Connections Newsletter

Does your college require a mid-year transcript? Check your college portals to see if they require it. If required, go to Naviance, then Manage Transcripts, and request it. As you requested the initial transcript, you are now clicking the mid-year transcript box. Come to Connections with any questions.

FAFSA Federal Student Aid has new resources for the 2025-26 FAFSA, including Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA Form, Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: FAFSA Videos, and FAFSA guides for non-English speakers.

Scholarship and financial aid deadlines are your next big thing! Be sure you are watching for and applying before those dates. Scholarships do not give extensions for applications. Remember to request letters of recommendation from a teacher or Ms. Peters before the deadlines.

Letter of Recommendations If you have a February 1 deadline for a college or scholarship application, you will need to complete these four steps by January 17 for teachers and January 10 for Connections.

1. Ask the letter writer in person
2. Update your resume in Naviance
3. Complete the Letter of Rec/Form Profile in Naviance
4. Add the teacher request into Naviance (this permits us to release information and you the opportunity to clarify what you need in the letter. Fill out green form for Ms. Peters.

We work while you work so your application does not need to be completed by these dates, only by the app deadline. Stop by Connections if you need any help with these steps.

Scholarship reminder: Some colleges automatically give you merit scholarships based on your GPA/test scores. Some colleges have a scholarship application that sends your information to multiple scholarships. Some colleges provide links to outside scholarships. Even though you have been admitted (congrats!), there are still more steps to go. Apply for the money. You don’t know if you don’t apply! Read your emails.

At TCA

Wednesday, January 22, 11:25: Fort Hays State University

Thursday, January 23, 8:40: Career Talk – Shawn Sawyer, Space Force

Thursday, January 23, 12:20: Abilene Christian University

Tuesday, January 28, 1:15: Bethel College

Application Deadlines

Application: 2/1/25; Connections Rec Ltr: 1/10; Teacher Rec Ltr: 1/17

Application: 2/15/25; Connections Rec Ltr: 1/25; Teacher Rec Ltr: 1/31

In the Community

Thursday, January 30, 6:00 - 8:00: Construction Trades Open House, Denver

Friday, February 7, 7:00-2:00: UNC Future Teacher Conference, Greeley. Spots fill quickly.

Saturday, March 8, 9:00-11:00: RMACAC Spring College Fair, Pine Creek HS

Saturday, March 9, 1:00-4:00: RMACAC Spring College Fair, Cherokee Trail HS

Worried about student loan debt after college? We are seeing financial aid packages with colleges advertising their partnership with a financial solution for Loan Repayment Assistance Programs. Here is more information about those programs.

Colorado County Clerks Association Scholarship - Need-based scholarship for students going into public service. $500-$1000. Apply by March 28.

Call to Action Foundation - Scholarships - Need-based up to $25,000 per year. Apply by February 21.

Undergraduate Scholarships - Sachs Foundation Open to any Colorado resident high school senior who identifies as Black. $10,000 per year. Apply by March 15.

Junior Scholarships

Horatio Alger - Need-based scholarship for Juniors. Up to $25,000. Apply by March 1.

Elevated Students - Sachs Foundation - 8th-12th grade students identifying as Black. Empowers Black youth by providing mentorships, opportunities, and college access.

Explore these links to learn more about each school’s summer programming. As a student, participating in a summer program is a great way to further explore your interests, get a taste of what it is like to be a college student, visit a college campus, and learn more about topics that interest you.

University College Dublin – Irish history and culture summer programs

What is an apprenticeship and do you have any examples? Are there scholarships? Yes and Yes!! Read here for more resources. Colorado Springs offers a Registered Apprenticeship Program Directory to help you find apprenticeship opportunities.

SAT fee waivers are available to low-income 11th- and 12th-grade students in the United States. A student is eligible if they enroll in or are eligible to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or their family's annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. Be sure to look at the current year's guidelines to verify.

The next SAT testing date is March 8, 2025. Register by February 21, 2025.

Additional test dates: May 3, 2025

Schoolhouse offers freeSAT Tutoring Bootcamp

March2Success offers free online SAT, ACT and ASVAB test prep

More test prep resources available on our Connections page

The next ACT testing date is April 13, 2025. Register by March 8, 2025.

Additional test dates: March 8, May 3, and June 7, 2025

Katina Dahl, Advisor - Freshmen, Sophomore, AP, PSAT/NMSQT

Jodi Hoffman, Office Manager - College & Career Visits, Community Service

Email: tcavisits@asd20.org
Website: tcatitans.org/Connections
Location: 975 Stout Road, Colorado Springs, CO
Phone: 719-484-0091 1104