College applicants receive prizes

Applying to college can be a daunting task, especially when application fees, multiple-page documents and financial aid are taken into consideration. These factors often scare students away from applying, but in 2013, Alabama joined the initiative to help change that with National Alabama College Week Campaign.

Russellville High School, counselor Tiffany Warhurst explained, took that initiative as well.

Oct. 30 through Nov. 3 was National College Application Week, and RHS made the effort to help students understand the application process and offered incentives to encourage them to apply to different colleges and universities.

“It really boosts their confidence when they know the options available to them,” Warhurst said.

Northwest-Shoals Community College, the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama sent representatives to RHS during the week to help them with the application process. Warhurst said these schools waived the application fees for the students who committed to applying. Application fees, she explained, are a major reason many students end up not applying.

“I think their morale was up after learning what doors were open to them,” she said.

Warhurst, Lindsey Oliver from NW-SCC, Kim Mauldin from UNA and Tara Payton from UA also made an effort to inform students about financial aid and the FAFSA process.

About 140 students applied to at least one college, which is more than half of the senior class, Warhurst said. In total, 226 applications were submitted by Nov. 3.

“We also want them to realize their options aside from college, like trades and the workforce,” Warhurst said. Representatives were invited to speak about training options available to students – options that don’t require a two- or four-year degree. Warhurst said the goal is to get students to make a plan for after high school, whether it’s college or not.

“We want to thank our sponsors, Papa John’s, Walmart and CB&S Bank, for helping with the prizes for the kids,” Warhurst said.

Each student who applied to at least one college was entered into a drawing for a prize. Ten pizza cards, three $25 Walmart gift cards and an iPad mini were given out to the winning students.