PlymouthHighSchools’LocalScholarships PlymouthHighSchools’LocalScholarships

How Seniors at Plymouth North High School Can Apply to Numerous Scholarships Both Inside and Outside of the Plymouth Public Schools

By Parker Maslowski

“What am I supposed to do?” has been the question for many high school seniors nationwide From applying to colleges and universities to navigating the financial aid process, there are many confusing complications and pitfalls for seniors to stumble in In Plymouth North High School, the worries surrounding the college application and admissions process are no less stressful

Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities for students to apply for scholarships and receive help with their financial aid and admissions decisions From submitting applications to scholarships on Naviance to requesting time to sit down and consider college decisions with a guidance counselor, Plymouth North is prepared to handle the scholarship scramble heading into the new year Despite student worries surrounding scholarships and applying for financial aid, the Plymouth North Guidance Department is confident that they can answer any questions surrounding applying to scholarships and navigating financial aid “There are so many scholarships out there that are available to students,” said Ms. Kara Simmons, one of the guidance counselors at Plymouth North “There are websites that provide scholarships such as Fast Web, College Board Big Future, and CollegeScholarships org however, the easiest place for our students to find scholarships is through their Naviance account. On Naviance, you can research college-specific scholarships, national scholarships and sectional scholarships”

Assuredly, the Plymouth North Guidance Department will help students regardless of their current financial situation for college By filling out the QR codes at the guidance office or requesting an E-Hall pass for a guidance meeting, students can discuss their worries with their guidance counselors at North. For seniors, finding a guidance counselor is easy as knowing your last name: Mr Mark Furman advises students with the last name A-D, Ms Kara Simmons counsels EMa, Mrs Shari Kahle meets with Mc-Pes, and Mrs Andrea Norton assists Pet-Z. “The best chance at getting a scholarship is applying for the local Plymouth scholarships,” said Simmons “Seniors can complete and submit one application (including an essay) by February 1st to be eligible for all Plymouth High Schools’ local scholarships, which stand subject to committee review ”

Last year, Plymouth North seniors were awarded $182,440 in local scholarships This can significantly aid in paying for the high rising costs of college tuition.

The Plymouth High Schools’ Scholarship Application is available to all seniors in the Plymouth Public Schools “One of the best parts about the local Plymouth scholarships is that students get to show who they are through the application. The Plymouth High Schools’ Scholarship Application asks students about their extracurricular activities, how they have succeeded in their experience in the Plymouth community, and for a personal essay where they get to show who they are to the Scholarship Committee,” said Mrs. Shari Kahle, a guidance counselor at North The scholarships offered for the Plymouth Public Schools regard the character of the applicant rather than solely their fiscal or economic status. Additionally, the Plymouth High Schools’ Scholarship Committee awards scholarships based on the relative need for aid

According to the application, “In selecting the recipients of scholarships, the Scholarship Committee considers the students’ school record, both scholastic and extracurricular, their character, evidence of success, and relative need for financial assistance These scholarships will help Plymouth High School graduates to pursue their dreams and continue their educational journeys.”

Luckily for students, the Plymouth High School Scholarships only require one application “Another great thing about the Plymouth High Schools Scholarship Application is that it’s a one-and-done application Students will only need to submit one application to be for every local Plymouth scholarship that belongs to the Plymouth High School system, so long as they submit their documents by February 1st,” said Kahle

Because of the different websites and numerous scholarships to apply for, Ms Simmons and Mrs Kahle recommend students keep a Google document or a secure paper to hold their information “Even the notes app on your phone will suffice,” said Simmons “But before then, students should first pat themselves on the back for even being accepted into a college and moving onto scholarships: that’s a huge deal.”

If students need more assistance with their scholarship applications or the financial aid process, they can fill out the counseling form in guidance to make an appointment with their counselor. “If students need help with financial aid, I recommend they sign up for a Financial Aid webinar on MEFA org If students or their guardians are still unsure how to dissect their financial aid, guidance will hold MEFA: After the College Acceptance in March to help students learn how to read and understand their financial aid package,” said Simmons

As the school year progresses from 2022 to 2023, seniors move closer to graduation and college; before then, the scholarship and financial aid process leave a long road ahead. Despite the lengthy and demanding times for seniors, the Plymouth North Guidance Department assures students that they will succeed regardless of this trying time With opportunities such as the Plymouth High Schools’ Local Scholarship for the Class of 2023, seniors can utilize their experiences and personal growth to earn scholarships and alleviate some of the financial stress from the college process.

“In a merit-based scholarship system like we have at Plymouth Public Schools, students get to show us who they are through their demonstrated interest and involvement in their community,” said Kahle “In the personal essay, students will be asked to write about a person or persons who have influenced their life in a positive way. Plymouth Public Schools considers students’ relationships with their peers, parents, and teacher, and how that makes them better people and students ”

Students can access the Plymouth High Schools’ Local Scholarship by logging onto their Naviance account through the Plymouth Public Schools’ website and clicking the dropdown labeled ‘Colleges ’ From there, students can select either ‘Scholarship Search’ and search the keyword ‘Plymouth’ or select ‘Scholarship List’ to find the Plymouth High Schools’ Scholarship page The application essay for the Plymouth High Schools’ Scholarship should be brought to Ms Scanlon in the Guidance Office on or before February 1, 2o23.

Away from the local Plymouth Scholarships, students can additionally apply to state-level scholarships through their Naviance accounts “Scholarships such as the SouthCoast Community Foundation, the South Shore Bay Band Music Achievement Scholarship, and various other scholarships can be found in the same place as the local scholarships on Naviance,” said Kahle

While scholarships that are different from those provided by the Plymouth Public Schools are more competitive, the Plymouth North Guidance Department suggests that students apply for any scholarship available “I know some seniors might think they are wasting their time writing essays and applying for scholarships, but I assure you that students won’t regret it when they receive their scholarship money,” said Kahle