1. Steps to enroll in college Enrolling in college can be anxiety inducing without help. This power point presents an overview of the steps you will take to be ready for your first semester of classes.

2. Planning for College? Start Early. Explore public colleges in Montana by visiting: www.mus.eduwww.mus.edu Apply for admission or re-admission to college. Online or by mail. Attach documentation: Most recent academic record (High School, GED, College): an official transcript Immunization record: 2 doses of MMR. DD214 Create an account and print out your military transcripts: Joint Services Transcript by visiting: http://www.jointservicestranscript.com/http://www.jointservicestranscript.com/ Air University Transcript by visiting: www.AU.AF.MILwww.AU.AF.MIL

3. VA Education Benefits Check your veteran education benefits: Submit a VONAPP (Veteran On-line Application) to activate your education benefits. Visit www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov (have your DD214 and banking information handy)www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov You will receive an Award Letter or Letter of Eligibility. No GI Bill? Check your eligibility for the Honorably Discharged Veteran Fee Waiver through the Montana University System. If you have a service connected disability, you can consider VA Voc Rehab

4. Financial Aid Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov If you filed taxes, have a copy of your previous year’s taxes. If you didn’t file taxes, you can still apply. If both you and your spouse work, separate your income totals. If you receive a disability payment, know the amount for the year. You can look up the Federal Code of the schools you are considering on the application. Almost all loans and grants are awarded based on this application.

5. College Entrance Testing Most colleges have an assessment that they use to place new students in the appropriate level of math and writing. It varies from school to school: Compass, Accuplacer, e-Write, Alex, MPLEX, etc. This is not a pass/fail test. It is a measure of what skill level you have. The result don’t keep you out of school; they are used only to place you in a class that matches your skills. Time spent dusting off rusty skills can be helpful. Visit www.act.org or other test websites for sample questions for most tests. College prep programs like Veterans Upward Bound help you prepare for these assessments.www.act.org

6. Class Selection & Registration After you do placement testing and BEFORE you meet with your advisor, create a tentative class schedule. You will be in these classes for weeks, so choose carefully. Look at General Education or General Core Requirements. Read course descriptions. If you have a degree in mind, look at the classes required. Look for embedded requirements (classes that satisfy both a gen ed and degree requirement). Be aware of pre-requisites (classes taken before another class can be taken) and co-requisites (classes taken with another class – you must register for both). Find at least 15 credits of classes you are willing to take. You want a spare in case you need to drop a class and stay above 12 credits. 1 credit = 1 hour spent in class. Most classes are 3 credit classes. 12-18 credits is considered full-time attendance.

7. Meet with Your Advisor Make an appointment with the Advising Center to register for classes. You will have an advisor assigned to you to help you choose classes. Come to the meeting prepared with a list of classes. Look at the Class/Course Schedule for the college of your choice to see how classes are listed. Plan around work and personal obligations. Don’t take an 8:00 class if you can’t make it. Your advisor will give you advising/alternate PIN. Go to your online student account to register for your classes using the CRN (course registration number). You will use your PIN to add classes to a schedule.

8. Visit the Certifying Official & Business Office If you are using the GI Bill or any VA education benefit (tuition assistance), the CO will need a copy of your Letter of Eligibility or Statement of Understanding and your class schedule. Keep the CO informed of any changes to your class schedule (drops especially!) The CO certifies your attendance to the VA. If you drop below full-time and continue to be paid at the full-time level, the VA is overpaying and will recoup that money when the error is discovered. Go the Business Office to settle your bill. 100% of the Post 9/11 benefit will pay your tuition and fees. Any percentage less than 100% leaves an outstanding bill. Talk to the Business Office is you need to set up a payment plan. Federal Financial Aid is disbursed by the college. Any amount owed to the college will be taken out and any balance sent to you.

9. Transfer Students Check with the advising center of the college you plan to apply to for guidance on courses that will transfer, especially any pre-requisites. Advisors for the college you will go to are the most informed about their programs and requirements. Work with them as early as you can in the process for a smoother transfer. Keep advisors at your current school informed of your plans to transfer. Pay attention to application deadlines. Watch for other important dates (registration, campus housing, etc.) If you are receiving Federal financial aid or using VA education benefits, you will need to add the new school to your FAFSA and change your program on your GI Bill. Pay attention to any checklist for transferring you receive from your new college, and make sure you work with your current college to leave in good standing.

10. Students Applying to Restricted Admission Programs Programs that limit the number of students admitted will have clear requirements. An applicant who does not meet the requirements will likely not be considered. Prerequisites: There will be a set of classes that must be completed prior to admission to the program. All grades matter and can be used to separate otherwise equal students. A 2.0 GPA and a “C” in prerequisites may be a minimum requirement, but you are wise to assume that your competition for a spot in the program has much better grades. Related experience: Your experience that can enhance your qualifications to the program can be helpful (related work experience, volunteering, military experience). Service: Admission committees may look at how you serve the community. Letters of Recommendation: Choose whom you ask carefully and make sure they know what to include in the letter. An essay: If there is a personal essay required, spend a lot of time writing and editing it. Be sure to cover all the points listed in a description. This should be considered a test of your writing ability; do your best.

11. College Admissions Checklist  I have applied for admission to the college I plan to attend and received my acceptance letter.  Student ID number: When you receive your acceptance letter, it will have your student ID number. Memorize that.  Online Student Account: Follow the directions to log into your online student account. This is where your financial aid award first appears (and your bill, too), where you register for classes, and find any communication from the college.  With my application, I included copies of my military transcripts.  I requested my Joint Service Transcript at http://JST.DODED.MILhttp://JST.DODED.MIL  I requested my Air University Transcript at www.AU.AF.MILwww.AU.AF.MIL  I understand that credits awarded from military training will be evaluated by the college staff and credits awarded may not be applied to my college transcripts until I have earned credits at that college. Credits earned from other colleges are generally applied upon acceptance.

12. College Admissions Checklist (cont.)  I have applied for financial aid.  If you were denied financial aid for any reason (income too high for previous tax year), you can appeal that decision and we can help you with that. It is not difficult.  If you are selected for verification, provide the documentation requested to the Financial Aid Office as quickly as you can. If you have questions about this, just ask them or come to VUB for assistance.  If I plan to use my GI Bill, I have applied to activate my benefits by completing the VONAPP.  I have met with the campus Certifying Official to provide a copy of my Letter of Eligibility for VA education benefits.  I have provided a copy of my class schedule and will le the CO know if I make any changes to it. I will do this each semester.  I have visited the Business Office to make any arrangements necessary for my college bill if I owe money.

13. College Admissions Checklist (cont.)  I have taken any required placement test, and I know which math and writing classes I tested into.  I have met with an advisor to pick my classes.  I came to my advising appointment prepared with a list of classes and a tentative class schedule.  I received my advising PIN and registered for classes using my online student account.  I have given a copy of my class schedule to the Certifying Official if I am using the GI Bill or VA Vocational Rehabilitation to pay for school.

14. College Admissions Checklist (cont.)  I have taken a campus tour to find out where academic support centers and other resources are located.  I have contacted the Vets’ Club and visited the Veterans’ Lounge if my campus has them.  If I am eligible, I have applied to Student Support Services for extra help.  I have made a mental note to address any problems that arise immediately. There is a lot of support on campus and I will use it.  I will use the staff at VUB anytime I need support from that program.