ACS Academic Adviser Weekly Update

Anderson Christian Seniors and Families,

Tri-County Technical College spring course registration is underway. Your first step is to complete the course request form (attached & available at the front desk) and submit it to catherineneel@andersonchristian.net by 10/26/25 for the best chance at getting a spot in your first-choice classes. The course requests are submitted by your high school guidance counselor/Mrs. Neel.

If you plan to take TCTC classes this spring, do NOT request a class that will interrupt your ACS schedule. Plan to stop by the Academic Adviser's office on MONDAY, 10/26, to discuss your plans and drop off your form. Other TCTC courses may be available but aren't listed on the form. Please check your email for details regarding TCTC costs. The bottom line is that you now have to take 6 credit hours (2 classes) for the state to pay for your courses.

ACS Seniors,

I appreciate the opportunity to be involved in planning your next steps after high school graduation. Some of you know what you want to do next, while others are still exploring options. I encourage ALL seniors to complete at least one college application as part of their senior experience. I have listed some options below, or apply to the school of your choice. I encourage all seniors to complete one college application by the end of October. If you are unsure of your next steps, applying to a nearby South Carolina college may introduce you to options you did not consider. Please let me know if you need assistance.

C. Neel

FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, an application used by the U.S. Department of Education to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans to help pay for college. ALL senior families who plan to attend college should fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible! 💰

Completing the FAFSA is the first step for students and families seeking the largest source of financial aid for higher education, and it is used to assess financial need for state and school-based aid as well. You need to fill out the FAFSA in your senior year and every year while you are in college.

South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program is an excellent opportunity for high-achieving high school seniors who are considering a career in education. The program provides up to $24,000 in fellowship funding—up to $6,000 per year for four years—while students pursue a degree leading to teacher certification in South Carolina.

Teaching Fellows also receive professional development, leadership opportunities, enrichment experiences, and connections with other future educators. In exchange for the fellowship, recipients commit to teaching or serving in an approved educational role in a South Carolina public school.

Who should consider applying? Students who have strong academics, a history of school and community involvement, leadership experience, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of students.

Application period: October 1–December 1.
If you are interested in education, this is a scholarship opportunity worth exploring!

Learn more about the SC Teaching Fellows Program

We invite you to share these upcoming experiences with your students!

STEM Stuff Day

Students interested in science, technology, math, data, and other STEM fields can explore STEM at Winthrop and learn about our Eagle STEM Scholars Program.

• Friday, November 6, 2026 | 1:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 15, 2027 | 1:00 p.m.

Students can join us for Eagle for a Day that morning to experience a mock class, connect with current students, explore campus, and enjoy lunch before STEM Stuff Day begins!

Fine Arts Workshops

Give creative students the chance to explore their artistic interests through Winthrop’s Fine Arts Workshops, featuring hands-on experiences led by Winthrop faculty.

• Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 9:45 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
• Students can explore painting, sculpture, photography, and more!
• Register here — only a few spots remain!

IF you are enrolled in off-campus opportunities from schools such as TCTC, Anderson University, or SC Virtual School, it is your job to keep up with your course requirements and due dates for completion. While you are taking the lead, I would still like to check in to make sure that everyone is making progress. I am happy to explain important college terminology, such as Withdrawal and Drop Dates.

You must complete the SC Wins paperwork within your student TCTC Portal for your classes to be free. Make sure to do that NOW. Look for the Scholarship button in your portal.💰

Please email me and let me know about any off-campus classes you are taking. catherineneel@andersonchristian.net

ACS receives mail from colleges and businesses nationwide. The brochures are very informative and often highlight specialty programs within the institution. Please stop by Academic Advising if you would like to take home any of this information. I've included a list of the current flyers below.

Anderson University

Berry College

North Greenville University

Mars Hill University

Ready to learn more about service? Eager to get information about a specific branch of the Military? We've got you covered. Use the phone numbers and links below to speak with recruiters or visit service branch sites to discover everything there is to know about today's Military.

Discover why Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc. identified Anderson University as one of the top-ranked, most affordable colleges in the country. Take the next step in your journey today.

You can afford a BJU education. We educate differently. So we do financial aid differently, too. We prepare students to pursue a higher calling with passion and excellence, and we work just as hard to make that education affordable for students who share these same eternal values.

Learn more here.

October is Free Application Month for Out-of-State Students

Students who reside outside of Tennessee will get their turn to apply for free to ETSU during October! The code will be OOSFreeApp27. This code will be active October 1st-31st.

