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College & Career Center
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What is the AHS College & Career Center?
The College & Career Center is located in the AHS Library. Students can get help exploring post high school education and career pathways by dropping in or reaching out to our AHS College & Career Specialist, Jen Marsden. She is available to help all students (and their families) explore post high school education and career options, and to assist in navigating the college admissions and financial aid process. Please reach out to her with questions or to schedule an appointment at jennifer.marsden@ashland.k12.or.us.
All AHS students explore career and college pathways in various classes, as well as in grade level meetings. AHS seniors take a College & Career Readiness (CCR) class, where they get extensive support on planning for post high school education and/or career options. Junior and senior students are strongly encouraged to attend College & Career Pathways Information Sessions, learn about our ASPIRE program and check out the AHS College Handbook – please see below for more info on these and other resources! You can also find recordings of past information sessions on the AHS YouTube Channel.
The AHS College & Career Center hosts visits by representatives from community colleges, four year colleges and universities, professional career schools, branches of the military, Job Corps, gap year programs and more! Please check out the current calendar and check back for updates as more events are scheduled.
College & Career Center Update Spring 2023
AHS College & Career Pathways Information Sessions
Thursday, April 13: College Pathways 101
5:30-6:30pm, Zoom Link: https://asdconnect-org.zoom.us/j/97711618881
Overwhelmed by the idea of thinking about college? Finding an educational pathway that’s a good fit takes some planning. Topics covered include the process of applying to both community colleges and four-year colleges/universities, ACT/SAT testing, and an introduction to financial aid and scholarships.
Thursday, May 4: Financial Aid 101
5:30-6:30pm, Zoom link: https://asdconnect-org.zoom.us/j/97711618881
Learn about the pathways to access financial aid and scholarships! We will discuss the process for completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which qualifies students to receive the Federal Pell Grant, Oregon Opportunity Grant, Oregon Promise Grant, and government loans. We will also briefly cover the CSS Profile, an additional financial aid application required by some private colleges. Even if you think your family will not qualify for federal financial aid, it is important to complete the FAFSA. Many colleges will not give students merit aid unless they have a FAFSA on record. Next year’s seniors will complete the 2024-25 FAFSA, which will go live October 1st and use income and tax information from 2022. You can get a good idea of what federal financial aid a student might be eligible for by using the federal financial aid estimator and inputting 2022 income information.
Thursday, May 18: Four Year Colleges & Universities – The Search and Application Process
5:30-6:30 pm, Zoom link: https://asdconnect-org.zoom.us/j/97711618881
Find out ways to make the most of the college search process and how to apply to both public and private four-year colleges and universities. Learn about the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program, schools that are “no loan” or meet financial need, ACT/SAT testing, letters of recommendation, the basics of how to access financial aid and scholarships, and more!
Thursday, May 25: Community College Opportunities and Pathways
5:30-6:30 pm, Zoom link: https://asdconnect-org.zoom.us/j/97711618881
Community colleges offer an array of professional training programs in fields such as Mechanics, Electronics, Health Care, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design and more! Students can also complete general education credits and then transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree. The Oregon Promise, our state’s grant to make community college affordable for all Oregon grads, will also be discussed.
More College & Career Pathways Resources
AHS College Handbook: Check out the new AHS College Handbook, which includes information on how to find an educational pathway that’s a good fit, opportunities available at community colleges and four-year public/private universities, WUE schools, financial aid/scholarships, and many other useful resources. Hard copies of the handbook will be available soon!
ACT/SAT Info and Updates: Students applying to four-year colleges that require test scores usually take the ACT and/or SAT in spring of junior year and/or fall of senior year. The Oregon Public Universities no longer require test scores for admissions. Many colleges and universities are test optional. Check individual schools for current guidelines. Students register for the ACT and SAT online and those who qualify for free/reduced lunch can contact karyn.barats@ashland.k12.or.us for fee waivers. Upcoming testing dates: ACT (April 15, June 10, July 15), SAT (May 6, June 3, August 26).
And here are a few more great resources: Oregon Goes to College, Rogue Community College CTE Programs, Oregon Private College Week, and Colleges that Change Lives Virtual Presentations.
ASPIRE at AHS
ASPIRE’s trained volunteer mentors help students explore education and career pathways available to them after high school. Mentors assist students in researching colleges, preparing admissions and scholarship applications, understanding the financial aid process, and many other aspects of the road to post high school education and careers. Students who want to learn more about ASPIRE or sign up for a mentor can contact jennifer.marsden@ashland.k12.or.us.
Become an ASPIRE Mentor!
The heart of ASPIRE are the many dedicated volunteers who work with our students. ASPIRE mentors at AHS include parents, retirees, professionals, and college students. Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTYXTTpnxow&feature=youtu.be to learn more about the ASPIRE program and the role of ASPIRE mentors. For more information about becoming an ASPIRE mentor, please contact jennifer.marsden@ashland.k12.or.us.