Countdown to CollegeFelice Douglas Rollins

Before Junior Year

• Take challenging classes

• Research career paths

• Choose your activities carefully

• Visit colleges

• Plan summer activities

• Attend college fairs

• Start making a portfolio

Junior Year

• Prepare for the PSAT (October)

• Start looking for scholarships

• Study for the SAT and/or the ACT

• Register for the spring test

• Visit colleges during spring break

• Register for the June test

Summer before Senior Year

• Work and/or volunteer

• Take a class

• Do a summer program

• Write your personal statement

• Narrow down your list of colleges

Factors to Consider

• Your qualifications

• Campus culture

• Distance from home

• Extracurricular activities

• Religious affiliation

• Cost of attendance

• Financial aid options

• Outside learning options

• Support programs

August/September

• Make a final list of 5 to 7 colleges

• Attend college fairs and school visits

• Ask teachers for recommendations

• Request transcripts

• Apply for scholarships

• Apply to schools with November

deadlines

Deadlines

• Early Decision – Binding

• Early Action – Non-binding

• Scholarship

• Regular

• Rolling

October

• Apply for financial aid

• Keep applying for scholarships

Cost Comparison

• Community College - $5,000

• Public University, In-State - $28,000

• Public University, Out-of-State - $55,000

• Private University - $30,000-$75,000

Financial Aid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal

Student Aid, www.fafsa.gov

• CSS Profile – for certain private

schools, www.collegeboard.org

FAFSA Info

• Available October 1, 2016

• You will need:– 2015 IRS tax forms for parents and student

Social Security numbers for parents and student

– Alien Registration number for student Amounts in checking, savings and certain investment accounts

– List of schools to which student is applying

November/December

• Finish college applications

• Apply for scholarships weekly

• Re-focus on schoolwork

Scholarship Resources

• Scholarship Websites

– Collegeboard.org

– Scholarships.com

– Fastweb.com

• Local Resources

– Local clubs (Optimist, Rotary, etc.)

– Credit Unions

• Parents’ employers

• Personal Interests

January through April

• Wait for letters of admission

• Wait for financial aid awards

• Wait for scholarship letters

• Don’t wait to apply for more

scholarships!

May through Summer

• Make final college choice

• Send deposit (by May 1st)

• Don’t overspend on prom

• Plan to attend orientation sessions

• Work and save money

College Momentum Academy

•Clarity on career and

educational goals

•List of “right-fit” colleges

•Plan for applying for college

admission and scholarships

Thank you!

Felice Rollins

703.680.4780

CollegeMomentumAcademy.com