March 2020
March 2020
ACT TEST DATES
You will need to register for the ACT at www.act.org. Be sure to pick up an ACT practice packet in the Guidance Office. Testing dates are as follows:
TEST Deadline to Register Late Fee Required
April 4, 2020 February 29, 2020 March 1-16, 2020
June 13, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 9-25, 2020
July 18, 2020 June 19, 2020 June 20-29, 2020
Do NOT wait until the last minute to register as it takes about two hours to complete the first time! It is recommended that juniors who are planning to go to college take the test for the first time no later than the December administration. Seniors who are taking it for the first time should take it as soon as possible! The ACT is the test score that colleges in this area want to see.
When you are completing the ACT Registration Form, you will need to list the colleges that you want your score sent to. Make sure you are including your most likely choices in this list. Larger colleges like Ohio State, Univ. of Miami, and Univ. of Cincinnati require that they receive your scores directly from the ACT company as well as from your high school.
- You should take the Writing portion of the ACT at least one time. Most colleges in Ohio prefer to see that you have taken this portion at least one time. If you have questions about a specific college, see Mrs. Meyer.
SAT TEST DATES
If you wish to take the SAT, register at www.collegeboard.org. Testing dates are as follows:
TEST Deadline to Register Late Registration Closes
May 2, 2020 April 3, 2020 April 22, 2020
June 6, 2020 May 8, 2020 May 30, 2020
ACT PREP WEBSITES AVAILABLE!
www.March2Success.com (free)
This site is sponsored by the U.S. Army (if you do not want to be
contacted by a recruiter, just check “no” when registering—no obligations for
just using the site). Several students who needed to raise their scores for scholarships purposes have found it helpful in the past.
www.actstudent.org/academy (free)
Visit the official ACT student website and view video lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length practice tests, educational games, and other materials targeted to a student’s academic/testing needs. ACT Academy provides learners with a personalized study plan based on pervious scores from the ACT test, Pre-ACT, and official ACT practice tests.
www.number2.com/exams/act (free)
You can register at this site to take free Practice Tests and get other test- taking tips!
www.infohio.org (free)
Go to the Learning Express Library. Register as a student, and here you will find free on-line prep courses and free down-loadable prep books to help study for the ACT!
- There are also various resources available at a cost. Copies of some of these preparation books can also be found at local libraries or can be found on-line.
*** The Guidance Office has 2 new ACT Prep Guide Books and 2 CDs to loan out for your preparation! See Mrs. Meyer or Ms. Tennant if you are interested!
COLLEGE/SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES & FINANCIAL AID HELP
For good info about college searches and scholarship notification, you will definitely want to check out the following websites:
www.EducationPlanner.com www.CollegeAnswer.com, www.KnowHow2GoOhio.org www.meritaid.com
www.admissions.com www.studentedge.com
www.CollegeBoard.com. www.anycollege.com
www.nitrocollege.com
www.salliemae.com (free Education Investment Calculator)
www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa (BG website offers short videos on financial aid topics)
www.christianconnector.com (request information & automatically be entered in $2,500.00 scholarship drawing)
Free Scholarship Searches! Register at www.Scholarships.com and www.fastweb.com.
Take On-line Campus Tours! Go to www.eCampusTours.com
The “Need A Lift” book sponsored by the American Legion is available in the Guidance Office. It contains extensive information on scholarships for veteran’s dependents.
PLAYING ATHLETICS IN COLLEGE?
Juniors and Seniors: If you are interested in playing athletics in college, you must register with the governing body of the athletic league to which the college you are playing in belongs. It is preferable to do this at the end of your Junior year in high school. If you are looking into playing at a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (https://web1.ncaa.org/eligibilitycenter).
When taking your ACT or SAT, designate the NCAA as one of your “College Choices” by entering the code “9999”. The NCAA must receive your score directly from the company; they will not take it off of your transcript from the high school.
