1. Junior Night
Graduation Requirements, College Applications, and Financial Aid
Bloomingdale High School Counseling Department

2. Meet Your Counselor ROMINA MCEACHERN A-C Ext. 233 ELL Chair
BENITA HOLMES
D-H
Ext. 234
CST Chair
JOE MARTINO
I-Mc
Ext. 257
Dept. Head
MANDY RASCHKE
Me-R
Ext 232
AP Chair
JENNIFER YOUNG
S-Z
Ext. 231
Access Chair
MINDY EDGEMAN
College & Career
Counselor
Ext. 293

3. Graduation Requirements
24 Credits
Passing Scores on:
FSA Reading
Algebra 1 EOC
Unweighted GPA- minimum 2.0

4. Credit Breakdown 4 English 4 Math 3 Science 3 Social Studies
Algebra 1 and Geometry
3 Science
Biology and one additional lab science
3 Social Studies
World History, US History, US Government, Economics
1 Practical Art/Performing Fine Art
1 HOPE
8 Electives
At least one course must be completed online

5. ACT/SAT Concordant Scores
FSA Retakes – September 2017
Students who have not yet passed the FSA can use the SAT or ACT
Current Concordant Scores:
SAT – 430 Reading or 24 on Reading Sub-Scale
ACT – 19 Reading
Students who have not yet passed the Algebra 1 EOC may take the PERT
PERT – 97 Math

6. ACT/SAT Concordant Scores
Concordant score updates
Possibility that concordant scores for FSA Reading may be increased
SAT – 500 EBRW (Combined Reading and Writing Score)
ACT – 19 Average of English and Reading Tests
Students who have already met assessment graduation requirements via concordant scores will not be required to earn new scores, should they take effect.
There is currently no timeline for when these new scores could go into effect.
Advise to juniors needing the reading requirement: Register for the SAT and ACT as soon as possible to take advantage of current, lower concordant scores.

7. SAT/ACT: How Do I Register
SAT
Links to both websites on the BSHS Guidance page
Bloomingdaleguidance.org
Fee Waivers
Testing Deadline for Bright Futures – June 2019

8. Differences Between SAT & ACT?
Both tests are widely accepted.
Reading – SAT focuses on analyzing specific points, ACT is more about reading comprehension
Science – ACT includes a science section, SAT does not.
Math – Both test Arithmetic, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry.
Calculator – You don’t get a calculator on all of the SAT math questions. You can use a calculator on all ACT math questions.

9. Differences Between SAT & ACT?
English/Writing – Both test grammar, SAT looks at writing style and argument, ACT focuses more on mechanics (structure, punctuation, etc.)
ACT is more straight-forward, SAT tests reasoning skills.
Both essays are optional.

10. SAT/ACT Test Prep
ACTstudent.org and Collegeboard.org both offer free online test prep resources.
Collegeboard has partnered with Khanacademy.org to offer free, personalized SAT practice.
SAT/ACT Prep/Math for College Success elective at BSHS.
Taking honors and AP classes can help with higher level math, reading, and writing skills.

11. Preparing for College Admission
Take the SAT/ACT – Juniors are encouraged to take both tests at least once before the end of the year.
Begin researching colleges and organize a list of schools to which you plan to apply
Athletes – Contact college’s athletic office. Register with NCAA Eligibility Center if you’re planning to go Division I or II.
College examples of work, including writing samples, audition tapes, portfolios, and other material you may need for the fall application season.
Begin thinking about summer activities. What would look good on your academic resume? Consider a career-related job, summer courses, or community service.
Complete career interest inventories if unsure of college major

12. Preparing for College Admission
College search websites
Bigfuture.org
Actstudent.org
Floridashines.org
Many other available
College Visits
Admissions reps at BSHS
College fairs
Visiting campus
By summer, have a list of schools of interest

13. Preparing for College Admission
Senioritis
Taking it easy senior year may sound like a nice break, but it can negatively impact your admissions chances
Think about what classes you will take senior year; colleges like to see you maintain or increase the level of rigor.
Don’t let your grades slip or switch out of hard classes after you’ve been accepted. Either of these can cause the college to rescind their offer of admission.

