Welcome Class of 2013… to your SENIOR YEAR!

1. Welcome Class of 2013… to your SENIOR YEAR!

2. Transcript Review • Review Confidential Information • Name on transcript must be legal name on birth certificate • Remember you must have 26 credits to graduate • Weighted and Unweighted GPA • Class Rank • Seniors do not need to change courses for 1st or 2ndsemester. If transcripts have already been sent to colleges, dropping AP/Honors courses could damage chances of being accepted. • Students must return signed Transcript Release form before transcripts can be released

3. Harnett County Schools - Future Ready Core Graduation Requirements for 2012-2013: STUDENTS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR GRADUATION AS OF GRADUATION NIGHT MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION EXERCISE.

4. TRITON HIGH SCHOOL Senior Guidelines and Post-Secondary Assistance Manual 2012-2013

5. NC Colleges & UniversitiesAdmission Statistics At A Glance - Public

6. NC Colleges & UniversitiesAdmission Statistics At A Glance- Private

7. COLLEGE DAY ACTIVITIES Wedneday, September 26 TRITON HIGH SCHOOL ~ 8 – 9:15AM • Appalachian State University • Averett University • Barton College • Bennett College • Bridgewater College • Campbell University • Central Carolina Community College • CFNC • Chowan University • East Carolina University • ECPI University • Elizabeth City State University • Elon University • Emory & Henry College • Fayetteville State University • High Point University • Johnson & Wales University • Liberty University • Living Arts College • Livingstone College • Louisburg College • Meredith College • Methodist University • Mid Atlantic Christian University • Miller-Motte College • Montgomery Community College • Mount Olive College • NC Wesleyan College • North Carolina A&T State University • North Carolina Central University • North Carolina State University • Peace College • Pfeiffer University • Queens University of Charlotte • Randolph Community College • Richmond Community College • Saint Augustine's College • Sandhills Community College • Shaw University • St. Andrews University • The Art Institutes • The University of Alabama • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill • The University of North Carolina at Pembroke • The University of North Carolina Greensboro • University of North Carolina Asheville • University of North Carolina Wilmington • Wake Forest University • Wake Technical Community College • Watts School of Nursing • Western Carolina University • WyoTech Admissions representatives from the following colleges and universities will be in the Cafeteria to meet with Seniors beginning at 8:45. Please dress appropriately and come prepared to ask questions!

8. CLASS of 2013 TimelineWhat to Do and When to Do It SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER • Register for the November SAT or ACT • Talk with college representatives at College Day on September 26 from 8 -9:15am in THS Cafeteria. • Have an individual conference with your counselor to look over graduation requirements and discuss future plans • Investigate the colleges to which you plan to apply. Narrow your college choices to 3 or 4 schools… AND SCHEDULE CAMPUS VISITS. • Become very familiar with college websites . Use www.CFNC.org • Begin filling out college applications. (Apply online-or get applications in Student Services) • Ask selected people to write recommendations for college and scholarship applications-give at least a 2 week notice to counselors and teachers. • Complete a Recommendation Information Sheet with your achievements, activities and awards. Share it with those writing recommendation letters(these are available from your counselor) • Check the THS SCHOLARSHIPS website for available scholarships and other important information. • If you plan to play college sports, register online with the NCAA Clearinghouse (www.eligibilitycenter.org).

9. CLASS of 2013 TimelineWhat to Do and When to Do It NOVEMBER/DECEMBER • Take or retake SAT or ACT to improve your score. • Complete college applications. Remember “the earlier the better” • Pay attention to scholarship opportunities that are available on the THS SCHOLARSHIPS website. • Keep watching those deadlines! Scholarship searches are your responsibility! • You can request a PIN for you and a parent to use when applying for financial aid online(www.fafsa.gov.ed) • VISIT your college choices before making a final decision. • Get a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online mid December. (Can't apply until after January 1, 2013!) • Begin to gather materials and financial information for the FAFSA. • Enjoy the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays!!!!

