For Seniors

RECRUITERS/COLLEGES Visiting SHS
During Lunch in Commons

• Friday, September 20th - U.S. Army Recruiter
• Tuesday, September 24th - Missouri Welding Institute
• Thursday, September 26th - North Central Kansas Technical College
• Tuesday, October 1st - Kansas Wesleyan University

Kansas Apply Free Days - #ApplySouthHigh

Apply Kansas is a month-long, state-wide initiative to increase the number of students applying, enrolling, and succeeding in college or other postsecondary goals.  The Kansas Apply Free Days will be held on October 7-9, 2024! During these three days, any Kansas resident, regardless of age or income can apply for free at any of our 7 public universities, 19 community colleges, 6 Technical colleges, and the 21 private member institutions of the Kansas Independent Colleges Association. Eligible programs include general applications, certificate programs, associate degree programs, and bachelor degree programs. #ApplySouthHigh will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024 in the SHS Library.  Click the QR code to register for a timeslot.

Post-High School Planning Information

Class of 2025 check the Counselor Corner Google Classroom regularly for Senior news

 
Post-High School Planning Meetings
Be on the lookout for the upcoming Senior Post-High School Planning meetings during ELO.  This presentation will be available below to reference throughout the year.  If at any time you need assistance, please contact Mr. Allen.

Post-high school planning Presentation

Financial Aid Presentation
The SHS Counseling Department hosted Financial Aid Night on September 11th.  A representative from K-State Salina discussed financial aid resources, provided updates on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and answered questions about financing post-high secondary education.  Below is a link to the presentation.

Financial Aid Presentation

GSCF “Scholarship Bootcamp”
The SHS Counseling Department hosted representatives from the Greater Salina Community Foundation. GSCF presented “Scholarship Bootcamp” for interested Seniors and parents on September 12, 2024.  Topics presented included looking for scholarship resources, how to write resumes, and getting a good start on the scholarship process.

scholarship bootcamp presentation

Military Academy Nominations
Congressman Tracey Mann invites senior students who may have an interest in pursuing an appointment to one of America’s military service academies to complete the linked application.  Students seeking to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U. S. Air Force Academy, or U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, require an appointment from a member of Congress. Students are encouraged to apply to all academies they wish to attend. The included packet includes an application and check list. Completed applications should be emailed to Adrian Perfecto at adrian.perfecto@mail.house.gov or mailed to 317 Houston Street, Suite A, Manhattan, KS 66502. If mailed, the application must be sent as certified mail and must include a tracking number. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM central time on Friday, September 27, 2024. Interviews with my military academy nominations selection panel will be held on October 28, 2024, at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS. Event details will be provided at a later date.  Additional information regarding eligibility, application requirements, and frequently asked questions may be found here: https://mann.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations. For more information, please contact Adrian Perfecto at adrian.perfecto@mail.house.gov or (785) 370-7277. Graduating seniors are also encouraged to consider applying for internship opportunities with Congressional offices. More information regarding internship opportunities may be found here: https://mann.house.gov/services/internships.

College Planning Conference/Career Fair Event Opportunity
Salina Central will be hosting a College Planning Conference/Career Fair for Juniors and Seniors on Monday, October 21st (9:15am -10:00am).  There will be over 40 college/university and military representatives as well as 20-30 local employers in attendance looking for future employees.  If you are interested in attending, stop by the Student Center to pick up a Field Trip Form that will need to be signed by a parent in order to attend the event.  Students have the option of driving themselves to Salina Central or ride a bus that will be provided.   Colleges and Universities in attendance utilize StriveFair for easy sharing of information through the ease of a cell phone.  Make sure to register on StriveFair prior to October 21st.

2025-26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form
The 2025-26 FAFSA will open on December 1, 2024.  Select groups of students will be able to access and submit the form as early as October 1, 2024. The early access is part of a beta testing process designed by the Education Department to identify and fix FAFSA issues before the form’s public debut. Students enrolling for the academic year 2025/2026 can submit their FAFSA; families should use their 2023 income tax information. Before students and parents can complete the FAFSA, the student and all parents/guardians in the household must create an FSA ID. To create your FSA ID go to FSA ID Website.  

Class of 2025 Senior Photos for the Yearbook

The deadline for senior photographs for the yearbook is December 19 so plan now to meet the deadline. Photographs can be turned in as printed pictures, digitally on a CD or jump drive, or emailed to salinasouthgrad@gmail.com. If you are sending them digitally, make sure they are at a high resolution or the reproduction in the yearbook will be unsatisfactory. Senior portraits must meet the following criteria to be used in the yearbook:

The rationale behind these regulations is that head size remains consistent among all pictures and that all portraits command the same amount of attention rather than one individual standing out on the page. If you have any questions about the requirements or want the yearbook adviser to look at a photograph to see if it meets requirements, contact Kim Warren at kim.warren@usd305.com or 309-3798.

