Counselor's Corner
Kathi Boden, Student Success Coordinator
Seniors!!!! Scroll down for scholarship opportunities!!!!
Welcome to the Counselor's Corner. Here you will find information about: ACT Registration, graduation requirements, financial aid, scholarships, and college searches.
Please check often for updates and contact me at school if you have questions about the content on this page!
Do you need money for college or vocational school next year? Then you should plan to attend College Goal Sunday between 2 and 4 p.m. on February 12th. The event is FREE. Locations are listed on the posters around school. It only takes about 30 minutes to meet with a financial aid volunteer, fill out the FAFSA form and learn what types of financial aid are available. At the conclusion of the event, there will be a drawing for a $500 scholarship. You can also get additional information from www.collegegoal.org. Mark your calendars now!
NOW is the time for seniors and parents to be applying for their PIN to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA). Go to www.FAFSA.ed.gov and choose PIN Site at the top. Kansas FAFSA priority deadline is April 1. Check with your college to see if their deadline is sooner!!!!
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2011-2012 Thunder Ridge High School Schedule
Thunder Ridge High School Graduation Requirements
Admission Requirements for State Universities
Kansas Qualified Admissions State universities in Kansas follow Qualified Admissions (QA) criteria when admitting undergraduate students. QA guarantees admission to a state university for Kansas residents meeting certain criteria. These criteria are set by the Kansas Board of Regents, the governing body for the six state universities. The purpose of QA is to enhance success at the university level by ensuring students are prepared for the rigors of a university education. The institutions that use QA for admission are: Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, University of Kansas, and Wichita State University.
Kansas Qualified Admission 2014 and Beyond
2011-2012 ACT TESTING
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | (Late Fee Required) |
| February 11, 2012 | January 13, 2012 | January 14-20, 2012 |
| April 14, 2012 | March 9, 2012 | March 10-23, 2012 |
| June 9, 2012 | May 4, 2012 | May 5-18, 2012 |
Phillipsburg is a test center for the June and October ACT!!!!
Choose the ACT-No Writing Test!
Cost : $34.00
Thunder Ridge School Code: 171-580
To register, go to www.actstudent.org or see Mrs. Boden. There are fee waivers available for students who qualify.
There is also test prep available online or from Mrs. Boden.
Seniors wanting to participate in the Hansen Scholarship Test in September must have taken the ACT before September and scored at least a 21 to participate.
The following link will open the Kansas Job Search Handbook made available to us through KANSANWORKS. Not only is there information about jobs in Kansas, but also tips for resume-building, writing cover letters, and the interview process.
FINANCIAL AID
FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.gov
FAFSA PIN Registration www.pin.ed.gov
National Association of Student Financial Aid www.nasfaa.org
Priority Deadline for Kansas - Received by April 1
Unfortunately, there are people out there trying to take advantage of students and parents trying to get financial aid for college. Don't pay for help to find money for college! Commercial financial aid advice services can cost well over $1000. You might have heard or seen these claims at seminars, over the phone from telemarketers, or on-line:
- "Buy now or miss the opportunity." Don't give in to pressure tactics. Remember the "opportunity" is a chance to pay for information you could find yourself for free.
- "We guarantee you'll get aid." A company could claim it fulfilled its promise if you were offered student loans or a $200 scholarship. Is that worth a fee of $1000 of more?
- "I've got aid for you; give me your credit card or bank account number." Never give out a credit card or bank account number unless you know the organization you are giving it to is legitimate. You could be putting yourself at risk of identity theft.
For more information on scholarship scams:
www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml
Try these Free Sources of Information:
- The U.S. Department of Education's Web site: www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov
Don't Pay for the FAFSA - Several web-sites offer help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for a fee. These sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education !
To request college transcripts from Cloud County:
Go to Cloud County Community College web-site at www.cloud.edu/. Select Academics, select Academic Services, select Transcript Request or see Mrs. Boden for a copy of the request form.
Scholarship Searches!!!!!
Senior Scholarship Information:
All scholarship information that comes to me will be posted on this web-site. If there is a flyer, those are posted on the bulletin board in the senior hallway.
Kansas Vocational Educational Scholarship - The testing dates are November 5 and March 3. The test is the WorkKeys assessment test and the locations are throughout the state. For more information go online to http://www.kansasregents.org/scholarships_and_grants. There is a $15 nonrefundable fee.