10. College Entrance Exams The SAT - Reasoning Test This is a test required for admission by most colleges and universities. This test is given 7 times a year and the cost is $50.00 if you mail your registration form or register online before the deadline. Late registration is $77.00. The registration materials are available in the Counseling Office and/or online. The test dates and registration deadlines are as follows: ACT - American College Testing The ACT is also used for acceptance at colleges in our state. The test is given 6 times a year and the cost is $50.50 if you mail your registration form before the deadline. Late registration is $72.50. The registration materials, test dates, and registration deadlines are available in the Counseling Office or go to www.act.org. It is your responsibility to get these materials and register for the SAT or ACT.

11. SAT/ACT • We do not put SAT/ACT scores on transcripts, scores must be sent through College Board or ACT • Some colleges may not use the writing component for admissions but they may use it for placement. • Fee Waivers are available for students who qualify. • If you get a fee waiver and do not show up to take the test, you will NOT receive another one. • Once you use a fee waiver for SAT, you will qualify to receive 4 college admissions fee waivers to apply to college. • SAT is offered at Triton in October and March. • ACT is offered at Midway on most test dates. • Register online and must upload a picture for new security measures. www.collegeboard.org www.act.org

12. How do I apply for college? • Create CFNC account • Update your profile • Go to Apply tab • Complete Application • Obtain application fee • Send Transcripts • Send Recommendations Please be aware of college application deadlines.

13. CFNC College Application WeekNovember 12-16th • The goal of North Carolina College Application Week is to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college online through CFNC.org. Special focus is placed on students who would be the first in their families to attend college and students who may have not otherwise seriously considered attending college. • During this statewide college access event, all 110 North Carolina colleges and universities accept the College Board fee waiver in lieu of an application fee, for students who qualify. Typically students who receive the SAT or ACT fee waiver, also qualify for the College Board fee waiver. • Listen for announcements with Sign Up information in order to participate here at Triton. • All students who sign up for CAW 2013 must have a CFNC account and it must be updated prior to participating.

14. Now that I’ve applied and been accepted…. How do I PAY for college?

15. How do I pay for college? • Use a Variety of Ways to Pay for College • Financial Aid (includes grants, scholarships, employment, loans) • Savings (student and parent) • Current income (student and parent) • Tax Benefits .

16. How do I pay for college? Financial Aid Basics • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.gov. Apply as soon after January 1 as possible. • FAFSA Day is February 16, 2013. Go to CFNC.org to sign up. • Meet your school’s deadline. You have to apply for financial aid each year. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress in your program of study to continue to receive financial aid. • Sign your FAFSA electronically with your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Apply at PIN.ed.gov. • FAFSA asks about items that impact financial aid eligibility including: • Parent and student income (taxable and untaxed) • Parent and student assets • Number in family and number of family members in college • Result of FAFSA is the Expected Family Contribution (parent contribution plus student contribution).

17. How do I pay for college? Financial Aid Basics – Types of Aid • Gift Aid – grants and scholarships that do not have to be repaid • Self Help Aid – employment and loans that must be earned or repaid • Merit Aid – based on academics, special talent, etc. • Need-Based Aid – based on family financial circumstances Institution’s Cost of Attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies, transportation, personal and miscellaneous expenses and loan fees. Basic financial aid formula: Cost of Attendance - Expected Family Contribution =Eligibility for Need-Based Financial Aid *Note that Expected Family Contribution remains the same, regardless of the college or university attended.

18. How do I pay for college? When looking at financial aid offers consider: • How much of the aid is grant and scholarship? • How much do we have to pay after subtracting grants and scholarships from the cost? • How will we cover that remaining cost? From our savings – or current income – or will we have to borrow against future earnings? • Are these grants and scholarships renewable and under what conditions? • Are there part-time employment opportunities on campus?

19. How do I pay for college? • Apply for scholarships. • Visit THS Scholarships Website for local scholarship informationhttp://thsscholarships.wikispaces.com/ • You can access through the THS Homepage: http://www.harnett.k12.nc.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=25& • NEVER pay for scholarship information. You can find out about scholarships and other types of financial aid for free. • Check out information at CFNC.org

20. This is only an overview… • Please keep your manual and use it as a guide throughout this year. • Contact your counselor with any questions that you may still have! • Good Luck!