Your Future Begins HERE...

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If college is in your future,

you’ve come to the right place.

Southwestern Ohio offers a comprehensive and diverse group of higher educational

offerings that all provide excellent value. Whether you are looking for a large university, a

small college, a technical school or community college, you will find a number of great options

right here in our corner of Ohio. There is a school in our area to fit every budget and every course

of study. You will find that the Southwest Ohio region has a proud history of creativity and new

ideas, and much of the innovation of the future is being nurtured right now in our institutions of

higher education.

SOCHE (Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education) was founded in 1967 by the

institutions of higher learning in southwestern Ohio to share information, learn from each other

and improve offerings to students and advance higher education in the region. By fostering a

spirit of collaboration and cooperation, we have been able to provide a better experience for all

of the students in our area. Our members gather several times a year to develop new courses

and programs, share ways to reduce costs, share ideas and to provide the best possible

experience for our students.

We are excited about the future here in southwestern Ohio and know you will be too.

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We have created this Getting Started Guide to help you navigate your college choice and

application process. Whether you are the first or twenty-first in your family to go to school,

an adult learner or high school student, you will find a lot of useful information here to help

you through every step of the process.

In this easy to follow guide you will find information on:

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Getting Started

Making the decision to go to college is a big financial commitment. But college remains a

good investment. In fact, the College Board determined from U.S. Census Bureau reports that

college pays off over time. The study found that over a typical 40-year career someone with

an associate’s degree makes 24% more than someone who only holds a high school degree.

A bachelor’s degree is worth even more – 66% higher earnings over time and a master’s

degree is worth almost double – over 97% more earnings than a high school graduate. This

can add up to millions of dollars over a lifetime of work. So while paying for college can seem

daunting, it is obviously worth it.

As with any large purchase, you should carefully consider your options before making a

decision. This decision is a very personal one but there are many things to consider in helping

you make the right choice. Here are a few of the things that you will want to consider when

choosing a college.

Size

Are you looking for a small school with small class sizes or do you want to enjoy the benefits

of a larger institution with more facilities and choices of classes, instructors and even

locations? What type of academic facilities including libraries and labs does each school

offer? How accessible are faculty members?

Degrees Offered

If you know what you plan to study, you will obviously need to narrow your choices down to

schools that offer that degree. You also will want to consider the reputation of the instructors

and academic departments of that subject. If you are undecided, you will want to make sure

that the colleges you look at offer you a lot of choices.

Location

Are you looking for a rural, suburban or urban location? How far are you willing to go from

home? Is public transportation a factor? For adult learners location becomes even more

critical. If you are going to continue working or have a family to care for – a location near

home or work might be very important.

Costs

While cost should not be your only criteria (see the financial aid section for more information)

it is obviously a factor. When comparing the costs of institutions you need to consider not

only the tuition, but whether or not you will need room and board and factor in costs like

transportation, books and more.

Schedule

Adult learners – in particular – might need to consider whether there are evening, weekend

or online courses available in your chosen field.

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Social Life

Consider the types of activities the school offers for students such as Greek organizations,

sports and networking. What is the student body like – does it offer diversity? Students that

are your age? Keep in mind that even non-residential schools offer activities and special

programs for students.

Housing Options

What types of housing options, if any, are available (dorms, apartments, etc.)? Do you want

a residential or commuter campus?

Selectivity

Selectivity refers to the difficulty in gaining admission to a particular institution. It does not

determine how well you will like the school, but it may offer some insight into the academic

competitiveness of the college or university. Do you want to attend a college that accepts the

majority of its applicants, or one that accepts just a few? You can find out if you are a good

fit based on your scores on standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT as well as your high

school GPA. If you have been out of school for a while, check with the institution you are

considering – you may not have to provide SAT/ACT scores. Sometimes all that is required

is the assessment tests your chosen college requires for math and language arts.

