Empowering Your Future: Navigating College Choices and Opportunities

1. Welcome to [Enter Site Name]

2. Tonight’s Program 2 1 3 4

3. Be sure to • Fill out a scholarship entry form • Take a copy of Opportunities home with you • Check www.collegenights.orgfor a copy of tonight’s presentation • Check out College Nights • Facebook – www.facebook.com/emcfab • Twitter – www.twitter.com/ecmcfab

4. At the end of the evening • We’ll collect evaluations for tonight’s event • Even better, we’ll hold a scholarship drawing • We’ll select four $500 scholarship winners (you must be present to win)

5. How college can change your life

6. College is important • Unemployment rates are directly tied to your level of education • Studies consistently show that attending college adds to your lifelong earnings • Difference between a high school graduate and a four-year degree – between $800,000 and $1 million

7. College is important

8. College is important • People who have attended some college • Report higher levels of job satisfaction • Typically live healthier lifestyles • Enjoy benefits such as insurance, paid vacation, a retirement plan, etc. • Are more involved in their communities through higher levels of volunteering and voting • It’s true—college is important!

9. Choosing the right college

10. Many choices • There are over 6,000 colleges to choose from in the United States • With this many choices, where and how do you start to look for the college that is right for you? • Before you start searching, think about your goals

11. What are your goals? • Some students already know they want to • Learn a trade or enter a specific profession • Obtain a degree, maybe in a specific field • Not sure about your goals? • College is a great place to explore your options • Goals can change while researching colleges • About 80% of college students change their major at least once

12. Choosing a college • Narrow down your list of potential colleges by identifying the characteristics important to you • Factors some students consider • Program or major you are considering • College size • Class size • Location or distance from home • Support programs

13. Choosing a college • Additional factors to consider • Campus culture • Extracurricular activities • Religious or cultural affiliations • Cost of attendance • Ultimately cost matters but • Think about cost when making your final decision, not as much when starting your search • Consider your net out-of-pocket cost, not just the sticker price

14. Opportunities – page 5

15. Researching college choices • Parents and school counselors can help • There are many college search web sites • www.CollegeProwler.com • www.CollegeBoard.org • www.PrincetonReview.com • www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator • All these sites allow you to search for colleges based on the factors that are important to you

16. College application process • There are many things you can do to prepare for a successful college application process • The Opportunities booklet contains a checklist on page 6 • The checklist shows steps you should take beginning the summer before your junior year through high school graduation

17. Your college applications • Each college has its own requirements for completing the application process • These can include • Completing a short form and taking a placement test at a community college • Submitting test scores, essays, reference letters and a portfolio at some colleges • Check each college’s web site for requirements

18. Your college applications • Determine college application due dates • Postmark date or arrive by date • Note on your calendar • Read the directions carefully • Ability to follow directions correctly is part of the acceptance criteria • Meet the application deadlines • Each college sets its own deadline

19. Your college applications • Application fees • Most colleges have an application fee • Many colleges will waive the fee • You may have to submit • SAT or ACT scores • Transcripts • References/recommendations • Essays • Other evidence of talent

20. College entrance exams • For many students, the admissions process includes taking college entrance exams • PSAT or PLAN – “Practice” tests for the SAT/ACT • Placement tests • SAT or ACT • Disability accommodations and fee waivers are available

21. College entrance exams • SAT • Measures conceptual thinking rather than facts • Critical reasoning, math, and a required writing test • ACT • Measures what you learned in high school • English, math, reading, science and optional writing test • Depending upon your learning style, you may perform better on one test versus the other

22. Opportunities – page 8

23. Your college applications • Transcripts • Official high school transcript needed for each college application • College transcript also required if you’ve taken any college courses • Transcript is used to document your GPA, class rank and the rigorousness of your high school program • Many acceptances contingent on maintaining GPA • Most require a final high school transcript

24. Your college applications • References • Usually from teachers, other adults and peers • Allow plenty of time • Give as much information as possible • Include stamped, pre-addressed envelope • Write thank you notes to your references and let them know when you get accepted

25. Your college applications • Admissions essays • Stay on topic • Essays should be error free • Don’t exceed the word limit • Be yourself

26. Your college applications • Other evidence of talent • Portfolio • Audition tapes • Writing samples • Contact specific program for more information

27. Any questions?

28. Paying for college

29. Sources of college funds – 2012 Source: “How America Pays for College”, Sallie Mae, 2012

30. Your college costs • Which college would cost you the most to attend? • Example private college - $55,850 • Sample state college - $19,619 • The answer seems obvious, but it isn’t as simple as comparing these numbers