If you are looking into playing at an NAIA school, you must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center (www.playnaia.org). If you register with either one of these centers, please let Mrs. Meyer know so that she can forward more information to the sites when asked for it. Complete lists of schools and their affiliations can be found at each website. You are urged to keep in close contact with college coaches you may be working with to ensure a smooth transition from the high school to college arena.
COLLEGE FAIR
Allen County College Fair – This free event will be held at the Apollo Career Center located at 325 Shawnee Rd, Lima, on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. Twenty-one colleges and universities will be in attendance to visit with students and parents. For more information or questions contact Shannon Bowers at 419-222-1836 extension 109.
LIMA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE CAREER EXPLORATION DAY
This Exploration day is designed to provide meaningful real-world career experiences and leadership development opportunities for high school students in a chosen field(s) of interest. As a participant, the student will be able to make informed decisions about future careers and determine if a particular healthcare career is right for them. The following are the dates for specific healthcare areas:
March 11, 2020 – Respiratory Therapy & Nursing
April 29, 2020 – Pharmacy & Radiology
To register go to www.limamemorial.org/community-relations and click on Youth Resources. Students must register to attend any or all of the sessions.
PIONEER ELECTRIC YOUTH TOUR
This program is open to sophomores and juniors whose parents are customers of Pioneer Electric. This week-long, all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., is for one or two high school sophomores or juniors to use leadership skills in addition to meeting with their congressional leaders at the U.S. Capitol, and learning more about the cooperative business model while making new friends. The trip will take place June 19-25, 2020. For more information and to apply go to https://www.pioneerec.com/its-back-youth-tour-returns-pioneer-electric.
APPRENTICESHIPS, INTERNSHIPS and OTHER JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Sollman Electric – There are growing careers in the Electrical Field, and Sollman Electric has hired on average 2-3 students per year from the programs at Upper Valley Career Center and/or the Miami Valley Career Technology Center. If you are interested in pursuing a career in electrical construction field or questions regarding these programs, please contact Jeff Bertke or Tony Trapp at the Upper Valley Career Center at
937-778-1980 or Robert Ewry at the Miami Valley CTC at 937-854-6237 or speak with Mrs. Meyer in the Guidance office about the programs offered.
Edison State and Honda Student Internships – Apply to Edison State Community College in one of two Engineering Technology degree programs: Electro-Mechanical or Automation and Robotics degrees. Then apply to Honda at https://www.honda.com/careers/find-a-job-internships-and-coops. This meeting is for students and parents with pizza and drinks being served. Please RSVP to Veronica French by email, vfrench@edisonohio.edu or by calling 937-778-7865 to leave a message.
Edison State and Phelan Insurance of Versailles – This is a registered apprenticeship opportunity position and related instruction is required through Edison State Community college in the Business – Short-Term Certificate Program. A $2,500 grant is available to help offset tuition, as well as other grant options. This is a paid apprenticeship offered by Phelan Insurance in Versailles for students and/or current graduates who may have an interest in employment in the insurance field. For more information contact Brandi Olberding at Edison State at 937-381-1533 or bolberding@edisonohio.edu. Information is also available in the Guidance office.
Lowe’s Track to the Trades – Track to the Trades Program is designed to help employees of Lowe’s to launch a career in the trades of carpentry, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and appliance repair. In this program, Lowe’s pays for 100% of the employee’s tuition upfront. The only requirement is that the employee be with the company for at least 6 months. To apply for a job position at Lowe’s go to www.jobs.lowes.com and for more information on this program, you may contact Derrik Cupps at derrik.cupps@lowes.com or by calling
937-553-8995.
Integrity Tree Services – Integrity Tree Services is offering career opportunities to those seniors that are not planning on attending college in the field of forestry. They offer competitive pay, 100% employer-paid health, life, and disability insurance, retirement saving match, bonuses, paid holidays and vacations, full training, as well as other incentives. For more information go on their website at www.INTEGRITYTREE.CAREERS. Also, check out the flyer posted on the Guidance and cafeteria bulletin boards.
Careers with the State of Ohio – To search jobs and positions available with the State of Ohio, including ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation), visit http://careers.ohio.gov. Apprenticeships and internships are also available through different state agencies when asked.
