Guidance Office
Welcome to the KC Guidance Department online.
We’re here to help you succeed.
Welcome, Kennedy Families
This page contains information for your family from the Kennedy Guidance office. You can find information here about college and career preparation as well as social and emotion resources. If you have further questions or an immediate need to talk to someone, please contact guidance director, Allison Zreliak.
College & Career Information
For helpful links in researching and preparing for what comes next…
Scholarships & Financial Aid
For resources on making college affordable…
Enrichment Opportunities
For summer programs and other enrichment opportunities…
Social & Emotional Resources
For information on social and emotional needs…
Student Assistance Program
For more information about this program to help students…
College & Career Information
At KCHS we’re proud of the fact that more than 95% of our students enroll in four-year college or university after graduation. We also know that the process of selecting the right institution can be time consuming and confusing. Please follow the links below for helpful information about college and career preparation.
SAT & ACT Prep & Registration
- SAT – practice, register, and get your scores for the SAT test
- Khan Academy – free test prep for the SAT
- ACT – practice, register, and get your scores for the ACT test
College Resources
In order to help make the college search and application process easier, we suggest students visit the following websites to gather information about colleges and universities in the United States and around the world.
- Niche – college reviews, rankings, and statistics
- KnowHow2GO – information and advice on college preparation
- Cappex – college search, compare, matching and more
- CollegeNet – college information, applications and financial aid info
- SchoolGuides – directory and search of colleges and universities
- College Board – college, scholarship and testing information
- SAT – practice, register, and get your scores for the SAT test
- Khan Academy + SAT – free test prep for the SAT
- ACT – practice, register, and get your scores for the ACT test
- My Majors – assessments for finding a major, college and career path
- Best Schools – a guide for finding the right online college
Career Resources
- PA Career Zone – assessments and planning tools for career options
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – research career information and statistics
- PA Department of Labor Vocational Rehabilitation Services – The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
There are many scholarships available for graduating seniors attending college. Please check back for updates on what new scholarships are available. If you have questions about applying for scholarships, please contact the guidance office.
- PHEAA.org – help with FASFA and PA State Grants for PA students
- YouCanDealWithIt.com – information and advice on finding, applying for, and managing financial aid
- FinAid.org – information and advice on finding, applying for, and managing financial aid
- Cappex.com – find and search for financial aid information
- Scholarships.com – find and search for financial aid information
- Fastweb.com – find and search for financial aid information
- StudentScholarships.org – find and search for financial aid information
- Commununity Foundation of Western PA & Eastern OH Scholarships – find local scholarship opportunities
- Universityhq.org – financial aid, scholarship, loan, and grant information
**Scholarships are now posted in google classroom. For the most up to date information on scholarships, visit the senior class google classroom.**
WKBN Tom Holden Memorial Scholarship Contest
The 2021 Caring for Our Community campaign kicks off the year with the Tom Holden Memorial Scholarship Contest. This is open to junior and senior High School students in Mahoning, Columbiana, Trumbull and Mercer counties. $1,500 scholarships available! Use the link...
January – Studentscholarships.org
SCHOLARSHIPS DEADLINES FROM JAN 31 – MAR 30 Click Here - January Scholarship Newsletter
Thiel College’s Ella Busch Scholarship
Mercer County students could be eligible for up to $8,000 through the Ella Busch Scholarship. Students are encouraged to apply by February 15, 2021 for Thiel College’s Ella Busch Scholarship. To be eligible, students must be a resident of Mercer County, have at least...
The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation applications will open on January 1st, 2021 and close on March 1st, 2021. The Community Foundation offers are large variety of local scholarships. It is important when filling out your student information, that you include as much information...
December – Studentscholarships.org
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES FROM DEC 31, 2020 – FEB 1, 2021 Click Here - December Scholarship Newsletter
November – StudentScholarships.org
Multiple Scholarships available. Please see attached document for links and information. Due Dates Vary Click Here - Scholarship Newsletter
Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF)
The online application for the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is available starting on November 1, 2020, at jackierobinson.org. Through the JRF application, more than 4,000 talented young minority high school students apply to become JRF Scholars and carry on...
Gannon University Scholarship Opportunities
Due Dates Vary! Here is an exciting opportunity for your seniors considering pursuing a degree at Gannon University to participate in a virtual academic contest related to their anticipated field of study. Gannon will award four-year awards, and participants can win...
Western PA Golf Association
Student must have worked at a Member Club of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association for at least 2 season. Local member clubs include Tam O'Shanter in Hermitage, Castle Hills Golf Course and Lawrence County eClub in New Castle, and The County Club of Meadville in...
Enrichment Opportunities
Below is listing of enrichment opportunities for students. These include both summer academic programs along with shorter programs. There are opportunities for learning and credit available in many different fields. If you have questions about these programs, please contact the guidance office. Enrichment programs are available at many colleges and can be found on their individual websites. PeopletoPeople.com is a recommended program for travel enrichment.
Pitt Bridge Summer Academy
University of Pittsburgh College Prep and Leadership Academy July 12-17, 2015 This week-long summer program for high school student leaders is designed to help students strengthen their leadership skills and learn how to navigate the college application process. The...
Counseling Services:
- Catholic Charities of Mercer County
- Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission
- Suicide Awareness Policy
Drugs/Alcohol Information:
Suicide Intervention/Help:
Bullying:
- The Office for Safe Schools, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), is pleased to announce the availability of the PA Bullying Prevention Consultation Line. The Bullying Prevention Consultation Line is a toll free number that will allow individuals experiencing chronic and unresolved bullying to discuss effective strategies and available resources to deal with school-based bullying. This supportive resource has been developed in collaboration with the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (CHPDP), and is available, at no cost, to students, parents/guardians and schools across the state of Pennsylvania. Messages can be left 24 hour a day, seven days a week, and will be returned Monday-Friday during normal business hours. The Consultation Line number is 1-866-716-0424. Click here to visit the PA Bullying Prevention Website.
Violence Prevention:
Student Assistance Program
The Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a systematic team process used to mobilize school resources to remove barriers to learning. SAP is designed to assist in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student’s success. The primary goal of the Student Assistance Program is to help students overcome these barriers so that they may achieve, advance, and remain in school. Click here for more information about SAP.
Referral
Anyone can refer a student to SAP if they have a concern including school staff, a student’s friend, a family member, etc. The students themselves can go directly to the SAP team to ask for help as well. The SAP team contacts the parent for permission to proceed with the SAP process
Click here to download SAP referral form
For any questions regarding SAP please contact, Allison Zreliak at azreliak@kenneedycatholicschools.org
Social & Emotional Resources