Guidance News, Announcements & Student Opportunities

A summer leadership program that will be offered again in 2025 for high school sophomores is the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference (RYLA).  RYLA is held at Keystone College in Northeastern PA. It is a 5-day, 4-night leadership program for high school sophomores who have shown leadership potential in their home, school, and community.  The conference is designed to introduce participants to thoughts and ideas which will strengthen and develop their leadership skills. It also provides an environment where participants may discuss and exchange their ideas with other students from NEPA. RYLA Program Information- The program consists of different components, including: - TEAM PROJECTS: Each student will be a member of a team during the conference. Each team works on a project that is a hands-on experience with student planning, implementation, and evaluation. - SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES: Discussion groups are held to share and explore ideas which result from each day's programs. - SOCIAL LIFE: There is time in the program for organized sports, dancing, and other activities to develop lasting friendships with other participants and staff. Program dates and Location: RYLA will be held Sunday, June 15- Thursday, June 19 at Keystone College in La Plume, PA.  Cost: The only cost to attendees is transportation to/from the program.  Application Process: There is an application that will ask you to answer some short questions. Applications are submitted online at the following link:  https://tinyurl.com/2025RYLAapp On the application, all students should indicate The Hazleton Rotary Club as their sponsoring club. The Hazleton Rotary Club will receive the applications, and they will select three area students to receive a full scholarship to attend RYLA.  The applicant must be a current sophomore ready to enter his or her junior year in the fall. Have shown leadership potential in home, school, and community, demonstrate the qualities of a good student, submit a completed application, be selected and sponsored by the Hazleton Rotary Club (RYLA is 100% FREE for attendees), be accepted by the District RYLA Committee. Deadline to apply: April 25, 2025. If you are selected to attend, you will be emailed a medical form that must be signed by a doctor or school nurse and returned to the RYLA registrar.  You will also then receive additional information regarding the conference.

King's College Free Summer Camp for incoming juniors and seniors —a completely paid-for— FREE opportunity, a week-long teacher leadership summer camp. Spots are limited and first-come-first-served. June 15-June 20, 2025

SUMMER EXPLORATION CAMP JUNE 22-25, 2025 If you're a rising junior, senior, or undecided college student, this is your chance to dive into the world of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) like never before! For over 20 years, Misericordia University has been home to the first overnight SLP Career Exploration Camp in the USA – and this summer, YOU could be part of it! Apply by June 15, 2025. Postcard

Grand opening, Saturday, April 26, 2025: 1192 Sather Rd., Pittston Twp, PA 18640: The Pilot Mind Drone Academy.  The academy will offer training in areas: Drone technology and operations, Aerial photography, Agriculture, Construction and Public Safety.  thepilotmind.pro

Expired: Are you thinking about becoming a nurse? The Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing is excited to present an Experience in Nursing to be held on campus on Friday, November 1, 2024. The program is intended for 11th and 12th grade high school students who are interested in nursing as a career. Link to Register See your grade level office before you attend this event to get this day approved as an educational absence. 

Expired: 2024–2025 Seniors, are you applying to college and have a low-income status? See your school counselor if you would like to be referred to the National College Match with QuestBridge. QuestBridge and their 52 college partners are committed to giving students the opportunity to dream big. Through the National College Match, students from low-income backgrounds can receive full four-year scholarships to some of the best schools in the nation so they can reach their full potential without worrying about the cost.​ The deadline for students to apply is Thursday, September 26, 2024. 

Expired: Join us on Thursday, December 12th, from 5-6:30 PM at the High School Library for our Financial Aid Night and FAFSA completion. Come to the guidance office to see what materials to bring for this event. Wilkes University financial aid/enrollment faculty and a member from EOC (Educational Opportunity Center) will be assisting. 