KFC Colonel' Scholarship - KFC Colonel's Scholars is looking for high school seniors with financial need and an entrepreneurial spirit to qualify for the KFC Colonel's Scholars Program. Awards are up to $20,000 for tuition, fees, textbooks, room and board. To qualify, graduating high school seniors must: earn a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 2.75; enroll in a public college or university within their state of legal residence; plan to pursue a bachelor's degree; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; demonstrate financial need. Accepting online applications December 1, 2011 to February 8, 2012 at www.kfcscholars.org. For questions, visit the website or call toll-free 1.866.KFC.7240.
Natoma Corporation Scholarship - Natoma Corporation of Norton, Kansas is proud to announce its first annual NIT Scholarship for area students. This scholarship is intended to provide insight for students of the opportunities available right here in Northwest Kansas to train and develop toward long-range career goals. The scholarship will be awarded to up to 3 recipients, each of whom will receive a $1,000 scholarship per semester for a maximum of four semesters. The scholarship criteria includes working a 100 hour internship at Natoma Corporation and majoring in an Industrial Technology or related field. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2012. See Mrs. Boden for an application.
FRED Scholarship - As a member of OPASTCO and the Foundation for Rural Education and Development (FRED, Rural Telephone Service Co., Inc., is pleased to provide the FRED Scholarship for high school seniors and students already attending post-secondary schooling. The FRED Scholarships range from $1,000 - $5,000 and are available to students living in households receiving any of the following Rural Telephone/Nex-Tech services: local (landline) telephone, long distance, Internet, or cable television. A link to the application can be found at www.nex-tech.com/nex-generation, or on FRED's website: http://www.fred.org/scholarships.html. Completed application must be sent to Nex-Tech; Attn: Cindy Wegener, Administrative Coordinator; PO Box 158, 145 N. Main; Lenora, KS 67645. Must be in Lenora office by Januray 30, 2012 by 5:00 p.m.
Nex-Generation Scholarship - Nex-Tech/Rural Telephone is excited to announce its Nex-Generation scholarship contest to help high school seniors achieve their educational aspirations. Seniors are eligible to apply based on the following requirements: Nex-Tech Eligibility - high school seniors residing in the following communities and surrounding rural areas: Almena, Great Bend, Hays, Hoxie, Norcatur, Norton, Oberlin, Phillipsburg, Plainville, Smith Center or Stockton and whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) subscribes to one or more communication services (local telephone, long distance, cable TV or Internet are eligible to apply - excludes Nex-Tech wireless.) Rural Telephone Eligibility: high school seniors residing within Rural Telephone's service area and whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) subscribes to one or more communication services (local telephone, long distance, cable TV, or Internet - excludes Nex-Tech wireless.) Scholarships totaling $6,000 will be awarded. Both Nex-Tech and Rural Telephone will award a 1st place scholarship of $1,500; 2nd place of $1,000; and 3rd place of $500. To access the application go to www.nex-tech.com/nex-generation. Deadline is January 31, 2012.
Kansas American Legion Scholarships: The following list of scholarships are available from the American Legion Department of Kansas, the Sons of The American Legion Detachment of Kansas, and the National organization of The American Legion. All scholarships listed are for one year; applicants may apply for each year the applicant is eligible. All scholarships awarded the American Legion Department of Kansas and the Sons of The American Legion Detachment of Kansas must be used at an accredited Kansas Jr. college, college, university, or trade school. Scholarships awarded by the National organization of The American Legion may be used nationwide. Applicants must have and maintain a "C" average or better. For all details and requirements, contact American Legion State Headquarters, 1314 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, KS 66612 or telephone 785-232-9315.
Over two billion dollars in scholarships and educational information is included in "Need A Lift?" a free online service of American Legion National Headquarters. View or download at www.NeedALift.org. Applications for the following scholarships are available from Mrs. Boden.
Music - One $1,000 scholarship ($500 per semester) is available to a Kansas high school senior, college level freshman or sophomore who will major or minor in music. Deadline February 15.
Shooting Sports - One $500 scholarship available to a Kansas high school senior or college level freshman, who has participated in an American Legion Shooting Sports program on the State and Regional levels. Applicants must be a C average or better student scholastically. Deadline February 15.