Yearbook staff members are also available to take a senior portrait for the yearbook. Students can contact Kim Warren to set up an appointment in the fall. Inter-State photos can also be used. The yearbook staff has access to the photos, but students just need to let Mrs. Warren know they want these used.

Extra 2023-24 Yearbooks - There are about a dozen extra 2023-2024 yearbooks for sale. They can be purchased in the main office for $70 on a first-come, first served basis.

Senior News...

Schwan's Open House Event
We are excited to invite you to an exclusive open house event at Schwan’s, in celebration of National Manufacturing Day, October 4^th from 11am-1pm! This is a unique opportunity to explore the future of automation and witness firsthand the innovative technology driving our operations. This open house is perfect for high school seniors looking to go into the technical field, automation/engineering college students, and staff members interested in helping guide students to new careers in automation, maintenance, refrigeration, and engineering. You’ll get a chance to experience how we utilize industry-leading, state-of-the-art automation technology. Due to limited spots, this open house is RSVP only. Please secure your spot by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer or by clicking the link provided. A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is required to attend. Please complete the attached NDA and return it to Jasmine.Ingram@schwans.com. Link: RSVP Form

Aviation Innovation and Maintenance AIM - Pre-Apprenticeship Program
The Aviation Innovation and Maintenance (AIM) Center of Excellence at SLN is a first-of-its-kind, six week, pre-apprenticeship program that introduces students to a gratifying career in the aviation maintenance industry.  The next Cohort will begin October 28th - December 13th, 2024.  Low cost of $200.  Visit www.aimcenter.aero to find out more information and register TODAY.

Google Certifications - Rural & Remote NWK
Rural & Remote NWK is pleased to announce a partnership with Grow with Google and is now offering scholarships to anyone (including graduating seniors) that are interested in upskilling, whether they are looking for a career change or wanting to advance in their current position. The scholarships are valid for one year and cover any/all of the following Professional Certifications. These certifications are designed for those without any prior experience or training and more information can be found on our website. We also have a new Cybersecurity Pathway that is very promising for anyone interested in technical remote work. This training begins with the Google Cybersecurity Professional certification, is suitable for anyone interested in Cybersecurity, and does not require any previous experience or training. R&R NWK is working with Enterprise KC, a non-profit organization that is focused on cybersecurity, to bring additional resources to the region and access to remote work opportunities to individuals in Northwest Kansas. Do you anyone that may benefit from these programs? Anyone interested in learning more should fill out a Contact Us form on our website or feel free to contact Maria Dahlquist (Technical Program Specialist) at 785-324-2266 with any questions. 

ACT/SAT Test Prep - METHODIZE
Students can take advantage of ACT/SAT Test Prep in XELLO. Methodize is Method Learning’s brand new online learning platform. Methodize consists of newly updated and revised ACT and SAT courses. Our online program has served over a million students in the past two decades and Methodize distills that experience into a new platform that makes it easier for students and teachers to do test prep. Students can access Methodize under "Links and Resources" in their XELLO account.

South High Student Opportunities...

Please read carefully. Some opportunities apply to a specific age/classification of student. Additional information is available in the Counseling Office.

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for opportunities to volunteer in the Salina and Saline County community? Here are some links to get started:

Volunteer Match, Salina Youth Helping Hands, Catholic Charities, Salina Family YMCA, Saline Emergency Food Bank, Salina Area United Way, Salina Regional Health Center Student Volunteer Program  

O'Brate Foundation - Dual Credit Scholarship
The O’Brate Foundation desires for students with limited financial means to have the ability to take college courses while in high school. Our Dual-Credit Awards vary based on each student’s enrollment status and financial situation. Students who apply earliest in the semester are extended Priority Consideration. Applications submitted before December 1st in the FALL semester and before May 1st in the SPRING semester will be considered. Login to SM Apply > Click Dual-Credit Scholarship from the Programs Menu. No access code or permissions required. Qualified applicants will be contacted by O’Brate Foundation Staff to complete an in-person or video conference interview within one to two weeks of application submission. Notification of the award decision may take two to three weeks after the interview.
 