14. Preparing for College Admission
What Do Colleges Look For?
Rigor of courses taken
Extracurricular activities
Class rank
Application essays
Recommendations
Leadership Positions and Experiences
Beware of Senioritis!!!

15. Preparing For College Admissions: Admission Strategy
Reach Schools
“I just might make the cut”. Your admissions statistics fall in the lower half or just short of the statistics for admitted freshmen. Highly selective schools
Match Schools
Your admissions statistics match those of the average accepted student.
Safety Schools
Your admissions statistics far exceed those of the average admitted freshman. Schools where you know you’ll be accepted.

16. Preparing For College Admissions: Decision Models
Regular Decision
Applications have a set deadline, usually in the fall.
Notified of the school’s decision on a specific date, generally March or April of senior year.
Rolling Admission
Once the school has all of your application material, they can make a decision and let you know in a matter of days or weeks
Don’t wait to apply to rolling admission schools, as they can fill up.

17. Preparing For College Admissions: Decision Models
Early Decision
Apply early (usually by October)
Get an admission decision from the college earlier in the year (sometimes December)
Early Decision plans are “binding”, meaning if you apply as an early decision applicant, you agree to attend the college if they accept you.
You can still apply to other schools under regular decision plans
If you’re accepted by your early decision school, you must withdraw all other applications

18. Preparing For College Admissions: Decision Models
Should I apply Early Decision?
Yes, if…
You are very sure you want to attend a specific school
You match (or almost match) their accepted student profile
Financial aid is not a concern
No, if…
You are considering several schools
You want to weight financial aid offers from multiple colleges

19. Preparing For College Admissions: Decision Models
Early Action
Application is due earlier than the regular deadline
Notifications sometimes come out earlier in the school year
Early action plans are not binding
You can still apply to other colleges, and may apply early action to other schools as well

20. Preparing for College Admissions
Organization is key
Make a list of relevant information and compare schools side by side
Find the freshman application checklist
List requirements and deadlines for each school
Use a calendar or planner
For most schools, application material can be submitted piece by piece
You don’t have to wait to finish your application before you send your transcript, etc.

21. Career & Technical Schools
Erwin Technical College, Hillsborough Ave.
Aparicio-Levy Technical College, Ellicott Street
Brewster Technical College, N. Tampa Street
Leary Technical College, Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa Bay Tech Adult School, Orient Road

22. Military Opportunities

23. Applying for Financial Aid
First step is to complete the FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FAFSA is available October 1st of senior year
Looks at parent’s tax information
A separate financial aid application may be required by the college
Scholarships or grants specific to that college
Priority Financial Aid Deadline versus Final Deadline

24. Types of Aid Grants (not paid back) Loans (paid back) Scholarships
Pell Grant (need based)
FRAG (private colleges)
FSAG (need based)
Loans (paid back)
Stafford Subsidized (need based)
Stafford Unsubsidized (non-need based)
Perkins Loans
Additional parent loans available (PLUS Loan)
Scholarships
Bloomingdale HS website
Free online scholarship searches
Florida’s Office of Student Financial Assistance
Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Federal Work Study
Working on campus to earn money towards tuition
Can accept all, part, or none of the aid package.

25. Scholarships
Can be based on any criteria, including need, academic, artistic, or athletic merit.
Free online search engines
Fastweb.com, scholarships.com, etc.
BSHS scholarship blog
Raise.me
Hillsborough County Schools scholarship matrix
Professional guidebooks
Specific college’s website
No limit to the amount of scholarship money a student can earn.
Students can receive a refund if they have more scholarship money than the cost of attendance.

