navigating the maze career, college and financial aid options 2015 by: mrs. cilia smith
TRANSCRIPT
Navigating the MazeCareer, College and Financial Aid Options 2015
By: Mrs. Cilia Smith
The OptionsPost-Secondary Education4-year Colleges and Universities2-year Colleges (Community)Technical and Professional
SchoolsMilitary (Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard)
Work ForceApprenticeships
Work Force Optionswww.gobuildalabama.comTo learn about Alabama
construction trades for nonresidential building construction and their pay scale
19% growth rate is projectedApprenticeships and programs
available at community collegesPipe fitters, welders, steel
workers, boilermakers, electricians, carpenters, masons, sheet metal workers
Thinking About Four Year Schools
Thinking About 2 Year Schools
Choosing a College or UniversityThings to Consider:
CostSizeLocation – Rural/Urban, In State/Out of StateCampusSocial ActivitiesAcademics – Major? Class Size?ReligionSportsSpecial Programs – Honors Programs,
Internships, Co-ops, Study Abroad
Choosing a CollegeBe RealisticNarrow Your ListVISIT the Schools You are
Interested in AttendingMake Sure You Meet the
Application Deadlines!!! For universities, apply in the fall of your senior year.
Suggestions for College Visits:Research a college before you go –
check out their website thoroughlyTalk to students on campusEat in one of the dining hallsTour the dormsAsk about class sizes, activities, safetyTalk to professors in the discipline you
are interested in majoring inTalk to people in financial aidFollow-up with a thank you note
Some Examples of Technical and Professional Schools :
Culinary SchoolsNashville Auto-Diesel CollegeThe Art InstitutesVirginia CollegeTrade Schools – There are also
certificate programs available at community colleges in various trades.
What Are Universities Looking For?Academic Record – Grade Point
Average (GPA), Class RankTesting Scores – ACT or SATExtracurricular Activities,
Awards/Honors, Community Service, Employment
Sometimes – Letters of Recommendation, Essays, Interviews
REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME LOCAL COLLEGES:
Snead State Community CollegeAdmission: Rolling Admission,
Must have HS diplomaEntrance Exam: ACT is not required.
You may take a free placement test (COMPASS) at Snead to determine English and math placement in classes.
University of North AlabamaAdmission: For Unconditional
Admission, students need ACT of 18, 2.0 GPA on Core Classes (4 English, 2 Math, 2 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Additional)
University of Alabama in HuntsvilleAdmission: Sliding Scale Based
on Core GPA and ACT (3.0 GPA + 20 ACT, 2.0 GPA + 25 ACT). Average ACT is 25 and Average GPA is 3.54.
Must have 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 3 Science, 4 Social Studies, 6 Electives.
University of Alabama - BirminghamAdmissions: ACT 20Minimum 2.25 GPA in Academic
Core Classes Including: 4 English, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math (Alg. I and higher), 1 Foreign Language, 3 Additional Academic Courses.
University of AlabamaAdmission: Evaluated Based on
ACT (must include Writing), GPA, and High School Course Load. ACT 21 and GPA 3.0 Mentioned in Literature.
Require: 4 English, 4 Social Sciences, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II and Geometry), 1 Foreign Language, 3 Science, 5 Additional Units.
University of AlabamaYou may schedule a family
campus tour at www.gobama.ua.edu/visits. Tours may be scheduled Monday – Saturday.
Auburn UniversityBase Admissions on ACT (with
Writing), GPA and Classes Taken, Essays
Must have: 4 English, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 2 Science.
Recommended: Additional Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language.
Average GPA is 3.81Average ACT is 27.
Troy UniversityAdmission: 20 ACT, 2.0 GPAScholarships – 27 ACT, 3.5 GPA –
Full Tuition; 31 ACT, 3.7 GPA – Tuition plus Room and Board; Leadership scholarships start with 22 ACT, 3.0 GPA
University of Montevallo
December 1 – Scholarship Deadlines start. Some of their deadlines vary.
Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA
See website for more complete details.
Mississippi State UniversityAdmission: 4 English, 3 Math
(Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Advanced Electives (Foreign Language, Science or Math), ½ Computer.
16 ACT, 2.5 GPA on Core Classes
Other Universities:University of MontevalloACT 20, 2.5 GPAUniversity of South AlabamaACT 20 ACT, 2.0 GPA, 16 Core UnitsUniversity of West AlabamaACT 19, 2.0 GPASamford UniversityNo set score (Avg. ACT 26, GPA 3.7)Jacksonville State20 ACT
ACT Testing Dates:
December 14– Register by Nov. 8February 8 – Register by Jan. 10April 12– Register by March 7June 14– Register by May 9
HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR COLLEGE?
Types of Financial Aid:Grants – These are typically need-based
and do not have to be repaid. Examples: Pell, FSEOG, TEACH, Iraq/Afghanistan Service.
Scholarships – These are typically based on merit and do not have to be repaid. Examples: Academic, Athletic, Leadership.
