EWES is only an elementary school! Why are we talking about colleges and careers now???
Because, it is important to set goals, do research, picture ourselves in the future, and work toward making our dreams a reality.
If you see yourself becoming a doctor or a mechanic or a computer programmer or a nurse or a plumber or whatever, then you are going to make different choices than if you see yourself just sitting on the couch playing video games! What you learn in kindergarten prepares you for first grade and first grade prepares you for second...if you don't do your homework, don't come to school, or don't do your personal best, then it makes the next year harder. Having a goal that you can see yourself doing in the future (even if that goal changes!) allows you to see the purpose of putting in the hard work now, especially when you don't feel like it and would rather be doing something else!
On this page you will find all kinds of information about college and careers. Some is for elementary students, some is for middle school or high school students and some is for adults--That's okay. They all check out this page!
Elementary News
What do you want to do when you grow up? Why? What would you like about that job? What would you not like about that job? What do you think you would need to do to be able to get to that career between now and then?
Try playing some online games and learn about careers: CLICK HERE
Want to learn more about different careers? Try listening to these videos about a career that interests you. CLICK HERE
Try learning more about an area of interest you have. It can lead you in the direction of a career. There is a site (it has a 90-day free trial and then a small subscription fee for as long as you want to keep it) where you can watch videos to learn all about medicine or law or money or science or whatever else you are interested in to see if it could be a career you could like. CLICK HERE
Want to know where your favorite stars went to college? See if they are listed here. CLICK HERE
Middle/High School News
Middle School students: Try playing some online games and learn about careers by CLICK HERE
Wonder what your personality says about you? (Because your personality can really influence your college/career choice!) Take a Personality Test CLICK HERE. You can even compare your results to what Star Wars character you are most like!CLICK HERE.
Research careers:CLICK HERE Don’t miss a step in getting to college: Receive text messages if you are in grades 7-12 periodically telling you what you need to be doing to get to college. Text the word “grad” plus your high school graduation year to 69979. Seniors grad2018 Juniors grad2019 Sophomores grad2020 Freshman grad2021 Eighth grade grad2022 Seventh grade grad2023
LearnMore Indiana Activity Bank: Did you know that Learn More Indiana has an Activity Bank with activities for EVERY GRADE LEVEL on how to Plan, Prepare and Pay? You can find it at: CLICK HERE!
LearnMore Indiana is on Facebook - Have you seen our Facebook page? Like us to stay updated on our campaigns! CLICK HEREAmber Audrain, the new College Success Campaign Manager, is the contact for questions regarding LearnMore initiatives, including CollegeGO! Week, Cash for College, KnowHow2Go, and 15-to-Finish. Email: [email protected]
What should I major (study) in college? Check out this website to see. CLICK HERE
Parent News
Need a job AND a way to pay for college? Try UPS: UPS has a scholarship opportunity for several counties in Indiana, including Washington County! By working for their company, you can get a good amount or ALL of your college paid for! Your child could do the same! So now is the time to go back to school or push your child to "get a job"! (lol) because it will literally pay off! For more informationCLICK HERE.
Want to become a teacher? There is scholarship money to help your child reach their goal: The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is pleased to announce the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship(CLICK HERE)application is now open for students to apply. As you may remember, the scholarship provides 200 high-achieving high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a renewable scholarship of up to $7,500 each year for four academic years. In exchange, students agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school. Students interested in applying must have a teacher complete a nomination form and upload the nomination form in their online application through ScholarTrack. Applications are due by 11:59pm EST on November 30, 2017.
Want to know what the difference is between the SAT and ACT tests to get your child into college? Check out this handout and/or visit this link: PDF or CLICK HEREand CLICK HERE
Check out this website to help your older child explore careers and figure out finances: It has great calculators for loans, budgeting, saving, and much more, as well as career interest inventories, how to make a college/career plan, and career searches. Just CLICK HERE.
