CLASS OF 2018: STUDENT: @gw18 PARENT: @gwp18 CLASS OF 2019: PARENT: @gwpar Will be up when parents are walking in. Remind parents to sign up for Remind 101 to receive updates and reminders about events CLASS OF 2020: STUDENT: @gw2020 PARENT: @gwpar20

Tony will welcome the parents and explain the purpose of our time together for the evening. Parent College Night #1 Introduction to the College Application & Financial Aid Process May 17th, 2017

Objectives The benefits of college Explain how the college application process works Describe the key factors that influence college choice Identify what your child should be doing right now and how you can support them Interpret the selectivity chart and identify match, reach, and safety schools. Look into the pieces of an application and learn how to successfully complete them. Better evaluate colleges based on selectivity, fit, and affordability. Build understanding around college application process

Washington’s Core Beliefs About College

Washington’s Core Beliefs About College Belief #1: Education is valuable. Belief #2: Where you go matters. Belief #3: You cannot afford not to go.

Jobs requiring education by 2018

Benefits of College: Income

The College Applications Process

Financial Fit Sports Finding the right fit Career Services Learning Environment Where do I fit? How you feel on campus? Majors offered Internship / Study Abroad opportunities Distance from home Besides college selectivity we should be highlighting that students should be researching factors that are listed on the image: Career Services Financial Fit Sports

Factors to consider in choosing a college

Components of an Application What are colleges looking for in a student? * Application deadlines vary by school. We recommend submitting applications by October 31st!! ** Application deadlines vary by school. We recommend submitting applications by October 31st!!**

Applying for College Ways to research schools Apply to 6-8 schools Online Campus Visits Open Houses College Fairs Apply to 6-8 schools Reach Match Safety

College Selectivity Notice that every GPA and ACT falls into this grid which means EVERY student can go to college! The selectivity chart is a starting point for where you should do your research. It helps you to see where you have the best chance of getting in and succeeding. That being said you should look at how you feel at a school, if they have your major, extracurricular opportunities, if it’s financially feasible, etc. This is why it’s important to visit schools and talk to reps. Finally, it’s important to ALWAYS have a safety plan. This can be a 2 year school or it can be another 4 year school that maybe is more financially feasible. Activity- everyone is given their student GPA and ACT. Use this information to find your child’s selectivity using the worksheet in your folder.

National Louis University Saint Xavier University Activity Where should I start my college search? SAT 2.6 860 Non-Selective Somewhat Selective Activity- every student should have their GPA and ACT. They will use this information to find your selectivity using the worksheet in folders. There is an example to help parents understand how gpa and act coincide with selectivity (match, safety, reach) and types of schools. From the student’s match you will go one selectivity level up find reach and one selectivity level down to find safety. Here are the levels: 2 year Non-selective Somewhat selective Selective Very Selective **if a student’s match is 2 year than their safety is a 2 year. If students match is Very selective than their reach is a very selective. National Louis University Saint Xavier University Bradley University

Please emphasize that proof of application needs to given to counselor before transcripts can be sent out out. Transcripts need to be requested on Naviance and counselors need to be given a 5 business day processing window!!!

Postsecondary Milestones

Affordability A guide for parents

What is financial aid? Financial aid refers to specific borrowed, given, or earned money that can be obtained from various sources to help pay for college. Financial aid makes college affordable for you. Financial aid refers to specific borrowed, given, or earned money that can be obtained from various sources to help pay for college. It is intended to make up the difference between what your family can afford to pay and what college costs. Only students with a valid social security number can apply for federal financial aid. It is especially important for these students to look for scholarships early on and ask college reps if there are additional resources for students who are DREAMERS. If you think you can’t afford college, think again. There’s lots of aid out there.

These funds may be merit-based, need-based, or non need-based. Types of Financial Aid There are many types of financial aid. gift aid Grants Scholarships Work-Study Loans self-help aid There are two basic types of financial aid: gift-aid and self-help.   Gift Aid is usually awarded in the form of grants and scholarships. It is assistance that generally does not have to be repaid. Grants are usually awarded on the basis of a family’s financial need or limited ability to meet the costs of college. Scholarships may be awarded to reward merit such as academic achievement, athletic ability, artistic talent, background, or other attributes you may possess. Self-Help Aid requires you to take a bit more responsibility and includes work opportunities and loans. Work-study aid helps students pay for education costs such as books, supplies, and personal expenses. It is a federal program that provides students with part-time employment to help meet their financial needs and give the student work experience. All funds provided must be earned. Student loans are financial aid that must be repaid. Most loans that are awarded based on financial need are low-interest loans sponsored by the federal government. There are other student loans that are not sponsored by the federal government and usually have higher fees and/or interest rates. These funds may be merit-based, need-based, or non need-based.

