Connections Newsletter

November 22, 2024

Class of 2025 - Joanna Peters

FAFSA The FAFSA is open and all students and families are now able to access and submit their 2025-26 FAFSAs. We recommend you file as soon as possible. Here are some tips.

Colorado Promise - Two Free Years of College Expanded: Beginning in Fall 2024, students who attend public institutions and have family incomes of $90,000 or less are eligible for a complete reimbursement of any out-of-pocket tuition and fees paid for their education. The program expands on individual institutional promise programs and extends financial support to middle-income Colorado residents.

Class of 2026 - Joanna Peters

In junior and senior classes, we have discussed the difference (shocking differences) between sticker price and net price for colleges. Here is a great article that outlines some of those differences.

This coming April, all juniors at TCA will take the SAT (dates TBD). This is a digital exam using the Bluebook app. There are many ways to prepare for the test. We recommend taking an at-home timed SAT AND ACT practice test and then spending time preparing for the test you score better on. Starting 8-12 weeks before the scheduled test provides ample time to understand the test structure, get comfortable with the type of questions, and work on improving scores. Our website includes several options for free prep and more.

Class of 2027 - Katina Dahl

This week, sophomores worked in history class on the first step in connecting their Naviance inventory results to career opportunities. We reviewed and evaluated inventory results from the Self Discovery tab in Naviance by answering survey questions. In their next Connections visit to history class second semester, we will continue connecting inventory results to post-secondary pathways. Parents and guardians can see the results of student inventories via the family Naviance log-in under Self-Discovery. Contact Jodi Hoffman at tcavisits@asd20.org for her to resend your login to the email listed in Infinite Campus.

Save the Date

At TCA

Monday, December 2, 11:25: Colorado Christian University

Career Talk Thursday, December 5, 8:40: Justin Blush, TCA Dad, and Division Service Director for Precott’s Inc Surgical Microscope Division. Mr. Blush started as a technician in his company and now he is the director of a department that generates $20 million per year in revenue, he oversees 20 internal employees and 70+ field reps in the US and UK. As he finishes his master's, he has had the opportunity to intern with NORAD and USNorthcom. Come to this talk and find out the keys to his success.

In the Community

The UNC Future Teacher Conference will be held in Greeley on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Spots fill quickly.

Virtual

Hospitality and Resort Management Info Session at PPCS – Wednesday, December 4 from 6-7 p.m.

Community Service

With the holidays coming up, there are many volunteer opportunities to consider. As a reminder, all students must complete 40 hours of community service and write 4 (four) 350-word reflective papers by the end of the third quarter of their senior year (March 21, 2025 for seniors). Hours and papers are logged in the Community Service (x2VOL) link found on the TCA Intranet page and under the Family tab on the TCA website if logging in from home. If you need help, refer to this Helpful Hints sheet or stop by Connections.

Fee Waivers

If you qualify, here are two avenues to waive college admission testing (SAT, ACT, AP) or college application fees. If you qualify for an SAT fee waiver, or the ACT fee waiver, you can be approved for a fee waiver to most colleges. Another route is the NACAC College Application Fee Waiver. Please contact Ms. Peters at tcacollege@asd20.org for assistance.

Scholarships, Awards and Application Information

Find out if your college is offering a fee waiver here.

See more scholarship opportunities from StudentScholarships.org

The University of North Dakota offers their Presidential Leadership Fellows Program that encourages leadership development and awards $16,000 over four years. Deadline to apply is December 1.

The University of Arizona offers their Presidential Scholarship for non-resident students. This application-based renewable scholarship is valued at $10,000/year, for a maximum value of $40,000 over 4 years. Deadline to apply is December 15.

The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship program will award 400 students up to $40,000 each toward college expenses, paired with opportunites to intern at Amazon. The deadline to apply is December 19.

The White Rose Scholarship Foundation offers scholarships based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need. Deadline to apply is January 31.

Colorado College’s El Pomar Scholarship is a full tuition, room, and board scholarship for Colorado students interested in pursuing careers in public service or non-profit work, or for students who have been significantly involved in community service during their four years of high school. Deadline to apply is January 19.

Enrichment and Other Opportunities

Lockheed Martin Space’s High School Internship Program gives students interested in pursuing STEM-related careers the opportunity to work with aerospace scientists and engineers. Interns will spend 9+ weeks during the summer working on world-changing projects and defense tech. For more information, sign up for an Info Session on November 20 or December 17 at 5:30 p.m., or check out this video.

