College & Career Specialist

Mrs. Kristine Hensley
Email Address: khensley@pasco.k12.fl.us

SAT/ACT Information
Community Service
Scholarship/Financial Aid
Florida Shines

Robyn White-Principal; Dustin Stull-Guest Speaker; Kristine Hensley-Career Specialist

Planning Your Future Starts Today!

Welcome to the Wiregrass Ranch High School College & Career Center. Whether your goal is college, technical school, military service, apprenticeship training, or entering the workforce, we are here to help you create a successful plan for life after graduation.

Use the Xello APP to plan for College, Career and Life!!

 

📅 Upcoming Dates & Events

Annual Events-Advertised on Students’ myLearning Announcements (Class of 20xx) and our Principal’s Newsletter.

  • College Application Support – Fall – Every Tuesday and Thursday after school until 4:30pm for Seniors.
  • FAFSA Completion Nights
  • Bright Futures/Financial Aid/Scholarship Workshops
  • SAT/ACT Registration Deadlines
  • Military Recruiter Tables During Lunches
  • College Rep Visits
  • Career & Technical Education Showcase
  • Scholarship Workshops
  • Senior Graduation Requirement Reviews

 

🏆 Grade-Level College & Career Planning

9th Grade: Explore

✅ Build strong study habits
✅ Get involved in clubs, athletics, and activities
✅ Begin community service hours
✅ Learn about career interests through Xello and Career Pathways
✅ Track coursework required for Bright Futures in your 4-Year Plan in Xello

 

10th Grade: Prepare

✅ Continue service hours and/or paid work hours
✅ Take/Engage in PSAT/PreACT opportunities
✅ Research careers, pathways, and colleges
✅ Update Xello career assessments

 

11th Grade: Plan

✅ Take SAT, ACT, or CLT exams
✅ Create college list
✅ Visit colleges and trade schools
✅ Research scholarships
✅ Meet with College & Career Specialist

✅ Begin college essay drafts


12th Grade: Apply

✅ Complete FAFSA

✅ Complete Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)

✅ Submit college applications

✅ Request transcripts

✅ Apply for scholarships

✅ Verify Bright Futures eligibility

✅ Finalize postsecondary plans

 

🎯 College Application Resources

Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org

Coalition Application: https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org

Florida SUS Admissions: https://www.floridashines.org

Trade schools for career and adult education (District Postsecondary Institutions): https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/dist-ps-instit.stml 

The 28 community colleges in the Florida College System: https://www.fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/about-us/colleges.stml 

Florida State University schools: https://www.flbog.edu/universities/ 

College Board: https://www.collegeboard.org

ACT: https://www.act.org

Classic Learning Test: https://www.cltexam.com/

 

✍️ College Essay Writing Tips

DO:

✅ Tell your story

✅ Be authentic

✅ Show growth and resilience

✅ Use specific examples

✅ Proofread multiple times

✅ Have a trusted adult review

DON’T:

❌ Write what you think colleges want to hear

❌ Exaggerate accomplishments

❌ Submit without editing

❌ Reuse essays without customizing

Helpful Essay Resources

💵 Financial Aid

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for many federal, state, and institutional aid programs. FAFSA is the primary application for grants, work-study, and federal student loans.  ALL Seniors and parents should complete the FAFSA which opens October 1st.

🔗 https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

FAFSA Checklist

  • Student FSA ID
  • Parent FSA ID (if required)
  • Social Security Number
  • Tax Information
  • School List

Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)

The FFAA is used to apply for Florida state financial aid programs, including Bright Futures Scholarships.

🔗 https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org

🌟 Florida Financial Aid Application (includes Bright Futures Scholarship and other state scholarships/aid).

Florida’s Bright Futures Program rewards academic achievement and community involvement. Students may qualify through GPA, coursework, service hours, paid work hours, and testing requirements.

Resources

🔗 https://www.floridabrightfutures.gov

🔗 https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org

Student Reminders

✅ Create FFAA account October 1st of Senior Year

✅ Monitor eligibility

✅ Document service hours

✅ Submit testing scores

✅ Complete required coursework

 

❤️ Community Service Opportunities

Potential Opportunities:

  • Volunteer Florida
  • Pasco County Animal Services
  • Local libraries
  • Elementary school tutoring
  • Faith-based organizations
  • Food banks
  • Parks and Recreation Departments
  • Hospitals (age requirements vary)

Volunteer Florida: https://www.volunteerflorida.org

 

📝 Forms

Community Service Verification Form: https://wrhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/wrhs/2026/08/2627-Rev-Community-Service-Form-1.doc

Paid Work Hours Form: https://wrhs.pasco.k12.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/wrhs/2026/08/Revised-Paid-Work-Verification-form-26-27.docx

 

🎓 Scholarships

Scholarship Search Engines

Local Scholarships

Pasco Education Foundation: https://www.pascoeducationfoundation.org/

Withlacoochee Electric Cooperative:  https://wrec.net/educational-foundation

Check frequently with the College & Career Center/Ms. Hensley for new opportunities.

 

🧰 Trade Unions & Apprenticeships

Students interested in high-demand skilled careers should explore apprenticeship opportunities.

Trade Careers

  • Electrician
  • HVAC Technician
  • Plumber
  • Pipefitter
  • Welder
  • Carpenter
  • Mason
  • Heavy Equipment Operator

Apprenticeship Resources

Florida Registered Apprenticeships: https://floridajobs.org

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW): https://www.ibew.org

United Association Plumbers & Pipefitters: https://ua.org

Associated Builders and Contractors: https://www.abc.org

 

U.S. Military Branches

Explore careers, education benefits, and scholarships.

U.S. Army: https://www.goarmy.com

U.S. Navy: https://www.navy.com

U.S. Air Force: https://www.airforce.com

U.S. Marine Corps: https://www.marines.com

U.S. Coast Guard: https://www.gocoastguard.com

U.S. Space Force: https://www.spaceforce.com

ASVAB Career Exploration: https://www.asvabprogram.com

 

💼 Career Resources

Xello

Pasco County Schools provides students with access to Xello for career exploration, college planning, interest assessments, and portfolio development. Students access Xello through their Pasco Connect dashboard.

Occupational Outlook Handbook

The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides career information, salary data, education requirements, and job growth projections for hundreds of occupations.

🔗 https://www.bls.gov/ooh

CareerOneStop

🔗 https://www.careeronestop.org

FloridaShines

🔗 https://www.floridashines.org

 

🎯 Workforce Pell Grants

Workforce Pell Grants provide eligible students access to federal financial aid for approved short-term workforce training programs that lead to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers. Florida began implementation in 2026.

Learn More

🔗 https://www.fldoe.org/workforcepell

 

“Your Future. Your Plan. Your Success.”

Start early, stay organized, and take advantage of every opportunity available at Wiregrass Ranch High School.