Career and College Advisor Notes for February 2025

February may be a short month, but it’s also packed with opportunities! There are many scholarship deadlines and applications for summer programs and jobs coming up soon.

Pre-College Summer Programs

Summer at UChicago - applications due March 5, 2025

Current 9th-11th graders are eligible to apply for the University of Chicago’s one-week enrichment programs (see link for full list of all twelve program options). If accepted, these programs are free for students with a household income of $120,000 or less, and students with a family income of $65,000 or less qualify for additional funds to cover all transportation expenses to and from campus! 

Girls Who Code 2025 Summer Programs - applications due February 26, 2025

Girls Who Code offers two free summer program options, and all girls in grades 9-12 are welcome to apply. You’ll learn to code through hands-on real-world projects in game design, cybersecurity, data science, web development, and artificial intelligence. See attached flyer for more information.

Summer Employment Opportunities

WA DNR Firefighting

The Northeast Region of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources is currently recruiting high school seniors for a summer job as a seasonal firefighter. This is a great summer job for students while going to college. Typically, the start date is early June, and the end date is flexible between mid-August through October. This is an entry level position with no previous experience needed, all training and gear is provided. See attached flyer for more information. 

Park Aide at Pearrygin Lake State Park and other area parks

Washington State Parks is recruiting seasonal park aides: a typical work day may include anything from registering campers and collecting camp fees, to cleaning facilities, mowing lawns, or explaining park rules. (You must be at least 17 years old by the start of work.) Park aides have the chance to grow with the agency, and many have gone on to success as rangers, customer service and human resources managers, environmental planners, and more. Former park aides also have found work in the outdoor industry, for nonprofits, or with other public lands agencies.  

Post-High School Programs for Students with Disabilities

There are many post-high school educational options available for students with disabilities! If you are interested in pursuing one of the three programs linked below or researching other plans for after high school, talk with Beth Anderson, Erika Spellman, Jill Driver, Kim Brunelle, or Alicia Covell. 

Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College

Achieve at Highline College

WSU ROAR

Scholarships

Seniors, keep checking the Scholarships 2025 Google Classroom page for new scholarship opportunities. Remember – scholarships are available for ANY post-high school education or training you’re planning to do, including apprenticeships, 2- or 4-year colleges and universities, and technical programs (both college-based and industry-sponsored training).

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Friday, February 7-Friday, March 28 — Healthcare Rotation series, led by Kelleigh McMillan (kmcmillan@methow.org). This pilot program is designed to give students insight into a wide variety of healthcare careers through visits to six different healthcare facilities. See Beth or email Kelleigh for information about how you could join one of these Friday trips to healthcare organizations across our region, including Sawtooth Dental, Jamie’s Place, Family Health Centers, Okanogan Behavioral Health Care, Three Rivers Hospital, and Lake Chelan Hospital. Space is very limited!

Wednesday, February 26 — Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Application Due

Another great funding opportunity for seniors who are planning to major in healthcare or STEM fields at a 2- or 4-year college or university in Washington. Income limits are quite high—a student from a family of 4 with an income of $164,000 or less would qualify for the award. See Ms. Anderson with questions about whether your chosen program qualifies for this funding.

Friday, February 28 — Scrubs Camp in Omak

Another opportunity to explore careers in healthcare! Scrubs Camp offers hands-on experience of a wide variety of healthcare options – students will rotate through stations where they’ll learn about ultrasound technology, medical assisting, pharmacy technology, emergency medicine and other high-demand healthcare fields. See attached flyer, and talk with Beth to sign up!

Saturday, March 1 — Community Foundation of North Central Washington scholarship deadline

Nearly all of the 130+ scholarships available through CFNCW’s universal application have March 1 deadlines. This is one you don’t want to miss, seniors! Create a profile and CFNCW will match you with the awards you’re eligible to apply for, submit the general application, and then add any additional materials requested by individual scholarships.

Tuesday, March 4, 6:15am-6:00pm — Central Washington University Tour

This tour of the CWU campus will be a long day trip open to students in grades 9-12 (students in grades 7-8 may attend as space permits). Permission forms are available from Ms. Anderson – add your name to the list by February 14 if you’re interested!

Ongoing — Complete the 2025-26 FAFSA or WASFA

Seniors & families: there’s still plenty of time to complete your 2025-26 FAFSA or WASFA application in order to receive scholarships and financial aid at post-secondary institutions for the fall of 2025. Aid is available for all forms of post-high school education and training!

Be well,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

College and Career Advising Notes for January 2025

Let’s gear up for the final two weeks of the semester, everyone! Finish strong and plan to make the most of the second half of the school year–you’ve got this!

