liberty nicholas, lmsw director of college and alumni engagement communities in schools of south...
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College Information Night
Liberty Nicholas, LMSWDirector of College and Alumni Engagement
Communities In Schools of South Central TexasMarion High School
[email protected] x 19
Alexandra Villarreal, BSWCollege Engagement/ Alumni Specialist
[email protected] x 18
JUNIOR year in Review:Take the SAT or ACT - Fee waiver for
free/reduced lunch collegeboard.org – SAT actstudent.org - ACT
Continue to take challenging coursesConsider career optionsExplore collegeboard.org – Big Future siteVisit colleges of interestWork on community service hoursDocument hours of participation in
extracurricular activities, community service, and work
Document awards, honors, leadership roles
SENIOR Year in Review:Visit colleges of interest (2 college days allowed)Send thank you letters to the colleges you visitTake the SAT and/or ACT – there are fee waivers for
students on free/reduced lunch collegeboard.org – SAT actstudent.org - ACTApply to colleges – Fee waivers available for free/reduced
lunchWrite college essaysLetters of RecommendationsApply for scholarships - local, state, nationalApply for FAFSA or TASFA in JanuaryRemember housing applications and meal plans in springCheck for holds on college accountComplete IRS Tax Transcript if requested by financial aidComplete loan counseling and sign Master Promissory NoteSubmit FINAL high school transcript
Automatic Admission to Texas Public Colleges and UniversitiesAll top Marion high school graduates who successfully complete theRecommended or Distinguished program will be automaticallyadmitted into Texas public University or College if one of the followingrequirements is met:
Applicants in the top 10% of their class at the end of their Junior year orafter the first semester of their senior year (as long as the collegeapplication deadlines are met. Some universities may accept mid yearsenior ranks—you must check each college website).
– OR If applying for the University of Texas in Austin, fall 2015 Freshman
applicants must be in the top 7% at the end of their Junior year.
Applicants must check the deadlines for admissions for each Texas College/University as they vary greatly. All deadline information may be found on the College/University website.
College Admissions4 Year University
2 Year Community or Technical College
Guaranteed Admissions: Grades and rank from end of the
junior year SAT/ACT scores
Committee Review:Student doesn’t meet guaranteed
admissions Grades and rank from end of the
junior year SAT/ACT scores Essay Extracurricular activities Volunteerism Awards Work experience Letters of Recommendation
Guaranteed Admissions:MOST community colleges andtechnical colleges have an open
dooradmissions policy The only requirement is a high
school diploma or GED
College Application ProcessStudents begin filling out college applications fall of senior
year
Watch out for deadlines!UT/A&M Dec. 1st
Many Scholarship Deadlines are in December!
www.applytexas.org – Texas 2yr and 4yr institutions
www.commonapp.org – Out of state institutions
Application ProcessThe following MUST accompany a students application
4 Year University 2 Year Community or Technical College
Fee Waiver or Application Fee
SAT or ACT scores – scores must be sent from website
www.collegeboard.org - SAT or actstudent.org - ACT
High school transcript – requested in the counseling office
Fee Waiver or Application Fee
SAT or ACT scores – scores are
recommended but not required
High school transcript – requested in the counseling office
Application Process
It is the responsibility of the student to supply ALL
supporting documents to the receiving institutions
before deadlines.
SAT vs. ACTSAT Math: up to Geometry and
Algebra II Reading: sentence
completions, short & long critical
reading passages, reading
comprehension Writing: grammar, usage,
word choice and a mandatory
essay Penalty: ¼ of a point for
each wrong answer on multiple
choice Scores: 200-800 per section
added together 2-12 for the essay
ACT Math: up to trigonometry Reading: four passages, one
each of Prose, Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, & Natural Science Science: charts, graphs, and data interpretation English: stresses grammar Penalty: None Scores: 1-36 for each subject , averaged for a composite score Writing: optional essay and is an
additional cost when registering. MOST colleges require the writing portion
Things to Know:SAT
The SAT composite score is comprised of critical reading and math – colleges DO NOT include the writing portion when determining SAT score
ACT when registering for the ACT the writing portion will be optional – MOST colleges require writing! Student’s need to pay the additional fee and register for ACT plus writing!
