COUNSELOR'S CORNER OCTOBER 2025
It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks at Audubon! High school counselors are finishing senior meetings focused on post-graduate planning, helping students explore college, career, and training opportunities. Seniors also attended the Riverwinds College Fair, and we’re proud that 124 out of 125 juniors participated in the PSAT this month. Middle school counselors met with all 7th graders to support their transition and are visiting Mansion Avenue School to prepare 6th graders for next year.
We’ve had much to celebrate across our school community. Coach Kilvington earned her 100th career win in Field Hockey, Boys Soccer were named Co-Patriot Champions, Girls Cross Country captured the Camden County Championship, and Girls Tennis finished as Conference Champions. Our Band also earned 2nd place overall and won Best Percussion. We recently held our NJHS Induction Ceremony, welcomed two new staff members—Mr. Callahan and Mr. Miracola—and celebrated Kim Vencius and our Food Services Team for receiving a special award for excellence in school nutrition.
We continue to promote kindness and inclusion through No Place for Hate and Week of Respect and Red Ribbon Week activities and hosted a well attended Financial Aid Information Session for students and parents. As always, please encourage your child to reach out for academic, social, or emotional support anytime—the Counseling Department is here to help!
Financial Aid Workshop – Preparing for the 2026–2027 FAFSA
To make the most of the workshop, families should come prepared with the following:
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FSA ID and Password for both the student and parent(s) or information contributors. (A flyer is attached explaining how to obtain these credentials.)
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2024 Federal Income Tax Returns, including all schedules and W-2 forms for both student (if applicable) and parent(s).
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Social Security Numbers or Individual Tax Identification Numbers for parent(s) and student.
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Alien Registration Number, if the student is a U.S. Permanent Resident (students who are not citizens or eligible non-citizens should complete the NJ Dreamer Application instead of the FAFSA).
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Bank account balances (checking and savings) for student and parent(s).
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Parent(s) marital status and date of marriage or other applicable status changes.
Before attending, students and parents are encouraged to create their StudentAid.gov accounts at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to ensure they are verified and ready to begin. Students will use their login to access the FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov, and parents will use their FSA ID to sign the completed application
This workshop is a valuable opportunity for families to receive expert, step-by-step assistance and gain confidence in navigating the financial aid process.
Financial Aid 101: Simplifying the HESAA Process
We recently hosted an informative session providing an extensive overview of financial aid for higher education in New Jersey for the 2026–2027 academic year, presented by the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA). The session highlighted HESAA’s mission as the state agency dedicated to offering financial and informational resources to students and families. Key topics included the new financial aid application requirement for New Jersey high school graduation, an overview of available aid—ranging from federal programs like Pell Grants and SEOG to New Jersey state programs such as TAG, NJ STARS, CCOG, and the Garden State Guarantee—and detailed guidance on the application process. Attendees received step-by-step explanations of the FAFSA and CSS Profile, including FSA ID setup and the calculation of the Student Aid Index (SAI), equipping them with the tools needed to navigate financial aid successfully. Please click the video below or the PDF for more information!
Yeti Scholar
Yeti Scholar is a web-based SAT preparation tool offering free, personalized and adaptive practice. yetischolar.com Key features include:
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A large bank of over 2,000 real SAT questions plus 4 full-length tests. yetischolar.com
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A personalized study plan with daily tasks that adapts to the student’s progress and weak spots. yetischolar.com
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An AI tutor (called “Zuno”) that provides feedback, study tips, and helps monitor progress. yetischolar.com
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Specific tools for vocabulary (500-word vocab tool), math formulas (80 must-know formulas), reading speed drills, and tracking performance by topic. yetischolar.com
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Gamified features like earning XP and ranking up (“Yeti Scholar Rank”) to encourage consistency and daily study streaks. yetischolar.com
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A “tutor” mode allowing educators to add and monitor multiple students within the platform.
Fall Pep Rally!
Project Graduation Events/Fundraisers
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must complete this form to apply for financial aid.
HESAA
The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority is the State of New Jersey's financial aid resource for state level grants and scholarships. Students will need to fill out an application for this after the FAFSA has been filed. The website also contains helpful financial aid information and guidance.
Rutgers presentation that covers: College Preparation, Application Tips, Financial Aid, and Rutgers–Camden.
"Going to College in New Jersey"
Helpful tips and data about college costs, programs of study and career paths, and key deadlines for college applications and financial aid can be found here.
One application accepted by almost 700 colleges. The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application - online and in print - that students may submit to any of the almost 700 colleges that accept it.
Big Future College Search
Search and get matched with colleges, explore career interests, and plan financially with this easy-to-use tool!
The National Association for College Admission Counseling
A Roadmap for College
This interactive site was designed by students for students and has a lot of relevant information about why to go, what to do, and how to pay for college.
