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=Welcome to The Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush - Counselor's Corner =

Contact me on the Rush Arts Web site[|: rushartsonline.org or at ssenner@philasd.org] = = =__ SCHOOL'S CEEB CODE: 393394 __= =** FINANCIAL AID **= = FINANCIAL AID PRESENTATIONS =
 * ** Click here for more information on filing the FAFSA and other useful information. **
 * Please contact counselor''s office to schedule an appointment for help with PHEAA and FAFSA.

=**2012-13 SAT/ACT DATES AND DEADLINES**=
 * FEE WAIVERS **
 * ====Students who are eligible for free or reduced priced lunch are eligible for fee waivers to take the SAT and ACT tests as well as college application fee waivers.====
 * Students who are eligible can receive two waivers for the SAT and two waivers for the ACT during their high school career.
 * Students who are eligible can receive up to four application fee waivers for college.
 * ELIGIBLE STUDENTS NEED TO SEE MS. SENNER FOR A WAIVER.
 * = **SAT - TEST DATES** ||= **REGULAR REGISTRATION** ||= **LATE REGISTRATION** ||
 * = May 3, 2014 ||= April 4, 2014 ||= April 18, 2014 ||
 * = June 7, 2014 ||= May 9, 2014 ||= May 23, 2014 ||
 * = May 3, 2014 ||= April 4, 2014 ||= April 18, 2014 ||
 * = June 7, 2014 ||= May 9, 2014 ||= May 23, 2014 ||
 * = May 3, 2014 ||= April 4, 2014 ||= April 18, 2014 ||
 * = June 7, 2014 ||= May 9, 2014 ||= May 23, 2014 ||
 * = June 7, 2014 ||= May 9, 2014 ||= May 23, 2014 ||

==//If you are registered for or plan to register for an upcoming SAT test and would like a copy of "Getting Ready for the SAT" see Ms. Senner in Room 147. The booklet will help you get familiar with question formats, review test-taking approaches, take and official practice test and more!//== =**COLLEGE LINKS/RESOURCES**= >
 * **ACT - TEST DATES** || **REGISTRATION DEADLINE** || **LATE FEE REQUIRED** ||
 * September 13, 2014 || August 8, 2014 || August 9-22, 2014 ||
 * October 25, 2014 || September 19, 2014 || September 20- October 4, 2014 ||
 * December 13, 2014 || November 7, 2014 || November 8-21, 2014 ||
 * February 7, 2015 || January 9, 2015 || January 10-16, 2015 ||
 * April 18, 2015 || March 13, 2015 || March 14-27, 2015 ||
 * June 13, 2015 || May 8, 2015 || May 9-22, 2015 ||
 * Common Application - https://www.commonapp.org/Login - Apply to over 500 colleges and universities using one application.
 * [|Early Decision vs. Early Action] - which is best for you?
 * [|Campus Tours] - Can't get to a college? Take a virtual campus tour.
 * College Answer - Research colleges, majors, and financial aid.
 * CollegeBoard - Search by location, majors, cost, and more.
 * COLLEGEdata - Choose, prepare, and calculate your admission chances.
 * CollegeInsight - Compare information about affordability, diversity and student success
 * CollegeMajors101 - College major search and database
 * COLLEGENavigator - U.S. Department of Education search and data tool.
 * College Portrait - No rankings, no spin....just the facts.
 * College Rankings - A comprehensive list of college and university rankings.
 * College Results - Compare and examine college graduation rates
 * EducationPlanner - One stop career and college planning site.
 * Embark - College research and timeline tool.
 * National Center for Education Statistics - The primary source for data on U.S. colleges and universities.
 * NACAC - National Association for College Admission Counseling
 * Occupational Outlook Handbook - Bureau of Labor Statistics
 * PACAC - Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling
 * Peterson's - College search and database.
 * Princeton Review - College and major search tool.
 * The Choice - //NY Times// blog featuring latest trends in college admissions
 * UCAN-University and College Admission Accountability Network - Get the facts on private colleges and universities.
 * Unigo - Get the unvarnished scoop from students (from the //Wall Street Journal//)

