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.
Family Link
ThrivePoint’s real-time web-portal for students and parents to check on important data, such as attendance and academic progress.
CollegeBoard
https://www.collegeboard.org/.
Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/.
BigFuture
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/.
BigFuture
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/.
ACT Academy
https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation/act-academy.html.
Federal Student Aid
https://studentaid.gov/.
ACT/SAT Prep
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.
Arizona GEAR UP:
Khan Academy:
ACT Academy:
College Depot:
Arizona State Library:
Universities & Colleges Across Arizona
Tips for Getting Scholarships for High School Students
Start early:
Apply to as many scholarships as possible:
Keep track of deadlines:
Write a compelling essay:
Get letters of recommendation:
Highlight your achievements:
Follow instructions carefully:
Proofread:
Be persistent:
Use scholarship search engines:
Scholarship Resources
Arizona Community Foundation:
URL: https://www.azfoundation.org/Scholarships
College Depot:
URL: https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/collegedepot/Pages/default.aspx
Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education:
URL: https://highered.az.gov/financial-aid
College Success Arizona:
URL: https://collegesuccessarizona.org/
Navajo Nation Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program:
URL: https://www.nnop.org/scholarship.html
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA):
URL: https://www.alpfa.org/page/Scholarships
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:
URL: https://www.tucsonhispanicchamber.org/scholarships
Arizona Elk Society:
URL: https://arizonaelksociety.org/scholarship-program/
Arizona JACL:
URL: http://jaclaz.org/scholarships/
Arizona State University Scholarship Portal:
URL: https://scholarships.asu.edu/