Scholarships

Seniors, keep checking the Scholarships 2025 Google Classroom page for new scholarship opportunities and updates to deadlines, etc. There are already a number of local, statewide, and regional listings posted, and you are especially encouraged to create a profile and use the eligibility quiz tool for the Community Foundation of North Central Washington application to see which of CFNCW’s 130+ scholarships you are eligible to apply for (deadline is March 1, 2025). 

Remember – scholarships are available for ANY post-high school education or training you’re planning to do, including apprenticeships, 2- or 4-year colleges and universities, and technical programs (both college-based and industry-sponsored training).

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Friday, February 7 — Sawtooth Dental is the first stop in the Healthcare Rotation series, led by Kelleigh McMillan (kmcmillan@methow.org). This pilot program is designed to give students insight into a wide variety of healthcare careers through visits to six different healthcare facilities. See Beth or email Kelleigh for information about how you could join one of these Friday trips to healthcare organizations across our region, including Jamie’s Place, Family Health Centers, Okanogan Behavioral Heath Care, Three Rivers Hospital, and Lake Chelan Hospital. Space is very limited!

Wednesday, February 26 — Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Application Due

Another great funding opportunity for seniors who are planning to major in healthcare or STEM fields at a 2- or 4-year college or university in Washington. Income limits are quite high—a student from a family of 4 with an income of $164,000 or less would qualify for the award. See Ms. Anderson with questions about whether your chosen program qualifies for this funding.

Saturday, March 1 — Community Foundation of North Central Washington scholarship deadline

Nearly all of the 130+ scholarships available through CFNCW’s universal application have March 1 deadlines. This is one you don’t want to miss, seniors! Create a profile and CFNCW will match you with the awards you’re eligible to apply for, submit the general application, and then add any additional materials requested by individual scholarships.

Tuesday, March 4 (tentative date) — Central Washington University Tour

This tour of the CWU campus will be a long day trip open to students in grades 9-12 (students in grades 7-8 may attend as space permits). Details and permission forms will be available later this month once the date is confirmed, but feel free to ask Ms. Anderson to put your name on the list if you’re interested!

Ongoing — Complete the 2025-26 FAFSA or WASFA

Seniors & families: there’s still plenty of time to complete your 2025-26 FAFSA or WASFA application in order to receive scholarships and financial aid at post-secondary institutions for the fall of 2025. 

See me for help in filling out either financial aid application: I’m available to meet with students and families individually to answer questions and provide real-time support.

Be well,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

Beth Anderson 

College and Career Advisor

Methow Valley School District

banderson@methow.org

509.996.2215, x4175

CAREER AND COLLEGE NOTES FOR December 2024

UPDATE, 12/10/2024:

Click here for the 2024 Financial Aid Zoom Recording!

It is hard to believe 2024 is already coming to a close! The first chunk of the school year has flown by, and the Class of 2025 has been working tirelessly on planning for post-high school.

First and most importantly, Financial Aid Night is happening next Monday, December 9, from 6:30-7:30pm in the LBHS Library (or you can join us on Zoom – the link will  be shared via email on Monday morning). We will have the opportunity to learn from David Aramaki, a financial advisor and paying-for-college guru, about the financial aid system and paying for post-secondary educational expenses. David has joined us on a number of occasions to share his expertise, and he’ll be with us virtually via Zoom. All families and students in grades 7-12 are welcome – there will be a lot of good information for parents of younger students  who are planning for the future. Bring all your burning questions about financial aid and saving for college!

FAFSA Help Night on January 9

When we return from winter break, I’ll be hosting a FAFSA Help Night in the LBHS Library on Thursday, January 9 from 6-7pm for families who would like additional  in-person support while  working on their FAFSA applications. (Other dates/times can be scheduled with Beth, if you prefer one-on-one support!)

A few important FAFSA tips:

Federal Student Aid Estimator Tool

For families of younger students, there is an online resource that helps estimate the amount you’ll be asked to contribute toward your student’s education. Try the Federal Student Aid Estimator, and let me know if you have questions!

Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities

Montana State University WUE Scholarships - Applications Due January 6

MSU will be offering a very limited number of Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarships to new freshmen enrolling in the fall of 2025. The WUE application is open, and instructions to apply can be found on MSU’s Nonresident Scholarships page. The deadline for WUE scholarship consideration is January 6, 2025. Due to the high value of WUE and the volume of applications, the scholarship is limited and extremely competitive. Students are encouraged to apply early and to complete the application carefully. Students will be notified in mid-February if they have been awarded WUE.

