Counseling Office

 
Requesting official high school transcripts after graduation:
Official transcripts with graduation date will be ready the 2nd week of June. I will send out a google form for seniors to complete when requesting a transcript order. If you are graduating in December, you will need to speak with me about acquiring your transcript and arranging where you need it sent and by when. 

ICC Dual Credit Courses and College Transcripts:
Any dual-credit courses taken will be listed on your BHS transcript but you will also need to request an ICC Transcript from ICC. That can be done here. You will need to set up an account with Parchment so you have access to your transcripts as long as you need. This will be available to you throughout your education journey.
Financial Aid/FAFSA:
The 24-25 FAFSA Application opened on December 31st, 2023. Seniors and their parents/guardians must complete their designated portions of the FAFSA application by May 1st, 2024.

Completing the FAFSA is an Illinois State Graduation Requirement. 

Please read the attached document ("FAFSA...") explaining what to do to prepare before the application opens up at the end of December. 


Schedule a meeting if you need any assistance setting up your FAFSA ID. Students can set up a meeting with me to complete this but will need to know their full social security number. 

Parents/Guardians - you will need your 2022 Tax documents once the application is open.

The application you may see available now to start applying IS NOT FOR FALL 2024/2024-2025. Do not fill it out unless your student graduates in December 2023 and plans to attend college January 2024. 

To view the new FAFSA prototype or look over various scenarios:

Counselor Confidentiality Statement

Information students share with the Counselor is confidential. The student's right to privacy is guarded as much as permitted by law, ethics, and school rules.  All meetings held with the Counselor will remain confidential unless the student or parent gives permission to share information with related parties.  As Professional School Counselors, we respect the rights of confidentiality of personal information disclosed during the course of conversation between ourselves and students, except in the following cases: 

  • If the student presents  danger to him or herself.

  • If the student presents danger to others.

  • If the student has been abused by others, and/or if required to do so by court order.

  • If the student gives permission for the information to be shared.

As mandated reporters, we are bound by Federal and State law to break confidentiality in the situations mentioned above and will do so to protect our students and to remain legally and ethically true to our profession.  The Professional School Counselor may consult with other school professionals but will only share information necessary to achieve the goals of the consultation.

Scholarship Opportunities:

https://app.goingmerry.com/scholarships-widget/a46cab5f-e856-463e-a375-2b4f83b80fbc?themeColor=%23d01b1d

2024 Scholarships:

I am attaching the 2024 Local Brimfield Scholarship Application. Instructions are attached to the application. Click here to complete the google doc version or print the attached pdf form. I have also attached a resource for writing college and scholarship essays and a couple other Peoria County Scholarships.

Scholarships will now be uploaded and updated regularly into Xello. Log in to your Xello account and check out what's available. Local Brimfield Scholarships will be uploaded as they become available by the scholarship providers.

  1. Log in to Xello 
  2. Go to College Planning
  3. Open Local Scholarships

Email Ms. Ross or reach out to your homeroom teacher if you need your Xello login information.

I will have paper copies of the scholarship packets available on Friday.

Melissa Ross
High School Counselor
Brimfield High School
309-446-3349 ext. 1202