26. Bright Futures Scholarship
Academic Scholars
Award covers 100% of tuition and applicable fees at a Florida Public College, plus $300 per semester for books, expenses.
Private Colleges - $211 per credit hour at a 4-year college, $104 per credit hour at a 2-year college
3.5 weighted academic GPA is required.
GPA is recalculated using only academic classes (English, math, science, social studies, foreign language)
Community service requirement – 100 hours
1290 SAT (R+M) or 29 ACT composite

27. Community Service

28. Bright Futures Scholarship
Medallion Scholars
Pays $77 per credit hour at a four year college and $63 per credit hour at a two year college.
3.0 weighted academic GPA is required.
GPA is recalculated using only academic classes (English, math, science, social studies, foreign language)
Community service requirement – 75 hours
1170 SAT (R+M) or 26 ACT composite

29. Bright Futures Scholarship
Gold Seal Vocational
Award amount depends on type of program
Career Certificate - $39 per credit hour
Applied Technology Diploma - $39 per credit hour
Technical Degree - $48 per credit hour
Minimum GPA is a 3.0 in graduation requirements
Must take three credits in a single vocational program and maintain a 3.5 in those classes
SAT – 440 R, 440 M
ACT – 17 E, 19 R, 19 M
PERT – 106 R, 103 W, 114M

30. Bright Futures Scholarship
Gold Seal CAPE Scholars
Similar to Gold Seal Vocational
Students must earn a minimum of 5 postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications which articulate for college credit
Upon completion of an associate in science degree program that articulates to a bachelor of science degree, GSC scholars may also receive an award for a maximum of 60 credit hours toward a bachelor of science degree program.

31. Weighted Academic GPA
The GPA Bright Futures will use to determine eligibility is different from the weighted GPA on a student’s transcript.
Bright Futures will recalculate a students GPA using only the grades in their academic classes.
Bright Futures awards an extra .5 point for weighted classes.

32. Weighted Academic GPA
Bright Futures will use the grades in the following credits to calculate GPA:
Four best English
Four best math
Three best science
Three best social studies
Two best foreign language
Bright Futures can use up to two extra credits in any of the academic areas if they help a student’s GPA.

33. Bright Futures Progress
Students can check their Bright Futures progress at
will list all of the classes a student has taken, their weighted academic GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and community service hours once they have been submitted.
Create a student portfolio and track eligibility throughout high school.
is updated every semester.
Also contains information on scholarships, colleges, and majors and careers.

38. Florida Pre-Paid College Plans
Florida pre-paid savings plans can usually be used in conjunction with other scholarships.
In most cases, scholarship funds are applied first, and then pre-paid funds go towards remaining account balance.
If the value of scholarship funds and pre-paid account is greater than the cost of attendance, pre-paid money can be refunded.
Check with your pre-paid program for details.

39. Upcoming District Events
Financial Aid Nights
6:00-8:00 PM
11/7/17 – Alonso High School
11/9/17 – Hillsborough High School
11/14/17 – Freedom High School
11/16/17 – Riverview High School
11/28/17 – Brandon High School
11/28/17 – Jefferson High School
11/28/17 – Gaither High School
11/28/17 – Plant City High School
College Nights
9/25/17 – Sickles High School
9/26/17 – Plant High School
9/27/17 – Chamberlain High School
9/28/17 – Brandon High School

40. Bloomindale Events College Visits – tons of them! Sign up asap!
HCC Rep – 2nd Thurs. of every month, all 3 lunches - in media center
ASVAB – Oct. 7:30am in the auditorium…sign up asap!
PSAT day – Oct. 11th, be at school on time
Erwin Field Trip – November 29th
Brewster Field Trip – Febrary 21st
SAT school day! It’s FREE…don’t miss it…be at school on time!
****More events may be added….keep your eyes and ears open!!!***

41. Keep in Touch…Pay Attention…Check Often!!!
Bloomingdale High School Counseling Department Website –
Edsby “Bloomingdale School Counseling Dept” group –
Rolling announcements on T.V.’s around the school
Remind – to 81010
Twitter – follow
Weekly newsletter
Edsby messages
Listen to morning show/afternoon announcements
Flyers posted
Very important announcements via parent link calls and/or the marquee

42. Wells Fargo In the breezeway Sharing resources
5 step summary for parents
Planning guide for students
Highlight steps in the process of paying for college & the funds available to families
Stop by and check them out…grab some free resources and ask any questions you might have

43. Questions?