College Planning

• College Entrance Exam Required by most Colleges
• Sign up at www.actstudent.org
• Park Hill South hosts ACT tests in September, December and June only.  Please check the ACT website for other locations providing testing on other national test dates.
• Park Hill South High School Code 262-802
• Cost: $63.00 (No Writing)
• Cost: $88.00 (With Writing)

2022-2023 National Test Dates

• September 10
  • Registration Deadline: August 5
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply):  September 2
• October 22
  • Registration Deadline: September 16
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): September 30
  • Standby Deadline: October 14
• December 10
  • Registration Deadline: November 4 
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply) November 11
  • Standby Deadline: December 2
• February 11
  • Registration Deadline: January 6
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): January 20
  • Standby Deadline: February 3
• April 15
  • Registration Deadline: March 10
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): March 24
  • Standby Deadline: April 7
• June 10
  • Registration Deadline: May 5
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply) May 19
  • Standby Deadline: June 2
• July 15
  • Registration Deadline: June 16
  • Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply): June 23
  • Standby Deadline: July 7

 

Park Hill South High School does not endorse any particular test preparation company or service over another. The school will post information about reputable, high quality programs at its discretion.
 

• Prep Resources from act

  • ACT Parent and Student Newsletters: ​Sign up to receive newsletters here
    • Select your class to plan your future
    • Prepare for college and career
    • Achieve success with ACT help
  • ACT Academy 
    • ​Free online learning tool and test practice program designed to help you get the best score possible on the ACT test. To learn more, click here.
  • ACT Academy Instructions PowerPoint
    Take a look at this short PowerPoint helping you navigate the ACT Academy!
  • ACT Free Study Guide click here
  • ACT Question of the Day click here
  • ACT online subject practice Tests click here
  • ​ACT Webinars for students and parents click here
    
     

• Mid-Continent Public Library (free)

  • If students are looking for resources to help prepare for the upcoming ACT on October 23*, Test Prep from Tutor.com is a free tool they can use with their MCPL student account. 
     
    Test Prep's Live Tutor service is open from noon to midnight, seven days a week, and offers one-on-one, online assistance in English and Spanish for topics including SAT, ACT, PSAT, and AP Tests. A free account is required to use test prep.​ Learn more by clicking here

 

• March 2 Success

  • Free test-taking resource available for students   The U.S. Army Recruiting Command is helping prospective recruits and other students improve their test-taking strategies and math, science and English skills through March2Success, a free Web-based program. With a curriculum designed by Kaplan and Educational Options, Inc., the program is proving successful according to teachers and students using it. Participants may select part of all of the sections offered though March2Success, and are free to repeat lessons. March2Success is available at www.march2success.com. Registrants may request recruiter contact through the site; however, they are not required to do so and will not be contacted without request.
     

• KAPLAN

  • Kaplan provides a variety of test preparation options along with free, practice tests. Kaplan also offers affordable, ACT cram sessions; find out more about those by clicking here. Visit www.kaptest.com for more information. 
     

• COLLEGE TUTORS

  • College Tutors offers individualized and group tutoring for ACT and SAT preparation. This local company also offers a number of other college readiness services like essay writing and study skills. 

 

• THE TUTORING CENTER

  • "The Tutoring Center offers individualized tutoring taught by our own expert instructors. Our standardized programs provide students with the confidence, skills and test-taking traegies needed to succeed on test day." They often offer free ACT and SAT practice tests, as well. Learn more by visiting their website, www.tutoringcenter.com, or calling 816-781-0000.

     

The PSAT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is a test is for sophomores and juniors only.  It is only offered in October and no other date during the school year. 

​For juniors, it is the test to qualify for National Merit Scholarship designation.  For sophomores, the test is for practice and students will not be eligible for scholarship consideration.  The PSAT is also one criteria used for the selection of sophomore students for the Missouri Scholars Academy. 

In addition to serving as a great preparation tool for students who plan to take the SAT in the future, the PSAT also provides students with AP potential feedback (list of AP courses that might be appropriate for the student based on this test).

Please note: This test is OPTIONAL. If you would like more information, please visit the PSAT website, or contact your student's counselor.