31. Your college costs • When you look at the costs listed on the previous slide, you are looking at the college’s “sticker price” • More formally known as “Cost of Attendance” (COA) • Consists of direct and indirect costs • Direct costs are paid to the college • Tuition and fees • Room and board if living on campus

32. Your college costs • COA also includes indirect costs • Room and board if living off campus • Books and supplies • Personal expenses • Transportation • Allowance for dependent care • Loan fees • Cost of a personal computer • Costs related to disability • Reasonable costs for study abroad

33. Your college costs • Comparing COA – the “sticker price” – of various colleges does not give you an accurate picture of what it will cost to attend • Can get an estimate of net price by using your college’s “net price calculator” • You find out the actual net price by applying for financial aid

34. About the FAFSA • FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Determines eligibility for • Most federal financial aid programs • Many state financial aid programs • Much of the aid colleges award from their own funds • Some scholarship programs • Colleges may require additional forms to collect more detailed data

35. About the FAFSA • FAFSA asks you questions about • Income • Assets • Family size • Number of family members attending college • Number one reason people don’t file a FAFSA • They assume they are not eligible for aid • This may be a costly assumption

36. Cost of not filing • Each year 1.7 million students who would be eligible for financial aid do not file a FAFSA • 33.1% would have qualified for a Pell Grant • 17.1% would have qualified for the maximum Pell Grant award • Also missed out on potential aid from the state, the college and many scholarship providers Source: Mark Kantrowitz, “Reasons Why Students Do Not File the FAFSA”, January 2011 www.finaid.org/educators/20110118nofafsareasons.pdf

37. About the FAFSA • Three versions of the FAFSA • Online – www.fafsa.gov • PDF FAFSA – Print from your computer • Paper FAFSA – Call 800.4.FED.AID • It is always free to complete the FASFA • Online version is best • Built-in edits make it easier to complete accurately • Sign it electronically with your PIN obtained from www.pin.ed.gov • Faster results

38. Tips for FAFSA success • Before completing the FAFSA • Download the FAFSA on the Web worksheet • Provides a preview of FAFSA questions • Gather documents for both parents and students • Income tax returns • W-2 forms and other income statements • Benefits records from state and federal agencies • Current bank statements

39. Tips for FAFSA success • Meet all financial aid deadlines • Can vary from college to college • Meeting “priority deadline” results in best financial aid package based on your eligibility • It’s okay to estimate your financial information • Will have an opportunity to correct • List all colleges that you are applying to • Retain a copy of your completed FAFSA

40. FAFSA help is available • You can receive in-person help in completing the FAFSA at “College Goal Oregon” events • Financial aid professionals will help you complete the FAFSA online • Depending upon location, dates are to be determined • Details at www.CollegeGoalOregon.org • The College Place 1-866-326-8287 • Assistance is available at 1-800-4-FED-AID

41. Navigating financial aid • After completing the FAFSA, the student receives the Student Aid Report (SAR) • Correct any errors and return • SAR contains Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • FAFSA information is also sent to the colleges you listed to receive the data

42. EFC determines aid offered • COA (Cost of attendance) — EFC = financial need • Financial aid office will then determine the student’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and for any aid the college may be able to offer from its own funds • Financial aid office may ask for additional information • Student will receive an award letter

43. Types of federal financial aid

44. State grant program • The Oregon Opportunity Grant is available by filling out the FAFSA – no additional application needed • Must be an Oregon resident attending an approved Oregon college • File the FAFSA by February 1 to be considered

45. State grant program • Maximum family income to qualify for Oregon Opportunity Grant is $70,000 • Maximum 2013-2014 award is $2,000 • Students will be notified of award by OSAC email and by their college of choice • You can receive the grant for four years of full-time enrollment • Need to reapply each year

46. Understanding award letters • Read your award letter carefully • Could be either on paper or online • Follow instructions for next steps • Meet all deadlines • Inform college of changing financial issues

47. Understanding award letters • Award letter • Shows cost of attendance • Lists types of aid and net costs • Pages 23-24 in Opportunities • Worksheet on page 25helps you compare awards

48. Understanding award letters • What if it’s not enough? • Researchprivatescholarships • Consider any potential employer benefits • Check into college tuition payment plans • Make financial aid office aware of changes in your financial situation • Reminder – you must complete the FAFSA to be considered for most types of aid • Consider part time employment during college

49. Any questions?

50. Scholarship searches & scams