College and Career Office (2024)

Welcome Back

Welcome back to a new school year! The College Office is here to help you with all things “life after high school.” Please read your school emails and if you do not already have a private email address (that you check regularly) I encourage you to make one for college application purposes. Email will be the main method of communication for colleges. Your warrenschools email address will be eliminated upon graduation, so please move all important information over now including usernames and passwords that are linked to your warrenschools email account. We welcome the Ayers Foundation to our School and Counselors: Vanessa Farris, Grace Young, Dr. Katrina Haley & Tori Meeks. Vanessa Farris will be serving students in the Biological Sciences Academy at WCHS. Vanessa has over 30 years experience in serving students and families including middle and high school counseling and a decade focused on college access and success. Prior to AYERS, Vanessa was a GEAR UP Coordinator. Vanessa has Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, a Masters degree in Education Psychology and Counseling, and an Ed.S in School Counseling from Tennessee Tech University. She enjoys traveling, broadway plays and reading in addition to kayaking, hiking and lake days. Dr. Katrina Haley will be working with students in the BLE academy. She has many years in education as a Technology HS teacher, Tech related college professor at various colleges and former director of Technology. She has also worked on the corporate side of IT with Bridgestone corporate and Arnold AFB. Dr. Haley has her doctorate degree from TSU, masters and Ed.S. From TN Tech, and B.S. from The Univ. of TN, Knoxville. She enjoys vacationing to Walt Disney World and working. Mrs. Chelsea Gribble is our Scholarships Coordinator and Mrs. Leah Simpson has remained in our office as the Minority Liaison/Athletic Liaison. Chelsea Gribble is a graduate of Vol State Community College and Leah Simpson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication & Communication Studies from the University of Montevallo (Alabama) and a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Tennessee Technological University. She has worked at WCHS since 2013.

Tennessee Promise (TN Promise)

Did you know that many TN students are eligible for tuition-free community or technical college through TN Promise? The deadline to apply is November 1. Visit http://www.TNPromise.gov to submit your application today. We will be visiting senior advisory classes soon to begin this process with many of the senior students. You can also see your Ayers Foundation Counselor at WCHS anytime for assistance.

College Fair

Please join us for our College & Career Fair, September 25th, 4pm-6pm in the front lobby. There will be many colleges, TCAT, and the military. Bring your parents/guardians to learn more about your future opportunities.

Google Classroom & Remind

Join our Google Classroom to stay up-to-date on all things College & Career including TN Promise & FAFSA (The Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The Classroom code is: 2jscc6h. We also have a Remind account, here is the link: https://www.remind.com/join/createdbyl.

Free Applications

We will have more information about our TN College Application and Exploration Month to come... More schools are signing on daily, but here is a list of those who have agreed to waive application fees so far:

• August 1 – September 30: Union University, **Sewanee: The University of the South**

• September 1 – 30: Bethel University, East Tennessee State University, Tennessee Tech University, The University of Memphis

• September 18 – 24: Middle Tennessee State University

• September 19 – 23: Lipscomb University, The University of Tennessee at Martin, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee Knoxville

• The following participants have no application fee: Carson-Newman University, Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College, Dyersburg State Community College, Jackson State Community College, Lincoln Memorial University, Maryville College, Motlow State Community College, Northeast State Community College, Pellissippi State Community College, Rhodes College, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, Tennessee Wesleyan University, Trevecca Nazarene University, University of Tennessee Southern, Volunteer State Community College, Walters State Community College

*Please Note: this list may be revised as it’s from 2022* & **Free all year**

Other Important Information

• Scholarships are available on Google Classroom. Local scholarship applications will be out at a later date.

• Resume templates are available in Google Docs (create new > template) which is a great tool for scholarships! Don’t forget to include your extracurricular activities!!!

• Upcoming Field Trip Opportunities: MTSU & TTU. Check with your Ayers Counselor!