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Placement Success/Internships and Co-op Programs

When choosing to further your education, you should consider the types of internships or

co-op programs offered as this will provide you with an opportunity to gain work experience

in your chosen field before you graduate. You should also seek to find out about career

placement services and the percentage of graduates who obtain jobs upon graduation in

their chosen field. After reviewing some of the criteria here, you will need to decide which

are the most important to you.

Transfer of Credit

If you previously earned credit, or you are attending a two-year institution and your goal is a

four-year degree, you may want to check into credit transfer policies for the institution. Most

community colleges have agreements with four-year institutions in which credit earned at the

two-year level is transferred and counts toward a degree at the four-year institution. These

agreements are referred to as Articulation Agreements. If you previously earned credit, you

may wish to speak with a school’s advisor on the transfer policies of that institution.

Consider all of your options before making a decision, choosing a college is an important one.

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Gathering Information

You will need to begin gathering information about colleges to see which ones meet your

criteria. The SOCHE website includes information and links to all of the colleges in the

consortium so that you can gather some data easily. You also can find information in books,

such as the Fiske Guide to Colleges, and on various websites such as

www.collegesearch.collegeboard.com, www.petersons.com,

www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator.

You should also consider attending college fairs, where you can meet representatives from

the schools and gather literature. Most of these are offered in the fall, including the Greater

Dayton Area College Fair at the University of Dayton, the Articulation Fair of Southwest Ohio

at Wright State University, Clark County College Night at the Clark County Fairgrounds, and

the Cincinnati National College Fair held in Downtown Cincinnati. Check out the SOCHE

website www.soche.org for current information, locations and dates of local college fairs.

Once you have gathered all of the information about the schools you are considering, you

might want to check out each school’s website. Many of them offer virtual tours of the

campus and provide detailed information on offerings and student life.

After all of this research and fact gathering, you likely will have narrowed your choices down

to a few schools. The next step is to plan a visit. A visit to the school is really the best way to

get a feel for the school and the campus, even for adults who may wish to ask if the school

holds information sessions at times that are convenient for the adult schedule. In order to

make the most of your visit, you will want to take a tour, certainly, and we also recommend

you might meet with students, eat in the cafeteria, read student publications and if you are

considering living on campus, you might want to spend the night with a student. These are

great ways to get a feel for what your college experience might be like.

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For most students, the cost of college is going

to be a very important factor in their decision.

There are so many sources of financial aid and

loans; many students find that they are able to

afford colleges they thought were beyond their

reach. It is very important that you spend time

considering all of the costs and sources of aid

when making your final decision. Do not rule

out any particular school simply because of

cost. Once you apply and fill out the appropriate

financial aid forms, the schools that accept you

will let you know what your financial aid package

is. After you determine your actual cost, you will

be able to determine whether or not your school

is affordable.

College costs vary greatly depending on

whether you choose a public or private

institution or a two- or four-year college and

whether you attend full- or part-time. Other

factors come into play such as whether you live

on or off campus, buy new or used books,

commute to school, etc.

Most colleges offer a breakdown of estimated

expenses on their websites. You also will find

a college cost calculator at

www.collegesavings.org.

Tuition & Fees

Below are average yearly tuition and fees for

a full-time student:

Public four-year (in-state student) $7,605

Public four-year (out-of-state student) $19,595

Private four-year $27,293

Public two-year $2,713

Students usually pay per credit hour if they attend

college part-time, with fees depending on the

institution.

How to Pay for College

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Living Expenses

You must live somewhere, eat, buy books, do laundry, etc. Below are additional average

expenses for 2010-11. Many colleges provide a breakdown of expenses on their websites.

According to the College Board, the Midwest average for room and board at a private four-

year school is $8,321 and $7,787 at a public four-year school.

Room

Cost depends on whether you live on-campus or off-campus. Living on-campus may seem more expensive,

but if you live off-campus you may have extras such as security deposits, rent during the summer, etc.

