Kathi Boden, Student Success Coordinator

Welcome to the Counselor's Corner!  Here you will find information about: ACT Registration, graduation requirements, financial aid, scholarships, and college searches. 

Please check often for updates and contact me at school if you have questions about the content on this page! 

 

Thunder Ridge High School Graduation Requirements

 

Admission Requirements for State Universities 

State universities in Kansas follow Qualified Admissions (QA) criteria when admitting undergraduate students. QA guarantees admission to a state university for Kansas residents meeting certain criteria. These criteria are set by the Kansas Board of Regents, the governing body for the six state universities. The purpose of QA is to enhance success at the university level by ensuring students are prepared for the rigors of a university education. The institutions that use QA for admission are: Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, University of Kansas, and Wichita State University.

Qualified Admissions for Kansas Residents

State Scholars Curriculum

Kansas System Wide Transfer Courses: takes the guesswork out of college transfer within Kansas' public community colleges, technical colleges, and universities!  The courses have been approved by the Kansas Board of Regents for transfer as direct equivalents at all public post-secondary institutions. 

2017-2018 ACT TESTING
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Test Date	Registration Deadline	(Late Fee Required)
October 28	September 22	Sept 23 - Oct 6
December 9	November 3	Nov 4 - 17
February 10	January 12	Jan 13 - 19
April 14	March 9	March 10 - 23
June 9	May 4	May 5 - 18
July 14	June 15	June 16 - 22

Phillipsburg is a test center for the June and October ACT!!!!

Choose the ACT-No Writing Test!

Cost :  $46.00 (fee waivers are available for students who qualify - see counselor for details)

Thunder Ridge School Code:         171-580

To register, go to www.act.org or see Mrs. Boden. There are fee waivers available for students who qualify.

ACT Prep

play2prep App  (Available for iphones and androids)

• Daily training (5 questions)
• ACT & SAT customized training
• Simulated tests
• Timed games vs. other players (if you want)
• Progress tracker

www.act.org

• Free ACT question of the Day
• Preparing for the ACT – free student preparation booklet
• Sample Questions
• Tips for taking the ACT
• Test Description

March2success

• ACT, SAT practice tests, flashcards & games
• 7 full-length practice tests that are timed and scored just like the real test
• Can review your test and see detailed explanations of each problem
• Also includes information about taking the test, test tips, and test-taking strategies
• Zero Hour Threat Game allows you to review for test

*Seniors wanting to participate in  the Hansen Scholarship Test in September must a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and have taken the ACT before September and scored at least a 21 to participate.  

FINANCIAL AID

FAFSA on the Web               www.fafsa.gov

National Association of Student Financial Aid     www.nasfaa.org

StudentAid.gov

Priority Deadline for Kansas - Received by April 1. Some schools may have an earlier priority deadline!

 

Unfortunately, there are people out there trying to take advantage of students and parents trying to get financial aid for college.  Don't pay for help to find money for college!  Commercial financial aid advice services can cost well over $1000.  You might have heard or seen these claims at seminars, over the phone from telemarketers, or on-line:

• "Buy now or miss the opportunity."  Don't give in to pressure tactics. Remember the "opportunity" is a chance to pay for information you could find yourself for free.    
• "We guarantee you'll get aid."  A company could claim it fulfilled its promise if you were offered student loans or a $200 scholarship.  Is that worth a fee of $1000 of more?
• "I've got aid for you; give me your credit card or bank account number."  Never give out a credit card or bank account number unless you know the organization you are giving it to is legitimate.  You could be putting yourself at risk of identity theft.  

For more information on scholarship scams:

 http://www.finaid.org/scholarships/scams.phtml

    www.studentaid.ed.gov/LSA    

    www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams

Try these Free Sources of Information:

• The U.S. Department of Education's Web site: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/redirects/federal-student-aid-ed-gov

 

Don't Pay for the FAFSA - Several web-sites offer help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for a fee.  These sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education !

 

To request college transcripts from Cloud County:   

Go to Cloud County Community College web-site at www.cloud.edu/. Select Academics, select Academic Services, select Transcript Request or see Mrs. Boden for a copy of the request form.

 

Scholarship Searches!!!!!
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tuitionfundingsources.com

Federal Student Aid

Fastweb  

Broke Scholar

Scholarships.com

Fastaid

Findtuition.com

Scholarship Hunter

SuperCollege

 

Senior Scholarship Information:

All scholarship information that comes to me will be posted on this web-site.  If there is a flyer, those are posted on the bulletin board in the senior hallway.

