LHS Counseling Weekly Update

In an effort to be more efficient in how we disseminate information from the Counseling Office, we will be sending out weekly emails with any important and timely information. BOTH STUDENTS AND PARENTS are receiving these newsletters. Parents: please encourage your child to read these messages, and take any appropriate action themselves. It is developmentally appropriate to get high schoolers in the 'driver's seat' when it comes to tending to their academic, career, and emotional needs.

The topics are all listed below, with a link to the pertinent information so that you can quickly scroll through to see if any of the topics pertain to you. There are 3 sections:

• Mental/Physical health support and resources
• Academic/Career information and resources
• Just for Seniors

• ADHD Medications and Other Supports
• WSD Mental Health Resources Hub: Find a variety of mental health resources available to families in the WSD in our Mental Health Hub.

• Wednesday, October 29 (exact time to be confirmed -- it will be in the evening)
• North Point High School
• Guest Speaker: David Seward, Director of Financial Aid at SCC
• For students in grades 9-12 and their families

Navigating the world of financial aid can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Attendees will learn the basics of how the process works at 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities, what resources are available, and how to maximize opportunities to support their student’s college journey.

Junior and senior students with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA can earn college credit through dual enrollment courses at the Community College. To enroll for the second semester, you must attend an informational meeting on October 6. Two sessions will be offered during 3rd-4th period and 7th-8th period.

Lewis and Clark Career Center in St. Charles offers one and two year half-day experiential learning programs for high school juniors and seniors. If you are a hands-on learner, they might have the perfect program for you!

CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) is also a half-day that allows students to fast forward into their future as they are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit.

Representatives from both L&C and CAPS will be at Liberty to share information about their programs on November 6. The list below shows the Lewis and Clark programs (listed in blue) and the CAPS programs (listed in red).

Save the Date: Lewis and Clark has two options for Open House events. Students get 5 bonus points on their application score for attending Open House. I highly recommend students and parents attend Open House to meet the instructors, tour the classrooms learn about admissions. It's a great way to see if one of their programs is for you.

• Tuesday, 11/11 5:30-6:45
• Monday, 11/17 5:30-6:45

The WSD Registered Youth Apprenticeship Program allows students to apprentice with leading local manufacturers like True Manufacturing, Seyer, Component Bar and more.

Requirements:

• Complete the online application

• See flyer below for other requirements

The Process: Students will tour a facility, go through the interview process, and can be hired by the company.

The Benefits: Students who complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training are eligible to receive 45 credit hours to St. Charles Community College. We currently have 10 students already in the program.

Signing Day: Once a student is hired, they will be invited to a signing day event where their families can join in celebrating their new role.

On Monday, 9/15 the Counselors presented important information to the 9th-11th grade students. Topics included: graduation requirements, how to graduate with honors, what to do if you are struggling in a class, the A+ Program, special career-focused WSD programs (and how to apply), evaluating and planning for your options for after high school, ACT/SAT, and more.

Click HERE to view the slideshow that was presented to the students.

Juniors and Seniors are able to sign up for college rep visits to Liberty. There are already already 36 schools coming for a visit!

• Click HERE for a current list of colleges who are visiting LHS.
• Before signing up, do some research on whether or not the college is a good fit.
• Click HERE to sign up for a college. Only one college per submission. You must submit a separate sign-up request for EACH COLLEGE.
• You must sign up no later than 2:30 pm on the school day prior to the visit.

COLLEGES VISITING NEXT TWO WEEKS:

• Truman State University (MO)
• University of Missouri-Columbia (MO)
• Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (WI)
• Hannibal-LaGrange University (MO)
• Rockhurst University (MO)
• University of Arkansas (AR)
• Southeastern University (FL)
• University of Alabama (AL)
• University of Missouri-St Louis (MO)
• Washington University in St Louis (MO)

On Tuesday, September 30th, during the school day, JUNIORS and SENIORS are invited to attend a Regional College Fair at LHS. Students will have the opportunity to visit with traditional 2-year and 4-year colleges, trade or technical colleges, military, and other occupational opportunities. We expect over 70 regional and national colleges and organizations to attend that day! Attendees must pre-register at https://app.strivescan.com/registration. Students will be issued a QR code that they will use for scanning at the college tables during the event.

Many colleges do not require applicants to have an ACT/SAT test score (test-optional/test-blind). But, we still recommend that college-bound and tech school-bound students consider taking one of the tests. If you have a strong score, you can use it to help increase your chances of being admitted and/or qualifying for scholarships. Additionally, scores provide insight into your readiness for college-level course work, and some colleges will use scores as a placement test for English and Math courses.

Colleges that do accept test scores do NOT have a preference between these two tests. Each school accepts both tests.

Below is the schedule for test dates this school year. Liberty is an official test site for both tests.

