By Joe Kroc

Pacelli College Readiness Counselor

We are off to a great start to our 2018-2019 school year!

This is an exciting time for our seniors as they are starting to plan their future. Along with that comes important tasks that need to be completed to prepare for the next chapter in their lives. Seniors will be taking the ACT test (some for the second or third time), applying to schools and filling out scholarship applications this fall to offset some of the cost of tuition. The seniors and their families will also be applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While doing all of the above tasks,seniors are also participating in homecoming festivities, attending Pacelli classes, PSEO and AP classes and participating in extracurricular activities. We are extremely proud of this year’s seniors and all they have accomplished to date.

The junior class will be taking the PSAT test this October. The PSAT will allow the juniors to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarships as well as the Hormel Foods Corporation Scholarship. All juniors will be exploring career paths and looking at colleges throughout this year.

Students planning on going to a four-year school must take the ACT.  I would recommend that all students take the ACT.  More information or resources can be found at  www.act.org.  Following are the Registration Deadlines/ACT Test Dates:

•Nov. 2/ Dec.  8;

•Jan. 11/Feb.  9;

•March 8/April 13;

•May 3/ June 8;

June 14/July 13.

Receiving an 18 or better on the ACT is one way to qualify for the newly announced Hormel Foundation Assurance Scholarship.

To qualify for many types of tuition aid, students  need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application gives students access to these types of aid: Grants and scholarships. Money you don’t have to pay back.  MN College Goals is putting on an information session/tutorial on how to fill out FAFSA paperwork from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 9 and 11. The sessions are open to both Pacelli and Austin High students in room 151 at Austin High School. There will be Pacelli and Austin High School staff providing support at both sessions.

There are many scholarship opportunities that students can take advantage of to help offset the cost of tuition. Lists are provided monthly to students of organizations to which they can apply for scholarships. This week our students heard more information about The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship. This opportunity for our students is very unique and gives all students in Austin a chance to better themselves academically.  The Hormel Foundation is providing students an avenue to attain anything from a certificate program to two years of free college at Riverland campuses.  Please visit their website for more information (https://austinassurance.org/). We will be working with students on this scholarship application process as the year goes on.  A huge “thank you” goes out to the Hormel Foundation Board for all of their work in helping our community and investing in the future of our next generation.

If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic School visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278.