OHS NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES:
RUNNING START INFORMATION MEETING – Fri, Feb 28
Running Start is a statewide dual credit program where qualified high school juniors and seniors can take college courses for both high school and college credit. If you are interested in exploring, or even enrolling in, college level programs, Running Start through Centralia College may be right for you.
As a Running Start student, you will have the same opportunities as any college student. You will attend classes on-campus (or virtually depending on the class), have access to Centralia College student success programs and counselors, and activities supported by our student life programs.
Eligible high school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to enroll full time or part time in a community college while earning both high school and college credit. High school students will be taking college-level courses and therefore, must adhere to the same expectations. The decision to participate in Running Start should be made only after careful consideration of all the factors (pros/cons, time management, transportation, etc).
A Running Start Information Meeting for interested students will be held in the College & Career Center Conference Room, (Rm 400), on Friday, February 28, from 2:00 pm to 3:15 pm. Students should sign up in the College and Career Center by Wednesday, February 26. For more information email Mrs. Kenny @ KKenny@onysd.wednet.edu.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS GO UNCLAIMED. GET YOURS NOW!
Many students wouldn’t be able to attend college or university after high school without financial aid. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the majority of students—87% at 4-year colleges and 82% at 2-year colleges—receive some form of financial assistance.
The process of applying for financial aid can feel overwhelming, but recent changes to the FAFSA form have made it easier to navigate. However, students and families still often face confusion about the different types of financial assistance—loans, grants, and scholarships—and concerns about the long-term effects of each.
February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, a great time for parents and students to learn more about financial aid. By understanding how the process works, clearing up misconceptions, and knowing where to find resources, you can help ensure that your student gets the funding they need to pursue their college, tech, or trade school dreams.
Stay informed and reach out to your school for any resources or support to guide you through the financial aid process! Students can contact Ms. Baker in the College & Career Center to book an appointment by stopping by or emailing jbaker@onysd.wednet.edu. Parents are welcome to book appointments and attend with their students as well. Additional information about FAFSA and financial aid can be found at studentaid.gov.
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS REVIEW – schedule now
Seniors – the clock is ticking toward GRADUATION!! Have you scheduled your college and career readiness review with Ms. Baker yet? If you need info on colleges, trade schools or programs, scholarships, career paths, or even tips on keeping organized, she can help. Book your appointment with Ms. Baker today by clicking here or stopping by the Career. The Career Center is open for walk-in student use before and after school and during both lunches – no appointment needed.
COLLEGE & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
(The Onalaska School District and Onalaska High School are not affiliated with, nor do they endorse the organizations listed below. The information is provided solely for consideration and does not imply any formal partnership or association. You can find links to additional resources and scholarships on our website under College & Career Info.)
GESA CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIP – Deadline Feb 28
Know a college student or graduating high school senior in need of scholarship money? Or maybe a recent grad who could use some help paying off student loans? Please urge them to apply for a Gesa Credit Union scholarship today!
APPLY NOW Scholarship applications will be accepted until February 28, 2025.
To apply visit gesa.com/category/scholarships. As always, it’s normal to have questions, and we can help. Call Gesa Credit Union at (888) 946-4372, email scholarships@gesa.com, or visit gesa.com for more information.
ROBERT MORRIS MASONIC LODGE #97 OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD – Deadline Feb 28
The Robert Morris Masonic Lodge #97 has opened applications for their Outstanding Student Award. Scholarships are awarded to recipients in a school-wide competition. All awards are made on the basis of scholastic achievement, community service, citizenship, financial need and evaluation of written responses. Application packets can be picked up in the OHS College and Career Center. Applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2025.
WASHINGTON STATE SCHOOL RETIREES’ ASSOC SCHOLARSHIP – Deadline March 1
Robert J. Handy/WSSR Foundation/Gene Forrester Memorial Scholarships: The Washington State School Retirees' Association (WSSRA) invites senior students who have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply for the above scholarships. These awards are given to students who plan a career in the field of education. For an APPLICATION to be considered it must be submitted online by March 1, 2025.
2025-2026 AMERICAN INDIAN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP – Deadline March 1
The American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES) helps students with financial need who have close social and cultural ties to an American Indian community in Washington State. Students can use the scholarship at public colleges and many independent colleges in Washington. The program prioritizes upper-division and graduate-level students, but all applicants are considered.