Washington State University General Scholarship - Applications Due January 31

Like many other institutions, WSU uses a general application to award dozens of different merit-based scholarships. Prospective students need to fill out the scholarship app no later than January 31, 2025, even if they have not yet committed to attending WSU.

Washington State Fair Blue Ribbon Scholarship Program - Applications Due January 31

The Blue Ribbon Scholarship program provides over $1,700,000 in awards to give students a "fair chance" at a college education. As support of the program has grown, so have the opportunities for students statewide.

Students only need to submit one application for all Blue Ribbon scholarships offered online. The application system will automatically apply students for the scholarships they qualify for. Apply directly at: https://thefairfoundation.awardspring.com. For any scholarship questions, please email scholarships@thefair.com.

Happy Holidays! Please let me know how I can help you this month!

With gratitude,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

College and Career Advisor

Methow Valley School District

banderson@methow.org, 509.996.2215, x4175

Office Hours: available at LBHS or ILC from 8am-3:30pm on M/Tu/Th/F, remote on Wednesdays

Career and College Advisor Notes for November 2024

November is National Scholarship Month! What does that mean for you? If you’re a senior, it means you’ll probably  start completing some scholarship forms and begin gearing up for the release of the new FAFSA form in December. And if you’re in 7-11th grade, you are already eligible to apply for certain scholarships, no matter what your current plans are for after high school! Check out this scholarship database that lists awards available to students by age/grade.

University of Washington Application Deadline: Friday, Nov. 15

Many of our seniors have already been hard at work on college applications this fall, some for early deadlines and others for due dates later in the school year. All applications for the Seattle campus of the University of Washington are due on Friday, November 15. This is the UW’s regular deadline, and the only time they accept applications. Seniors, please keep reaching out if you need any help completing your applications in the coming week.

Financial Aid Information for Families: Monday, Dec. 9, 6:30pm

We will host our annual in-person financial aid night in the Liberty Bell Library on Monday, Dec. 9 @ 6:30pm. At that point the 2025-26 FAFSA form will be available, and parents are encouraged to come with questions about the FAFSA or other aspects of financial aid for our Zoom guest speaker, David Aramaki. However, if you’re looking for an overview of the financial aid process that you can access anytime, I’d recommend this recording from Aim Higher Washington: Financial Aid Basics.

The FAFSA unlocks a lot of grant and scholarship funding, so be sure to fill it out as the foundation of your financial aid journey. In Washington state, the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for the Washington College Grant and the College Bound Scholarship – all you need to do is fill out the FAFSA, and the college/university/training program will process your FAFSA data and let you know how much you’re qualified to receive from state and federal grant & scholarship programs.

Fastweb Scholarship Database

Any student interested in pursuing national or regional scholarship opportunities should check out the Fastweb database. (There are a number of similar options out there, but Fastweb seems to be the most comprehensive.) Interested students can create a profile on the site, and Fastweb will  filter out scholarship opportunities that fit their profile, allowing students to more easily sift through the many many options out there. 

A Few Important Scholarship Opportunities

Leadership 1000 Scholarship - Application Due November 30

Seniors, if you're considering attending a 2- or 4-year college or university in Washington state and meet the income eligibility guidelines, apply for the Leadership 1000 scholarship. The award is $5,000 per year and it's renewable for 4 years ($20,000 total). The application does include several short essays, but all students who meet the income criteria are encouraged to apply—it's worth your effort! A guide to the application process is attached.

Hagan Scholarship - Application Due December 1

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to graduate from college debt-free. The scholarship is worth up to $7,500 each semester. See the full eligibility and application details on their website: this is a nationwide scholarship program, but students from rural and relatively small school districts are preferred. If you meet the criteria, talk to Ms. Anderson about how to apply.

Montana State University Presidential & WUE Scholarships - Applications Due December 6 & January 6

The Presidential Scholarship is offered through MSU’s Honors College, and is the highest value award at Montana State University, including a full tuition waiver and a generous housing stipend. The Presidential Scholarship application is open, and is due on December 6, 2024 for the 2025-2026 academic year. 

MSU will be offering a very limited number of Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarships to new freshmen enrolling in the fall of 2025. The WUE application is open, and instructions to apply can be found on MSU’s Nonresident Scholarships page. The deadline for WUE scholarship consideration is January 6, 2025. Due to the high value of WUE and the volume of applications, the scholarship is limited and extremely competitive. Students are encouraged to apply early and to complete the application carefully. Students will be notified in mid-February if they have been awarded WUE.

For information about accessing WUE scholarships at other colleges and universities in Western states, check out the WUE Savings Finder. A list of all participating WUE schools is attached to this message.

