January Newsletter
Hancock County High School
It's FAFSA Time!!!
Seniors are required to complete the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by 11:59 PM on May 15th in order to remain eligible for TN Promise.
Please note that for the month of January, the FAFSA will have a "soft launch". This means that there will be times where the FAFSA will be unavailable due to them working on the site. As of this moment, we will still keep our January 11th FAFSA Frenzy Event in the books UNLESS the site is down on that day.
FAFSA is the key to unlocking free federal financial aid to help pay for your education beyond high school. The application is also required for various types of state financial aid including the HOPE Scholarship and TN Promise. Students and parents can attend any of the FAFSA Frenzy events (listed below) or make an appointment with Abby Lyons for assistance filing the FAFSA.
Completing the FAFSA
Filing the FAFSA is free! It is an important step of your higher education journey and it might even mean free money to cover college costs. For Tennesseeans, it is also a requirement to be eligible for the TN Promise.
STEP 1: GET YOUR FSA ID READY
- A majority of you all have already created your FSA ID before Christmas break. If you have not completed this step, it must be done 10 days prior to filling out the FAFSA.
- A parent will also need an FSA ID.
- This ID will follow you through all of your college career.
- When you and your parent(s) are ready to complete the FAFSA, you will all need to have an FSA ID. Go back to step 1if you or your parent(s) have not completed an FSA ID.
- The FAFSA requires financial information so that the federal government knows whether or not your family is eligible for financial aid. Colleges and universities also look at these numbers to offer additional financial support and resources to help you succeed after you have been admitted.
- Your Advise TN College Advisor, Ms. Abby Lyons, will be an incredible support to you and your family as you go through this process. Mark your calendar for any of the upcoming FAFSA Frenzy events.
- You and your parent(s) will have to complete the FAFSA each academic year to receive financial aid from TN Promise, HOPE, the federal government, and your school so make sure that you know when and how to complete this form.
- After your FAFSA has been processed by the federal government and your future school, it is important to review all components of the FAFSA Submission Summary.
- Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is the dollar amount that the federal government believes your family can annually pay for college expenses. Your SAI will determine your eligibility for federal aid and some state grants.
Helpful FAFSA Tips
Information:
- Your personal email address (not your high school email) and cell phone number
- Parents' email address and cell phone number
- If you are a Tennessee resident, the month and year you began living in Tennessee
- If your parents are Tennessee residents, the month and year your parents began living in Tennessee
- Your Social Security number
- Your parents' Social Security numbers
- Your parents' dates of birth
- Your driver's license or state ID, if you have one
- The month and year your parents were married, divorced, separated or widowed
- The highest level of school your parents completed
Documents:
- All 2022 federal income tax forms (including W-2's/1099s/Schedules filed) for you and your parents
- Most current statements from all accounts (checking, savings, investments, etc.)
- Child support paid or received
- Value of investments, farms or business
- Other prior year benefits (workers comp, military, clergy, veteran amounts)
Who is my FAFSA Contributor?
Contributors include: biological parents, step-parents, or adoptive parents. (Step-parent must be legally married to your biological or adoptive parent.)
Not a Contributor: Aunts/uncles, grandparents, someone who has custody of you that isn't a parent, etc.
Note: What is your contributor(s) did NOT file 2022 taxes? Your contributor(s) will need to create an FSA ID and give consent on the FAFSA form to confirm they are a non-filer.
Spring Dual Enrollment Make-Up Registration Date
January 4th
Mandatory TN Promise Meeting
January 11th
You must attend a Mandatory TN Promise Meeting to remain eligible for TN Promise scholarship. This meeting will take place on January 11th at 3:30 PM in the high school cafeteria.
- If you have a conflict with this date and you won't be able to make it, you must submit an excuse form. This form can be found here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5012496
- They will only accept the form if you have one of the following excuses: participating in a school-sanctioned event (athletic event/practice), death in the immediate family, personal illness, conflict with post-secondary class schedule, conflict with religious observance, personal or immediate family emergency, conflict with work schedule, or lack of transportation.
YOU are responsible for filling out this form and notifying TnAchieves BEFORE the mandatory meeting. Failure to do this, will result in you losing your TN Promise scholarship.
