Counseling Office
Welcome to the PHS Counseling Office! You should be able to find information on this webpage about courses, graduation requirements, scholarships, college planning, personal/social issues, etc. Please do not hesitate to contact counselors with any questions you have.
Contacts
- Scholarship Information
- Community Service Opportunities
- The ACT Exam
- Cultural Exchange
- Web Resources
- FAQs
Scholarship Information
Scholarship Information
This tab contains several resources for scholarships, including ones made available to PHS students, and websites used to search for scholarships.
A-Z Scholarships by Month
Expand a section to see the scholarships due that month. For further inquiries, please contact the counseling office.
- Miscellaneous/No Due Date
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
Miscellaneous/No Due Date
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Community Service Opportunities
The ACT Exam
Cultural Exchange
Cultural Exchange
How would you like a cultural experience without leaving home? Plattsmouth Schools welcomes students from around the world every year as foreign exchange students. One of the organizations we are proud to work with is EF High School Exchange Year (formally known as Foundation for Foreign Study). There are other agencies that offer this cultural exchange as well. If you would like to host a student or want to learn more information, please contact Jim Knierim at Plattsmouth High School. The school phone number is (402) 296 – 3322, Ext. 2161. Mr. Knierim’s email address is jknierim@pcsd.org.
Web Resources
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Aid
How do I apply for financial aid?
In order to receive financial aid you must fill out the FAFSA form. It must be done online. The FAFSA can now be filed starting October 1. In order to complete it you must use your previous year's taxes. See the guidance office for more details or visit EducationQuest.
How do I find out about scholarships?
Each teacher should have a list of scholarships along with the guidance office. Review the scholarships that you are eligible for and go to the guidance office for a copy to fill out. You can also do searches on the Internet for scholarships. REMEMBER: You should never have to pay someone to get you a list of financial aid you are eligible for.
How do I know if I am eligible for financial aid?
Check with the counseling office for help. You can also visit, call, or go to the website of EducationQuest for help.
When should I fill out scholarship applications?
Fill out scholarship applications as soon as possible. Most have deadlines but the earlier you apply the better chance you have of receiving it.
Personal Issues
What do I do for a friend if I know something is wrong and I cannot help them?
Go talk to the social worker or one of the school counselors with your concerns. They will do their best to help with the issue.
What do I do if I am having problems with a friend or family member?
Feel free to talk to the social worker or go to the guidance office and talk to either counselor about the problem/issue. They are there to help and will do everything they can to help you.
What do I do if I witness or experience things that I know are wrong like harassment, abuse, etc?
Report any incidences that you feel or know are wrong to a teacher, administrator, or counselor immediately. You can remain anonymous. You can also report using the Say Something app.
Post Highschool
What do colleges look at when I apply for admission?
Many but not all colleges focus on grades in college prep courses, ACT/SAT scores, grades in all courses, class rank, essay, and recommendations. This is not a complete list but seems to be the most important to most colleges.
When do I need to apply to college?
You need to begin applying to colleges the fall of your senior year. Some colleges use their application as their scholarship application, so there may be deadlines. If there are no deadlines the sooner you apply the better chance you have to get those scholarships.
Senior Year
As a senior, what do I need to be accomplishing?
You should be concerned with the following topics:
- making sure you are registered for the right classes in order to graduate
- pass all classes necessary to graduate
- filling out graduation intent form
- taking ACT/SAT or Accuplacer (depending on what college you're going to)
- making college visits
- applying to colleges
- applying for scholarships
- filing the FAFSA
- ordering graduation invitations
- ordering a cap and gown
When and how do I order a cap and gown?
You need to be measured in November when Balfour Company comes to school. Then you need to have the $50 fee for the cap and gown on the day of graduation rehearsal when they are delivered.
When and how do I order graduation announcements?
Balfour Company will be here in mid November at lunch to take orders for announcements. You need to fill out the packet given to you previously and make a deposit on that day. Check your announcements for the actual day they will be here.
College Tests
What is our school code?
Our school code is 281925.
What standardized tests do I need to take?
If you plan to go to a 4-year college, you need to take the ACT or the SAT. Check with individual schools to see what they require. If you are going to a community college, you need to take the Accuplacer test. If you want to go to a specialized/technical school, check with that school to see
what they require.
When do I register for standardized tests?
ACT:
- Sept. 9, 2023 Test--Register by Aug. 4, 2023
- Oct. 28, 2023 Test--Register by Sept. 22, 2023
- Dec. 9, 2023 Test--Register by Nov. 3, 2023
- Feb. 10, 2024 Test--Register by Jan. 5, 2024
- Apr. 13, 2024 Test--Register by March. 8, 2024
- June 8, 2024 Test--Register by May 3, 2024
- July 13, 2024 Test--Register by June 7, 2024
SAT:
Aug. 26, 2023 Test--Register by July 28, 2023
Oct. 7, 2023 Test--Register by Sept. 7, 2023
Nov. 4, 2023 Test--Register by Oct. 5, 2023
Dec. 2, 2023 Test--Register by Nov. 2, 2023
Mar. 9, 2024 Test--Register by Feb. 23, 2024
May 4, 2024 Test--Register by April 19, 2024
June 1, 2024 Test--Register by May 16, 2024
PSAT:
See a counselor for signup and test date
ASVAB:
See a counselor for signup and test date
Accuplacer:
Contact local college for appointment