College Fair & Parent-Interest Meeting

Join us on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 4-6pm for the WCHS Senior College Fair. The event will take place in the WCHS front lobby. If you have a child interested in participating in collegiate sports there will be an informational meeting at 5:30pm in the auditorium.

TN Promise

Did you know that many TN students are eligible for tuition-free community or technical college through TN Promise? The deadline to apply is November 1. Visit http://www.TNPromise.gov to submit your application today. You can also see your Ayers Counselor for assistance, in the office across from the green hall restroom, downstairs.

Steps to Enrollment & Free College Applications

The college going process can be overwhelming; however, there are many tools that can be utilized to better help ease this transition. One such tool is the website, CollegeforTN, and for specific TN Promise related help, TN Achieves's website. Furthermore, free College App(lication) Week is this month. Check the list out at the end of this newsletter to see if the school you’re interested in is waiving application fees. Remember, do a transcript request on Google Classroom after you apply to a college/university!

Other Important Information

• Scholarship Deadlines: The Gates Scholarship is due 9/15! QuestBridge The National College Match Scholarship is due 9/26.

• Don’t forget to check out Google Classroom for updates weekly about all things college and career. The Classroom code is: 2jscc6h.

• Check all emails & don’t forget your warrenschools email will disappear after graduation.

Leah Simpson, Special Populations Liaison, simpsonl@warrenschools.com

Chelsea Gribble, Scholarship Coordinator, gribblec@warrenschools.com

931.668.5858

FAFSA

The FAFSA will be undergoing an overhaul and will not be opening until approximately December 2023. "The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in financial aid to help pay for college or career school each year." We are encouraging students and parents to jumpstart the process by making a username/password for the FAFSA, known as a FSA ID. Here is how you can make a FSA ID for you and your parents (click here: FAFSA). Call WCHS at 931.668.5858 with any questions.

Other Important Information

• JHA is our contact for cap & gowns; orders due by 11/15; email gribblec@warrenschools.com or call 668.5858 & ask for Chelsea Gribble for assistance if you have any questions or need financial assistance.

• Parent-Interest Meeting information for future Collegiate Athletes link here if you missed!

• Scholarships due in October can be found on Google Classroom & this link.

• TN Promise applications are due 11/1 - if you are interested in UT Promise you MUST do a TN Promise application by the deadline as well! (here)

• Community Service available, email simpsonl@warrenschools.com

• What should I work on for scholarships? In order of importance….

1. Resume (an example is available on Google Classroom)

2. Financial considerations paragraph (For example, I’m a First generation college student, & detailed reasons why you need $$$, etc…)

3. Local scholarships (WCHS comes out in December)

4. Specific school scholarships (Motlow, MTSU, TTU, etc…)

5. Tennessee based scholarships (ex: Scarlett Family Foundation, etc..)

6. National Scholarships that are for minority groups (ex: Hispanic Scholarship)

7. All national scholarships (You can Google a scholarship for anything, but beware of scams)

• Ayers Counselor Dates:

• Every Tuesday-Thursday they will be available in Advisory during November for Student FSA ID Creation in the Computer Lab (different academy groups each date)

• Nov. 6, Parent Teacher Conference, FSA ID Creation for parents in Computer Lab & 5:30 PM Parent Financial Aid Night with TSAC and local colleges

• November 30, Advisory--Future Nurses Student Meeting in Auditorium with TCAT, Motlow and TTU Nursing Advisors providing information

• Saturday, January 6; NEW YEAR NEW FAFSA HELP Session with Breakfast 8AM-11A

Items to Remember

• Local Scholarships are open: Google Classroom, Local Scholarships, class code: 2ypzfwx. Please edit them online by clicking File>Make a Copy> edit it as a new “copied” document to turn in via email to gribblec@warrenschools.com

• The FAFSA will open approximately 1/1/24!