The Yale Daily News Winter Symposium is a four-day intensive virtual course in journalism for high school students run by undergraduate staff members of the Yale Daily News on January 3 - 6. The course includes workshops on the fundamentals of reporting and writing, lectures by esteemed guest speakers in the journalism industry and real hands-on reporting by producing a story.

Earlham College offers a weeklong summer immersion camps for students to immerse themselves in college life and earn college credit. Financial aid available.

AFS-USA is an immersion study abroad program in over 40 countries, offering 1 week to 2-month sessions. Scholarships are available.

College Highlights and Resources

Applying to Earlham College is free and test optional. Apply by the Early Action deadline of December 1 to be considered for Scholarship Day – an event to compete for additional scholarship opportunities.

Western Michigan University offers their Assured Admission Program for incoming first-year students. This means that students that meet or are on track to meet the criteria of a 3.00+ GPA and an overall academic positive grade trend, they are assured admission to WMU. Early Action deadline is December 15.

Interested in Colorado School of Mines? The application process and opportunities? Here is a podcast with more information.

Johns Hopkins University shares this free College Planning Guide to help you navigate the college search process, craft your strongest application, and make decisions that are right for you and your family.

Find out more about the colleges in Colorado here.

At Florida State University out-of-state students who successfully complete the First Year Abroad (FYA) program will earn an in-state tuition waiver for the remainder of their first undergraduate degree at FSU. First year students can study in London, England; Florence, Italy; Panama City, Republic of Panama; and Valencia, Spain.

Champlain College offers an upside curriculum where students start taking courses in their majors on day one. In 2023, within six months of graduating, 90% of the students achieved career success, with 83% working in their field of study. 98% of the students receive some form of financial or merit aid. Early Action deadline December 15.

At Berry College, 99% of their graduates started a job or graduate program within a year. Berry is free to apply and test optional. Every student receives an academic scholarship, 72% received need- based scholarships, and 20% receive signature scholarships meeting their full financial need. In 2025 they will open a health and sciences building dedicated to students in the nursing and new physician associate programs.

At the University of Missouri, the first-year retention rate reached 92.6% last year and 95% of their graduates find success in their career within six months of graduation. They have added several new programs: Graphic Design, Environmental Engineering and Engineering Technology majors; and Data Science Engineering and Architecture masters.

Northeastern University offers a co-op program with over 3,500 organizations worldwide; 59% of the 2022 graduates received a full-time job offer from a previous co-op employer, while 91% are doing work related to their major. Starting in the Fall of 2025, students will have the chance to start their journey in Manhattan through the New York City Scholars program.

Montana State University is among the tops 3% of colleges and universities for research expenditure, giving students unparalleled access to research opportunities. Bozeman is a top-ranked college town known for its outdoor adventure and fun, friendly atmosphere.

Career Spotlight - Veterinarians

Are you interested in the veterinary field? Did you know that in the last election. Colorado voters approved Proposition 129. Proposition 129 establishes a career pathway for a Veterinary Professional Associate, or Veterinary PA, akin to a physician assistant in human medicine. These professionals will hold a master’s degree and work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. By enabling Veterinary PAs to provide quality, routine medical care, more pets can be treated — reducing the burden on existing veterinary staff and allowing veterinarians to focus on more complex diagnostics and procedures. Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences has developed a robust and comprehensive master’s program for Veterinary PAs. This program, created by national experts, is expected to launch in 2025. Graduates will be equipped to work in animal shelters and veterinary clinics across the state. Look for more colleges to follow this new opportunity! Check out My Colorado Journey for more information about careers with animals: Animal Systems and Environmental Health

SAT Fee Waivers

SAT fee waivers are available to low-income 11th- and 12th-grade students in the United States. A student is eligible if they enroll in or are eligible to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or their family's annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. Be sure to look at the current year's guidelines to verify.

Upcoming SAT and ACT Test Dates

The next SAT testing date is December 7, 2024. Register by November 22, 2024.

Additional test dates: March 8, 2025

Schoolhouse offers free SAT Turing Bootcamp.

The next ACT testing date is April 13, 2025. Register by March 8, 2025.

Additional test dates: March 8, May 3, and June 7, 2025

Connections Center (Career & College)

Joanna Peters, Director - Junior, Senior

Katina Dahl, Advisor - Freshmen, Sophomore, AP, PSAT/NMSQT

Jodi Hoffman, Office Manager - College & Career Visits, Community Service

Email: tcavisits@asd20.org
Website: tcatitans.org
Location: 975 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO
Phone: 719-484-0091 1104