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First and foremost, try the ACT question of the day.
Hi, I'm Ms. Byrd, Senior Guidance Counselor. I help students with questions about the ACT, scholarships, college info, FAFSA, tutoring, transcripts, etc. Together, with the other guidance counselors, we are professional school advocates who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement. Some of your questions can be answered on this web page, but you can always see me in room 271K for more information.
Click here to find the current issue of the "College & Counseling" Newsletter
What scholarships are available to JMAC students?
Click here for a current list of scholarships.
Besides scholarships, are there any other opportunities/jobs available?
Click here for a current list of opportunities.
What are Promotion Standards?
Credits for graduation from are counted from the 9th grade forward. Students must earn five (5) credits to be a sophomore, ten (10) to be a junior, and sixteen (16) to be a senior. In order to graduate, a student must earn twenty-two (22) to twenty-six (26) credits (please see me for an explanation of this).
How do I get Academic Honors?
Academic honors will be awarded to graduating seniors based on the following criteria:
Highest Honors: 3.75 - 4.00 Cumulative Grade Point Average
High Honors: 3.50 - 3.74 Cumulative Grade Point Average
Honors: 3.25 - 3.49 Cumulative Grade Point Average
Note: The students with the highest and second highest academic averages will be recognized as the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.
What should I be doing as a Senior to prepare for college?
Fall
* Retake the ACT if necessary
* Fill out applications for admissions and submit by December 1st
* Visit the college's website for financial aid and scholarship info
Winter
* Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible.
Spring
* Consider college options and compare financial aid packages
* Make a final decision
* Send in your housing deposit
* Tell counselor to send final transcript
How do I apply for Financial Aid?
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on the Web is the U.S. Department of Education's official electronic application for federal student aid. In order to sign the application, you must first obtain a "PIN" (personal identification number). The PIN allows you to electronically sign your application verses printing out the application, signing it by hand, then mailing it in. To apply for your PIN visit www.PIN.ed.gov.
To complete your FAFSA visit www.FAFSA.ed.gov.
The FAFSA is also your application for other government assistance such as Parent Plus student loans or PALE Grant.
For information on everything from college preparation to student loan repayment, go to www.studentaid.ed.gov.
Check out The Student Guide at www.studentaid.gov/guide to learn about federal student aid programs.
Any useful websites?
JMAC Library: Student Resources - Our library has a number of resources (in-person and online) for the college-bound
www.testprepreview.com/act_practice.htm - ACT Test Prep
www.collegebound.com - College Planning
www.knowhowtogo.org - College Planning & ACT Prep, etc.
www.bls.gov/oco - Search for Careers for career fields, salary, duties