Guidance & Planning
A Note from our Guidance Counselor
HCA assists students in their development as life-long servants of Christ. As the guidance counselor, I strive to guide students individually through the career and college planning process. HCA provides a wide variety of opportunities to explore career paths, meet with college admission counselors, and prepare for college entrance exams.
Kris Ruth
kruth@hopehawks.org
Student Timeline Summary
Download guidance timelines below.
Grade 11
This is a key year in the college planning process. You’ll be taking ACT or SAT tests, exploring careers, narrowing down your college list, and learning about financial aid. You’ll need to stay involved in your high school courses and activities. Remember that colleges will see your freshman to junior years on your transcript, so make your junior year count!
Grade 12
Senior year can be a very busy time, with schoolwork, activities, and special events. In addition, this is the time to start putting your plan for after high school into action, whether this means college, trade school, community college, work, or military. Be sure you work with your plan, take it step by step, and pay attention to deadlines.
Helpful Links
Useful links to help students prepare for college or the workforce
- ACT information
- SAT information
- Federal Student Financial Aid application
- Register with Selective Service
- Career exploration info from the state of Michigan
- ACT preparation help
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Scholarship information from Veterans Administration
- Student financial aid information from the state of Michigan
- Federal financial aid info
- Cappex College planning guide
- College virtual tours
- Sallie Mae student loans
- Peterson’s College and Scholarship Search
- Fastweb Scholarship search
- Scholarships.com scholarship search
- GoingMerry – A Free Scholarship seach and application platform
- Searchable database of colleges with tuition rates & other info
- ASVAB Career Exploration