Clear Vision College Counseling, LLC

Happy New Year!!!

This virtual event is happening tomorrow!! Open to all High school students and their families.

Pelham Memorial High School, along with the NYSACAC CBO and Opportunity Programs Committee, invites all interested students to a virtual panel with prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

We are hosting this event in honor of Black History Month to further inform students and families about the college process and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This event will be interactive and informative!

We will be joined by Admissions Professionals from the following institutions:
Travis Batiste (Clark Atlanta University)
Jade Hill (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University)
Kelsey Rountree (Hampton University)
Antonio McFarland (Morehouse College)

This event is open to all high school grades. If you or your students have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] or Luis Barcelo at [email protected]. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Date: Thursday, February 17th
Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm E.S.T.
Location: Zoom
Register Here!
Thank you!
NYSACAC CBO and Opportunity Programs Committee
& Pelham Memorial High School

Good evening. Hope you are well! I wanted to post some information for those with soon to be college bound students. The College Board will be doing away with the paper and pen offerings of SAT and going fully digital. The roll out will start in 2023 with the PSAT
https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital?ef_id=CjwKCAiA3L6PBhBvEiwAINlJ9Nq8nngDwTcy_8l0oUZEla19Xq59EiJ4lqTxEdhHxrSoA9fHL2cTaBoCAVUQAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4330!3!576355057624!e!!g!!digital%20sat!15971212014!130363187257&gclid=CjwKCAiA3L6PBhBvEiwAINlJ9Nq8nngDwTcy_8l0oUZEla19Xq59EiJ4lqTxEdhHxrSoA9fHL2cTaBoCAVUQAvD_BwE
A good analysis of the changes.
https://www.compassprep.com/digital_sat/

The New Digital SAT College Board has announced a transition to a fully-digital replacement of the SAT. Compass explores the details of what this means for schools and students.

Happy New Year!!!
As students and families start to tie up any loose ends with college applications, it's a good time to equip yourself with information about what you will be seeing in your financial aid award BEFORE the letter arrives.

https://buff.ly/3qKsmAF

What Information is Included in the Financial Aid Offer? - CFAA As we wind our way towards the end of the year, high school seniors start making the transition from application to acceptance and decision-time. Unless some new inspiration suddenly strikes, all of the college admissions and financial aid applications should be completed by now. The...

Millions of student loan borrowers are still struggling with the impact of COVID-19. In an effort to offer some relief, the Biden Administration has extended the student loan payment freeze. Even with the extension, borrowers will still have a challenging time getting into the active payment lane and defaulted borrowers will most certainly have the hardest time getting into the repayment mode.

Talking to your children about money, how it works, and staying out of debt is a priceless, life saving lesson!!

President Biden extends student loan payment freeze through May 1 President Biden extended relief for federal student loan borrowers for an additional 90 days because borrowers are "still coping with the impacts of the pandemic." Payments now resume May 1.

Remember the saying, “Reading is fundamental.” Well, in this case, reading can be fiscally rewarding!!! Take the time to read the syllabus and see what is expected of you- there may be a nice surprise that awaits!!

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/18/us/tennessee-professor-syllabus-money-trnd/index.html?fbclid=IwAR15BOTvnmr-3U3_6Lld0roahWhBSCX0EKkn3uxcPDN165wqqFojRCcrABI

A professor hid a cash prize on campus. All students had to do was read the syllabus With every new college semester, students are faced with multiple syllabuses outlining the subjects in their classes. But do students read them thoroughly? One Tennessee professor put it to the test.

Early Decision and early actions are coming through, here is some information to help you make sense of it and think about next steps.

How to Deal With the Disappointment of Early Application Rejection - CFAA As we move towards the end of December, many students anxiously start waiting for answers on their early decision or early action college applications. For some students the news may be very good, and they will receive an acceptance with a substantial financial aid offer....

NPR's College Podcast Challenge is back!!. This scholarship opens December 1 and closes on February 28. All you need is a smartphone, a laptop, and a good idea! Go for it!!!

https://buff.ly/3Dgn6sF

Here is a scholarship opportunity for students in their third year (juniors) in college.
https://buff.ly/3E4cm27

Sharing a post from a friend of mine who is as passionate about pursuing higher education and generational wealth.

Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each Cooke Scholar has access to generous financial support for two to three years, c...

When families ask about scholarship outside of the institution, I advise them to tap into their own community, social, and employment circles. The applicant pool is smaller, and the applicant has already met at least 1 or 2 of the eligibly requirements.

If you have a student whose parent is member of the Teamsters, this can be a valuable resource in paying for college.

The James R Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund. The process for next year's application opens Nov 30, 2021. Deadline: March 1, 2022.
Eligibility: For the sons, daughters and financial dependents of Teamster members
www.jrhmsf.org

www.jrhmsf.org

When opportunity knocks - answer the door!!!
The COVID-19 pandemic has wrecked havoc on a global level, but it was also a time to pause and reflect on systems that have not been serving communities well or at all. This 3 min interview with NPR highlights how a school district in Oakland, CA injected needed changes to help their students.

Oakland Parents Say The Pandemic Helped To Get Learning Concerns Addressed Schools in Oakland, Calif., regularly report lower reading levels for Black and Latino students. A parent advocacy group has been demanding the district do better.

Financing higher education is a major concern for families. The Gates Scholarship may be a useful resource for those that qualify.

Bitly | Forbidden | 403 This is a 403 error, and it's not as ominous as it sounds. Bitly can only show this page to people who have permission to see it. Maybe what you are looking for can be found at Bitly.com.

Remember, all is well now and will continue to be well.

Grow were you are planted! The location is purposeful, not accidental.

Some good news from the Citadel in South Carolina!!

The Citadel board keeps freeze in place: no tuition increases again for 2021-2022 academic year | The Citadel Today The Citadel Board of Visitors voted not to raise tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year during a meeting on June 11.

Now is the time that students and families are in the thick of decision making for the next four years. There are so many things to consider and it can be overwhelming.
Remember these three things:
1) This decision is the next step in life not the most defining moment of your life.
2) Which ever school you choose, build relationships with classmates and faculty, enjoy each experience, learn from them, and do you best.
3) Breathe. All will be well.

The road you have traveled is far more telling than the desired destination.
Tell me your story.
Let us partner together as as you journey to becoming your best self

As more and more colleges and universities begin to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as part of their plan to fully reopen in the Fall, the convenient "one and done" option has halted its use. Colleges are trying to quickly shift their plans to still meet their safety goals for September 2021.
I wonder:
Will students and families rethink taking the vaccine in light of the adverse event reported with the J&J vaccine?
With the convivence of the J&J option off the table, for now, are college students more likely to return for the second shot that is required?
Will colleges and universities need to offer additional incentive to encourage student to take the two dose option?

The Johnson & Johnson Pause Slows College Vaccinations Schools are looking for alternatives to the one-shot vaccine before the end of the semester.

As decision announcement pour in, it's exciting to be celebrate with the hard work, diligent, and resilient class of 2021. I encourage you to talk with your family as you make your final decision on a college/university.
The dream of higher education can be even more heavenly when it is not being shackled with the cuffs of crushing debt.

As I grow older, I am learning to embrace my mistakes with joy. They are my own personal reminders that the goal is to show up and be present - not show up and be perfect.

Each day is an opportunity to try again. Let go of the past and move forward with confidence.

Happy Friday!!! Enjoy the weekend. Rest. Be good to yourself.

As colleges and universities announce their plans to reopen in the Fall, the idea of business and usual should be abandoned for a new and inclusive "normal." One that works to meet students where they are and acknowledges their loss.





https://buff.ly/3qUREuc