After submitting your excuse form, you will receive follow-up communication from tnAchieves via email. This communication will let you know whether your excuse has been approved and will outline the next steps. If your excuse is accepted, you will be required to view a mandatory webinar. This webinar will be sent to you via email on February 7th and you will be required to view the webinar by April 15th.
Upcoming Events
January 11th
Mandatory TN Promise Meeting at 3:30 PM in the high school cafeteria
January 11th
January 15th
Guide for East Tennessee Foundation Scholarship Application
January Scholarships
East Tennessee Foundation Scholarships- Multiple Scholarships/Amounts Varies
Deadline: February 15th
The scholarship application must be completed and submitted online. Attached above is a copy of the online applicant tutorial. This application may ask for Letters of Recommendation. The letters are uploaded directly from the recommender. Most students will also need to upload a Student Aid Report (SAR). A Student Aid Report (SAR) is an electronic or paper document that summarizes the information you reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
https://easttennesseefoundation.org/students/apply-for-scholarships/
Carson Newman University Bonner Scholars- Amount varies Deadline: January 2nd
Students admitted into the Bonner Scholars program at Carson Newman received a package of scholarship support (the amount of the Bonner Scholarship varies by student, but can range from $3,000-$25,000) in return for participating in an intensive program of community service, professional skill development, and working for positive change in the world. Participants are called "Bonners" for short.
https://www.cn.edu/academics/center-for-community-engagement/bonner-scholars/
East Tennessee State University Scholarships- Amounts vary Deadline: March 1st
All students who have been admitted to ETSU are encouraged to apply for the University Scholarships. Students will need to activate ETSU Goldlink account before applying for scholarships. To access the application, log in with your ETSU username and password at the top right of the link below.
https://www.etsu.edu/university_scholarships/application/
Lincoln Memorial University Endowed Scholarships- Amounts vary Deadline: January 31st
All students who have been admitted to LMU are encouraged to apply for the Endowed Scholarships. Students may access the application from MyLMU's "Quick Links" tab. Select the "Annual and Endowed Scholarship Portal" option from that menu and log in (if prompted) using your LMU credentials.
University of TN-Chattanooga Scholarships-Amounts vary Deadline: January 10th
All students who have been admitted to University of TN-Chattanooga are encouraged to apply for the Moc Scholarships. You must create your account first. To access the application, log in with your UT Chatt username and password.
University of TN- Southern Scholarship- Full Tuition Deadline: February 3rd
UT Southern is offering the W. Garie Taylor Honors Day Competition on February 3, 2024. This competition consists of an interview with faculty and a prompted essay. They will then award three competitors with a full tuition scholarship. In order to complete this competition, one must meet the following requirements: an application for admission for the Fall 2024 term must be submitted, have an ACT score of 25 or higher, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
https://visit.utsouthern.edu/event/305857?_eid=64f1f5032580bf72d907ead5
Walters State Community College Scholarship- Amount Varies Deadline: February 1st
All students are encouraged to apply after being admitted. Use your MYWS log in to apply.
https://ws.edu/cost-aid/types/scholarships/ws-scholarships/index.aspx
Taco Bell Live Mas Scholarship- $25,000 Deadline: January 3rd
Submit a video (2 minutes or less in length) that addresses these questions:
- What is your passion and how you are currently pursuing it or planning to pursue it?
- How do you plan to use your passion to make your community, country, and/or world, etc. a better place?
- What is your education plan (education program, college, or certificate/degree program) and how will it help you pursue your passion and create positive impact?
https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/live-mas-scholarship/
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship-$40,000 Deadline: January 4th
Earn a $10,000 renewable scholarship (up to $40,000 total) for tuition, school fees, books, supplies, and on-campus room and board. Attend an exclusive, all-expsense paid Scholars Retreat in California. Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and demonstrate attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship within your community, school and workplace. Must plan to enroll at a four-year college or university.
2024 TN Concrete Association High School Essay Contest-$250-$750 Deadline: January 5th
Open to all TN high school students ages 16-18. Complete online form to submit essay at link below. Essay must be typed, double-spaced and limited to 600 words. It will be judged on content and writing ability (grammar, style, clarity, etc.). Essay should demonstrate a student's awareness of concrete's role as a building material in homes, commercial buildings, streets and highways. The essay should be a short literacy composition about concrete, not a report. Winning essay authors will be asked to submit a head shot phot to accompany their essay in the Tennessee Concrete magazine.
