CSS TALENT SEARCH -TRiO

Newsflash - November 2012

WHERE TO FIND US...

What to find out more about

Talent Search? What we do,

which schools we serve, view

pictures and find out about

campus visits? Need links to

helpful websites for filing your

FAFSA, scholarship and col-

lege, searches, explore careers,

and learn about financial aid?

Check us out here!

Talent Search’s Website

www.css.edu/ts.xml

In This Issue…

Where to find us

Love of learning

Mark your calendars

What’s on deck?

College Spotlight

Faces in the crowd

Financial aid info

Promoting the Love of Learning

Middle school students in the Talent Search program spend a great deal of time in October looking at what makes them tick when it comes to academics. They shared with classmates what positive qualities make up a successful stu-dent , what qualities teachers look for in students and how to overcome distractions and barriers when it comes to home-work. Here are some suggestions on how to foster that love of learning at home.

Set an example by learning about things you love. If you enjoy cooking, take the time to attend a cooking class, check out cookbooks from the library or try new recipes with your child.

Make time to talk. Studies show that when families talk often about different subjects, children have higher IQ’s. Look for opportunities to talk with your teen every chance you get.

Support your teen’s interests and try new activities with them. Show how you are interested in learning, improving and not giving up at new things.

Andrea Atkins - Nurture the smarts in you child.

Mark your calendars Our upcoming campus visits

What’s On Deck?

November 14 Cromwell, Denfeld, Floodwood, McGregor 10-12th grades to UM - Twin Cities

November 29 Cromwell, Floodwood 10-12th grades to UMD and The College of St. Scholastica

February ACT practice test at CSS for all 10-11th graders (date to be determined)

March 20-22 Junior trip to ?

Field trips for grades 7-9 will start after the holiday break. Watch our Facebook and Twitter feeds for

updates and when permission slips will be handed out.

Upcoming meetings…

November 19 Lincoln Park 6th grade & Denfeld 10th grade

November 20 Lincoln Park 7th grade & Floodwood 9-11th grade

November 21 Thanksgiving break

November 26 Denfeld 9th grade

November 27 Lincoln Park 8th grade & Floodwood 6-8th & 12th grade

November 28 Cromwell & McGregor 6-8th & 12th grade & Denfeld 11th grade

-goal setting

-PSEO and duel credit

-scholarships and how to apply

-non traditional careers

-RIASEC career inventory

-developing good study skills

-how to get the most out of high school

-ACT prep

Upcoming topics of discussion for November, depending on grade, may include

We still have a number of students that have not attended a meeting yet this school

year. Please take a minute to stop by and see your advisor.

Faces In The Crowd Always Helping Out Others

Cromwell-Wright senior Emily Warpula may be busy finishing her high school requirements, tak-

ing PSEO courses at UMD and making plans for college next fall, but she still finds time to help

others. Emily is part of a program called TXT4LIFE, a crisis connection for teens. With teen sui-

cide rising in the United States at alarming rates, Emily looks to keep friends and classmates in-

formed through trainings, posters at school and word of

mouth. Emily recently took part in a panel discussion that

aired on WDSE channel 8 here in Duluth. You can find out

more about this program and watch the video here. Emily

plans on studying social work at either Loyola Chicago or Uni-

versity of Wisconsin - Madison. Keep up the great work!

Our students do some pretty great things that need to be shared!

If you know of something cool to share about your son/daughter,

classmate, or yourself, let us know! Email Mr. Hoppe and we will

get the word out. jhoppe@css.edu

College Spotlight - The University of Minnesota

Upperclassmen from Denfeld, Cromwell, Floodwood and McGregor schools

recently had the opportunity to explore the University of Minnesota Twin

Cities. Take a minute to learn more about our state’s largest school.

Founded in 1851

52,557 students are enrolled on the Twin Cities campus alone

85% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.

79 % of Full-time faculty have the highest academic degree offered in their field of study

Over 39,000 new freshman applied there in fall 2011 with over 18,000 getting accepted

Tuition, room, board & fees: $25,000 (est.) BEFORE any financial aid

99% of students receive some type of financial aid

Also have campuses in Duluth, Morris, Crookston & Rochester

Seniors & Parents:

Time to Start Thinking About Financial Aid

Now is the time for high seniors to be putting the fin-

ishing touches on their college applications. Make

sure all ACT scores are sent, transcripts are in, and

any final campus visits are taken. Once that is com-

plete, its time to focus on how to pay for it. In these

tough economic times, financial aid (scholarships,

grants and loans) is becoming a necessary for stu-

dents wanting to go to college. The government is

making applying for that aid easier every year by simplifying the Free Ap-

plication For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Talent Search will try to

make the process as smooth as possible for both the student and parent.

In addition to providing information to our students in our meetings, TS

will be providing various financial aid nights for both parents and students

to attend. In addition, The College of St. Scholastica will host a

“complete the FAFSA” night where

parents can bring all required infor-

mation and work with financial aid

representatives to complete it that

night. Dates for these events are still

to be determined but will be adver-

tised at schools, on the Facebook

page (CSS Talent Search) and in fu-

ture newsletters.

Continued on next page...

Financial Aid Timeline

November

• Applications to colleges should be completed

December

• research the financial aid websites of the colleges

you are interested in to find scholarships you qualify

for

• start working on scholarship essays by collecting transcripts, letters of recommendation, as well

as talking to potential references if needed

January

• file your taxes and encourage your parents to file their taxes as soon as possible

• complete FAFSA

February

• take any last campus visits

• keep track of any financial aid and scholarship deadlines

March

• continue to look for scholarship opportunities

• Watch for your Student Aid Report (SAR) to arrive

April

• review your financial aid package from the schools you applied to

• ask TS staff to review it with you if you have any questions

• decide which school you will attend in the fall and be aware of any deposit deadlines

May/June -

• Ask that your final high school transcript be sent to the college you will be attending

• ask your college or TS advisor about any TRiO programs that may be available at your col-

lege

• register for fall classes