Hobble (LPN) Nursing - one $300 scholarship payable at the start of the first semester upon acceptance to an accredited Kansas school which awards a diploma for Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN). Applicants must have attained the age of 18 prior to taking the Kansas State Board Examination. Awarded to an individual who is both qualified and in need of financial aid. Deadline February 15.
Kansas American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year - One $500 scholarship is available to a high school student at least 15 years of age, who has earned their Eagle rank, is an active member of his religious institution and received the appropriate Boy Scout religious emblem, has demonstrated practical citizenship in church, school, scouting and community, is a registered active member of a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, or Venturing Crew chartered to an American Legion Post, American Legion Auxiliary Unit, or Sons of the American Legion Squadron, or is the son or grandson of an American Legion or Auxiliary member. Due March 1.
Dr. "Click" Cowger Baseball - One $500 scholarship available to a Kansas high school senior, college level freshman or sophomore who has participated in American Legion Baseball. Deadline July 15.
American Legion Baseball Scholarship - One $1,000 scholarship is awarded by The American Legion National Headquarters to an American Legion certified baseball player whose name appears on The American Legion Baseball's Form #1 that has been filed with National Headquarters. Deadline July 15.
Paul Flaherty Athletic - One $250 scholarship is awarded to a high school boy or girl who has participated in some form of school athletics. $125 to be paid at the start of each semester. Deadline July 15.
The following scholarships are available to high school seniors, college level freshmen or sophomores who are in need to educational assistance, and are enrolled in an approved junior college, college, university or trade school located in the state of Kansas. The applicant must be the son or daughter of a veteran; a parent must have been a member of the Kansas American Legion and/or Legion Auxiliary for the past three years. Children of deceased members of either organization are also eligible if the parent's dues were paid at the time of death. Applicants must be average or better students scholastically, and must show a high school transcript with grade point average. All scholarships are for one year; applicants may apply for each year the applicant is eligible.
Hugh A. Smith - A $500 scholarship. Deadline February 15.
Ted and Nora Anderson - Four $500 scholarships, ($250 per semester). Deadline February 15.
Albert M. Lappin - A $1,000 scholarship, ($500 per semester). Deadline February 15.
Rosedale Post 346 - Two $1,500 scholarships, ($750 per semester). Deadline February 15.
Charles W. & Annette Hill - A $1,000 scholarship ($500 per semester). Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 system. Consideration should is given to those applicants desiring to engage in the field of Science, Engineering, or Business Administration. Deadline February 15.
Jay B. Thielen - Five $500 scholarships, ($250 per semester). Any high school, undergraduate college student who is a U.S. citizen or the child of a member of the Sons of The American Legion, or a member of The Sons of The American Legion for the past three years is eligible to apply. Applicants may obtain eligibility through a deceased SAL member whose membership was current at the time of death. Deadline February 15.
U.S. "Udie" Grant - One $500 scholarship, ($250 per semester). Any high school senior, undergraduate college student who is a US citizen or the child of a member of the Sons of The American Legion, or a member of The Sons of The American Legion for the past three years is eligible to apply. Applicants may obtain eligibility through a deceased SAL member whose membership was current at the time of death. Deadline February 15.
Cargill Community Scholarship - Cargill will award $1000 scholarships to 350 high-school seniors living near Cargill communities nationwide and provide $200 to each student's school library. Students do not have to be in FFA to be selected. Scholarship application and guidelines are online at www.cargill.com, keyword scholarship. Applications require the signature of a Cargill employee. Applicants will need to visit a facility for a signature in order to be eligible for the program. Our Cargill location is 19849 W. Highway 30, Shelton, NE. Deadline February 15.
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship - annually awards roughly 20 college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with $10,000 renewable scholarships - up to $40,000 total per recipient. For more information, eligibility requirements, and an online application visit www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships. Deadline February 17, 2012.
BVCA Partnership Scholarships - Blue Valley Community Action (BVCA) Partnership is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 BVCA Partnership Scholarship and BVCA Partnership Vocational Scholarship. BVCA Partnership Scholarship will be awarded to individuals planning to attend or currently attending a 4-year college. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded. The BVCA Partnership Vocational Scholarship will be awarded to individuals planning to attend or currently attending a 2-year college. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded. For more information or the application packet, see Mrs. Boden or visit the website at www.bvca.net. Deadline February 1, 2012.
