Class of 2015 Rigor, Relevance, Relationships Welcome Seniors! Please find your Advisory’s assigned seats, then turn off and put away your cell phone and/or other electronics. Thank you! -Your Guidance Team

Overview Resources Graduation: Credit & Subject Requirements Graduation: Testing Requirements ECAPs Student Athletes Standardized Testing Deadlines Official Transcript Requests Financial Aid: Scholarships/FAFSA Choices

Guidance Counselors Mr. Britton – last name A-C Mrs. Hink – last name D-H Ms. Russo – last name I-N Mrs. Padilla – last name O-R and EAP Mrs. Pond – last name S-Z

College & Career Center Mr. Cravens, Career Specialist Before school, after school, lunches, by appointment Discuss post high school plans College Military Employment Trade schools Other related information (scholarships, financial aid, resume’ writing, field trips, visits, AzCIS, WestMEC, interviews, etc)

Graduation Requirements The 28 credit requirement is broken down as follows: 4 credits of English 4credits of Math (1 Upper Level and all 1B or higher) 3 credits of Science (One must be Biology) 3 credits of Social Science 1 credit of Personal Development 1 credit of International Language (2 of same language if University-bound) 2 credits of Fine Arts/CTE 10 credits of Electives *Any core courses you take above the required number count as elective credits Please note that this portion of your transcript is not always accurate. Please be sure you check with your counselor. Meets or Exceeds on AIMS: Writing, Reading and Math

AIMS Fall 2014 Scores Electronic results to counselors by Dec 16 Student Score Reports (paper) arrive during Winter Break – students will receive after Winter Break ACT/SAT 16 on ACT or 420 on SAT Spring testing: Writing – Monday, February 23 rd Reading – Tuesday, February 24 th Math – Wednesday, February 25 th NO make-up testing – you MUST be here

ECAP (Education and Career Action Plan) “Reflects a plan of coursework, career aspirations, and extended learning opportunities in order to develop the student’s individual academic and career goals.” Needs to be updated for early graduates, TA’s, and early releases Inventories (Career Clusters, Interest, etc.) List of careers may want to consider Resumes, Scholarships, Application Tracker, Compare Colleges, & much more Extended Learning Opportunities Field Trips & College/Military Visits Application Day College & Financial Aid Night Presentations and more…

Athletics NCAA Division I, II, and III and NAIA require you to be “cleared” For NCAA, go to For NAIA, go to Review the websites for more information, including core course/credit requirements, testing requirements, rules on non-traditional courses (A+, Transition, online, etc.) Fee waivers available for those who qualify for free/reduced lunch. See your counselor.

Standardized Testing ACT/SAT/Subject Tests – 4 yr. college/university Should test by Dec if applying for Fall 2015 After Dec, pay attention to your college’s admission deadline If you receive free/reduced lunch, you may be eligible for a fee waiver ACCUPLACER - Community college, placement test Spring field trip to EMCC includes the taking of the placement test

Official Transcript Parchment Register at Request your transcript Includes, required payment of $3.50/transcript Track your transcript Transcript Request Form Available in the Guidance and Registrar’s offices. Admission’s Office mailing address must be provided for out-of-state schools Mrs. Campillo, Registrar, is in the Career Center area (2 nd office on the left)

Deadlines Check each college for their application deadline ASU – 2/2015 U of A – 5/2015 NAU – 7/2015 Confirm college received all required materials BEFORE the application deadline Remember, offers of admission are conditional. You will need to submit a final, official transcript that shows completion of your requirements. Your entire senior year matters!

Financial Aid Provided by: Federal & State Government College-based Aid Private Sources Types of: Gift Aid Grants Scholarships Optional aid College work programs Loans

Scholarships Class of 2014 earned just over $6.7 million in scholarships Resources: (College & Career: Scholarships; also, College & Career: Links) College/university Scholarship Searches (AzCIS, College Board, & others) Library, Chamber of Commerce, Clubs, Religious Organizations, Employer, Newspaper Suggestions: Apply early & often Complete the application Neatness, spelling, and grammar count

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Federal grants, work-study, and loans Eligibility U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (with alien registration number) Have a valid Social Security Number Have a High School Diploma or GED Enrolled or plan to be enrolled in college and be working toward an eligible program of study Be registered with the Selective Service The law requires that you sign up for Selective Service within thirty (30) days of your eighteenth (18) birthday You can register at any Post Office or at

FAFSA Application Process Complete the FAFSA on (or soon after) January 1st You & your parent will need a PIN – you can get it now! Based on previous tax year…don’t wait, estimate IRS Data Retrieval Tool – use to retrieve tax information Schools & state may use for non-federal aid Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) Make any corrections/changes Schools listed on FAFSA will receive SAR data electronically Contact the schools you might attend Confirm they have information needed to determine your financial aid offer Compare offers from schools, if applicable Accept offer

FAFSA Resources College Goal Sunday College Financial Aid Office Department of Education – (College & Career: Financial Aid) FAFSA on the Web Worksheet What is a Federal Student Aid PIN and Why do I Need One? Worksheet The How-To Guide for High School Students: FAF$A

We “R” Desert Edge High school is a small amount of time in your life, but potentially a very influential part of your life. Keep in mind, the choices you make may have different consequences depending on your age. Be smart. Do not make a choice that may lead to legal actions and/or college, military, scholarship, employment ramifications. Be responsible. Be positive. Be proud.

In summary… Schedule an appointment with your counselor to review your graduation status and post high school plans…talk with Mr. Cravens, too! Log in to AzCIS…let it help you with your post high school planning Register with the NCAA and/or NAIA, if applicable Request official transcripts, as needed Get your FAFSA PIN and get ready to apply for financial aid Look for scholarships Meet or beat deadlines Have fun, be responsible