Preparing For College

At ThrivePoint High School, we believe that it is never too early for students to begin preparing for college. While high school is a time for students to grow, learn, and have fun, it is also an important time to start thinking about their future. By preparing early, students can set themselves up for success in college and beyond.

One important way that students can prepare for college is by taking challenging courses in high school. At ThrivePoint, we offer a variety of courses that can help students get ahead, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses and Dual Enrollment programs. These courses provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, giving them a head start on their college education.

In addition to taking challenging courses, students can also begin to prepare for college by participating in extracurricular activities that align with their interests and career goals. For example, students interested in the medical field may want to join the Future Medical Professional Club, while those interested in technology may want to join the IT Club or Robotic Club. By participating in these types of clubs, students can gain valuable skills and experiences that can help them stand out when applying to college.

Finally, we encourage students and parents to take advantage of resources available to them while enrolled at ThrivePoint High School. This includes meeting with our college counselor, who can help students explore college and career options, as well as apply for financial aid and scholarships. Additionally, students can use online resources such as the College Board’s Big Future website to research colleges and majors, and the Arizona Department of Education’s College and Career Planning page for more information on college and career readiness.

At ThrivePoint High School, we are committed to helping our students achieve their goals and reach their full potential. By preparing early for college and taking advantage of the resources available to them, our students can set themselves up for a successful future.

FAFSA

Use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school.

Apply for FAFSA

Family Link

ThrivePoint’s real-time web-portal for students and parents to check on important data, such as attendance and academic progress.

Learn More

CollegeBoard

CollegeBoard offers a variety of college prep resources for students, including practice SAT and AP exams, college search tools, financial aid information, and more. Their website is
https://www.collegeboard.org/.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, including test prep for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. Their website is
https://www.khanacademy.org/.

BigFuture

BigFuture is a college search and planning website created by The College Board. It offers information on colleges, scholarships, financial aid, and more. Their website is
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/.

BigFuture

BigFuture is a college search and planning website created by The College Board. It offers information on colleges, scholarships, financial aid, and more. Their website is
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/.

ACT Academy

ACT Academy is a free online learning tool that offers personalized resources for students preparing for the ACT exam. Their website is
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/free-act-test-prep.html.

Federal Student Aid

The Federal Student Aid website provides information on financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. It also offers a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application, which is required to apply for most forms of financial aid. Their website is
https://studentaid.gov/.

ACT/SAT Prep

ACT Prep has become very important in Arizona. AZ’s state-mandated test for high school juniors is the ACT. It is important to prepare students for that test in high school..

ThrivePoint has developed a course that prepares students for the ACT. The course is based on a publication from ACT. We are committed to helping our students be well prepared for their state-mandated test and post-secondary education.

Most of the colleges and universities in Arizona don’t require the ACT nor the SAT. Arizona community colleges, where many students start their post-secondary education, do not require ACT or SAT scores.

SAT prep is not necessary in Arizona. In fact, colleges and universities nationwide are moving away from these college entrance exams. They are considering other aspects of a student’s qualifications like academic success in high school, GPA; involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports, fine arts, other clubs; community involvement; and perhaps a writing sample in which students write about themselves, their future plans, and why the educational institution would be a good fit for them.

ThrivePoint allows students to pursue their interests beyond academics and offers credit for involvement in the wider community. ThrivePoint students explore community involvement in the signature ThrivePoint Vibe class.

There are several free ACT prep resources available in Arizona, some of which are:

Arizona GEAR UP:

Arizona GEAR UP is a statewide initiative that provides free college readiness resources and support to low-income students. They offer free ACT prep workshops and study materials to help students prepare for the exam.

Khan Academy:

Khan Academy is a free online platform that offers ACT prep resources, including practice tests, video lessons, and personalized study plans.

ACT Academy:

ACT Academy is an online learning platform offered by ACT itself. It provides free personalized study plans, practice tests, and video lessons to help students prepare for the exam.

College Depot:

College Depot is a college access center in Phoenix that offers free college and career readiness services to students and families. They provide free ACT prep workshops and practice tests to help students prepare for the exam.

Arizona State Library:

The Arizona State Library provides free access to Learning Express Library, an online learning platform that offers ACT practice tests and study materials. Students can access this resource with their public library card.

Universities & Colleges Across Arizona

Southwest University of Visual Arts

Phoenix College

Paradise Valley Community College at Black Mountain

Arizona State University at the Tempe campus

Arizona State University at the Lake Havasu City campus

Carrington College

Chamberlain University College of Nursing

CollegeAmerica

National Paralegal College

Tips for Getting Scholarships for High School Students

Here are some tips for students to increase their chances of getting scholarships:

Start early:

It’s never too early to start looking for scholarships. Some scholarship programs have early deadlines, so it’s important to start researching and applying as soon as possible.

Apply to as many scholarships as possible:

Apply to as many scholarships as you can that you are eligible for. The more scholarships you apply to, the better your chances of getting one.

Keep track of deadlines:

Keep a list of all scholarship deadlines and requirements. Missing a deadline or failing to submit required documents could disqualify you from consideration.

Write a compelling essay:

Many scholarships require an essay, so it’s important to write a strong, compelling essay that showcases your strengths and achievements.

Get letters of recommendation:

Many scholarships require letters of recommendation. Ask teachers, counselors, and other adults who know you well to write letters on your behalf.

Highlight your achievements:

Make sure your application highlights your achievements, both academic and extracurricular. This can include volunteer work, sports, clubs, and other activities.

Follow instructions carefully:

Make sure you read and follow all application instructions carefully. Failure to do so could disqualify you from consideration.

Proofread:

Make sure your application is free of errors, typos, and other mistakes. A well-written, error-free application is more likely to be considered.

Be persistent:

Don’t give up if you don’t get a scholarship right away. Keep applying and seeking out new opportunities.

Use scholarship search engines:

Utilize free scholarship search engines such as Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Cappex to find scholarships that you are eligible for.

Scholarship Resources

Here are the top free scholarship resources for students in Arizona, along with their URLs:

Arizona Community Foundation:

This foundation offers various scholarship opportunities for Arizona students, with over 100 scholarship funds available.
URL: https://www.azfoundation.org/Scholarships

College Depot:

This resource center in Phoenix provides free assistance to students in the college application process, including help with finding and applying for scholarships.
URL: https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/collegedepot

Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education:

This commission provides information on various financial aid opportunities, including scholarships and grants, for Arizona students.
URL: https://highered.az.gov/financial-aid

College Success Arizona:

This organization provides need-based scholarships for Arizona students, along with mentoring and support to help them succeed in college.
URL: https://collegesuccessarizona.org/

Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program:

This program offers scholarships and grants to Navajo Nation students pursuing higher education.
URL: https://www.nnop.org/scholarship.html

Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA):

This organization offers scholarships and other opportunities for Latino students in Arizona pursuing higher education.
URL: https://www.alpfa.org/page/Scholarships

Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

This chamber offers various scholarship opportunities for Hispanic students in Tucson and southern Arizona.
URL: https://www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org/scholarships

Arizona Elk Society:

This organization offers scholarships for Arizona students pursuing degrees in wildlife conservation, habitat management, or related fields.
URL: https://arizonaelksociety.org/scholarship-program/

Arizona JACL:

This chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League offers scholarships to Arizona students of Japanese descent.
URL: http://jaclaz.org/scholarships/

Arizona State University Scholarship Portal:

ASU offers a centralized scholarship portal for its students, which includes various scholarship opportunities available to Arizona residents.
URL: https://scholarships.asu.edu/