Counseling

Future Planning

SAT & ACT Test Preparation

https://www.4tests.com 

  • Listed under Take a Free Practice Exam, click on the Educational Exams
  • Click on ACT or SAT
  • Check the sections you want to include in your exam
  • Click on Begin Exam

https://academy.act.org/ 

This website lists ALL of ACT’s Official Test Prep where you can access some FREE test Prep AND services that require a fee. 

FREE Test Prep:

Click on "Let's get started" to create an account. Additional Free Test Prep is listed at the bottom of the ACT Test Prep page and includes the free Study Guide.

https://www.number2.com 

  • Click on the gray New Users - Enroll Now button
  • Click on the ACT link
  • Fill out the registration information
  • Go to https://schools.shmoop.com/ 
  • Enter student Magic Word:  ZION
  • You will be directed to Shmoop’s Utah page
  • From there, select your school from the alphabetized list
  • From there, you can either log in or create an account
  • That’s it!  You will be led to Shmoop’s ACT Test Prep.

Paying for College

Savings

Start saving for college early. The state offers 529 College Savings Plans to help parents finance education expenses.

Section 529 plans are subject to contribution requirements and investment guidelines. In most cases the money is invested in a portfolio of stocks, bonds, or mutuall funds.

Utah's 529 plan, the Utah Education Savings Plan is one of the top-rated plans in the country. 

Learn More

Scholarships

Scholarships are given for education based on merit, need, and/or talent. Scholarships do not need to be paid back.

Search for scholarships early and often. There are many website that can help you narrow down your search.  

The State Board of Regents offers two merit-based scholarships, the Regents’ Scholarship & the New Century Scholarship.

Learn More

Student Aid

Grants are given to those who qualify based on financial need, and do not have to be paid back.

Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.

Student loans can be borrowed at a favorable rate, and must be paid back with interest

Learn More

Family / student income is still the main source of money for college for most students. Other options include: 

  1. Federal Student Aid - FAFSA.gov
    Many colleges already require you to complete the FAFSA as part of the application process. The FAFSA is used to assess family income. If you qualify, the government may offer you grants, loans, or work-study. Application opens Oct 1st typically due Feb1st however, deadlines vary by school. 
  2. Financial Aid from the College
    Colleges also use the information you submit in the FAFSA to consider you for scholarships or financial aid programs from their institution. Check the college websites or contact the Financial Aid offices for details. Remember, most college sponsored scholarships are due BEFORE January. 
  3. Private Scholarships
    Check with any organizations that your family belongs to like credit unions, employers or service organizations

College today means much more than a 4-year degree at a university. Being “college ready” means being prepared for any postsecondary education after high school graduation – a 1-year certificate or diploma, a 2-year associate’s degree, a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Being ready for college means that, as high school graduate, you have the knowledge and skills necessary to qualify for and succeed in whichever post-secondary option you choose.

Think SWAGs. Think Internship. Think strong relationships. Think rigor. Think concurrent courses. Think Failure Leads to Success. Think Speak with Good Purpose. Think This is It. Think integrity, commitment, ownership, flexibility and balance. Think AMES.

College Planning Tools

Scholarships

The Breakthrough Junior Challenge is an annual global competition for students to inspire creative thinking about science.  Students ages 13-18 from countries across the globe are invited to create and submit original videos (3:00 minutes in length maximum) that bring to life a concept or theory in the life sciences, physics, or mathematics.  This year, there is an additional COVID-19 category.  The submissions are judged on the student’s ability to communicate complex scientific ideas in engaging, illuminating, and imaginative ways.  Anyone ages 13-18 is eligible. The winner will receive a $250,000 post-secondary scholarship and must attend an award ceremony in November 2020.  

For more information, click here

Deadline: June 25, 2020.

The OppU Achievers Scholarship celebrates students who transform opportunity into results. It rewards achievement in its many forms and honors those who create opportunity for both themselves and others.

Founded in 2016, the scholarship provides $2,500 for current or future education costs. Scholarship selections are made four times a year. Annually, the OppU Achievers Scholarship awards a total of $10,000 to students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement.

To apply for the OppU Achievers Scholarship, submit a short essay responding to the prompted question. Scholarship decisions are based solely on an applicant’s essay response.  Winners for the OppU Achievers Scholarship are selected four times a year, with submission deadlines on September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30.

