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Julieta & Frank Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies

Counselors Corner

Resources for Students and Parents on Admissions to College, Testing information, Scholarships, Financial aid, and more…

College and Career Readiness

College and career readiness solutions help connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals, and improve college and career planning. Visit your counselor for more information.

Career Aptitude Test: Take our short quiz to learn which the right career is for you.

Generation Texas: get inspired by hearing students, parents, and supporters tell their stories and find out how more education means more options. Learn more about Generation Texas and how we’re changing the future of Texas.

Big Future: Choosing a college is a big and exciting decision. Explore your interests and take the time to find a college that will put you on a path to a bright future.

Resume Builder:

My Future - Resume Tips

Free Resume Creator

Testing Information

Testing is an essential part of the college admissions process. National High Stakes test are provided for our students to complete academically for admissions to meet college readiness standards. Staggs Academy students are expected to test for the SAT and ACT beginning the spring of their Junior year.

PSAT - The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in the United States. Staggs Academy offers PSAT Testing for all Juniors in the fall of their first year.

ACT - The ACT® college readiness assessment is a curriculum- and standards-based educational and career planning tool that assesses students' academic readiness for college. The ACT is the capstone of our College and Career Readiness System. The test uses the same score scale as ACT Explore and ACT Plan, making the system an effective tool to monitor academic progress and student growth.

SAT - The SAT is a globally recognized college admission test. Registration Deadline is approximately one month before the Test Administration Date

CLEP - If you are interested in testing for Credit by Exam for your Spanish Language test, you can do so by registering online. Exam Cost is $87.00. Once you pay for the exam, please contact TAMIU testing center to set up a testing date at 956-326-2131. Testing dates vary based on availability from testing center.

Test Prep Resources

College Board - KHAN Academy: Official SAT Practice

In 2017, Khan Academy and the College Board, the maker of the SAT, analyzed gains between the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT and found a positive relationship between use of Official SAT Practice and score improvements on the SAT. Score gains are consistent across gender, family income, race, ethnicity, and parental education level.

NAVIANCE: Naviance college and career readiness solutions help connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals, and improve college and career planning. SAT and ACT Tutorials/ practice test are now available.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment:
The TSI Assessment is a program designed to help your institution determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the general areas of reading, writing and mathematics. This program also will help determine what type of course or intervention will best meet your needs to help you become better prepared for college level course work if you are not ready.

  • Virtual Math Lab: Practice tests online that can be printed out and practiced. Provides reviews for all the important stuff you need to know to take the test. Online Accuplacer study sessions.
  • SOS Mathematics: Free online reviews and lessons in Algebra.
  • Huntington University TSI Prep: Online Practice test for Accuplacer and printable testes available.

College Admissions & Financial Aid

College Admissions Applications:
ApplyTexas - Admission applications/information for every Texas Public University, plus some private and two year schools.
The Common Application - As a not-for-profit organization that serves students and member institutions by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of our 488 members.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid - FAFSA - Financial Aid can help alleviate some of the cost of college tuition, fees, books, and or even housing. Financial aid grant monies, loans, scholarships and work study opportunities. The financial aid process may seems tedious and difficult, but Staggs Academy counselor will guide and assist through this process. Free Application for Financial Student Aid.

FAFSA is available October 1st. Students must complete their FAFSA application in the Fall of their senior year.

Scholarships

Fastweb: Apply for Scholarship Online! Search for Scholarships for college students with our free matching service for scholarships. Also learn about financial aid and student loans options to find money.

TAMIU Scholarship Opportunities

College Representatives Information

Summer Enrichment

UTHSC Summer Fellowship: As a Staggs Academy of International and STEM Studies student, you will have the opportunity to conduct research and participate in a Summer institute program produced by the UTHSC Laredo region faculty.

Concurrent Enrollment Program at TAMIU:Qualified high school students may enroll in university-level courses at TAMIU as a dual-enrollment student. High school freshman and sophomore students must undergo an admissions reviewing process by the Concurrent Admissions Committee. Concurrent students may not enroll in more than two university-level courses each long semester or summer session.

Counseling

Mrs. Saldana is available Monday-Friday to assist students with any social/emotional issues if they are impeding academic achievement. Discussions between counselor and students are confidential. The following counseling services are available:

  • Individual Counseling - to help students confront and solve problems that interfere with academic, career, personal/social development; this is not therapeutic in nature (short-term basis only).
  • Small Group Counseling - for students to discuss shared issues with peers.
  • Crisis Counseling - in the event of an emergency.
  • Referrals- for students and families in need of outside counseling or community agencies as needed.
  • Advocacy - for student's to have what they need; academically, socially and emotionally.
  • Classroom Guidance - school counselors hold class discussions and activities pertaining to character education, college and career readiness and middle school transitions.

Counselor Services Request Form

Student Counseling Services at TAMIU

As a TAMIU student, you have access to counseling services without additional charge. SCS is supported by the student health fees paid each semester; therefore, counseling services are available to currently enrolled students. In addition, consultation services are offered to students, faculty and staff.

SCS provides short-term individual counseling services to help students address personal problems that interfere with their academic success. Our services are confidential to the full limits provided by the law.

Community Mental Health Resources

Pillar: Non-profit mental health organization whose services include mental health services, substance abuse counseling, drug testing, STD services, and more. Referrals for services are not required, most private insurances are accepted, and fees are relatively low-cost as compared to other privatized mental health services.

Gateway City Pride: Gateway City Pride Association is the premier link to the Laredo LGBTQIA+ and allied community. The Association will educate and unite the diverse communities of Laredo to further promote better understanding and support among the members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies.

Canidae Collective: Laredo based org with goals provide a safe space for women, femme-identified people, & our queer community to voice their concerns as well as provide mutual aid.

National Prevention Lifeline (Available 24 hrs).

National Suicide prevention Lifeline