Salina South High School

Senior Parent Night

In case you were unable to join Mrs. Goodrich for Senior Parent Night, here is a link to the presentation.  Please feel free to email her at melanie.goodrich@usd305 with any questions you may have. 

2020/2021 Senior Parent Night Presentation

RECRUITERS/COLLEGES at SHSS - During Lunch in Commons

Due to restricted visitation at Salina High School South, all college, university and military recruitment visits will be conducted virtually.  Please check the Virtual Visits page for updated visit scheduling and information. 

Senior News...

2021-22 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Form
The 2021-22 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now OPEN! Students enrolling for academic year 2021/2022 can submit their FAFSA; families should use their 2019 income tax information. Before students and parents can complete the FAFSA, the student and parent must create an FSA ID. To create your FSA ID go to FSA ID Website.  How to Create FSA ID Video

The Ellis Foundation
The Ellis Foundation, in partnership with Evergy, is accepting applications for graduating high school seniors interested the trades, specifically Linemen, Wind Technology, Diesel Mechanic, Electrical Technology or Power Plant. These scholarships offer up to $2,000 a semester for up to four consecutive semesters. These are fields with good employment outlooks, short-term programs, reasonable costs, and good salaries.  The Foundation is also looking for graduating seniors with an interest in the new Kansas State University program for Personal Finance majors through Advisors Excel in Topeka. This scholarship may pay $1,000 per semester for up to four years.  Apply through the online application at www.TheEllisFoundation.org.  In the top right corner you will find a LOGIN. The user name is TEF and the password is Ellis2021. If you have any questions, reach out to Deb Kohn, SHSS School to Career Coordinator or contact Bridget at The Ellis Foundation at 913-370-6779.

American Legion Boys' State
The American Legion Boys’ State of Kansas is accepting applications for Boys’ State 2021. This event is open to male sophomores, juniors and seniors in the top half of their class.  The theme this year is: “For Democracy to work, we must learn how to work together”.  Boys’ State will be held at K-State Manhattan from June 6^th to June 12^th.  To apply visit: American Legion Boys' State of Kansas ... (ksbstate.org).

Class of 2021 Senior Photos for the Yearbook

The deadline for senior photographs for the yearbook will be December 18, 2020 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 kim.warren@usd305.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:

• Head and shoulder shot or can be cropped to head and shoulders shot.
• No hats or hands
• Color (not black and white or duo-tone)
• Plain background (It can be outside.)
• Vertical picture
• No selfies

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. Lifetouch photos can also be used. If you didn't take Lifetouch photos, take them on retake day The yearbook staff has access to the photos, but students just need to let Mrs. Warren know they want these used.

Test Optional Colleges and Universities

Test Optional Admissions policies are not new to College Admission. Many colleges and universities have offered a test optional admission option for decades. Due to COVID-19 and the closing of many test sites, throughout the US, Colleges and Universities have revisited their college entrance exam requirements, implementing test optional policies, either temporarily (for Fall 2021 admissions) or permanently.  FairTest.org has a comprehensive list of Test Optional Colleges and Universities. It is important that you review the test optional policy for the Colleges and Universities that you are planning to apply to. Every institutions requirements vary. 

                                                                                    READ THE FINE PRINT:                                                                                              Some colleges are test optional for admission, but require testing for special programs and scholarships.

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, Catholic Charities, Salina Family YMCA, Saline Emergency Food Bank, Salina Area United Way

Rolling Hills Zoo - Zoo Teen Program
The Zoo Teen program is available for students ages 13-17. Zoo Teens are involved in the presentation of education programs to zoo visitors on and off grounds, birthday parties, summer camps, Animal Encounters, special events, & more! This program focuses on honing teens' public interactions with guests and sharing conservation education.  Although this is primarily a summer program, there are Zoo Teen opportunities year round. For more detailed information about the requirements and expectations of a Zoo Teen, please contact Theresa Cannefax at 785-827-9488 ext. 132. Zoo Teen enrollment for 2021 will begin November 13, 2020. Application deadline is February 5, 2021.  To enroll for our 2021 Zoo Teen program as a FIRST year Zoo Teen, please fill out the First Year Zoo Teen Application.  First Year Zoo Teen Application.pdf  To enroll as a SECOND - FIFTH year 2021 Zoo Teen, please fill out the Returning Zoo Teen Application.  Returning Zoo Teen Application.pdf

