Viking College & Career Newsletter

If you have not started on your college applications and/or FAFSA, now is the time to get started!

A few reminders:

• FAFSA Workshop: October 15th 6 - 7:30PM at Parkway North High School (Check your school email for more details on what to bring - you should come with your parent(s) if they are attending.)
• ACT: October 17 - Remember if you are taking the ACT on Saturday, you will need to bring a printed copy of your admissions ticket, a photo ID, a #2 pencil, and a calculator.
• Requesting Transcripts / Teacher Letters of Recommendation: All transcripts for a November 1 deadline should be requested BEFORE October 28th to make sure that they get to your college on time. A letter of recommendation from a teacher needs to be requested at least 3 weeks ahead of time. If you need one from a teacher before November 1 you MUST request it in SchooLinks. Instructions on Requesting Transcripts & Letters
• Counselor Letters of Recommendation: If you need a counselor letter of recommendation remember to complete the Brag Sheet in SchooLinks (on your main dashboard) and email me with your first deadline. I need at least 2 weeks to work on this. I will only write letters for colleges that require a counselor letter.
• STLCC Application Workshop: November 6th - AC Lab MOD 2: Seniors wanting help applying to STLCC can email me or sign up in Responsive Scheduling to get assistance with their STLCC application.

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!

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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)!

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.

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!