New College Counts scholarships offer funding for Alabama students

This scholarship will give one-time assistance of $4,000 to qualified students enrolling in a four-year university and $2,000 to students enrolling in a two-year school. The award is non-renewable and given directly to the school to cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies. It will be awarded on a semester basis in the student's first academic year, according to the College Counts website.

The application opens January 1and closes on March 19. To apply, go to www.collegecountsalabama.com.

Students must meet the following criteria to apply:

-Be a high school senior or first-time college freshman

-Be a U.S. citizen

-Be an Alabama resident

-Be enrolled or planning to enroll in an Alabama eligible educational institution

-Demonstrate financial need

-Have a minimum GPA of 2.75

-Have an ACT score of 26 or below (applicants attending a two-year school will not be required to submit ACT scores)

FOCUS 2 Career Planning Tool

Students,

Check out the college and career resources available on this site. Go http://www.avl.lib.al.us/resources/display_resources.php. Click on, Student resources at the top.

Click high school

Scroll down until you see the Career Library (Blue)

Here, you can take an interest inventory, create a resume, do an occupation search, college serach, check out financial aid info, watch career videos, take ACT practice tests, and learn about cool jobs. The information is endless. Neat resource.

Mrs. Bynum

Check out a new college and career planning tool offered to you free of charge by the ALSDE. The Alabama Career Planning System provides education and career planning resources to help you build a successful future. Whether you’re searching for higher education or training, exploring career options, or creating a professional portfolio of materials for the job search, the system can provide you with the tools you need.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE CAREER PLANNING SYSTEM

1.   Go to http://alcareerinfo.org

2.   Check out all of the available information on the site.

3.   Click on the hot pink tab at the top called ACPS Kuder. This will lead you to a career interest inventory.

4.   Click Log in now.

5.   Click New users register here.

6.   Type all the registration information.

7.   Make up a user name and password. Make it unique.

8.   Type in the N code= N3683327MDF

9.   Agree to terms and conditions and then click Create new Account.

10.       Click on the Purple tab at the top which says, Assessments. Click Take an Assessment.

11.       Use the results and other available tools to support your ongoing education and career exploration and planning.