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Viking College & Career Newsletter

Issue #6 | October 5, 2026

Viking College &Career NewsletterIssue #6 | October 5, 2026

📢 IMPORTANT INFO! 📢 IMPORTANT INFO!

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October is College Application Month!

If you have not yet started on your college applications, this is the month to get working on them because deadlines are right around the corner and all college applications are OPEN!


Remember the easiest way to get started is to Google the name of the college and the word "admissions." There should be an APPLY button somewhere on their website. It is up to you if you apply directly through the college's website or an outside application such as Common App.


You are applying as an undergraduate student for Fall 2027.


Whenever you finish your application, remember that you MUST then request your transcript(s) in SchooLinks. Please give me at least 3 school days to submit your transcripts for you.


Have questions? Check the "How To Guide" for frequently asked questions!


Need help with a college essay? Watch the below video for some ideas on getting started!

How to Write an Outstanding Personal Statement in 2026
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FAFSA (FREE Application for Federal Student Aid) is OPEN!

The 2027–2028 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open for senior students!

The FAFSA is required to apply for federal, state, and institutional need-based aid. Don't panic, most college's priority deadline is December 1.

Before starting the FAFSA, both the student and one parent/contributor should create an FSA ID:

  1. Go to StudentAid.gov and select Create Account.

  2. Create an FSA ID using a unique personal email address (NOT Parkway) and mobile phone number.

  3. Login to the STUDENT'S FAFSA account and fill in important information including what colleges should receive their FAFSA.

  4. Student will invite their "contributor" (parent) to complete their parental section of the FAFSA.

SLU shared information about financial aid at the Senior Parent Meeting in September. If you missed the presentation, you can view it here.


FAFSA Drop-In Workshop:

SLU will return to North during Parent Teacher Conferences on October 15th from 6:00–7:30 PM to help families complete the FAFSA.

This is a hands-on, drop-in workshop—not a presentation. Families do not need to stay for the entire session.


Before attending:

Students should complete their portion of the FAFSA or the student should attend with their parent/contributor so the FAFSA can be completed in one sitting.

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AP Testing - Deadline November 1

If you are in an AP class, remember that your deadline to REGISTER and PAY for the AP exam is on November 1. Registration and payment instructions can be found HERE.

Important PNH AP Dates and Deadlines 2026-2027:

  • November 1 - Registration and Payment Deadline
  • Before Winter Break - Accommodation Request Deadline (Email this consent to Ms. Hartfield)
  • May 3-14, 2027: Testing Exam Schedule

Students that register for their exam in their MyAP account by Thursday, will have a payment posted to their Infinite Campus account the following Monday. If a student does not register for the exam, there will not be a payment available to pay.

Exam Costs:

  • $100 (Reduced rates also available for students with free or reduced lunch.)
  • $40 additional late fee if you order a first semester or full year exam after November 1.
  • $40 cancellation fee if you cancel your exam after March 1.

Questions? Reach out to Katie Hartfield at khartfield@parkwayschools.net

Future in Action Zoom Sessions

Future in Action is a non-profit organization run by Ms. Peggy Hull that assists students with their college application process. Her programming is FREE and targeted towards students of color and first-generation college students, but is open to families and students of all high school aged students.


Seniors that are interested can also contact Ms. Dodge about getting signed up for a field trip to the Parkway Welcome Center on October 30 to work on scholarship and financial aid applications. See flier below! NOTE: This event is on the day of the student-staff kick ball game at North.

Questions?
Reach out to Ms. Dodge at jdodge1@parkwayschools.org or Ms. Hull at phull@futureinaction.org

Learn more about Future in Action here!

Student Sign Up!

Parent Sign Up!

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🎓 College Corner 🎓 College Corner

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Colleges Visiting Parkway North!

Juniors and Seniors may sign up in SchooLinks to receive a pass to come to the counseling office to meet with the admissions rep. Admissions reps will go over admissions criteria, campus life, scholarships, financial aid, and important deadlines.

  • Missouri S&T - Oct 6 @ 9:30AM
  • CANCELLED: University of Iowa - Oct 6
  • Missouri Southern State University - Oct 7 @ 8AM
  • University of Memphis - Oct 8 @ 9:30AM
  • Saint Louis University - Madrid - Oct 8 @ 1:15PM
  • Drake University - Oct 13 @ 1:15PM
  • William Jewell College - Oct 14 @ 8AM
  • DePauw University - Oct 14 @ 11:45AM
  • Mississippi State University - Oct 14 @ 1:15PM
  • Miami University-Oxford - Oct 15 @ 8AM
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign - Oct 15 @ 9:30AM
  • University of Chicago - Oct 15 @ 11:45AM

(NOTE: You can view the full calendar here or on SchooLinks.)

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UMSL Nursing Open House - October 13th 4-6PM

Join us for a guided tour of our newly renovated classrooms, skills labs, and simulation spaces while learning more about our nursing programs. If you are interested in pursuing a nursing career, we encourage you to attend and discover what UMSL Nursing has to offer, including:

  • More than 100 healthcare provider partnerships throughout the St. Louis region
  • State-of-the-art learning and simulation environments
  • No secondary application
  • No entrance exam requirement
We look forward to welcoming you to campus and sharing more about the opportunities available through UMSL Nursing!

