College Admissions, Scholarships, Student Aid, etc.

Where can I find scholarship information?  Listen to announcements!  Paper copies of scholarship application are available in my office.  On the Staunton High School website Click on students then guidance news.

Where can I find other resources & even more scholarships?

How can I search for a college?  (most reliable )     See book in guidance office titled Book of Majors

Senior Year Timeline Fall College representatives Organize applications by creating files for each of your target schools. List all requirements and deadlines. Retake the ACT if you want to improve your score. Register on the web or see me for a paper application. ACT is being offered at SHS October 25 and February 7. Curriculum effect can increase your scores. Request letters of recommendation as soon as possible (but only as needed) from teachers and community leaders. Look into scholarships in the guidance office, school website, and on any internet search sites.

Senior Year Timeline  Fall/Winter Work on college applications! Many applications are due in early January and a few as soon as November 1 st. File the FAFSA: ASAP after January 1 st —Remember it is much easier to complete your FAFSA if you have your 2014 income taxes done. But getting them done earlier is always better. Involve your parents and yourself in this process. Check with your prospective schools about additional financial aid application forms and requirements. Keep looking into scholarships in the guidance office, school website, and on any internet search sites. It’s lots of work but rewarding! Don’t make the biggest mistake of all, by not even applying. Typically, you will only receive about 10% of the scholarships you apply for. If you apply for one, your chances are slim to none. If you apply for all of our local scholarships (Staunton community gave away 62 scholarships last year), you may receive 6 or 7.

Senior Timeline  Late Winter/Spring Keep looking into scholarships in the guidance office, school website, and on any internet search sites. The bulk of all scholarships are due March-May. Compare your admissions offers. Make a decision…if you have not already. Many schools require a decision by May 1 st. Check deadlines for housing, financial aid, etc. This is 100% your responsibility.

Forms  Transcript Request Forms  Student Questionnaire  College Visitation Day Requests & Guidelines  College Credit Opportunities at SHS  SHS Profile  Lewis & Clark Community College Transcript Request

Upcoming Dates  Wednesday, October 22 nd Financial Aid meeting during Parent-Teacher Conferences- Parents and Students should plan on attending.  College representatives visiting SHS- see guidance page or listen for announcements

More Info  NCAA- If you plan on participating in sports at a division 1 or division 2 school you must register with the NCAA A.html A.html  NAIA- If you plan on participating in sports at a NAIA school, you must register with the NAIA  Common Application- Some schools require you to apply via the Common Application.

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

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

How much federal student aid can I get? Example: first-year student in Maximum amounts allowed:  Federal Pell Grant: TBD [$5,500 in ]  TEACH Grant: $4,000  Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans: $5,500 total  Federal Perkins Loan: $5,500  Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: $4,000  Federal Work-Study: depends on funds available at school  Direct PLUS Loan (for parents): COA minus other aid received 24

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

How much state, school, and scholarship money can I get?  Depends on the program: do your research! Our state aid: Fill out the FAFSA Ask college financial aid offices for info about aid available at their schools Free scholarship search:

How do I apply for aid?  Federal student aid: fill out Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at  State aid: fill out the FAFSA  School aid: contact financial aid office at schools you are considering  Scholarships: visit scholarship website or call contact number for information 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! 2. (Optional) Use FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to get ready. Get worksheet at Find a checklist of documents you need at (“What Information Do I Need When I Fill Out the FAFSA?”). Fill out worksheet to prepare your answers.

29 How do I apply for Federal Student Aid? 3. Fill out your FAFSA online at Apply on or after Jan.1 but as early as possible to meet all deadlines. Need help? Use “Live Help” icon or call FED-AID. Don’t forget to print confirmation page. 4. Watch for response by , from or by mail Double-check your information online at (use your PIN to log on) or on the paper Student Aid Report mailed to you Correct any mistakes and update any information as necessary

30 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!

What happens next?  Each school will tell you how much aid you can get at that school.  Once you decide which school to attend, keep in touch with the financial aid office to find out when and how you will get your aid. 31

32 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  Staunton High School will offer a FAFSA workshop in February. Students and parents can come and fill out their FAFSA with help from financial aid experts. Students do not have to be enrolling in LCCC to partake in workshop.

Communication & Questions