Lentz & Lentz is proud to be offering live online virtual classrooms for SAT and PSAT prep. Click link to find out more information!
-
News/Updates will be added as new information is received, check back often to see new information!
Last Updated 10/24/2024
Community Updates
None at this time
Resources from School Counselors and School Social Workers
- Google Sites developed and designed by Dartmouth High School Counselors
- Padlet full of resources from school social workers
Articles
MEFA - What You Need to Know about the New FAFSA Click to read article!
- The new FAFSA is available, it will require each contributor to complete their own section, will require an FSA ID to be created ahead of time, will use new terminology, and more.
- The FAFSA is getting an overhaul. Starting with the 2024-25 iteration, the primary application for college financial aid will have new questions, new rules, and new terminology. This is all thanks to the FAFSA Simplification Act, which aims to make the application simpler for the millions of students who submit it every year. Here's what you need to know about how the form is changing.
The Common App: Everything You Need to Know Click to read article!
College Applications are complicated - take a breath Click to read article
How to Answer 5 Common Supplemental College Essay Prompts Click to read article
College Fairs
None at this time
MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) Updates
The 2025-26 FAFSA will be available on or before December 1, 2024! Click here to go to FAFSA website! Encourage your students and families to complete it as soon as possible at fafsa.gov, though keep in mind that there may be some periods of downtime, as well as waiting rooms, during this first month of the form’s availability. For anyone needing help with the FAFSA, there are virtual events offering one-on-one expert assistance. Anyone interested should access the links below for more details and to register:
- FAFSA Day events: Join a Monday session offered once a month from February until May to get FAFSA questions answered
As Grade 12 families anticipate sending a child to college this fall, we recommend two of our online tools designed to help them make a plan to pay for college costs:
- Our College Cost Calculator allows families to compare colleges by recording the financial aid received from each school and viewing the resulting net price
- Our Student Loan Payment Calculator displays the monthly loan payment and total loan cost (based on the amount families plan to borrow) for each MEFA Loan repayment type
Should families have questions as they explore these tools, encourage them to reach out to a MEFA college planning expert at (800) 449-MEFA (6332) or collegeplanning@mefa.org.MEFA Events - free informative webinars and virtual community events on a range of topics. Click to view events!
- Financial Aid 101 webinars - Families can view webinar dates and times and register at Click to register. Webinars will be recorded and posted online for families who are unable to attend a live event.
- FAFSA Day Massachusetts is offering virtual events from November to February that allow families to meet with a financial aid expert and get FAFSA help
If your families aren’t yet signed up for MEFA emails, encourage them to do so. Our content is modified based on the ages of the children in the family, and contains key tips, news, and resources on all aspects of college planning. Parents won’t want to miss our timely and informative updates. Click link to register!
Webinars
MEFA Events - offer free informative webinars and virtual community events on a range of topics. To register for an upcoming webinar, click link to go to MEFA Events Page
- Financial Aid 101
- Attainable: the ABLE Savings Plan
- FSA ID Workshop
- Understanding the FAFSA
- College Admissions
- Learn about Tuition Break, a Program That Can Help You Lower College Costs
- Early College Planning
- Athletics in College Admissions
Household/Family Resources
Child & Family Services
Open Access - Screening and intake center
Service Options: Screening & Intake Assessments, Family Partner, Mental Health & Substance Use Counseling, Group Services, Case Management & Care Coordination Services
Telehealth options are available
New Bedford: Referral Line 508-742-1611 Main Line: 508-996-8572
SAT Prep
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
Parents/ guardians are encouraged to complete the free/reduced lunch application for their child. If your application is approved for free or reduced lunch, this could potentially qualify your child for additional fee waivers for ACT exams, SAT exams, Advanced Placement exams, College Application Fee waivers. To complete the Free/Reduced Lunch Application Click here!
- The entire process will take 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of your household.
-
What you will need to provide during the application process:
- The names and incomes of every member of your household
- The school, grade, birthdate of every student in your household
- Your social security number and electronic signature
- (Optional) A valid email address or phone number for district communication about the status of the application.
Military Updates
None at this time
College Updates
The College Tour - Each episode of the award-winning TV series, The College Tour, shares the story of a single college or university through the authentic lens of its current students. Learn from real students about their real experiences on campus, as we offer viewers an insider’s perspective on college life and college culture. This TV series is a comprehensive guide to aid your college research, helping you answer the ultimate question: ‘Which college is best for me?’ Take the ultimate campus tour now by watching episodes of this informative TV series.
What is available at TheCollegeTour.com?
TV Episodes: All episodes of The College Tour can be watched on TheCollegeTour.com. There are over 140 episodes now streaming and 5 episodes in Spanish language. Each week, new episodes drop on our site.
College Tour Pages: We have a ‘searchable’ list of every college in the country. Click here to see a sample tour page with robust video content. And to make it easier, you can find the tour page for every college featured on our TV series by state on this shareable spreadsheet.
Classes: We also have self-guided video-based classes designed specifically for high school students to help them start thinking about their higher education journey. From majors to location to type of school, we make it fun to start thinking about what is best for them. Click here for a link to the classes.
New England Board of Higher Education - tuition break -
- Over 300 new academic programs have been added to Tuition Break, New England's Regional Student Program. With these additions, over 2,700 majors are available at reduced tuition for students enrolling in New England's public colleges and universities. Click link to explore Tuition Break Program Search
Social/Emotional Support Information
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
The Help Line is part of the Commonwealth’s “front door” approach to behavioral health access. Its goal is to make behavioral health concerns as much a priority as physical health. It connects callers to the full range of treatment services for mental health and addiction support through the Commonwealth, regardless of insurance. Representatives will offer support in real time with immediate crisis intervention, urgent, and routine needs. The Help Line is available 24/7/365 in 200+ languages.
Balanced Learning Center (Fall River)
Part of the mission at Balanced Learning Center is to make services accessible for everyone- which involves providing low-cost services and supports to our community. From our comprehensive LGBTQ+ support through our Joanie's Place program to our various social empowerment and play-based groups, we make sure there's a place for everyone.
Click to view webpage that list free groups!
Dartmouth High School Social Workers - 508-961-2700 and ask to be connected to your child's social worker
- Contact one of the social workers for social/emotional support for your child while in school
- Help families with outside of school resources
- Connect Dartmouth families with the Youth Advocate (if needed)
Dartmouth Youth Advocate - Deloris Joseph 508-910-1851