"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

The Guidance program at SWCHS exists to help students understand their value to God as a unique creation, formed in His image for the purpose of living in dynamic relationship with Him now and into eternity.  The primary focus of the Guidance Counselor is to help students form a clear picture of who they are and what they are.  Emphasis is placed on helping students see that all they do here at SWCHS is preparation for their life beyond high school and the living out of their calling to be followers of Jesus Christ.  The Counselor meets with all seniors in the fall and all juniors in the winter.  Meeting with sophomore and freshman students is conducted on an informal basis throughout the year and at the request of parents or staff members.

Rachel MacKay

Guidance and Career Counselor


952-556-0040 ext 101
r_mackay@swchs.org

Ms. MacKay is in the office every day except for Thursday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

FAFSA applications can now be filed. You should get your application in as soon as possible. You will need a PIN number which you can obtain at www.pin.ed.gov. Do this first. To file, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. Financial aid is given out until it is gone. The sooner you file the better.

Now is the time to begin looking for scholarships. The best place to look for scholarships is the individual college or university to which you are applying. Scholarships at the school are significant. You will want to go to the website for the school and look at what is offered. Apply to those for which you qualify.

One recent example:  an essay contest sponsored by The Christian Worldview radio program and The Master's College.  Winner receives a college weekend at the Master's College and a $4000 scholarship.  Deadline:  2/26/10

The Master's College Essay Contest on The Christian Worldview

There are also many websites which offer scholarship searches. Three good sources are www.fastweb.com, www.collegeboard.com and www.christianconnector.com. Scholarship offers that request money or information about you with a promise of having your name in a product of some kind are not a good investment of time and effort. The sources listed above are approved sites.

Other sources for scholarships to investigate:

  • Rotary Clubs in your area of residence.  These are listed in the newspapers. Chanhassen residents can pick up an application in the Guidance Office as of today.
  • Businesses/Companies
    Many businesses offer scholarships. Check your credit union, parent’s workplace, other big name corporations such as Target or Best Buy and others. Best Buy offers a scholarship at www.bestbuy.com/scholarships or www.@15.com.
  • Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative offers a scholarship for dependent children of MVEC employees, or Member-cooperative consumers. An application is available in the Guidance Office at this time.
  • Military Scholarships
    If you are a dependent or relative of a veteran, you may qualify for a scholarship. Contact the local VFW for information or www.military.com –look under “Education” on the tabs. Please notify the Guidance Office if you are a relative of a veteran—some scholarships come through this office.
  • The American Legion has scholarship and financial aid information available at www.legion.org/needalift.

www.zinch.com

New!  Amazing website for scholarship information.  Check it out!

www.fastweb.com

This site provides tools for finding and evaluating colleges, finding scholarships, understanding the financial aid process, and completing a FAFSA (Federal Application For Student Aid). 

www.offtocollege.com

This is a comprehensive site for all aspects of college planning.

www.collegeboard.com

www.cccu.com

Council of Christian Colleges and Universities

www.christianconnector.com

www.campustours.com

www.collegeview.com

www.petersons.com