COLLEGE OPEN HOUSE DAYS
Colleges set aside days to feature or “spotlight” certain majors—kind of like an “open house”. To schedule college visits, go to the college’s website for information and registration. Listed below are some colleges that we have received special announcements about. Check college websites to find out about others.
The Ohio State University, Lima – To schedule a visit, go to the website at www.go.OSU.edu/visitlima or call the Office of Admissions at 567-242-7500. For students that have received admission to The Ohio State University, Lima, a Student Reception will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
University of Northwestern Ohio – UNOH will be holding their Spring Preview Days on April 17 and 18, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the scholarship testing beginning at 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. for those students who have been accepted for the fall. Students will be able to tour the campus, shops, and dorms, as well as meet with instructors, check out clubs, and attend financial aid seminars. Go to www.unoh.edu to register to attend the open house.
Ohio Northern University – ONU will be hosting several spring visit day on April 18, and a summer visit day of August 1, 2020. These visit days are open to all high school students for all academic programs. To register to attend any of these dates, go to www.onu.edu.
Additional College Information
For descriptions of Private Colleges in Ohio, go to www.OhioPrivateColleges.com to download information
visit www.CIAmerica.org for information on the Court Reporting Institute of America.
*There are over 300 colleges who will accept “The Common Application” to apply to their university. See the map in the Guidance Office to find out which colleges accept this.
University of Dayton - If you are applying, they encourage that you attach a separate page listing your extra-curricular and service activities. Their admissions process is becoming more competitive, so providing information about yourself beyond the regular application may help your chances of begin accepted.
Bowling Green State University – BGSU has begun the Falcon Tuition Guarantee program. This is a program that will lock in the same price for tuition for four years and will give students the opportunity to know just how much a 4-year education will cost. BGSU also has joined the Common Application. Students may complete the BGSU application or the Common Application. Students may apply for admission online at http://choose.bgsu.edu/apply/online. Freshman scholarships, automatic and renewable, may be viewed by going to the Scholarship Calculator at http://choose.bgsu.edu/aid/scholarships.
University of Findlay will be offering high school students that are interested in a career in pharmacy an opportunity to attend the Pharmacy Summer Camp 2020 from June 21-25, 2020. The Pharmacy Summer Camp is open to high school students that will be juniors or seniors. Camp tuition includes housing, meals, camp instruction materials, lab exercise supplies, and field trip transportation and expenses. Registration cost is $495 for the 5 days. For registration and more information go to pharmacy@findlay.edu. The camp has availability for only 60 students and is a first-come-first-serve basis. The last day to receive a full refund is May 1, 2020.
2019 SCHOLARSHIPCONNECT
ScholarshipConnect is now open! Students are now able to search and apply online for scholarships through ScholarshipConnect located on The Dayton Foundation website, www.daytonfoundation.org. For further information or questions, please call Jessica Scarce at 937-225-9955 or Michelle Brown at 937-225-9965. Completed applications are due to the Dayton Foundation March 6, 2020 by 4:00 p.m.
RAEBURN E. BARNES TRUST LOAN PROGRAM
The Barnes Trust is a low-interest college loan program open to any student living in a Shelby County school district. Students are encouraged to submit their application as soon as possible, as their funds do run out.
The last possible date to apply is March 31, 2020. Please stop in the Guidance Office for an information packet.
Hauss – Helms Foundation
The Hauss-Helms Foundation was established to aid worthy students that live in the Auglaize/Allen Counties of Ohio area to continue their education past high school. The application and rules are now available on the website at www.hauss-helmsfoundation.org. Applications must be received no later than March 16, 2020.
Buckeye Boys and Girls State
American Legion Buckeye Boys State – Buckeye Boys State is an 8-day “hands on” experience in the operation of the Democratic form of government, the organization of political parties, and the relationship of one to the other in shaping Ohio Government. Eligibility is limited to young men who have completed the 11th grade. This year’s Buckeye Boys State will be held at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio from June 14 through June 20, 2020. If interested in attending, please stop in the Guidance office for an application and further information.
