Bond County Community High School Guidance Department

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Guidance Phone: (618) 664-1370 x 408
Guidance Fax: (618) 664-5079

Current Scholarship Listings

Course Offerings

Online Registration Info

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Guidance Office Staff

Mr. Steve Dannaman

Guidance Counselor, students L-Z

sdannaman@bccu2.org

Mrs. Dawn Mulholland

Guidance Counselor, students A-K

dmulholland@bccu2.org

Mrs. Karen Simmonds

Guidance & Student Managment System Secretary

ksimmonds@bccu2.org

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Transcripts:

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 Process

A. Begin your Search ON-LINE – You are considered a “Prospective Student” in the Undergraduate Program

• Narrow your choices to 3-4 schools (one should be a “sure bet” to be admitted to)
• Click on the Admissions Office – will provide application information
• You have an Admissions Counselor who is assigned by zip-code region or state; write down their name and feel free to contact them with questions.

Seek Information Related to the Following Areas: Admissions Criteria (required high school courses, preferred ACT score, etc.) - Admissions Deadline - Cost of Tuition & Room/Board - Programs of Study (Majors) you are interested in.
B. Apply by the Deadline – “early decision”, “priority”, “rolling” or “regular”

• On-line applications are often preferred and processed more quickly; you can also print one off from the Admissions Office link. The admission/application process may require the following:  
  
• > Fee with your application (possibly waived)   > ACT and/or SAT score(s)   > High School transcript 
• Applying to a college does not commit you to attending that school.

C. Set up a Campus Visit

• Contact the Admissions Office to arrange a College Visit; the earlier, the better so that you can compare schools.  
•  Consider "Preview Days".  Visit Days/Weekends will be listed on the website of school.  GHS allows two College Visit Days for seniors.

D. Documents you may need to complete your application package:

• Official Transcript contains your HS coursework, grades, G.P.A., class rank, test scores. The Guidance Office will mail your Transcript for you free of charge – you will need to request us to do this.
• Recommendation Letters – Allow 2-3 weeks so that the best letter can be written for you. Please provide a completed Autobiographical Sketch or a résumé to your reference writer. Include the following:  Work experience;  Personal interests, obstacles and experiences; Extra-curricular activities, including offices/leadership positions held; Volunteer experiences (community and church); Your goals/reasons for going to college, possible major, and career goals
• Essays/Personal Statements – should be grammatically correct, and error free.
• Your High School Information:
  Bond County High School 
  1000 East State Route 140 
  Greenville, IL 62246 School Code is 142-160 
• Application Fees can be paid by writing a check to the university or by using a credit card.  If you are eligible, a counselor can write a fee waiver letter for you.

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.

FINANCIAL AID for college – Grants/Scholarships/Low-Interest College Loans:

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid -www.fafsa.ed.gov
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.

College/Scholarship/Career Websites:

Please see "Scholarship/College/Career Websites" on the Scholarship Listing Weebly website: 

BCCU#2 Scholarship 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 guidanceoOffice; 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 Scholarships – These are Awarded by the College You Attend:
Most scholarships are awarded by individual colleges and are called Institutional 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. ACT (American College Test): The ACT is required for admission to many colleges and institutions including all state supported universities and some public community colleges in Illinois. Illinois high school students who want to compete for Illinois State Scholar Awards must take this test in their junior year. The ACT assessment format is comprised of four tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. It will provide four test scores and a composite score plus two sub-scores in English and Reading and three sub-scores in Mathematics. For additional information, visit the guidance office. 
Quick Links: ACT Website · ACT Registration · ACT Procedure · ACT F.A.Q.
B. 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
C. 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