RVHS Senior Workshop 2014

1. RVHS Senior Workshop 2014 Provided by: Robert Vela High School Financial Aid Office The Legacy of Excellence Continues.

2. COLLEGE……WHERE DO I START???????

3. Step #1: Start with a RESUME • A resume template can be found on: http://edinburg.vela.schooldesk.net/ Robert Vela Home Page

4. Step #2: Start with your COLLEGEAPPLICATIONS • How many applications is just right? • 4 to 5 or more • How do your ACT test waivers help you with college applications? • What makes up the application? • Personal Info, Resume, Essays • When will I have time to do this? • Do I have to do a college application? • Who can help?

5. Admissions Presented by: Robert Vela High School

6. Choosing a University Things to Consider: • Location • Cost of Living • Cost of Tuition • Range of Academic Majors Offered • Exam and Admission Requirements • Types of Financial Aid • Scholarship Opportunities • Amount of Personal Attention You Child Will Receive • Student Service for Tuition Dollars

7. Admission Procedures Do not delay! Apply today! Applytexas.org: Start application ASAP Application Fee: Application Fee Waivers Available Essays: 2-3 Essays; Usually Topics A, B & C Transcript: Must include Class Rank/GPA/ School Seal/ Expected Graduation under Program: Distinguished/Recommended Highly Recommend: A Resume, College Transcript if (dual or concurrent enrollment courses taken); Residency Affidavit or Recommendations. Additional Requirements: Copy of permanent resident card (for US permanent residents). Note: Students may apply to most universities before they have received ACT/SAT test scores.

8. Admissions Procedures Students must make sure to complete all admission application requirements for all schools F. A. S. T.!!!! • Fees (If applicable) • Application • Scores (ACT, SAT, THEA) • Transcript (Obtained from your RVHS registrar) YOU MUST HAVE ALL OF THIS INFO INTHE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE ON OR BEFORE THE DEADLINES – NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

9. ApplyTexas.org Application www.applytexas.org Free fee application waivers are available to qualifying students • Blinn College • Texas A&M University • Texas A&M University Kingsville • Texas State University • Texas Tech University • University of North Texas • University of Texas at Austin • University of Texas at San Antonio • ANY OTHER TEXAS PUBLIC UNIVERSITY • SOME TEXAS PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

10. State of Texas Top 10% Rule • If a Texas student is ranked in the top 10 percentile of his/her graduation class, the student has automatic admission acceptance to any Texas public university, BUT must still submit an applicationon applytexas.org • Only UT-Austin has modified this rule to automatically accept only the top 7% this year and will vary every year.

11. Son/Daughter Planning on Playing College Sports? Make sure they are registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse Organization! • NCAA Registration Process • Web application at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • Membership fee – can be waved for free with high school counselor permission • Submit two high school transcripts • One transcript as soon as web form is complete • Second transcript at final graduation

12. College Entrance Exams www.actstudent.org www.collegeboard.org www.thea.nesinc.com

13. Why do you need to take college placement exams? Universities Use Testing Information for: • Pre-College Programs • UTPA Concurrent Enrollment Program • STC Dual Enrollment Program • College Admissions • Can you succeed at the college/university? • Scholarship Criteria • Does your score merit a scholarship award? • Course Placement • What level are you proficient in math, English, etc.

14. NO MORE THEA / ACCUPLACER • For ENHS, EHS, RVHS and JEHS test dates during school days: Register at the Financial Aid Office • Next ENHS THEA - November 6, 2012 Payment: $29 check or money order to NES • For Other Test Dates: • UTPA Testing Office • 665-7584 • STC Testing Office • 872-7617 No Waivers Available

15. Exemptions for THEA TAKS – Exit Level Scores • Exempt for MATH • 2200 MATH • Exempt for Reading and Writing • 2200 ELA • 3 on Essay ACT Scores • 23+ composite – With at least a 19+ math and 19+ English SAT Scores • 1070+ math and critical reading scores – With at least a 500 math and 500 critical reading Check with your counselor if you are exempt from taking the THEA exam

16. THEA and Remedial Courses Some colleges/universities do not accept the TAKS exemptions and may request higher scores on THEA to place you out of remedial classes

