Elkhart High School College and Financial Aid Presentation

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Elkhart High School College and Financial
AidPresentation
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• College Entrance Exams
• College/University Application Process
• Financial Aid Process
• Scholarships

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College Entrance/Admission Exams

• THEA
• SAT Reasoning
• ACT

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THEATexas Higher Education Assessment

• Required for all TEXAS institutions
• Math, Writing, Reading
• Can obtain THEA partial or total exemptions
  through Exit TAKS/SAT/ACT scores
• TVCC Palestine and Athens offer Quick THEA
• each month
• TJC offers Accuplacer (can be taken instead of
  THEA)

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THEATEST DAY

• Bring your admission ticket
• Several sharpened No. 2 pencils
• Two forms of identification, one with a recent
  photograph
• Take a 4 function nonprogrammable calculator

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SATScholastic Achievement Test

• National college admissions test
• SAT Reasoning Test (not subject tests)
• Critical Reading, Math, Writing
• Usually administered about one time each month at
  various locations
• EHS will pay for you to take ONE administration
  of either the SAT or the ACT

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SATTEST DAY

• Admission ticket will be mailed to you the week
  of the test
• Must take TWO forms of identification, one of
  which is a photograph ID
• Take a scientific or graphing calculator
• Scores may be available online about three weeks
  after test
• Scores will be mailed about four weeks after test
  date

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ACT

• National college admissions test
• ACT Plus Writing is recommended test
• English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing
• Usually administered about one time a month at
  various locations
• EHS will pay for you to take ONE administration
  of either the SAT or ACT

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ACTTEST DAY

• Admission ticket will be mailed to you about 10
  days prior to the test
• Must present a photograph ID
• Take a scientific or graphing calculator
• Scores will be mailed about four to seven weeks
  after test date

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College/University Application Process

• Texas Common Application available to about 40
  Texas Institutions Universities prefer that you
  apply online at www.collegefortexans.com
• Most colleges and institutions have websites that
  inform you of their admission process
• Please NOTE deadlines for admission applications
  (Rice Nov. 1 or Jan. 2 deadline, TAMU Sept. 1
  Jan. 21, UT Jan. 21 deadline, Baylor Nov. 1 or
  Feb. 1)

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College/University ApplicationProcess contd.

• EHS must send official transcripts before
  admission status can be evaluated let Mrs.
  Coates know that transcript needs to be sent
  after you submit your application
• Submit application at least 6 weeks prior to
  deadline
• Admission requirements vary with each institution

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College/University Application Process contd.

• Factors considered for admission are high school
  coursework, high school grade point average,
  SAT/ACT scores, extra-curricular and community
  involvement
• Letters of recommendation are often needed
  Please give the person who you have asked to
  write your letter a complete resume or list of
  accomplishments as a guideline. Allow at least
  one week for the individual to draft the letter
  of recommendation.

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College/University Application Process contd.

• After you have submitted your application for
  admission, regularly check with the institution
  to ensure that your application is complete and
  has been received
• Make a copy of everything before you send it

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Financial Aid Process

• Refer to the college/institution for financial
  aid deadlines
• Contact the college/institution financial aid
  office EARLY to receive a financial aid packet
  money is distributed on a first come, first serve
  basis
• Three types of financial aid include grants,
  scholarships, loans, and work-study programs

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Financial Aid Process contd.

• Grants and scholarships include free aid that
  does not have to be repaid
• Loans must be repaid
• Work study provides money in exchange for
  part-time employment

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Scholarships

• Most institutions have scholarships that go
  unclaimed each year contact the financial aid
  office of your institution to request information
  on the scholarships they offer
• Applications for local scholarships (Rotary, PTA,
  et.) are distributed by the EHS counseling office
  they generally become available early December
  to mid spring
• Check the EHS website www.elkhartisd.org where
  many scholarships and helpful websites are listed

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Scholarships

• Mrs. Coates will distribute a Senior Newsletter
  to inform you of scholarship and other details
  (amount, eligibility, criteria, due date, etc.)
  This newsletter is published in the Palestine
  Herald Press, emailed to parents, and posted on
  the high school website
• Many scholarship applications require a SAT/ACT
  score in addition to letters of recommendation
  and student essays

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Scholarships contd.

• Most financial aid is NOT awarded in the form of
  a scholarship
• Pursue all financial aid opportunities
• Always check to see if your scholarship awards
  are renewable
• Scholarship searches that charge a fee are very
  seldom worth the money, and many are scams

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First Step to Financial Aid

• Regardless of the type of financial aid you are
  seeking, the FIRST step in the process is to
  complete the FAFSA!

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Financial Aid contd.

• The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
  Aid) is a FEDERAL form that is used to calculate
  the amount of money that a family can contribute
  towards college expenses
• The FAFSA cannot be completed until January 1st
  of the students senior year submit it as soon
  as possible!
• To complete the FAFSA, you need information from
  your tax return

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Financial Aid Process contd.

• To file your FAFSA online, you will need to apply
  for a pin number for the student and the parents.
  This process should be done in early December so
  that you can submit in January
• The colleges will use information from the SAR
  (Student Aid Report) to determine your financial
  aid package
• The website is www.fafsa.ed.gov

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Financial Aid Process contd.

• Approximately 2-6 weeks after you submit your
  FAFSA, you will receive an SAR (Student Aid
  Report)
• If you file your FAFSA electronically, you will
  get your SAR much faster!
• Review your SAR and make any corrections
• If you applied online, correct online
• If you applied by paper, call 1-800-433-3243 to
  correct

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Financial Aid Process contd.

• Many institutions have their own financial aid
  application that you must complete in addition to
  the FAFSA call the financial aid office to get
  a COMPLETE financial aid packet. Be sure to ask
  about any deadlines.
• COA EFC
  Financial Aid
• (Cost of Attendance) (Expected Family
  Contribution)
• The institution will award a financial aid
  package with money in the form of grants first
  and then loans and work studies

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PIN Numbers and Work Sheet

• Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Apply for 2 PIN numbers
• One for the student
• One for the parent
• Keep your usernames and passwords for future
  reference
• Plan ahead by completing paper worksheet
• Complete FAFSA online as soon as possible

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Helpful Websites

• Preparing for, applying for, paying for college
  or technical school in Texas (very good
  information on state scholarships available)
  www.collegefortexans.com
• Texas Common Application www.applytexas.org
• U.S. Department of Educations Federal Student
  Aid (FSA) programs www.studentaid.ed.gov
  

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Questions?

• Please feel free to visit or contact me. I would
  be glad to help.
• Debbie Coates
• 301 E. Parker
• Elkhart, TX 75839
• 903-764-5161
• dcoates_at_elkhartisd.org