Post-High School Planning

As part of educating the whole student, Joplin Area Catholic Schools (JACS) aims to ensure its students are prepared for life after high school. Students’ post-high school options and plans vary and may include the following: a college and university education, technical and trade school training, or military service. Some students may even decide transitioning directly into the workforce as their appropriate route. Whichever path students pursue, their McAuley High School academic, social, and spiritual experiences and preparation will serve them well.

Opportunities, Options, and Oh, BTW…

• Students planning to register for the April 4th ACT need to do so by February 28th!

  Interested in specific feedback from your April (and June) ACT test?  You may order an TIR (Test Information Release) up to 5 days after the test date–until the Thursday following the test by 12:00 p.m. by logging onto your ACT Web Account.  Select “Make Changes” to Your Registration link and select the button associated with “Test Information Release” found on the right side of the screen.  At this point, the status in the light blue box should read “Ordered.”  To proceed with the TIR, click the “Continue” button at the bottom of the screen.  On the Order Summary and Payment Information page, enter your payment information and click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the screen.

  You may also order a TIR by mail when you register or during the 6th month period after your test date.  Access the National TIR Order Form (PDF) on the ACT website, complete it, and mail it to the mailing address listed on the form.

  This targeted, specific information provides information about how you might tailor future study sessions for the ACT, thus providing an opportunity to improve your score by more than just chance.

• Students and parents (grades 10-12) may access a free ACT webinar (February 19th) about the college planning and decision-making process.  Register at https://pages.act.org/timeline-to-making-a-college-decision.html?_ga=2.156713083.1108858324.1581028417-826034919.1581028417

• The City of Joplin will be sending a representative to visit with McAuley 10th-12th grade classes about potential employment opportunity as summer lifeguards on Friday, February 14th, at 2:35 p.m.  The meeting location will be announced the morning of February 14th.
• McAuley High School sophomores will tour Franklin Technical Center following lunch on Tues., Feb. 11.  Students will visit all  thirteen offered programs and be provided a brief summary of each program.  This exposure will assist students in determining if an FTC program might fit their specific interests or possible career path.
• McAuley High School students interested in participating in the Mercy Hospital Health Career Club may attend the next meeting on Wed., Jan. 29th, 6 p.m. at Joplin Mercy Hospital, Conference Rm. 1. Paramedic William Boles will speak about emergency services.
• Is athletic training a career you’ve considered?  North Park University, a private college in Chicago, Illinois, has transitioned its accredited undergraduate athletic training degree to an entry-level master’s degree. This is in response to the requirement that athletic trainers must possess a master’s degree to enter the workforce. After the 2017-2018 academic year, we will no longer be accepting students into our undergraduate athletic training program. Instead, students who come to campus during 2018-2019 and beyond will be eligible to complete our 3+2 accelerated master’s degree where the student can receive both a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master of science degree in athletic training in 5 calendar years.  See Mrs. Hamilton if you’d like more information.
• Almost all male U.S. citizens and male immigrants ages 18-25 are required to register with the U.S. Selective Service.  Not registering can affect your ability to attend a post-high school institution and to obtain federal financial aid, obtain a valid job in the U.S., and can also result in a fine or prison term if prosecuted and convicted.You may register by mail or online…it’s a simple process!  Access the official Selective Service site (www.sss.gov) or stop by your local post office and pick up the official Selective Service registration card.

