School Counselor's Corner

📆Important Dates:

September 10: Treasure Time/ Club Fair

September 11: Goodnight Scholars Meeting1:30-2:30 pm (Seniors Only)

September 15: Gates Scholarship Due

September 29: High Point University speaker 2:00. Sign up sheet will be sent out.

September 29: Senior Parent meeting @ 6:30 pm.

Students were given a College Preparation Folder prepared by Ms. Grevel. Please take some time to review the information and documents in the folder with your student. These resources are designed to help students stay organized and prepared for the college application process.

Students will also have the opportunity to work with Ms. Grevel during Free College Application Week on October 22 and 23. Sign-up information and appointment times will be emailed to students soon.

📌 College Application Season:
Start drafting applications, especially for Early Action deadlines (as early as October 15th). CFNC is promoting college week, October 20-26. Many North Carolina Colleges and universities participate by waiving application fees. There will be an event hosted by the school counselor during the school day, exact dates will be announced.

🔍Common App is available now!

What is Common App? The Common Application (Common App), is an online platform used by students to apply to multiple colleges and universities with one application. Over 1,100 institutions worldwide participate, saving students time applying to colleges during a hectic senior year.

Common App Link: https://www.commonapp.org/

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is a free career exploration assessment that helps students learn more about their strengths, skills, and potential career interests. Taking the ASVAB can help students identify careers that may be a good fit for their abilities and explore opportunities in both military and civilian career fields. Taking the ASVAB does not commit students to joining the military. It is simply a useful tool for career exploration and future planning.

Please complete the form to sign up to test.

https://forms.gle/5pUNqEuWsNcT1Vqx8

Date: October 2, 2026

Time: TBD

Location: MHCHS

Scholarship season is an exciting opportunity to plan for the future and open doors to new possibilities. We encourage all students to take time to read scholarship information carefully and pay close attention to application requirements. Deadlines come quickly, and missing one could mean missing out on valuable support for college and career goals.

Please make it a habit to check scholarship updates regularly, set reminders for upcoming deadlines, and reach out if you have any questions or need assistance. Together, we can ensure every student has the best chance to benefit from these opportunities.

The Goodnight Scholars Program

The Goodnight Scholars Program is NC State’s premier full tuition scholarship program valued at $24,000 per year and is exclusively for high-achieving students from low- and middle-income families in North Carolina who dream of pursuing a STEM degree at NC State. Our Program’s goal is to make the world-class education available at NC State accessible for North Carolina students from all corners of our great state, and we hope to add students from your school to our growing Goodnight Scholars community!

When: September 11

Time: 1:30-2:30

Room: TBD, you will be sent more information on where to report.

Please sign up using this Google sheet to attend the presentation. There will be an announcement on the day of the presentation calling you down to the location of the meeting.

https://forms.gle/2Y39jGsRdw8R2weV7

Please see attached for Scholarship Information.

Please email Ms. Grevel if you are applying for UNC Charlotte.

📢Seniors, if you are interested in attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Morehead-Cain Foundation Scholarship is one of the most prestigious full-ride scholarships in the nation. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate leadership, strong character, academic achievement, and physical vigor through school involvement, service, athletics, clubs, work experience, or other activities.

🏨North Carolina students may self nominate.

Please follow the link to the self nomination page.

Due Date: October 1, 2026

Follow link for website: https://apply.moreheadcain.org/register/?id=a4ba5985-1d58-4207-b0ce-d629ad36fd7b

The Park Scholarship at North Carolina State University is a highly competitive scholarship program that recognizes students with outstanding leadership, academic achievement, service, and character. The scholarship provides exceptional students with a full educational experience, including financial support, enrichment opportunities, leadership development, and travel experiences.

Due date: November 1

Follow link for more information: https://park.ncsu.edu/apply/

Follow Link for more information:

https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship

https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/MVS.cfm

The most academically competitive first-year applicants who apply and are admitted through Early Decision I or Early Action (November 1 deadline) are considered for Premier Scholarships. These can cover up to the full cost of attendance. Here’s an overview of the different Premier Scholarships we offer and the eligibility requirements.

Follow the hyperlink for more information:

https://admissions.miami.edu/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships/freshman/index.html

Email Ms. Grevel if you are interested in being nominated for the George W. Jenks Scholarship.

Due: December 1, 2026

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate from college debt-free. Parents’ Adjusted Household Income must not exceed $125,000. The scholarship provides $1,000 to help purchase essential items for college and up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Free workshops, free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and free Study Abroad opportunities provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum. Hagan Scholars have attended 745 colleges and universities located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and have studied abroad in 64 countries.

See brochure for more information.

🔍 Pro Tip: Use CFNC.org and Scholarship Central for local/statewide awards!

Cumberland County Schools Scholarship Website:

https://www.ccs.k12.nc.us/o/ccs/page/scholarshipsfinancial-aid

2025-2026 Scholarship Resource Spreadsheet:

This resource contains local and national scholarship information. The resources and links are attached to assist with scholarship search. Please read the scholarships carefully and make sure to pay attention to the deadlines and how they want applications received.

• Apply to NC State by the Early Action Deadline
• Special Circumstances Form opens in WolfPaw Monday, November 2nd
  • This form also allows students to share unique circumstances that they feel may cause them to be overlooked for an invitation to apply to our Program. Submission of this form does not guarantee an invitation to apply, nor is it required to receive an invitation to apply. The form will close on December 1st.

Attached you will find great information to prepare and explain the college application process.

📌 FAFSA Opens October 1st:
FAFSA Information will be presented during the Senior Parent meeting on September 29 @ 6:30pm.

As you begin asking teachers for letters of recommendation, please make sure you complete your Senior Brag Sheet first.

Your brag sheet helps your teachers learn more about you, including your accomplishments, activities, goals, strengths, and experiences. This information will help them write a more personal and detailed recommendation letter.

When asking a teacher for a recommendation, please:

• Complete your brag sheet before making your request.
• Give your teacher plenty of time to write your letter.
• Share your brag sheet with the teacher when you ask.
• Be sure to provide any deadlines or submission instructions.

Remember, a strong recommendation starts with giving your teacher the information they need to tell your story!

Please follow the link to upload your Community Service form and hours.

https://forms.gle/dgt2pW4D9XikyLLYA

📌 Transcripts:

Please email Ms. Grevel if you need a copy of your transcript for scholarship applications.

emoniquegrevel@ccs.k12.nc.us

📥 Let’s Connect

👩‍🏫Emonique Grevel – School Counselor

📧 emoniquegrevel@ccs.k12.nc.us

Daina Grantham - AIG Consultant

Email: dainagrantham@ccs.k12.nc.us