• Why should students take the PSAT/NMSQT?
  • The PSAT offers great preparation for the SAT and any other standardized tests.
    Students who take the PSAT their junior year and meet other program entry requirements may enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. Also, it can give insight into which AP courses you may be ready to take. The PSAT measures the knowledge and skills a student has developed in reading, writing and language and math. Students who take the PSAT will get an online score report. They will receive an overall test score as well as individual section scores. Students will be able to see which answers they got right or wrong. They will also get information on how to improve their academic skills.
• Who should take the PSAT?
  • Typically, students take the PSAT in 10th and 11th grade. Younger students can also take the test to get a head start on improving skills and knowledge needed for success in college and career.
• How many times may a student take each test?
  • Only once a year, but there is no limit to how many years a student may participate. It is important that 11th grade students take the PSAT to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program.
• How should students prepare for the test?
  • Classroom learning is the basis for test questions, so the best way students can prepare is by taking challenging courses and becoming familiar with the test and its format. Students should review the PSAT Student Guide, along with the practice test, to help them understand all the directions and be familiar with the types of questions that will be asked. In addition, students can go to collegeboard.org/psatpractice for free.
• If students don’t do well on the test, will it hurt their chances of getting into college?
  • Absolutely not. Since it provides personalized information on the skills that a student needs to improve and prepare for college, taking the test can even improve their chances. PSAT scores are not sent to colleges.
• When can we expect to see the results from the PSAT? 
  • Score reports will be made available online in mid-December. Schools will receive paper PSAT reports in January. ​​

• When students register to take the PSAT, they will be given a PSAT Student Guide. This guide contains information about the PSAT, test-taking advice and tips and an official practice test. More detailed information regarding the test and additional practice questions can be found here.
• A free PSAT preparation opportunity is offered through Kaplan. Learn more by clicking here.  
• Kaplan also offers PSAT Prep Live-the only FREE, live PSAT prep program available to all students online. Check it out here.

• For a list of the test dates, visit SAT's website and click Register.  

• To view your scores, click here. 

SAT Prep

 

• Private/Commercial SAT Prep
• Kaplan SAT Prep: Kaplan provides a variety of test preparation options along with free, practice tests. Kaplan also offers affordable, cram sessions for the SAT Math and Critical Reading tests; find out more about those by clicking here. Visit www.kaptest.com for more information. 
• College Board SAT Prep

 

Park Hill South will offer the ASVAB test on September 23, 2022.  You can register for the test with your counselor!

There are three main types of scholarships:

1. Local Scholarships:  Posted on XELLO!
2. College Scholarships:  Each college and university has their own scholarships to award to students. Please check with your institution to see what scholarships are available. This information can be found on the school's financial aid website. 
3. National Scholarships: There are thousands of national scholarships available to students. Many of these scholarships go unclaimed every year because no one applies for them. In addition to the scholarships found on Naviance/Family Connection, check out these resources to search for national scholarships:
   • Fastweb
   • Scholarships.com​
   • Scholarships for Students
   • College Scholarships, Colleges and Online Degrees
   • Scholarship Search by Sallie Mae​
   • Open Education Database (scholarships for particular groups, including students of color)
   • College Board Scholarship Search​
   • Finaid.org ​
   • Financialaidinformation.org 

Other Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
  • Many, many local scholarships and applications are listed on the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation’s website. For more information: www.gkccf.org/scholarships
• KC Scholars
  • ATTENTION JUNIORS AND FRESHMEN!
    Check out the KC SCHOLARS program! Scholarship opportunity for YOU! http://www.kcscholars.org
• ​Midwest Student Exchange Program
  • Offers reduced tuition for Missouri Residents attending member, out-of-state colleges and entering specific degree programs. Please visit their website for more information.  
• Missouri Department of Higher Education:
  • Grants and Scholarships
  • ​Access Missouri Program
  • Advanced Placement Incentive Grant
  • Bright Flight Program
  • Kids' Chance Program
  • Marguerite Ross Barnett Program
  • Minority Teaching Scholarship
  • Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program
  • Public Service Officer Survivor Grant
  • Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant
• American Legion
  Scholarship and Financial Aid Information www.legion.org/needalift  
• Aviation Scholarships:
  • The AEA Educational Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to students seeking careers in the aircraft electronics and aviation maintenance industry. Numerous scholarships are available and each range from $1,000 to more than $35,000.  Click here to learn more. For more information:  Aircraft Electronics Association Educational Foundation,  3570 NE Ralph Powell Road,  Lee's Summit, MO 64064   816-347-8400
• Scholarships for Students with Autism:
  • The OAR (Organization for Autism Research) has a wide variety of scholarship resources for students.  Check out the list and other helpful information here. 
• Military Scholarships:
  • Airforce:  www.airforce.com, www.afreserve.com and www.afrotc.com 
  • Army: www.goarmy.com
  • Coast Guard: www.gocoastguard.com  and www.uscg.mil
  • Marines: www.marines.com 
  • Navy: www.navy.com  and www.navalreserve.com 

FAFSA Deadlines:

• October 1: FAFSA opens
• February 1: Early MO priority deadline
• March 1: Some college deadlines
• April 1: Regular MO deadline

Steps: 

1. Get your FAFSA ID
   • Download a FAFSA tip sheet (PDF)
   • Download FAFSA best practices (PDF)
2. File your FAFSA (after October 1)
   • Important things to know about FAFSA

