News from the Guidance Office
General Guidance Announcements
COLLEGE and CAREER PLANNING
The Financial Aid Process Presentation- October 1, 2020 in the Junior High Gym. English presentation will begin at 6:30pm. Spanish presentation will begin at 7:30pm. This virtual presentation outlines the general financial aid process and provides insight on how financial aid works, how to apply for it, student eligibility, and how it can be used to help pay for college. It introduces the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) along with summarizing state and federal aid programs among other topics.
Financial Aid Application Completion Workshop - October 6, 2020 in the Project Lead the Way Classroom *Assistance will be available from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in both English and Spanish - During this virtual workshop students will be able to get questions answered to complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application), intended for qualifying undocumented and transgender students. These are the forms used to apply for financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant and/or the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP). Many colleges also use these forms to consider students for institutional money. Individuals should create an FSA ID prior to the workshop to expedite the submission of the FAFSA. The FSA ID is also used to retrieve their tax and income information via the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. Please note that the FSA ID is not used with the Alternative Application. Individuals should have readily available information regarding their income and asset information.
A Scholarships | See the Scholarship page for more information.There are many scholarships available. Please see the listing on the Scholarship page.
COLLEGE and MILITARY VISITS
Wednesday, September 16 Parkland will hold a Parent/Student Zoom event where everyone will get a general overview of admissions plus the Pathway to Illinois program and financial aid from 5:30-7pm.
Friday, September 25 Parkland will Virtual Campus Visit Events from 10-12. Students will learn about the admissions process and then go to individual areas in Zoom for virtual academic visits. There will also be a section for those that are undecided to discuss their options. Register on the Parkland College website.
Friday, October 2 Illinois Wesleyan University will hold a virtual visit at 1:45pm. Students should see the Guidance office for the Zoom login information.
Monday, October 12 Parkland will Virtual Campus Visit Events from 10-12. Students will learn about the admissions process and then go to individual areas in Zoom for virtual academic visits. There will also be a section for those that are undecided to discuss their options. Register on the Parkland College website.
Friday, October 16 Eureka will hold a virtual visit at 2:00. Zoom information will be provided closer to time.
Friday, October 23 University of Illinois will hold a virtual visit at 1:45pm. Students should see the Guidance office for registration informaiton at least 10 days prior to the Zoom presentation.
Friday, October 30 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will hold a virtual visit at 1:45pm. Students should see the Guidance office for the Zoom login information
COLLEGE AND CAREER FAIRS AND INFORMATION
Mid-October to Mid-November Parkland will be hosting Academic Showcases. Each week one of the academic areas will be showing off their programs so that students can learn more about what we offer. Check back on our Visit Us page for further information
PROGRAMS AND INFORMATION
March 2 Success - Provided by the US Army: This program offers college prep, test prep, and planning information. ROTC programs are available and scholarships are offered. Visit www.goarmy.com/rotc for more information.
Douglas County Junior Medical Reserve Corps is taking applications for any student 15 to 18 years old that has a drive to help theri community give back. Meeting are once a month. To become a volunteer or find out more about the Junior MRC in Douglas County, call (217) 253-4137 or email adam.bulthuis@douglascountyil.com.
Champaign Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron is hosting a virtual open house on October 3rd from 1:00-3:00 PM. The Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It is an organization of 60,000 volunteer members that handles 90 percent of inland search and rescue missions in the United States, saving approximately 75 lives each year. Besides Emergency Services, Civil Air Patrol offers young people aged 12-21 the opportunity to be part of Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Program. The Cadet Program gives cadets aerospace education, leadership training, physical fitness training and the opportunity to make a positive impact in their own lives and in their own communities. Civil Air Patrol members give back to their local communities through our search-and-rescue efforts, disaster relief, humanitarian services and Air Force support missions. The web address is ilwg.cap.gov/IL-Wing-Open-House-2020.
IMPORTANT TESTING INFORMATION
The next testing dates for the ACT are October 10, 17, 24, or 25, 2020. Registration deadline is Septmeber 17, 2020. Sign up HERE or see the guidance office for more information.
Prepare for the ACCUPLACER PLACEMENT TESTS: Free test preparation resources are available online at www.parkland.edu/assessment/resources
SAT and ACT Test Prep: The following website offers free test prep for ACT, SAT, and middle school testing. Follow the link www.prepfactory.com to begin test prep.
ACT online prep classes are being offered at betterprepsuccess.com. This is an online video class and students receive four months of unlimited access to more than 24 hours of video instruction.
Prepare for the ACCUPLACER PLACEMENT TESTS: Free test preparation resources are available online at www.parkland.edu/assessment/resources
SAT and ACT Test Prep: The following website offers free test prep for ACT, SAT, and middle school testing. Follow the link www.prepfactory.com to begin test prep.
ACT online prep classes are being offered at betterprepsuccess.com. This is an online video class and students receive four months of unlimited access to more than 24 hours of video instruction.