Kansas Board of Regents Scholarship - Apply online at www.kansasregents.org or applications are available from your college financial aid office.  The following scholarships are available: State Scholarship, Ethnic Minority Scholarship, Nursing Service Scholarship, Teacher Service Scholarship.  Some have service requirements. Common eligibility criteria: resident of Kansas, enroll in a qualified program in a Kansas college or university, and not already awarded an undergraduate degree, unless you are applying for the Kansas Nursing or Kansas Teacher Service Scholarships.

Kansas American Legion Scholarships - this is a variety of legion scholarships available for Kansas students. These are not our local legion scholarships. To access, please go to www.ksamlegion.org and click on the "Scholarships" icon then select which scholarship(s) you wish to view and print off the application. Deadlines vary per scholarship.

​Horatio Alger National Career & Technical Scholarship Program - Receive up to $2,500 to pursue a career or technical education certificate/degree (510 awards up to $2,500 each). Criteria: Have completed high school or plan to complete high school by Spring 2018 with plans to enroll at a non-profit post-secondary institution by fall 2018. Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a career or technical program at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the U.S.; Demonstrated critical financial need (must be eligible to receive the Federal Pell grant as determined by completion of the FAFSA); Demonstrated perseverance in overcoming adversity; Be involved in community service activities; Be younger than 30 years old; Be a U.S. citizen. The application will be open with a rolling deadline until all awards have been given out. Applications will be reviewed monthly. For more information or to apply, go to https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/about-our-scholarship-programs/technical/

Kansas Board of Regents Scholarships - the following opportunities are through the Kansas Board of Regents:
KS Career Technical Workforce Grant - available for students in a designated high demand, critical industry program at a designated KS educational institution. 
KS Ethnic Minority Scholarship
Kansas Military Service Scholarship - must be KS resident and have served in any military operation after 9/11/2001 for which they received hostile fire pay in international waters or on foreign soil.
KS National Guard Assistance Program - recipients agree to complete their current service obligation to the KS Air or Army National Guard plus three months of service for each semester of assistance they receive.
KS Nursing Scholarship - recipients must secure a sponsor to fund up to half of the scholarship and provide full-time employment to the recipient after licensure. This scholarship has a service obligation.
KS State Scholarship - eligible students would have received a letter stating they were designated by the KS Board of Regents as a KS State Scholar in their senior year.
KS Teacher Service Scholarship - recipients have a service obligation to teach in an identified curriculum or underserved area one year for each year's funding.
Common eligibility criteria: KS resident (except for Nursing Scholarship); enroll in a qualified program in a KS college or university and not already awarded an undergraduate degree (except for Nursing or Teacher Scholarships), complete FAFSA by April 1 priority deadline.

If you are interested in the above-mentioned scholarships, apply online at www.kansasregents.org. Paper copies are also available in the Counselor's Office.   

O'Brate Foundation Regular Scholarship - Eligibility criteria: Financial need, 2.5 GPA or higher, Kansas High School Diploma or Equivalent, Full-time enrollment at an Accredited Institution of higher education, Work experience and continued commitment to work, drive and determination to succeed. For more information and to apply, go to https://obrate.fluidreview.com. Deadline is May 1.

Wanda May Vinson KAY Scholarship - Eligibility: high school seniors who are active members of their KAY club. To apply go to: http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/KAY/PDF/WMV_Application.pdf.
Deadline is April 1. 

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Most are for high school seniors but some may be for college students. Some eligibility is based on where you live, some are based on what county the school you attnd is located in.

TO ACCESS THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS, PLEASE CLICK ON THE SCHOLARSHIP TITLE.

TO FILL OUT LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS, CLICK ON SCHOLARSHIP NAME, TYPE DIRECTLY INTO ADOBE AND PRINT.  Adobe Reader required. Download for free from http://get.adobe.com/reader OR see Mrs. Boden for the scholarship application. If possible, these forms are designed for you to open and then type in.  If you have trouble using the fill-in for scholarships, open in the Adobe 9.5 or DC version. The DC version has a fill-in feature.

Please check back frequently for additions and updates!

Dane G. Hansen Healthcare Scholarships - this is a post-secondary scholarship with a service requirement! Dane G. Hansen Foundation announces that health career scholarships will again be made available through the Phillips County Health Systems in 2018. Any application for a health-related career that will enhance the delivery of health care in the Phillipsburg/Norton area will be considered. To be eligible, applicants must have completed the pre-requisite classes and been accepted into their chosen medical field. Each scholarship carries a $5,000 annual grant. Awards are renewable, year by year, if satisfactory progress is made toward completion of professional training. Scholarship recipients must agree to return to Phillips County Hospital to serve for at least one year for each scholarship awarded. Applicants should write for information to: Health Scholarships, Attn: Human Services, Phillips County Hospital, PO Box 607, Phillipsburg, KS 67661. Application deadline is April 27.

