Reminder: FAFSA Opens Sunday October 1st!!!!

Attention all seniors and parents, the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) opens Sunday, October 1st.The first step to applying for federal student aid is creating a FSA ID. 

This video helps parents and students create a FSA ID. It is important to start this process now because it takes 1-3 days to receive a FSA ID, which is needed to start the application process.

It’s very important you and your child each create and use your own, separate FSA IDs. Creating an FSA ID for your child, or having your child create an FSA ID for you, could cause problems with your child’s financial aid.

If you are the parent of more than one dependent student, you will use your FSA ID to sign each child’s FAFSA.

For more resources, visit http://StudentAid.gov/fsaid

Articulation Unplugged at Illinois State University 2017 Update

On September 25th Illinois State University held the 11th year of State Articulation Unplugged. It is an opportunity for guidance counselors to meet with different public and private universities to obtain yearly updates. In the first half of the program we received updates from 12 public universities. The following two links will highlight our discussion: 

12 Reasons to Stay in Illinois  
Gives you a one-page look at each state university. Includes enrollment data, tuition, important contacts and dates, and some financial aid info.

State Universities at a glance
A multi-page booklet that lists a ton of info for the state universities including: a comparative list of available majors, freshman requirements, important deadlines, and financial information

In addition, we attended a college fair and received an abundance of information in regards to schools and their different programs. If your child is looking for additional information in regards to their college or program, please see your guidance counselor.  

Calling all Science Students - Student Researcher Program

Peoria Ag Lab

There is a fantastic program coming up in November for those students interested in the science field. The Ag Lab in Peoria will be hosting a one-day Student Researcher Program for 11th and 12th grade students. Students are selected for this program based on demonstrated skills and merit. Since the program is limited to 48 students in the Peoria area, there is an application process.  A program such as this one looks great on college applications.

Students who have interest in the following fields would benefit from attending this one-day program: Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Entomology, Food Technology, Genetics, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Physical Science, Plant Pathology, and Plant Physiology.

Although there is a September 29th deadline, students may turn in applications to Mr. Kosinski in the counseling office by TUESDAY. The applications will be driven to the Ag Lab on Tuesday.

Click here for application

Reminder: Only Way to Send Transcripts is through Parchment

Just a reminder that the only way to send transcripts is through the Parchment website. Students who have signed up have reported that once they were signed up, it was pretty simple to order transcripts. We have only experienced a few difficulties so far.  At this point 81 of 158 seniors have registered for Parchment. We need to get that number up.  Students can check their email to access one of the many (5+) reminders that they have received from Parchment.

Feel free to contact any counselor with questions.

Golden Apple Scholarship for Education Majors

The Golden Apple Scholarship is available for any senior who is hoping to study in the education field. Students can trade up to $23,000 of tuition support for beginning their career in a high - need school. More information on this scholarship program can be found at www.goldenapple.org with the application found here.

ACT Retake - Deadline to Register is Friday

Any senior who plans to take the ACT in October is reminded that this Friday, September 22nd is the deadline.  Testing sites include ICC and Bradley. Students wishing to take the test should go to actstudent.org

HEY HEY.............Each class has started working on their homecoming floats.....

ATTENTION IVC Grey Ghosts!!! Each class has started building their class float for the homecoming parade. Check in with your class sponsor to find out schedule/location. GET INVOLVED!!! The following people are class sponsors:

Freshmen: Harley Williams & David Beck
Sophomore: Shana Placher & Lindsay Bogner
Junior: Mark Kosinski & Sherri Heth
Seniors: Josh Clarke and Tim Cech

Overview of the Financial Aid Presentation (9/18)

We had a great turn out at the Financial Aid Presentation last night. ISAC's representative Natalie Irwin gave us an overview of different types of financial aid such as grants, loans, and scholarships. We went over FAFSA, and why it is so important to be file as soon as the application process opens (October 1st, 2017). There was a lot of information presented in a short amount of time so we are attaching her presentation. If you have any questions contact your child's guidance counselor.

Financial Aid Presentation

College Visit Day Procedure

Seniors wanting to take a college visit should take these steps:

1) Bring a note to your counselor from a parent stating the date and location of the college visit. This must be at least two days in advance.