RaiseMe Microscholarship Program
Did you know that you can start earning incremental college scholarships, also known as micro-scholarships, your freshman year of high school by signing up for the RaiseMe program? When you create your online portfolio, you can start logging your grades, classes, extracurricular activities, and other college prep experiences to track your progress toward college scholarships, all the way up to your senior year of high school. Colleges and universities have partnered with RaiseMe to help eligible high school students in grades 9-12 track their personal and academic progress and start earning micro-scholarships. These awards are performance-based scholarships that are earned for achievements both inside and outside the classroom, including excellent grades, volunteering, participation in extracurricular activities, and ACT/SAT scores. Raise Me offers high school students the opportunity to quantify their leadership in high school and their community, achieving good grades, taking challenging courses, and participating in extracurricular activities. Learn more about this exciting, no-cost opportunity and sign up. The deadline for seniors to add achievements to their RaiseMe profiles is December 1 of their senior year.

Kansas Regents Public Universities -
Financial Aid & Scholarship Information…

Emporia state university

• April 1 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid
• To apply for talent scholarships, contact the department directly. Contact information is on their site.

fort hays state university

• November 15 - Priority deadline for scholarships
• February 15 - Final deadline for general scholarships
• April 1 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

kansas state university

• December 1 - Priority deadline for premiere scholarships
• February 1 - College/Departmental scholarship deadline
• February 1 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

pittsburg state university

• March 1 - Deadline for general scholarships

university of kansas

• December 1 - Priority deadline for general scholarships
• March 1 - Priority date for Federal Financial Aid

wichita state university

• WSU begins awarding scholarships for incoming freshmen in September. Apply early for full consideration for scholarships
• October 15 - Deadline for admittance to be included in the DSI Competition (Distinguished Scholars Invitational)
• December 1 - Deadline for freshman merit scholarships

Scholarship Resources...

There are innumerable scholarship search resources online. The best search services are free, so there is no need to spend any money to use one of the services.

Preparing for College: Senior Checklist

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER

• Register for the SAT and/or ACT if you didn’t take a college entrance exam as a junior or want to take one again. Remember: Your counselor can help with fee waivers.
• Take a look at some college applications. Make note of all the pieces of information you will need to compile.
• Check with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.
• Take every opportunity to get to know colleges. Meet with college representatives who visit your school, attend local college fairs, and visit campuses.
• Narrow down your list of colleges. Collect information about the application and financial aid process at each school.
• Create a checklist and calendar to keep track of standardized test dates, college application due dates, and financial aid deadlines. Make note of the other materials, such as recommendations or essays, you’ll need to complete your applications.

OCTOBER

• Some colleges will have deadlines (rolling, priority, early decision, and early action) as early as this month.
• If you cannot afford the application fees that many colleges charge, ask your counselor to help you request a fee waiver.
• Finalize your college essay. Many schools will require that you submit at least one essay with your application.
• Request personal recommendations from teachers, school counselors, or employers.
• Research scholarships. Ask your counselor, your colleges, and local religious and civic groups about scholarship opportunities. You should never pay for scholarship information.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

• Finalize and send any early decision or early action applications due this month. Have a parent, teacher, counselor, or other adult review the application before it is submitted.
• Every college will require a copy of your transcript from your high school. Follow your school’s procedure for sending transcripts.
• File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after Dec. 15 as possible. In addition to determining your eligibility for federal funds, many colleges and states use the form when distributing grants, so don’t delay. Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR)—it should arrive four weeks after the FAFSA is filed.
• Make sure testing companies have sent your scores directly to the colleges to which you are applying.
• Begin to organize regular decision applications and financial aid forms, which will be due in January and/or February.
• If needed, register for the January SAT. It is the last one colleges will be able to consider for a senior.
• Many popular and selective colleges will have application deadlines as early as Jan. 1. Others have deadlines later in January and February.
• If necessary, register for the February ACT (some colleges will be able consider it).
• In January, ask your guidance office to send first semester transcripts to schools where you applied. At the end of the school year, they will need to send final transcripts to the college you will attend.

FEBRUARY - MAY

• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive. Review your acceptances, compare financial aid packages, and visit your final choices.
• Don’t slack in the classroom. The college you decide to attend will want to see your second semester transcript.
• May 1 is the date when the college you plan to attend requires a commitment and deposit. When you’ve made your college decision, notify your counselor. Send in your deposit by the postmark date of May 1. If you’ve been offered financial aid, accept the offer and follow the instructions given. Also notify schools you will not attend of your decision.
• Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you will be attending.
• If you are wait-listed by a college you really want to attend, visit, call, and write the admission office to make your interest clear. Ask how you can strengthen your application.