One last note for the Class of 2025 – be on the lookout for emails from the colleges you’ve applied to about their specific scholarship opportunities! It can be hard to wade through all the communication to find the important stuff, but try to keep an eye out. 

That’s all for now! See me with questions or if you’d like to set up a time to talk about what’s next after high school. (This offer applies to both students and families!)

With gratitude,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

College and Career Advisor

Methow Valley School District

banderson@methow.org

509.996.2215, x4175

Office Hours: Available at LBHS or ILC during the school day  on M/Tu/Th/F

Available remotely on Wednesdays

Career and College Advisor Notes for October 2024

Happy Homecoming Week, Mountain Lions! October is a long month full of all kinds of opportunities and obligations. Please reach out anytime you have questions or just need a moment to sit and breathe – there are many resources available to support you.

Upcoming Field Trips!

Last week we had a fantastic overnight college tour to the UW, UW Bothell, and Skagit Valley College (see attached pic!). Below are the dates and descriptions of the remaining fall field trip opportunities. For all trips, see Ms. Anderson to sign up and pick up permission forms:

Wednesday, Oct. 23 - Okanogan County Career Expo (during the school day, 8:30am-1:00pm, all AVID CLIMBS students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will attend).

Wednesday, Oct. 30 - Construction Career Day at the Spokane Fairgrounds (long day trip: 6:30am-6:30pm, any students in grades 9-12 are welcome to sign up). The day will include: Welcome & Orientation (30 min),  Heavy Equipment (1 hour 15 min),  Hands-on Demos & Info (1 hour), plus a free lunch.

Campus Tour Opportunities (on your own)

This is the season when colleges in our region host preview days that are designed for students and families to learn more about their campus communities. Check out the links below for more information!

Friday, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18 - Western Washington University Fall Preview Days

Friday, Oct. 11 and Monday, Nov. 11 - Gonzaga University Preview Days

Saturday, Oct. 12 - Eastern Washington University Preview Day

Saturday, Oct. 19 - Fall for Whitman Day

Saturday, Oct. 26 - Washington State University Preview Day

Saturday, Nov. 2 - Seattle University Preview Day

Two Important Scholarship Opportunities (also posted on Scholarships 2025 Google Classroom)

Leadership 1000 - Application Due November 30

Seniors, if you're considering attending a 2- or 4-year college or university in Washington state and meet the income eligibility guidelines, apply for the Leadership 1000 scholarship. The award is $5,000 per year and it's renewable for 4 years ($20,000 total). The application does include several short essays, but all students who meet the income criteria are encouraged to apply—it's worth your effort! 

Hagan Scholarship - Application Due December 1

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to graduate from college debt-free. The scholarship is worth up to $7,500 each semester. See the full eligibility and application details on their website: this is a nationwide scholarship program, but students from rural and relatively small school districts are preferred. If you meet the criteria, talk to Ms. Anderson about how to apply.

PSAT for Juniors on Wednesday, October 23

The PSAT is given free of charge to all juniors. The PSAT will be administered using the Bluebook app, which means students will need to bring their fully charged Chromebooks on test day. Students may wish to use resources on Bluebook to practice for the PSAT. Erika Spellman will send  more details in advance of the test; talk with Erika or Beth if you have any questions. 

School Day SAT on Thursday, October 24

Interested seniors have already signed up – feel free to check in with either Erika Spellman or Beth Anderson if you have any questions about what to expect or how to prepare. The SAT will also be administered through the Bluebook app, and students will need to have their Chromebook fully charged and ready to go on test day.

Students may also choose to register for Saturday SAT/ACT dates at any of the testing sites in our region. See Mrs. Spellman or Ms. Anderson to obtain a fee waiver for outside tests (all students who receive free/reduced lunch qualify for free testing!). 

Ask Ms. Anderson for printed copies  of full-length practice SATs and take advantage of these excellent online SAT and ACT prep resources:

Online College Application Support

A number of schools now have webinars or podcasts on a range of admissions topics, which students can access anytime they have questions. Two good options are: the Inside the Yale Admissions Office podcast and the Macalester College Workshop Wednesdays series. The information will be useful no matter whether you’re planning to apply to these particular schools or any other selective colleges/universities!

FAFSA – December 1

As I mentioned last month, the release of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be delayed until December 1. In the meantime, there are a couple new resources that may be helpful to families: a new Federal Student Aid Estimator tool and a Who's my FAFSA Parent? wizard to determine which parent(s) will need to contribute financial information to the FAFSA.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns! 

Many thanks,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

College and Career Advisor

Methow Valley School District

banderson@methow.org

509.996.2215, x4175

Office Hours: Available at LBHS or ILC during the school day on M/Tu/Th/F

Available remotely on Wednesdays