customer service representative.
Enter the school code for all the colleges to which you are applying.
Review your answers carefully.
At the end of the application, you can apply for a pin at that time, if you do not have one.
Have your parents sign with a FSA User ID or print, sign and mail in a paper signature page.
Submit your FAFSA by using the “Submit My FAFSA Now” button.
MMHS School Counselors encourage early awareness and planning. Through a systemic approach school counselors work with students and families to help guide them through the college planning and admissions process. It is never too early to start planning for your future.
Freshman Year
Become familiar with Power School and Naviance
Keep track of your grades using Power School
Use Naviance to start looking up information about college and scholarships
Set academic goals for each school term – Create your four-year plan.
Take demanding classes and make sure to get good grades
Meet with your school counselor
Participate in extra-curricular activities
Sophomore Year
Meet with your school counselor
Prepare to take the PSATS in October
Practice taking timed tests
Register with the College Board to start the career and college exploration
Make a list of schools you would like to explore
Go on as many college tours as possible
Schedule interviews and meetings with admission reps
Participate in volunteer work and extracurricular activities
Participate in summer educational programs
Junior Year
Take the PSAT in October
Use College Board and Naviance for researching different schools
Meet with your school counselor to discuss future plans (invite parents).
Visit college campuses; take tours and schedule interview appointments.
Keep a calendar of all the different test dates
Continued academic improvement help make your application stand out.
Register for ACT, SAT, & SAT subject tests spring SAT (March, May or June)
Sign up for your senior classes; take challenging courses.
Focus on updating your resume to help fill out applications during senior year.
Study and take your AP courses seriously; qualifying scores = college credit.
Ask your 2-3 teachers to write you a letter of recommendation for the fall.
Start writing your college essay rough draft and have your teacher(s) edit it.
Take summer college courses through Dual Enrollment or participate in a summer college program.
Senior Year
Start the college application process very early in the fall
Retake the SAT in October; arrange to have test scores sent to colleges.
Keep track of all applications, financial aid & scholarship deadlines on a calendar.
Prove to schools you are ready and organized by applying Early Action
If you apply Early Action/Early Decision, most deadlines are Nov 1st or 15TH
Meet with college admissions representatives who visit the Guidance Office
Meet your school counselor early in the year to discuss your future
Talk to your counselor about college, scholarships, and financial aid
Student Athletes need to file the NCAA application for Division I or II schools.
Complete your college application essay and have a teacher proof read it
Send your SAT or ACT scores in online
Have all apps completed no later than December 1st
Have your parents complete the FAFSA after January 1st.
Complete the CSS Profile if you are applying to any private colleges
Apply for as many scholarships you are eligible for; Adhere to deadlines.
Stay focused on your academics.
Study hard for finals and AP exams.
Attend open houses for top schools you want to attend
National Decision Day is May 1st – send your acceptance & a deposit
Arrange for Guidance to send final transcript to your college.
FairTest
FairTest finds that nearly 850 four-year colleges do not use the SAT Reasoning or ACT to admit substantial numbers of bachelor degree applicants.
Common Application
There are now over 500 Common Application members in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. While they represent tremendous diversity in size, mission, location, and selectivity, they all share a commitment of promoting access through holistic admission.
Career Exploration
A tool for career exploration and job analysis! O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
Online Colleges in Massachusetts
The most comprehensive resource for students in Massachusetts interested in online colleges. In 2013 there were over 68,000 students who received their college education from one of these online institutions. Most of them are public institutions, and the tuition can be as low as $4,321 per year of study.
Colleges That Changes Lives
CTCL is dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process. Namely, working to educate families that the importance of understanding an individual student’s needs and how they “fit” with the mission and identity of an individual college community is more important than name and prestige.
LGBTQ Students
A College Guide for LGBTQ students to help search and find LGBTQ Friendly colleges/universities. A useful guide that offers valuable information, resources, and scholarships.
Degrees in the field of Psychology
If you are considering the world of Psychology as your chosen career path and want an overview, please check out psychology.org for helpful educational and career resources. http://www.psychology.org/degrees http://www.psychology.org/degrees/associate/ http://www.psychology.org/degrees/bachelors/ http://www.psychology.org/experts/
CEEB CODE 221 323 (CEEB code is issued by the Educational Testing Service (ETS)/mostly used in college entrance exams such as SAT & ACT)
Description of the ACT
The ACT (No Writing) consists of four multiple-choice tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science. The ACT Plus Writing includes the four multiple-choice tests and a Writing Test.
Requests for official transcript(s) and/or recommendation(s) must be made by using Naviance. All seniors are responsible for completing and submitting college applications online by the designated deadline. Please inform your counselor when you plan to submit an application electronically. It is highly recommended that you keep copies of all completed applications.
The School Counseling Office will only release official transcripts and recommendations to a college admissions office, not the student. The student must fill out and submit a Transcript Request on Naviance and inform Mrs. Goldmsith, the school counseling administrative assistant.
Please notify the school counseling office of acceptances, rejections, wait-list notifications and of any merit or other scholarships as soon as possible.
Please be careful to adhere to all deadlines provided by each institution.
Ensure that you register for the necessary SAT and /or ACT tests. Students are responsible for registering on-line in a timely fashion to avoid late fees and test locations off-Cape.
Please make certain that you provide The College Board with the Mashpee High School CEEB Code 221 323.
Naviance Family Connection lets the guidance department share information with you and your child about up-coming meetings and events, local scholarship opportunities, and other Web resources for college and career information. Naviance also offers college and career searches, personality and career interest inventories, etc. Contact Guidance Office if you have misplaced your log-in information.
Starting Point for Students and Parents. Research Colleges, get tips on how to negotiate the college process and much more with the help of the College Board.
The New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break for New England Residents. The annual catalog lists more than 700 undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered through the RSP Tuition Break and explains eligibility for residents of all six New England states - Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Download a copy of the Common Application - a general application form used by over 400
independent colleges that is available on-line.
Check out the list of colleges that are “Test Optional” by going to www.fairtest.org
Get valuable information and tips for college search, applications and testing by subscribing to www.InLikeMe.com , The College Admissions & Student Aid Resource Hub.
The NCAA Clearinghouse website. It will provide you with information about initial-eligibility
at NCAA Division I and II member colleges and universities.
Peterson's Education Center: Comprehensive guide to Colleges and Universities, Studying Abroad, Graduate Study, Summer Programs, Continuing Education, Testing and Assessment, and much more.
Do your college search using CollegeView® College Search. Offers hundreds of virtual tours,
financial aid and scholarship information, college search with profiles of over 3,800 colleges and
universities, college-related books and articles.
U.S. NEWS: Find your private, state, or community college. Plus compare colleges,
take the college personality quiz, or use the parent's guide.
Princeton Review personalized online search, selection and application tool. Test Preparation.
Fastweb's College Directory, including online applications, can get you there quickly, easily. Find your dream school and how to pay for it.
New England Board of Higher Education's Tuition Break Catalog. A comprehensive regional catalog of undergraduate degree programs at New England public colleges and universities available with an out-of-state tuition break to eligible residents of CT, ME, MA, NH, RI and VT.
Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, then go do that. Because the world needs people who have come aliveHoward Thurman
