1. Senior Parent Night 2016
September 29, 2016

2. COUNSELORS Junior/Senior Counselors:
Mrs. Moses: students with last names A-K
Mrs. McKinley: students with last names
L- Z

3. INFORMATION
Communication from the guidance counselors about current information will be through the Guidance website.
Go to then click on Guidance.
Events that are current will be under Announcements.
Click on other tabs for specific information.

4. FEDERAL STUDENT AID
Free Application for Federal Student Aid- FAFSA- can be completed as early as Oct 1, 2016.
Schools suggest students Apply October 1- March 15, 2017 at for the upcoming (State deadline is July 1, 2017 for FAFSA).
Go to to secure your Personal Identification Number (PIN) for student and parent. Please keep in a secure location because yearly you must file the FAFSA for aid and TOPS.
To apply for Pell grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans, PLUS (parental) loans, Federal Work Study, you must complete the FAFSA.
FAFSA can be used for all universities, community colleges, cosmetology school, Delta College, Junior colleges, and technical schools throughout the United States.
Please review handouts on Financial Aid.

5. TOPS AWARDS To earn the TOPS OPPORTUNITY AWARD, a student must:
Complete all courses in the TOPS core curriculum with a grade point average in these courses of 2.5.
Earn a composite ACT score of 20 by the April 2017 test date.
may take June test and earn 20 for seven semesters’ paid tuition. The last semester is not covered by TOPS in this case.

6. TOPS, cont.
TO APPLY:
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using income tax information from the calendar year 2015 by March-April.
The FAFSA will also allow you to apply for institutional aid.
Check to see if your college has a separate financial aid application.
The application for TOPS is the FAFSA. Paper copies are not supplied to the school. You can call to request one but you will get faster results by applying on the web. And, if you make any mistakes, you can correct them immediately.
Prepare for the FAFSA by registering for your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Visit: fsaid.ed.gov

7. Scholarships
Scholarships are available based on specific criteria (major, GPA, financial need, community service, athletics, music, illness etc.).
There is a designated area in the Guidance office for paper copies for pick up before/after school or during lunch. Scholarships are also listed on Salmen’s Guidance Page.
Please make sure you meet criteria before taking a copy. Many are online applications. Check website for the many local and national listings.
Search and apply for scholarships through
Colleges may have a separate application for scholarships based on merit. Many use the admission application as the scholarship application. Check with specific schools for detailed information.
TOPS Awards tuition only. It does not pay for room and board and books. See handout for details on TOPS award. The parent application for TOPS is the FASFA.

8. Scholarships, cont.
Use the internet to research free scholarship searches. (handout “Surfing the web for financial aid).
Check with employers, churches, and community service clubs in the local area for additional scholarship opportunities.
Students with talent in music, theatre, and art are sources for scholarship dollars. Many Salmen students have received band, art and theatre scholarships. Check your school of choice for what is available.
Schools offer academic, athletic and major areas of study scholarships and financial aid. However, you must have submitted an application in order for the school to determine your eligibility. Apply early!
Complete online college admission applications for a minimum of 2-3 schools by December 1, LSU has a November 15th deadline for scholarship consideration. Check deadlines for each school to which you apply.

9. INFO TO KNOW 205 Students in Salmen’s senior class
Salmen does not rank its students
Weighted GPA is your GPA that calculates weights for AP, Honors, etc. (5.0 scale)
Unweighted GPA is your GPA without the weights (straight 4.0 scale)

10. TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Some colleges request letters of recommendation. Compile a list of teachers, mentors, employers, and other adults that can submit a letter on your behalf.
Many scholarships require letters from teachers and community leaders.
Prepare a data sheet or resume. This should include school activities, academic honors and awards, athletic achievements/performing arts achievements, out of school activities, community service, employment and future goals (9-12 grade). Samples are available in the guidance office.
Provide the teacher/recommender with a folder that contains a cover sheet with names and deadlines and any other rec forms.
Be sure to fill out the personal student information section at the top of each form or checklist.
Remember: Teachers write recommendations on their own time. Please make the request three or more weeks before the deadline. Always thank recommenders for taking the time to write and support you. Keep them informed! They are interested in your success!!!

