A Quarterly Newsletter Volume 19, Issue 2 Winter 2019 St. Olaf College TRIO Educational Talent Search REPORTER In this Issue:
Field Trip Photos FIELD TRIP HIGHLIGHTS -page 2 By Rebekah Pitassi
A Word from our Over MEA weekend from Thursday October 18 - Friday, October 19, we took 31 students on our overnight visit to the Duluth area. We visited the Director College of St. Scholastica, University of Minnesota - Duluth and University -page 3 of Wisconsin - Superior. Students took part in campus tours, ate lunch each day in college dining halls, spoke with admissions representatives, ETS Mentoring and got their questions answered by current college students. In addition, Program Update students enjoyed eating a pizza bufet dinner in Canal Park, walking -page 3 along the Lake Walk, playing games, and swimming in The Suites Hotel’s pool! ETS Mentoring Photos -page 4
Upcoming Events -page 5
Free Tutoring Resources -page 6
Senior Winter To- Dos -page 7 University of Wisconsin - Superior Financial Literacy Crossword -page 8
Preparing to Pay for College -page 9
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 1 FIELD TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
TRIO ETS students from Minneapolis also attended a field trip to Augsburg University on November 1st, 2018. We took a campus tour, spoke with an admissions representative, learned about the TRIO Student Support Services program at Augsburg, and ate lunch in the dining hall. After our campus visit, we enjoyed bowling at the Gopher Spot at the U of M - St. Paul campus.
Augsburg University
On Friday, November 16th, we took our St. Paul students on a college visit to Winona State University. We ate in their cafeteria, met their Admissions office, toured the campus, and met representatives from their TRIO Student Support Services Program and their Office of Diversity and Inclusion. A few students loved the school so much that they declared they're going to apply there in the future!
Winona State University Answers: 1.)Work 2.)PIN 3.)Grants 4.)Scholarships 5.)Loans 6.)FAFSA 7.)SAR 8.)Veri ication 7.)SAR 6.)FAFSA 5.)Loans 4.)Scholarships 3.)Grants 2.)PIN 1.)Work Answers:
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 2 A Word From The Program TRIO Educa onal Talent Search Mentoring Program Update Director By: Rachel Enwright Heidi O’Hair, ETS Director TRIO Educa onal Talent Search has four mentoring programs up and running this Happy 2019! From St. Olaf TRIO year – one at each of our target schools. In total, we have approximately 200 Educational Talent Search (ETS)! amazing St. Olaf College students volunteering as mentors to about 400 6th, 7th and In this issue of the St. Olaf TRIO ETS 9th grade students from the Twin Ci es! This is a great opportunity for our college Reporter, you will learn about past and students to get involved with TRIO ETS, and for our ETS students to interact with upcoming field trips and mentoring events. college role models. Also included is information about preparing to pay for college (especially important for Mentors and mentees correspond with one another via le er wri ng each week. In seniors this time of year) and an activity to their le ers, mentors share informa on about what college is like, how you should help test your financial knowledge. If you prepare for it, and even how to pay for it. Throughout the year, mentors and need extra help with work for a class, make mentees will meet face-to-face three mes. During the first visit, mentors traveled to sure to take a look at the FREE tutoring the mentees’ schools and spent the day playing get-to-know-you games, visi ng resources that are available in and around classrooms, and enjoying school lunch. Everyone had a wonderful me. That makes your school. us very excited for our upcoming field trips in February (see Upcoming Events page) and April, when mentees visit St. Olaf College. ETS is pleased to report that 97% of ETS seniors in the class of 2018 graduated within Here are some photos of our first mentoring field trip. Take a look! the standard number of years and 82% confirmed enrollment in some form of postsecondary education this fall. We are so proud of their achievement! ETS served 709 students during the 17-18 school year and met all standard objective goals set by the Department of Education. ETS staff are working hard to do the same in 18-19!
Please look out for our newest TRIO ETS Advisor Kitana Holland, who will be working with students at Washburn and Humboldt. If you see her in the halls, at a workshop, or on a field trip please welcome her and say hello! Be sure to keep in touch with all the Academic Advisors at your schools to learn about upcoming events and ways to be involved!
Kitana Holland, Academic Advisor
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 3 ETS Mentoring PHOTOS!
