PHS College & Career Corner

The end of the third marking period is approaching. I strongly encourage all students to review their grades and seek help or assistance if needed! It's not too late to improve your grades. Your academic performance now influences your future career opportunities, potential college options, and your ability to earn gift aid for college! Read on for updates about financial aid and job exposure events!

Attend the Apprenticeship & Trades Fair on Saturday, April 5th from 10-12 @ the DCIU in Morton!

Thanks to our wonderful biology teachers, I had the opportunity to work in their classrooms helping students complete career-related activities through Naviance. These lessons focused on how understanding yourself can connect you to future career fields and work environments! All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors need to review their Naviance Tasks from My School list to complete any outstanding activities by Monday, March 31st. These are required as part of the career education work standards outlined by PDE.

Need to review your tasks? Click here to sign in to your account: Naviance Access. See Ms. Allen with questions!

As Penncrest works to grow its career exposure and awareness for all students, we are seeking individuals who may be interested in serving as a guest speaker on a career panel for our future events. We welcome professionals from all backgrounds in all fields. Please complete the form and our Career and College Counselor, Ms. Cassandra Allen, will be in contact about future opportunities as they arise: Penncrest High School - Career Speaker Series Interest Form. We're hoping to schedule an event next month!

The Penncrest High School Scholarship Program Application is open and we encourage all Penncrest Seniors to apply! It is a single application for multiple scholarships! Also, while you are completing that application, look at the other RTMSD scholarships available (e.g. ones for future educators, the Springton Lake Spartan Scholarship, etc.). These will be WON by PHS students!

As the final decisions from colleges are released, it is time to take a serious look at the total cost of attendance and funding your education. Feeling like you did not receive the package you had anticipated? Consider using Going Merry’s Financial Aid Appeal Letter Generator. This program walks you through how to write an appeal letter. Additionally, you can view this recording for useful tips on understanding award letters and appeals:The College Funding Coach Deciphering Award Letters and Winning Appeals Webinar. Don't forget to check the individual college's website (and your portal) for directions about the appeals process and documents needed (e.g.American University Extenuating Circumstances). Some colleges may allow you to appeal both merit and need-based aid. However, remember leveraging one college offer against another does not work if they are not similar types of institutions. Do your research and make an informed decision when pursuing any financial aid appeals or scholarship reconsiderations.

Finally, it's not difficult to find a story about the Department of Education and changes that are occurring at the federal level. Colleges are receiving information in real time and often do not know news in advance of it being shared publicly. While the colleges I have spoken with confirm that they are continuing their financial aid process as they normally do (and receiving FAFSA information much quicker - sorry, Class of 2024!), do not hesitate to reach out directly to your future institutions if you have questions pertaining to possible changes.

A HUGE thank you to Ms. Elizbeth Parrett, Student Disability Resources (SDR) Coordinator at Penn State Brandywine, and all families who attended the Lunch & Learn Webinar Understanding Accommodations in Postsecondary Educational Settings on Thursday, March 20th. Several people have reached out about links to the recording and the slides from the presentation. I will share both of these with you as soon as the recording is finalized and sent to me. In the interim, I have included her contact information below if you have any specific questions. Thank you for spending your lunch hour with us!

Impress the locals on your visit by knowing how to correctly pronounce Worcester (wu-str)! Interested in looking at a great STEM school in the Northeast? WPI is a fantastic mid-size option! Innovative majors? How about Fintech, combining finance and technology (think: Venmo)! With an emphasis on project-based learning, WPI designed their schedule to have four 7-week terms, mirroring industry with the amount of time often dedicated to a task on the job. Plus, earn up to $5000 to travel abroad with articulated agreements across the globe!

We have a busy few weeks of college, career, and military spring visits ahead! Make sure to register in advance and check in with your teacher prior to attending.

Monday, March 24th

• Stony Brook University - 9:30 am
• The University of Tennessee- Knoxville - 10:15 am
• U.S. Air Force - 11:05 AM

Tuesday, March 26th

• The University of Alabama - 1:00 pm

Monday, April 7th

• Florida Institute of Technology - 11:05 am

Tuesday, April 8th

• Washington & Jefferson College - 7:45 am

Wednesday, April 9th

• Immaculata University - 9:30 am

• Details and registration links can be found under the College Visits tab in Naviance (you must be logged in): https://student.naviance.com/colleges/visits. You must register at least an hour prior to the scheduled visit.
  
• Visits will be held in the College and Career Center in the counseling office or Lecture Room A. Please view the location when registering.
  
• You will receive an email prior to the scheduled visit that will confirm your registration. Please show that to your teacher to use as your pass prior to coming to the meeting.
  
• Attendance is documented at all visits!
• Seniors - if you have questions about admitted students, attend the visit! Sophomores and Juniors, this is a great time to get to know your postsecondary options!

If the button is not working, please click here:PHS Job Opportunities