Home > Academics > College Counseling

As a specialization within our School Counseling Department, college counseling helps young people figure out who they are and what they care about. At Cardinal Newman, our college counseling is developmental, educational, relational and process oriented. In concert with today’s college admissions, we promote a holistic approach to college planning.

Our process begins in 9th grade with reinforcing programs in 10th grade. Individualized planning begins Junior year and continues through Senior year. Each year in school, students reach objectives toward the goal of college admission that include active involvement in extracurricular activities, career exploration, enrichment opportunities, and research for colleges and scholarships.

Simplifying College Admissions! – Using SCOIR

Students will be using Scoir to research and follow colleges of interest. Scoir is also used to request letters of recommendation from faculty and to request the sending of academic transcripts. Parents and Guardians have access to Scoir to assist in college selection and to gain more insight about the cost of attendance at different colleges.

We feel confident that you will find it helpful and easy to use.

Additional Links for College Counseling Support

Your FL Schools

FLORIDA BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. Money is available to students attending Florida colleges. These scholarships are known as the “Bright Futures” scholarships. Students are encouraged to check with their guidance counselor to see if they are eligible for these scholarships which have course, GPA, and test requirements. Seniors will receive the Florida Bright Futures criteria from their school counselor during their initial senior appointment in the Fall and sign a form stating that they have been given this information. Available money varies from year to year, depending on state funding. School Counselors will be visiting the senior classrooms in the Fall to register all students for the Florida Financial Aid Application which includes the Bright Futures Scholarship and other state scholarship opportunities. More information can be found on their website and instructions for the Bright Futures Scholarship Application may be found here.

FAFSA

The FAFSA is the form that determines most of the aid you’re eligible to receive as a student. The federal government alone doles out nearly $170 billion in student aid each year and they decide who gets how much of that money based on the information included in your FAFSA form. And that’s just one part of the student aid pie the FAFSA form helps you cut into, most states use the FAFSA application to determine eligibility for state aid, and most colleges also use the form to determine how much private aid to provide to prospective students. The U.S. Department of Education has released resources to help you understand the 2023-24 FAFSA. Students can now submit the FAFSA as early as Oct. 1.

Completing the FAFSA is the first step toward getting financial aid for college or career school. The FAFSA not only gives students access to the $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds that the federal government has available, but many states, schools, and private scholarships require you to submit the FAFSA before they will consider you for any financial aid they offer. That’s why it’s important that every college-bound student completes the FAFSA as soon as possible. Click here for a YouTube video to explain how to complete the FAFSA.

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH ADVICE

When you visit colleges ask if merit entrance scholarships require a separate application form or if the admissions staff will automatically forward any eligible candidates to the scholarship committee. Merit awards are based upon a particular talent or ability, such as dance, visual art, acting, vocal or instrumental music, writing, leadership, community service/volunteer hours, or overall academic ability. They are not generally related to financial need. Some of these scholarships are renewable if the student maintains a required GPA at college; others are entrance scholarships for freshman year only.

Click Here for Cardinal Newman High School’s Scholarship Guide

PRINT RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES

  • How to Find a Scholarship Online, Shannon R. Turlington (McGraw-Hill 2000)
  • Internet Guide for College-Bound Students, Kenneth E. Hartman. (The College Board).
  • Peterson’s Winning Money for College: The High School Student’s Guide to Top College Scholarship Contests, Alan Deutschman for students with good writing ability.
  • The Princeton Review: The Scholarship Advisor, Christopher Vituro.
  • The Minority and Women’s Complete Scholarship Book, Student Services LLC (Sourcebooks Inc., Naperville, IL)
  • Peterson’s Sports Scholarships and College Athletic Programs, Ron Walker, ed.
  • How to Go to College Almost for Free, Benjamin R.Kaplan (Waggle Dancer Books).

LINKS

Calendar of Events

September 7 – Senior Parent Workshop – 6pm
September 7 – Deadline to register for October 7 SAT
September 8 – University of Notre Dame College/Hillsdale College Lunch Visit
September 14 – Freshman and Sophomore Parent Workshop – 6pm
September 19 – Lynn University Lunch Visit
September 22 – Deadline to register for October 28 ACT
September 22 – FAU/Binghampton University Lunch Visit
October 3 – Tulane University/FIU Lunch Visit
October 4 – Palm Beach State College Lunch Visit
October 5 – Deadline to register for November 4 SAT
October 5 – Senior Parent Workshop II – 6pm
October 6 – Villanova University Lunch Visit
October 10 – Fordham University/High Point University Lunch Visit
October 11 – In School PSAT/SAT
October 11 – Diocesan College Fair – 6pm – 7:30pm
October 13 – Florida Gulf Coast University Lunch Visit
October 17 – Adelphi University/SUNY at Albany Lunch Visit
October 18 – Publix Scholarship and Career Presentation
October 20 – Florida Southern College/University of Alabama Lunch Visit
October 24 – College of the Holy Cross/University of Glasgow Lunch Visit
October 25 – NCAA/NAIA Lunch and Learn
October 26 – Furman University Lunch Visit
October 27 – Salve Regina University/Temple University Lunch Visit
October 31 – Savannah College of Art and Design Lunch Visit
November 2 – Deadline to register for December 2 SAT
November 3 – Deadline to register for December 9 ACT
January 5 – Deadline to register for February 10 ACT
February 23 – Deadline to register for March 9 SAT
March 8 – Deadline to register for April 13 ACT
April 19 – Deadline to register for May 4 SAT
May 3 – Deadline to register for June 8 ACT
May 17 – Deadline to register for June 1 SAT
June 7 – Deadline to register for July 13 ACT