11. College Test Requirements
College entrance tests are required to be admitted to colleges and universities.
Scores are used to place students in the correct college level courses.
4 year LA universities require a minimum score of an 18 on the English sub-test and a 19 on the Math sub-test.
Salmen will be administering the October 22nd and December 10th ACT. November 4th is the last day of regular registration for the December test. Late fees are assessed for late registration which is Nov September 16 was the deadline to register for the ACT in October. Late fees will be assessed from Sept
Students classified as free or reduced lunch are eligible for 2 fee waivers in a lifetime. Fee waivers only cover the cost of the test; students registering late are responsible for paying the late fee. See your counselor for the waivers.
Go to to register. You must make a web account with ACT.
Fees: ACT $ ACT with writing $58.50
It is your responsibility to release and send your scores to the college/university.
Salmen High Test Code
TOPS code should be a score choice: 1595
Community Colleges require a diploma only. There is no required ACT/SAT score to enroll. However, scores may be used for college course placement.

12. Testing, cont.
SAT is another test option. Register at sat.org or collegeboard.org. Test dates and registration are on our website.
All seniors are strongly encouraged to take the ACT/SAT during the senior year. Practice!
Free ACT practice tests are offered at the libraries in Slidell on October 1st at the Robert Blvd. location and in Covington on October 15 at 310 W. 21st Ave.
Additional free ACT prep opportunities will be listed on the Salmen Guidance Webiste!
Tutoring is available for all math courses. Attending tutoring can help with math preparation for ACT/SAT. Attend! Practice!

13. Transcripts Transcript requests are available by form only
Please fill out the form and allow 2 days for pick up; attach the fee to the form
$2.00 for mail out $1.00 for pick up
Fees are assessed for postage stamps and paper

14. College Visits
College visits must be approved in writing by your counselor before missing school.
Each senior is allowed 2 days for college visits.
In order for the absence to be excused, a letter from the college visited must be returned showing date and time of college visit.

15. NCAA/NAIA for ATHLETES
Students interested in playing sports at the college level must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to participate in Division I or II athletics. Register now at Use code “9999” to have your official test scores sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center.
For colleges in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, prospective athletes must register with NAIA Eligibility Center, visit for details and download the NAIA Guide for the college-bound student-athletes.
Students need to qualify academically and need to be cleared as an amateur student-athlete.
Fee waivers are available for students on free/reduced lunch.
You will need a credit or debit card for the registration fee.

16. HOW PARENTS CAN HELP
Check on student’s work and grades. Check JPAMS regularly. or call teachers if necessary.
Free tutoring is available before and after school and during lunch. Encourage attendance for help and test prep.
Attendance to school is the responsibility of the student. Absences adversely affect school performance. Make up seat time for unexcused absences.
Help your son/daughter do searches for colleges and scholarships.
Help student gather all applications for colleges and scholarships, and keep calendar of important deadlines. Help them apply to college now. Students should listen to the morning announcements and check the Guidance website regularly for scholarship opportunities and deadlines.
Be aware of testing deadlines and fees.
Schedule official campus visits through the Admissions’ offices at perspective colleges and universities. Attend with your child. Talk to the college representative for our school and follow up with s and thank you notes.
Remind your son/daughter to stay focused on test scores, grades, attendance and to guard the grade point average. A will NOT get TOPS award.

17. VISIT THE GUIDANCE WEBSITE!
Go to the Salmen High homepage and click on Guidance.
To teachers, click on staff and find teacher needed or contact counselor to set up appointments.
Visit to compare colleges and research careers.
Visit for free ACT prep lessons.
Visit Louisiana Office of Financial Aid for information on Financial Aid and TOPS:

18. GRADUATION DAY: MAY 4, 2017 @ 7p.m. at SLU
Here to Help
Thank you for coming!
If you have any questions, call Mrs. Moses or Mrs. McKinley at
as needed:
Mrs. Moses:
Mrs. McKinley:
GRADUATION DAY: MAY 4, 7p.m. at SLU