All scholarships and applications are posted on Schoology. Please contact Mrs. Koenig in the counseling office at holly.koenig@winona.k12.mn.us or at 507-494-1521 if you have any questions.
Thanks to the College Opportunity Program, graduates of Winona Senior High School from 2023-2028 can attend Minnesota State College Southeast with tuition and fees fully covered.
Funded by generous support from Winona-area businesses and individuals, the College Opportunity Program makes college more accessible by ensuring eligible students can pursue higher education without the burden of tuition costs. Students may receive funding for up to 70 college credits during the two years following their high school graduation.
In addition to tuition and fees, students are eligible for up to $500 per year to help cover the cost of books, tools, supplies, and materials, for a total of up to $1,000 per student.
Students can choose from any certificate, diploma, or degree program offered at Minnesota State College Southeast. Whether their goal is to enter the workforce with in-demand skills or transfer to a four-year institution, graduates will be well prepared for the next step in their educational journey.
To support students throughout the process, College Navigators from Minnesota State College Southeast are available at Winona Senior High School each week to assist with admissions, FAFSA completion, college planning, and other questions related to preparing for college.
MCIS (Minnesota Career Information System) is a comprehensive career information and planning system for high school students and adults. It includes a wealth of information on occupations, post-secondary schools of all types, scholarships, job search skills and much more. Users are able to create personal portfolios that support lifelong career planning and promote career self-reliance. MCIS includes tools that encourage self-assessment, exploration, research, goal setting, and decision-making.
By the end of 8th grade all WMS students will have set up a MCIS account with the assistance of their school counselor.
The Winona Senior High School Counseling Office offers FAFSA 101 informational sessions during registration nights in October and February of each year.
A representative from either Winona State or Minnesota State College Southeast will walk families through the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) process, and will have brochures and handouts to disburse.
FAFSA is the form that the federal government, states, colleges and other organizations use to award financial aid. Submitting it is the first step toward accessing grants, scholarships, work-study programs and federal student loans, but there are important variables students and families need to consider before starting the process.
It is recommended that the families of senior students attend the October session, as the FAFSA window opens Oct. 1. Families of junior students should attend the February sessions to prepare for senior year.