Work-Study – Students work for the university on a part-time basis.
Loans – These are lower interest loans by the federal government – PLUS, Stafford, Perkins.
MORE ON LOANSFederal Student Loans offer borrowers
lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment terms and options.
Federal Perkins Loan – college is lender, depends on need
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender, depends on need, no interest while in college
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender, interest charged while in college
Financial InformationFor more information, go online
to: www.studentaid.ed.govThis is an excellent website with
lots of information on financing your college education.
FAFSA Forms:To receive any type of financial aid,
students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This may be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
For Seniors, it is based on family income for 2013.
A pin number must be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov.
A Student Aid Report showing Expected Family Contribution to College will be sent to you. A report will also be sent to the colleges you choose.
FASFA InformationGrant money is distributed
according to need and is given out on a “first come, first serve” basis.
It is important to fill out your FAFSA forms before March 1st for many schools.
You must fill out FAFSA before you can receive scholarship money from schools.
SOME EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:
Academic Scholarships:
Different schools have different requirements. It pays to do your research online and check out the websites of the schools you are interested in applying to.
Always fill out the scholarship application. You might meet the requirements for endowed scholarships even if you don’t meet the academic scholarship requirements.
You must meet the deadlines! Don’t forget to consider some of the smaller schools.
They offer good scholarships as well. Some schools have you fill out separate scholarship
applications. Some departments give out scholarships and you
must fill out separate applications.
UAH Academic Scholarships:UAH – Deadline is Dec. 1.Separate Scholarship Application.UAH will allow students to continue taking the ACT in the spring to try and increase their score.
UAH scholarships start with 25 ACT and 3.0 GPA. As scores go up, the amount of the scholarships go up.
University of Alabama Academic Scholarships
Deadline is Dec. 1.Must fill out scholarship application in MyBama (http://mybama.ua.edu).
Scholarships start with 27 ACT and 3.5 GPA - $1,500/year
28-29 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $3,500/year30-36 ACT, 3.5 GPA – Full TuitionFirst Generation Scholarships
Auburn University Academic ScholarshipsSpirit of Auburn ScholarshipsDeadline is Dec. 1.28-29 ACT and 3.5 or higher GPA =
$2,500/year30-31 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition32-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition, $1,000
technology allowance, invitation to University Honors College
Foundation, Legacy and Achievement – 26 ACT and 3.5 GPA
Provost Leadership – 3.25 GPA, DiversityGeneral Scholarships – 3.0 GPA
UAB Scholarships
December 1 – DeadlineUAB Scholarships start with 24
ACT, 3.0 GPA - $1,00024 ACT, 3.5+ GPA - $2,50025-27 ACT, 3.5+ GPA - $4,00028-32 ACT, 3.3+ GPA - $7,00033+ACT, 3.0+ GPA – Full Tuition
+ (highly competitive)
Mississippi State Scholarships
Scholarship Deadline – Dec. 1Scholarships start with 25 ACT,
3.0 GPA, Excellent leadership and service activities
Will consider December ACT scores.
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)Admission – Requirements are
going up in 2012. (Core 4 every year, Math through Trig, 2 Foreign Language credits, 1 Fine Art credit), 20 ACT, 2.5 GPA
Separate scholarship applicationDeadlines varyScholarships for out-of-state
students start with 26 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $2,000/year
University of South Alabama
Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $3,500/year
27-29 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $6,500/year30-31ACT, 3.5 GPA - $8,000/year32 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $9,000/year,
$10,000/year33+, 3.5 GPA - $11,000/yearDec. 1 - Deadline
Jacksonville State University
Deadline is March 1.Apply for academic scholarships
onlineBegin with 22 ACT26 ACT = Full tuition + books30 ACT = Full tuition +
room/boardLeadership scholarships (paper
application) – 20 ACT, 2.5 GPA
Troy University27 ACT, 3.5 GPA – Full Tuition31 ACT, 3.7 GPA (60 awarded) –
Full Tuition, Room and BoardLeadership Scholarships start
with 22 ACT, 3.0 GPASeparate scholarship applicationDeadlines vary with different
scholarships.See website for more details.
Leadership Scholarships:Many of the smaller schools offer good
leadership scholarships with a little bit lower ACT score required. For example:
UNA – Minimum 18 ACT, Core Curriculum GPA 2.75, Resume required. From $1,200/year to $8,000.
Troy – 22 ACT, 3.0 GPA. Girls State Representative Scholarship.
University of West Alabama – Gives scholarships to those who held leadership positions in high school such as SCA President, Sr. Class President, Yearbook Editor, etc. $1,500-$2,500/year.
Wallace State Community CollegeYou may take the COMPASS placement test instead of the ACT to attend Wallace State.
Academic Scholarships are based on ACT (21+) scores, GPA (3.0+), Essays and Letters of Recommendation.
Local ScholarshipsLocal scholarship information is
typically sent out in the spring.Watch the newsletter, school
bulletin boards, newspaper and website for details of local scholarships being offered.