REGISTRATION LINKS: ACT SAT

Students with disabilities may be eligible to apply for testing accommodations, and students experiencing financial need may be eligible for a registration fee waiver -- see your counselor for more information.

Juniors are eligible for a FREE ACT test during the WSD Day of Testing on October 17. You can sign up through the Focus portal (under Purchase and Pay). Other grades are able to take the ACT also, but for a fee. ((Additional testing options are: PreACT, PSAT, ASVAB, Work Keys))

12th only: If you've already been trained, you can sign up to work at Chautauqua after school.

11th and 12th: Sign up for A+ Training for Monday 10/6 during Red Soar time to get started on your hours this year.

9th and 10th: Keep up your attendance and your GPA this year!

ALL GRADES: You can do up to 12.5 of your A+ Hours through Job Shadowing. Here is the A+ Job Shadowing Form.

At the Senior Meeting that was held during Nest Time on Thursday, 8/28, we covered A LOT of information. HERE is a link to the slide show. The slideshow is LONG. So, I've created a Table of Contents on the 2nd slide to help you find the information you are looking for. As a reminder, the topics include: graduation requirements, graduating with honors, college applications, sending transcripts, ACT/SAT, Xello, A+ Program, scholarships, making college more affordable, letters of recommendation, and more.

It is almost time for the 2026-2027 FAFSA to open (opening on October 1). The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the tool that colleges will use to determine students' financial aid packages. Some families mistakenly think they don't “qualify” for the FAFSA. However, almost all students will qualify for some type of financial aid:

• Grants (Federal, State, Institutional) - this is money you don't need to pay back
• Federal Student Loans - often considered the “good” student loans; lower interest rates
• Work Study - an on-campus job that students can use to pay toward their education
• State financial aid (like the A+ Program Scholarship)
• School financial aid (some schools only award institutional aid if the FAFSA is completed)

You may not realize that students cannot borrow even $1 in federal student loans unless they complete the FAFSA! The FAFSA is free, secure, and doesn't take much time to complete (@20 minutes). Some sources of financial aid have deadlines, so it is highly recommended that you get this important step done as soon as possible once the application opens.

1. FSA ID (you can do this step now – see below)
2. Personal Information
3. Income Information
4. Asset Information
5. College Information

1) Each “Contributor” MUST create an FSA ID

Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID account by setting up a username and password. The student, and their “contributor(s)” must each obtain an FSA ID in order to sign-into and electronically sign the FAFSA. At a minimum, the student and AT LEAST one parent will need an FSA ID.

• For divorced parents, the “contributor” is the parent that contributes the most financial support. If that parent is remarried, their spouse (the step-parent) is also a contributor.
• Married contributors that file tax returns jointly only need one FSA ID. If the married contributors file taxes separately, each contributor will need a unique FSA ID.
• Each FSA ID must be registered to a unique email address. For parents with multiple children, you will use the same FSA ID to login to multiple children's FAFSA forms. You will use the same
• FSA ID each year that you are required to submit a FAFSA for the following year's college enrollment.

2) You will be asked to provide Personal information: Full name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, email address for the student and each "contributor"

3) On the FAFSA, you will be asked to provide Income information, meaning you may need to access the following information:

• 2024 federal income tax returns
• W-2s
• Records of child support received
• The IRS Data Direct Exchange (DDX) tool embedded within the FAFSA form, allows you to consent for the secure exchange of federal tax information into your FAFSA. All students and contributors must provide consent and approval to obtain their federal tax information directly from the IRS and to use their federal tax information to determine the student’s eligibility and federal student aid. If the student or required contributor refuses consent to use the DDX, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid.

4) You will be asked to provide Asset information:

• Current balances in checking and savings accounts
• Value of investments, businesses, and farms (if applicable)

5) You will be asked to provide School information: List of colleges you are applying to

On Wednesday evening, October 29 at North Point High School, Financial Aid professionals from several area colleges will be available to assist families with completing the FAFSA. (exact time to be confirmed soon). Many families will feel comfortable completing the FAFSA on their own; but, if you'd like the extra assistance or have special circumstances that you have questions about, the FAFSA Frenzy Help Event is a great option.

St. Charles Community College has something to offer all college-bound seniors... even for those who don't want to attend there full time after graduation.

*** SAVE TIME AND MONEY***

• Students can take 2 college classes (6 credit hours) the summer after graduation (if they complete the A+ Program, these classes will be free tuition). Students can choose some basic general education courses that are required at nearly every college... and then transfer those credits to the college/university they plan to attend in the fall.
• Students can take in-person or online courses during the summer at SCC
• Those two courses would have easily cost $1500-$2000 each, saving students and families $3000-$4000.
• ADDED BONUS: The general rule of thumb is that students should take 15 college credit hours each semester to graduate on time. Taking two courses the summer before freshman year give students the option to take 12 credit hours each semester of their first year (making the transition to college a little easier) without falling behind.