Other Important Information

• For TN Promise: you will submit 8 hours of community service OR job shadowing by 7/3. Hours are submitted through your Ayers Counselor.

• Many university/college scholarships are due December 15; a more comprehensive list can be found on Google Classroom & this link. (NOT including local scholarships - they are available on their dedicated Google Classroom). For example, TTU Scholarships & Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship are due 12/15.

• UT Promise is a great option for UT schools - make sure you’ve discussed this with your Ayers Counselor.

• Resume templates & essay guidance is/are available in Google Docs/Classroom (templates) - great for scholarships!

Local scholarships are all on the Google classroom for local scholarships (class code: 2ypzfwx). There are thousands of dollars available to help you pay for your college education. Don't let those slip away from you! For example, scholarships that are due soon: The Ben Lomand Longbeards (1/15), Deanna Grayson Memorial (1/15), Women Educators (1/15), Spencer Lively Memorial (1/19), Homeland Community Bank (1/22), Joe Stewart (1/22), James C. Hailey (1/22), & McMinnville Lions Club (1/29). There will be no accepting of late scholarships. These can be completed online, you can drop them off at the school, or you can send them to Chelsea Gribble through email, gribblec@warrenschools.com. There are also national scholarships due in January such as the Ronald Reagan Foundation, Amazon Future Engineers and Union Plus Scholarships. For more information and links you can visit our Google Classroom for College Office information (separate from local scholarships) with code: 2jscc6h.

Don’t forget: Resume templates are available in Google Docs (create new > template) which is a great tool for scholarships! Don’t forget to include your extracurricular activities!!! This is a scholarship resume NOT a job resume. Furthermore, financial needs examples are available on Google Classroom for the College Office.

TN Promise Requirements: FAFSA

The FAFSA event for Saturday is canceled as the FAFSA isn’t 100% operational at this moment and is still under construction. We still have our 3-6PM FAFSA help on January 23rd scheduled. See your Ayers Counselor for more information.

Other Important Information

• Don’t forget to keep earning Community Service hours -- due by July 1st. Submit them with your Ayers Counselor!

• Review past newsletters for scholarship tips: start small and go large! (Local Scholarship, middle TN scholarships, TN scholarships, national scholarships). For example, note: Ned McWherter Scholarship is coming out soon for those with high ACT scores!!

• For those wanting to live on campus - apply for dorms now!

College Going Process “Cheat Sheet”

For any Senior confused on “what to do next” in regards to postsecondary education, please see the “cheat sheet” below.

Scholarships Due

Local scholarships are all on the Google classroom for local scholarships (class code: 2ypzfwx). There are thousands of dollars available to help you pay for your college education. Don't let those slip away from you! These scholarships are due in February:

There are also national scholarships due in February (available online):

*Note some national dates may have changed, please check website for details*

For more information and links you can visit our Google Classroom for College Office information (separate from local scholarships) with code: 2jscc6h.

FAFSA deadline extended

FAFSA must be completed to stay compliant with the requirements for TN Promise (this is financial assistance for college and EVERYONE must do it to remain eligible for TN Promise). If you or your family needs help completing the FAFSA we would be more than happy to help you complete this! You can call and make an appointment with us during school hours (931-668-5858 & ask for Leah Simpson or email simpsonl@warrenschools.com). If it is not possible to meet during school hours call us and we will try our best to accommodate our schedule to meet your needs. Community service hours are due by July 3rd. See your Ayers Counselor for assistance.

Other Important Information

• Work Ethic Standard Cord forms are available in room 102 1/2.

• Financial considerations can be a multitude of factors for college scholarship applications like first generation college students, debt, etc… Here are some examples.

• Don’t forget community service opportunities: Here’s a list of continual community service opportunities: Animal Control, 169 Paws Trail in McMinnville, 931.507.3647; Kids of the Community, tutors, 681 Cadillac Ln, McMinnville, TN 37110, (931) 668-5437; Hamilton Street Apartments, tutors, 301 Hardaway Street McMinnville, 931.473.3286, contact: Mrs. Harvey.

