News and Announcements

Guidance Department News and Updates

Looking for information about Tennessee Scholars?

PARENTS OF SENIORS:  Class of 2007

for Financial Aid Applications:  apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1, 2007.   This is your application for the lottery scholarship as well as financial aid. Before filing the FAFSA, apply for a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov and complete the pre-application worksheet.  These worksheets  can be downloaded from the web-site.

 Financial aid is available in the form of grants. loans, scholarships and work-study.  The federal government, the State of Tennessee, lending institutions, postsecondary institutions, and private agencies may provide this assistance.  Need-Based financial aid is determined by the family’s ability to pay for educational expenses.  Apply for federal financial aid and for Tennessee Student Assistance (TSSAA) by completing the Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) as soon as tax information is available  after January I, 2006.  Forms will be available in the Guidance Office or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/   Merit Based financial aid (scholarships) is determined by the student’s competitive ability in academics, sports, or other special talents. Criteria is set by the postsecondary institutions or other agencies that offer such assistance.

See information about the following:      

1.  Career Planning

2.  Career Information Search

3.  College/University on-campus scholarship info

4.  NCAA information

5.  ACT and SAT deadlines and information  

6.  Announcements and Links for Seniors

7  ATTENTION--10TH AND 11TH STUDENTS:  Tennessee Governor's School application deadline is passed--but the program will be offered again next year..

8.  Essays and Contests 

1.  CAREER PLANNING

 Edamerica College and Career Planning System (sponsored by Edamerica and TSAC)  is a comprehensive research-based approach to career exploration, planning and development  provided at no cost for all students grades 9-12.  The program consists of an interest inventory, a skills assessment, and a work values inventory.  Once the inventories are completed, the student can use the program for research and for creating their own personal portfolio.  This Kuder Electronic Career Portfolio is a lifelong portfolio available at no cost and can be accessed from any computer through the internet.  Students need to sign up for this program in the Guidance Office as soon as possible.  For more information go to http://tn.kuder.com 

2.  UP TO DATE CAREER INFORMATION may be accessed on-line at www.tcids.utk.edu  

3.  Be sure to check college/university sites for on-campus scholarships and application deadlines.  Links to area colleges are on the college/university page.

4.  Student athletes need to complete the NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE forms.  For more information check www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

5.    ACT DEADLINES and TEST DATES   

   Walker Valley's ACT/SAT code #:     430-384            

Seniors: You must have an ACT or SAT score to apply for the Lottery Scholarship and for college admission.     ACT practice tests and  other ACT information available on-line at www.act.org       Students may use a voucher one time to pay for the ACT--check with the Guidance Department for vouchers, ACT practice booklets, and registration packets.

 6.  ATTENTION:  SENIORS

Announcements:

1.  NEW:  Enter the Bank of America Financial Aid Sweepstakes by registering at www.bankofamerica.com/studentsweeps Five lucky students will each will $1000.

2.  Register with the CollegeSTEPS Program Scholarship Sweepstakes at www.wellsfargo.com/collegesteps  They are giving away 100 $1000 tuition prizes--winners are chosen through random drawings. 

3.  To win one of ten $1000 scholarships awarded annually, register on-line at www.eCampusTours.com  

4.  To win a $5,000 and other drawings register at www.nextSTEPmagazine.com 

5.  Register on-line at www.wiredscholar.com   to WIN a $1000 scholarship,  receive helpful newsletters, run a free scholarship search, etc. 

6.   Visit www.fastweb.com to search over 600,000 scholarships.  

7.  HOPE scholarship (lottery) information-- To be eligible for the HOPE scholarship:  students in the class of 2005 must have either a 3.0 grade point average or 21 on the ACT, parents must  file the FAFSA (financial aid form), and must attend an accredited Tennessee school the 2005/2006 year. Contact the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation at www.state.tn.us/tsac on-line or phone 1-800-342-1663 for additional information. FAFSA can be filed on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov after Jan 1st.

8.  Tennessee Scholar Dollars--web-site www.tnscholardollars.org is an excellent source of information about state scholarship funds.

9.AnyCollege.Net Student Scholarship--$1000 scholarship to be given away 4 times every year.  Sign up by going to www.anycollege.net and then clicking on "Win a Scholarship."

      7. TRANSFERRING INFORMATION

Click TRANSFERRING if you are planning to transfer to Walker Valley High

SCHEDULE  CHANGE  GUIDELINES

Students failing to make a course change request by the stated deadline may apply for a counseling appointment once school has started.  Upon the completion of new student enrollment, counselors schedule conferences with those students who have requested consideration for a course change providing their request meets one of the following guidelines:

 * A class on the schedule was taken and passed in summer school

 * A class was failed in the previous term or in summer school that is a prerequisite for a course appearing on the schedule

* A senior who is not registered for a required course for graduation

* Courses not sequenced in prerequisite order on the schedule

* Student wishes to try a more challenging course

 * Changing diploma track (University/Technical/Dual)

The following are NOT acceptable reasons for requesting a course change:

 * Teacher preference

* Fear of a low grade

* Course not required for graduation

 * New employment (unless change involves enrolling in a co-op program)