American Legion Auxiliary Buckeye Girls State – The main objective of the Girls State program is to train young women, who have completed the 11th grade, in the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities of citizenship by providing participants to actively participate in a democratic form of government. This year’s Buckeye Girls State will be held at the University Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio from June 14 through June 20, 2020. If interested in attending, please stop in the Guidance office for an application and further information.
NOTE: Students will be sponsored by the Heiland Post of the American Legion.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Botkins Local Scholarships Application –Apply for several scholarships sponsored by local donors by completing one application. Winners will be announced at the Botkins Education Foundation Banquet on May 11th at the Palazzo. Due date of April 1, 2020.
Carol Hemmert Kohnen Leadership Award – A $2500 award given to an outstanding female in the Senior class that honors Botkins alumni Carol Hemmert Kohnen. Application is available in the Guidance Office and is due April 1, 2020.
ABCs Scholarship (Botkins Academic Boosters Club) – Two scholarships of $1000 and $500 are awarded for this scholarship essay contest. Applications are available in the Guidance Office and due April 8, 2020.
Shelby County Retired Teachers Association - Kent Smith Scholarship – This $500 scholarship will be awarded to a college student that is majoring in education, and who graduated from a Shelby County school district. For questions, please call Karen Gariety at 937-492-3569. Applications are available in the Guidance office and the deadline is April 24, 2020.
Rotary Club of Sidney Scholarship – This year the Sidney Rotary Club will be awarding four scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. One scholarship will be awarded to a student that will be attending a trade school, and the other three will go to students attending four-year college/university programs. Applications and scholarship directions are available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is March 8, 2020.
The Ohio State University Lima – The Griffith Family Scholarship has a March 15th deadline with first preference to those students that live in Hardin county and have a background in agriculture. Access to all of these scholarship opportunities are available on the Ohio State Lima website or by going to https://GO.OSU.EDU/LIMASCHOLARSHIPS
Emerson Climate Technologies - Rudolf G. Berg Scholarship – Students applying for this one-time $2,500 scholarship must attend a school in Shelby County or the Upper Valley Career Center and have been accepted at a two or four-year accredited college or university. This scholarship is open to all seniors, and applications are available in the Guidance office. Deadline to apply is Friday, March 27, 2020.
DP&L and Vectren Energy Leadership Scholarship – This scholarship will award three $1,000 scholarships and is open to students whose parents are customers of Vectren or DP& L service, attending a 2 or 4-year college/university, and be interested in a STEM career. The application is available in the Guidance office or at https://www.ohioenergy.org/. Deadline to apply is March 20, 2020.
Altrusa Club Grant – This scholarship is available to those students graduating in 2020, and that have been a resident of Shelby County for at least 5 years. Applications are available in the Guidance office, and the deadline to apply is April 10, 2020.
B. Davis Scholarship - The creators of “Student Award Search Aid” are offering this $1,000 scholarship. Application and information are available at the website, www.studentawardsearch.com/scholarships.htm. Applications must be submitted online, and the deadline for this scholarship is May 22, 2020.
VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest – This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 and includes home-schooled students. In addition to local and state prizes, students ware competing for a $10,000 National Scholarship. For official application, rules and information, go to www.vfwauxiliary.org. Deadline is March 31, 2020.
Ohio Living Dorothy Love VolunTeen Scholarship – This $500 scholarship will be awarded to a Shelby County graduating senior that plans on enrolling in a 2 or 4-year college, and that volunteers at Dorothy Love and completes a minimum of 32 volunteer hours. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2020. For more information contact Betsy Naseman at (937) 497-6529.
Megawatt Scholarship Program – This $5,000 scholarship is open to those seniors that plan on pursuing a STEM-focused major. Students may apply online at www.megawattscholarships.org or pick-up an application in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is March 6, 2020.
