College Planning Night Kirtland High School Presented by: Mary Lynn Dixon, LEAF Advisor

Agenda Timeline information Admissions College research resources Paying for college

Timeline

Senior Year Challenge yourself – take a full schedule Review your high school activities Select and apply to about 3 to 6 colleges Follow application directions Apply early! (by Thanksgiving) Need a recommendation? Plan ahead! Apply for scholarships Visit colleges

Senior Year (Continued) Retake the ACT and SAT if needed (Fall) Take SAT Subject Tests (if needed) (Fall) Turn in applications early! Review deadlines for: admission, scholarships, financial aid Apply for your FSAID at fsaid.ed.gov File the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if needed) Compare financial aid award letters Send deposit to chosen school by May 1

College Search/Admissions Process

Application Process Apply to about 3-6 schools Early Decision/Early Action/Regular Decision/Rolling Admission Online Application/Paper Application Common Application: Follow directions for each application carefully! Scholarship deadlines are often earlier than admission deadlines. DO YOUR RESEARCH!

Admission Hints Does the school have a minimum GPA, ACT/SAT requirement? The student should call the Admissions Office Ask about scholarship opportunities/academic awards Does the college offer the major you want? Create a “professional” just to correspond with the colleges Proof read, proof read, proof read!

Career Selection = College Selection Chose a college based on the career you want Career = College = Loan Debt – Never borrow more than you are going to make the first year after college Undecided? – Select a college with a variety of majors – Start at a Community College or Branch Campus – Job Shadow/Internships

Ohio School Resources College websites

Paying for College

Develop a Plan to Finance Education Determine college costs Investigate ALL possible resources – Parents – Savings – Summer earnings – Financial aid: grants, loans, work-study, scholarships – Other sources

Financial Aid Definitions Grant = free money that is not repaid Loans = money borrowed from federal government or lending institutions by students or parents; need to be repaid Work-Study = allows student to earn money to pay educational costs Scholarships = free money that is usually awarded on the basis or merit, skill, unique characteristic, or need

Financial Aid Timeline – Senior Year Apply to colleges during fall Student and one parent apply for an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification) at fsaid.ed.gov before January 1 Complete FAFSA online at after January 1www.fafsa.ed.gov Receive award letters – March and April Evaluate financial aid packages – April Deposit to chosen school by May 1

Financial Aid Tips Don’t panic! LEAF can help Plan ahead Know your deadlines Don’t pay someone to file the FAFSA. Use LEAF! Ask questions Attend the Financial Aid Night at Kirtland High School Attend group presentations at the LEAF Resource Center – visit the LEAF website at for a current schedule of programswww.leaf-ohio.org

LEAF at Kirtland High School LEAF Advisor: Mary Lynn Dixon Tuesdays (alternate): 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Student appointments Parent appointments Sign-up in the guidance office

LEAF Resource Center Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings by appointment only 8221 Auburn Rd., Concord (Auburn Career Center Technology Learning Center)

Online Resources Fin Aid: College Gold: Federal Student Aid website:

Lake/Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation 8221 Auburn Road Concord, OH (440) Follow LEAF on