Award amounts range from around $500 to $2,000. Ten to 15 students are selected each year to receive the awards. Students may get AIES funding for up to five years, but must reapply each year. For more information visit https://wsac.wa.gov/american-indian-endowed-scholarship.
ONALASKA SCHOLARSHIP FUND COMMITTEE NOTEBOOKS NOW AVAILABLE – Deadline March 5On Thursday, January 24, members of the Onalaska Scholarship Fund Committee (OSFC) gave a presentation and dispersed notebooks to attending seniors. The Onalaska Scholarship Fund Committee provides Onalaska High School seniors the opportunity to apply for scholarship funds at the local level. If your senior did not attend the meeting and would like to submit a notebook for consideration, they can pick up a packet in the College & Career Center. Members of the OSFC will be in the OHS College & Career Center on Wednesday, March 5 to collect submitted notebooks.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST COLLEGE OF ART – Event: March 5The first event in our virtual "So Your Student Wants to Be an Artist" series is coming up soon! In this first session, we'll offer parents, guardians, and educators a practical guide on how to aid students as they embark on their creative journeys. We’ll debunk the myth of the "starving artist," provide guidance for supporting your student’s growth as an artist, and share tips on resources available to your student. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight from our Associate Director and Dean of Admissions.
So Your Student Wants to be An Artist: How Can You Support Their Artistic Growth?
Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 4PM - 5PM PST, RSVP - For more information about this series and to register for the other sessions you can visit our website. If you have any questions, please contact us at pncaadmissions@willamette.edu or (503) 821-8972.
THE KELLY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP – Deadline March 7
The Kelly Foundation of Washington is pleased to offer the Ewing C. Kelly Scholarship. High school seniors in the state of Washington are eligible. Applicants will be judged on citizenship, academic achievement, and financial need. Each award is worth $3,000 and winners will be notified in April. Packets can be picked up in the OHS College and Career Center. They do not mail applications to individuals. Applications with all required attachments must be postmarked by March 7, 2025. For more Information contact the Kelly Foundation scholarship hotline at (206) 706-8486.
DISCOVERY DAY AT BELLEVUE COLLEGE – Event: March 8
As spring approaches, it's the perfect time to start planning your next chapter. At Bellevue College, we're here to help you bring your story to life. That's why we're inviting you to join us for Discovery Day on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At Discovery Day, you'll find everything you need to plan your future — all in one place. Take a campus tour, chat with faculty and program staff, and learn how to enroll and apply for financial aid.
Looking for Post-Secondary Options for Neurodiverse Students?
Discovery Day is your chance to learn more about Bellevue College's programs for students who are interested in earning a college degree but might not thrive in a traditional college setting:
· Occupational & Life Skills (OLS): Explore Bellevue College's uniquely supportive skills-based associate degree program for students with learning disabilities.
· Neurodiversity Navigators: Learn about the Neurodiversity Navigators cohort program, designed specifically to support students who identify as neurodivergent.
Both programs will be holding information sessions during Discovery Day. Check out the full schedule for a complete list of information sessions. Sign up for Discovery Day.
THE WASHINGTON AWARD FOR VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE – Deadline March 10Washington’s top career and technical education (CTE) students are encouraged to apply for the 2025 Washington Award for Vocational Excellence. This merit scholarship helps pay for college and training. The application window is open until March 10, 2025. Learn more and apply here.
A number of factors determine awards, including available funding and where students go to school. At a minimum, students will receive about $3,900 per year, for two years, or $7,800 total. Past awards have been as high as $11,700 per year, for two years. See historical funding information here. The scholarship helps students pay for tuition and other costs at Washington colleges, universities or private career schools. For application questions about the 2025 WAVE scholarship, check out our website for FAQs, application instructions and more. Questions? Please contact the Workforce Board at wave.award@wtb.wa.gov.
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH PUGET SOUND SCHOLARSHIP – Deadline April 7Through the incredible generosity of our donors, the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound manages 25 scholarship funds that offer a wide range of scholarship awards and encourage students of all backgrounds and educational interests to apply. We also want to extend a sincere thank you to our many scholarship donors, advisors, and scholarship committee members for their investment in our student's bright futures this year and for many years to come!
For more information visit the website at https://www.thecommunityfoundation.com/scholarship/scholarship-overview or call 360.705.3340.
INTERNSHIP/APPRENTICESHIP/JOB/CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
There are no opportunities available at this time. Please check back.
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