PRIMO SCHOLARSHIP - Nex-Tech/Rural Telephone is proud to announce the 2012 PRIMO Scholarship! PRIMO (Public Relations Independent Marketing Organization) consists of the marketing and public relations employees of independent telephone companies across Kansas and surrounding states. PRIMO awards five $500 scholarships to students who are or will attending an accredited university, community college, or technical school. To be eligible, the student's parent/legal guarding must be a customer of a Kansas PRIMO member company. Nex-Tech/Rural Telephone is proud to be a member of PRIMO. Scholarship applications are available at www.nex-tech.com/nex-generation. Mail completed application and supporting material to: Nex-Tech/Rural Telephone, Attn: Jacque Beckman, PO Box 158, 145 N. Main, Lenora, KS 67645. Deadline: 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2012.
Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Scholarship - FRS is offering thirty $2,500 scholarships nationwide. Applicants must be high school seniors living in a household receiving local telephone, Internet, or cable TV services from Nex-Tech/Rural Telephone. Applications may be downloaded at www.nex-tech.com/nex-generation or www.frs.org. Applications must be postmarked to FRS by March 1, 2012.
Glenn Lygrisse/KACRAO Scholarship - The Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO) is offering the Glenn Lygrisse/KACRAO Scholarship. There are four $250 awards available for the 2012-2013 academic year. The scholarships will be designated as follows; one per school type: four-year public, private institution, community college, and technical/vocational. These scholarships must be used at a KACRAO member institution. The scholarship is not need-based and may be used in conjunction with other awards at the discretion of the Financial Aid office of the attending institution. Eligibility - students must be a senior at a Kansas high school, have a cumulative seventh semester GPA of at least 3.25, minimum ACT of 22, provide evidence of leadership experience. To apply go to www.kacrao.org, go to High School Counselors, KACRAO Scholarship. Completed application must be postmarked by March 9, 2012.
Best Buy Scholarship - Best Buy is awarding up to $1.2 million in scholarship for students in grades 9-12! That is 1,200 scholarships of $1,000 each. Eligibility: students in grades 9-12 living in the U.S. & Puerto Rico may apply, student need solid grades plus community service or work experience. Apply online at www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com or www.at15.com. Deadline is February 15, 2012.
Kansas Junior Golf Scholarship - Kansas Golf Foundation will award five scholarships. This is an academic scholarship, but in order to be eligible, a student must have participated in junior golf activities, including high school golf. Scholarships are awarded to graduating Kansas high school seniors based on academic performance, leadership, a written essay and financial need. The grant is $5000, payable $1250 per school year. Recipients must attend a Kansas college, university, including community colleges. Scholarship details and a downloadable application form are available at www.kansasgolf.org/foundation/scholarships. Deadline April 2.
Jim Johnson Scholarship - The High Plains Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association are offering the Jim Johnson Scholarship in the amount of $500 awarded annually to a high school senior who will be pursuing a career in one of the physical sciences (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Earth Science including geology, hydrology, meteorology, oceanography and soil science). The scholarship is also open to those going into the teaching profession in the physical sciences. The student must be attending a school in the forecast and warning area of one of the following National Weather Service Offices: Dodge City and Goodland, KS, and North Platte and Hastings, NE. Click on the scholarship name above to view specifics of the application process. Deadline April 1.
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS
TO ACCESS THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS, PLEASE CLICK ON THE SCHOLARSHIP TITLE.
TO FILL OUT LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS, CLICK ON SCHOLARSHIP NAME, TYPE DIRECTLY INTO ADOBE AND PRINT. Adobe Reader required. Download for free from http://get.adobe.com/reader OR see Mrs. Boden for the scholarship application.
The following section is under construction. Please check back frequently for updates! Thank you!
Harry B. Sweet Foundation Scholarship - Applicants must reside or graduate from high schools in Jewell, Smith and Republic Counties, Kansas and Nuckolls County, Nebraska. Application must be submitted to Mr. Wiens, Mr. Panter, or Mr. Bearley (not directly to the foundation!!!) Deadline is March 1.
Kilmer-Miller Scholarship - The Kilmer/Miller Scholarship is available to any Eastern Heights graduate and students graduating from Thunder Ridge High School who attended Eastern Heights during the 2007-2008 school year. Applicants must attend any two or four year Kansas private college or any vocational technical school and have not already obtained a BS or BA. Deadline April 1.
