Open House 2012 Welcome Class of 2013 & 2014 Seniors & Juniors and their Parents

School Counselor Mrs. Karen Blair (grades 9-12) (810) ext

Use the ACS Website It’s a great resource!! “Student Services” Services Services

College Applications Apply Online! Apply NOW!! Complete all required steps for applying. Go to the AHS Website and click on Transcript Request Transcript Request Request that your transcript be sent electronically through that secure website. It’s FREE!

The Princeton Review  Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review has long been a leader in helping college and graduate school–bound students achieve their higher-education goals through test-preparation services, tutoring and admissions resources, as well as through online courses and resources and print and digital books. 

Average application fees - $35 - $50 Common Application is $75 Community College applications are FREE! Early Action – a guaranteed answer by a set deadline when you meet the early action deadline. Check university websites. U of M – Nov 1 (Decision by 12/24/12) U of M uses the Common Application MSU – Oct 5 (Decision by 11/11/12) Make it your deadline to get college applications in by October 31, 2012.

Retake the ACT! Every student should take the ACT more than once. Studies show each time a student retakes the ACT, his or her score increases by at least one point. A one point difference can mean better chance of admittance to college and scholarship money. Do some test prep! Sign up for the ACT Workshops being held at SC4 in the up coming weeks. The national test dates will be on the next slide. National test dates are on Saturdays (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) We are NOT a national test center. Register to take the ACT at ACT Student ID# is needed when registering. $35.00

ACT Dates 2012/13 Test Date Registration Deadline w/Late Fee September 8, 2012 August 17, 2012 Aug 18-24, 2012 October 27, 2012 Sept 21, 2012 Sept 22-Oct 5, 12 December 8, 2012 Nov 2, 2012 Nov 3-16, 2012 February 9, 2013 Jan 11, 2013 Jan 12-18, 2013 April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 March 9-22,2013 June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013 May 3-17, 2013 Register online at

ACT Fees Basic Fee (No Writing)$35.00 ACT (Plus Writing) $50.50 Late Fee $21.00 Additional colleges$11.00 each Test date change$21.00 Test center change$21.00 Standby testing$43.00 Viewing Scores OnlineFree

ACT Prep Workshops Improve Your ACT Score Workshop Offered at SC4 Four (4) Saturdays September 29 October 6 October 13 October 20 Cost -- $25 per session Call Jennifer Evans (810) or her – Flyer in office.Flyer in office

College Essay Workshop Essay Coaching: Make the Most of Your College Application Essay September 18 th (4-6 or 7-9 p.m.) To Register: Jennifer Evans at Jennifer Evans Link to Flyer

FREE ACT Prep Online  You can access FREE ACT Prep resources at Michigan Electronic Library at  Participants of the ACT Prep Workshop (offered in Fall and Winter Sessions) received Barron's ACT Prep Book, ISBN-13: You are welcome to purchase on your own through Amazon for approximately $16.

The SAT  Out of State, Highly Selective and Private Colleges sometimes prefer the SAT over the ACT.  Visit the website of the school you are interested in to determine which admission test is preferred. Register to take the SAT at /13 Dates October 6, 2012 November 3, 2012 December 1, 2012 January 26, 2013 March 9, 2013 May 4, 2013 June 1, 2013

Juniors (Class of 2014) Take the PSAT When taken in the junior year, the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (MNSQT) Cost is $14.00 – Make check payable to ACS, Mrs. Donaldson is taking registrations. Test is at AHS (1 st, 2 nd & 3 rd hrs) Wednesday, October, 17, 2012,Lecture Hall Deadline to register tomorrow, Thursday, 9/20/12 Visit College Board for more info. All college bound and IB Students should be taking this.

Seniors are encouraged to visit college campuses. They may use two (2) school business “off campus” days for that purpose. Student must provide written documentation of visit to the attendance secretary. Student arranges college visit through college/university website or by calling college/university. College Visits (Off Campus)

On Campus -- Fall Open Houses Nearly all colleges host a fall “Open House” on their campus At these events students are able to take a tour, meet students, listen to presentations, go to a football game, even spend the night in the dorms! Many have on-site admissions as well. Visit the website of the college you are interested in or look at the showcase in the senior hall. Student arranges the visit.

