Cheney High hosts post-high school education planning session

Cheney High School’s counseling department is hosting an important event for juniors and seniors considering post-high school education opportunities.

“Plan Now” takes place Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the high school’s Little Theater and in the library. The event provides an opportunity for students and their parents or guardians to receive information about continuing education and get the paperwork started for securing those opportunities.

Junior and senior class counselors, along with other members of the department, will be on hand to explain junior and senior year timelines essential to college and/or career planning along with presenting related information. There will also be representatives speaking about Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and College Bound Scholarship.

FAFSA representatives will be available after the session in the computer lab to assist the filing of their forms. Tiarra Thomas, CHS college and career counselor, said FAFSA forms are essential if students wish to receive financial aid such as state and federal grants, scholarships and low-interest loans.

Students signing up for the College Bound Scholarship did so in the seventh and eighth grades, making a pledge to maintain a specific grade point average as well as follow personal conduct requirements.

Thomas said the financial aid process can be complicated and intimidating, creating a barrier to students looking at attending college. It’s the reason she and other counselors are strongly urging students and parents to attend Oct. 11.

Parents should come prepared with their W2 and social security forms, along with a most recent employment check stub and checking and savings account statements.

“Just everything financial,” Thomas said. “That’s why it’s nice to have people there to help.”

Non-U.S. residents should also bring their alien registration number in order to complete the application.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.