The HCS College Counselors works with students and their parents across the district as they navigate plans for their post high school education. College counselors work with students, both in the classroom and in individual meetings, on understanding the college planning process from college applications to scholarships and financial aid. Our goal is to equip students and parents across the district with the information needed to make postsecondary plans.
The HCS college counseling team sponsors numerous events for parents including college nights, monthly college focused parent meetings, and financial aid help days.
Ms. Lacey Guthrie
Grissom, Lee, & Jemison
Office: 256-924-2064
Ms. Nancy Wolfe
Columbia, Huntsville, & New Century
Office: 256-963-9831
Scholarship Opportunities
- Local Scholarships
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Local scholarship applications for the 2023-24 school year will be added weekly as received. The list usually begins to grow in late fall.
2023 Torch Scholarship
- Organization: Better Business Bureau of North Alabama
- Deadline: September 22, 2023, before noon
- Amount: $1,000 (multiple recipients)
- Criteria: Applicants must be a junior or senior at a high school in Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston counties in North Alabama with a desire to continue his/her education. Students who entered as a junior but were not selected as a winner may enter again as a senior. Applicants must complete our online application form (complete details about all aspects of the competition are online); Applicants must write an essay between 300 and 400 words; A current official transcript is required; 150 Entries will be accepted based on the order in which they are received by BBB.
Apply for the 2023 Torch Scholarship
2024 Making Life Easier Scholarship Program
- Organization: Toyota
- Deadline: October 31, 2023
- Amount: Multiple awards (Range between $1,250 to $5,000)
- Criteria: HCS senior students at Lee High School and Jemison High School are eligible if: plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate or graduate study for the 2024-25 academic year, have a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale, be in good standing in the community and at school; Selections made based on community service and financial need.
Apply for the 2024 Making Life Easier Scholarship
Linley Heflin Scholarships
- Deadline: January 10, 2024 (Application Opens on October 1, 2023)
- Amount: $10,000 per year
- Criteria: For women who are U.S. Citizens and residents of the state of Alabama; Women who attend or plan to attend a four-year Alabama college or university that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Documented financial need Academic proficiency; May be used for undergraduate studies by US women attending Alabama 4-year college; Funds two semesters per academic year (Total of 8 semesters).
Virginia Mae Scholarship
- Deadline: February 29, 2024
- Amount: $1,000
- Criteria: Must be a U.S. Citizen; must be a currently enrolled, graduating high school senior who will be attending a two or four-year college/university starting in the fall of 2024; Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Apply Online at Bella J Custom Designs
GFWC Huntsville Woman's Club Memorial Scholarship
- Deadline: March 15, 2024
- Amount: $1,000
- Criteria: Must be a resident of Madison county; must be a high school senior or current college student; must plan to attend a local college in the Huntsville-Madison County area; must be able to demonstrate financial need; must submit complete application including resume and two reference letters.
- State Scholarships
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The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) and the Rotaract Club of Birmingham have partnered to launch the first State-specific scholarship database.
Achieve Alabama is an online scholarship resource providing students, educators, and parents with an effective scholarship search tool and college preparation resource that has the capability to guide students through the entire college admission process. The site is cost-free and houses thousands of university-specific and private scholarships.
Linley Heflin Scholarships
- Deadline: January 10, 2024 (Application Opens on October 1, 2023)
- Amount: $10,000 per year
- Criteria: For women who are U.S. Citizens and residents of the state of Alabama; Women who attend or plan to attend a four-year Alabama college or university that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Documented financial need Academic proficiency; May be used for undergraduate studies by US women attending Alabama 4-year college; Funds two semesters per academic year (Total of 8 semesters).
Young Heroes Scholarship (Nominations - Not Application)
- Organization: Alabama Public Television
- Deadline: January 26, 2024
- Amount: $10,000
- Criteria: Nominees must be in grades 9-12 who has excelled in academics, given of themselves through public service, overcome adversity and inspired others through deeds and strength of character. Nominees must be Alabama residents who are not more than 18 years old and are still attending school. The children’s parent or guardian must give permission for the nomination, along with permission for Alabama Public Television to use the child’s name or likeness on the air.
- National Scholarships
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There are numerous sites for searching for national scholarships. Typically, these sites require registration and will allow students to narrow down scholarships based on various criteria. Reminder – these sites should always be free. Here are a few options:
College Planning
- College Visits
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11th and 12th grade students are allowed two excused absences per year. The college visit form must be completed and approved before absence:
- Scoir
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All 9th-12th grade students and families have access to Scoir, a powerful college search and career planning tool. The HCS College Counselors will use Scoir to communicate with students and families during their college planning and application process as well as to electronically deliver student application materials to colleges. The HCS Counseling team is very excited to be able to provide this service to our students and families, and we feel confident that you will find it helpful and easy to use.
Students can access Scoir through their Clever accounts.
If you have any questions, please email Lacey Guthrie or Nancy Wolfe using the contact links above.
- Financial Aid
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available for the Class of 2024 starting in December 2023. This is a delay from the usual October 1st opening date.
The primary purpose of the FAFSA is to determine how much financial aid a student qualifies for, including both need-based and non-need-based aid. It determines eligibility for federal need-based grants, including the Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG); subsidized federal student loans, which are based on need; unsubsidized federal student loans, which most students qualify for regardless of need; federal work-study; state-based financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans; school-based financial aid, including need-based grants and scholarships, and school-based merit aid (since many schools require the FAFSA to be on file before any aid awards are distributed).
- Transcript Requests
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Transcript requests are made through Scoir. All 9th-12th grade students can access Scoir through their Clever accounts.
Once in Scoir, students will request a transcript by adding the college into the “Applied Colleges” section in “My Colleges.” Once the college is added, the transcript is instantly requested.
If you need assistance with requesting a transcript, please contact your college counselor, senior counselor, or school registrar.
Additional Resources
- Exams & Test Prep Information
- College Athletics
