GPCI Counseling Services Department

November 2021

Hello GPCI Scholars and Families,

In the month of November we are focusing on giving back. Whether it be through our kindness crew, student mentors or even our daily interactions with others. November is also Generation Texas Month. This campaign is where we provide awareness regarding post-secondary educational options. Please click on the link for more information http://gentx.org/ Specifically at GPCI we are having dress-up days and providing extra fun activities surrounding post-secondary options. See the flyer below for more information.

Academically, throughout November I am meeting with all High School scholars individually to discuss their graduation plans, current coursework and registering for classes for next school year.

Finally, at GPCI we are wanting everyone to feel included, seen and valued...we are doing this by normalizing two phrases 1) Are you okay? 2) I'm here for you. Students and staff are encouraged to say this to people in their lives at school, at home and in their community.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.

Mrs. Robb, M.Ed

School Counselor

Important Dates

Nov. 15th– 19th - Gen Tx. Week
Nov. 1st-19th– 11th -9th Grade Academic Chats/Registration
Nov. 21st – Nov 26th – Thanksgiving Break

COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING

Important Links and Resources For College and Career Planning

Financial Aid Checklists

College Preparation Checklists

SENIORS

Complete applications for colleges/universities through Xello.
Link your Common App. to your Xello Account
All Transcript requests must be done through Xello. If college/university does not accept through Xello, go to your College Portal and request the transcript get sent that way.
Have copies of your most recent GPISD (Skyward), Dallas College and University of Texas-Austin Transcript.

Dallas College- https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/transcripts/pages/electronic.aspx

UT-Austin- https://onestop.utexas.edu/student-records/transcripts-other-records/official-transcripts/

Monthly Scholarships

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Scholarship through ELKS National Foundation*

Description: Must be a US Citizen. Do not need to be an ELKS member. Applicant needs to demonstrate academics. leadership, service and financial need.

Amount: $1,000.-$12,500./year

Closing Date: November 15

Website: https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/education/msp/funding/aid/scholarship/scmvs.php

Texas PTA High School Senior Scholarship

Description: Must be a Texas High School senior in a school with an active PTA. Review additional criterion.

Amount: $1,000.

Closing Date: November 15

Website: https://www.txpta.org/uploads/filemanager/Scholarship/Student%20Scholarship%20Guidelines.pdf

Jack Kent Cooke College Foundation Scholarship Program*

Description: The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's best four-year colleges and universities.

Amount: Up to $55,000. per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school.

OPENING Date: November 18

Website: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/

National Driving and Traffic School Award: In The Driver Seat

Description: Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in High School, University, or College as a full-time student. Applicant must submit an essay on given topics related to driver safety.

Amount: $500.

Closing Date: November 30

Website: https://www.dmvedu.org/scholarship

US Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) Scholarship

Description: The Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship recognizes young Hispanic students who share in his lifelong commitment to servant leadership. Those eligible students must be a High School Senior, or a College student up to age 25.

Amount: Up to $1,000.

Closing Date: November 30

Website:https://www.ushli.org/dr-juan-andrade-scholarship-for-young-hispanic-leaders/

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship*

Description: Must be a full-time High School senior with plans to enter college. Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required), involved in co-curricular and community service activities. Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity. Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.

Amount: 106 Scholarships at $25,000.

Opening date: December 1

Closing Date: March 15

Website: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/about-our-scholarship-programs/national-scholarships/

FAFSA/TASFA (Financial Aid)

Financial Aid Resources

Links

FAFSA OPENS OCTOBER 1ST

Steps for completing FAFSA

TASFA

TASFA Website

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Sample 1040 Form

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Sample W-2 Form

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FAFSA Process

Dual Credit

Scholars, be successful in your dual credit courses. Please make sure you do not procrastinate and ask for help from the professor when needed.

Your dual credit grades are in blackboard, so a good practice is to look at them everytime you go into blackboard.

Here is the presentation from our recent dual credit parent night.

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Xello Information

Xello is an engaging, fun-to-use software that students can access online, at school or at home. Students can even access Xello from their mobile devices. Using Xello, students plan their journeys toward the future by creating their very own unique roadmap for future success.

The program is implemented through the GPISD Counseling Services Department at every elementary and secondary campus. The mission of the Counseling Service Department is to guide students from cradle to career, making every student future-ready!

Scholars Sign in link for Xello. (Do not use old login information)

See Canvas for specific login information

https://auth.xello.world/SAML/Student/d2046896-095a-4acd-919e-28dca02b9564

Xello Resource Website

How Students Request Transcripts in Xello

Access the College Planning Tools

To begin with, go to College Planning from the Goals & Plans link in the top menu of on the Dashboard.
This page is a central hub to view all the applications you're tracking, and local scholarships available. Or check our the Knowledge Hub with topics to help you plan for college.
Create an Application to Track
Click Create Your First Application to choose the college you want to track your application with.
If this isn't your first one, this page will be a list of your previous applications.
Use the search bar to enter the school name and click Select, then click Next.
On the next page, add details such as your application Admission Type and Deadline. Then click Create to begin tracking your application for this college.
Send a Transcript
In the application tracker for the college, you'll see the Applications Checklist. Use this checklist to track the things you need to complete for the application.
From the list, where it says Transcript, click Request to request your high school send your transcript to the school.
If you don't see Transcript listed under the requirements, this college may not require it. You can still make a request by clicking Add Task and selecting Transcript.
View the Progress
View the status of your sent Transcript by opening the Application Tracker of the college you want to view.
From under Application Checklist, click the drop-down next to Transcript and select Track Transcript.
View the chronological updates of your transcript request.

Contact Information

Unsure of what you want to do as a career, what you want to study in college, where to apply? Come see Mrs. Robb or Ms. Burns to help you get started.

Mimi Robb

Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute

School Counselor

Mimi.robb@gpisd.org

972.343.3151(Office)

972-885-9741(Google Voice-Call & Text Enabled)

Schedule Appointment Here

GPCI Counseling Services Department Website

Rebecca Burns

GPCI Campus Hours: 8:15am-3:45pm, M/W/TH

rebecca.burns@gpisd.org

Google Voice Phone: 404-926-6829

Appointy Link: https://booking.appointy.com/msburns

Mission and Vision Statement

Vision Statement

The Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute Counseling Services Department will support students so they can reach their maximum potential personally and academically, by using a comprehensive program that addresses personal/mental/social, academic and college/career readiness goals so scholars can establish a solid foundation that they can build upon through post-secondary goals and through adulthood. The counseling services department also aligns with GPCI in that we will promote a rigorous academic and College/University going culture.

Mission Statement

The Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute Counseling Services Department's mission is to give scholars in grades 6-12 lifelong personal/mental health/social resources and strategies. Counseling Services will implement a comprehensive counseling program that aligns with GPCI in that we will promote a rigorous academic and college going culture while partnering with families, staff, and community members to provide social/emotional/academic and career resources.

GPCI Counseling Services Department