College & Career Update

• FAFSA Night
• SAT Prep
• College Fair
• College Reps Visiting Palmer
• Apprenticeship Office Hours
• Scholarships - New!

At ECOC, we are committed to leveling the playing field and ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has an equal chance to succeed. Our SAT Prep Program is meticulously curated to empower our students, addressing not just academic concepts, but also bolstering critical thinking skills, time management, and test-taking strategies.

"I raised my sat score by 170 points! It took a lot of hard work, but thanks to my mentor and coaching, i was able to accomplish my goal! I even received a laptop!!"

Through small group sessions led by dedicated instructors, our students benefit from personalized attention, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With each session, our students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to overcome the SAT's challenges, propelling them toward academic achievement and a future filled with infinite possibilities.

The 2025 class will take place from 6:00 to 7:30 on Tuesday evenings. Ten classes will take place by Zoom on Tuesdays as follows Feb 4, 2025, Feb 11, 18, 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, April 1, April 8. April 15 we will celebrate having completed the state administered test. Join us by Zoom at https://coloradocollege.zoom.us/j/99900928039 [coloradocollege.zoom.us]

Dear Palmer Families,

There will be another high-quality SAT prep course this winter. It will be hosted at the University of Denver, taught by a Harvard grad. There is also a live online version of the course. Both courses are open to Juniors and Seniors.

• 27-hour comprehensive live online course, including 3 proctored practice exams
• Starts in Feb. and runs for 7 weeks online (until the April in-school test day)
• Taught live by a 99th percentile expert instructor
• Costs $195

Campus Prep has provided these popular courses at the University of Denver for the past 7 years and has been the official SAT provider for the Boulder Valley School District.

• Students who complete the course often increase their score by over 200 points.
• The courses fill up fast. Apply at https://www.campusprep.org/sat (it takes 60 seconds to apply).

Visit https://www.campusprep.org/sat to see the schedules and to apply for the course.

Questions? Email admin@campusprep.org or call (877) 805-2521.

Free and open to the public, RMACAC fairs connect you with colleges and universities in one convenient location.

The fair will take place on March 8, 2025 from 9:00a to 11:30a MST at the Pine Creek High School (10750 Thunder Mountain Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80908). Students and families can park in any Pine Creek High School parking lot.

Students: Register in advance with StriveScan by completing a quick form. After you sign up, StriveScan will send a barcode via text message and email. At the college fair, present your barcode to college representatives to receive more information about that college. The next day, you will receive an email with a report of all of the colleges and representatives you met, along with their contact information and social media profiles.

Date: March 8, 2025

Time: 9:00a - 11:30a MST

Location: Pine Creek High School, 10750 Thunder Mountain Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Local Coordinator: Stephanie Cornelio, Pine Creek High School

The following college representatives & military recruiters will be visiting Palmer High School to talk with students in the future center! Stop by counseling to sign up ahead of time! Don't forget to check in with your teachers to make sure it'll be an okay time to miss class.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is an opportunity to receive hands-on career training, an education, and a paycheck. Earn while you learn! Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled careers.

Want to learn more about apprenticeships? Do you need help searching for an apprenticeship and getting your foot in the door? Ms. Shackelford can help! See your counselor or stop by the future center to request an appointment!

• Wednesday, February 19th, 8:30am - 12:00pm
• Wednesday, February 26th, 8:30am - 12:00pm
• Wednesday, March 5th, 8:30am - 12:00pm

Description: The USAFA ASC is a group of military spouses and friends living near the Air Force Academy in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. We are dedicated to providing our members fun social opportunities, recreational activities as well as philanthropic opportunities to support our local civilian and military communities. Thanks to our philanthropic work, we proudly award annual scholarships to local military spouses and children, as well as donate to local and national charitable causes in both the military and civilian sectors.

Deadline: February 20th, 2025

Eligibility: See flyer and application below.

Website: https://www.usafaasc.org/

Description: ATTENTION JUNIORS! If integrity, determination and courage describe you - you have what it takes to be a Horatio Alger Scholar. Our scholarships reward students who possess the character to succeed in life and believe in the American Dream. We help students overcome the financial barriers to pursue higher education. Last year we transitioned to awarding high school juniors instead of seniors. With this exciting change comes the ability to provide more resources to our Scholars such as college fit & match advising, as well as, financial aid counseling. In 2025, the Association will award 600+ scholarships up to $25,000 each.

