From The Counselors' Office

CHS Building

District Materials

Current Counselors

  • Valerie Brown - Freshmen School Counselor

  • Jhonny Beltran - Sophomore School Counselor

  • Guadalupe Marino Ramirez - Junior School Counselor

  • Kim Loeffelholz - Senior School Counselor

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Connect via Google Classroom

We regularly update scholarship announcements, college events, and other important information via Google Classroom. Follow the link below to connect with us via Google Classroom. You will need to be approved before you'll have access to the documents/material.

Class of 2027
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Course Books

CHS Course Books are available online for three years and are available in English, Spanish and French.

Freshmen Registration

Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I find out about available scholarships?
    Scholarships are posted on this website as we are made aware. You can also talk to your counselor.  Scholarships given by colleges may only require an application for admission.  Others have applications that can be obtained from the college.  

  • What do I do if I need recommendations?
    Give recommenders an activities resume, a copy of the scholarship guidelines, and a specific deadline.  Ask them at least two weeks before the deadline. They should return the recommendation according to the instructions in the scholarship application.  If the completed scholarship application is to be turned into the CHS Counseling and Career Center then recommendation letters may be given to Mrs. Sylvester.

  • Where do I turn in the application?
    Follow the instructions in each scholarship application.  If the completed scholarship application is to be turned into the CHS Counseling and Career Center then turn it into Mrs. Sylvester  at least one day before the due date. She will send the application, recommendations and transcript together.

  • How will I be notified if I have been awarded a scholarship?
    Colleges and other organizations will notify you if you are a recipient.  Some local scholarships are not announced until honors night in May.

  • Should I send a thank you?
    It is appropriate to send a thank you, especially for local scholarships.  Don't forget to thank those who wrote you a recommendation.

  • Do I need to notify my college about outside scholarships I've received?
    Yes, they will want to know all of the scholarships you have received, because it may affect your financial aid package.

Tips to Increase Your Chances of Earning Scholarships

  • Get organized. Place scholarship applications in deadline order and prioritize each award. Local awards and college-specific applications deserve top priority because you're more likely to earn them.

  • Make a list of your activities, honors and volunteer or paid jobs. Compile an Activities Resume. Attach your resume to scholarship applications unless the application specifically says attachments aren't allowed.

  • Use quality references such as a teacher, coach or counselor. Give a resume to everyone you ask to write a recommendation and encourage them to write specific examples of your abilities and skills.

  • Read the directions and requirements carefully. The ability to follow the application instructions as to format and content should not be underestimated.

  • Get an early start on essays. Describe your interests, hope for the future, and leadership abilities.

  • Pay close attention to grammar, spelling and neatness. Have someone proofread your application. Type your application. The neatness of the application makes a definite impression. When there are many qualified applicants, committees look at small differences to select recipients.

  • Turn in the scholarship before the deadline. 

Financial Aid

HOW TO APPLY FOR FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID

  •  Create an FSA ID.

  • Compile necessary information such as previous year’s tax return, social security number, etc.

  • Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov.

  • Keep all records used to complete the FAFSA and records of any financial aid received to refer to each year as you fill out the forms. Expect a Student Aid Report (SAR) within one week.

  • Become acquainted with the Financial Aid Officer at the college of your choice. Contact this person if questions arise and make him or her aware of special circumstances, which may limit ability to pay for college expenses.

  • Schools vary on their deadlines for financial aid applications, so it is important to know the deadline of the school(s) to which you are applying.  March 1 is the deadline for many schools.

  • Never assume you will not qualify for financial assistance.

WHAT IS MY EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION?

Students and their families are expected to contribute to the cost of college to the extent that they’re able. This amount is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Calculating this amount will help you have an idea of how much you will be expected to spend for college. The difference between the total cost of college expenses and your EFC is considered your “financial need” and the amount of aid you’re eligible to receive.  Figure your Expected Family Contribution.

College Entrance Exams

HOW DO COLLEGES USE ENTRANCE EXAMS?

  • Admissions – Test scores along with information about grades, course rigor, class rank, school and community activities, planned college activities, work experience and personal and family background help colleges identify applicants who can benefit most from their programs.

  • Scholarships – Many scholarships use test scores to help identify qualified candidates. An ACT composite 24 is typically the minimum score for scholarships.

  • Placement – Colleges usually take into account individual strengths and weaknesses as they place students in first-year courses.

  • Advising – A college adviser may take into consideration scores, along with high school curriculum and grades, and career plans to help develop a plan of study for college.

ACT OR SAT, WHICH IS BEST?

Most colleges accept either the ACT or SAT and use a simple conversion label to compare scores. Both test companies consistently state the best preparation for the ACT or SAT is the years of solid academic classroom work preceding the test. The majority of Columbus High Students take the ACT and generally seem to score better on the test since it covers English, Math, Science Reasoning and Reading Comprehension while the SAT covers Math, English and Writing.

ACT

ACT has established college readiness benchmarks to indicate a 50% chance of earning a B or higher, or a 75% chance of earning a C or higher in the corresponding college course.

  • College English Composition – score of 18 on ACT English test

  • College Algebra – score of 22 on ACT Math test

  • College Social Studies – score of 21 on ACT Reading test

  • College Biology – score of 24 on ACT Science test

ACT has added a Writing test that students can opt to take. At the present time, no colleges in Nebraska are using the Writing score.

SAT

Students who need to take the SAT are those who:

  • Are applying for ROTC scholarships or to one of the service academies;

  • Are considering schools on the east or west coast or those that are highly selective.

COMPASS TEST

Two year colleges may require either the ACT or COMPASS tests. COMPASS is an untimed, computerized test that helps a college evaluate your skills and place students in appropriate courses. COMPASS scores indicate strong and weak areas. Central Community College accepts either ACT or COMPASS scores.