Bond County Community High School Guidance Department
Guidance Office Staff
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Financial Aid Information |
Please contact the Guidance Office if you would like to have your transcript printed. If a college has requested a copy, it must be an official document sent from our office. Provide the name of the college, address, and your birthdate. You may also request to pick up a copy of your transcript from our office; please indicate whether you need an official or unofficial copy.
College Application ProcessA. Begin your Search ON-LINE – You are considered a “Prospective Student” in the Undergraduate Program
B. Apply by the Deadline – “early decision”, “priority”, “rolling” or “regular”
NCCA Eligibility:www.ncaa.org – Must register with the NCAA if you are playing sports at a Division I or II school. If your college is NCAA Division III, NJCAA, NAIA, or other, you should contact that school to find out specific requirements. Click on the Eligibility Center link to register.
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FINANCIAL AID for college – Grants/Scholarships/Low-Interest College Loans:
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid After October 1st of your senior year, you will need to fill out this form on-line. Get your FSA ID (personal identification number) before Oct. 1st. Below is a PowerPoint presentation of our FAFSA Night Program: ![]()
College/Scholarship/Career Websites:Please see "Scholarship/College/Career Websites" on the Scholarship Listing Weebly website:
Scholarship Information:Three Categories of Scholarship information:
I. National Scholarships – Begin applying in the Fall of Senior year: National scholarships are open to all students nation wide, and as many as 120,000 applications may be received for each scholarship. Read the criteria to learn if you are eligible to apply, and apply by the deadline date. Conduct a national based search through www.fastweb.com, or search using the words “Scholarships for High School Seniors.” II. Local & Regional Scholarships – Begin applying after January 1st: Bond County clubs, churches, families, and other organizations award scholarships annually. Students that meet the criteria may apply. Parents and students should do the following: 1. Check the announcements to get updates on available scholarships. They are e-mailed daily and posted outside the Guidance Office. 2. Look for scholarship applications in the Guidance Office; some are printed, but many are only available on-line. 3. Review the requirements, criteria, and deadlines before you decide to complete the application. 4. Your application must be complete, neatly written, and error-free; essays must be well written and organized. 5. Document your extracurricular activities and involvements, both in high school and in the community. 6. Recommendation letters are often required, and you may ask teachers, employers, counselors, or others to write one. Please allow 2 weeks notice and provide them with your résumé or completed Autobiographical Sketch from guidance. 7. Return completed scholarship application to the appropriate site. 8. It is your responsibility to make sure the application package is complete. III. Institutional / Foundation Scholarships – These are Awarded by the College You Attend: Most scholarships are awarded by individual colleges and are called Institutional Scholarships or Foundation Scholarships. To learn about scholarships that you might qualify for, you should contact the Financial Aid Office at the school you plan to attend. Testing:A. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test): The SAT is is an entrance exam used by many colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college. Students in Illinois are required to take the SAT in the spring semester of their junior year; it is required for graduation.
Quick Links: College Board · Khan Academy B. ACT (American College Test): The ACT is is an entrance exam used by many colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. Quick Links: ACT Website · ACT Registration C. ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS: These tests are given in several subject areas. Tests will be given in Advanced Placement English, AP Calculus, AP American History, and AP Biology. Students who score well may be able to obtain college credit and/or proficiency out of certain courses. Quick Links: AP Prep · AP F.A.Q. · AP Exam Information D. PSAT/NMSQT (PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST/NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP QUALIFYING TEST): This test is required for all students who wish to be considered for a National Merit Scholarship. A very high test score is required to become a semifinalist. This is also the test African-American students must take to compete for scholarships from the National Achievement Program for Outstanding African American Students. The PSAT/NMSQT is a multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning ability important for success in college. It is recommended that this test be taken in the junior year. This test is not required for college admission. Quick Links: PSAT/NMSQT Information · PSAT/NMSQT Prep |