****In the event that you missed this, here is the presentation from Wilkes University's Robin Walker, Director of Graduate Financial Aid & Compliance:  Financial Aid Night Presentation
If you require Spanish translation or assistance in Spanish with your FAFSA or FSA ID you may contact: Sandra Draus-our EOC Academic Specialist at: sandra@eocinc.org

Sign up for free medical mentorships ! These are virtual. Supplies will be sent to your house for free. 

FAFSA and FSA ID/Account will open December 1st 2024.
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) It determines a student's eligibility for need-based federal and state financial aid for college, which may include grants, scholarships, work-study and loans. You will need your family’s 2023 W2 wage and tax statement to complete the application. 
*After you complete your FAFSA, make sure you confirm the PHEAA PA State Grant, now known as the 'GrantUS' (If you were awarded anything). If you are to confirm your GrantUS award, you should have received an email from PHEAA with directions regarding this.
All students and contributors (such as parents and spouses) must create an FSA Account—even if the contributor does not have a Social Security number. The FSA ID (account username and password) allows students and parents to identify themselves electronically to access, complete, sign, and submit a FAFSA form. If you don’t already have an FSA ID, go to: studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to create an FSA ID now. The application is available in English and Spanish.

Each person will need the following:
Full name and social security number as they appear on a social security card (if applicable), Date of birth, valid email address and phone number, Immediate access to your email account and your residential address
Please note: parents or guardians of students who have a sibling who has already attended college may already have an FSA ID.
Who needs to create an FSA ID? Every person contributing information to the 2025-26 FAFSA will need an FSA ID - including parents who do not have a social security number.
Independent students will not need to have a parent/guardian create an FSA ID. Students can review the FAFSA dependency status to determine if they qualify as an independent student.
Parents: If you previously created an FSA ID, you don’t need to create another one. You can only have one FSA ID linked to your Social Security number. However, if you don’t remember your username, select “Forgot Username.” If you verified your email address or mobile phone number during account creation, you may enter your email address or mobile phone number instead of your username. If you forgot your password, select “Forgot Password,” and follow prompts to reset your password.

FAFSA Changes Overview:
Both students and guardians are required to create their own FSA accounts, ensuring personalized and secure access to the application.
A new term you will see with the FAFSA is "contributor." A contributor is anyone who is required to provide information in support of the student's financial aid application. After a student provides their necessary information and consent, an email will go out to the contributor to complete their portion.
Applicants and contributors will be using the IRS Direct Data Exchange tool to streamline the process of providing tax information and reduce errors, expediting the application process. The Expected Family Contribution formula is being replaced by the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI represents a need-analysis formula, which financial aid staff will employ in the allocation of need-based grants and scholarships. 

Free virtual SAT PREP after school !

SAT: See your school counselor for a SAT fee waiver code. You do not need to pay for the SAT assessment for up to 2 administrations.
August 2024–June 2025 Test Dates
These test dates and deadlines apply to all students—U.S. and international—taking the SAT:

2024-2025 PHEAA For September-October
Free Financial Aid Assistance Webinars on Searching for Scholarships & Affording the Balance, Financial Aid Timeline--Know What to do When, Borrowing for Education--Which Loan is Right for Me and The Two-Step Approach to Finding an Affordable Higher Education:
Registration is at https://pheaa.org/virtual/. 

Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week Summer 2025
www.pfew.org An exciting summer education program where you'll explore modern business and your future! By running your own company with students from all over the state, you'll gain invaluable knowledge, relevant skills, powerful tools and discover your talents translate into great careers. You may also qualify for scholarship opportunities up to $20,000. 2025 dates: Week 1: June 29-July 4. Week 2: July 6-11. Week 3: July 20-25. Week 4: July 27-August 1. Flyer

Keystone Boys State Leadership Summer 2025 Keystone Boys State Leadership training and Civic Experience. June 15-21, 2025. KBS is an intensive, in-depth, and hands-on course in leadership in which participants conduct the operations of city, county, and state governments. To be nominated, contact your school counselor, coach, GATE or NHS sponsor, your local American Legion Post or the PA American Legion HQ. You must also submit an application through the KBS website: KBS website  Contact us with any questions at 717-730-9100 or email: sharon@pa-legion.com or  doug.reighard@gmail.comChairman: Doug Reighard, Flyer & Overview