2) Take the College Visit Request form to the teachers of the day you will miss to sign off on and return completed form to your counselor.

3) During your college visit, get the College Visitation Confirmation form filled out and return to your counselor.

See your counselor or Mrs. Placher in Guidance with questions.

Schools Visiting IVC

Throughout the school year, many schools will be visiting IVC. More schools are added every day. In order to stay updated of which schools are visiting, check out the Guidance Calendar on the upper left portion of the homepage.

It is to the student's advantage to meet with the admission reps when they visit. Many schools actually keep track of how many times a student has met with them whether it be at a college fair, campus tour or school visit. Students can sign up for school visits in the Guidance Office.

Some upcoming school visits include:
Sept 18th - Monmouth College
Sept 19th - Illinois College
Sept 21st - MacMurray College, Eureka College
Sept 26th - Millikan University
Sept 28th - McKendree University
Oct 3rd - Bradley University, Truman State University
Oct 5th - Illinois State University
Oct 10th - Illinois Wesleyan University
Oct 11th - SIU Carbondale
Oct 13th - Knox College
Oct 16th - Western Illinois University
Oct 23rd - U of I Urbana-Champaign
Oct 30th - Drake University

Attention Juniors!!! PSAT/NMSQT is October 11th

The PSAT/NMSQT is a great way to preview and practice for the SAT. It will test the same skills and knowledge as the SAT.

In addition, when you take the PSAT/NMSQT, you’re automatically screened for the National Merit® Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. For more information, visit NMSC's website or see the Official Student Guide to the PSAT/NMSQT or the Guide to the National Merit® Scholarship Program(for educators). The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) is a cosponsor of the PSAT/NMSQT.

There are 30 spots available. You can sign up with Mrs. Placher in the guidance office. The test will cost $16.00. Checks can be made out to IVC. Payment must be received before test day. We will test on October 11th, 2017 at 8:00 am. 

Lastly, please visit the following website for additional information:

PSAT/NMSQT Information

Off to College Guide

All seniors received this year's Off to College Guide at the senior meeting last week. The guide is packed information such as: timelines, factors to consider, college open houses, keys to the process, important website links, and steps to writing a great essay.

The guide can be accessed by clicking this link.

To see the powerpoint of the whole senior class presentation, click here.

Start the College Exploration Process Online

College exploration can be a daunting task. Many websites help bring that college exploration to your fingertips.  Here are a few sites that hopefully ease the process a bit.

U.S. News and World Report - Great starting spot for exploration process. Well known for their college rankings, U.S. News has great information about college. New rankings come out next week on September 13th. Check them out at www.usnews.com/education.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) - We highlight ISAC in the college links on the right side of the blog because of what a great resource it is for students and parents. Contains a ton of information with regard to financial aid and scholarships.  Descriptions of different loans and grants available to students.  There is also help available for filling out FAFSA. www.isac.org

Big Future by The College Board - This website is so jam packed with information that you could spend days and days looking at valuable info. Categories include: Finding Colleges, Exploring Colleges, Paying for College, and Getting In. www.bigfuture.org

University of IL Hosting a Number of Events

The colleges at the University of Illinois are hosting a number of events both on and off campus this fall. These are a fantastic opportunity to get a close look at the programs available at U of I.

Click below to get a full listing of all the events.

ICC Announces Visit Days for 2017-18

Illinois Central College has released this year's Friday Campus Visit Days.What a great way to visit campus ICC campus and learn about different programs offered. 

Reserve your spot online at http://icc.edu/campus-visits/

The full list of visit days is as follows:

Sept. 29 - Health Careers
Oct. 6 - Financial Aid (including FAFSA)
Oct. 13 - Engineering
Oct. 20 - POWER Programs (automotive, diesel, GM ASEP, and CAT)

SAT Registration Deadline is Friday

Just an FYI to any senior wanting to retake the SAT, the deadline to register for the October 7th test is this Friday.  Students can go to www.collegeboard.org to register. The closest testing center offering the October test is ICC.  The test costs $46.