College – The Process

What is college? “College” is a term used to describe any form of educational training beyond high school Certificate Programs Associate’s Degree Programs (community college) Bachelor’s Degree Programs (university)

1st Step – APPLY! Tier 1 Schools – (U of M, MSU, Grand Valley, etc) – APPLY NOW (or yesterday) All other schools – apply before Christmas break Some schools charge an application fee. Your counselor can give you a waiver if you cannot afford the application fee.

Transcripts and ACT Scores Register on Parchment to have your transcripts sent electronically. Instructions are on the counseling page of the Warren Mott Parchment Transcript Requests To register and create a Parchment account, please click on the following link:  https://www.parchment.com/p/reg/accountData.htm For additional information regarding Parchment, or to sign into your account, please click on the following link:  http://www.parchment.com/

2nd Step FAFSA – Apply for financial aid by filling out the Federal Application for Student Assistance Indicate the schools where you want your financial aid information sent Applying for financial aid should never cost money! Applying for scholarships should never cost money!

3rd Step – Shop Around! Schools that have accepted you as a student will send you a “Financial Aid” letter indicating a plan to pay for college. Your FAFSA “EFC” determines the financial aid package from each school EFC means Estimated Family Contribution Schedule a college visit!

What is “Financial Aid”? Financial Aid letters can include: Grants (do not have to be paid back) Subsidized Loans (lower interest, student and/or parent signs, have to be paid back) Parent Plus Loans (parents have to sign for the loan) Work Study – (they assume you will get a job while attending school and can pay a portion)

When do I apply for Financial Aid? You can start the FAFSA process after November 1, but the amount of the aid is determined by you and your parents’ income for 2013. Therefore, you cannot officially apply until after Jan. 1

When do I have to pick a college? Most schools require a deposit by May 1

Where can I get help? College Week – November 4-8 – The goal is to have all seniors apply to at least one college FAFSA Meeting - Usually in January Counseling Office – schedule a meeting with your counselor to discuss your plans Admissions Office – schedule a meeting at the Admissions Office of your intended college or university