  • To be eligible for the OppU Achievers Scholarship, a student must:
  • Be enrolled full time in high school or at least part time in college, graduate, professional, or trade school.
  • Possess a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

For more information, click here

Deadline: September 30, 2019; December 31, 2019; March 31, 2020; June 30, 2020.

Eligibility includes:

  • U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
  • Currently enrolled or have been accepted to (and planning to attend) a college or university in the United States
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher in the current or most recent education program you have attended.

Application includes an essay on the following topic: How can our current criminal justice system be improved?

For more information, click here

Deadline: June 30, 2020

This scholarship program is granted each semester (twice per year), and is designed to help students battle the rising costs of education and overcome the obstacles in the way of obtaining a college degree. Eligibility:

  • You must be a full-time student
  • You must have a passion for travel and business
  • You must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA

Application includes an essay on the topic, “The benefits of booking travel online compared to booking with an accredited retail travel agent.”  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline: January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

MyBioSource is proud to announce their annual “MyBioSource Scholarship Program” for S.T.EM. (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. MyBioSource is all about opening up doors to thriving students allowing them to explore the endless possibilities in STEM. Five scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded. High school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, as well as international students and undocumented students (with or without DACA) may apply. Candidates must be enrolled as a freshmen, undergraduate, or graduate students at an accredited college or university for the 2020 fall semester.  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline: June 30, 2020

MyBioSource is not only a supporter of students pursuing a degree in the science fields, but to all students in general who are working hard to obtain a higher education.  With that, MyBioSource is honored to offer a scholarship program for all other majors outside of STEM. Five scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded.  High school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, as well as international students and undocumented students (with or without DACA) may apply. Candidates must be enrolled as a freshmen, undergraduate, or graduate students at an accredited college or university for the 2020 fall semester.  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline:  June 30, 2020

MyBioSource is excited to offer the MyBioSource Inc. Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. With this scholarship, students will be able to have MyBioSource help them with the costs of necessities that come with getting a greater education. Scholarship amount is up to $1,000 for up to two recipients. High school graduates from the Class of 2020 may apply.  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline: June 30, 2020

This scholarship is open to all students enrolled full-time at a college or university located in the United States.  Undocumented students, with or without DACA, may apply. The award amount is $1,500. Application includes an essay related to the topic of running a business online or of choosing a career path.  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline:  June 30, 2020

New York attorneys at Silberstein, Awad, & Miklos, P.C. strive to bring the highest quality of service and ethics to every case. Following this mission, we are pleased to announce our Impact on the Community Scholarship. We would like to recognize someone who has devoted their time to improving someone else’s life in their community by awarding them a $1,000 scholarship. Interested applicants should write a 750-1000 word essay discussing a time when you made a positive impact on someone or something in your community, and how that experience changed you as a person. Undocumented students, with or without DACA, may apply. High school seniors who are graduating before the deadline and have been accepted to be enrolled in an undergraduate program are also eligible. 

For more information, click here.  

Deadline:  June 30, 2020

BRIC Language Systems is committed to supporting language learning and education. As part of our passionate commitment to learning, we have created the BRIC Go Global Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to the student who has the best understanding of the importance of language learning and its place in society. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded directly to the student and can be used for tuition, books, language classes, etc.  Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents with a 3.00 or higher GPA.  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline: June 30, 2020

CCIS is dedicated to the future of California’s contractor community. We are excited to offer scholarships for graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled college students who are interested in pursuing a career as a contractor.

Spring Scholarship

Prize: One $750 scholarship

Prompt: With the growing need for housing, specifically affordable housing, how viable are the use of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to replace the building of full-size, single-family homes? What other options do you think the construction industry should consider when addressing the housing crisis?

Length: 250-500 words

For more information, click here

Deadline: July 1, 2020

Understanding the importance of a quality education, Bachus & Schanker, LLC created a scholarship meant to enable students to better focus on their intellectual development and career goals.

Students have the opportunity to apply for one of the $2000 semiannual scholarships to be paid toward tuition for the upcoming semester. Each student must write an essay about his or her opinion(s) on the importance and efficacy of the 7th Amendment. Students are encouraged to think critically about the right to trial by a jury, and other elements of the Amendment, and how it affects their lives.

Eligible Students Will:

  • Write an essay of no fewer than 800 words about your opinion on the importance and efficacy of the 7th Amendment and how it affects your life. Consideration for the entirety of the Amendment (rather than the well-known nutshell explanation of the right to trial by jury) is encouraged.
  • Email their essay as a .doc or .pdf attachment to scholarship@coloradolaw.net.

