Waccamaw High School Senior Presentation

1. Waccamaw High SchoolSenior Presentation

2. Counselors • Ms. Tamara Dekine • Email: tadekine@gcsd.k12.sc.us • Last names A-J • Mrs. Alyssa Graham • Email: agraham@gcsd.k12.sc.us • Last names K-Z

3. 12th Grade • All Year • Continue to challenge yourself academically. Most colleges require 4 years of English, at least 3 years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), 4 years of mathematics, and 3 years of laboratory science, and many require 2 years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.

4. SC High School Diploma Requirements • AREA CREDITS • Language Arts 4.0 • Mathematics 4.0 • Science 3.0 • U.S. History 1.0 • Economics .5 • Government .5 • Social Studies elective 1.0 • Foreign Lan. Or Voc. Elective 1.0 • Health/PE or MJROTC 1.0 • Computer Science 1.0 • Electives 7.0 • Total Required Units 24.0

5. Calculating GPA

6. This is what your transcript will look like.

7. 12th Grade, cont. • All Year • Work hard all year; second-semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility. • Stay involved and seek leadership roles in your activities. • Update your portfolio. (A portfolio might include awards, game tapes, newspaper clippings, artwork, etc.)

8. 12th Grade, cont. • Fall • Meet with you school counselor – are you on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements? • If you haven’t done so already, register for and take exams such as the SAT I, SAT II: Subject Test, or ACT for college admission. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

9. 12th Grade, cont. • Fall, cont. • Apply to the colleges you have chosen. Prepare your application carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES! • Wellbefore your application deadlines, ask your counselor and teachers to submit required documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) to the colleges to which you’re applying. Allow a minimum of 10 Days for counselors and teachers to complete these for you. Many colleges include these request forms in the application. They may have to be printed or emailed to the guidance counselor.

10. 12th Grade, cont. • Fall, cont. • To prepare to apply for federal student aid, be sure to get a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.govso that you can complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and access your information online. One of your parents must also get a PIN. • Pay close attention to FAFSA deadlines for colleges!

11. 12th Grade, cont. • Winter • Encourage your parent(s) to complete income tax forms early. If your parent(s) have not completed the tax forms, you can provide estimated information on your federal student aid application, but remember to make any necessary changes later.

12. 12th Grade, cont. • Winter, cont. • As soon after January 1st as possible, complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), along with any other financial aid applications your school(s) of choice may require. You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov – which is easier and faster. You should submit your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, usually by early February or March.

13. 12th Grade, cont. • Winter, cont. • If you have questions about the federal student aid programs or need assistance with the application process, call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or TTY for the hearing-impaired, 1-800-730-8913. • After you submit the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within one to four weeks. Quickly make any necessary corrections and submit them to the FAFSA processor.

14. 12th Grade, cont. • Winter, cont. • If the schools you are applying to require it, complete the CSS Profile. Many private colleges and universities use this information to help them award nonfederal student aid funds. • Complete scholarship applications. Apply for as many as you can – you may be eligible for more than you think. • Parents should check their eligibility for the HOPE Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit or other tax benefits.

15. SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOLARSHIPS • Palmetto Fellows • Top 6% • GPA 3.5 • 1200 SAT/ 27 ACT • Life Scholarship • Top 30% • 3.0 GPA • 1100 SAT/ 24 ACT • Hope Scholarship • 3.0 GPA

16. 12th Grade, cont. • Spring • Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll. • Review your college acceptances and compare financial aid packages. • When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1st.

17. Important Websites (www.fafsa.ed.gov) – The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.pin.ed.gov) – The site to retrieve your unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) (http://www.collegeplanning.nelnet.net/) – College Planning (http://www.studentloan.com/) – College Planning (http://www.edamerica.net/) – College Planning

18. Important Link, cont. (http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student) – College Planning (http://www.edamerica.net/payingback/debt/takecontrol.aspx) – Debt Management (www.fastweb.com) – Scholarship Search

19. Announcements • A student may only receive credit for 2 of the following courses throughout their high school experience: • Service Learning • Work Experience 1 • Work Experience 2 • College Application Day will be held on October 11th • Student must have Student Resource Guide to attend!!! • Parent meeting will be held on October 1st @5:30pm • Senior interviews will be conducted during the month of October. Please invite parents to attend your interview with you!