Board

This expense will depend on whether you buy a campus meal package, prepare your own meals, or eat

elsewhere. Many colleges and universities offer meal plan options.

Books and supplies

Students and parents are often surprised at the cost of books and supplies, with the national average at

$1,137 per year for a four-year institution.

Personal expenses

These include laundry, cell phone, pizza, etc. National average at a four-year college for a student living on

campus is $1,989 per year.

Transportation

You may commute to college or, if you live on campus, make occasional trips home. The national average

is $1,073 for four-year students who live on-campus.

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Preparing a Budget

Creating a college budget will help ensure you have the funds you need and give you

peace of mind knowing you are unlikely to run out of money. Divide your budget into

income and expenses.

Income

– Income from job(s)

– Money from parents and other family members

– Grants, scholarships, student loans and other financial aid

– Miscellaneous income

Expenses

– Tuition: Cost for this year and every year during your college career, including projected increases

– Room and board: How much it will cost to live in the dorm or off-campus plus food

– Books and supplies: Expenses for new and used books, notebooks, computer paper, lab fees, backpacks, etc.

– Insurance: Health and dental insurance, car insurance, renter’s insurance

– Cell phone and computer: Cost to purchase plus monthly expenses, including Internet

– Entertainment: Expenses to attend campus events, movies, dine out, etc.

– Personal expenses: Clothing, shoes, grooming supplies, etc.

The college budget worksheet at www.financialplan.about.com can help you plan.

Just go to the college page to get the worksheet.

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A Guide to Financial Aid

More than $170 billion in financial aid is available to help students pay for college.

Filing the federal financial aid application, the FAFSA, is the first step in applying for 90 percent

of this money. Even if you think your family will not qualify for financial aid, it is important to

consider filling out the FAFSA because many schools require it in order to qualify for merit

(non-need based) aid.

FAFSA

The FAFSA gives students access to federal student aid and grants, including subsidized and

unsubsidized student loans. Subsidized loans are for students who demonstrate financial need

and the government pays the interest on the loan while the student is still in college.

Filling out the FAFSA correctly is very important. To access FAFSA forms, visit

www.fafsa.ed.gov. Colleges, universities and some high schools can also provide this

paperwork. For further details about filling out the FAFSA, visit How to Fill Out the FAFSA.

While FAFSA is the key to student financial aid, filling out and filing the FAFSA form can be

complicated. Every college and university with a financial aid program employs a financial aid

administrator (FAA) who can answer questions and help you complete financial aid forms.

Contact details for financial aid offices are usually listed on college websites.

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The following groups also offer assistance:

College Goal Sunday

Free on-site assistance at locations in 39 states, including Ohio.

Federal Student Aid Information Service

Free information from the Department of Education on funding a college education. Call 1.800.4.FED.AID

with questions.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

Student and financial aid resource center to help students and parents understand academic and financial

aid issues related to post-high school education.

Access for All™

Free services for low income families. Contact Lauren Crownshaw at Lcrownshaw@FAFSA.com.

Federal and state deadlines exist for the FAFSA. The colleges you are applying to also

may have deadlines. To learn more about these deadlines, visit

www.fafsa.ed.gov/deadlines.htm.

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Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid is an office of the U.S. Department of Education that ensures eligible

students benefit from federally funded financial assistance for post secondary education.

This office partners with colleges and universities, financial institutions and others to provide

services that help students and families pay for college.

Details about federal student aid programs – including federal grants, loans and work-

study – authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 are available at

www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/about/title4_programs.html

The site provides details on the following grants:

Federal Pell Grants

Provide aid to low- and middle-income undergraduate students. Amount awarded depends on the cost to

attend and the student’s and family’s financial circumstances.

Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Participating schools present these grants to undergraduate students demonstrating exceptional financial need.

Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)

Available to students eligible for Pell Grants who completed a rigorous secondary school program.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (National SMART) Grants

Offered to Pell eligible undergraduate students in their third, fourth and fifth years of study in physical, life

or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a foreign language deemed critical to

national security.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (TEACH)

Provide assistance for undergraduate students planning to complete course work needed for a teaching career.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) and Special LEAP (SLEAP) Grants

Offered to states to help them provide financial assistance to students with substantial need.

More than $170 billion in financial aid is available to help students pay for college.

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Federal Student Aid Loans

Funds are loaned directly to undergraduate and graduate students through participating

colleges and universities. Direct loans include subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and loans

for parents, graduate and professional degree students. Consolidated loans allow borrowers

to combine federal education loan debt.

Federal Student Aid Work-Study

Work-study programs offer part-time employment for students enrolled in colleges and

universities. Students are paid directly, with colleges and universities responsible for

administering the program. Funds awarded through this program depend on student need

and the school’s funding level.

Other Grants

Grants are available to various population segments (www.collegescholarships.org/grants/):

– Women

– Minorities

– Non-traditional students

– Military students and families

– Low income and disadvantaged students

– Graduate and doctoral students

– Subject-specific students (healthcare, teaching, etc.)

Grants.gov is another excellent source to find and apply for federal grants.

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Other Scholarship Resources

Local scholarships

Students often have the best chance of getting local

scholarships because fewer people apply and they

are less competitive. Local organizations, banks,

restaurants, businesses and churches are potential

sources for community scholarships.

School specific scholarships

Colleges and universities typically offer academic,

sports and other types of scholarships, which may

influence your decision when selecting a college.

Counselor assistance

A financial counselor or guidance counselor may

be able to help you find scholarships that you don’t

know about or are not listed on the Web.

Visit Campus Grotto for more tips on how to

obtain a college scholarship. If you are a veteran,

be sure to visit the veteran’s office of the school

you chose.

Scholarships

Scholarships are ideal for students because

the money does not have to be repaid. Many

types of scholarships are available, including

academic, need-based (financial), sports, clubs

and member-based scholarships, etc.

The National Scholarship Providers Association

(www.scholarships.com) is the largest free,

independent college scholarship research

and financial aid resource on the Internet.

This group also offers scholarships of its own.

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College Scholarship Profile

Some colleges, universities, graduate and professional schools use the information on the

PROFILE to help them award non-federal student scholarships and other funds. Available

at http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/, the PROFILE is provided by College Board,

a national not-for-profit membership association that connects students to college success

and opportunity. Check your college’s or program’s requirements to determine whether the

PROFILE is required.

Tuition Reimbursement and Company-sponsored Benefits

Working adults should check with their employer to determine if tuition benefits are available.

Some employers will pay for entire degrees – others offer tuition benefits that are capped at

a pre-determined amount. Some will pay for “training” as it relates to the employee’s work

requirement.

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Getting Credentials Ready

Once you have researched your college choices and hopefully visited a few of them, it’s

time to start thinking about applying to your selected colleges. Every school has its own

requirements, prerequisites and levels of selectivity. Once you have narrowed down your

choices to a few schools, you will need to research and understand their application

deadline and fees. This type of information is often found on the school website. The

SOCHE website provides links to all of our member institutions. There, you will need to

find the page usually labeled admissions or prospective students. This section of the

college website will usually guide you through the application process and provide all

of the information prospective students might require.

Some colleges and universities require that you take the SAT or ACT for admission.

Admissions offices find these tests helpful in comparing applicants that come from a wide

variety of schools. These tests are offered throughout the year in a variety of locations.

You can find information about the SAT as well as practice test at www.collegeboard.org.

The ACT test is found at www.actstudent.org. There is a fee for these tests and advance

registration is required.

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Some schools require two or three letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches,

guidance counselors, employers, etc. Start to think about who you would like to ask to

write those recommendations well in advance of the application deadline and give those

individuals plenty of time to write a recommendation.