Patriot Art Contest
Open to any student in grades 9-12 by the March 31, 2021 deadline who is enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.  Students must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national. Applicant does not have to be related to a VFW or VFW Auxiliary member to participate, but the student must attend school in the same Department as the sponsoring VFW Auxiliary.  Foreign exchange students, students age 20 or over, GED and adult education students, or national winners of previous Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contests are ineligible.  It will be judged on patriotic theme and technique.  One Department winner will be forwarded to Auxiliary National Headquarters.  Please see the student brochure at vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships for more details on requirements.  Deadlines: entries received by Local Auxiliary – March 31, 2021. https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/young-american-creative-patriotic-art-contest/

Virtual College Visits

COVID-19 has changed the where and how we visit colleges campus. Recently, some college campuses have opened back-up their campuses for socially distanced and masked college tours, while others still remain closed to visitors. Your best source of information for how colleges are sharing their campuses with prospective students is each College/Universities Campus Visit website.

Virtual Campus Tour Resources & Events:

Tips for a (Virtual) Campus Visit You'll Remember

YouVISIT

STRIVE Virtual College Exploration

Go to College Fairs

NACAC Virtual College Fairs

2020/2021 Senior Parent Night Presentation

2020/2021 Senior Class Career Planning Presentation

To view full calendar click here

EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY

• February 1 - Priority deadline
• March 15 - 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

• December 15 - Priority deadline for general scholarship
• February 15 - Final deadline for general scholarships
• March 15 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

• December 1 - Priority deadline for premiere scholarships
• If your application for admission is submitted by November 1st, it will automatically be forwarded to the departments.
• February 1 - College/Departmental scholarship deadline
• February 1 - Priority deadline for Federal Financial Aid

PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY

• February 1 - Deadline for general scholarships

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

• November 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 1 - Deadline for admittance to be included in the DSI Competition (Distinguished Scholars Invitational)
• November 1 - Deadline for freshman merit scholarships

August/September

• Register for the SAT and/or ACT if you didn't take it as a junior, or if you aren't satisfied with your score and want to take it again. (remember that your counselor can help you with fee waivers)
• Take a look at some college applications and consider all of the different pieces of information you will need to compile.
• The SAT test date most popular with high school seniors is this month.
• Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements. If you're ahead of schedule, consider taking courses at a local university or community college to get a jumpstart on college credit.
• Take every opportunity to get to know colleges: meeting with college representatives who visit your high schools during the fall, attending local college fairs, visiting campuses (if possible). Ask your counselor if they know of special campus visitation programs.
• Narrow down your list of colleges and begin to consider "safe," "reach," and "realistic" schools. Make sure you have the application and financial aid information for each school. Find out if you qualify for any scholarships at these schools.

Create a checklist and calendar to chart:

• Standardized test dates, registration deadlines, and fees
• College application due dates
• Financial aid application forms and deadlines
• Other materials you'll need for college applications (recommendations, transcripts, essays, etc.)
• Your high school's application processing deadlines

Some schools require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. Ask the colleges to which you are applying for their deadlines. You can register as early as September. See your guidance counselor about fee waivers.

October

• It is time to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). File the form as soon after Oct. 1 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.
• Some colleges will have deadlines as early as this month. These would include rolling admission, priority, early decision, and early action deadlines.
• 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. Follow the process required by your high school or provide a stamped, addressed envelope, the appropriate college forms, and an outline of your academic record and extracurricular activities to each person writing you a recommendation.
• Research possibilities of scholarships. Ask your counselor, your colleges, and your religious and civic groups about scholarship opportunities. You should never pay for scholarship information.

November

• 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.
• Make sure testing companies have sent your scores directly to the colleges to which you are applying.

December

• Begin to organize regular decision applications and financial aid forms, which will be due in January and/or February.
• Register for the January SAT (If needed). It is the last one colleges will be able to consider for a senior.

January

• Many popular and selective colleges will have application deadlines as early as January 1. Others have deadlines later in January and February. Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork.
• If necessary, register for the February ACT (some colleges will be able consider it).
• Ask your guidance office in January 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.

Feb/March/April

• While most of your applications will be complete and you are waiting to receive admission decisions, don't slack in the classroom. The college that you do attend will want to see your second semester transcript. No Senioritis!
• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive. Review your acceptances, compare financial aid packages, and visit your final choices, especially if you haven't already.

May

• 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 and the colleges. 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.
• Make sure that you have requested that your final transcript be sent to the school 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.

Information Courtesy of: 2016 National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)