Get your PIN number FREE!

Seniors and parents of seniors, if you haven't done so, now is the time to get your PIN number. This PIN number will be your electronic signature when filling out the FAFSA. Both student and parent need their own PIN number. The application is quick, but have your social security number and a valid email address because both are required.

The FAFSA can be filled out as early as this weekend, so don't wait another minute to get your information and your PIN. And like filling out the FAFSA, your PIN number is FREE!

FAFSA Time

The FAFSA is on it's way! The FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, will soon be available online. This is the form of all forms for receiving any federal aid, and often other aid as well. Any senior who is planning on attending any college should take the time to gather up the needed items to fill this out. Come January 2, you can fill it out online using your 2009 tax information. If you need assistance, there is plenty available. See your guidance counselor or Mrs. Sanders in E 109 for assistance opportunities.

For any Richland Northeast High School seniors and parents, on February 8 at 6:00 PM there will be a FAFSA workshop put on by Rob Mendenhall of the College Funding Center of South Carolina. Gather up your tax forms and other necessary data and head over to Richland Northeast High School. If you are planning on attending, please register.

College Board's My College Quick Start

sIf you took the PSAT in October, then you have probably received or will shortly receive your score report. Other than your score, one of the most important areas of the report is "Your Code." This "Your Code" is your access to College Board's My College Quick Start which has tools that can help you determine a college major, find a school that meets your requirements, and will help you as you try to improve your scores on the Official SAT. So, don't throw away that report. Write down your access code and keep up with it. You can use the tool anytime, and better yet, you can use it for FREE!

Expert College Advice

If you want some great college admissions advice from top experts, then you won't want to miss Wednesday, December 2 webcast put on by the Wall Street Journal and Unigo partnership. If you have a question, you can email it to WSJoncampus@unigo.com



Participating schools are: Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, Williams College in Massachusetts, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, Grinnell College in Iowa, Marquette University in Wisconsin and the University of Vermont.

Thankful (For College and Career Opportunities)

This season reminds us to be thankful. We can all be thankful for our family, friends, and for opportunities. Success, they say, comes when opportunity meets preparedness. So, are you prepared and ready for the opportunity when it presents itself? You can be. Start looking for your opportunity by examining your skills, your interests, and your work values. Then take a look at the job growth outlook. Search for colleges with majors that may lead you to the career you are interested in. Try out a job for size by job shadowing. At Richland Northeast, check in with our Work-based learning coordinator, Mr. Sumter. You will find him and the rest of the career center in E109. Now you know, don't wait for the opportunity to come knocking, go find it for yourself!

Good guessing (SAT/ACT)

There is guessing and then there is good guessing. On the SAT test, good guessing may help you. Random guessing probably won't. The Collegeboard states in their Official SAT Study Guide that if you can eliminate one answer you should guess. The more choices you can eliminate, the greater the chance you will answer correctly. The SAT does penalize slightly for an incorrect answer, so take a stab at it only if you can eliminate at least one answer choice.

The ACT does not penalize your score for an incorrect answer. So guess away.

Artists and College

If you are an artist who wants to pursue art in college, then you probably know that you need a portfolio. Did you know that there are times when many colleges and art schools come together to review portfolios? Check out the dates and locations for a Portfolio Day near you.