The site also helps with the creation of a "roadmap" to college. A useful resource for students and families.
My Future
There’s more to college than mascots and dining halls. Here you'll find info on everything from choosing a four-year, two-year or trade school education to applying and paying for tuition. Click on Tools and Checklists for helpful tips on how to prepare for college from your freshmen year through your college visits and shopping for dorm supplies!
COLLEGE FAIRS
Burlington School Counselors Association's College Fair
The National Association for College Admission Counseling College Fairs
Philadelphia Architecture and Design College Fair
PACAC Delaware County Regional College Fair
State University of New York (SUNY) Spring College Fair
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS
New Jersey College Open Houses
Pennsylvania College Open Houses
Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York and Virginia College Open Houses
VIRTUAL COLLEGE TOURS
Liberal Arts Virtual College Fairs
Northern Burlington County Regional High School Virtual College Fair
Princeton Review Virtual Campus Tours
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
RaiseMe
RaiseMe allows students to begin earning scholarship in their freshman year! They can build a profile that acts as their transcript/resume and continuing adding to it throughout the years. They can earn money for grades, outside of school and within school club, activities, and athletics, awards, standardized testing scores, and even college tours!
FastWeb
Fastweb can help you find your dream school and then help you pay for it. Free Scholarship and College Search Services provided.
Going Merry
"The Common App for Scholarships". A scholarship match tool that only requires you to fill out one application that you can send to several scholarship opportunities.
Your source for free scholarship information.
Peterson's scholarship search tool reaches super hero status with its ability to filter available scholarships by school type, ethnicity, gender, field of study, state of residence, award type, and more!
COLLEGE SEARCH AND INFORMATION -- Most Frequently Used
Common Application Online - This site has options to download Common Application software or to do the Common Application online. Options are available to create School Reports and Teacher Evaluation forms. Be sure to check if the particular school requires a supplement to the Common Application.
College Board Online - This site supported by the College Board includes SAT and Subject Test (formerly "SAT II") registration, as well as information on the SAT, Subject Tests, and PSAT/NMSQT tests. Also included is a scholarship search, college search, and financial aid information.
CollegeBoard.com's College Search - Use the College Board's outstanding College Search features to help find the best college match.
ACT Assessment Home Page - Find assessment information, online registration, sample questions, how to apply to college, and an online financial aid need estimator.
COLLEGE SEARCH AND INFORMATION -- Miscellaneous
TOEFL - The official web site for the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
CollegeNet's Custom College Search - Enter your own personal criteria to find a list of colleges which may suit you well.
Princeton Review's Advanced College Search - Enter your own personal criteria to find a list of colleges which may suit you well.
U.S. News Advanced College Search - Enter your own personal criteria to find a list of colleges which may suit you well. College Information
NACAC - NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) offers many valuable articles related to college planning, early decision, college visits, etc.
CollegeData - This site offers tools regarding how to choose, prepare, apply, and pay for college.
College Navigator - The National Center for Educational Statistics and the Institute of Education Sciences provides college information.
CollegeNet - This site lets applicants complete, file, and pay for their admissions applications entirely through the internet. There are also college search resources, a free financial aid search, and scholarship search resources.
College-Scholarships.com - This site provides links to scholarships and has college information.
College Visits - This company offers a variety of college tours for a fee.
Fiscal Tiger - This site is a college finance glossary for students and parents.
GoCollege: The Collegiate Websource - This site offers a college search feature, financial aid information, and also a scholarship database.
Mapping Your Future - Provides college, career, and financial aid information and services.
New Jersey Commission on Higher Education - Many links to valuable information about higher education in New Jersey, including financial aid.
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education - Information regarding the Pennsylvania state colleges and Universities.
The Princeton Review - Ranks colleges, suggested techniques for taking the SAT, PSAT, and the ACT exams, and assistance on college applications. Also has an extensive career search capability.
US News Colleges and Career Center - A practical guide to the complete college admissions process including the important steps of preparation, application and admission.
COLLEGE SEARCH -- Special Interest
Educational On-Line's Listing of Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Links to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other college-related links.
Christian College Guide - Links to Christian colleges. Includes a college search feature.
National Catholic College Admission Association - Links to Catholic colleges and universities. Includes a college search feature.
Directory of Canadian Universities - This site provides information on higher education in Canada.
NEW JERSEY COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
New Jersey College and University Directories - The State of New Jersey's list of colleges and universities in New Jersey.
New Jersey Council of County Colleges - Valuable links to county and community colleges in New Jersey.
NJ Transfer - This is the website that helps you transfer community college courses in the State of New Jersey. Its many features will allow you to learn: which courses to select at a community college; how the courses will satisfy four-year degree requirements; where you can transfer your community college courses in New Jersey; and how to contact a New Jersey college or university if you need information about admissions, transferring courses, or transfer recruitment events.
