Thompson Falls seniors prep for life

It is that time of year again when Thompson Falls counselor Jodi Morgan is hard at work prepping seniors for their awaiting journey. From September 26 through October 22, students will be getting their plans in order.

"We try to give them all the tools we can to get them to college," Morgan stated, adding that all colleges have resources available to assist students once they attend at that level. The main goal for her is to plant the seed of furthering education beyond high school and watch it grow into reality.

Morgan commented that she is hoping for at least 75 percent of the currently enrolled 40 seniors to attend post high school college. "Normally we have 80 to 85 percent," Morgan stated as an average.

Kicking off the month-long series is the annual College Fair in Polson, where students visited booths from various colleges and military branches to see what each has to offer. Both juniors and seniors attend the round-robin circuit with hopes that something will speak to them.

The first week of October Morgan will take part in the statewide Montana College Application Week (MCAW). Students at Thompson Falls spend the week applying to post high school education centers, including those offering certificate programs and two-year and four-year degree programs. With help and assistance from Morgan, GEAR UP's Penny Beckman and English teacher Jeff Wheeler, students tackle the daunting task of college application submission. "Jeff Wheeler is great," Morgan said, "he helps them establish a plan, and is great with coming up with backup plans" as part of his English class.

As the sound of the final bell tolled Monday afternoon, 16 seniors took advantage of MCAW. Applications were sent to the University of Montana (Missoula and Helena campuses), Montana State University (Billings, Bozeman and Gallatin campuses), Flathead Valley Community College and Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology in Kalispell.

"I didn't have a set idea of what I was going to do, but having this week helped me make a decision," commented Julia Totzauer. "I am able to apply to the U of M and I am hoping to go there." She is undecided on what she will major in, but she is ready to follow a path toward earning a four-year degree.

MCAW is sponsored through Montana GEAR UP allowing Montana colleges to waive or defer application fees usually assessed. Morgan reported that colleges typically charge around $30 for application processing. More information on MCAW can be found by visiting http://mus.edu/gearup/caw.asp.

This year MCAW is taking place earlier than previous years because Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened October 1 this year. Federal assistance for college, career school and graduate school is available to students needing financial help with the expense of college. On October 22 at 6 p.m. at the high school, Morgan will be hosting a FAFSA Night, sponsored by Reach Higher Montana. Students will receive help on applying for federal aid for the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.

But the fun doesn't end there. After all, there are scholarships to collect. Morgan spends time with students throughout the rest of the year searching high and low for scholarships and putting together applications. For the most motivated students, it is reassuring to know there is no limit to the number of scholarships one can earn. On the other side, only 0.3 percent of U.S. students win enough scholarship money to cover the entire cost of attendance, according to Lynn O'Shaughnessy, author of The College Solution and CBS Money Watch contributor.

Although the school year seems to have just began, time sure moves fast. Parents attended the Senior Parent Meeting last Tuesday, to discuss college preparation and scholarship information and formed committees for senior trip fundraising, graduation decorating, and the baccalaureate all-night party.

Don't blink, before we know it today's juniors will be the new seniors in town.