PSU 2025 SUMMER Program 10th Grade Students: Do you have an interest in educational careers and want an opportunity to experience college course work at PSU this summer? Apply for the S.C.O.P.E program. The Summer College Opportunity Program in Education (S.C.O.P.E) is a program under the College of Education at The Pennsylvania State University in 2025. S.C.O.P.E. 2025 Program Information and Application Procedures. This summer, the Office of Education and Social Equity in the College of Education will once again sponsor the Summer College Opportunity Program in Education (S.C.O.P.E.). This program provides high school 10th graders of diverse backgrounds interested in education careers (teaching, counseling, rehabilitation, special education, vocational education, education policy, etc.) the opportunity to experience college life while earning credit for college work. S.C.O.P.E. is a four (4) week academic intensive program during which students take several courses including a Research and Writing course, an academic skills course, and a college preparatory course.  The program will run in its’ entirety from Tuesday, July 1st through Friday, July 25th, 2025.  The program will be held at the University Park campus located in State College, Pennsylvania. The program comes at no fee to the participant and will be challenging academically, but students having completed the program leave with a renewed sense of potential and determination.  It is our hope to prepare students for a successful college experience.  Overall, S.C.O.P.E. is a wonderful opportunity through which students get a feel for education careers, college life in general and Penn State in particular. To be eligible, a student must meet the following criteria: be of a traditionally underrepresented background in the education profession. Be a high school 10th grader during the 2024-2025 academic year, and matriculating in the 11th grade for 2025-2026 academic year. Planning to attend a four-year college or university. Have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 or better. Be interested in a career in the Education field (teaching, counseling, rehabilitation, special education, vocational education, education policy, etc.) We also concentrate our efforts on the recruitment of potential first-generation college students and students with limited financial resources. The S.C.O.P.E. application requires the nomination of the school guidance counselor, teacher or other school/program official.  S.C.O.P.E. is actively recruiting students interested in careers in the field of education.  We recognize that students in their 10th grade year of high school are often still exploring career interests; however, because of limited space, our focus is on those students showing interest in education professions.  We are asking that nominators fully consider their candidate and evaluate that individual’s interest in working in the educational field. Due to the high number of applications we receive, we will be screening candidates very carefully.  The nomination and letters of recommendation will be an important factor in our selection process; however, a nomination is not tantamount to an applicant’s acceptance. The application due date (postmark date) is January 13th, 2025.  Flyers and applications along with additional recommendation and nomination forms may be downloaded from our website: https://ed.psu.edu/about/deans-office/office-education-and-social-equity/summer-college-opportunity-program-education.

Expired: LCCC 2024 SPRING EMT COURSE LCCC BERWICK CENTER (EAGLES BUILDING, 107 S. Market Street Berwick) Classes start 1/17/24 and end 5/4/24 Mondays, Wednesdays (lecture) and Thursdays(lab) 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm *3 Saturdays scheduled Students must be at least 16 years of age to take the course Flyer

Expired: Lehigh University Summer Program for current 10th and 11th grade students: We are excited to share that we are accepting applications from current high school sophomores and juniors for our Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive (IGEI)! This program will be hosted on Lehigh's campus from June 23 – July 20, 2024 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. During this immersive experience, participants engage in dynamic learning opportunities, workshops and design labs, visits to companies and start-ups and a team-based business consulting project with a real client company. Through experiential learning, we challenge participants to become innovative, interactive and culturally adept doers, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond in creative and collaborative ways.
For more information and to apply, visit the Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive website. Reach out to gesummer@lehigh.edu to sign up for an information session, to ask questions or to learn more!

