College Admissions & Financial Aid 101

1. College Admissions & Financial Aid 101 Mrs. Davis 12th Grade Counselor

2. What are you looking for? • Location • How far do you want to go from home? • Environment • Number of students • Rural, small town, big city • Type of School • Public or private • Community college • Religious affiliation • Coed, all male or all female • Admissions • High school courses required • Test scores • GPA • Rank in class • Academic Programs • Majors • Class size • Student-faculty ratio • Campus Life • Extracurricular activities • Facilities • Clubs and organizations

3. Narrow your choices. • www.careercruising.com/ssp • Attend the meetings with college reps. who come to SHS. (see my website for dates and to sign-up) • Attend local college fairs. • October 20th, 25th, and 27th • Schedule visits to tour the campus. • Research, research, research.

4. How many? No more than 8!

5. Now…Get Organized! • Create a folder for each school. • On the outside of the folder, write a list of required application components and the deadline. • Use your agenda book. • Deadlines are SUPER important. Make sure you use a calendar to keep track of when things are due. • Make copies of everything you submit and don’t throw away anything you receive. • Check your email. • Schools frequently send updates about your application via email.

6. When should I apply? Regular Decision: Submit by a specific date Rolling Admission: Apply early & get a decision Early Action: Non-binding, priority filing period Early Decision: BINDING! ANSWER:

7. Admissions Tests Test scores must be sent by The Testing company. ACT www.act.org SAT www.collegeboard.com Duration: 3 hours 45 min. 10 Sections: 3 reading, 3 math, 3 writing & 1 experimental. Scoring: Total 600-2400 (add scores from 3 areas); each subj. is scored 200-800. ¼ point penalty for each wrong answer. • Duration: 3 hours 25 min. • 4 Sections: English, reading, math, science & optional writing. • Scoring: Composite 1-36 (avg. of 4 tests); each subject is scored 1-36. • No penalty for wrong answers. Both tests are accepted by most colleges. If you have not taken either of these, register for one today!

8. Intercollegiate Athletics • All potential athletes must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse after their junior year. To do so, visit www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. • A certain number of core courses are required for Division I and II schools. • A final transcript must be sent to the clearinghouse after graduation. Be sure to submit the release form to the guidance office prior to graduation.

9. Final thoughts about applications… • Follow directions and read ALL instructions. • Applications are accepted by the colleges in separate pieces at separate times. • Transcript requests: all requests must be in writing, with the address and the necessary counselor form. • Letter of Recommendation Request: request must be in writing and I must have your Student Profile (See the letter of recommendation request form on my website) on file. • Remember…schools prefer letters from teachers, coaches etc.

10. What is financial aid? • Other : • Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan (interest begins when loan is made) • Unsubsidized Federal PLUS Loan for parents • Tax credits

11. FAFSA After jan. 1st

12. I still need more… • APPLY, APPLY, APPLY. Every year money goes unused because students didn’t apply for it. • Where else to look: • Scholarship search www.careercruising.com/ssp • Delaware Scholarship Compendium • SHS Guidance website (Scholarship Bulletin) • LISTEN to the announcements. • Scholarship bookshelf in the guidance office. Anything we get, we will put there. Check back frequently because information is always changing.

13. A glimpse of the future. Somewhere in the future a student is going to come to you and say that they didn’t pay attention today and they need to talk to you about college admissions and financial aid! If this happens to you, don’t worry. This presentation will be on my website next week! www.shsseniors.shutterfly.com