Counselor's Desk

FROM THE COUNSELOR – Mrs. Nelson                                             March 2026

Spring is right around the corner, so it is time to make sure all the college preparation details are taken care of before calendars fill up with lots of activities!  Be sure to add these important events and opportunities to your To Do list!  This is a critical time for Seniors to be finalizing their plans for next year.

• Scholarships

The March scholarship list is now available. Please encourage your student to check monthly for an updated list. This is the time to be applying for outside scholarships. Scholarship information can be found online at the Troy Jr. / Sr. High School website https://ths.troysd287.org/counselordesk in the Academics section under “Counselor’s Desk” and is also attached to this email.

• Campus Visits

  Most colleges will have some type of campus visit/orientation in the spring or summer.  Many colleges will have your student register for classes during these visits.  You should be able to register for these visits on the college website. For example, the University of Idaho has multiple events coming up this spring. Including their first UIdaho Bound event (https://www.uidaho.edu/events/uidaho-bound) on March 28 and their Envision Idaho Event on April 10 (https://www.uidaho.edu/events/envision). Check with the college your student is going to attend and schedule a visit! 

   

• On Campus Housing

  Each school has its own application deadline for on campus housing. Check your school’s website to find the deadline. For example, Boise State University is due March 23.

   

• College Financial Aid

  Your student will be receiving their financial aid letter from the university/college they plan to attend.  Look over this carefully, and log into the student portal of the college/university to accept the financial aid.  If you have questions, contact the financial aid office where your student will be attending post-secondary school.

   

• Dual Credit Transcripts (Seniors)

  Colleges and universities will not accept dual credits from a high school transcript.  Therefore, your student will need to have an official transcript sent from each postsecondary school they have received credits from.  This can be requested by going to National Student Clearinghouse (https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select), or to the website of the individual postsecondary institution.  Each institution charges a fee to have a transcript sent, so make sure your student has completed all dual credit courses before ordering his or her transcript.  My recommendation is waiting until May to request college transcripts, so you know all courses have been finalized. This eliminates having to order more than one transcript for a school. If you need assistance with this process, feel free to contact me.

   

• Idaho LAUNCH Career Pathway Plan

  As a reminder, if you have been contingently awarded the Idaho LAUNCH scholarship and have not completed the required Career Pathway Plan on NextSteps Idaho, this is due by graduation. I suggest getting it done sooner than later as the end of the year tends to get busy.

   

• 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 positions at Schweitzer Engineering

-       Attend job fairs and hiring events in the area