The SOCHE website provides links to all of our member institutions:

www.soche.org

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The Application Process

Every college has its own requirements and prerequisites. Be sure to check the school’s

literature and website for important dates. Keep in mind that many schools will enroll new

students throughout the year at the beginning of their semester or quarter. The application

process is often completed weeks or months in advance of the actual semester or quarter

start date. Traditional four-year institutions often require applications to be completed by

January of the year in which you want to start. Regardless of the school’s deadline, you

will need to begin the process early in order to complete all of the components required.

Most schools allow you to fill out the application electronically from their website. This

eliminates any problems with neatness or penmanship and allows you to edit your

application easily before you submit it. Review each application carefully and return it to the

admissions office as soon as possible. Once you have missed the deadline, you will not be

able to apply. Remember, your application is often the admissions committee’s first contact

with you. Make sure that you complete the application neatly and be sure to keep a copy

for your files.

There is often a fee to apply to college and these fees vary. Most are in the $30 to $50

range. The fee is usually non-refundable, even if you are not accepted. Many schools offer

fee waivers for applicants from low-income families. If you need a fee waiver, contact your

guidance counselor or the school admissions office directly. Periodically schools will offer to

waive application fees for those who attend their information sessions so be sure to check

to see if any of the schools you are interested in are holding sessions.

You will need to provide your selected schools with your official transcripts from the high

school you attended, or have your GED scores sent to the admissions office. Even if you kept

a copy of your final high school grades or you have your GED scores, colleges require an

official copy from your high school or the GED administrator. If you have a GED, contact the

GED test administrator in your state to have them send your scores to your selected schools.

Students with GED’s from Ohio need to submit a written request to:

GED Transcript Office

25 South Front Street, 1st Floor

Columbus, Ohio 43215-4183

If you took the SAT or ACT, you would have selected the schools you were interested in and

the test administrators will send the scores directly to those schools. If you need to have your

scores sent to any other schools contact SAT or ACT directly and they will send the scores

to these schools for a small fee.

Many schools will require one or more essays. This can often be the most time-consuming and

difficult part of the application process. Write a few drafts of the essay so that you can refine

and edit it. Always check your spelling and grammar – better yet, have a trusted teacher or

friend review your essay.

Many schools have a rolling admissions process, that is, they will let you know within a few

weeks whether or not you have been accepted. Most other schools will let you know by April

1st. You will need to make your final choice and let the schools know your decision by May 1st.

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Adult Learners

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If you are an adult who has made the decision to return to or begin college, you are not alone!

You are making a wise decision for your future. While you should find the other content in this

Getting Started Guide useful, this section will specifically address the concerns and needs of

adult learners.

Transferring Credits

Many adult learners have credits from schools all over the world. So the first step you should

take is determining which of your credits various schools will accept. For instance, some

schools (not all) will not accept credits that are over five years old. In order to determine

which credits will count toward your degree, you must first contact any schools that you

previously attended and obtain a transcript. Take the transcript(s) to any schools that you are

considering and ask the Admissions Counselor to do a “preliminary transcript evaluation.”

The Registrars at your prospective colleges will have the final say as to which courses they

are willing to accept, but many admissions counselors have a good working relationship with

the registrar and can assist you. It is really important for you to take the time to have your

coursework evaluated by several schools that you are considering. You may find that even

though a school charges more per credit hour for its courses that it will accept more of your

previous coursework, resulting in a degree in less time and perhaps at less cost. In other

words, the least expensive school might not be the least expensive for you.

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Financial Considerations

Most adults who are returning to college are concerned with the financial burden that

returning to school will place on their family. Use the financial information contained in this

guide to help you obtain financial assistance. The first step in obtaining financial aid will

always be to complete a FAFSA. Take the time to search the Web for special scholarship

opportunities. At SOCHE, we have found that searching for scholarships using the search

terms “men/women in transition” will help you find some scholarship opportunities available

specifically for adults returning to school. If your ultimate goal is to obtain a four-year degree,

consider starting at a community college. These colleges offer very good academics and an

opportunity to get entry level coursework at reduced cost. If you plan to begin your academic

journey at a community college, be sure to let the admissions office and your advisor know

that you are on a “transfer track.” They will be able to make sure that you get the necessary

coursework to transfer to a four-year institution.

