Nativity Guidance Department
Lead Counselor: Mrs. Liz Brensinger
One Lawtons Hill
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 622-8110
Email: guidance@nativitybvm.net
News from the Guidance Department
Seniors– Senior group and individual meetings start in September. All seniors will meet individually with Mrs. Brensinger to set up their plan for post-secondary education. Parents are encouraged to set up a meeting in Guidance. Meetings can be scheduled via email: guidance@nativitybvm.net
Juniors – Now is the time to explore your career choice and start thinking about your college major. All juniors will be meeting with Mrs. Brensinger in October to discuss career planning. The search will connect juniors to college majors and colleges that offer their major of interest. Juniors it is crucial that you start thinking about your future. www.onetonline.org is a great site to explore careers.
Sophomores – In November sophomores will complete an Education Planner which includes post-secondary plans. SAT/ACT information will also be distributed.
Freshmen – Freshmen will meet with Mrs. Brensinger in Freshman Seminar six times. Topics include: Getting the Most Out of High School, Career Searching, Drug/Alcohol Prevention and Team Building.
COLLEGE
Common App Ready – Counselor Sheet
Searching for Scholarships – PHEAA
Junior Jump Start For Parents
Financial Aid 101 Presentation (Updated September 15, 2022)
COLLEGE FAIRS AND COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES
Nativity hosts a Fall College Fair and a Spring College Fair during the school year. During the pandemic, these fairs are being held virtually. These are attended by all grades to acquaint the student with various opportunities. College participants will be posted outside of Guidance and on bulletin board outside of the cafeteria.
COLLEGE VISITS
Seniors and Juniors have the opportunity to schedule college visitation days during the school year. Please obtain a college visit form from the Student Affairs Office. Completed and Signed forms are to be returned the Student Affairs Office 48 hours before the scheduled visit. Any additional visits are to be scheduled as appointments with the attendance office and should be properly called in as an excused absence.
COLLEGE SEARCHING
O*NET OnLine
Pennsylvania CareerZone
CollegeBoard
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
FAFSA – Families can access the form and apply as early as October 1. Applicants will be required to provide income information from the prior year. For example, a student filling out the 2021-2022 FAFSA will use 2019 income information when applying. For more information, visit financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov.
FSA ID Application – Before you fill out the FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov), you and your student need to apply for a FSA ID (your electronic signature) at www.fsaid.ed.gov. It takes about five minutes. The DEADLINE for applying for the FAFSA is May 1, 2021, but certain colleges require students to apply earlier.
PHEAA – PA State Level College Financial Aid
Important Dates for High School Seniors:
May 1: The FAFSA filing deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program for all new applicants who plan to enroll in baccalaureate degree programs, including those who enroll in college transfer programs at two-year public colleges or junior colleges (excludes community colleges and designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institutions).
August 1: The FAFSA filing deadline for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program for all new applicants who plan to enroll in designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institutions; business, trade and technical schools; hospital schools of nursing; or two-year non-transferable career programs at two-year public, junior or four-year colleges.
October 1, 2021: The 2021-2022 FAFSA can be completed on or after this date
Student Information Access:
PHEAA provides a number of different avenues for students and their families to use if questions arise concerning the FAFSA application process, how to apply for grants, student employment, guidance on career planning and other important issues. They may call 1-800-692-7392 and a representative will personally assist them. Information is also available at a number of Websites including pheaa.org, educationplanner.org, and MySmartBorrowing.org. For the latest financial aid information, we encourage students to join us on Facebook at facebook.com/pheaa.aid. Printed materials may also be requested by telephone or online.
Email HINT: Students should add “StateGrantsandSpecialPrograms@pheaa.org”, “StateGrantsandSpecialPrograms2@pheaa.org” “and “StateGrantsandSpecialPrograms3@pheaa.org” to their email address book so that they do not miss any important electronic communications.
GRADUATION VERIFICATION
When you graduate, your diploma is your only copy. Nativity does not keep copies of graduates’ diplomas. However, if proof is needed of graduation a transcript and/or a letter on school letterhead can be provided. To request graduation verification please fax a signed release with your name, year of graduation, an address of where the information is to be sent and number to contact you if there are questions to 570-622-8110 to the attention of Mrs. Yaneck in the Main Office. There is a $10.00 fee per transaction.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
International students are encouraged to work through an outside agency to obtain acceptance into Nativity High School. All international students must apply through the Development Office and be accepted by the Administration. All international students seeking acceptance must be fluent in English. Once accepted, international students may obtain an I-20 Visa form from Mr. Naffin in the Studies Office.
NCAA ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All student athletes looking to compete at the Division 1 or Division 2 levels of athletics in college must register through the NCAA Eligibility Center. Most but not all major courses at Nativity are NCAA Core Course Approved. Please check with Guidance starting in your junior year that enough core courses are being taken in order to be eligible for college athletics.
SAT/ACT PREPARATION
Nativity offers an in-house SAT prep course for one quarter during the Sophomore year. The course is co-taught by a faculty member from the Math and English departments. Other information regarding outside testing preparation opportunities in the local community can be found in the Guidance Office.
SAT/ACT TESTING
Websites
– www.act.org
– www.sat.org/register
Khan Academy is an excellent, free website for practicing the SAT or ACT. Tutorials and practice tests are available for both the English and Math component. Mrs. Brensinger will walk you through the website if you need assistance. Click here
PSAT Code – Nativity administers the PSAT to all underclassmen in October. Upon completion of the PSAT, the student grade reporting packet includes an individualized code to connect to Khan Academy for specialized practice/tutoring for the SAT. This is an excellent tool for SAT Preparation.