Freshman and transfer applicants only; not available to graduate or international students.

Did you know?... South Carolina residents qualify for ETSU's Border-State tuition rate, which is lower than standard out-of-state tuition.

All students at Erskine College are eligible for competitive scholarship packages based on academic achievement.

Discover Furman's new Finance major and how students develop the analytical and leadership skills needed for careers in banking, investment management, consulting, corporate finance, and beyond through experiential learning and close faculty mentorship. | 7:00 - 8:00 PM | Register

Discover how Furman’s pre-health pathway combines rigorous academics with hands-on experience. Learn about popular majors, clinical shadowing, research opportunities, and the advisors who help students navigate coursework and prepare for the MCAT.

7:00 - 8:00 PM | Register

Dive into Furman’s pre-law pathway, where students engage in mock trial, gain internship experience in places like Washington, D.C., and receive dedicated advising for the LSAT and law-school applications. | 7:00 - 8:00 PM | Register

FREE APPLICATION - Lander University offers small class sizes, experienced professors, and a uniquely fun experience inside and outside of the classroom. Join more than 4,300 students pursuing one of our over 90 areas of study in Greenwood, Greenville, and online.

Paul Mitchell is celebrating 25 years of launching creative careers in beauty, and we would love to have you be a part of what's next! We invite you to step behind the scenes and experience everything our programs have to offer at our Fall Open House!

What to Expect:

• Behind-the-Scenes Access: Tour our facility, explore our classrooms, and see live demonstrations in cosmetology and esthetics.

• Fall Festival Fun: Enjoy seasonal games, hands-on activities, treats, and prize raffles.

• Program & Career Insights: Learn about our curriculum, financial aid, and post-graduation career pathways.

• Meet the Team: Connect with our instructors, admissions staff, and current students to get all your questions answered.

Whether you are actively exploring beauty careers or simply want to learn more about our options for graduating seniors, this event offers a relaxed, fun environment to see our campus in action.

You can RSVP here:

https://paulmitchell.edu/greenville/upcoming-events

We look forward to connecting with you!

Spartanburg Methodist has amazing financial packages! Make sure to check out their FULL TUITION scholarship package for students who have above a 3.0 GPA.

The American College Foundation Visionary Scholarship is a biannual award. There are five (5) awards given with each biannual deadline – with a total of ten (10) college scholarships awarded for each school year. Awards range from $1,000 to $2,500 each.

High school Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens are invited to apply. Financial need is NOT considered; all income levels may apply.

Application Requirements

• Completed ACF Visionary Scholarship Application
• Your Application Packet is pre-filled when you create a free account — submit online or by email.
• Most Recent Unofficial High School Transcript or Grade Card
• An unofficial copy of your current high school transcript or grade card is acceptable.
• 500-Word Essay: "Why College is Important to Me"
• A personal essay of approximately 500 words on this topic is required for all applicants.

The 2027 program will accept applications from August 21, 2026, through November 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Central Time. Thanks for your interest in the program!

The Lyceum Scholars Program is an elite, nationally recognized academic program that offers $60,000 scholarships to Clemson University. Lyceum Scholars are ambitious, high-achieving students who are interested in ideas and curious about the world around them. The program uses a great books approach to studying liberty, capitalism, the American founding, and the principles of moral character. The program is open to students in any major, and Scholars earn a minor in political science.

We invite you, or an interested student, to learn more about the program during our virtual information session on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 6:30-7:30 ET. To register, click here.

The Meeting Street Scholarship is expanding to eligible students across South Carolina, which means they can earn up to $10,000 for college.

Students in the Class of 2027 who may soon meet our eligibility criteria, which include receiving a Federal Pell Grant and qualifying for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, are encouraged to fill out an interest form to receive updates about our application, which will open later this fall.

If you have questions, please reach out to our admissions team:

• Shila Bair, Director of Admissions, (843) 510-1125

• Ellie Hagan, Admissions & Programs Coordinator, (843) 580-5027

The Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC) Program educates and trains qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy's unrestricted line communities, the Navy Nurse Corps and the Marine Corps. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.

NROTC awards scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process. Selected applicants receive full tuition, books stipend, educational fees and other financial benefits OR Room and Board at the country's leading colleges and universities. Upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps.

NROTC Scholarships are available to qualified students who graduate from high school before August 1 of the year they intend to start college.

The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program "A Constitutional Speech Contest" is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students.

The Presbyterian College Service Entrepreneurship Scholarship Competition allows high school seniors to win a full scholarship to PC by creating a plan that solves a problem in their community.