Ideas and Advice for Seniors

It is up to you to plan your future.
Almost all careers will require some school after Benson, including skilled trades.
Four Year Colleges are very expensive. You should know why you need to go to college and what you plan to study.
GPA matters to colleges. Most want at least 3.0. There are exceptions.
Community Colleges admit students regardless of GPA. After two years at a community college you can finish an Associate’s degree then transfer to a four year college to finish a Bachelor’s degree.
Living at home and going to community college is a real path to a college degree for many students. This can save tens of thousands of dollars.

YOURSELF. You will soon face a major life change. Be ready. Only you can find your unique path to an interesting and rewarding life.
YOUR FAMILY. Make sure everyone knows your plan. Family can be a big help with your transition. Talk early and often.
YOUR TEACHERS. Your teachers, especially your major teacher, have insight into careers and how to achieve one that suits you. Talk to them.
YOUR COUNSELOR. We are specialists in helping you find and use the stepping stones from here to where you are going. We can even help you figure out where you want to go.
1. A to L: Ms Taylor gtaylor1@pps.net
2. M to Z: Mr. Wren swren@pps.net
BENSON COLLEGE / CAREER CENTER. Ms. Ganoe can help you with a wide variety of things form finding a job now to finding a career later. Get to know her.
DAILY BULLETIN and BULLETIN BOARD. The daily bulletin has a section for seniors. College visits to Benson are advertised there. Get in the habit of checking the bulletin board near counseling for college information and updates.
NELA CENTER. In the next building East of Benson, this organization helps students with all college matters. They also have tutors to help with your current classes. Phone (503) 488 6000
THE INTERNET There are many websites to help you plan your transition out of high school; some good, some bad. Never pay for a website or search tool. There are excellent free tools available. Suggested websites are listed below.

Naviance https://connection.naviance.com/fc/signin.php?hsid=bensonpths

www.oregoncis.uoregon.edu — email Ginger Taylor school access or use your own account.
www.pcc.edu/pavtec/pathways — Good place to help you frame your career interest.
www.stepitupinc.org — Find internships to get work experience.
www.handsonportland.org , www.volunteermatch.org — volunteering and community service.

www.pcc.edu/programs/apprenticeship/pre-trades.html - Portland Community College apprenticeships
http://www.boli.state.or.us/BOLI/ATD/index.shtml – Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries site.
www.tradeswomen.net - For women planning a career in the trades.
www.stcventurescholars.org – Scholarship for training programs lasting 1 to 3 years and leading to a career. For community college or trade school.

www.gocollege.com — Very popular site for sorting college options.
www.collegeboard.com — Register for the SAT test. Track scores. Send scores to colleges. Search colleges and financial aid.
www.actstudent.org — Similar site for the ACT test. Also has a career planner.
www.commonapp.org — This “common application” is accepted by many colleges.
www.centerforstudentsuccess.org — The NELA homepage.

www.fafsa.ed.gov – The free application for federal student aid. Required. Get your parents tax info and file your fafsa as soon as you can after January 1^st.You can start now using their fafsa forecaster.
www.getcollegefunds.org/ Oregon Student Assistance Commission. Your master application for many scholarships and the electronic application (eapp). You must file this by March 1^st.
www.finaid.org – Detailed information about all types of aid and many related topics. Aid calculator. Fafsa video and tax form match up.
www.nela.net/Centers/Pages/CenterHome.aspx - NELA branch. Covers many aspects of college.
www.fastweb.com - Popular scholarship search website. You can build a personal profile and this site will find matching scholarships. Make your own account.
www.ed.gov/funding.html – US Department of Education guide to accessing money for college.
www.zinch.com – Scholarship match, college sort tool. Make your own account.
http://wiche.edu/wue- for colleges in the western US but outside Oregon.