HFA Guidelines for Applying to College Senior Parent Night September 13, 2018

Pointers for Parents Think about your son or daughter’s readiness factor Plan and have discussions around expectations – yours and theirs Encourage applications to a range of schools (reach, target, ‘fiscally safe’)

Parent Timeline Fall Semester: Spring Semester: Assist with tracking deadlines Sign-up for scholarship search engine(s) Fill out financial aid forms in October: FAFSA (fafsa.gov) CSS Profile* (cssprofile.org) *if applying to highly selective colleges If student is applying Early Decision, sign legal contract after conversation with school counselor Spring Semester: Submit Housing deposits for top 2 schools (if required) Review and discuss financial aid award letters as a family Make college choice deposit by May 1

Senior Timeline Fall Semester: Meetings with school counselor Complete college search process Retake college entrance exams Officially request transcripts and teacher recs in Naviance Submit College Applications Submit Scholarship Applications – from colleges FAFSA financial aid form starting in October CSS Profile financial aid form* *if applying to highly selective colleges Spring Semester: Submit Scholarship Applications-additional Make college choice by May 1

What Are Colleges Looking For? Transcript, Transcript, Transcript Test scores Student essay Letters of recommendation Extracurricular activities Explanation for irregularities (ex., drop in grades) Build a class

Still Searching? Naviance Other Resources: ● Imfirst.org ● Collegescorecard.ed.gov ● CTCL.org

Scholarships: Where to start Scholarship requirements typically include one of the following categories: financial need, merit recognition, or special talent or diversity. Most award packages are provided directly from the college. Fill out the college specific scholarship application Students exhibiting financial need will often receive additional grant money from the United States government (ex. Pell Grant) or Tennessee state government (ex. Access, etc.) Apply with the FAFSA in October Scholarship websites are a great way to search for private based scholarships, Fastweb.com, Cappex.com Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee cfmt.org Some scholarships just for HFA students Applications accepted January – March Local Scholarships Listed on Naviance website as information is received Academic Common Market (SREB) sreb.org If a Tennessee state college does not offer your major, you can pay in-state tuition at a participating out-of-state college. Not guaranteed but worth looking into if it applies. Never pay for a scholarship application!!

What you can do now FAFSA (FSA ID#, 4caster) Net Cost Calculators (on college websites)

Summary Make deadline spreadsheet Apply early to colleges Look for scholarships Fill out financial aid forms in October Students should attend counseling meetings and application workshops held throughout the fall semester

Pointers Do not take control of the process Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion Remember, there is a school out there for everyone

Don’t forget to breathe!

Upcoming Events 9/15 Academy Day @ Downtown Library, 9:30 am Free ACT: 10/2 @ HFA, 8am FAFSA Workshop: 10/10 @ HFA, 9-11 am Financial Aid Speed-Aiding: 10/10 @ HFA, 6pm COLLEGE FAIRS: 9/15 Academy Day @ Downtown Library, 9:30 am 9/17 @ St. Cecilia, 6:30 pm 9/19 @ Cool Springs Mall, 5:30- 8 pm 9/20 @ HFA, 11:30 am 9/20 @ TSU Gentry Center, 3-6:30 pm

Counselor Contact information: www.hfacounseling.weebly.com A-D: Kanika Childress Kanika.childress@mnps.org E-K: Jeanetta Harper Jeanetta.Harper@mnps.org L-R: Lauren Law Lauren.Law@mnps.org S-Z: Katherine Sanford Katherine.sanford@mnps.org 615-291-6300

This program is thanks to: Katherine Sanford Hume-Fogg Academic High School (TN) Gloria Miller Glenbrook South High School (IL) and Barrington High School (IL)