The counseling center hosts visits from many colleges. Representatives from the respective college will set up a time during our school day to visit with any prospective applicant. Seniors are allowed four (4) on-campus college visits. The absence will be marked as school business. College visits are publicized in the daily announcements. Students can sign up in the Student Services. College Visitation (On-Campus)

College Visits On Campus Central Michigan UniversitySept 10 University of Detroit Sept 13 Northern Michigan UniversitySept 18 Albion CollegeSept 24 Western Michigan University Sept 25 Macomb Community CollegeSept 28 Saginaw Valley State UniversityOct 16

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) College Night Thursday, October 18, :30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center Corner of Erie Street & Glenwood Avenue Over 40 institutions will be represented. ALSO --- INFORMATION SESSIONS ON SC4 First session – 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Second session – 7:30 to 8 p.m.

Jennifer Evans– College Access Counselor - Know How to Go Higher Education Consultant at St. Clair County RESA (810) She will be hosting seminars for parents at AHS in the up-coming months Information will be in the Daily Announcements and posted on the website.

Financial Aid Basics Scholarships(free money) – does not have to be paid back TWO KINDS Merit Based – based on grades, involvement in school and community, character Need Based – based on parents financial situation (income, assets, debts) Grants (free money) – does not have to be paid back (based on income) FAFSA Loan – must be paid back (may be subsidized (borrower does not pay interest) or unsubsidized (borrower does pay interest)

What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as Pell grant, student loans, and college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. Begin application January of the graduating year. Priority deadline March 1 st College Goal SC4 – Sunday, Feb 10, 2013 (2-4), FAFSA Night at AHS Thursday, Feb 21 (6-8 PM) Mr. Zimmerman will be helping students w/FAFSA in Core V

Other Forms of Financial Aid Check out your college’s financial aid website Check out the Student Services link on the AHS Website – You can also check out these resources: Check out your affiliations – employers, unions, religious affiliations, etc for scholarships available

Tuition Incentive Program - TIP To be eligible a student must have (or have had) Medicaid Coverage for 24 months within a 36 consecutive month period. Students are identified as TIP eligible as early as sixth grade, typically age 12 or after, so you may have received a letter from the OSG when your student was in middle school. It is a state of Michigan program that pays college tuition and mandatory fees in two phases. Phase I pays for a certificate program (one year) or for an associate’s degree (two-year degree) from Michigan colleges. Phase II at public universities covers $2,000 for the junior and senior year in college.

If you don’t have the letter with the acceptance form, call this number – and ask to speak to someone about TIP. Tell them you need the TIP acceptance form. It will be mailed to you, fill it out and send it back. When you receive your TIP Eligibility Letter, put it in a safe place! If you need a copy of this letter contact the OSG at Your student will take this letter to his or her financial aid office of the college or university they will attend; the financial aid office will take it from there! Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, 2013! TIP eligible students may be eligible for other federal and state financial aid programs that will cover other education expenses like room & board, books, supplies and transportation. Complete your FAFSA at

Local Scholarships Local Scholarship Applications for the 2012/13 school year will be available via the web beginning in January Deadline will be March 15, Local scholarships are available to AHS seniors only. Merit and need based scholarships Many award students for community service Need two letters of recommendation Over $43,000 in scholarship money given away All are listed at the Student Services portion of the AHS Website.

Senior Awards Assembly All seniors and their parents should plan to attend the annual senior awards assembly Friday, June 7, Begins at 8:00 AM Ends approximately 11:00 AM Local Scholarships are presented as well as many other awards, including those from St. Clair TEC.

Know How to Go Know How to Go Resources Know How to Go Timeline for Freshman Timeline for Sophomore Timeline for Juniors Timeline for Seniors Handout for Parents