Category: Mark Brown’s Blog Posts

2015-2024 Impact Report

We’re very pleased to present out 2015-2024 Impact Report! This report details Crosby Scholars record of successes for the past school year and over the past nine years. The report provides both numbers-based details regarding the number of students served, scholarship totals, and community service hours.

You can also read inspiring stories of success, straight from the source: our students.

Check out the Impact Report on Issuu!



Summer Sessions, College Tours

The 2024 commencement ceremonies are now complete and Memorial Day observances are behind us. We certainly love summer vacations and taking time to relax. But make sure to make the most of your summer by taking advantage of the many offerings Crosby Scholars has planned, including career exploration opportunities, college admission prep sessions for rising seniors, college tours for middle and high schoolers and more.

While some of these sessions have already reached capacity, waiting lists are available. Please add your name if you are interested!

Here’s the full schedule:

TRY IT TUESDAYS – * Academy Credit *

Rising ninth through 12th grade Crosby Scholars can sign up to hear from experts in various fields, with information on the educational pathways to make these careers a reality. Register in the Student/Parent Portal.

NOTE: Some of these sessions have already reached capacity. However, please add your name to the waiting list if you are interested.

June 11 – Computer Science and Graphic Design – Mitchell Community College, 500 W Broad Street, Vocational Building, Statesville, NC 28677. 9am – 1pm.

June 18 – Counseling/Social Work/Human Services – Goodwill Workforce Center, 124 4th Crescent Place, Statesville, NC. 9am – 1pm

June 25 – Healthcare Careers – Health Sciences Building 706 Cherry Street at Mitchell Community College in Statesville, NC.  9am to 12:30pm.

July 9 – Careers in Law – Location to be announced. 10:30am to 2:30pm

July 16 – Business with Cintas – Time and location to be announced.

July 23 – Careers in Education – Time and location to be announced.

July 30 – Teen-preneur Bootcamp: Launch Your Future with Business, Finance, and Credit Skills – Goodwill Workforce Center, 124 4th Crescent Place, Statesville, NC. 9am – noon.


WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS* Academy Credit *

Crosby Scholars Workshop Wednesdays are offered as academies for our rising seniors. Those seniors may attend as many of these sessions as desired. Register in the student/parent portal.

All sessions will take place from 9am to noon at the Goodwill Career Center, Whitaker Meeting Room at 124 4th Crescent Place, Statesville, NC 28625.

June 26 – College Essays (Pt. 1): Brainstorming – Gain skills to start writing a great essay.

July 10 – Test Prep Academy – Learn tips and tricks to increase your test scores.

July 24 – College Essays (Pt. 2): Final Draft – Fine tune your essay and be ready to submit.

July 31 – Using the Common App -Attend this academy to get started on your Common application.


MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP CAMP

June 12 – 14: The Middle School Ambassador Program helps develop students’ leadership skills, teamwork, and confidence. Sign up and get off to a great start with the Middle School Leadership Camp!

To provide a diverse group of ambassadors, we hope to have at least one participant from each school we serve. Space is limited, so participation is not guaranteed. Applicants will be notified as to whether they have been selected to participate this year.

NOTE: Sign-ups from Brawley IB and Oakwood IB are FULL.


COLLEGE TOURS

June 20 – UNCA & WCU

NOTE – This tour is full. If you are interested, please add your name to the waiting list.

We will tour the University of NC Asheville and Western Carolina University during this college tour. This tour is open to high school students. The bus departs at 7am from 124 Fourth Crescent Place, Statesville, NC 28625 and returns by 7pm.

July 25 – Lenoir-Rhyne & NCSSM

We will see Lenoir-Rhyne University in the morning, followed by the NC School of Science and Math in Morganton in the afternoon. The tour is free and open to rising 7th-9th grade students.

We will provide charter bus transportation with a pick-up and drop-off location at The Brawley School in Mooresville and at the Goodwill Workforce Development Center in Statesville. Students can choose either location but must notify zharding@crosbyscholarsiredell.org of any changes to their preferred location by July 22.


Frustrated With FAFSA Delays?

Delays and glitches with this year’s new FAFSA roll out have caused enormous frustration for students and parents seeking financial aid for the 2024-2025 school year.

“The already stressful college admissions process was thrown into chaos this year by a botched bureaucratic upgrade,” reads an April 6 CNN report, which refers to the roll out as a fiasco. “Hiccups and delays in the federal financial aid process have kept some high school seniors and current college students from getting aid packages from schools.” 

Knowing the final cost is, obviously, essential to choosing a college, making financial decisions and determining living arrangements. Many feel that they’ve been left in a state of limbo.

Delays and glitches with the new form have also reduced FAFSA submissions. As of April 1, the National College Attainment Network reported that just 35% of high school seniors had submitted a FAFSA. That’s down 27% nationally and 24% in North Carolina, versus last year.

So, what should you do? 

Here are some suggestions that might help you navigate this unusual year in the world of financial aid.

  1. Create your FAFSA account as soon as possible. This way, your application can be verified more quickly and further delays can be avoided.
  2. Stay connected with the latest updates and resources. Our Iredell County Crosby Scholars FAFSA Information page offers a variety of resources. Other organizations to follow include:
    1. NC FAFSA Hub
    2. National College Attainment Network 
    3. Federal Student Aid (via Instagram)
  3. Check the acceptance deadline for your college of choice. Due to FAFSA delays, many colleges have extended their “decision day” from the traditional May 1, but others have not. 

Need in-person help?

Mitchell Community College provides FAFSA Completion Events, hosted by the Financial Aid Department, every Tuesday from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. in the Eason Student Services Building, Room 105. Students should create a studentaid.gov account if they do not already have one by visiting  studentaid.gov/create-account. For more information on planning your visit, click here

And finally…

Remember that you aren’t alone. Parents and students nationwide are facing the same FAFSA challenges. Colleges and universities are aware and are making adjustments. Plus, numerous issues with the new form have already been addressed.

Remember, Crosby Scholars staff is available to help answer any questions you might have as well.  Feel free to reach out to Jen Jamison, Jr/Sr Program Manager and Dominic Jones, Financial Aid Coordinator.

In the meantime, do all that you can to prepare for next steps. You’ll be ready to react and take control when the time comes.

Hopefully, that time will come sooner than later.