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College & Career Update

October 20th, 2026

College & CareerUpdateOctober 20th, 2026

In this update... In this update...

  • Future Center Events - October 19th - 30th
  • Colorado Free College Application Days
  • FAFSA/ CASFA Night
  • Colleges Visiting Palmer
  • Scholarships - New

Future Center Events Future Center Events

This Week in the Future Center - October 19th - 23rd

October 20th - 22nd - Colorado Free College Application Days

October 19th - 23rd - No Events, Fall Break

Next Week in the Future Center - October 26th - 30th

Monday, October 26th, During Lunch - Military Lunch & Learn

Monday, October 26th, 2:00pm - Texas A & M University - San Antonio

Wednesday, October 28th, 9:00am - 2:15pm - City Jobs Field Trip

Thursday, October 29th, 12:30pm - Abertay University - Scotland

Thursday, October 29th, 5:30-7:30pm - FAFSA/ CASFA Night

Friday, October 30th, 9:15am - 2:30pm - UCCS Engineering Field Trip

Interested in attending an event?

Sign up from your SchooLinks dashboard under the Events tab to receive a pass invite!

Colorado's Free College Application Days Colorado's Free College Application Days

Seniors! Colorado Free College Application Days are this week, Oct. 20-22! All public and some private institutions in Colorado will waive application fees on these days. This is your chance to apply for free! Continue working on your college applications so that you can submit your applications during the free application window!

Promotional graphic for Colorado Applies Month featuring a stylized mountain logo and the text “Colorado Applies Month” on the left. On the right, large white text reads “FREE Application Days,” with the dates “Oct. 20–22” displayed in yellow. Below is the Colorado Department of Higher Education logo and name. A yellow box on the right states “NO Application Fees.” The design uses navy blue, white, yellow, orange, and red colors and promotes free college application days in Colorado.
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FAFSA & CASFA Night FAFSA & CASFA Night

Save the Date: October 29th, 5:30-7:30 PM Save the Date: October 29th, 5:30-7:30 PM

Flyer titled “FAFSA & CASFA Night.” The flyer features financial aid-themed illustrations, including a person using a laptop, charts, a calculator, a wallet, and money icons. The event will be held at the Palmer Future Center on Thursday, October 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The flyer states attendees can: Receive financial aid information Learn how to pay for college Complete a FAFSA or CASFA application Items to bring include: Laptop Family members 2025 tax information Identification (driver’s license, permit, or passport) Social Security number (if available) A note at the bottom indicates some documents may or may not be needed.
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Graphic titled “Important FAFSA & CASFA Reminders” on a blue background. Four informational panels are displayed across the graphic with colorful icons. The first panel shows a calendar icon and states: “FAFSA Opens Oct. 1, 2026.” The second panel shows a document with a Colorado symbol and states: “CASFA Opens Oct. 1, 2026.” The third panel shows FAFSA and CASFA forms with a checkmark and states: “Submit FAFSA or CASFA (not both).” The fourth panel shows a graduation cap and headset icon and states: “Resources & Support Available.” The graphic emphasizes key financial aid reminders for students and families, including application opening dates, the requirement to complete only one application, and the availability of assistance and support resources.
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Colleges Visiting Palmer Colleges Visiting Palmer

Texas A & M University - San Antonio

San Antonio, Texas

Monday, October 26th

2:00pm

Promotional image for Texas A&M University–San Antonio. The photo shows a large tan-brick university building with a prominent arched entrance and a domed tower centered above the structure. A landscaped courtyard with walkways, trimmed shrubs, and trees with yellow autumn foliage is visible in the foreground. On the left side of the image, a maroon overlay displays the university’s logo and the text “Texas A&M University San Antonio.” The scene is brightly lit by daylight against a clear blue sky.
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Abertay University - Scotland

Dundee, Scotland

Thursday, October 29th

12:30pm

A wide campus view of Abertay University on an overcast day. The image shows a city street lined with university buildings, including the modern glass-front Kydd Building and the historic red sandstone Old College building with a pointed tower. In the foreground, the Bernard King Library is visible with large windows and a contemporary stone façade. Pedestrians walk along sidewalks and across the plaza areas, while buses and cars travel on the cobblestone street. The sky is filled with dark gray clouds, and the urban campus setting stretches into the distance with additional buildings visible on the horizon.
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Scholarships Scholarships

Boettcher Scholarship Boettcher Scholarship

Description:

The Boettcher Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that awards $20,000 per year for a total of 4 years. On top of the $20,000 provided from Boettcher, colleges agree to cover the remaining costs of either full cost of attendance or full tuition and fees. Students must be graduates from a Colorado high school and plan to attend college in Colorado.


Selection for the Boettcher Scholarship is based on superior scholastic ability, intellectual curiosity, a demonstrated commitment to school and community activities, and strength of character. A successful candidate also demonstrates a strong potential for continued leadership and service. As a merit-based scholarship, we define merit to mean the selection criteria above and more. We care deeply about lived experience and the context in which a student has thrived as a leader, either because of or in spite of personal circumstances.


Deadline to your counselor: October 26th, 2026

Scholarship Deadline: November 1st at 5:00pm

Eligibility: Boettcher Scholarship Information & Eligibility

Website: Boettcher Scholarship Website


Webinars:

The Boettcher Foundation hosts webinars annually. Titled “Everything You Need to Know About Scholarships,” the webinars go over how students can “ACE” their college and scholarship applications, including tips on how to make their applications stand out.

2026 Webinars:

  • Tuesday, September 8 from 5-6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 23 from 12-1 p.m.
  • Tuesday, October 6 from 5-6 p.m.
  • Monday, October 12 from 12-1 p.m.

An abbreviated version of the presentation is also available here. Ver el vídeo: todo lo que debes saber de las becas.

Elks National Foundation - 2027 MVS Scholarship Contest Elks National Foundation - 2027 MVS Scholarship Contest

Description: 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 top 20 MVS Scholars will receive a $30,000 scholarship and an invitation to Chicago to participate in the MVS Leadership Weekend.

Deadline: November 12th

Website/ Eligibility: Elks National Foundation MVS Scholarship Website/ Eligibility

Application: Elks National Foundation MVS Scholarship Application

U.S. JCI Senate Scholarships U.S. JCI Senate Scholarships

Description: The United States Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Foundation will award $2000 or $2500 scholarship grants to graduating high school seniors who will continue their education at an accredited post-secondary college or university in the United States. Scholarships of $1000 or $1500 will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who will attend an accredited vocational, technical or trade school program in the United States.

Deadline: January 12, 2027

Website/ Eligibility: U.S. JCI Senate Scholarship Website/ Eligibility

Meet Appily Scholarship Meet Appily Scholarship

Description: Open to all students in grades 9-12. Creating a free Appily profile takes less than 60 seconds and enters students into the Meet Appily Scholarships. This year, we're awarding four $5,000 scholarships—one for each grade level: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. With no essays, no resumes, no transcripts, and no recommendation letters, applying for the Meet Appily Scholarships is a breeze. An Appily profile also gives students access to incredible resources:

  • Customized college recommendations
  • Direct admissions offers
  • Personalized scholarship opportunities
  • Interactive college planner

Deadline: February 28th, 2027

Website/ Eligibility: Appily Scholarship Website

Application: appily.com/hello

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Past College & Career Newsletters
Palmer Community Newsletter

Maria Torres

College & Career Counselor

William J. Palmer High School

Email: maria.torres@d11.org

Phone: 719-328-5015

MARIA TORRES
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