Schedule Constraints

Many adults have constraints on their schedule that traditional students do not have. You will

want to choose a school that fits your schedule with opportunities for weekend, evening and

even online opportunities.

Other Sources of College Credits

Adult learners are generally interested in obtaining their degree quickly. There are a few ways

to speed up the process by obtaining college credit through tests or coursework offered by

employers. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a group of standardized tests

offered by the College Board that assess college-level knowledge in several subject areas. Many

(but not all) colleges grant credit to students who meet their minimum qualifying score. Qualifying

scores vary by school and sometimes by degree but are typically 50. Most of the tests are 90

minutes long and cost $77 each. The tests are free to U.S. military service members and some

veterans. Schools often have a limit to the number of CLEP credits they will accept, so it is worth

doing a little research. To take a CLEP test, go to the College Board website

http://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_clep/searchCLEPTestCenter.jsp to find a

test near you.

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ACE, the American Council on Education, is also a source of college credit for adults. If you

have ever taken courses through your employer or from training providers, completed a union

apprenticeship program, earned a certification, or served in the military, you may have earned

possible college credit to a degree. ACE has a long history of working with colleges to certify

these credits. The ACE website has a National Guide to courses that are accepted for credit.

Surviving the College Experience

Adult learners have a specific set of challenges and responsibilities that most traditional

students do not face. The amount of work and home obligations might seem daunting. Our

advice to you is that you cannot be exceptional in every area of your life. In order to be an

exceptional student (which should be your goal), you might have to settle for being mediocre

somewhere else. House cleaning may slide for awhile and you might not be able to keep up

with your favorite TV shows. You won’t make it to every t-ball game. Friendships may suffer

temporarily due to time constraints, but your true friends will be there to cheer you on at your

graduation. We recommend that adults who are considering returning for a degree start by

taking one or two courses initially to see how they can live with the disruption to their life and

schedule. This also will give you a chance to see how well you can manage your time and how

many courses you can handle while maintaining your sanity. Even though you might want to

finish quickly, you need to set realistic goals.

Here at SOCHE, we are very experienced in working with adults returning to school and

we are happy to help. We are familiar with the admissions officers and requirements of all

of our member schools. We invite you to get in touch with Terri Haney, SOCHE Director,

at 937.252.4888 with any particular questions or concerns that you might have.

Accreditation

Recognition of a college or university by any of the regional or national accrediting bodies, indicating that

the institution has been judged to meet its objectives.

Advanced Placement

Granting of credit to an advanced course on the basis of evidence that the student has mastered the

equivalent of an introductory course.

Associate’s Degree

These degrees are typically two-year degrees, often from community or junior colleges.

Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s degrees are typically four-year degrees, but can be earned in as few as three years. Some students

may take five or six years to complete their bachelor’s degree. These degrees are sometimes referred to as

baccalaureate or undergraduate degrees.

College Entrance Examinations

Standardized tests needed to apply to many college programs, often given at test centers on specific dates.

Examples of these tests include the ACT (American College Test) and the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).

Common Application

An undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to any of 415 member

colleges and universities in the United States. This application allows you to send the same application to

each college. Some colleges also will require a supplement or addition to this application.

Community College

Sometimes called junior college or two-year college. Students can take classes, and then transfer to a four-

year school, or they can earn certificates, diplomas or associate’s degrees.

Guide to Terminology

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Co-op

A co-op program combines classroom learning with paid, hands-on work experience. Often, students alternate

between attending classes and working at a job in their field of study.

Credit Hour

A unit of academic credit that often represents one hour of class time per week for a period of study (semester,

quarter, etc.).