Check out these articles and resources from FastWeb.com

• Credit Cards Tips to Control Credit 
• Dollars and Sense 
• FAFSA Step by Step 
• Money Management Tips
• Quick Guide to Financial Aid 
• ​Scholarship Tips Blog Articles
• Scholarship Guide 
• Scholarship Scams

Other Scholarship and ​Financial Aid News Articles:

• 13 Best Tips for Winning College Scholarships
• Tips to Avoid 7 Common Scholarship Application Pitfalls
• Top 10 Scholarship Tips from Indiana University
• Scholarship Tips from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education
• Financial Literacy from the Missouri Department of Higher Education
• 12 Essential Scholarship Tips for Students, from Campus Explorer​
   

Traditional Scholarship (11th grade students):

You must meet all of the following requirements to apply:

1. Be a current 11th grader during the application cycle;
2. Be home-schooled or attend a public, charter, or private high school in the following 6 counties: Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte (MO) or Johnson and Wyandotte (KS);
3. Be lawfully present in the U.S. or DACA eligible and DACA applied/approved;
4. Have at least a 2.5 cumulative high school unweighted GPA (5 semesters from 9th grade to the fall semester of 11th grade) or at least a 16 on the ACT or at least an 800 on the SAT); and
5. Be considered low-or modest-income. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation on the College Board EFC Calculator must be 12,000 or less. The calculation is based on household income, number of members in the family and number of family members that will be in college at the same time. It is the amount of annual financial support a family can be expected to pay toward the student’s college education.

  
College Savings Account/Match (9th grade students):

Get a head start on saving and planning for college while increasing your odds of enrolling in and completing college. And, you get to learn about investing funds as you increase your odds of college completion!

Each year, up to 500 9th graders will have a 529 college savings account seeded with $50 from KC Scholars. Of these 500 9th graders, at least 50 will be selected for the 4:1 match and incentives program and earn a one-time award of up to $7,000 toward college. Match and incentive participants must enroll in college full-time following high school graduation and remain enrolled full-time at a KC Scholars Post-secondary Network campus while receiving KC Scholars’ funding.

You must meet all of the following requirements to apply:

1. Be a current 9thgrader during the application cycle;
2. Be home-schooled or attend a public, charter, or private high school in the following 6 counties: Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte (MO) or Johnson and Wyandotte (KS);
3. Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien with a verified permanent U.S. address and valid Social Security number or other taxpayer identification;
4. Have at least a 2.5 cumulative unweighted GPA fall semester of 9th grade;
5. Be considered low- or modest-income. Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculation on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forecaster must be 12,000 or less. The calculation is based on household income, number of members in the family and number of family members that will be in college at the same time. It is the amount of annual financial support a family can be expected to pay toward the student’s college education. You must fill out the Free Online Application for Federal Student Aid forecaster: FAFSA4caster. You will need information regarding you and your family’s income and assets to complete the forecaster. If your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on the forecaster is 12,000 or less, you are eligible to apply for KC Scholars. For assistance in completing the FAFSA4caster, KC Scholars has created the following guide: FAFSA4caster. 
6. Freshmen and Juniors:
7. ​Do you qualify for the KC Scholars Scholarship Program? 
8. Determine your eligibility by completing the FAFSA4caster.

​
Freshmen and Juniors, do you qualify for the KC Scholars Scholarship program?

Determine your eligibility by completing the FAFSA4caster.

What is it?
FREE financial aid calculation that gives you an early estimate of your eligibility for student aid
Can help families plan ahead for college

How does KC Scholars use the FAFSA4caster? 
KC Scholars uses the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated on the FAFSA4caster to determine low- and modest-income. The EFC must be $12,000 or less to be eligible to apply for the KC Scholars Scholarship.
EFC is based on income, assets, household size and the number of household members in college at the same time. 

What you need to know to fill out the FAFSA4caster for purposes of the KC Scholars application
Are you Dependent or Independent?
Who is my “parent” on the FAFSA
Age of parent(s)
Household size
# of household members that will be enrolled in college when the KC Scholars scholarship applicant will be enrolled in college
2018 1040 tax return for parent(s); 
Asset information for parent(s) and student – balance of checking/saving accounts, non-retirement investment income, etc. 

Filling out the FAFSA4caster for purposes of the KC Scholars application
To begin, visit FAFSA.ED.GOV 
Enter student information
Answer all questions
 

What is the Scholarship Initiative Program?  
The Park Hill School District has partnered with several area colleges and universities who have agreed to offer various merit based and need based scholarship to participating Park Hill School district seniors.  

Last year, over 300 Park Hill and Park Hill South seniors in the Class of 2020 were offered scholarships!  A total of over $100 million in scholarships were offered by the 20 area participating colleges and universities.

• Please contact Dr. Amanda Roth, Park Hill South A+ Coordinator or visit our A+ Program Information Page