Greetings Class of 2023 Parents and Families,

Beginning in 2021-22, all students enrolled in the 12th grade are required to submit a financial aid application to graduate.

Texas Education Code states that starting with the 2021–22 school year, seniors must take one of the following actions to graduate:

• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete and submit the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
• Submit a signed opt-out form to their high school counselor

The Grand Prairie ISD College Readiness Department is here to assist you and your senior through the financial aid application process for both FAFSA and TASFA by hosting three district financial aid nights as well as on-going campus support through the campus’ College & Career Centers. Students and families are welcome to attend any one of the financial aid nights even if it’s not your high school. No pre-registration required.

Prep Program Date: October 29, 2022

HSF’s College 101 is a free, bilingual, 3-hour, college preparation program, designed to help students (6th – 12th grade), and their parents, prepare, plan, and pay for a college education. Topics include preparing for and applying to college, researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities, understanding the real cost of a college education, maximizing the college experience, and successfully transitioning to a career after college.

Si prefiere la sesión en español, por favor regístrese aquí.
https://hsf.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ET_0AAJaSEymBC1ZGfy7JA

Our next DCP Info Session for Class of 2023 graduating seniors and their families will be October 19th from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. We look forward to answering any questions students may have about our program. Students can register here!

Upcoming info sessions (scheduled for 4:30-6 p.m.):

November 2nd – Register here

November 16th – Register here

December 7th – Register here

When students take the PSAT/NMSQT, they unlock opportunities for their future.

1. It connects students to more than $300 million in scholarships, including the National Merit® Scholarship Program. If your students opt into the free Student Search Service®, scholarship providers will invite them to apply.
2. It's excellent practice for the SAT. Both tests measure the same knowledge and skills and ask the same types of questions, so PSAT/NMSQT takers will know what to expect on the SAT.
3. It's the first step to a free, personalized SAT study plan. Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy® uses your child's PSAT/NMSQT score to create a customized SAT study plan with sample questions that focus on areas where they need help.
4. It shows student progress on the road to college. The PSAT/NMSQT is part of the SAT Suite of Assessments, a series of tests beginning in eighth grade that shows your child and their teachers whether your child is on track for college.
5. It shows which Advanced Placement Program® (AP) courses students are ready for. The PSAT/NMSQT Score Report indicates which college-level AP courses your child has the potential to succeed in.

Counselors and teachers,

Help your students grow into the leaders they are ready to become. The Texas Leadership Scholars program is a new initiative from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). It is a premier cohort-model scholarship program that supports Texas students in their postsecondary aspirations. Applications are open now! Nominate a student leader from your campus for this scholarship program today!

Eligibility requirements:

• Top 10%
• TEXAS Grant eligible
• Completed a FAFSA or TASFA and demonstrated financial need
• Graduated from an accredited Texas high school
• Accepted to a participating four-year institution

Selected students will join a group of peer scholars who have access to:

• peer and professional networks and mentors;
• leadership development;
• opportunities for undergraduate research; and
• essential skill-building for resume writing, social media branding, communication, and much more!

Check out the participating institutions across the state:

• Tarleton State University
• Prairie View A&M University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M-Commerce
• Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
• Texas A&M-Kingsville
• Texas A&M-San Antonio
• Texas A&M International
• West Texas A&M University
• Texas Southern University
• Texas State University
• Texas Woman’s University
• University of North Texas
• The University of Texas
• The University of Texas at Arlington
• The University of Texas at El Paso
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• The University of Texas at Tyler

To nominate a student contact: texasLeadershipScholars@unt.edu or for more information visit: https://texasleadershipscholars.org/student-experience

AVID Mission Statement

To close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

Elementary students develop the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, and college, in an age-appropriate and challenging way. Children learn about organization, study skills, communication, and self-advocacy. AVID Elementary closes the opportunity gap before it begins by using the foundation skills such as the WICOR strategies.

The power of AVID Secondary is the ability to impact students in the AVID Elective class and all students throughout the campus. AVID Secondary can have an effect on the entire school by providing classroom activities, teaching practices, and academic behaviors that can be incorporated into any classroom to improve engagement and success for all students.Our nation’s schools are full of students who possess a desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard, but many of them do not truly have the opportunity to be college-ready. These are often the students who will be the first in their families to attend college and are from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education.AVID Secondary equips teachers and schools with what they need to help these students succeed on a path to college and career success.

Support your child with college readiness!

Grand Prairie ISD is an approved Certifying Organization (CO) for the President’s Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA). The PVSA is a prestigious national honor offered in recognition of volunteer commitment. Established in 2003, this award honors individuals and groups who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to volunteer service over the course of 12 months. Service hours can be accumulated on a variety of projects throughout the year.

• United States citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., green card holder)
• Must be at least five years old
• Completes eligible service within a 12-month period (for annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards) and over a lifetime (for Lifetime Achievement Awards)

Eligible Service:

• Unpaid acts of volunteer service benefitting others
  • Service through National service programs that provide a stipend (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) may count towards the Lifetime Achievement Award, but not for the annual Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards)
  • Travel stipends, transit/parking passes, membership passes, expense reimbursements, and other nominal volunteer support do not impact service eligibility

Eligible Service does not include:

• Donating funds
• Political lobbying (Non-partisan voter registration is an eligible activity)
• Religious instruction
• Conducting worship service
• Proselytizing
• Volunteer service performed as part of court-ordered community service
• Serving only family members

Separate college facts from fiction in this Xello exclusive event hosted by Collegewise experts!

This exclusive webinar will help families separate college admissions fact from fiction and enjoy the college process a little more.

We’ll discuss:

• Grades
• Test scores
• Activities
• And everything else colleges evaluate.

Attendees will get straight answers about what college admissions committees really look for and how they ultimately decide who gets in. We think kids and parents will be pleasantly surprised to learn that kids don’t have to be trilingual, opera-singing rocket scientists to get into college today.

Shun Davis, M.S., LPC

Email: collegeready@gpisd.org
Website: https://www.gpisd.org/CollegeCareerHub
Location: Grand Prairie, TX, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=profile&section=username
Twitter: @GPCollegeReady

Ana Gonzalez

Email: collegeready@gpisd.org
Website: https://www.gpisd.org/CollegeCareerHub

Irasema Sias

Email: Irasema.Sias@gpisd.org
Website: https://www.gpisd.org/Page/42249
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=profile&section=username
Twitter: @GPCollegeReady