To help make the post graduation decision making process more successful, the guidance department is offering a set of activities called Project Plan Ahead, the first one on this Thursday. Project Plan Ahead provides information on the many options and factors involved in the process, such as what college or tech school to attend, as well as the financial aid that is available.

This program, although available to all students in all grades, is targeted towards sophomores and juniors. It lasts approximately 45 minutes to an hour and is held in the library or guidance office depending on the number of participants. Participants view a powerpoint as well as receive a College Counseling Book.

According to Mr. Tim Holmes, the department chair of the Guidance department, the program originated to help give an overview and prevent answering the same questions over and over.

“There were too many one on ones [in the past], so we decided to have a night where parents could get an overview and sign up to come later, one on one, for specific questions, like what you really want to be, or if you wanted to talk about the other, more specific stuff like financial aid,” Holmes said.

College applications, costs, graduation requirements, college visits and college entrance requirements are some of the many topics that are covered in this program. A special emphasis is put on financial aid due to popular demand.

“We do an evaluation at the end, and in the past few years, more parents have wanted to know more about financial aid, so we have bulked it [the program] up with more money things,” Mr. Holmes said.

Participants are given a handbook which helps guide the program and gives participants something to bring home and look over. The handbook contains information with a timeline of events and activities that are offered and goals that should be made by the students, such as the in the during the summer before junior year, students should work to earn money and plan for a productive summer. It also contains information regarding national testing dates, the different types of colleges, a list of sources that can help with finding the right college, and scholarship searches. Other information included in the handbook are college visits, college fairs, and factors to consider.

The other dates, which will all cover the same information, are September 26, December 12, and April 24, 2014. For more information regarding the program, email Ms. Shelley Hill, the guidance secretary at [email protected] or call 636-851-4668. Gain more information on guidance related activities on the school enews or by following @FHCGuidance.