ACT Retake and FAFSA Applications

County Seniors Taking Next Steps Toward College
Posted on 10/03/2019
This is the image for the news article titled County Seniors Taking Next Steps Toward CollegeA countywide ACT retake day and the opening of the process for applying for free federal aid made Tuesday noteworthy on high school seniors’ journeys toward what’s next.

All Weakley County high school seniors had the opportunity to retake the ACT college entrance exam in a half-day experience, and 212 students took advantage of the chance to improve their scores for free. The October 1 testing date also coincided with the opening of the application process for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The breakdown of ACT re-takers is Dresden with 70; Gleason, 20; Greenfield, 22; and Westview 100.

The day was a return to the familiar. The state offers two opportunities for free test-taking. Last spring was the first. Many choose to continue to take the exam multiple times (at a cost) to increase the score necessary for universities to view them as viable candidates.

While the three other high schools utilized gyms or classrooms to meet the space requirements for test-taking, Gleason seniors experienced a first. They walked to First United Methodist Church to enjoy the hospitality offered by their neighbors in the quiet of the church’s Family Life Center. Allowing students to take advantage of the free retake offsite means less interruption of the school’s regular schedule, explained Monica Rollins, assistant principal and testing coordinator.

In previous years, an entire wing of the school was closed to accommodate testing. Now, thanks to the generously opened doors of the church, other classes could continue uninterrupted.

Gleason reports that before Tuesday, the ACT average of those retaking was 21.89 with 57.9% of those testing showing a composite score of 21 or above; 21% had 30 or above. Dresden’s ACT average before the Senior Retake was 20.3 with 38% scoring 21 or above and 3% had reached 30 or above. Greenfield had 14 students with a 21 or above retaking the ACT. Though one Greenfield senior had scored a 30 and was scheduled for the exam, sickness prevented it. Westview saw 80% of their senior class participate in the retake with 34.4% previously scoring 21 or above.

Every school is offering additional incentives for completion of the FAFSA. The application requires approximately 45 minutes to complete in order to be eligible for financial aid from Tennessee Promise, UT Promise, the Hope Lottery Scholarships, Pell Grants, state grants and all other forms of federal and state financial aid.

Dresden’s “FAFSA Frenzy” is scheduled for Thursday, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the computer lab. Greenfield will also host their FAFSA night on Thursday night from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Gleason has scheduled Monday, October 7, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in the computer lab for parents and students needing assistance. Westview offered their FAFSA assistance on Wednesday evening.

Cody Callaghan takes ACT
Cody O’Callaghan receives instruction from Monica Rollins, assistant principal at Gleason and testing coordinator.

Krista O'Callaghan takes ACT
Krista O’Callaghan was one of 19 Gleason seniors who took advantage of the ACT Retake Day that allows students to take the college admissions exam at no cost.

all Gleason seniors at Methodist Church

Gleason First United Methodist Church served as the host site for Gleason’s seniors to retake the ACT test. Students must have three feet on all sides while taking the college entrance exam. Monica Rollins, assistant principal at Gleason, is the testing coordinator. Jason Stephens served as the testing administrator with Sierra Kirk as proctor.

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