Fred Marran Post #166 American Legion Auxiliary Scholarship - Eligibility: students who are children or grandchildren of members of Fred Marran Post #166 or Auxiliary. Deadline is April 15.

Fred Marran Post #166 American Legion Auxiliary Vada Bonnett Scholarship - Eligibility: applicants who are descendants American Legion or Auxiliary members should have first consideration; should have maintained at least a "C" grade average in high school or college; good character and citizenship should be considered; renewals are not automatic, but renewal applications would be considered along with the new application. Scholarships should be granted to students attending or planning to attend a four year college in the state of Kansas. If a student completes a community college program then wishes to transfer to a four year college, that application will be considered.  Deadline April 15.

Agra American Legion and Auxiliary Post #357 Scholarship - Eligibility: descendants of the Agra American Legion and Auxiliary are to have first preference. Application is open to anyone seeking post-secondary education. Deadline April 15.


Miller Memorial Scholarship - Eligibility: This scholarship is to assist students going into a field of study that would assist children with special needs. This may include (but are not limited to: audiology, counseling, deaf and hard of hearing teacher/interpreter, medical field, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathology). Scholarship funds will be used to assist those college or university students who will graduate from a school in the following counties - Jewell, Mitchell, Osborne, Phillips, Rooks or Smith. One $1000 scholarship and two $500 scholarships will be awarded in 2018. Deadline is April 15.

Strother Insurance Scholarship - Eligibility: applicant must be a Thunder Ridge High School senior pursuing a post-secondary education. Deadline is April 25.

L. Kent Culbertson Memorial Scholarship- Eligibility: high school graduates who are attending an accredited four-year college or university in the state of Kansas enrolled in the school of agriculture or business; resident of Phillips County. Deadline is April 15.

Phillips County Farm Bureau Scholarship - Criteria: Phillips County Farm Bureau Association has a scholarship available for a student who has parents who are members of Phillips County Farm Bureau. This educational award in the amount of no more than $250 is based on leadership, academic performance, and participation is activities in school and in the community. This award applies to any college major or degree, however preference will be given to an applicant interested in any agriculture field of study. Any former applicant or scholarship winner can reapply for subsequent years; priority will be given to first time applicants. Application is available through the high school office or by contacting Laura Moffet, County Coordinator at 785-533-1555. Deadline to apply is May 1.

Phillips County KLA Scholarship -The Phillips County KLA is proud to offer a $500 scholarship to a student that attends a Phillips County school. Applicant’s parents do not have to be a KLA member. The student must be attending any post secondary education school with an agriculture related major. If in doubt as to whether you have a qualified agriculture major, please call Jim at the number below. This application must be postmarked no later than April 29. Please have the school counselor sign application to verify all information is accurate. The successful candidate will be announced prior to high school graduations and the scholarship will be awarded in January 2019 upon presentation of spring enrollment and KLA has received a 2018 fall semester grade card with a 2.0 GPA and no failing grades. Attach 2 sealed letters of reference to the application that will verify your need for the scholarship, ability to succeed in the school of your choice, and any other special situations. References cannot be family members. All applications must be mailed to: Jim Ashmore, 849 West Big Bear Lane, Logan, KS 67647. Phone number: 785-650-1685 (leave message.) Deadline to apply is April 29.


Kensington - Thunder Ridge Alumni Scholarship - Qualifications: current TR senior; must be a full time student of any type of institution (as long as they are furthering their education); submit application to Mrs. Boden by May 7th. Sign up is due then too. MUST be present at the Alumni Banquet (May 26th) to be eligible to win!


Pro -Ag Scholarship - Eligibility: applicants must be Thunder Ridge seniors who are actively involved in FFA and/or 4-H, and have a 2.5 or higher GPA. Applicants will be judged on community, school involvement, leadership, advisor recommendations and work experience. Preference will be given to students pursuing an agricultural disciplined degree from a university, college or vo-tech school. Check with Pro-Ag's office for deadline! Application is available on the web-site proagmarketing.com.
 

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Other Helpful Information

COLLEGE PLANNING

College.gov - this is a resource from the U.S. Department of Education about continuing education for students (of all ages) and parents.  The purpose of this site to engage, inform and inspire students about continuing in post-high school education.

AnyCollege.com - this is a site to utilize for conducting a college search

College Answer                            www.collegeanswer.com

The College Board                        www.collegeboard.com

EducationPlanner.org                    www.educationplanner.org

My College Guide                         www.mycollegeguide.com

U.S. Department of Education       www.ed.gov

 Kansasworks                              kansasworks.com

CAREER ASSESSMENT

MyNextMove.org

MySkillsMyFuture.org

CareerOneStop.org

MyFuture.com

www.todaysmilitary.com

www.scholarshipexperts.com

www.collegeanswer.com

www.fastweb.com

www.military.com