Mrs. Nichole Boseman, Principal Senior Parent Meeting WELCOME! September 16, 2014 Mrs. Nichole Boseman, Principal Mr. Tom Kupec, A – J Mrs. Jan Whitson, K – Z Wren High School

Your senior has been informed! Counselors visited all senior English classes last week. Each senior received a packet of information. College Application Day – Sept. 24 College of Charleston, TCTC, Winthrop, Converse, Coastal Carolina, Erskine

College Timeline for Seniors Apply EARLY! (by Thanksgiving) Take SAT/ACT if necessary Visit colleges in which you are interested Research private scholarships: http//:asd1.schoolwires.com/wrhs www.fastweb.com Complete the FAFSA after Jan.1, 2015 Expect financial aid packages from colleges by March/April Final transcript sent to college by Guidance in mid June 2015

Key Points for Seniors: Apply with intention! Plan A,B,C… Applications begin the file. Sign “Transcript Notebook” in Guidance for transcript to be sent to college. ($1.00 per transcript) Send SAT/ACT scores to college.

Possible Sources of Financial Aid FEDERAL: Grants, Loans, Work Study, Teach Grants STATE: Palmetto Fellows, Life, Hope, Need Based Grants, SC Tuition Grant     COLLEGE: Merit, Special Talent, Departmental Awards PRIVATE: Free Scholarship Searches, Employer of Parent/Student, Civic Organizations, Church Organizations, Guidance Website

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) A form of need analysis Determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Use ALL 2014 income (taxed and untaxed) Provide both student and parent(s) income Looks at total Household size How many are in college? Total assets are considered in calculation Can send to up to 10 colleges/universities FREE Help is available online and by phone at 1-800-4-Fed-Aid (1-800-433-3243) Do your taxes early, will need the info to complete, don’t need to file taxes but must complete prior to trying to complete this form. Not fully decided on which college no problem list up to the six most likely if you decide on a different one it can be added later Best of all it is free. Do Not Pay someone to help you complete this form.

Federal Programs Pell Grant Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) TEACH Grant College Work Study Perkins Loan Direct Stafford Loan Programs Direct Parent PLUS Loan These are the federal programs your tax dollars are paying for. Take advantage of them, you don’t know if you qualify until you apply.

Electronic Applications Apply for a PIN www.pin.ed.gov both student and at least one parent Apply online www.fafsa.gov Tips and Hints www.finaid.org/fafsa/maximize.phtml Paper applications are available but the process is slower, and much more prone to error, the online version catches most of the mistakes we make. Your college or guidance office has the paper forms if needed. Save this PIN you will need it for years to come.

State Programs in SC Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Palmetto Life Scholarship Hope Scholarship Lottery Tuition Assistance Need-Based Grant Administered by SC Commission on Higher Education www.che.sc.gov CHE’s web site has all the details but the main points are as follow.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Available for attendance at four year institutions in South Carolina Maximum Award $6,700 during Freshman year $7,500 per year for Sophomore through Senior years Must apply during Senior year of high school Deadline for early applications is December 15 Deadline for final applications is June 15 Guidance Counselors will help with the application process This is the premier scholarship for the most academically talented.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Initial Eligibility criteria: Top 6% of class, 1200 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 27 or higher ACT, and 3.50 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale OR 1400 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 32 or higher ACT, and 4.00 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale Continued Eligibility criteria: 3.0 GPA or greater and at least an average of 30 credit hours per academic year.

LIFE Scholarship Initial Eligibility requirements at a 4 year school: Any two of these three: 3.0+ final cumulative GPA Top 30% of high school class 1100+ SAT (math and critical reading), or 24+ ACT Initial Eligibility requirements at a 2 year school: 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

LIFE Scholarship Available for attendance at a two or four year institution in South Carolina. Maximum Award – at a Four Year institution: Up to $5,000 per year Maximum Award – at a Two Year or Technical School: Up to Cost of tuition + $300 book allowance This is the big one that came about with lottery proceeds. Can not double dip, Palmetto Fellow and Life If don’t qualify as an entering freshman, can earn it by making a 3.0 GPA

SC Hope Scholarship Freshman year only at four year institutions in South Carolina Maximum Award: Up to $2,800 towards the cost of attendance Eligibility Requirements: 3.0 GPA at time of high school graduation If not quite eligible for the Life the Hope may help. This is a one year only scholarship, after the first year you must make a 3.0 to qualify for the Life or no more help.

Technical College information: Requires placement testing (Compass) SAT/ACT is NOT required for admission 3.0 GPA on final transcript = FREE tuition University transfer, associate degree, certificate program Current dual enrollment students need to re-apply for fall semester

REMEMBER: Complete college applications EARLY! Complete the FAFSA! 1-800-4-FED-AID (Help Center for FAFSA) www.studentaid.ed.gov (FAFSA info) www.eligibilitycenter.org (NCAA) Financial Aid Night, Jan. 8th – 6:30PM Wren High School

Questions