7th graders - We are looking forward to getting to know you better at Orientation!  Be serious about your education and finish the school year strong!  Do your best!  Keep reading - check out the "recommended reads" on the Learning Corner and send us a book report!  
 

8th graders— We hope you enjoyed summer camp and that you are still thinking about some of the things you experienced.   What goals will you set for the new school year?  Too early to think about that - have some summer fun!  Stay cool!  And when you are chillin' READ!  Check out the "recommended reads" on the "Learning Corner" page or brain teasers!  Have you done something nice for someone else today?  Did you do it without expecting a lot of attention?  Have you volunteered in your community?  Go, do good things!  Keep in touch!  If you haven't send your Oklahoma's Promise (OHLAP) application in!  You could use some help in paying for college tuition, right?  Be sure to attend STEPS meetings at your school and let us know if you need anything!
 

9th  graders—Check out the latest "recommended reads" on the Learning Corner page and earn some T$s as well.  Read!  Be sure when your Guidance Specialist comes to your school that you attend the meetings and let him/her know of anything you need that STEPS can help you with!  Be sure to  sign up for Oklahoma's Promise (OHLAP) this year!
 

10th graders— Oklahoma's Promise (OHLAP) is one way to assure you have funding for college, so take advantage of the opportunity provided to you.  Volunteer to help someone who needs it!  Think about what you would like to be doing 10 years from now.  Make a plan.  Set a goal!  Let's not wait for the deadline, get your application mailed soon!  This is your last year to take advantage of this opportunity!  
 

Juniors—Start the new year off strong.  Enroll in some tough and challenging classes and dedicate time and energy to doing well in them.  Need help?  Let us know!  Learn all you can to be prepared to take the ACT in April.  We have fee waivers available and you may take the ACT twice using fee waivers!  The first time, do your best, and learn about the ACT.  The second time, get your score as high as you can! Take a look at the ACT website at http://www.actstudent.org.  This year we encourage you to be a leader and represent yourself and STEPS in your school and community. Have a library?  Volunteer?  Know an elderly person who could use some help?  How about the Boys and Girls Clubs?  Volunteer! What career are you interested in knowing more about?  Do some research!  Stretch your mind! and your body! Participate in community service activities whenever you can and be a leader among your peers.  Read.  Check the website frequently for brain games, trivia, and the latest "Recommended Reads". 
 

Seniors—Congratulations, you've made it!  Congratulations on this STEP of your journey!  To be sure you are ready to start college next fall be sure you have completed the following:

    Apply yourself and take the next ACT! You must register by March 9 to take the Apro; 14 ACT, so register right away at http://www.actstudent.org.   See your Guidance Specialist for a fee waiver and do your best on test day.

  Decide which colleges you want to visit and we can get those on the schedule!  Visit several college campuses to make sure you select the one that is the best one for you!

  Submit your financial aid application as soon as possible after January 1 and BEFORE March 1!   www.fafsa.ed.gov   Your Guidance Specialist will be visiting with you about financial aid, and if you have questions, ask!  This is critical to you being ready to start college next fall! 

  After you visit colleges you can complete your application for admission to the college of your choice.

  (Check the admissions criteria and meet all the deadlines.)

  Apply for all the scholarships you can!

  Have you updated your eProfiles lately with your accomplishments?  If not, get busy!

If you have not received your “Personal Identification Number” (PIN) with the Department of Education you can use to sign you Federal Financial Aid do it today.  Go online to register for your PIN at http://www.pin.ed.gov/ and have one parent do so as well.  Remember - no loafing - strive to be at the top of the class before graduation!
 

Last Updated:  February 01, 2012