College Counseling Newsletter

Happy November!

The weeks leading up to college deadlines are always a busy and exciting time for our seniors. Fall is a season of reflection and decision-making, as students shape their college plans and take important steps toward their future. It’s also a time of growth—through writing, self-discovery, and learning to take ownership of the process.

We’re grateful to support our seniors as they navigate this journey with curiosity, courage, and independence.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our students, parents, and faculty for their continued trust, support, and collaboration.

Wishing everyone a joyful and restful Thanksgiving break,
The College Counseling Team

You’ve made it through one of the busiest months of the year—great job! November is all about finishing strong, meeting deadlines, and preparing for the next phase of your college journey. Here’s your November to-do list:

• Finish and Submit College Applications

If you haven’t finished your applications, now’s the time!

Many regular decision and priority deadlines are coming up soon—don’t wait until the last minute.

Once you submit an application, update SchooLinks and upload your acceptance letters as you receive them.

• Scholarships

November is full of scholarship opportunities—apply, apply, apply!

Check SchooLinks → Scholarship Matching and apply the scholarships.

Remember: applying for scholarships now means less stress later.

• FAFSA & Financial Aid

If you haven’t completed your FAFSA, make it a priority this month.

Ask your counselor or a parent if you need help. The earlier you submit, the better your chance for aid! Remember that FAFSA is requirement for all state and federal aid. FAFSA completion is also requirement to leave early in the second semester for seniors.

• Be sure to review any college-specific financial aid forms or deadlines.

• Apply scholarships given by Arkansas Division of Higher Education
• Order your cap and gown from Jostens graduation. Talk you your counselor if you need help.
• Create your account on ADHE website and apply all scholarships you are eligible.

— The College Counseling Office

Application Deadline - Scholarship and application link - Scholarship amount

November 1st Hendrix Stem Scholarship - $$60,000

November 2nd - Hispanic Heritage Foundation Scholarships - $4,000

November 12th - Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarships - $4,000-$30,000

November 12th - The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s scholarship - up to $220,000

November 14th - Students with Disabilities Scholarship - $5,000

November 15th- University of Arkansas Priority Scholarships application deadline

November 17th - National Space Club and Foundation Scholarship - $20,000

December 1st- Hagan Scholarships - $60,000

December 1st - Ron Brown Scholarship - $40,000

December 1st - Arkansas Tech University Level 4&5 Scholarships -$32,000-$48,000

December 5th - SMART Scholarship for STEM Degrees - over $200,000

An Honors College is a specialized program within a university for high-achieving students, offering smaller classes, close faculty interaction, and advanced coursework. Students have opportunities for research, independent study, and leadership experiences that go beyond the regular curriculum.

Honors Colleges also provide additional support, including dedicated advisors, priority registration, and sometimes specialized housing. Admission typically requires strong academics, high test scores, and leadership potential, helping students grow intellectually and prepare for graduate school or competitive careers.

Below is information about Honors Colleges at some Arkansas universities:

UCA Honors College application deadline: January 26, 2026

UALR The Donaghey Scholars Honors Program - Priority deadline : January 15th

Arkansas Tech Honors College - application deadline - Dec. 1st 2025

University of Arkansas Honors College - application deadline - Priority Deadline - December 15

UAPB F. Blakely Honors Program - no specific application deadline

Southern Arkansas University Honors College

Henderson State University Honors College

Dear Students and Parents,

To support our students in preparing for the ACT, LISA Academy has provided Methodize Online Self-Paced ACT Prep for all 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Students can access Method Learning Test Prep through Clever, which includes both ACT and Enhanced ACT lessons.

The program offers short instructional videos, practice questions, quizzes, and full-length practice tests to help students improve their skills at their own pace. We highly encourage all 10th-12th grade students to take advantage of this free resource.

Pre-ACT for 9th Graders:
All 9th graders took the Pre-ACT at the beginning of October. We have recently received the scores and distributed them to students. Click here to learn how to use and interpret Pre-ACT results.

PSAT for 10th and 11th Graders:
The PSAT/NMSQT is a scholarship-qualifying test. Students who score in the top 1% may become National Merit Finalists, opening doors to numerous scholarship opportunities. Click here to learn how to use and interpret PSAT results.

ACT for 11th and 12th Graders:
October ACT scores have been released. This is an important test for college admissions and scholarships. ACT scores are especially important for 11th graders, as a minimum score of 19 is a graduation requirement. Click here for detailed information about ACT scores.

All 9th graders took the Pre-ACT at the beginning of October. We have recently received the scores and distributed them to students.

Dear Parents,

We need your support! LISA North Middle and High School will be hosting a Career Fair on November 14th. This event will be a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet professionals from various fields, ask questions, and learn more about different career paths.

If you are able to participate by representing your career field, please click the link below to register. If you know someone who would be interested in attending, please share the flyer with them. Your involvement would mean a lot to our students!

12 LISA Academy Seniors received scholarships from AAPI (American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin)

LISA West High

Damian Morales , Axel Ramos, Cristian Valadez, Emily Baldelamar, Fatima Cibrian-Esparza

LISA North High

Benjamin Page, Elif Zengin, Jayden Branch, Mya Pighee, Yusuf Guven, Dafne Reyes, Neema Patel

Congratulations to Amelia F. (LISA North High) , Bethany P ( LISA West High) and Hannah F (LISA West Hight) for being selected to Senator Boozman's Youth Cabinet.

The Congressional Youth Cabinet is a non-partisan program that gives students insight and experience with the legislative process. The students will attend meetings throughout the year and work in teams to select and research national issues. In the spring, the students will present their policy recommendations to the senator.

After great success and participation last year, ADHE and ASLA College Planning Services will be providing 2 virtual financial aid nights again this year! These sessions will cover Federal and State Aid programs, how to apply, and other quick tips for your senior students. Presenters will be Alisha Lewis (ADHE) and Lavonne Juhl (ASLA College Planning Services).

Register For A Virtual Aid Night - Virtual Aid Night Registration

Dear Seniors,

The College Counseling Department has created free yard signs for all members of the Class of 2026! We started distributing them on Friday, October 31. If you haven’t received yours yet, please stop by and see your counselor to pick one up.

LISA West High School - Juniors - University of Arkansas & Crystal Bridges Museum - Wednesday Nov. 5th. The bus will leave at 7am. Be at the school by 6:50am!

LISA West High School - Juniors/Seniors - Discover UA.Little Rock event

LISA North High School - Juniors/Seniors- University of Arkansas & Crystal Bridges Museum - Thursday Nov. 5th. The bus will leave at 7am. Be at the school by 6:50am!

ACT Workkeys for Juniors (Optional test) Nov. 11-13

We are here to support families through the college process. Reach out to us with questions or for a meeting.

Email:

District office -Mr. Elkan delkan@lisaacademy.org

LISA North -Mr. Dundar gdundar@lisaacademy.org Mrs. Lovelday tlovelady@lisaacademy.org

LISA Online School Mrs. Guven hguven@lisaacademy.org

LISA West - Mr. Bilal bacikgoz@lisaacademy.org Mr. Unal eunal@lisaacademy.org

LISA Rogers-Bentonville -Mrs.Tuna ytuna@lisaacademy.org