RSVP Here!

💰 Money Matters 💰 Money Matters

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NEW: Missouri S&T gives an A+ Scholarship!

NEW for the 2027-2028 school year!

The A+ Recognition Scholarship is a scholarship awarded to domestic, undergraduate, Missouri resident students who qualify for the state of Missouri's A+ Program and are starting at S&T as first time college students. This scholarship is automatically awarded at the time of admission—no separate application required!


The 2027-28 annual scholarship amount is $500 and is awarded in conjunction with the Groundbreaker Scholarship at time of admission. This renewable scholarship is only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are working on their first bachelors degree.


Learn more here.

Colleges That Offer Free Tuition for Low-Income Students

Colleges That Offer Free Tuition for Low-Income Students

Explore a list of colleges that offer free tuition for qualifying low-income students. Compare income limits, residency rules, and what each program actually covers.

launch appily.com
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Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships are always posted on SchooLinks!

Login and follow these instructions:

College → Scholarship Matching → Type in your Zip Code → Click Next (You do not have to fill out the boxes.) → View Matches → District Posted (Top Right Corner)

Below are some scholarships that have upcoming deadlines.
Click on the flier to go to the website to learn more about the opportunity!

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The Progress 64 Entrepreneurial Scholarship - Deadline October 18

The Progress 64 Entrepreneurial Scholarship was established by Progress 64 West, a partnership of citizens, businesses, and civic leaders. The Scholarship aims to support, encourage, and foster young entrepreneurs who go to school and live in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, or St. Charles County. One-year scholarships of $5,000 will be awarded to winning applicants for use at vocational schools or at two-and four-year colleges and universities in the upcoming academic year.
Apply!

How to Apply – FAQs

Tips, Tools, & Tutorials – Videos

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Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship - Deadline November 11

The Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is the largest undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Senior standing – Complete 4 years of high school in the U.S. and graduate in spring 2027.
  • Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in a four-year college beginning in fall 2027.
  • GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or above.
  • Test Scores — Submit standardized test score(s) from one of the following: SAT, ACT, or AP exams. There is no minimum score requirement to apply, however, applicants must have taken one (or more) of these tests and submit the score.
  • Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need – We will consider applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000.


Apply using Common App (website linked above to explain the process)!

Cooke College Scholarship Program
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The Elks National Foundation: Most Valuable Student Contest

The 2027 MVS application is now open. Applications can be found online at enf.elks.org/MVS. The application deadline is November 12, 2026.

The Elks National Foundation awards 500 four-year scholarships based on academics, leadership, and financial need. National awards range from $1,000 to $7,500 per year. The national awards will be announced in April 2027. MVS scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to pursue a four-year degree on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), at a U.S. college or university starting in 2027-28. Some important applicant details include:

  • Current high school seniors (or equivalent) who are citizens of the United States.
  • Applicants do not have to be related to a member of the Elks.
  • Male and female students compete separately.
  • Applicants select from a list of the Lodges closest to their home address zip code. Please have your students choose St. Louis #9 as their sponsoring Lodge. The top three male applicants and the top three female applicants to St. Louis #9 will be awarded $200 each.

Legacy Awards – The Legacy Awards contest opens on September 1, 2026. Legacy Awards provide $6,000 scholarships for children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elk members. The ENF offers a total of 400 national awards. The application deadline is February 1, 2027. Please visit enf.elks.org/Leg for more details and the application link.


For any questions, please contact me at Beth Schnettler, Scholarship Chair at Beth12523@gmail.com.

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GP M.A.D.E. Foundation Scholarship - Deadline Jan 15

The GP M.A.D.E. Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”) started by Coach Gary Pinkel, is a non-profit 501©(3) organization, established to provide financial assistance to young people facing difficult challenges.

To be eligible for a scholarship, an individual must:

  1. Show financial need.
  2. Possess the motivation to succeed
  3. Be of good character.

Additionally, students must:

  1. Be under the age of 20
  2. Be a Missouri resident
  3. Attend college/trade school in the state of Missouri
  4. Be a US Citizen

Applicants may be invited to interview with the scholarship committee.


Apply HERE!

🧰 Resources 🧰 Resources

North High College & Career Quick "How to Guide"
Need an answer quickly? Find FAQs here!
Parkway North College & Career Website
Ms. Hartfield's Appointment Calendar
College Planning Timeline
College Application Hub | College Essay Guy

College Application Hub | College Essay Guy

The College Admissions Hub Step-by-step guides, videos and tools to guide your college admissions journey. Created by experienced, veteran college counselors, essay coaches, and former admissions officers. ★ Tip: Bookmark this page so you can pick up right where you left off. Getting Started 9th–10th Grade Build your foundation Application Time 11th–12th Grade Launch your […]

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Katie Hartfield
College and Career Counselor

Email: khartfield@parkwayschools.net
Make an Appointment: calendly.com/pnhcollege
Parkway North High School
12860 Fee Fee Road
Saint Louis, MO 63146

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