High School Counselors
Meet The Team
Jordan Sytsma
- Grades: High School Counselor, Grades 11-12
- Hometown: Oskaloosa, IA
- Bachelor’s Degree: Social Work – University of Northern Iowa
- Master’s Degree: Buena Vista University
- Email: sytsmaj@gilbertcsd.org
- Phone: 515-232-3738
- I joined the Counseling staff in 2017. I love working at Gilbert because of the amazing students, staff, and supportive administrators. Gilbert is a giant family, so much so that my husband and I both coach at Gilbert. I coach High School Football and Competitive Cheerleading and my husband is on the Football Coaching Staff. We have enjoyed being a part of this district and look forward to raising our two children as Gilbert Tigers!
Kimberly Huskey
- Grades: High School Counselor: Grades 9-10
- Hometown: Palestine, AR
- Bachelor’s Degree: Psychology – Lyon College
- Master’s Degree – University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- Email: huskeyk@gilbertcsd.org
- Phone: 515-232-3738
- I am so excited to join the counseling team at Gilbert High School! I have been a high school counselor for six years in Arkansas. I had the opportunity to move to Iowa due to my husband’s job in IT. I love being a counselor because I am a huge advocate for students’ mental health. I am excited to meet and create connections with students and the overall Gilbert community. I can already tell from the welcoming staff that this is going to be a great place to call home. When I am not working, you can find me watching any sport, gaming with friends, reading, or spending time with my husband and our fur baby, Ash.
College Credit Opportunities
College Planning and FAFSA
Future-Ready Resources
FAFSA
The FASFA form opens on Oct. 1 of a student’s senior year. It is important to fill this form out as soon as possible once it opens.
If students, parents, or guardians need help filling out the FASFA form, you can schedule a free online appointment HERE.
The FASFA Completion Checklist is a list of all of the materials you’ll need to successfully complete the form.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Seniors, please give us 10 to 14 days notice to write your recommendation.
LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS
Please download the list of Story County Mental Health Providers for more information.
PSAT AND ACT INFORMATION
PSAT
October 16th, 2024
Register by September 20, 2024
Click HERE for more information and to register.
ACT
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| September 14, 2024 | August 9, 2024 | August 25, 2024 |
| October 26, 2024 | September 20, 2024 | October 7, 2024 |
| December 14, 2024 | November 8, 2024 | November 22, 2024 |
| February 8, 2025 | January 3, 2025 | January 20, 2025 |
| April 5, 2025 | February 28, 2025 | March 16, 2025 |
| June 14, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | May 26, 2025 |
| July 12, 2025 | June 6, 2025 | June 20, 2025 |
Regent University Testing Requirements
Scholarships
Types of Scholarships
- Merit based scholarships are awarded to students that have a particular skill (musical talent, athletic ability, etc.), high academic achievements, community service, etc.
- Need based scholarships are given to students that financially need the money in order to be able to afford college. Fortunately, there are a lot of scholarships available for students to help pay for college. It is a common belief for parents to feel they will not qualify for need based. For most need based aid, completing the FAFSA form can be a requirement to earn need base scholarships.
- Automatic Scholarships are when seniors apply for admission and many colleges have scholarships that are awarded automatically to the student. These scholarships may be for a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars (or more). These tend to be merit based scholarships based on GPA, the classes taken, and/or ACT or SAT scores. (Iowa State’s Automatic Scholarships)
- Athletic Scholarships are given to athletes who compete at a high level and are recruited by a college team to come and play for them. You can apply and find out more at NCAA Eligibility Center.