Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start taking my ACT and how many times should I take it?
Any student 9-12 may register and take the ACT as many as times as it is offered. It might be good to take it once during the end of the sophomore year to get an idea of how it is designed and to have no pressure and then start taking it seriously during the junior year. It is good to take it at least 3 times to really see a consistent score; however, several students usually take it 5 or 6 times. It is wise to take it before October of the senior year because some scholarship deadlines will come as early at November of the senior year.
What do most scholarship committees look for in a scholarship recipient?
A well-rounded high school student that is involved in a variety of school, church, and community activities. They are usually looking for leadership in extracurricular activities by serving as an officer or captain of a team. Awards and honors are important throughout the four years. Community service is important especially in a specific area that has impacted his or her community and is unique (i.e. serving the homeless, reading to underprivileged youth, volunteering at a community center, etc.). And, most important, is a high GPA and ACT score.
How important is the ACT or SAT score?
Very important.!!!! Every state and national scholarship (except essay- or performance-based) will look at the ACT score. The higher the better! In addition, scholarships offered from the college will have a set criteria with an ACT and GPA combination (i.e. top 20% in class (or 3.7 GPA) AND a composite ACT score of 24 or higher).
What constitutes a high ACT score?
The average ACT composite score in the state of Missouri is 21. A composite score of 31 or higher allows a student to qualify for the Bright Flight Scholarship of $1,500 for all four years in college. Therefore, a score of 31 or higher is a high ACT score, but keep in mind several of the scholarships will require a high cumulative GPA as well.
Are there scholarships for juniors?
Very few, if any. Most organizations will require the student to be in his or her senior year. A junior scholarship might be based on an essay or performance event and may also be offered for 9-12 grade students. Most organizations are hesitant to invest in an underclassmen until the senior year because the senior is starting to apply to colleges and have post-secondary plans.
What grade point average (GPA) do the colleges and scholarships consider?
Usually the 6th semester cumulative (beginning from 9th grade) GPA is the one that will be reported on the senior scholarships in the fall of the senior year. The 7th semester cumulative GPA will also be useful for the spring scholarships. Obviously, the number of scholarship applications diminish during the months of April and May.
How hard is it to improve my GPA after a bad freshmen year?
Very difficult! This question comes up a lot from many sophomores after ruining their overall GPA from having low grades during their freshman year. Many seniors often say, "If only I had known to keep my grades up, I would be eligible for scholarships or college options." Bottom line: it is hard to recover from a disastrous freshman GPA and expect to pull all A's for the remaining 3 years. Basically, a cumulative GPA figures in every grade for the high school career.
When is the best time to start applying to colleges?
Early in the fall of the senior year. The earlier the better! Unfortunately, some colleges will require an application fee, therefore, it can get expensive to apply if you are applying to several. There are ways to get a discount or get application fees waived. Some colleges will allow free/reduced lunch recipients to obtain a fee waiver, some will give a discount or waiver if you attend a college visit day, some will have early application options at a discount, etc. E-mail the admissions office and find out ways to reduce or waive application fees.
Will A+ pay for dual enrollment classes?
The answer is "no." A+ will only pay for college credit classes that are obtained after graduation.
Any student 9-12 may register and take the ACT as many as times as it is offered. It might be good to take it once during the end of the sophomore year to get an idea of how it is designed and to have no pressure and then start taking it seriously during the junior year. It is good to take it at least 3 times to really see a consistent score; however, several students usually take it 5 or 6 times. It is wise to take it before October of the senior year because some scholarship deadlines will come as early at November of the senior year.
What do most scholarship committees look for in a scholarship recipient?
A well-rounded high school student that is involved in a variety of school, church, and community activities. They are usually looking for leadership in extracurricular activities by serving as an officer or captain of a team. Awards and honors are important throughout the four years. Community service is important especially in a specific area that has impacted his or her community and is unique (i.e. serving the homeless, reading to underprivileged youth, volunteering at a community center, etc.). And, most important, is a high GPA and ACT score.
How important is the ACT or SAT score?
Very important.!!!! Every state and national scholarship (except essay- or performance-based) will look at the ACT score. The higher the better! In addition, scholarships offered from the college will have a set criteria with an ACT and GPA combination (i.e. top 20% in class (or 3.7 GPA) AND a composite ACT score of 24 or higher).
What constitutes a high ACT score?
The average ACT composite score in the state of Missouri is 21. A composite score of 31 or higher allows a student to qualify for the Bright Flight Scholarship of $1,500 for all four years in college. Therefore, a score of 31 or higher is a high ACT score, but keep in mind several of the scholarships will require a high cumulative GPA as well.
Are there scholarships for juniors?
Very few, if any. Most organizations will require the student to be in his or her senior year. A junior scholarship might be based on an essay or performance event and may also be offered for 9-12 grade students. Most organizations are hesitant to invest in an underclassmen until the senior year because the senior is starting to apply to colleges and have post-secondary plans.
What grade point average (GPA) do the colleges and scholarships consider?
Usually the 6th semester cumulative (beginning from 9th grade) GPA is the one that will be reported on the senior scholarships in the fall of the senior year. The 7th semester cumulative GPA will also be useful for the spring scholarships. Obviously, the number of scholarship applications diminish during the months of April and May.
How hard is it to improve my GPA after a bad freshmen year?
Very difficult! This question comes up a lot from many sophomores after ruining their overall GPA from having low grades during their freshman year. Many seniors often say, "If only I had known to keep my grades up, I would be eligible for scholarships or college options." Bottom line: it is hard to recover from a disastrous freshman GPA and expect to pull all A's for the remaining 3 years. Basically, a cumulative GPA figures in every grade for the high school career.
When is the best time to start applying to colleges?
Early in the fall of the senior year. The earlier the better! Unfortunately, some colleges will require an application fee, therefore, it can get expensive to apply if you are applying to several. There are ways to get a discount or get application fees waived. Some colleges will allow free/reduced lunch recipients to obtain a fee waiver, some will give a discount or waiver if you attend a college visit day, some will have early application options at a discount, etc. E-mail the admissions office and find out ways to reduce or waive application fees.
Will A+ pay for dual enrollment classes?
The answer is "no." A+ will only pay for college credit classes that are obtained after graduation.