NORTHSHORE HIGH JUNIOR / SENIOR INFORMATION NIGHT

COLLEGE PREP GUIDANCE PRESENTATION ACADEMICS TAKING THE ACT/SAT TOPS /SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID COLLEGE/CAREER INFORMATION HOW CAN PARENTS HELP QUESTIONS

ACADEMICS To graduate - 23 TOTAL CREDITS for seniors. 24 TOTAL CREDITS for juniors. IF YOU ARE NOT PASSING A COURSE, consider getting a tutor and talking to your teacher. Check grades on STI Home to help keep up with your child’s progress.

TESTING: GEE/ END-OF-COURSE Students must PASS THE GEE 21: English, Math AND Science OR Social Studies. All juniors will take the Science and Social Studies portion of the GEE Dates of GEE: Phase I-March 22, 2011 Phase II-April 11-15, 2011 All End-of-Course Tests are giving during the month of May.

TESTING: PSAT 11 th grade college bound students may choose to take the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, the PSAT in October. Register with Mrs. Brooks in the Guidance Office at NHS thru Monday, Sept. 20 th. Cost: $20.00 (payable at registration) Test Date: Saturday, October 16, 2010

TESTING: ACT/SAT Register to take the ACT. Test dates are Oct. 23, Dec. 11, Feb. 12, April 9, and June 11. Register online. at Regular registration fee is $48.00 plus Writing or $33.00 No Writing. If a student gets reduced or free lunch, they can have a fee waiver (up to 2). See your counselor for details. Your registration fee includes sending scores to FOUR (4) colleges you select and grid in on your registration form. Students eligible for TOPS should enter the TOPS code in section which is NCAA code is The High School Code ( ) must be entered correctly. Check the registration information for individual college codes. See the Northshore Guidance web-page for upcoming ACT workshops. Test Information Release: ACT will provide you will a copy of your test questions and answers. The guidelines and fees for this service can be found at

FEDERAL STUDENT AID Pell Grants Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) Perkins Loans Stafford Loans PLUS (parental) Loans Federal Work Study –College Work-Study To apply for all of the above, complete the FAFSA after Jan.1, 2011 – priority consideration deadline is: MAY 1, 2011

FEDERAL STUDENT AID cont... Free Application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA – cannot be completed until after January 1 of your student’s senior year. It will be processed MUCH quicker if it is completed online at Paper copy can be requested by call Completing this form is ONE way of applying for TOPS.

SCHOLARSHIPS Use the Internet to research private scholarships and grants. Refer any questions about TOPS and financial aid to: ext or by at: Everything you’ve always wanted to know about going to college in Louisiana – select “High School Students” Check the NHS Guidance web-page for updated scholarship information.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP Check on student’s work and grades. or call teachers if necessary. Help your son/daughter do searches for colleges and scholarships. Attend the College/Career Fair at Castine Center on Sept. 29 Check the College Counseling Handbook for important phone numbers and web addresses. This was given to all juniors and seniors this year. Help student gather all applications for colleges and scholarships and keep calendar of important deadlines. You should begin applying to college now. Be aware of testing deadlines and fees.

AND….. Collect income tax information to be ready to complete the FAFSA after January 1, 2011 The application for TOPS is the FAFSA. Usual delivery is in January.You will get faster results by applying on the Web. And, if you make any mistakes, you can correct them immediately. Complete the FAFSA by May 1, 2011 to avoid penalties. Keep copies of everything you complete! Help your son/daughter budget for all the expenses –ACT $48, college applications $15-75, visits to colleges, deposits on dorms, etc.

MORE…. The St. Tammany Parish College Counseling Center is available to you at: Contact Mrs. O’Regan at either or 985- Contact Mrs. Woodard at either or Prospective College Athletes - register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at: If you have any questions, call Mrs. Silessi or Mrs. Brooks, at Questions???