Deadline: March 1st, 2025

Eligibility:

• Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
• Exhibit a strong commitment to complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
• Demonstrate financial need ($65,000 or lower household income)
• Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
• Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
• Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
• Be a United States citizen

Website: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/

Description:

RMACAC, The Rocky Mountain Association for College Admission Counseling, is pleased to offer fifteen (15) $1,000 scholarships to students who exhibit a commitment to learning, demonstrate leadership skills, and are committed to serving their communities. RMACAC will select three (3) scholarship recipients per RMACAC state: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

In order to qualify, a student must reside in or attend school in one of our five region states, is in their final year of high school (or attend a regionally accredited 2-year college), and be attending (or transferring to) a regionally accredited college or university beginning Summer 2025 or Fall 2025. Qualifying students must also have a 3.0 high school (or college for transfer students) GPA on a 4.0 scale. International students and students with undocumented/DACA status who attend high school or a 2-year college within the RMACAC region are also eligible to apply.

Students wishing to apply for this scholarship should submit the scholarship application and have a high school counselor (who is a RMACAC member) complete the counselor recommendation form. A RMACAC member may recommend up to two students. Applications and counselor recommendations are due March 7, 2025 at 5pm.

Deadline: March 7th, 2025 at 5:00pm

Website/ Eligibility: https://www.rmacac.org/student-scholarship

Student Application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_b8GyMQEM2k8Tfhzx0DGlXXmnlBTz_RuhcNMA7LMgbcsHGg/viewform

Counselor Recommendation Form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1BTSmZ145u7iXkyCGX0WEPD0tpuFSfZwTZ70iEEhCA6U/viewform?edit_requested=true

Description: Your Colorado Springs area Jiffy Lube owners are offering one $3,500 scholarship award and two $1,500 scholarship awards to 3 local high school students – students simply have to write about “What Drives You?” – no grade point or test score requirements! Fun Fact: Palmer has had a student win this scholarship two years in a row!

Deadline: March 10th, 2025

Eligibility:

https://www.yourturn2apply.com/2025/Rules%20&%20Guidelines%20COS%2024-25.pdf

Website:

https://www.yourturn2apply.com/colorado.htm

Description:

The Latin American Educational Foundation offers scholarships to Colorado residents of Latino heritage. The 2024-2025 application is open to graduating high school seniors planning to pursue postsecondary education at the undergraduate level (including trades, certifications, 2-year, 4-year) and must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (weighted or unweighted). Scholarships are open to all learners regardless of documentation or citizenship status.

A review committee will select recipients based on financial need, leadership potential, character, and service to the Latino community. The average scholarship size awarded by LAEF is $2,500 per academic year. Scholarship funds may be used for tuition/fees, books/supplies, room and board, and required materials.

Deadline: March 15th, 2025

Eligibility:

• All Colorado residents - regardless of legal residency status or citizenship
• Self-identify as Latino and are committed to serving the Latino community in the state of Colorado.
• Cumulative high school or college GPA of 2.0
• High school seniors (for the 2025 - 2026 academic year)

Website: https://www.laefcolorado.org/programs

Description: The Colorado County Clerks Association scholarship is established to aid outstanding Colorado graduating high school seniors in furthering their education, particularly in the field of public service. The scholarships will be awarded to qualifying students on an objective and non-discriminatory basis. The scholarships will be one-time awards on a regional basis:

Central Region: Two (2) $1,000 awards. One (1) $500 award

Eastern, Southern and Western Region: One (1) $1,000 and one (1) $500 award each.

The scholarship award may be used for educational expenses at an institution of higher learning including university, college, junior/community college, or technical institution.

Deadline: March 28th, 2025

Eligibility/ Website: https://www.clerkandrecorder.org/scholarship

Application:

1. Download the Application: Visit the CCCA Scholarship page to access the application form at https://www.clerkandrecorder.org/scholarship
2. Prepare Your Material: Gather your transcript, write your personal essay, and request letters of recommendation.
3. Submit Your Application: Send your completed application and supporting documents to the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office by email (preferred) or mail. The deadline for applying is Friday, March 28.

Please send to:

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder

Attn.: Steve Schleiker, Clerk and Recorder

1675 W. Garden of the Gods Rd., Ste. 2201

Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Phone: 719-520-7306

Email: steveschleiker@elpasoco.com

Description: It’s never too early to start thinking about scholarships! A scholarship that’s quick and easy to apply for is Sallie Mae’s $2,000 Scholarship.* It’s only ten questions, and no essay. Better yet, we give out this scholarship monthly, so your students can enter every month this year!

Upcoming Deadlines:

January 31, 2025

February 28, 2025

March 31, 2025

April 30, 2025

May 31, 2025

Eligibility/ Website: https://www.salliemae.com/scholarships/2k-scholarship/

StudentScholarships.org sends out newsletters highlighting scholarships based on upcoming deadlines. Check them out below!

Maria Torres

College & Career Counselor

William J. Palmer High School

Email: maria.torres@d11.org

Phone: 719-328-5015