College and Scholarship Night for ParentsStudents

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College and Scholarship Night for Parents/Students
Harmony Grove High School
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Disclaimer

• My personal opinion
• Bluntness
• No Decoration
• NO QUESTIONS ARE STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!
• I am not responsible for your childs
  scholarships, research, essays, etc.

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How do I find out about.

• College Admission?
• Scholarships?
• Other Financial Aid?
• Other Questions!!!!!!!!

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Applying for College

• College will require an admission application.
  Most can be done on-line. Many applications can
  be printed from the schools web-site, filled
  out, and mailed.
• Pay Attention to deadlines Apply to any and all
  schools that you are considering attending.

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Help for students/parents

• There are two computers in the counselors office
  that students can use to research colleges and
  scholarships/financial aid information.
• Look up visitation days or tour appointments
• Download applications
• Look up application requirements

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College Admission

• Must take a college entrance exam
• ACT, Compass, ASSET
• Four year school
• ACT or SAT
• Two year school
• ACT or COMPASS

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ACT SCORES

• Some schools will require a minimum ACT score for
  unconditional acceptance.
• 19 is the lowest score a student should shoot for
  to avoid remediation classes in college. (you pay
  for remediation!!)
• Apply even if your ACT is not great. Keep taking
  the test.

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(No Transcript)
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What is an ACT super score?

• The best score from each area (math, science,
  English, reading) of the ACT test is used to
  determine a superscore.
• Most colleges do not do this anymore but you can
  ask!!!
• National Park, University of Arkansas

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25 22 27 24 9898 4 24.5 25 Super
Score
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College Admission Applications

• Transcript with ACT or SAT scores
• GPA and Rank (Semester ends but dont give up
  because schools still look)
• Immunization records
• Request these from Mrs. Simmons at least two days
  ahead of time. Seven semester transcripts
  available in January.

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When should students apply for college?

• NOW
• Some schools will charge an application fee.
  Most public schools will not.
• Apply to all that you are interested in attending.

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Why is it important to apply now?

• Some schools will award scholarships on a
  first-come-first-serve basis. Funds are awarded
  until exhausted.
• Some schools will only accept a certain number of
  new students.
• You need to have a plan. You need a back up plan.

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College Major

• If you dont know write undecided.
• If you think you know, put it down. Students
  often change their mind later.

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Visiting Colleges

• Visit during a special touring event
• Call Admission Office and schedule a visit.
• Most schools offer campus tours Monday-Friday by
  appointment.
• Check out their website (hsu.edu ualr.edu
  uca.edu)
• Talk to the financial aid counselors

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SCHOLARSHIPS

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Personal Profile Sheet

• Grade Point Average
• Class Rank
• Awards and Honors (since 9th grade)
• Community Involvement
• Special Interest
• Future Plans (optional)

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Personal Profile Sheet (continued)

• Easy to attach to a scholarship application
• Easy Reference
• Great help for those asked to write a letter of
  recommendation

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Letter of Recommendation

• Ask someone you KNOW will give a good
  recommendation
• Give them a copy of the personal profile sheet
• Give them at least 2 weeks notice
• If confidential, provide writer with an
  addressed, stamped envelope

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Types of Scholarships
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1. Academic Scholarships

• Awarded by each individual college/university
• Usually based on
• ACT or SAT (My Story)
• Grade Point Average
• Apply early for these because funds are limited.
  (separate form usually)

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2. Private Institutional Scholarships

• College/University Financial Aid Office
• Major/Departmental Office
• Parents Work Place
• Web Sites on the Internet (www.asla.info and
  click on college planning)
• Privately funded for certain college majors

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3. State Scholarships

• Guide to Financial Aid in AR
• 1-800-547-8839
• AR Academic Challenge Scholarship (Now based on
  the Lottery money will learn more Oct. 21)
  Estimate is 1,250/yr -2 yr. college - 2,500/yr.
  -4 yr. college)
• NO INCOME LIMIT NOW!!!!
• AT PRESENT NO FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
• ACT AND GPA REQUIREMENTS CAN BE FOUND AT
  www.arkansaschallenge.com 1-800-54 study

