Counselor's Desk

December 2025 & January 2026

Happy December! As we approach the end of the semester and prepare for winter break, I wanted to share a few important updates, reminders, and resources to support your student with their college and career planning. December is a great time to reflect on progress so far and prepare for a strong start to the new year!

College Application Deadlines

Please be aware that college application deadlines vary (i.e. University of Idaho priority deadline is typically December 1 and Lewis-Clark State College priority deadline is March 1).  Check

each website to find the deadlines for your students’ college of choice.  It is very important

that your child applies for college now if they are planning to attend a post-secondary school.

FAFSA

The FAFSA application opened on October 1. This should be completed by March 1, 2026 and usually needs to be completed in order to receive scholarships, grants, work-study and other financial aid from universities.  In order to complete the FAFSA, you will need to create an FSA ID.  You may create your FSA ID now. The link to create an FSA ID is: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch

Official/Unofficial Transcripts

Colleges and universities will request the official or unofficial high school transcripts once applications have been sent and at the end of your high school career. In order for these to be

sent, students need to fill out a transcript request form in my office so that they can be released

to the post-secondary schools.

Official Transcripts - A complete and verified record of your academic history. It is considered official when it is sent directly from the institution in a sealed envelope, with a signature or

school seal to prevent tampering.

Unofficial Transcripts - A student's academic record printed on plain paper that can be accessed online and is not in a sealed envelope with a signature or seal.

Letters of Recommendation

I am happy

Scholarships

Current scholarship lists are now available and are posted in Mrs. Nelson’s office and Mrs. Burch’s classroom and will be sent digitally to each student. Please encourage your student to

check monthly for an updated list. Scholarship information can also be found online at the school website  https://ths.troysd287.org/counselordesk in the Academics section under

“Counselor’s Desk.” The scholarship list is attached to this email and is also sent in an email to the students.

Ed Ramsdale Scholarship

Ed Ramsdale was a long-time resident of Troy, ID. He donated money to create a Scholarship fund with the intent of encouraging Troy High School students to continue their education

beyond high school. The scholarship money is to be used to assist in educational expenses incurred through the pursuit of a higher education. To receive a full share of the scholarship, students need to attend Troy High School continuously from grade 8-12. Partial scholarships are awarded to students who have not attended school in Troy for the required five years. Applications have been handed out to the students and were due to Mrs. Nelson by Thursday, December 4. The Ramsdale committee meets twice a year, in December and May, to review scholarship applications and determine award amounts. The amounts will be shared with the students in May before graduation.

Idaho LAUNCH Program vs Idaho Opportunity Scholarship

As an Idaho resident graduating from high school, there is more than one scholarship program that students can apply for to be used for post-secondary education. The scholarships are Idaho

LAUNCH and Idaho Opportunity but students can only apply for one of these. If you are interested in applying but not sure which one would be a better fit, follow this link to help answer

your questions: https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/assets/uploads/2024/10/NSI_LAUNCH-v-IOS- handout-10-7-24.pdf

Returning Student Forum: December 29 12:00pm – 2:00pm (1912 Center 412 East 3rd St, Moscow, ID 83843)

This event brings together local high school graduates and current high schoolers for conversations about what college is like. Returning students can reconnect with one another,

and high school students can hear firsthand insights about applying for college, financial aid, scholarships, college life, academics and majors, and the transition to college.

Here’s what students can expect:

• Round-robin style table conversations where high schoolers meet different groups of college students

   

• Students representing a wide range of schools, including local, regional, and out of state colleges

   

• Honest discussions about everything from making friends and living in dorms to choosing a college and deciding on a major

   

  Pizza and snacks are provided and they’ll have raffle prizes too! $10 gas gift cards will be available for all attendees from out of town. All are welcome, feel free to bring friends!

   

  Not interested in college? Looking for ideas for next steps for a career? Here are some ideas to explore:

  -     Look into an apprenticeship (electrical, plumbing, construction, HVAC): This is a structured, paid work-based training program where you learn a skilled trade or profession by working alongside experienced professionals.

  -     Healthcare certifications (CNA, phlebotomy, EMT)

  -     Look into entry-level technology pathways and IT support

  -     Manufacturing, logistics, and CDL training programs

  -     Look into entry level positions at banks and credit unions

  -     Look into entry level positions at Schweitzer Engineering

  -     Attend job fairs and hiring events in the area

   

  As one year ends and another begins, take some time to identify goals for 2026. I hope everyone has a great holiday season! Remember to take this time to catch up on sleep and spend time with loved ones.