The Texas OnCourse Educator Blog

Normally this time of year, many high schools and districts would be hosting in-person financial aid nights to boost FAFSA completion. Because of social distancing guidelines, many of these sessions need to become virtual. Read on for tips on how to host one and what information to include.

What are endorsements? 

For parents and guardians, hearing that their eighth grader will have to select an endorsement can be confusing. After all, when today’s adults were in school, such a thing didn’t exist!

Today, we have two short updates for you. First, a new resource for mental health from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). And second, new information from the Coordinating Board on how COVID-19 has affected dual credit.

School is underway, and it’s looking different in many parts of Texas and the country. While some counselors and educators are delivering in-person support, most are entirely virtual or somewhere in-between, offering hybrid instruction. We decided to talk to six veteran Texas school counselors to collect tips for virtual school counseling during COVID-19.

Financial aid season is quickly approaching. We want to make sure you’re teed up to help your students afford college. This week, we’ll walk you through some new and existing information and resources and review trusted financial aid tips during COVID-19.

Gone are the days when students and their families (or entire classes!) waltzed casually onto college campuses for carefree, in-person visits. While in-person visits haven’t been entirely wiped off the map, many students and families are finding comfort and security in the online college visit process. What’s more, virtual college visits are less cost prohibitive and can be done from the comfort of home with fairly little planning. So let’s talk about Texas college virtual tours – what options major schools are offering, and how your students can get in on the from-home fun!

We’ll be taking a break from our live videos next week, as I’ll be away on vacation, but we’ll be back September 10 at 4 p.m.. As always, leave requests in the comments if there’s anything you like us to research. And if you find the videos helpful, like and share to help us spread the word!

This week: we’re talking about free PD for teachers during COVID-19 from OnRamps and TEA, and a financial aid update from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

In our bonus webinar for August 2020, we covered Navigating Social Justice Issues in College and Career Advising. Recent civic action and racial injustices will undoubtedly impact your counseling, advising, and teaching practices as you move into the 2020–2021 school year. We know it’s important to serve as a resource and provide a network for you.

If you’re working with college-bound seniors this year, you’ll want to help them stay on track. With virtual schooling and uncertain variables popping up, we’re here to help with tips on crafting a college prep checklist during COVID-19.