FAFSA October 1 (First date to submit FAFSA), and as close to this date as possible Must be renewed every year WHEN Available to H.S. seniors and college students U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens WHO Available on-line www.fafsa.gov HOW Determines eligibility for Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Used by colleges and universities to award institutional aid WHY Maximize on your financial aid eligibility by applying early and meeting deadlines. The FAFSA application first becomes available on January 1st, to H.S. seniors and college students who are U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens, and students are recommended to complete it before. The application is available on-line, and we encourage all students to complete it this way, as it is easier and faster; however, the FAFSA is also available in printed and pdf form. Completing FAFSA is important because it determines eligibility for Federal and State Financial Aid Programs. In addition, it is also used by colleges and universities to award institutional aid. Remember that the colleges set their own priority financial aid deadlines, and these will often be earlier in the year.

Completing the FAFSA What information is needed? Social Security Number. Be sure that it is correct! Records of income, such as income earned from work and business, child support paid or received, and any other untaxed income. If available, refer to the W-2 Forms and the Federal Income Tax Return IRS 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. Information about assets, such as savings, certificates of deposit, stock options, bonds, 529 plans and other college savings programs, and investment real estate, business, and farm. Alien Registration Number, if not a U.S. citizen. Take some time to print the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet from www.fafsa.gov. Gather all documents needed to fill out the form, using the list provided. Then, walk through the FAFSA together, making note of the information your student doesn’t know. It’s great practice, even if college is still a few years away! When it’s time to complete the FAFSA, visit www.collegezone.com/Calendar (access via collegeillinois.org) to locate a FAFSA completion workshop near your home or school. All workshops listed are open to the public at no fee. Notes: Parental information is required unless a student is at least 24 years of age or meets the criteria for filing as an independent student as described on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Refer to www.FAFSA.gov. A student must report his or her income and assets and those of the parents (if a dependent student) or spouse (if married). Use the last tax return you filed to complete the FAFSA: for instance, if filling the 2017-2018 FAFSA, refer to 2015 tax information.

Special Considerations What if I am not eligible for FAFSA? How can I pay for college? Institutional Aid provided by colleges Merit Aid 100% meets needs schools Private Scholarships Starting at a community college then transferring to a 4 year college or university

Dreamers and Financial Aid Dreamers are students who do not have an eligible social security number (SSN) Students who received a SSN through the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) initiative are NOT eligible to apply for the FAFSA. May not have access to federal or state financial aid Dreamers should advocate for themselves and talk to various colleges they’ve applied to about options for aid. Please emphasize that Dreamers are not eligible for Federal Aid even if they have a social security number thought the DACA.

Dreamers and Financial Aid College Credit in HS IB AP Dual Enrollment through the City Colleges of Chicago Dual Credit Working through the DACA initiative Using the City Colleges as a starting point The Chicago Star Scholarship 3.0 GPA ACT: 17 or better in English and Math SAT: 460 in writing and 440 in math Scholarships How can Dreamers afford college? There are more scholarships than the ones listed. Students must research different options. The Chicago Star Scholarship allows students who have over a 3.0 and pass the COMPASS test with the required scores to go to City College for free. This includes Dreamers!

How much is this going to cost me again? You may look at the price of a college/ university on their website and feel the sticker shock. Luckily, this is most likely not the price you will be paying! You will get scholarships and grants to help you pay for school as well as be able to take out student loans. Once you factor in all these sources of aid you will see that your bill will be a lot lower than the sticker price.

4 1 2 3 4 Saint Xavier Sample Cost of Attendance Gift Aid Self-Help Aid 4 Additional Options

FAFSA Workshop October 4th, 2017 (5:30-7:30) What to bring… Social Security Number. Parents & Students, Be sure that it is correct! Records of income, 2016 Tax Returns, such as income earned from work and business, child support paid or received, and any other untaxed income. If available, refer to the W-2 Forms and the Federal Income Tax Return IRS 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. Information about assets, such as savings, certificates of deposit, stock options, bonds, 529 plans and other college savings programs, and investment real estate, business, and farm. Alien Registration Number, if not a U.S. citizen. FAFSA workshop is an opportunity for families to receive assistance in Filing the FAFSA.

What should I be doing right now?

How can parents help? Believe in your student Help them to identify and develop their skills & interests. Attend parent/teacher conferences and meet with your students counselor. Get involved. Encourage student to utilize the Post-Secondary Room Visit college campuses together Connect your student to mentors Help them time manage, keep records, stay organized. Reward them for their success!

What parents should be doing right now Gather your 2016 tax info Encourage your student to apply for more colleges and file the FAFSA early (October 1st) Set aside time to help with the application and financial aid process Visit a college campus with your child Attend GW’s college nights and workshops If student’s parents attend 2 of the 3 parent nights student will be able to receive the GW College Shirt Many schools have open houses on days we have off of school such as Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Look on the schools website to see what they are offering! Also, you are always able to contact a school and set up a visit. They are happy to have you!

Summer Assignment & Passport Check #1 Passport Check #1 (September) Summer Assignment Selfie at a campus admission office or financial aid office Interview someone from a career of your choice Ms. Del Real will email a google form to all rising seniors to complete over the summer Senior Contract

Thank you!