=**COLLEGE ADMISSIONS INFORMATION SESSIONS and OPEN HOUSES**= =**SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION**= > Scholarships - Free online scholarship search tool. > SchoolSoup - Free online scholarship search tool. > FastWeb - Search over 1.5 million free scholarship listings. > Find the Best - Find and compare scholarships, grants, and student loans > =**2014 SUMMER PROGRAMS AND PRE-COLLEGE COURSES**= =**OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS IN ALL GRADE LEVELS**=
 * **Washington University in St. Louis** - Admissions Information Session on Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, 515 US Highway 1 South, Iselin, New Jersey. For directions, please call the location at 732-634-3600.
 * **Wellesley College** - Junior Open Campus on Saturday, April 26, 2014 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wellesley college is a liberal arts college for women, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA 02481. Admissions Office: 781-283-2270. Attend a sample class, explore campus, meet current students, have lunch, participate in parent and student sessions on the college application process, essay writing, financial aid and more.
 * MeritAid - A comprehensive directory of merit scholarships and academic scholarships from U.S. colleges.
 * Graduate Tutor - Free online scholarship search tool.
 * http://www.nextstepu.com/[|Next Step U]
 * www.scholarships.com
 * www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/index.html - Free scholarship search
 * www.brokescholar.com - Free scholarship search
 * www.collegenet.com/mach25 - Database of over 600,000 awards totaling over $1.6 billion
 * www.collegetreasure.com/scholarengine.html - Free scholarship search
 * www.finaid.org - Information about scholarship process, financial aid, scholarship scams and links to fastweb.com
 * www.financialaidfinder.com - List of scholarships and financial aid information
 * ===SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MINORITY STUDENTS===
 * www.blackexcel.org/100minority.htm - Free minority scholarship search
 * www.naacp.org/page/s/scholarship2 - NAACP scholarship information and application
 * ===SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS===
 * www.hsf.net - Hispanic Scholarship Fund
 * ===SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL OR STUDY ABROAD===
 * www.iefa.org - International Education Financial Aid. The IEFA Center offers financial aid, college scholarships, grants and awards search for international students studying abroad
 * www.internationalscholarships.com - Information on financial aid, college scholarships and international scholarships for students wishing to study abroad.
 * @Get a comprehensive list of summer programs throughout the county.


 * ===CHARLES ELLIS TRUST===
 * **//__FEMALE STUDENTS FROM SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED PRICED LUNCH__//**
 * The Charles Ellis Trust is now accepting applications to pay for activities outside of school.
 * If you are interested in any type of art, music, dance, theater, sports, academic program or most any activity, the Charles Ellis Trust will pay for you to join a program. SAT Prep, college application and test fees above and beyond fee waivers will also be covered.
 * If you are interested in a music program and need an instrument, the Trust will also take care of that.
 * For more information go to: http://www.wwscholars.org/ellis or see Ms. Senner in Room 147.

=**SCHOLASTIC presents PASS from American Express**= >>> =SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION=
 * **School Sweepstakes for Families & Schools**
 * Five families and schools will win and each will receive:
 * $5,000 cash awarded for child's education
 * $5,000 worth of Scholastic library books for the school
 * $10,000 cast to the school as an improvement grant
 * Parents can offer teens over the age of 13 financial freedom and maintain peace of mind. //**PASS is not a debit or credit card**//. It's a prepaid, reloadable Card that offers a safe alternative to cash, debit and credit
 * Here's how it works
 * **__Parents Load It__** - Parents load PASS using an American Express Card or a bank account
 * **__Teens Use IT__** - Teens can use the PASS Card virtually anywhere American Express cards are accepted. PASS can even be used internationally
 * **__Both Track It__** - Parents and teens can both track spending online and through spend alerts

=DUAL ENROLLMENTS OPPORTUNITIES=
 * Community College of Philadelphia offers students the opportunity to take college level courses while they are still in high school for a reduced cost. The tuition is $96.36 per credit with mos courses being 3 credits.
 * Students need to complete an which can be found at: http://www.ccp.edu/site/academic/adult_services/advance_atCollege.html
 * Once students submit an application, they will need to schedule a placement test.
 * After completing the placement test, students will be instructed which courses they are permitted to register for at CCP.
 * **MANOR COLLEGE, JENKINTOWN, PA**
 * Juniors and Seniors are eligible to enroll at courses at Manor College.
 * These are college courses that students will attend at Manor and receive college credit.
 * A 3-credit course will cost $450.
 * Students can enroll for the Fall, Spring, Summer I or Summer II session.
 * **INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, INDIANA, PA**
 * Indiana University offers a variety of on-line courses for students.
 * Courses are open to juniors and seniors.
 * A 3-credit course will cost approximately $300

=PARENT OPPORTUNITIES=
 * Parents are welcome to attend the 2014 Rush Arts College Fair on Friday, May 2, 2014. The Fair will take place in the gym from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

=VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES= >> > See Ms. Senner in Room 147 if you are interested in volunteering at the YMCA (located across the street from Rush). >
 * **Free Library of Philadelphia - Katharine Drexel Branch (next to the school)**
 * The Free Library of Philadelphia is looking for student volunteers. This is a great way for students to add to their college resume for community service. Students that are interested can see Ms. Senner in Room 147.
 * **NORTHEAST YMCA**
 * **The Philadelphia VA Medical Center** is accepting applications for high school students interested in volunteering. New volunteer interviews are scheduled the first Tuesday and Thursday of each month. Interviews last approximately 30 minutes. The Center is located at 3900 Woodland Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104. See Ms. Senner for an application.

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