LOCAL COUNTY & COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Rowan College at Gloucester County (formerly Gloucester County College)
FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS -- PUBLIC
New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities - This site provides information on undergraduate programs at the nine New Jersey state colleges and universities. The site includes sections on "Getting into College" and "Paying for College."
FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS -- PRIVATE
ARMED FORCES & MILITARY ACADEMIES
Military Academies
National Guard
Reserve
ACT & SAT INFORMATION
College Board SAT
College Board SAT Suite of Assessments shares information about the SAT, which is designed to assess a student's academic readiness for college. It provides a path to opportunities, financial support, and scholarships, in a way that's standardized, in an effort to provide equal opportunities for all students. Below is more information:SAT Dates and Deadlines
- SAT Practice Tests
- SAT - Most students take it for the first time during the winter or spring of junior year and possibly a second or third time during the fall of their senior year.
- SAT Fee Waiver - Free/Reduced Lunch students are eligible for SAT fee waivers. Using a SAT fee waiver serves as a springboard to qualify the student for college application fee waivers. See your counselor for more details.
- College Board Services for Students with Disabilities- Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent Form for Accommodations Request
ACT
ACT is a nationally administered, standardized paper-and-pencil test that helps colleges evaluate candidates. Colleges accept ACT or SAT scores interchangeably, which means you have the opportunity to decide which test you would prefer.
- Register for the ACT Test - Dates & Deadlines
- Free ACT Test Prep
- ACT Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements - For Free/Reduced Lunch students.
- ACT Requesting Accommodations - Students with disabilities may submit a request. Consent to Release Information to ACT - For parents to sign and return to their school counselor.
Test Optional
- FairTest Test Optional and Test Free List - List of colleges that do not require SAT or ACT for admissions purposes.
NCAA REGISTRATION for JUNIORS & SENIORS
Student-athletes in the 11th grade who are hoping to play at the NCAA Division I or II levels in college must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. All student-athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center prior to making any official school visits or receiving a written offer of athletically related financial aid with “D-I” or “D-II” colleges. You can register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Senior athletes who have not already done so, should register immediately.
Parents and students can click HERE for NCAA Resources
THE ASVAB TEST
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
The ASVAB is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world. It consists of eight tests, contains a total of 200 items, and requires three hours to complete (134 minutes of actual test time and 36 minutes of administration time). Each test is strictly timed, with permitted time ranging from 9 minutes for the 20-item Electronics Information test to 36 minutes for the 30-item Arithmetic Reasoning test. See your counselor for more information on the ASVAB Test.
The ASVAB Fact Sheet will give you more information on the test.
Steps to Take In Advance of the Actual Test Day
Prepare well in advance of the day of the test - Know what to expect on test day
Familiarize yourself with the contents of the ASVAB Subtests
Take sample questions & review content areas to freshen up your skills.
Get plenty of rest the night before the test.
Peer to Peer Mentor
Are you interested in becoming a leader and making a difference in our school community? Join the Peer to Peer Program! As a Peer Mentor, you’ll have the opportunity to support younger students, build friendships, and help them navigate challenges inside and outside of the classroom. Along the way, you’ll develop important skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork while serving as a positive role model. This is a great chance to give back, grow as a leader, and make a lasting impact. See Ms. Warren for more information.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
The Audubon School District partnered with Care Solace to support the well-being of students, staff, and their family members. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service that can help you quickly find mental health or substance use treatment options matched to your needs regardless of circumstance. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:
Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365 in any language.
Visit https://caresolace.com/site/apsd/ and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
In this guide, a family can find out more information on how to apply for food, income and employment assistance, as well as health care and much more. A caregiver can get information on support programs and services to assist them in caring for their loved ones. Individuals with disabilities and their families can get information on various services that include in-home supports, vocational rehabilitation, and education.
NJ4S - Student Support Services
The NJ4S - Statewide Student Support Services provide an array of wellness services to support students and their parents or caregivers. Student Support Services Hubs, located across the state, connect students and their parents and caregivers with services to address social, emotional, and mental health well-being. Services are provided in schools and other convenient community locations, such as libraries and community centers.
Visit https://www.centerffs.org/our-services/community-connections/nj4s-student-support-services for more information,
2ND FLOOR
"A safe space for Teens'
Download it today by choosing your mobile app store and receive 1:1 CONFIDENTIAL chat support, communicate directly with your peers on message boards, or find daily inspiration!
When people call, text, or chat with the 988 Lifeline, they are connected to trained crisis counselors who are part of the existing 988 Lifeline network, made up of over 200 local crisis centers. These crisis counselors are trained to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and connect them to resources. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across the United States.
