Need Money for COLLEGE or TECHNICAL TRAINING? 1) To qualify take the ACT or SAT Exam 2) Apply for all available grants. 3) Apply for several scholarships then apply for interest-free loans. For more information contact the SHS planning office at 672-2495 or for biweekly newsletter:  mavrakisj@scsd2.com All info available to any student in Sheridan and Johnson counties.

SCHOLARSHIPS Hathaway Scholarships - www.uwyo.edu/hathaway FAFSA-Free Application For Federal Student Aid  www.fafsa.edu.gov There are scholarships available for specific colleges & career choices. Deadline for most scholarships March 1st.  Please check!

NURSING PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES AT SHERIDAN COLLEGE Whitney Practicum Experience for ADN and Recent Sheridan College ADN Graduates Whitney Practicum Experience for RN-BSN

LOCAL EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS The Dodd and Dorothy L. Bryan Foundation Up to $5000/year P.O. Box 6287 First Plaza- 2 North Main Fourth Floor- Suite 401 Sheridan, WY  82801 Phone: (307) 672-3535 The B.F. and Rose H. Perkins Foundation Up to $5000/year - Sheridan County Students Only P.O. Office Building 45 E. Loucks, Suite 110 P.O. Box 1064 Sheridan, WY  82801 Phone:  (307) 674-8871 Walt and Olga Pilch Foundation 41 East Burkitt Sheridan, WY  82801 Phone:  (307) 674-7491 Scott Foundation Up to $4000/year for Sheridan College Contact Sheridan College Fin. Aid (307) 674-6446, x2100 Whitney Foundation Loans up to $7500/year P.O. Box 5085 245 Broadway Sheridan, WY 82801 (307) 674-7303

FEDERAL PROGRAMS Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid Financial Aid Information from the U.S. Department of Education including information on Pell Grants, Federal Perkins Loans, Work Study, Stafford Loans, PLUS loans (loans to parents) and Consolidation Loans.

EDUCATIONAL FUNDING LINKS www.findtuition.com www.cooljobs.com  www.sai.org/students/student.htm http://onestop.state.wy.us www.wyomingjobquest.com www.sheridan.edu/offices/finaid/ www.gocollegeanswer.com/in www.collegeanswer.com/index.jsp www.allstarjobs.com www.gocollege.com www.wymingjobquest.com http://www.careerplanner.com www.uwyo.edu/scholarships www.findaid.com www.collegenet.com www.whitneybenefits.org

In 2002 and 2003, Whitney commissioned Dr. Mariam Manley to complete a Sheridan County Educational Needs Assessment.  The 2002 report identified technology, hospitality, and health care as the three areas where future jobs would be available.  The grants help the school districts, working in collaboration, to offer programs in the areas of hospitality and health care.

In 2002, Whitney Benefits began funding two vocational education grants, for a period of three years, to the Sheridan Community Educational Foundation (SCEF) to benefit students in all three Sheridan county school districts.  The educational grants were given for a Certified Nursing Assistant Program and a food service/ hospitality program.

The Health Occupations class through the Certified Nursing Assistant Program at Sheridan High School trains future health providers in a sequence of new courses funded by the Whitney grant.  From inception of the program in 2003 through December 2006, 280 students directly benefited from the program. In 2006, twenty five students were certified in the CNA program and thirteen more are signed up for the Spring 2007 course.

Pro Start II  and Kid's Catering are hospitality programs that build on students' interest in hotel and restaurant services.  Since inception of the program in 2003, 118 students have enrolled in the Hospitality Program.

In December 2006, Whitney Benefits gifted Tongue River High School Kid's Catering $7,285 to purchase supplies for to continue with the hosipitality program.  Items purchased included a reach in freezer, washer and dryer, tuxedo shirts, knifes, and aprons. 

In 2001, Whitney Benefits began the process of considering an educational needs assessment and determined that a method was needed to evaluate the educational needs of the county.  In 2002, Whitney Benefits, commissioned Dr. Miriam Manley to complete a Sheridan County Educational Needs assessment.  Whitney's intent for the educational needs assessment was to collect high quality current data that could be used to plan, support, and ensure that programs, opportunities and services are available to young people in Sheridan County enabling them to pursue careers in the global workplace.  The need and design of the educational needs assessment was developed based upon input gathered from meetings of multiple groups and service providers within Sheridan County including:   Whitney Board Trustees, School District #1, School District #2, School District #3, Sheridan College, and other local foundation representatives.  The commissioning of this study was the recognition of the Whitney Foundation that career opportunities in the 21st century are rapidly changing.

Careers are becoming more global and transcend geographical boundaries.  Advances in technology have changed and will continue to change the workplace, and how individuals live and conduct their careers.  Whitney considered it critical that educational and vocational training opportunities available within Sheridan County remain current and evolve so as to ensure that our young people are highly skilled, competitive and have the choices they want and need for their careers in the future.

In 2003, Whitney Benefits again commissioned Dr. Mariam Manley to complete Phase II of the Sheridan County Educational Needs Assessment.  This session dealt with common and specific educational opportunities and problems as well as action plans by each of the three Sheridan County School Districts and Sheridan College.  Whitney believes that it is critical that Sheridan County and their respective communities identify how we can best meet the educational needs of our young people so that people can be competitive in the global market as well as make choices on their future lifestyles.  Click the links below to view the reports.

Whitney Educational and Vocational Needs Assessment Study Final Report - August 2002 (pdf format)
Community Action Planning Meeting June 25 - June 26, 2003  (pdf format)