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State Scholarships (Continued)

• Fund My Future www.fundmyfuture.info Specifically
  for teaching and nursing in AR. Can do a
  scholarship search from this website.
• GO Opportunities Grant (Up to 4,000/year)
• Financial need 35,000/year family with 3
  children
• Must be admitted into a college/university
• Maintain a 2.0 gpa in school
• Be and stay drug free

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• 4. National Scholarships
• 5. Athletic, Choral, Music, or Art Scholarships
• 6. Minority Scholarships
• 7. Disability Scholarships
• (Arkansas Rehabilitation Services)
• 8. Military Scholarships

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Other Places to Look

• www.nasfaa.org
• www.act.org
• www.collegeboard.org
• www.fastweb.com
• www.wiredscholar.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.cashe.com
• www.arkansasscholarshipconnection.org

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Continued

• Game and fish scholarship
• Arkansas scholarship connection
• Arkansas dept. of higher education
• Single Parent
• www.aspsf.org

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HGHS Local Scholarships

• Rineco
• Bill Gibbs Memorial
• Judith Bean Memorial
• Many do not apply because of rumors heard about
  who will get it!!!
• APPLY!!!!!!

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General Scholarship Info

• Always type unless instructed not to type.
• Checking into scanner software!!!
• Some require wallet-sized photos that will not be
  returned
• Some require a copy of FAFSA
• Some require letters of recommendation
• Some have a short essay question
• Keep a file!!!!

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Essay Questions

• Do not repeat accomplishments already listed
• Make sure the essay question is addressed.
  Typical questions
• Is there any other information that you would
  like the scholarship committee to know about you?
• Why do you feel you deserve this scholarship?
• Make yourself sound good but not boastful
• Allow someone to critique the essay

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DEADLINES

• Always meet deadlines!!!! Do not procrastinate.
• Scholarships that require information from the
  counselors office must be given to the counselor
  at least 5 schools days before the deadline date.
• Scholarships must be mailed/postmark to meet
  deadline requirements.
• Late applications will NOT be accepted.

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Transcript Request Forms

• Forms available in the counselors office. If
  deadlines are involved, the form must be turned
  in 5 school days prior to the deadline.

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Scholarship File Cabinet

• Located in the outer office of the counselors
  office
• Alphabetical order.

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Other Forms of Financial Aid

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
  Grants FSEOG
• Federal Work-Study
• Federal Perkins Loans
• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
• Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students
  (PLUS)
• Federal Plus Loan (for Graduate Professional
  Students)
• Academic Competitiveness Grant
• National SMART Grant

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Financial Aide Scams

• Be aware of companies that charge a fee to do a
  scholarship search or financial aide search for
  you

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FAFSA (continued)

• Apply on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Will need your income tax return
• Applications for 2010 graduates will be ready in
  January.
• To apply you will need the following
• Pin number for yourself
• Pin number for student
• www.pin.ed.gov

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FAFSA (continued)

• Need based
• First come/First served
• Do NOT put this off. Get income taxes
  done early even if you dont file them early.
• Make copies of final draft for your records
• No Cost to apply

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FAFSA

• Can visit FAFSA4CASTER.ed.gov to preview possible
  qualifications
• Estimated Family Contribution (Laughable)!!!!!!!
• Must not forget to fill out the FAFSA
• Separate from Applications and ACT scholarship
  information (dont wait on those, do the FAFSA
  Later)

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Financial Aid Presentation

• January 7, 2010
• 600 p.m.
• Harmony Grove High School
• Library
• Karen Hulsey UALR representative

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Loans

• Ask at the Financial Aid Office
• Low Interest Rates
• Pay back when student no longer going to
  schoolgraduation.

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Transfer Credits

• What courses are comparable from school to
  school? Go to acts.adhe.edu, click on students
  on the left side of screen, click on continue,
  and follow instructions from here
• Check with the school you plan to attend later,
  to ensure they will accept the hours.