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 4 ! TRIO Educational Talent Search Upcoming Events
Community of Peace Academy January 16 –College Knowledge Night and FAFSA Night January 21– MLK Jr. Field Trip to Second Harvest Heartland February 26 – Mid-year Mentor Field Trip to Feed My Starving Children and Drkula’s February 16 – St. Cloud State University College Visit March 9 —MN TRIO Day Student Leadership Conference at St. Olaf College March 15—CPA ACT Prac ce Test Workshop March 26 — ETS at CPA Parent/Guardian Conferences April 23—Spring Mentor Field Trip to St. Olaf College May 7 — ETS Senior Banquet
Humboldt High School January 21 – MLK Jr. Field Trip to Second Harvest Heartland February 16 – St. Cloud State University College Visit February 28 – HUM Mentor Visit to Sheridan Story and Drkula’s February 28 – ETS @ HUM Conferences and FAFSA Night 4-7 pm March 1 – HUM ACT Prac ce Test Workshop March 9 – MN TRIO Day Student Leadership Conference at St. Olaf College April 25 – Spring Mentor Field Trip to St. Olaf College May 9 – ETS Senior Banquet May 16– ETS HUM Senior Awards Northeast Middle School January 21 – No School; Community Service Day at Second Harvest Heartland February 16 – St. Cloud University College Visit March 1 – Mentor Program Visit to Science Museum of Minnesota March 9 — MN TRIO Day Student Leadership Conference at St. Olaf College April 26 – Mentor Program Visit to St. Olaf College
Washburn High School January 21 – No School; Community Service Day at Second Harvest Heartland February 12 – FAFSA Night February 15 – ACT Prac ce Test Workshop February 16 – St. Cloud University College Visit February 27 – Mentor Program Visit to Feed My Starving Children March 9 —MN TRIO Day Student Leadership Conference at St. Olaf College April 17 —ETS Senior Banquet April 24 – Mentor Program Visit to St. Olaf College
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 5 FREE TUTORING RESOURCES
Brainfuse HelpNow Free online tutoring every day from 1:00 – 11:00 pm All major subject areas are covered: Science, Social Studies, English/Language Arts, Writing and Reading assistance. All you need is a computer, Wi-Fi and a St. Paul or Minneapolis public library card! St. Paul: Go to Sppl.org, click the Services tab, click Homework Help, click Online homework help Minneapolis: Go to hclib.org, click the Programs and Services tab, click Homework Help, click Get help from a tutor online.
Community of Peace Academy Humboldt Tutoring Resources Tutoring Resources Flip Side at Humboldt High School Arlington Hills Library Flip Side at Humboldt High School offers a variety of Homework Center with tutors on Mondays – academic, enrichment and athletic programs that Thursdays from 4:00 – 7:00 pm support students' needs during out-of-school time, Do your homework independently or get help both academically, physically and socially. In from volunteer tutors partnership with numerous community organizations, programs provide students and their families with the Academic Power Hour at CPA after school opportunity to access activities that include Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays Room rotates between: Riverview Library -1 East George St., St. Paul, 55107 Ms. Beam in room B360 Offers free tutoring in the library every Monday- Mr. Hemstad in room 2360 Wednesday 4:00-7:00pm. Ms. Cina-Bernard in room 1250
Northeast Middle School Tutoring Resources Washburn High School Tutoring Resources Beacons is Northeast Middle School’s afterschool program that runs from 4-6pm Homework Lab offers a quiet space to work on Monday through Thursday. Students take an homework independently or in small groups – and academic (ALC) class from 4-5pm and an teachers to help you! It takes place in the Washburn enrichment class from 5-6pm. Media Center on Mondays and Fridays from 3:00 – Transportation, snack, dinner, and classes 4:30pm. are all free. Class options include Swimming, GEMS/GISE (STEM classes), Coding & Game Homework Help at Hosmer Library offers tutoring at Design, Chess, Arts and Crafts, Social the Hosmer Library on Mondays and Wednesdays Justice, Digital Storytelling, Cooking, from4:00 – 7:30pm and Saturdays from 1:00 – 4:30pm. Computers, Beacons Leadership Team, Native **Note: While the Hosmer Library is closed for Drum Teachings for Success, Loppet, and renovations, Homework Help will take place in the more! Sabathani Community Center.**
If you have questions or are interested in Questions? Ask your ETS Advisor for more information! signing up, contact Kayla Campanelli at [email protected] or 612-688-1516.
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 6 SENIOR WINTER TO-DO’S BY GAONOU VANG, ETS ACADEMIC ADVISOR
Seniors:WOO HOO! You’re almost at the end! Congrats on coming this far! These next few months will go by fast so make sure to stay on track by taking the following steps. If you’re not sure where to start or have any questions, stop by and visit your ETS advisor or some other resource center at your school and we’ll get you on the right path.
Here is a brief timeline of deadlines and what to expect this upcoming semester:
January • Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). February • Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll. • Keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines. • Complete any paperwork if you are selected for verification by FAFSA. March • Continue to look and apply for scholarship opportunities. • When you receive financial aid packages, review them with your TRIO advisors until you understand them completely. April • Decide which college to attend, notify the school of your decision and send in a deposit by MAY 1st! Note: A deposit is needed to secure your place in the class. If you are living on campus, another housing deposit is required. Call the college to make arrangements if these are a hardship for you and your family. They will work with you! • Notify schools you will not attend of your decision. May • Ask that your final senior transcript be sent to the college you will be attending. • Find out about any TRIO SSS or student support programs at your future college and find out how to get involved!
