SENIOR INFO NIGHT Thursday, September 28, :30 p.m.

YOUR FUTURE What will you do after high school????

WILL YOU….. Attend college?? Join the Armed Forces??? Go to work??? Do Nothing??? (Is that an option?)

Facts from US Census Bureau Annual income for a person with a college degree is more than 60 percent higher than for a high school graduate. Someone with a two-year degree also tends to earn more than a high school graduate More and more jobs will require an education beyond high school.

It all starts with YOU!

College, Technical Programs, Apprenticeships You will need education/training after high school to secure a higher paying skilled job. This is called Post-Secondary Education. Every individual situation is different. You and your parent(s) determine which pathway is better for you but some post- secondary education is recommended.

Is College for You? How do you make the decision of what kind of post-secondary education you will pursue? Do you like school and don’t mind taking the next four, six or eight years to complete a degree? Do you want to get a degree as quickly as possible so you can enter the workforce?

Do you have Articulated Credit? Classes at the Career Tech Center include classes with courses that have been approved for statewide articulation with any junior college in the State of Alabama. Upon graduation, ask your instructor for an Articulated Credit Recommendaton form. These are good at any junior college in the State of Alabama. It is your responsibility to have the form and present it upon admission to the college of your choice.

What are your interests, attitudes and abilities?? Do you have an ultimate goal? Why do you want to go to college? What do you hope to achieve in college? What do you do well? What possible jobs or careers interest you? Will you have to work part-time as you attend classes? Is it important for you to have a good paying job when you graduate? Do you want to be challenged academically? What do you want to study? Do you want to enter the work force as quickly as possible? Have you investigated co- op programs through the college of your choice?

Wrong Reasons to Choose a College My boyfriend/girlfriend is going there. My best friend is going there. It is a party school. It is where my parent(s) went or where everyone expects me to go. I like the picture on the brochure. It was the only school I visited.

Important Questions Do you meet the requirements for admission? How much does it cost? Can you and your family afford the college? Does the school offer the major that you want to study? What tests do you need to take for admission?

Parents are Important to the College Admission Process Parental encouragement and assistance make the experience much easier and less stressful! Take time to listen to your child and visit colleges with your child. Talk with your child about what you expect from the college of choice. If you are going to place limits on distance, cost, or some other characteristic, make that clear to your child up front. Understand the limited role of the counselor. The counselor does not get your child into college. Your child gets himself or herself into college. Counselors can advise and help but parents are just as important to the success of the college admission process.

14 What is financial aid? Money to pay for college or career school –Grants –Loans –Work-study –Scholarships

15 We will talk about: Federal student aid State student aid Student aid from colleges Scholarships from other sources

16 We will answer: What is financial aid? Who can get it? How much can I get? How do I apply? What happens next? Where can I get more info?

Federal Student Aid Grants – financial aid that does not have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund.) These are awarded based solely on financial need. Work-Study – allows you to earn money for your education Loans- allow you to borrow money for schools. You must repay your loans, with interest.

Grants Federal Pell Grants Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) – for those with exceptional financial need. Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) – for those in their 1 st or 2 nd year who have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study. National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant – for students enrolled in their 3 rd or 4 th year of study who are pursuing certain academic majors with at least a 3.0 GPA.

LOANS Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Family Education Loan –Subsidized – financial need – not responsible for interest –Unsubsidized – not financially based – responsible for interest –Can have both during the same enrollment period.

Applying for Federal Aid Complete the FAFSA through the internet by using the FAFSA website or by mailing a paper application. Student and Parent should apply for a PIN if filing online. This can be done early. Apply as soon as possible after Jan 1, Info from your tax forms for the year 2010 will be needed so complete your forms as soon as possible.

21 Who can get federal student aid? U.S. citizen or permanent resident High school graduate/GED holder Eligible degree/certificate program Valid Social Security number Males registered for Selective Service Satisfactory academic progress

22 Who can get other kinds of financial aid? States, colleges, and private scholarships have their own eligibility criteria. Be sure you know what you need to do to qualify.

23 How much federal student aid can I get? In general, depends on your financial need. Financial need determined by Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and cost of attendance (COA) EFC comes from what you report on FAFSA COA is tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, etc. COA – EFC = financial need

24 How much federal student aid can I get? For early estimate, use FAFSA4caster: Go to Enter some financial information Get an estimate

25 How much federal student aid can I get? Example: first-year student in Maximum amounts allowed: Federal Pell Grant: $5,500 Academic Competitiveness Grant: $750 TEACH Grant: $4,000 Federal Stafford Loan: $5,500 Federal Perkins Loan: $5,500 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: $4,000 Federal Work-Study: depends on funds available at school Federal PLUS Loan (for parents): COA minus other aid received

26 How much state, school, and scholarship money can I get? Depends on the program: do your research! –Our state aid: t/Index.htm –Ask college financial aid offices for info about aid available at their schools –Free scholarship search: hip

27 How do I apply for federal student aid? 1.Get a PIN at Your parent might need a PIN too Choose your own PIN or let the site choose one for you Don’t tell anyone your PIN!

28 How do I apply for federal student aid? 5.Watch for s or letters from the schools you are considering Give the schools any additional paperwork they ask for Meet all deadlines or you could miss out on aid!

29 Where can I get more info? –Information about aid programs –Free scholarship search –Free college search FED-AID –Information about aid programs –Help with the FAFSA

30 Questions?

What now?? Don’t procrastinate!! Attend as many college/career fairs and informational sessions as possible. Pay attention to announcements. Complete applications. Don’t miss deadlines!! Ask for help when you need it.

32 Thanks for coming Contact information: Name Phone: (256)