• If you are also a parent/guardian of younger children check this chart out!

• With numerous college classes currently going virtual I highly recommend students learning email etiquette (2 links)! (Note: these are “other websites” that I’m not affiliated with nor do I personally know or agree with the authors. I just thought the information would be helpful.*)

• Due 3/4: Dr Pepper, Durham, Geny's Rising Dream, Jacksboro, Katelyn Smith, McCay TTU

• Due 3/8: Evening Exchange, Mcminnville Bar, PCF Forestry, Shanna Seiderer

• Due 3/14: Linda King

• due 3/18: HAAS & Michael Boles

• Due 3/22: Jackson Dunlap, Mcminnville Moving, RIMCO, Tree City

• Due 3/25: Black History Museum, First National Bank, Young Men United, John Upchurch,

• Due 3/29: Morrison Industries, MTSU, Noon Exchange

• External Scholarship due 3/31: Lockheed Martin STEM

• Motlow State Community College specific scholarships due 3/15

• External Scholarship due 3/15: ELLevation Scholarship

• External Scholarship due 3/15: Middle TN Nursery Association

• External Scholarship due 3/31: Reduce TN Crashes

Scholarships are available via Google Classroom or you can contact the College Office.

Applications

Make sure you have applied by now to the college of your choice! I highly recommend looking back at February’s newsletter at the “Cheat Sheet” if you need assistance.

Etiquette

We want to ensure we’re graduating College & Career ready students. Ms. Gribble has compiled a few etiquette tips for our students:

• Interviews: You should always call or email the individual that conducted your interview to thank them for the opportunity you were given. This shows initiative and will stand out in the decision making process.

• Scholarships: You should always send a thank you letter to the individuals/organizations that have given you those scholarships. Always send a thank you card!

Other Important Information

• College Fair during school: March 26th.

• Don’t forget to double check all college information is correct even if someone at WCHS helped you - log in & double check it’s submitted & correct - this is your information so you are ultimately responsible. This same advice goes for scholarship emails, if you email them make sure you receive a “received” reply if not follow-up to ensure receipt.

• Log your community service hours with your Ayers Counselor.

Scholarship/Awards Day

• Senior Scholarship Night, May 2 at 6pm

• Senior Awards Day, May 9 at 9am

• 9th-11th grade Awards Day, May 9 at 1pm

*Invitation only events*

Important Scholarship Deadlines

• External Scholarships:

  • 4/15 Horatio Alger Career & Technical Scholarship

  • 4/15 Middle TN Association of Realtors

  • 4/15 TSU Ag Department

  • 4/15 Hampton Scholarship Foundation

  • 4/22 Student-View Scholarships Program

  • 4/30 Western Union Foundation (nationwide)

  • 4/30 The Pack Leader Scholarship

  • 4/30 NEED Student Leadership Award

Scholarships are available via Google Classroom or you can contact the College Office.

Other Important Information

• Scholarship/Awards Day: More information to follow. If you received any awards PLEASE LET US KNOW here! You will only be recognized if you let us know of your award, please highlight where you will attend college as well for the award.

• Don’t forget to sign up for your Orientation - the sooner the better for your choice of classes. Check out ratemyprofessor.com if you have any questions regarding which professor to take. Also, check your college emails - you may have been selected for financial aid verification & if so you need to do that ASAP & we can help!

• On May 2nd Mr. Hobbs will meet with all seniors in the auditorium regarding graduation. At that time we will have you fill out an exit form so we know where to send your final transcript (please note that means upon graduation so it can’t be sent until after you graduate). Make sure you update your TSAC portal (the website where we signed up for TN Promise) to your school of choice so that your money is dispersed correctly this fall. Please make sure you do this! TSAC portal login is here.

• Herff Jones is our rep for cap/gown/invitations, etc… Link here