Carl and Martha Grauerholz Memorial Scholarship - Applicants must be a currently enrolled senior at Thunder Ridge High School with at least a 2.0 GPA intending on attending a 4-year college or university; must have taken the ACT or SAT. Deadline March 31.
Carl and Martha Grauerholz Memorial Scholarship Renewal - Deadline March 31.
Arnold "Tarzan" Levin Memorial Scholarship - Applicants must be a currently enrolled senior at Thunder Ridge High School with at least a 2.0 GPA intending on attending a 4-year college or university, must have taken the ACT or SAT. Deadline March 31.
Arnold "Tarzan" Levin Memorial Scholarship Renewal - Deadline March 31.
D.C.Duer Scholarship - Application coming!
Edward G. Beckman Scholarship - Any student who has resided in Smith County within the past five years. Must be an undergraduate pursuing an education in the fields of science, engineering, physics, biology or healthcare; ranked in top third of class. Deadline April 1.
Edward G. Beckman Scholarship Post-Secondary - Criteria same as high school application. Deadline April 1.
Martin F. Calkin Scholarship - Eligibility: any Smith County Kansas graduating senior who will graduate in the top 1/3 of their class and attending a college or university within the state of Kansas. Deadline April 1.
Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Trust - Any graduating senior residing in Smith County planning to attend an accredited college or university. Deadline April 1.
Margaret Nelson Castle College Scholarship Trust Post-Secondary - Criteria same as high school application. Deadline April 1.
Margaret Nelson Castle Vocational-Technical Scholarship Trust - Eligibility: any high school graduate residing in Smith County attending an accredited vocational-technical school. Deadline April 1.
Margaret Nelson Castle Vocational-Technical Scholarship Trust Post-Secondary - Criteria same as high school application. Deadline April 1.
Bill and Julia Thomas Charitable Trust Scholarship - Applicant must be a resident of Smith County Kansas. Different categories are available: college/university, vocational, medical school. Deadline April 1.
Bill and Julia Thomas Charitable Trust Scholarship Post-Secondary - Criteria same as high school application. Deadline April 1.
Bill and Julia Thomas Charitable Trust Nursing Scholarship - See application for eligibility criteria. Deadline April 1.
Rathert Foundation Scholarship - Eligibility: any Thunder Ridge High School senior in good standing. Deadline May 1.
NAIFA of the Heartland Scholarship - Phillips County students are eligible. This is a one time $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a high school senior who will pursue a 2 or 4 year college degree or attend a technical school pursuing a career. This scholarship will be awarded to a student whose GPA falls between 2.50 and 3.75. Deadline April 1.
PEO Chapter AE Merit Scholarship - Any female graduating from USD #110 or USD #237 ranked in the top 1/3 of her graduating class planning to attend a four-year college in Kansas or Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. Application will be available soon. Deadline April 15.
Thunder Ridge Educational Association Scholarship - Eligibility: Thunder Ridge High School student with at least a 3.0 GPA intending to enter the teaching profession. Deadline April 1 to counselor.
Fred Marran Post #166 American Legion Scholarship - Available to children or grandchildren of members of Fred Marran Post #166 or Legion Auxiliary. Application will be available soon. Deadline April 1.
Fred Marran Post #166 Sons of the American Legion Scholarship - Applicants shall be descendants of American Legion or SAL members with first consideration going to active SAL members. Application will be available soon. Deadline April 1.
Fred Marran Post #166 American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship - Applicants must be children or grandchildren of members to Fred Marran Post #166 or Auxiliary. Application will be available soon. Deadline April 15.
Other Helpful Information
COLLEGE PLANNING
College.gov - this is a resource from the U.S. Department of Education about continuing education for students (of all ages) and parents. The purpose of this site to engage, inform and inspire students about continuing in post-high school education.
AnyCollege.com - this is a site to utilize for conducting a college search
College Answer www.collegeanswer.com
The College Board www.collegeboard.com
EducationPlanner.org www.educationplanner.org
My College Guide www.mycollegeguide.com
U.S. Department of Education www.ed.gov
CAREER ASSESSMENT
Monster www.monster.com
Today’s Military www.todaysmilitary.com
Scholarship Experts www.scholarshipexperts.com
College Answer www.collegeanswer.com
Fast Web www.fastweb.com
Military.com www.military.com
