Project Plan Ahead 2014

Options After High School  Work  Military  Technical School  Trades/Apprentice programs  College  2 Year (Community Colleges) Cost around $3000 a year, smaller class sizes, able to transition to 4 year school (open enrollment) Assessment tests will be required prior to enrollment  4 Year (Public $14,000-$18,000 a year) (Private $25,000-$30,000 a year)

High School Courses Recommended for College Bound Students  English4 Years  Mathematics4 Years  Social Studies4 Years  Science4 Years  Foreign Language2 Years

What colleges look for in incoming Freshmen  Many 4 year colleges base their acceptance on a student’s ACT/SAT scores, the student’s high school curriculum and their Cumulative Grade Point Average. Many schools have a sliding scale that addresses the above mentioned issues. The following is an example scale:  ACTH.S. Rank%/GPA Class GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA GPA

Honors and Advanced Placement Courses  Prepares you for college course work  May improve your ACT score  Earn college credit in high school  (AP exam score of a 3, 4, 5)  May increase your grade point average and class rank  Highly regarded by most colleges

National Testing  Most colleges accept either the ACT or the SAT tests as part of their decision making process. These test are indicators on how well a student will do in college. These scores are also used for students applying for merit based scholarships. The ACT is considered a curriculum based test, whereas the SAT is considered more a logic/intelligence based.  ACT test dates:  September 13, 2014  October 25, 2014  December 13, 2014  February 7, 2015  April 18, 2015  June 13, 2015

Choosing the Right School  SCC College Fair October 16,  Attend the National SLU College Fair in the Fall, and the SLU College Fair on October 19, 2014 (1-4) to start narrowing educational opportunities down to 3-5 schools by beginning of senior year  Take advantage of college visits  Meet with college representatives when they visit FHN, dates noted on E-news  FHN College Fair (Recommended for Juniors)  April 14, 2015

Consider College Characteristics  Majors and Educational Programs  Admission Policy  Location and Size  Cost and Financial Aid  Campus Activities  Support Services

List, Compare, and Visit Colleges  Prepare a college comparison checklist (pg )  Weigh advantages and disadvantages  Contact the office of admissions  Schedule appointments for your campus visits (pg )

Finding the Right School  Help pare down the many college choices by accessing:  With the above internet site, you will be able to create a username and password for your student.

Missouri Connections   Free Search Engine for Missouri Students  Interest Inventory  4 Year Plan  Careers  College School Sort  Reality Check  Projected Job Market for Careers  Financial Aid & Scholarship Information

Apply for Admissions and Observe Deadlines  Narrow your choices  Review college admission test requirements  Know application fees and deadlines (pgs. 5-7)  Know scholarship requirements (pg. 15)  Submit application materials (paper/electronic)  Application for admission (pg. 24)  Recommendations (When asked for)  Submit Transcript Request Form (TRF) to the guidance office  Apply early and check specific school deadlines (Many deadlines are November/December)

Develop a Plan to Finance College  Determine college costs  Investigate ALL possible resources  Parents  Savings  Summer earnings  Financial aid: scholarships, grants, A+, loans and work study (FAFSA form  Secure necessary forms and note deadlines  Apply for financial aid as early as possible, no sooner than January 1 st Senior Year (register for pin #

FAFSA ( Free Application for Federal Student Aid )  All colleges require submission of this online form (1/1/15-4/1/15) for any type of financial aid (pgs ). Senior Year  Submitting this information is very similar to filing taxes and is based on parents income as well as students.  Parents must be involved in this process  Attend Financial Aid Night in January 13,  FAFSA Frenzy at St. Charles Community College Sunday, Feb. 9, 2015 (2-4)

$$$$ Opportunities (pg. 15)  (Regional Search)  (National Search)  (College Specific Search)  (All Purpose Search)  SCC Trustees Scholarship (3.00 GPA or 23 ACT = full tuition)

Costs  Don’t eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial assistance information! This information generally comes in March through the Student Aid Report (SAR).  Remember……. Check with college officials for accurate costs

What do I do now?  After completing this workshop, the counselors are available for appointments if you would like to discuss this further.  Mrs. SchwarzA-Com  Mrs. JohnsonCon-Go  Mrs. WoodrumGr-H  Mrs. Kerr-Grant I-Mc  Mrs. HermanMe-Pa  Mrs. Faulkner Pe-Sp  Mrs. Moore St-Z