EDUCATE EXPLORE EMPOWER Welcome to the A . L Brown High School AIG/AP Senior Meeting June 2016 6:00-7:00 p.m. K EDUCATE EXPLORE EMPOWER

What do I need to know? June 2016 Summer of 2016  College Choice: Identify minimum of 3  Attend College Fairs  Visit with College Representatives  Do thorough college visits.  Campus interviews.  Complete application requests.  Consider essay topics.  Attend campus open houses.  Do final list of college applications:

WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING?  September, October,November SAT /SAT Subject/ACT Tests College applications Create a personal resume  Begin to apply for scholarships. – Scholarship page link on ALB Website  Review Transcript with Ms. Pitts  Start finalizing community service 

WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING? September - January  College Choice  Deadlines for most college applications.  Colleges review applications.  Notification of Decisions on college applications  FAFSA forms available for financial aid - online application…. www.fasfa.ed.gov   December SAT and ACT Tests?  January SAT Test?  Mid-year Grade Report to colleges

Post Secondary Choices Choosing an Institution Location/Setting Type of Institution Size/Makeup Cost of Attendance Curriculum Student Life Activities Living Arrangements YOU YOUR ACTIVITIES, INTERESTS, AND PERSONALITY

College Admissions Exams ACT Achievement tests that measure knowledge in math, science, reading, and writing, as well as ability to perform well in college Multiple Choice Subsections scored 1-36, averaged for a composite score (highest score is 36) Administered 6 times per year No penalty for wrong answers Optional 30 minute writing Score Range 1-36 www.act.org ALB ACT Administration Date to be determined SAT www.collegeboard.com

Score Choice Score choice enables you to choose which scores you send to colleges by test date for the SAT and by individual test for the SAT Subject Tests. - Score Choice can be used on any score report that you send, including the four reports included with registration. -Score Choice is an optional feature, and you should follow each college’s guidelines -Colleges and Universities will only receive the scores that you send them- your scores will not be released for admission purposes without your specific consent. OPT-IN or Check the box that asks if you want to be included in any merit based scholarships/awards

Making the Choice Determine all college costs —not just tuition. Calculate your college savings so far and see if you’re on track. Estimate your family’s expected contribution —an EFC calculator is available at www.collegeboard.com/pay forcollege. Search for scholarships — try the Scholarship Search: www.collegeboard.com/sch olarships. Remember to explore every opportunity that’s BEST for YOU!

Primary Factors Additional Factors What Colleges Consider The first part of planning for college is understanding what factors colleges consider when looking at a student profile. Primary Factors Quality/Rigor of Academic Courses Academic Performance/Grades Test Scores (SAT/ACT, SAT Subject Tests, AP, etc.) Pay close attention to deadlines-applying near the deadline may delay processing. Additional Factors Extracurricular Activities Essay (s) Letters of Recommendation Demonstrated interest Early Action/Early Decision/ Regular Admissions

Essays and Recommendation Letters Start Early! When asking for a recommendation for college be sure the person has your updated resume!! Ask for help in revising essays and checking for grammar/spelling. Type essays and applications if you are able to. If your school requires an essay, it can be an important admissions piece in your application. Spend time on answering the question and individualizing it to your experiences Ask teachers early if they can write you a strong letter of recommendation. Choose teachers who know you well and can speak to your abilities. Give them the recommendation profile available from your guidance counselor to help them with their letters. Make sure to give them ample time to write the letters. If you have to submit the letters, give specific dates on when they need to be ready.

SCHOLARSHIPS = FREE MONEY! Start looking for scholarships NOW! Research scholarships offered by colleges – early deadlines! Most local scholarships are not posted until after January 1st. Scholarship applications have various requirements – ready them carefully and make sure you submit early!

Make A Financial Plan - FAFSA Know your options: grants, loans, work- study, etc. Fill out the free FAFSA application as early as possible, and meet all deadlines. Compare financial aid awards and determine how they fit with other contributions: Family Savings Scholarships

What is my financial aid package? Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students. Graduate students in a teaching credential program may also qualify. Grants do not have to be repaid. Federal Stafford Loans are student loans that must be repaid and are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Stafford loans are provided through the Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program, meaning the federal government provides the funds for the Stafford loan. First-year undergraduates are eligible for loans up to $5,500. Amounts increase for subsequent years of study, with higher amounts for graduate students. The interest rates may vary based on when the loan is borrowed. There are two types of Stafford loans: Subsidized Stafford loan - A loan for which the government pays the interest while you are in school, during grace periods, and during any deferment periods. Unsubsidized Stafford loan - A loan for which you are responsible for paying all the interest that accrues at any point in time.

What is my financial aid package con’t. Federal PLUS Loans are unsubsidized loans made to parents of undergraduate students. If your parents cannot obtain a PLUS loan, you may be eligible to borrow additional Unsubsidized Stafford loan funds. The interest rates may vary based on when the loan is borrowed. Graduate and Professional Student PLUS Loan (Grad PLUS). Graduate and professional students are eligible to borrow under the PLUS Loan program, effective with loans originated on or after July 1, 2006. Campus-Based Programs are financial aid programs administered by participating schools. There are three Campus-Based programs. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are grants available for undergraduates only; awards range from $100-$4,000. Federal Work-study provides jobs to undergraduate and graduate students, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses. Perkins Loans are low-interest (5 percent) loans that must be repaid; the maximum annual loan amount is $4,000 for undergraduate students.

Helpful Websites Fastweb CFNC www.cfnc.org Public and Private NC schools All seniors should have an account Fastweb www.fastweb.com SAT and College Information www.collegeboard.com FAFSA-Application for Federal Financial Aid www.fafsa.gov ACT www.act.org Common Application www.commonapp.org

Are YOU Athlete? NCAA Eligibility Juniors Complete your online registration at www.eligibilitycenter.org Register for ACT/SAT use the NCAA Eligibility Center Code 9999 as a score recipient. After completing your Junior year request that an official transcript be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center Review your core course GPA quality 4-point scale Division I,II,III requirements Seniors Check to ensure that you are on TRACK with everything Review/Update your sports participation responses and request final amateurism certification for Fall/Spring After graduation request an official final transcript be sent to the NCAA Eligibility Center with proof of graduation.

Contact Information Michele.pitts@kcs.k12.nc.us 704-932-6125 Ext. 21963 To receive important reminders from Mrs. Pitts: Text 81010 with the message: @albrownj OR Email: mpitts@mail.remind.com