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Guidance and Career Services
Naviance- North
Naviance-South
The Guidance Department offers students academic, career, and personal counseling. Students analyze test results, discuss their strengths and weaknesses, and choose courses which best fit their needs, abilities and future plans. Each student is assigned to a full-time counselor and conferences between student and counselor take place by appointment. Counselors encourage team planning which includes the student, parents, and teachers to help ensure optimum success and achievement for the student. Additional guidance information is available by following the link on the school’s homepage on the web (www.nashua.edu).
EVENING PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS & STUDENTS
Informational meetings on scheduling/planning for high school will be held to provide a general orientation of the school in addition to information regarding the course selection process and development of a four year plan. Please check the website, newspaper and mailings from each school for dates and times of these meetings. Nashua High North meetings will be held in the North auditorium, Nashua High South meetings in the South auditorium. Members of the school administration and guidance will be present to answer specific questions about courses, prerequisites, sequences, graduation requirements, and deadlines for completed course selection. If you are unable to attend the night of your child's class, feel free to attend any of the other meetings.
A College Fair is sponsored in early November and March in the school gymnasium. Representatives from over 200 colleges and universities are available to meet with students and parents. This is an excellent opportunity to gather preliminary information on a variety of post-secondary education options. This event is also open to students attending public schools and private schools in the greater Nashua area and their parents.
A Financial Aid Workshop is an evening presentation provided in December. A college financial aid officer explains the rationale governing financial aid and how to complete the required federal form. There is also time for answering questions of a general nature. The Guidance Department offers comprehensive computer based and web based career exploration and college search programs. These programs also offer financial aid information and a limited amount of scholarship information.
Senior College Night is offered to parents and students in early fall of the senior year. This evening is designed to review college application procedures including common applications, supplemental forms, teacher recommendations, and financial aid information.
Junior College Night is offered to parents and juniors in the spring of their junior year. This presentation is designed to discuss the college search, college visits, SAT, ACT, SAT Subject's, and other preparatory information.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON NAVIANCE
Material on scholarships and financial aid is available in the Guidance office and/or Career Center and may be accessed on the website. Scholarships will be announced when the applications become available. A listing of all available scholarships is available in the career center, on the school website, or from your guidance counselor. A free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for most forms of financial aid. Some colleges also require the PROFILE. These forms are used by most college financial aid offices, the State of New Hampshire and by the Federal Government in determining PELL Grant eligibility. In addition, separate institutional financial aid applications, available from each college, must be filed with the college financial aid office according to the specific deadlines.
THE NASHUA HIGH SCHOOLS’
CAREER CENTERS
The Nashua High Schools’ Career Centers are located at both Nashua High North and Nashua High South. The purpose of each Career Center is to help prepare students for their future by providing resources and experiences which promote career awareness and develop career related skills. The services provided are career assessment, work-based learning opportunities, employment development and placement. The Center’s reference materials and expertise of the staff are available for classes or for individual students who want to explore their career opportunities.
TESTING INFORMATION
For those considering college, it is prudent to take examinations such as the PSAT in the fall of their junior year followed by the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and/or the ACT Assessment. These tests are required for admission to many colleges, and students should check carefully to learn the specific testing requirements for admission to each college they are considering.
A. Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)
The PSAT/NMSQT is a test given once a year in October to all sophomores and it is highly encouraged for juniors. It is a 130 minute examination measuring critical reading, math and writing skills. Scores are reported from a low score of 20 to a high score of 80 which parallels the SAT Reasoning scores of 200-800 The PSAT offers practice for the SAT and is a key step in planning for college. All college bound students should take the PSAT. In addition, juniors may be eligible for National Merit Scholarships.
B. SAT Reasoning Test (SAT) and SAT Subject Tests
Many colleges require the SAT Reasoning Test, a 200 minute test, is given on a Saturday morning seven times a year. The new SAT has three scores, each on the familiar 200 to 800 scale. Scores will include critical reading, math and writing. For more information on the SAT tests, please refer to the College Board website at www.collegeboard.com. Some colleges require Subject Tests in specific areas such as Literature, American History, Intermediate and Advanced Mathematics, French, German, Spanish, Biology, Chemistry, etc. The SAT Subject Tests are one hour in length and are given on Saturdays between one and six times a year. Please check requirements of the college(s) to plan a testing schedule that meets college deadlines. A maximum of three may be taken at any one testing session.
Note: The math tests (Level 1 & 2) require the use of a scientific or graphing calculator.
C. ACT Assessment
The ACT Assessment is a college admission, scholarship, guidance and placement test battery designed to provide helpful information to colleges, high schools, and students. The test consists of four areas: English, math, reading and science. The ACT Assessment and the ACT Assessment plus Writing (30 minute test for an additional fee) are available. The ACT is an alternative to the SAT. You may consult with your guidance counselor who will discuss your testing choices with you. More information about the ACT can be found at www.actstudent.org.
D. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
The ASVAB is offered to students on a voluntary basis and is administered by the local military recruiter.
E. Other Testing Information
Counselors can assist students in making arrangements to take a number of other tests. In school testing can be provided for Career Assessment and Advanced Placement purposes. In addition, information is available about Testing of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Interested students should see their counselors for details about these and other tests. Advanced Placement testing is offered in May, and individual teachers are in the best position to advise students about participation.
College Board SAT Fee Waiver Program
Nashua high school students from low-income families may request an SAT fee waiver form from their high school coun-selor. Juniors and seniors can receive up to 4 fee waivers (two for SAT and 2 for SAT subject tests). The College Board follows the economic-need guidelines created by the federal government (student must be eligible to participate in the free and reduced price meal program). Details can found at www.collegeboard.com.
College Board AP Fee Reduction Program
The College Board follows the economic-need guidelines created by the federal government to determine if a student is eligible to qualify for the College Board’s AP fee reduction program. The New Hampshire Department of Education alerts all high school AP coordinators about the fee reduction program. High School AP Coordinators then determine a student's eligibility for a College Board fee reduction. The College Board’s fee reduction dollar amount is applied to the students request and the State of New Hampshire picks up the cost of any remaining dollar amount.
ACT Test Fee Waiver Option
Like the SAT tests if students can't afford the registration fee for the ACT (No Writing) or ACT Plus Writing, they may be eligible for a fee waiver. Funds are limited, and once they are gone, requests for waivers will be denied. To be eligible, a student must meet all three of the following requirements:
Currently attend high school as a junior or senior.
Meet at least one indicator of economic need listed on the ACT fee waiver form. Information about these indicators and how to request fee waiver forms is mailed each fall to every high school. Students can ask their counselor for the information.
May register only once with an ACT fee waiver, either in junior or senior year.
Fee waivers cover only the basic registration fee for either the ACT (No Writing) or the ACT Plus Writing, including up to four valid college choices (listed at the time of registration). Waivers do not cover the late fee, test date changes, test center changes, or any other fees.
Students can't request a waiver directly from ACT; they have to do it through their high school guidance office. A registration folder won't be processed without a signed official ACT fee waiver form for the current testing year. Only ACT fee waiver forms will be accepted.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Testing accommodations for students with disabilities are available but must be requested months in advance. Paperwork must be completed.
Visit www.collegeboard.com/ssd/student for detailed information about completing a Student Eligibility Form, the review process by the College Board, and registering to take the tests.
Discuss this with your case manager with whom you can initiate and complete this process.
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