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New Albany High School Hosts Senior Parent Night

New Albany High School (NAHS) hosted its annual Senior Parent Night on Thursday, September 24.  The event was sponsored in part by BNA Bank and Education Services Foundation (ESF). 

“The goal of Senior Parent Night is to provide parents with information in an effort to make the senior year smoother,” said NAHS Principal Jay Foster.  “We want to make the parents aware of upcoming costs during the year and help in preparing these seniors for college.”

ESF is a non-profit organization that exists to help students go to college.  BNA Bank and ESF are partners in education to provide students access to higher education by defraying the costs.

Stacey Bloodworth, an ESF representative, spoke to those in attendance regarding the proper steps to take in paying for college.  First, students must apply for the colleges or universities they are interested in attending.  Second, apply for scholarships at those colleges or universities.  Third, apply for private or outside scholarships.  Fourth, students must complete the FAFSA application (Free Application for Free Student Aid). 

Bloodworth also discussed the different types of financial aid that is available to students in addition to scholarships.  Financial aid includes pell grants, work-study programs, loans, and Mississippi Financial Aid.

Susan Burchfield, Senior Social Studies teacher, offered her assistance in helping senior parents work through the FAFSA application process.   She will be working with seniors on completing the MTAG (Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant) application in the school’s computer lab. 

“Each year several college recruiters visit my classroom to speak to seniors,” Burchfield said.  “They are always impressed and very complimentary by how helpful our high school is in assisting seniors with financial aid and scholarship applications.”

Kyra Cossey, NAHS Counselor, discussed the information booklet that the senior parents had received at the registration table.  This booklet will provide helpful information throughout the school year regarding senior information, college admissions, and financial aid/scholarships. 

The NAHS Student Services Page on the school website is being updated regularly concerning scholarships, college events, ACT test dates and workshops, and other parent information. 

“Communication is an important aspect to this senior year,” Cossey said.  “Now is the time for seniors to be communicating to their parents their goals and ideas they have for the next step in their lives.”