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Things to do now.

• 1. Get organized

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Things to do now

• Take ACT or COMPASS
• Visit Colleges
• Talk to Financial Aid personnel at each school
• Compile Personal Profile Sheet
• Write rough drafts for possible essay questions

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Things to do now.

• Letters of recommendation
• Apply for College Admission
• Apply for Scholarships
• Get pin numbers for FAFSA

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NCAA Clearinghouse

• Athletics in College????
• Registration is REQUIRED Cost 60
• Go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
• Register NOW
• ACT Code 9999

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Horror Examples!!!!!

• UCA-per semester
• Tuition/Fees - 3,349/sem.
• Rm./Board - 2,940/sem.
• Books - 600/sem.
• Total 6,889/sem.

• Arkansas Tech Univ.
• Tuition/fees - 2805/sem.
• Rm./Board - 2523/sem.
• Books 600/sem.
• Total 5,928/sem.

Usually can be paid in 3rds
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Private Schools

• These schools are not public colleges or
  universities. Costs are very high BUT
• Remember the sticker price on a new car is not
  what you will pay!!!!!
• There are methods of payment ASK!!!

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Two Year Institutions

• Well worth the money!!!!
• (My Opinion)
• Example Pulaski Technical College
• Full tuition/fees if 19 in Reading and English
  and 21 in math on the ACT

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Baptist Health 1 to 2 yr.

• Histotechnology
• Medical Technology
• Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Practical Nursing
• Radiography
• Registered Nursing
• Sleep Technology
• Surgical Technology

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UAMS 5 Colleges

• Health Related Professions
• College of Medicine
• College of Nursing
• College of Pharmacy
• College of Public Health
• Usually require two years of basics before
  acceptance or a bachelors degree

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Highlights of Schools

• Ark. Tech. only school that offers a bachelors
  in Health Information Mgmt.
• Arkansas Baptist Music Business
• ASU Beebe John Deere Equipment and veterinary
  technology
• Pulaski Tech and Cossatot Culinary
• Henderson Only Aviation Program
• Rich Mountain (Mena) Computer Forensics,
  Aviation, Broadcasting
• SAU- Rodeo, agriculture
• UAPB Fisheries program (National Recognition),
  Radio, Television
• UAMS Forestry, surveying
• U of A Batesville- Structural and pipeline
  welding
• U of A Hope Powerplant Technology (SWEPCO)
• U of A Morrilton Only school for Applied
  Science in Petroleum Industry

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Helpful Items

• File drawer in my outer office
• Bulletin Board
• Announcements
• Counselors Corner from our website
  http//cardinals.dsc.k12.ar.us
• Arkacrao (http//arkacrao.org) to the left
  arkacrao directory (pdf very large)

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College Credit

• CLEP test at most universities (costs vary)
• AP Exams (score depends upon university
  acceptance)
• College credit in high school
• You are responsible for getting your college
  transcript to your university!!!

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What is a college hour?

• A student will meet classes either on Monday,
  Wednesday, Friday OR Tuesday, Thursday OR a
  combination
• The M,W,F classes are appx. 60 minutes each
  (three hours)
• The Tues./Thur. classes are appx. 1.5 hours each
  (3 hours)
• Total 15 weeks
• Usual full load is considered 12 hours/semester

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ACT helpful sites

• www.number2.com
• www.studyguidezone.com
• www.march2success.com (ARMY)

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Other Things to Consider

• Facebook, My Space, etc.
• Student signs waiver for parent access
• E-mail address (hotmama.com???)
• Compile a list of awards received from 9-12
  grades
• Medical card and Dr.
• Create a file for college
• Keep PIN numbers available (fafsa throughout
  college)

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Letting Go

• Parents
• Students
• DONT LOOK BACK WITH REGRET. . .
• Selfdiscipline/parties/distractions/studying

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Ultimate Goal
Get A Degree!!!