Any high school senior accepted to attend a four-year university by the time of the award, or full time student attending a four-year university in the United States who carries a 3.0 cumulative GPA may apply.  

For more information, click here.

Deadline: November 30, 2019 (spring semester award). July 30, 2020 (fall semester award).

Getting good grades in school pays off—literally. You've worked hard for your grades; it's time to get paid for it! Hardworking middle school, junior high and high school students (ages 12-18) in Utah and Idaho can earn $1 per "A" on their 2019-2020 report cards. Eligible students are also entered for a chance to win scholarship savings accounts worth up to $1,000. 

Click here for details.  

Deadlines: February 28, 2020 (First Semester Drawing); July 31, 2020 (Second Semester Drawing); July 31, 2020 (Year-end Grand Prize Drawing)

Our main goal is to help people reach their audiences online by creating the most transparent, informative, and useful website builder reviews. Together with our team of professionals, we are very happy to continue our financial support for students who help spread knowledge about the importance of online presence for businesses and individual projects. Award amount is $700. Application requires a video submission. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and be enrolled/planning to enroll in a two-four year college, graduate school, or university based in the USA.  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline: July 31, 2020

MyBestMattress.com is dedicated to spread awareness about sleep health, best mattresses, mattress reviews, as well as about the importance of good education. Our team is happy to constantly help students by providing financial aid. It’s always useful to hear their advice on learners’ productivity and sleep health. We hope to shed light on the sleep deprivation problem among many students nationwide. Award amount is $700.  Application requires a video submission.  Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and be enrolled/planning to enroll in a two-four year college, graduate school, or university based in the USA.  

For more information, click here.  

Deadline: July 31, 2020

All of us here at Apex Minecraft Hosting believe that education is a fundamental part of living a full and joyful life. In the past, we have partnered with educational institutions and libraries as part of our commitment to education in the classroom and the power of Minecraft. This typically has been in the form of sponsored get togethers, class projects, and similar programs and colleges, high schools, middle schools and libraries.

Students are able to apply for our $2,000 scholarship which can be used towards tuition for their next semester at college. All drawings will be done early August each year after submission deadlines have passed. All interested students will be required to write a short essay about their opinion on how Minecraft can be a positive influence within their education and career development. Minecraft has been used in many different facets of education and we want to know how you believe that the game can be further utilized to enhance learning and development. We are interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences about how this amazing game that we love can be much more than just a game. Eligibility requirements: U.S. Citizen, currently enrolled in college or high school, 3.00 or higher GPA. 

For more information and to apply, click here.

Deadline: July 31, 2020

Women in STEM- As a woman-owned corporation operating in a largely male field, we understand the remarkable impact women can have. We want to pave the way for other women pursuing their dreams in the scientific world, which is why ABC Wildlife is introducing a scholarship designed to increase the number of women studying and influencing the future of science, including technology, engineering and math.

If the applicant or the applicant’s parent / legal guardian is employed by ABC Wildlife, Inc. at the time of award, the student is not eligible for the scholarship. Eligibility of finalists will be verified before winners are selected. You do not need to be a United States citizen to apply. High school graduates from the Class of 2020 may apply. Applicants must be females that are studying, or planning to study, the fields of science, engineering, mathematics, or technology. Required documents include a college acceptance letter, recommendation letter, and a transcript. 

For more information, click here

Deadline: July 1, 2020

Juniors and Seniors

We invite U.S. high school students who are interested in flight training or aviation maintenance to apply for Epic Flight Academy's aviation scholarships. Awarding 3 scholarships ($20,000 and $5,000 for flight training; $19,500 for aircraft mechanics.

Click here for more information.

Deadline: October 1, 2020

Tips for Getting Scholarships

  1. Start searching for scholarships as soon as possible. Don’t wait! 
  2. Apply only if you are eligible. 
  3. Make sure you submit a clean, neat and completed application. 
  4. Apply to every scholarship for which you are eligible. Pursue less competitive scholarships, such as small awards and essay contests, since they are easier to win. 
  5. Don’t miss deadlines. Use a calendar and checklist to get organized. 
  6. Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals. Read and follow the instructions carefully. 
  7. If you have difficulty writing essays, try recording yourself as you answer the question out loud, and transcribe the recording later. 
  8. Personalize your essay and be passionate. 
  9. Google your name and make sure you have a professional online presence. 
  10. Proofread a printed copy of your essay and the application before submitting it.

Summer Programs