Your Senior Year Planning for Success Beyond Truman High School

Keep up with the Counseling Center It is your responsibility to… CHECK YOUR STUDENT EMAIL Important information is sent to your student email account all the time so please continually check your inbox Follow us on TWITTER @Counseling_THS for important tweets

Attendance Our goal is for you to have a minimum of 90% attendance Attending below 90% will put your ability to earn credits in jeopardy and get in the way of you being able to attend school functions such as homecoming and prom This breaks down to missing no more than 8 class periods per semester, per class Be here, turn it your work, communicate with teachers and you will be fine!

Graduation Requirements Department Class of 2018 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 10 Total 27 * Additional grades and ACT score required (see Program of Studies for additional information) **Must be Algebra 1 and Higher

Applying for college 1. Learn to navigate college websites! It is your responsibility to research your colleges of interest. Most questions can be answered by the websites. College Comparison Worksheet (contact the admissions office if site can’t answer questions) 2. Check deadlines at schools of interest. (these start early so stay on top of your deadlines) 3. Fill out an application (most schools prefer an online application be submitted) 4. Sign up with counseling secretary to have your transcript sent (you must have a transcript release on file before records will be sent) 5. Visit schools if at all possible

Letters of Recommendation Who should you ask for a letter of recommendation? Teachers Coaches/Sponsors Employers Youth Group Leader Principals Counselors Make sure to ask at least two weeks in advance of when you need the letter by and provide them with Student Info Form!!!

Letter of Recommendation Student Info Form (available in counseling center) Letter of Rec Student Info Form

You will need to fill out a FASFA to apply for federal financial aid (opens on October 1st) 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 (2016) Federal deadline for FASFA submission is June 30th Missouri’s FASFA priority filing deadline is Feb 1st

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 2016 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 28, 2017 September 22, 2017 September 23-Oct 6 December 9, 2017 November 3, 2017 November 4–17 February 10, 2018 January 12, 2018 January 13–19 April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 March 10–23 June 9, 2018 May 4, 2019 May 5-18 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=112

Always start with… YOUR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FIRST!! Institutional Awards Always start with… YOUR COLLEGE/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

Consider local scholarship opportunities before national ones! 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 14thish) Link posted on Scholarship Page (when made available) 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.

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?

HELPFUL SCHOLARSHIP HINTS

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 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.

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