Counselor’s Corner/December

HOBY Delegates
Sophomores Dillon Rossmiller, son of Dana and Nancy Rossmiller, and Anthony Child , son of  Troy Child, will represent Centerville at this year’s Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership conference this June in Missoula. Congratulations!

1Testing

Seniors have been busy registering for and taking ACT/SAT exams.  The juniors took the P-SAT (practice SAT) on October 14, and ASVAB on Dec. 11, and are anxiously awaiting their results.  Sophomores completed the PLAN (practice ACT) on October 7.  All of these exams help students see where their strengths and weaknesses are so they can plan accordingly. We follow them up with research on careers of students’ interests.

Federal Financial Aid Informational Meeting – Jan 7, 2010

An informational meeting regarding the federal financial aid process for those students heading on to post secondary education after graduation will be held January 7, 2010, at MSU- Great Falls College of Technology at 6:30 p.m. in Room B101.  Although geared for seniors and their parents, anyone is welcome to attend.  It’s never too early to find out how the federal financial aid process works.
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College Goal Sunday – Jan 31, 2010
For those seniors and their parents who want help filling out the FAFSA ( Free Application for Federal Student Aid), College Goal Sunday will be held again this year at MSU-Great Falls-COT. Stop in between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. to visit with a financial aid officer.  Students who attend are entered into a drawing for a $500 scholarship.

Tax Credits for Higher Education Expenses

  • The Hope Credit was renamed the American Opportunity Tax Credit.  It applies for higher education expenses paid during the 2009-2010 school year.  This credit now includes the first four years of college and the maximum value has increased to $2500. Course materials are now eligible for consideration under the tax credit, and in some cases, computer expenses are eligible.  Make sure you and your college student keep good records of these college related expenses.
  • Another option to consider is the Lifetime Learning Credit, which has no limit on the number of years it can be claimed.  This credit generally covers up to $2000 in higher education expenses.

Consult with your tax advisor or visit www.irs.gov to see which one is the best option for you.

  • If you are a parent or grandparent and are looking for a tax-advantaged option for higher education savings, check into 529 Savings Plans.  The Montana Family Education Savings Plan has a variety of options for growing your college savings.  Contributions are deductable from state income taxes, up to $3000 per individual or $6,000 for those filing married, joint returns.  Earnings in a 529 plan grow tax free, and distributions used for higher education expenses are also tax free. Learn more at the website www.Montana.collegesavings.com.