Your Senior Year Planning for Success Beyond Truman High School

Graduation Requirements Department Class of 2010 and UM System Requirements Language Arts 4 Social Studies 3 Math 4* * Science Fine Arts 1 Practical Arts P.E. Health .5 Personal Finance Foreign Language 2 Electives 9 Total 26 * Additional grades and ACT score required (see Program of Studies for additional information) **Must be Algebra 1 and Higher

Attendance Our goal is for you to have a minimum of 90% attendance Currently 75% of you are at 90% attendance That means that if prom were this weekend, 25% of you would not be allowed to attend (1 out of every 4) BE HERE, TURN IN WORK, COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR TEACHERS

THS is on Twitter @Counseling_THS

Applying for college…Where do I start?? 1. Check deadlines at schools of interest ! (These start early so do the research! Visit if at all possible.) 2. Fill out an application – most schools prefer an online application be submitted. 3. Sign up in the Counseling Center with Jade Clayton to have your transcript sent (you must have a transcript release on file before records will be sent) 4. Check with colleges for housing for deadlines

Letters of Recommendation Who should you ask for a letter of recommendation? Teachers Coaches/Sponsors Employers Youth Group Leader Principals Counselors Letter of recommendation student information forms in the counseling center!

October 1st – You will need to fill out a FASFA to apply for federal financial aid. FIRST, apply for a FSA ID (both student and parent) which is used to sign into FASFA website and to sign off on forms at end Requires access to parents’ past tax return (2015) Federal deadline for FASFA submission is June 30th, BUT check with the school you will be attending since their deadline may be different.

Financial Aid FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid http://www.fafsa.ed.gov Need to apply for FSA ID, once processed (within 3 days) it will be sent to your email FSA ID is needed to sign/submit FASFA Parent/guardian must have 2015 tax return to complete FASFA (parent/guardian who provides a majority of support) All Colleges and Universities require FAFSA application for financial aid consideration Submitting a FAFSA is also a requirement for A+ Eligibility REMEMBER: First Word in FAFSA is FREE!!!! DO NOT PAY TO SUBMIT

ACT Test Dates Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required $25) October 22, 2016 September 16, 2016 September 17–30, 2016 December 10, 2016 November 4, 2016 November 5–18, 2016 April 8, 2017 March 3, 2017 March 4–17, 2017 June 10, 2017 May 5, 2017 May 6–19, 2017 Register online at http://www.actstudent.org Bright Flight has a base score of 31 Free/Reduced Lunch – eligible for 2 fee waivers (see your counselor) THS ACT Code – 261512

Scholarship Searches 101

Scholarship Resources SCHOLARSHIP BOARD SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE Click on the counseling center tab on the Truman website Click Scholarships Link to Scholarship website: http://sites.isdschools.org/truman_counseling/scholarships Link to ISD Foundation scholarship website: http://www.ourisdf.org/?page_id=114

Institutional Awards Always start with YOUR college or university FIRST! Institutional awards have higher dollar amounts, are almost always renewable (provided you meet requirements), and can make a high priced institution more affordable.

Check with your schools: Are you considered for scholarships when you apply for admissions? Is there a separate scholarship application? When is the deadline? DO THE RESEARCH!

Local Opportunities Consider local scholarship opportunities before national ones! Foundation Scholarships Truman Heartland Other local organizations

National Opportunities Search for national scholarship opportunities, which may be based on academics, area of study, group affiliation or military study. Unigo.com Cappex.com Fastweb.com ScholarshipPoints.com Scholarships.com Petersons.com SchoolSoup.com CollegeScholarships.com MeritAid.com ScholarshipMonkey.com

Foundation February – Foundation Scholarships are due (Feb 14th) See Mr. Intagliata and scholarship website Check application criteria/requirements! Scholarship application form Supplemental page Personal financial statement Letters of recommendation (ask early, provide biographical information sheet available in counseling center) What to include: Clubs you are apart of, sports, academic accomplishments, volunteer hours or groups you work with, awards you have received, leadership opportunities you have accomplished.

Memberships/Employers Consider membership organizations or employers: Elks, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, National Honors Society, etc. Does your parent/guardian’s employer offer a scholarship or tuition reimbursement?

Scholarship Searches: Hints & Tips* * Hints & Tips amended from CollegeBoard’s website: http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/pay/scholarships-aid/21402.html

NEVER, EVER pay for a scholarship search!

Read the eligibility requirements carefully! Make sure you meet these requirements. If you have questions, contact the sponsor.

Organize all the scholarship materials! Keep all documents together. Scholarships may ask for: transcripts, standardized test scores, financial aid forms, tax returns, essays, and recommendations. MAKE COPIES!!!

Proofread! Proofread! Proofread! Check spelling and grammar; have someone else proof read too.

Don’t leave anything blank! If you have questions contact the sponsor for the scholarship; otherwise put “N/A” or “Unknown”. Follow Instructions! Read carefully Make sure the application is legible. Type when able… if handwritten, print.

Submit the application early! Double-check! Make sure everything is correct, accounted for, and signed/dated. If you are reusing materials, make sure all names and dates have been updated. Submit the application early! Reduces YOUR stress! * Hints & Tips amended from CollegeBoard’s website: http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/pay/scholarships-aid/21402.html

Questions? Contact Prince Armstrong Mindy Beard Dee Hurt Scott Intagliata