Preparing for College
Planning Calendar for Seniors
There are many steps along the path to college. Get a helpful planning guide to follow here.
Eventually, you will need to turn in teacher and/or counselor recommendation letters to colleges or scholarship programs. Please complete this personal biography form and have it ready to give to the teachers or counselors who will be writing the recommendation letters. This will help them gain a full perspective on the what areas they need to highlight….(example, your awards, honors and your service to the community and extracurricular activities).
For any questions or personal guidance contact:
Jayne Dipzinski
College Advisor
jayne.dipzinski@hchscov.com
859-431-1335 ext.193
Paying for College
FAFSA
Students who are planning to attend college this fall should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) anytime after October 1st! You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
If you need additional information that can help assist parents and students, or if you need additional copies of the FAFSA worksheet, please go to www.fsapubs.gov.
KEES
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships (KEES) are available to Kentucky high school graduates who are residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky as determined for purposes of admission and tuition assessment by the University. KEES awards are available for a maximum of 8 academic terms and must be used within the earlier of attainment of a baccalaureate degree or 5 years from high school graduation. KEES awards can be used for the fall and spring terms only and are not available for summer coursework.
All students must keep track of their own KEES money. Go to www.kheaa.com/website/kheaa/home and click on student account. Make sure soc.sec.#, Date of Birth and each years GPA. is correct. You have a limited time to fix this information or it will be lost. The money will not be paid to you. This is out of the counselor's control. They do not have access to your account any longer. This is YOUR responsibility! Please contact your counselor with any questions. If you do have incorrect information on your account, e-mail the incorrect information and the corrected information to your counselor ASAP.
Top Scholarship Links
Find Scholarship Opportunities that fit you!
Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation
Tuition Funding Sources (TFS)
KHEAA
Fast Web
College Board
Information about the ACT can be found at www.actstudent.org/start
Registration
Registration packets for the ACT & SAT are available in the High School office.
You may also register online at www.actstudent.org/start
Holy Cross High School ACT Code: 180-555
ACT Test Dates:
For ACT test dates and registration, deadlines go to www.act.org/regist/dates.html
Test Fees:
- $42.50 ACT No Writing
- $58.50 ACT Plus Writing
ACT Prep Information
All junior students have the opportunity to take ACT prep classes at Holy Cross. These sessions do not guarantee you a 36 on the ACT, but will familiarize students with the format and “quirks” of the test. There is no charge, so you will definitely get your money’s worth. Prep classes begin in October and meet during Enrichment period. A mock practice test will be given on a date to be determined in February. Click here for more information on Holy Cross ACT prep classes.
Additional prep help can be found at www.actstudent.org/testprep/index.html.
College Visits
When visiting colleges it is helpful to take notes while you are there. A college visit checklist that can be used to help you remember some of the details or to compare colleges later can be found here.
As seniors plan to visit colleges, we must also remind parents of the regulations regarding these visits.
- Unless an official visit or tour is scheduled, all visits should be made on weekends.
- To arrange a college day, contact the college’s admission department for their visiting procedures.
- In the case of an official visit, a form from the counselor is required to be completed at least three days in advance of the visit.
- The principal and the teachers of the student must sign this form.
- Absolutely no college visits during the fourth quarter of the school year are allowed.
Before arranging any college visits, call the school office at 859-431-1335 for a permission form, or print one here. Please remember these regulations as you plan ahead with your child.