Good to Know: Many out of state schools
would rather have ACT scores sent then SAT.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONSLetters of Recommendation can be used for college
admissions and for scholarships
Get recommendations from people you know wellGive plenty of notice: a minimum of two weeks -
otherwise you might miss a deadlineSupply information about yourself. Provide a resume
which includes your extracurricular activities, community or volunteer service, employment, internships and summer activities
Remember to keep a copyWrite a thank you note to the person who wrote the letter of recommendation
Texas Success Initiative - TSIAll students entering a Texas 2 or 4 year
public college or university must take the TSI
test PRIOR to enrolling incollege level courses, unlessexemption standards are met
TSI Exemptions
Exit Level TAKS: 2200 for math and 2200 for English, with a required writing score of 3
ACT standard: composite score of 23, with a minimum score of 19 for English and 19 for Math
SAT standard: composite score of 1070, with minimum of 500 in Critical Reading and 500 in Math
Financial AidFour types of aid
grantsscholarshipsloanswork study
Don't rule out a dream school if it’s private and/or expensive
Creative ways to save moneyDual CreditAP TestingSAT ScoresACT Scores
Grants FREE Money
Everything starts with the FAFSA-www.fafsa.ed.gov
January 1 of the senior year Apply for a Pin – Both student and parent Free Application WATCH FOR SCAMS
Most schools have a February 14th deadline1. Financial-aid officers use this form to determine the
amount of your financial-aid award.2. A new FAFSA must be submitted every year you’re
in college to qualify for federal aid.3. Fill out the application online - Aid is need based 4. Expected Family Contribution (EFC): Determines eligibility for federal financial student aid; obtained through FAFSA application.
Things You Will NEED when filling out
FAFSA:1. Parent’s W-22. Student’s W-23. Filed 1040 – both4. Parent & Student PIN5. If you have moved this
year you need to call the HR department for all current and previous employers and have your address changed for your W-2 to be sent
University ScholarshipsUniversity requirements varyMay be one application for admission/scholarships May be a separate application for
admission/scholarships Private schools are more expensive but typically offer
larger scholarships than public schoolsPublic schools in Texas offer scholarships through
the ApplyTexas.org website. Deadlines are prior to admission deadlines 5 short-answer questions required Refer to your resume to answer additional
questionsRead directions carefully and pay attention to deadlinesDon’t discount scholarships of lower monetary value;
every dollar helps
Private ScholarshipsWATCH DEADLINES
60+ private scholarship programs listed on Counselors’ Cornerlinks to online applications or PDFs of applications
1. Local
2. State3. National
Work on one or two essays per week.Save essays you have already written. You may be able to use
them again or modify them slightly for other scholarships.Make a copy of each scholarship you submit.Follow the directions set out in the scholarship application
Searching for the ScholarshipsLocal/National BusinessesFoundations/Nonprofits UniversitiesOnline!
www.fastweb.comwww.collegeboard.orgwww.scholarshipexperts.
com
Strategy and Securement Don’t wait or hesitate!Deadlines DO matterContent is *KEY*Small and ManyBe flexible!Took a test? Take it again!
SAT, ACT, AP, etc.
Follow up? Follow up!
Top 5 Myths Surrounding the Money
1. “Scholarships are for the scholars and the sports stars.”
2. “Writers win every time~”
3. “I’m not a minority or have documented need, so I can’t apply!”
4. “Small scholarship packages won’t help me.”
5. “Competition is fierce– I shouldn’t bother!”
LoansDirect Subsidized Loans Available to undergraduate students with financial need.
Interest Free Loans
Direct Unsubsidized Loans Available to undergraduate students. The student does not
have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan. These loans accrue interest
Parent Plus Loans Available to parents. Credit based and do require repayment or
deferment after first year.
Be On Time Loan Zero Interest Loan Must ASK your college’s financial aid dept to be placed on waiting
list – All colleges are not guaranteed to have money to give Must be a Texas resident and be eligible for Federal Financial Aid Loan is FORGIVEN if student graduates ON TIME!
Work-StudyThe Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) funds part-
time employment for undergraduate students with financial need
Allows students to earn money to help pay for education expenses.
The total award depends on when the student applies, the level of need, and the funding level of the school.
The work-study award is NOT guaranteed money! The student most search for work-study jobs on their colleges website, apply, interview and be hired.
Work-study is paid to the student every two weeks
WHY COLLEGE?College Graduates Earn More Money www.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt
High School Dropout
High School Graduate
Some College, No Degree
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctorate (Ph.D.)
Professional Degree
$1,102,120
$1,531,400
$1,863,040
$1,920,680
$2,742,160
$3,337,800
$4,449,440
$5,612,760
Average Lifetime Earnings
Earn More by Staying in Schoolwww.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt
High school graduates earn $430,000 more over their lifetimes than high school dropouts.
Double your income by graduating from college.An Associate’s degree is worth $390,000 more
than a high school diploma.A Bachelor’s degree is worth $1.2 million more
than a high school diploma.A Doctorate (Ph.D.) is worth $1.7 million more
than a Bachelor’s degree.A Professional (law or medical) degree is worth
$2.9 million more than a Bachelor’s degree.
College is Required for a Better Jobwww.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt
Almost All of the highest paying jobs require a college degree
Jobs for college graduates include better benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans
College graduates have half the unemployment rates of high school graduates and better job security
There are many more jobs available for college graduates than high school graduates