Deferred Admission

The practice of some colleges to allow an accepted student to postpone enrollment for one year.

Early Admission

Admitting students of superior ability into college courses and programs before they have completed the

standard high school program.

Early Decision

The application process in which students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted,

they definitely will enroll.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

An amount you and your family are expected to contribute toward your education and living expenses.

This amount is used in determining your eligibility for federal student aid.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The application required for students to be considered for federal student financial aid. This can be found at

www.fafsa.ed.gov to fill out the form online or call 800-433-3243 to obtain a paper FAFSA form or electronic

filing information. The FAFSA is processed free of charge, and it is used by most state agencies and colleges.

Federal Direct Loan Program

Loans made by the federal government directly to qualifying students and parents through participating colleges.

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Federal Pell Grant

Financial assistance awarded by the federal government on the basis of need and designed to provide the “floor”

of an aid package for post secondary education. This grant may be used toward tuition, room and board, books

or other educational costs and requires no repayment.

Federal Perkins Loan Program

Loans funded by the federal government and awarded by the institution. The loans feature low interest rates and

are repayable over an extended period of time.

Federal PLUS (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students) Program

Provides low-interest federal loans to credit-approved undergraduate students. Repayment begins 60 days after

the loan funds are disbursed. Loans are available from participating banks, lending institutions, and participating

Direct Lending Schools.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan Program

Provides low-interest federal loans to eligible students through banks and lending institutions. This loan program

is based on need, and the interest is paid by the federal government for qualifying students while they are

enrolled at least half-time. Repayment begins after the student leaves school.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program

Provides low-interest federal loans which are not based on need. The student must pay the interest while in

school and repayment begins after the student leaves school.

Federal Work Study

A government supported financial aid program coordinated through financial aid offices so that students may

work part-time while attending class, generally in career-related jobs.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

An indicator of the student’s overall academic performance. The GPA is computed by multiplying the number of

grade points earned in each course (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0), by the number of course hours, then dividing

the sum by the total number of course hours carried.

28Source: ACT Get Set for College Guide.

Grants

Awards based on financial need that do not require repayment. Grants are available through the federal

government, state agencies and educational institutions.

Honors Program

Any program offering opportunity for superior students to enrich their educational experience through

independent, advanced or accelerated study.

Major

The subject of study in which the student chooses to specialize.

Open Admission

The policy of some colleges of admitting virtually all high school graduates, regardless of academic

qualifications.

Rolling Admission

The institution reviews and makes decisions on applications throughout the year.

Scholarships

Non-repayable awards to students based on merit or merit plus need.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Many schools require students whose primary, or first language is not English to take this three-part test.

The test covers all aspects of English-language ability, including spoken English and grammar.

Transcript

The official record of high school or college courses and grades generally required as part of the college

application.

Wait List

An admission option utilized by schools to protect against shortfalls in enrollment. Students who are wait listed

have not yet been admitted or denied admission. This merely extends the possibility of admission after the

admissions cycle is concluded.

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Additional Resources

ACT – www.actstudent.org

Site allows you to review available test dates, sign up and provides sample tests. The site has tips on applying

to college, applying for financial aid and career planning.

College View – www.collegeview.com

A college search program.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – www.FAFSA.ed.gov

Provides required forms for financial consideration at colleges. Students need to file only one FAFSA regardless

of how many colleges they are considering.

FastWeb – www.fastweb.com

A free, easily searchable clearinghouse of scholarship opportunities for college students.

Mapping Your Future – http://www.mappingyourfuture.org

A free resource for career, college, financial aid, and money management information.

SAT – www.collegeboard.com

Site allows you to review available test dates, sign up and provides sample tests. The site also has information

on choosing a college, applying to college, and applying for financial aid. There also is information on AP

(Advanced Placement) testing.

U.S. Government Department of Education – www.ed.gov/finaid.html

The U.S. Government’s most comprehensive resource on financial aid.