17. National Placement Exams • ACT = No Writing: $35.00 Plus Writing: $50.50 (Waivers available for free) • Check to see if the schools you are applying to are requiring or recommending you to take the ACT with the writing portion! • Register online at www.actstudent.org • SAT = $50.00 (Waivers available for free) • SAT is requiring that ALL students take the writing • Register online at www.collegeboard.org

18. Have You Already Used Your Test Fee Waivers? You are only allowed two fee waivers for each exam even if you registered and did not show up for an exam!!!!!! $21-$25 test date change 2 ACT Fee Registration Waivers 2 SAT Fee Registration Waivers

19. Financial Aid$$$HOW AM I GOING TO PAY FOR COLLEGE?

20. Scholarships • Scholarship Criteria: • Merit Based-grades in school • Need based (based on family income) • Based on Athletic ability • Writing Skills • Test Scores • Most Scholarships require: • Community Service Hours • Active in school, church, or community • ACT/SAT scores • above average G.P.A.

21. Types of Scholarships • State and National Scholarships- 1st Semester • Amounts range from $1,000 to $25,000 • Local Scholarships-2nd Semester • Amounts range from $100 to $2,500 • University Scholarships-1st Semester • Amounts range from $500 to $250,000 The big scholarships are awarded by the universities!

22. University Scholarships What do they look for? • Noncompetitive/Minimally Difficult/Moderately Difficult Schools •  Look at above average ACT scores and rank • May also consider essays and letters of recommendation • May also consider your ethnic background • Very Difficult/Most Difficult • Once admitted they look at families income to award you university funds

23. University Scholarships • UT-Austin Recommended Oct. 15 Final December 1st • must begin on admissions application before submitting scholarship application • Texas State University Recommended Nov. 1 Final December 15th • Must be admitted before submitting application • Texas A&M University Recommended Oct. 15 Final December 1st • UTPA Scholarships Priority EHS Deadline November 1st • For all other schools please visit their website to learn when their scholarships are due. • Most private schools use the admissions application to award scholarships.

24. Popular Scholarships Current Scholarships EHS Deadline • Horatio Alger Due October • Hispanic Scholarship Fund Due December • Gates Millennium Due December • Texas Student Housing Scholarship Due December Program • Coca-Cola Scholars Due October Popular Scholarships • Phillip’s 66 Boy’s and Girl’s Club December • Hispanic College Fund April • STARS February • VAMOS March • Magic Valley Electric December • University Scholars Various Deadlines

25. UTPA University Scholars

26. UTPA University Scholars

27. Scholarship Application Cover Page Make your Scholarship Stand Out! Include a Cover Page

28. Financial Aid Umbrella Federal & State Grants Work Study Student & Parent Loans Scholarships

29. Apply using the FAFSA

30. FAFSA Free Application For Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov Free online government application can be used for universities and colleges nation wide Used to apply for Grants, Work Study and Loans Funds are awarded to HS graduates upon registration of courses Seniors 2013 will complete FAFSA in the spring 2013

31. FAFSA Documents • 2013 Federal Income Tax Forms • 2012 W-2 Forms • Child Support paid or received • Social Security/Alien Registration Numbers • Dates of Birth for parents • Marital Status Dates (Divorce, Widowed, etc.) • Balance of cash, checking, and savings accounts • Other financial documents

32. Estimated Family Contribution • EFC Estimated Family Contribution is calculated by all the information provided on the FAFSA. Cost of attendance $14,000 -EFC 3,000 Financial Need $11,000

33. Important financial aid tips to remember: • File your income tax as soon as possible! You can apply as soon after January 1st. • Early filing will allow you to use the IRS Data Retrieval System (2 week processing time). • Make sure all information provided on the FAFSA is current and accurate; mistakes can cause major delays in processing • Priority Deadline is MARCH 1: all verification documents must be submitted by this date!

34. After you apply… Review your Student Aid Report SAR Submit Verification Worksheets, if requested by university. Follow up ONE week later. If no Verification Worksheet is required, an award letter will be sent to you. Review this letter and follow up with your university to accept or deny award.

35. CSS Profile Additional Financial Aid Document used by selective schools to award students Application online at http://profileonline.collegeboard.com Recommended priority deadline: February 1, 2011 unless otherwise stated by university

36. Questions? ThankyouandGoodLuck Seniors 2013!!!