Ray Ford Nurses Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded to those graduating seniors who have a minimum of a 3.00 GPA or better and are pursuing a degree in the field of Nursing. This scholarship is renewable, but not guaranteed. The application needs to be submitted prior to the March 15, 2020 deadline. Applications are available in the Guidance office.
BigSun Scholarship – The BigSun Organization is offering their annual scholarship to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. All student athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of which sport they participate. Their participation maybe in any capacity, whether as a player, coach, or official. Please visit their website at http://www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply. This year’s deadline to apply is
June 19, 2020.
Wapakoneta Area Community Foundation Albert Egbert and Larry Sanders Scholarships – This year all applications must be done by going online at the website www.wapakacf.org, clicking on scholarship applications. Students will need to register and complete an initial application once there. Once that is completed, the site will direct the student to any specific scholarships they may be eligible to receive. If initial on-line application indicates the student may be eligible for the Wapakoneta AmVets Post #333, Niki Schaub
4-H, or Wapakoneta FOE Aerie 691 Scholarships, they will need to pick up a hard copy application at the sites indicated and return it those sites. The online application process will begin January 2, 2020 and applications must be received by March 31, 2020.
Glen R. Kershner Memorial Scholarship – Students whose parent(s) are a member of the Universal 1 Credit Union and are planning to attend an accredited college or university, may apply for this $1,000 scholarship. Applications are available online at www.ulcu.org or in the Guidance office. Deadline to apply is March 9, 2020.
HRAWO Scholarship – Human Resources Association of Western Ohio will be giving one scholarship to be used towards an associate’s or bachelor’s degree to a student pursuing a degree in Human Resources or a related field. At the end of the freshman year, the recipient will be considered for a second scholarship, providing they have carried a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester and has maintained a 3.00 GPA. High school students applying for this scholarship must have a GPA of 3.00 and be a graduate of a high school in Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Miami or Shelby County. Applications, requirements, and rules are available in the Guidance office. The deadline to submit an application is April 10, 2020, and it must be emailed to hrwesternohio@gmail.com.
Access Engineering Solutions, LLC Scholarship – This is a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to a high school senior that will be pursuing an undergraduate degree in the field of Civil Engineering, Surveying, or a related field of study. The application can be emailed to nkt@accessengllc.com or mailed to Access Engineering Solutions 1200 Irmscher Blvd., Suite B, Celina, Ohio 45822. Applications are available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is March 27, 2020.
Community Foundation of Shelby County Skills Scholarship – The application for this scholarship is completely online and is found at www.commfoun.com. Students may also find requirements for this scholarship on the website. Deadline to apply is March 12, 2020.
William D. Squires Educational Foundation – This $4,000 renewable scholarship is offered to graduating seniors who may have financial need, already know their career goal, are highly motivated, of good character, and have a minimum GPA of 3.20. There will be 15 scholarships awarded. A copy of the scholarship application and detailed information are available at www.wmdsquiresfoundation.org. Applications will be accepted from February 15th through April 5th.
Bruce Hogston Memorial - Shelby County Coin Club Scholarship – Students graduating in 2017, and who have been accepted, or in the process of applying, to a two or four-year college/university, may apply for this scholarship. Application details are available in the Guidance office. Essays and cover sheets should be turned into the Guidance office by March 27, 2020 to meet the application deadline.
Shelby County Farm Bureau Scholarship – This $500 scholarship is available to students entering college in any major, and whose parents are members of the Shelby County Farm Bureau. Applications are available in the Guidance office and all applications must be returned to the Shelby County Farm Bureau office by the deadline of March 15, 2020.
Sidney Shelby County YMCA Lee E. Schauer Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship is for any college bound seniors with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA, has participated in sports and/or fitness activities, and is a $12,000 scholarship paid over a 4-year period. A list of criteria and application is available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2020.
Sidney-Shelby County YMCA Jim Lantz Scholarship – This is a one-year nonrenewable $1,000 scholarship available to any college bound senior that is a Shelby County resident with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. Application is available in the Guidance office, and the deadline to apply is April 3, 2020.
Alpha Delta Kappa Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship is offered to those who intend to further their education as a teaching/education major. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2020 and the application is available in the Guidance office.