• The University of Missouri is offering a new major, the BS (Bachelor of Science) in Microbiology.  It is the ONLY undergraduate degree in microbiology at a Missouri public institution.Students study the subject areas of bacteriology, immunology, mycology, parasitology, and virology, and this degree will prepare students for entry-level positions in a variety of areas: public health, clinical and research labs, human and animal health pharmaceutical companies, and the food industry.  The BSM degree will also provide excellent prep for dental, veterinary, medical, or nursing schools.  Brochure copies may be downloaded from http://vpbio.missouri.eud/undergraduate-studies.
• Interested in the healthcare field? Check out the Mercy Hospital Joplin and Carthage Health Careers Club! It’s open to students in grades 7-12! Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Mercy Hospital in Joplin most of the time. Different healthcare professionals speak to the club, and it might include a tour of the speaker’s department or a demonstration. The club also has job shadowing opportunities. Meetings run August-April.
• MSSU is hosting Music Scholarship Auditions for those seniors interested in pursuing degrees in instrumental or vocal music!  2020 Audition dates:  Feb. 28, Mar. 13, & Apr 3.Schedule your audition time at music@mssu.edu or call 417.625.9318.
• DUKE TIP Duke University’s Talent Identification Program (TIP) program for 4-6, 7th, and 8-10th graders may be just the enrichment challenge your son/daughter needs to remain challenged and excited about curriculum content and its application in a variety of mediums such as year-round learning options, residential summer programs, online courses, and enrichment resources.Eligible students must score at or above the 95th national percentile on an accepted grade-level national standardized achievement or abilities test; score at or above the 95 percentile on a state assessment; or score 125 or above (full scale or composite) on an accepted IQ test. Students only need to qualify through one of these three methods. 8th grade students qualify by taking the ACT or SAT on their own and reporting their scores to Duke TIP as a way to qualify for TIP educational programs.If you think your child qualifies for the Duke TIP and are interested in the testing information, please contact Mrs. Hamilton at dhamilton@jacss.org

Scholarship Opportunities

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The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) Scott/St. Louis Chapter will award a minimum of two scholarships of $3,000 each and four scholarships of $2,000 each for recipients enrolled in an accredited bachelors or graduate degree program in 2020.  An additional award is set aside for a student enrolled in a 2-year associate degree or trade certification program.  Scholarships are open to ANY high school student meeting the following eligibility criteria:

1. High school applicants must live in Illinois or Missouri.
2. College students must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited institution in a state within NDTA’s Central Region (CO, IA, IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, SD, WI, and WY.)
3. Applicants must be high schools seniors graduating in Spring 2020 or current full-time college students.
4. College students may be enrolled in any field of study, but priority will be given to those in a degree program related to business, transportation, logistics, supply chain or physical distribution.

Applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2020.

SEE Mrs. Hamilton if interested.

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BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU – Junior Scholarship Opportunity

Deadline 2/15/20
This scholarship is open to Missouri students who attended a FAFSA Frenzy event and created an account in the State Financial Aid Portal.

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
-Be a Missouri resident
-Attend a postsecondary education program/college/university in Missouri next year
-Have attended a FAFSA Frenzy event between October 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020

The following are local FAFSA Frenzy events:

Columbia College (3271 E. Battlefield, Ste. 250, Springfield)  Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31. 10:00-4:00

Drury University Monett (400 Fourth St., Monett). November 4,  9:00-7:00

OTC (Information Commons West, 1001 E. Chestnut Expwy., Springfield) Nov. 21, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Students eligible for Missouri’s  Bright Flight Scholarship, based on ACT performance,  must meet the following requirements:  1)  Be a Missouri resident, U.S. citizen or permanent resident; 2) Earn a composite ACT or SAT score in either the top 3% of all Missouri students taking those tests or the top 4th or 5th percentiles of all Missouri students taking those tests.   3) Enroll full time at a participating Missouri school; 4) Submit supplemental eligibility information if requested by the MDHEWD; and 5) NOT be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.

The qualifying score must be achieved by the June test date immediately following your high school graduation. 

There is no application to complete!  Eligible students will receive approval letters from the MDHEWD (Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workplace Development) achieved by the June ACT and SAT test dates and will begin arriving in the spring of your senior year of high school.  The Bright Flight is renewable for up to 10 semesters or until you have completed a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.

Qualifying ACT and SAT scores for current high school seniors are re-evaluated and announced each fall, and these scores are based on the scores of students who were high school seniors the previous academic year, and the score is subject to change annually.

Last year’s final award amounts included the following:

ACT Score 31 or above:  Up to $3,000

Completion of the FAFSA is not required to receive the Bright Flight scholarship; however, if you choose to complete the FAFSA, information on that application or updates to it can impact your eligibility for the Bright Flight even if you have previously been notified of your eligibility.

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