Expired: PA American Legion Summer 2024 The Pennsylvania American Legion, Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania National Guard are sponsoring a National Guard youth Camp from June 9-15,2024. This is a 6-day camp to introduce students interested in pursing a career in law enforcement or a branch of the military. The program includes but not limited to marching in a platoon formation, participating in a drill competition, physical training, forensics, canine, SERT team, drug laws, a marksmanship course, and familiarity with weapons. The fee is $175, including meals and lodging. To get an application or if you have any questions, contact the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. Telephone 717-730-9100  Flyer For more information, call 717-730-9100

Expired: The Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference Summer 2024 (RYLA).  (FREE) RYLA is held at Keystone College in Northeastern PA. It is a 5-day, 4-night leadership program for high school sophomores who have shown leadership potential in their home, school, and community.  The conference is designed to introduce participants to thoughts and ideas which will strengthen and develop their leadership skills. It also provides an environment where participants may discuss and exchange their ideas with other students from NEPA. RYLA Program Information- The program consists of different components, including: - TEAM PROJECTS: Each student will be a member of a team during the conference. Each team works on a project that is a hands-on experience with student planning, implementation, and evaluation. - SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES: Discussion groups are held to share and explore ideas which result from each day's programs.- SOCIAL LIFE: There is time in the program for organized sports, dancing, and other activities to develop lasting friendships with other participants and staff. Program dates and Location: RYLA will be held Sunday, June 23- Thursday, June 27 at Keystone College in La Plume, PA. Cost: The only cost to attendees is transportation to/from the program. Application Process: There is an application that will ask you to answer some short answer questions. Applications can be submitted online at the following link On the application, all students should indicate The Hazleton Rotary Club as their sponsoring club. The Hazleton Rotary Club will receive the applications, and they will select three area students to receive a full scholarship to attend RYLA. The applicant must: 1.  Be a current sophomore ready to enter his or her junior year in the fall. 2.  Have shown leadership potential in home, school, and community. 3.  Demonstrate the qualities of a good student. 4.  Submit a completed application. 5.  Be selected and sponsored by the Hazleton Rotary Club (RYLA is 100% FREE to attendees.) 6.  Be accepted by the District RYLA Committee Deadline to apply: April 20, 2024 If you are selected to attend, you will be emailed a medical form that must be signed by a doctor or school nurse and returned to the RYLA registrar.  You will also then receive additional information regarding the conference.

Expired: Occupational Therapy Summer Camp at Misericordia University. Only $50.00 Interested in a healthcare career?Want to work with people of all ages and help them to do the things they need to do and want to do every day? Consider a career in Occupational Therapy! The Misericordia University Occupational Therapy Program will be hosting a 4-day, 3-night residential Career Exploration Camp for high school students interested in occupational therapy. The camp runs June 23 - June 26, 2024. Link to Register 

Class of 2024:Would you like to earn summer credits this summer for free before college? 
EOC (Educational Opportunity Center) is sponsoring a new program via the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) at no cost. There are 34 possible exams-on a variety of topics. Get assigned to one of our qualified tutors to work through the Exam prep and meet with the tutor virtually from your home-FREE tutoring! Pre-test-identify the required score needed for the college of your choice (we have the assembled list). Take the CLEP Test-EOC pays for the cost.

Attention Senior Class: Would you like to study abroad this summer in Costa Rica and earn credits? Flyer

Interested in becoming an Early Childhood Teacher?
Earn your Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA), Associates Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and/or Master’s Degree for free while gaining valuable full-time experience in a nationally accredited, four-STARS, Pennsylvania Department of Education licensed program. Click here for flyer information. 

Do you know someone recovering from addiction and is looking to start college? Luzerne County Community College is presenting an awesome opportunity for people who are in recovery from substance abuse.  This will be free college education through the AllOne Recovery Education Institute. Click the link for the flyer: 
LCCC Flyer for students recovering from addiction

HILL IMPACT The PA State Police Hill Impact Program is designed to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and those individuals looking to seek a career in law enforcement. 
Information and Application 

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