The Major Samuel Woodfill Chapter 2020 Scholarship -This scholarship program is for children of U.S. Army soldiers in the Global War on Terrorism who are currently serving or have served, are AUSA members, or who belong to the Major Samuel Woodfill Chapter. This is a $1,000 scholarship and it is available to first-time freshmen and/or returning college students. To apply, go to http://www.ausatristae.org/scholarship.
The deadline to apply is April 1, 2020.
Ohio Gas Association Foundation Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship is available for students pursuing a career in the crude oil and natural gas industry, or a related field and is available to students that will be attending a 2 or 4-year college or university. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2020, and applications are available in the Guidance office or online at www.oogeep.org.
Fraternal Order of Police Gateway Lodge #138 Scholarship – The application for the Fraternal Order of Police Gateway Scholarship application is now available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2020.
Big Brothers Big Sisters “Big Buddies” Scholarship – Students applying for this $500 scholarship must meet the following requirements. Student must have at least a 2.5 GPA, attend a Shelby or Darke County school district, volunteer for Big Brothers Big sisters for two years and have a 75% attendance participation with the program, and planning to attend a two or four-year college, university, or technical school. Applications are available in the Guidance office. Deadline to apply is April 3, 2020.
James P. Humphrey Sidney-Shelby County Black Achievers Scholarship – This scholarship is to provide financial incentives to the African American youth of Shelby County to begin or continue their college education. Students eligible for the scholarship must be a high school senior who attends a Shelby County school or the Upper Valley Career Center, are residents of Shelby County and have a GPA of 2.00 or greater.
Applications are available online at www.blackachieversscholarship.com or in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is April 3, 2020.
Greater Ohio Valley Chapter of Women in Defense Horizons STEM Scholarship – The Greater Ohio Valley Chapter of WID scholarship program supports females interested in pursuing degrees/certifications in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) field with aspirations to pursue a career within or supporting the defense industry. Students must have a minimum 2.50 CUM GPA, pursuing a degree in a STEM field, and be a resident of one of the qualifying counties. This includes Shelby and Auglaize. The scholarship application must be typed and is available in the Guidance office. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2020.
CBC/VECTREN Lead the Way Creative Scholarship – A $5,000 scholarship program sponsored by CBC and Vectren Corporation to support our blood resource leaders of tomorrow. CBC and Vectren annually award $1,000 scholarships to five graduating high school seniors. It is open to all graduating high school seniors in CBC's 15-county service area who are college bound and whose high school hosts a CBC blood drive during the academic year. Applications are available online only at www.GivingBlood.org. Application deadline is March 20, 2020.
Wilson Health Auxiliary Scholarship – Students graduating in 2020 from a Shelby County high school with plans to enroll in college majoring in the medical field, as well as students who are currently enrolled in college majoring in a medical field may apply for this scholarship. To apply go online at www.wilsonhealth.org/careers/auxiliaryscholarship or pick-up a paper application at Wilson Health’s Main Campus in the main lobby. The deadline to apply is April 10, 2020.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
Dorothy Love VolunTeen opportunities are now available for those interested in a career in nursing, social work, dietary, or marketing, this is an excellent way to discover interests. Volunteers will do things like walk, read, play games and visit with residents, to just name a few. Dorothy Love Retirement Community is located at 3003 W. Cisco Road, near Sidney. For further information, please pick-up a brochure and application in the Guidance office, call Betsy Naseman at 937-497-6529 or email her at bnaseman@dorothylover.oprs.org.
Heartland Hospice Care – Heartland to Shelby County is in need of volunteers to offer support, companionship and practical, compassionate help. Some will interact directly with patients and families, while others prefer to work behind the scenes in the office setting. As a volunteer, you help determine which tasks you’re best suited to perform and scheduling is flexible. For more information call Dusty Hawkins, LPN, Heartland Hospice Volunteer Coordination at 937-299-6980 or at Duisty.hawkins@hcr-manorcare.com. You may also see the Guidance office for more information.