HEART of Texas

Homeschool with HEART!

Speaking Schedule (subject to change):

5:30
~ Check-In / Registration Begins

6:00 - 6:50
~ Speaking Session I:

“Top Ten Homeschooling Secrets to Ace Standardized Tests”
Jean Burk - College Prep Genius in Concord III

College 101: Q&A Panel with Public/Private College Representatives
Panel and Moderator in Chenin Blanc

“How to Fund College”
James Hubener - Director of Financial Aid, University of Dallas in Champanel

“Opportunity of a Lifetime - How do I Attend One of the U.S. Service Academies?”
Service Academy Representatives in Chancellor

7:00
~ College Night Exhibit Doors Open (Concord I)

7:00 - 7:50
~ Speaking Session II:

“Top Ten Homeschooling Secrets to Ace Standardized Tests” (repeated)
Jean Burk - College Prep Genius in Concord III

“How to Make Your College Application Stand Out”
Katie Ramirez - Executive Director of Recruitment, University of Texas at Tyler in Chenin Blanc

“How to Fund College” (repeated)
James Hubener - Director of Financial Aid, University of Dallas in Champanel

“Navigating the College Journey”
Callie Rafferty - Admissions Counselor, Grand Canyon University in Chancellor

8:30 - 9:20
~ Speaking Session III:

“Gap Year Considerations”
Tammy Dorsett - Co-Founder/Executive Director, The Gap at Sawmill Meadows in Concord III

“Start College Early”
Nadera Allache - Coordinator of Educational Partnerships/Dual Credit, Tarrant County College in Chenin Blanc

“Financial Aid Q&A”
James Hubener - Director of Financial Aid, University of Dallas in Champanel

“Choosing a Major”
Katie Ramirez - Executive Director of Recruitment, University of Texas at Tyler in Chancellor

9:00
~ College Night Exhibit Doors Close

9:30
~ College Night Ends

Workshops are available on a first-come first-served basis. Thank you for your understanding.

Session Descriptions:

College 101: Q&A Panel with Public/Private College Representatives Representatives and Moderator

This is your chance to have your questions answered by a panel of representatives from both public and private colleges and universities.


“How to Fund College”
James Hubener – Director of Financial Aid, University of Dallas

The big question in the minds of many home school families is: How can we afford to send our child to college? What are the options for a child who isn't a National Merit Scholar? What about a family with more than one child in college? What kind of help is available, and how can you access it? James Hubener, Director of Financial Aid at University of Dallas, will help guide you through the maze of college financing options. He will explain the difference between grants, scholarships, and loans, and schools determine who is eligible for financial aid.



“Opportunity of a Lifetime – How Do I Attend One of the U.S. Service Academies?”
Representatives from the 5 Service Academies & Congressional Offices

High school and middle school students and their parents can learn more about the first- class education available at our country’s service academies. Meet representatives from each of the 5 service academies, who will discuss the requirements for admission as well as the appointment process. A brief DVD highlighting each academy will be shown, and the session will conclude with a question and answer period. Homeschoolers interested in military affairs, defense, leadership, or public service are encouraged to attend!


“Gap Year Considerations”
Tammy Dorsett – The Gap at Sawmill Meadows

Learn how taking a “gap year” after high school or even during college can benefit a new adult. Tammy Dorsett is wife of Matt and mom of 3 kids – 2 adults and one 17-year-old. Never considering another option besides college when talking to her kids, she and her husband, Matt, found themselves in an unexpected situation when their oldest son left Texas A&M university twice. After walking this unexpected path, Tammy and her husband realized that the path to college can look different than the path they each took and the path they inadvertently thought their children would take. Together, they co-founded The Gap at Sawmill Meadow, a Gap Year program launching in June of 2023 to fill a need for those 18–23-year-olds who feel “stuck” on their current path.


“Top Ten Homeschooling Secrets to Ace Standardized Tests”
Jean Burk – College Prep Genius

Homeschoolers are not at a disadvantage when it comes to acing standardized tests. But there are little-known secrets that can hinder scores and scholarship money. We uncover wrong information that's been perpetrated for years. Discover why colleges are coveting homeschoolers and how they use tests like the SAT/ACT and PSAT to validate the transcript. You will join tens of thousands of informed families and walk away knowing the key to beating these tests and how your student can receive life-changing, incredible scholarship money!


“Start College Early”
Nadera Allache – Coordinator of Educational Partnerships/Dual Credit Programs, Tarrant County College

Would you like to save time & money by earning college credit during high school? In this session, we will explore the college credit options available to homeschool students, general requirements for each option, how credits transfer, and what option might be best for your student. The session will also address the differences between Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, CLEP Tests, & AP Credit. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the workshop.


“How to Make Your College Application Stand Out” Katie Ramirez – Executive Director of University Recruitment, University of Texas at Tyler

Katie Ramirez will share her tips for how to make your college application stand out from the crowd.
She will share her strategies for how to best prepare for college, plan high school coursework, & prepare transcripts & resumes.


“Choosing a Major” Katie Ramirez – Executive Director of University Recruitment, University of Texas at Tyler

With so many options, how do you know what major to choose in college?  Understanding that a college degree is important, this session will walk you through the process of choosing a major that is right for you!  Undecided about what to major in?  Don’t worry, most students are.  Hear about tools that you can use to narrow down your choice.


“Navigating the College Journey”
Callie Rafferty - Admissions Counselor, Grand Canyon University

Applying to college can be daunting for everyone, but it can be very rewarding for homeschool families if you start early and do it right. In this workshop, we will walk you through how to start the college search process with confidence and how parents and students can prepare early for college. You will learn how to create a stellar homeschool transcript, how dual enrollment can save you much time and money on your undergraduate degree, and the different ways you can earn college credit before starting college classes.





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