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 7 Financial Literacy Crossword Test your Financial Aid Knowledge!
Across 3. This type of financial aid is free money given to students based on family income. 6. An acronym for the process of applying for financial aid help. (Hint: Free Application for Federal Student Aid) 7. An acronym that stands for the report you receive that summarizes all the information you provided on your FAFSA. (Hint: Student Aid Report) 8. A ______Form is a document that about 30% of families each year will have fill out to verify their earnings in order to receive financial aid.
Down 1. _ _ _ _ Study is a financial aid program that allows students to take a part-time campus job as part of their financial aid package. 2. An acronym for a four digit number that can act as your signature for the FAFSA. (Hint: Personal Identification Number) 4. This type of financial aid doesn’t have to be paid back. It may ay be awarded based on merit or proven academic/athletic ability. 5. This type of financial aid is borrowed money that gains interest and must be paid back when you leave school. 9. An acronym for a phrase that measures your family’s financial strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. (Hint: Expected Family Contribution).
Answers on Page 2
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 8 Preparing to Pay for College By Gaonou Vang, ETS Academic Advisor
Did you know that college students graduate with an average of $30,000 in school loan debt? That is hard to imagine on paper, but that is a lot of money! Here are some steps you can take TODAY to make sure you are not in over your head with college debt once you graduate.
1. Take classes in high school that will count towards a college degree! These include PSEO, CIS, AP, IB and Career and Technical Education classes. They are all FREE and they all allow you to earn high school AND college credit at the same time! Not sure how to sign up for one of these classes or programs? Talk to your counselor or ETS advisor and we will help you get started.
2. Get involved! Whether it is sports, yearbook club, Boys and Girls Club, theatre, place of faith, etc., it all counts! Being involved in extracurricular activities looks great on college and scholarship applications.
3. APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!!! Sounds easy, right? Well, it is! Most scholarships ask for similar information: an essay, transcript and/or letter of recommendation. Once you have completed one scholarship, it makes other ones much easier. Most of the time you can tweak your essay and/or letter of recommendation so that you are able to use them for multiple scholarships.
4. Complete your FAFSA in a timely manner! How can you make a inancially informed college decision if your FAFSA is incomplete? Short answer: you can’t! Filing your taxes and completing your FAFSA are the irst steps to receiving any type of federal inancial aid. Many scholarships, such as the Power of You, require it and you can’t qualify for grants or aid unless you submit your FAFSA. ETS collaborates with your high school for the annual FAFSA night, where we help students submit their FAFSA and go over the inancial aid process. Talk to your ETS advisor about your school’s upcoming FAFSA Night!
5. Review your Financial Aid Package with an ETS advisor! Have you ever read something and not understand what it meant? That is how it can feel when looking at your inancial aid packages. ETS is here to help! Do not be afraid to stop by with your inancial aid award letter; we will explain what everything means and answer all of your questions. We can also help you compare the costs of the various colleges you have applied to so that you can make an informed decision about what college you will attend.
Want to know all about scholarships? Check out this resource: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships
Winter 2019 St. Olaf TRIO ETS Reporter 9 Educational Talent Search (ETS) is a TRIO program ETS STAFF funded by the U.S. Department of Education and sponsored Heidi O’Hair, Director by St. Olaf College. The ETS program annually assists 700 Fay Dacey, Administrative Assistant middle and high school students as they explore their Rachel Enwright, Academic Advisor academic and vocational options and set goals for the future. ETS Academic Kitana Holland, Academic Advisor Advisors, in cooperation with school counselors and teachers, provide college Rebekah Pitassi, Academic Advisor preparatory services through workshops, classroom activities, and group and Gaonou Vang, Academic Advisor individual counseling sessions. St. Olaf College Educational Talent Search works Layout/Design at the following four schools: St. Paul Community of Peace Academy, St. Paul Fay Dacey, Administrative Assistant Humboldt High School, Minneapolis Northeast Middle School, and
Minneapolis Washburn High School.
Address Service Requested Service Address
https://wp.stolaf.edu/ets
(507) 786-6241 TOLL FREE: (800) 621-7601 621-7601 (800) FREE: TOLL 786-6241 (507)
Northfield, MN 55057-1098 55057-1098 MN Northfield,
1520 St. Olaf Avenue Avenue Olaf St. 1520
St. Olaf College College Olaf St. TRIO Educational Talent Search Talent Educational TRIO