This Presentation as well as the Senior College Planning Packet are posted on the high school website under Student Services

This Presentation as well as the Senior College Planning Packet are posted on the high school website under Student Services

How does Student Services help the college-bound senior? Frequent college-planning meetings scheduled by counselors student remain aware of approaching deadlines, etc. student may request meetings between appointments Educate students about the college selection/application and financial aid processes Help students identify schools that match their interests, goals and financial constraints Host college/military representatives in Student Services important step in establishing relationship with schools

How does Student Services help the college-bound student? Process letters of recommendation from teachers/counselor Review of application materials prior to submission help ensure app. has no errors, & that student has promoted themselves sufficiently Send student grades throughout school-year mid-year & final grades Promote scholarship information Monthly scholarship bulletins Local scholarships

How does Student Services help the college-bound student? Provide College Planning Workshops: College Planning Workshop Tonight Financial Aid Night Center for College Planning September 29 th, 2016 lecture hall Understanding the Award Letter Center for College Planning February 2 nd, 2017 lecture hall Coordinate Local Scholarship Process Applications available in March Award ceremony week of graduation (TBD)

Components of the Application Packet: Application (Common App. or School Specific) Transcript & Report Cards MHS Profile (course offerings, etc.) Application Essay Letters of recommendation & eval. Forms Payment (application fee to college)

College Planning Packet for Seniors 1. Release Forms 2. Senior Checklist 3. Senior Calendar 4. NH College Fairs 5. NH App. deadlines 6. SAT & ACT info 7. Recommendations 8. Info. for completing applications

SENIOR YEAR PLANNING CALENDAR These are general guidelines. Please be aware of deadlines for schools, scholarships, etc. ===================================================================== August/September Check senior courses. Do they meet requirements and/or expectations of colleges? Register for the SAT or SAT Subject Tests Check announcements for college representative s visits Reduce your preliminary list of colleges to a manageable number (3-8) Begin first draft of college essays Pursue Teacher Recommendations Attend Financial Aid Night with your parents on Thursday, 9/29 at 6:30PM.

October Begin submitting financial aid forms (FAFSA, CSS Profile) Begin Common Application and/or Request applications from colleges Further develop essays for your applications. Review for the SAT or SAT Subject Tests. (Free prep. at Khanacademy.org) Take SAT (if taking SAT Subject Tests in November) Attend college representative meetings If you are applying under an Early Decision or Early Action program, you may need to submit the application now. Please notify your counselor at least ten (10) school days before your earliest deadline. Check monthly Scholarships for Seniors flier and other scholarship databases for potential scholarship opportunities

November Take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests Review completed applications with your counselor. Schedule an appointment with your counselor as needed for specific application deadlines. Check monthly Scholarships for Seniors flier and other scholarship databases December Take SAT or SAT Subject Tests (if needed) Check application deadlines Complete applications and review with your counselor two weeks before deadline Check monthly Scholarships for Seniors flier and other scholarship databases.

January Check monthly Scholarships for Seniors flier and other scholarship databases. Maintain rigorous schedule and earn good grades in second semester classes. February Attend the Understanding Your Award Letter presentation February 2 nd @ 6:30 pm March Have you sent in all applications? Your financial aid forms? Check to make sure that mid-year report cards have been sent. Send SAT/ACT scores to colleges of interest Explore the colleges you have applied to as thoroughly as possible. Register for Advanced Placement Tests if you are taking them. ***Complete applications for local scholarships***

April Keep a look out for acceptance letters! Keep list of colleges listed with FAFSA current Review your acceptance and financial aid offers. Visit the college of your choice before final decision. Notify all colleges of final decision. Don t miss deposit deadline for chosen school. Notify the Student Services Office of final college decision.

CareerCruising.com with

SAT Subject Tests Literature U.S. History World History Math Level 1 Math Level 2 Biology/EM Chemistry Physics French German Spanish Modern Hebrew Italian Latin Chinese Japanese

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/about/institutions-using

www.commonapp.org

Common Guidelines: Target 4-6 colleges 2 Reach schools 2-3 Match Schools 1 Safety School Deadlines (Critical!!!!) Early = Nov. 1 st to Dec. 1 st Regular = Jan. 1 st to April 1 st Rolling = first come first serve Average Application fee: Varies widely $35 - $75 Discounts for online apps and college visits possible

Q. What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action? Early Action This is a policy that allows prospective students to apply early. If you choose early action you will also be notified of your admission status early, but this process does not commit you to the college. Some colleges have a similar process that they call Early Evaluation. Note: some schools may offer scholarship money to students choosing to apply Early Action Early Decision This admissions policy also asks students to apply early and they will hear about admission decisions early. However, if you are accepted, you are OBLIGATED TO ATTEND THAT INSTITUTION. You had better love it!

Financial Aid Need Based: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Required by all schools May begin submitting October 1 st, 2016 You may apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at any time CSS Profile Required only by some private schools Check deadlines may be required before FAFSAJan. Financial Aid Night Sept. 29th, 2016 @ 6:30pm

Benefits: Prior-Prior year taxes Data Retrieval Tool Packages as early as Jan. More time to compare packages https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Concerns: Must keep college list updated Changes in financial circumstances

Used by some private schools only Requests more detailed financial information Application deadlines may be different than FAFSA https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile Not free

Financial Aid Merit-Based: Merit includes a variety of categories: academic artistic athletic community service Scholarships are most common type of merit-based aid Merit Aid typically included in financial aid package Be on lookout for school-specific requirements/forms

Scholarship Searching

Scholarships for Seniors Monthly Bulletins Distributed through A-block classes & located in Lobby

Local Scholarship Process Application released in March (senior meeting) Awards presented on Awards Night week of graduation (June)

Mission Accomplished!! Off to College...