Students may pick up scholarship in Ms. Abby's office OR online at www.tnconcrete.org
Mensa US Scholarship- $2,500 Deadline: January 15th
Must submit an essay of no more than 550 words explaining your career, academic and/or vocational goals.
https://www.mensafoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships/us-scholarships/
Penguin Random House- $10,000 Deadline: January 16th
Must be a high school senior who plans to attend a two-year or four-year university or an approved vocational school. You must submit one original literary composition in English in one of the following genres of poetry, spoken word, fiction/drama, personal essay/memoir, or book bans prompt. All submissions must be typed, double-spaced with a minimum 12 point font size and no longer than 10 pages. Spoken word entries must upload a typed entry along with an emailed audio format. Only one entry per student may be submitted and considered. Freedom of Expresion entries must write about the provided topic. Awards will be distributed as follows:
- $10,000 Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word
- $10,000 Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry
- $10,000 Fiction/Drama
- $10,000 Michelle Obama Award for Memoir
- $10,000 Freedom of Expression Award for Book Bans Prompt
FFA Scholarships-Amounts vary Deadline: January 11th
Whether you are pursuing a trade school, vocational certificate, a two-year, or four-year degree, don't miss your chance to apply for a National FFA Scholarship to help with your next steps in education.
https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/
Breanna Coleman Memorial Nursing Scholarship- $5,000 Deadline: January 31st
Any high school senior who will be a first-generation college student pursuing a four-year degree in nursing may apply for this scholarship if they have volunteering and extracurricular involvement. Must create a Bold.org account.
https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/27824/breanna-coleman-memorial-nursing-scholarship
Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship- $5,000 Deadline: January 31st
Student must be a graduating senior and have a relative that is employed in the roofing industry.
https://roofingalliance.net/education-research/scholarship/
Sally Mae Scholarship- $2,000 Deadline: January 31st
Must be a high school senior planning to enroll in a post-secondary institution and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Society of Manufactoring Engineers Scholarship- Awards Vary Deadline: Feburary 1st
Must be a senior with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Must be pursuing a degree in manufactoring, engineering, or something related.
https://www.smeef.org/sme-education-foundation-scholarships/scholarship-opportunities/
Zeta Phi Beta Scholarship (Female only)- $125,000 Deadline: February 1st
Must be a female high school senior who qualifies for free/reduced lunch, enrolling as a full-time students at a college or university, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, demonstrate financial need, and demonstrate a commitment to community service and involvement.
https://z-nefscholarships.smapply.org/res/p/Scholarship-Programs/?authuser=0
Citizens Bank Scholarship- Varies
Fill out the form and submit. Your entry will carry over month to month, but if you want to increase your chances of winning during the sweepstakes period, you can enter up to once a month.
https://www.citizensbank.com/student-loans/scholarship.aspx?authuser=0
https://tengelaw.com/scholarship/
Employment BOOST College Scholarship- $1,000 Deadline: Rolling Basis
Must have a 3.6 GPA or higher. Must include a college acceptance letter, one letter of reference, and submit a short essay. Essay topic is dependent on type of major you plan on pursuing.
Helpful Websites
College for TN: https://www.collegefortn.org/
College for TN is a free one-stop resource for college and career information in the state of Tennessee.
Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
Big Future is a free online resource that can help you plan for college, scholarships, and explore careers. Plus, when you complete steps, you can earn the chance to win $40,000 scholarships.
Bold: https://bold.org
Bold allows you to search for scholarships
Cappax: www.cappax.com/scholarships
Cappax allows you to search for scholarships and more.
Fastweb: https://www.fastweb.com/
Fastweb allows you to search for scholarships, internships, and more.
UNIGO: https://www.unigo.com/
UNIGO has multiple ways to search for scholarships and explore various colleges.
Become: https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/
Interactive guide that helps you learn about career paths associated with various careers and understand what it takes to get the career by picking the college/classes to climbing the company ladder.