The SCC Be Ready Program is a no-obligation enrollment assistance program for SCC. The program makes it SUPER easy to apply and enroll in classes at SCC. We will do the application together, SCC will come here to administer placement tests (Reading/Math), we will take a field trip to campus to tour buildings, learn about financial aid, and all of the programs, activities and services they offer, and they will come to LHS to get students registered for summer/fall classes in the spring.

WHO SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THE SCC BE READY PROGRAM?

• Students who plan to attend SCC full time for Fall 2026
• Students who plan to take summer courses at SCC then enroll in a college/university for Fall 2026
• Students who have a different plan, but would consider SCC as a back-up plan

To sign up for this no-obligation easy enrollment program, students simply need to sign up. The sign up platform is blocked by WSD technology... so, students will need to use a non-WSD device.

Sign up URL: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J98PWSS

On Tuesday, September 30, during the school day, JUNIORS and SENIORS are invited to attend a Regional College Fair at LHS. Students will have the opportunity to visit with traditional 2-year and 4-year colleges, trade or technical colleges, military, and other occupational opportunities. We expect over 70 regional and national colleges and organizations to attend that day! Attendees must pre-register at https://app.strivescan.com/registration. We recommend students sign up on their phones, because they will be issued a QR code that they will use for scanning at the college tables during the event. ((Phones will be allowed to be used for scanning purposes during the College Fair)).

• Students can apply to colleges one of two ways: (1) directly from the college website or (2) as part of a list of colleges on the Common App. Some colleges will allow you to pick between those two options; they do not have a preference.
• Common App is one single main application which allows you to apply to several colleges all at once. However, the application is VERY detailed and lengthy. I recommend only using Common App if you are applying to moderately to highly selective schools.
• Applying Directly on the website - You can complete 6-10 simple college applications more quickly and easily than the Common App. This option is recommended when applying to colleges that are somewhat selective to moderately selective, (admission rate 30-75%+) which often have a pretty straightforward application.
• After Applying to any college, the next step is to request that LHS send them a copy of your official transcript. LHS only sends transcripts to colleges using the student's Xello account. You can access Xello through your WSD Classlink menu.
• Xello Instructions for Direct Applications
1. From Main Dashboard, click on Plans
2. Choose College Planning
3. Create New Application
4. Enter name of College, then click Select then Next
5. Answer the questions about Application Method (Direct or Other), Type, and Deadline, then click Create
6. On the next screen, scroll down to Application Checklist
7. Next to Transcript, click Request
8. As you complete tasks, you can mark them Complete here to help you stay organized
9. There is also a spot to update your admissions decisions above the Application checklist; this helps me know where you are in your college selection process.
• Xello Instructions for Common Application
1. Start by setting up your Common App.
2. Add the colleges you are planning to apply to on your Common App.
3. MAKE SURE TO SIGN YOUR FERPA FORMS
4. MAKE SURE TO CHOOSE YOUR APPLICATION DEADLINES (otherwise I won't know what deadlines I need to meet with your application materials)
5. Go into your Xello account
6. Add one of your Common App colleges to Xello by choosing Create an Application.
7. Enter name of College, then click Select then Next
8. Answer the questions about Application Method (Common App), Type, and Deadline, then click Create
9. On the next screen, you should be prompted to Go to Common App to link your Common App to your Xello Account. Login to the Common App screen, and it will return you to Xello.
10. In Xello, navigate to the first college's Application Checklist.
11. You will need to assign me as the counselor (Michelle Gerringer)
12. If you need a teacher to write you a letter of recommendation, you will send them a request in the Teacher Recommendations section. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH TEACHERS BEFORE YOU SEND THEM A XELLO REQUEST.
13. If you need a letter of recommendation from a Counselor (also called Counselor Report on Common App) or Teacher, please fill out the Request for Letter of Recommendation Brag Sheet Form and share the form with your recommenders.

Understanding College Admission Deadlines

• Rolling Admissions: Colleges that are rolling admissions will process your application as soon as all materials are received. THERE IS NO PRIORITY GIVEN TO APPLICATIONS THAT ARE RECEIVED EARLY. Rolling admission applications received in September are treated the same as applications received in the spring. With Rolling Admissions, you are typically not competing with other students, you are being evaluated against their admissions standards and requirements.
• Admissions with deadlines (Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision): colleges will not process applications until after the deadline. The deadline advertised is the STUDENT DEADLINE; most colleges provide a small grace period for counselors to submit all other needed materials. AGAIN, there is NO priority given to applications submitted early; as long as you meet the deadline, it will be treated the same as all other applications (even ones that are submitted at 11:59 pm on the deadline). Applicants for schools with application deadlines ARE competing with one another for a limited number of spots.