Wondering how to pay for college?: Use the Indiana College Cost Estimator to estimate your family contribution to your child’s college. The site uses the FAFSA formula for younger students to give you an idea of what you will have to pay once they are old enough for college! You will need financial information, but the site is very secure. You can compare up to three college costs at one time, including information like GPA, class rank, test scores, etc. that may qualify your child for additional aid. Many students (grades 11-12) registered for an account (submitting no financial info) during Guidance Presentations previously and will have logins and passwords created already. Access it through CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE. See the attached info for the changes that have been made to the FAFSA process. PDF
Check out the college information process! See the attachments on How to Apply for College (what to do when) PDF, Top College Search Questions PDF, and 6 Things You Should Know About Scholarships PDF.
Want to start saving for college? Start a 529 College Savings Plan. Details on what it is and how it can be beneficial are attached. PDF
Up Next Text Messaging Tool: A special service for juniors and seniors, college students and graduates, all you need to do is text COLLEGE to 44044 to get personalized texts with reminders and info about the college application process, financial aid, and federal loan repayment options. Great resource!
21st Century Scholars
Reminder that families only have 7th and 8th grade to register their children for 21st Century Scholars (a financially-based scholarship program. After June 30 of their 8th grade year, students are no longer eligible. Contact Mr. Aly or Mrs. Pitcock at the MS with questions or visit the website at: CLICK HERE
21st Century Scholars Scholar Success Guide - This resource provides support to Scholars as they work to complete the Scholar Success Program requirements beginning with the class of 2016. The Scholar Success Guide also instructs Scholars in their use of the new ScholarTrack. Students, who do not complete the three requirements each year, could very likely lose the scholarship, so it is important to make sure you are meeting all the guidelines to keep your child eligible. Contact Mr. Aly at the HS with questions.
See attachments for requirements for 21st Century eligibility and activities for current scholars.PDF
This is also a great time to have Scholars update their contact information--phone numbers, mailing addresses and email addresses. Scholars can go to CLICK HERE to complete any updates.
New College Completion Requirements for state financial aid awards: Students first entering college in the 2013-2014 academic year will be required to meet certain completion requirements to renew state financial aid awards in 2014-2015. Students receiving the Higher Education Award, the Freedom of Choice Award, or the 21st Century Scholars Award must complete at least 30 credit hours during their first year of college to remain eligible for the maximum financial aid award. A student who completes at least 24 credit hours during his first year will remain eligible for financial aid, but will receive an amount that is less than a student who completes 30 credit hours. More information about these requirements is available at CLICK HERE.
FAFSA: This is the financial aid form that is VITAL to fill out the Jan.-Apr. of the year prior to wanting to start college in the fall semester (typically senior year) and then every year the student is attending college. The April 15th deadline is a VERY important deadline!! Don't wait until the last minute! Every dollar you can get to help pay for college is important and this is how you get them! If you miss this deadline, you will not get the money! NOTE:
Students already in college MUST fill this out every year, as well!!
AND 21st Century Scholars MUST fill this out (starting HS graduation year) every year, even if they defer that first year!
IT DOES NOT COST MONEY, so if you get to the end of the website and it asks for money, it is a scam (it is a company charging money to file the FREE paperwork for you!) so delete your info and go to the correct site!
You can always update information if you enter it and then it changes or you realize it is incorrect prior to the state giving out the financial aid money.
MAKE SURE you write down the email and login/password you use.
You will also want to check your email periodically over the next few months after you file to make sure they don’t send you an email about something you need to complete or fix!
New College Completion Requirements for state financial aid awards: Students first entering college in the 2013-2014 academic year will be required to meet certain completion requirements to renew state financial aid awards in 2014-2015. Students receiving the Higher Education Award, the Freedom of Choice Award, or the 21st Century Scholars Award must complete at least 30 credit hours during their first year of college to remain eligible for the maximum financial aid award. A student who completes at least 24 credit hours during his first year will remain eligible for financial aid, but will receive an amount that is less than a student who completes 30 credit hours. More information about these requirements is available at CLICK HERE.