1. College 101

2. Choosing a College Determine how to meet your future career needs.
4-year College?
Community College?
Trade School?
Military?

3. How do I know what meets my needs?
Research Careers
Search the web for information regarding career interests.
What do they do daily?
What is the average salary?
What are the current career trends?
What education is needed
Interview people working the career that interests you.

4. Career Websites www.bls.gov/oco www.collegegrad.com/careers
Log-in:  FOR-Student ID (Example: FOR )
Password:  Birthday (Example: )

5. Entrance Exams SAT – www.collegeboard.com ACT – www.act.org
TSI – Check with Community College (You may be exempt)
Most students take the SAT or ACT in the spring of their junior year then again in the fall of their senior year.
Score reporting should be selected at testing time or requested directly from CollegeBoard or ACT.

6. SAT & ACT Admission Student must have a valid picture ID!
Student must have admission ticket!
Bring calculator!
Bring pencils (NOT mechanical)
Bring a snack!
Leave cell phone in the car or at home!!!!

7. SAT & ACT Test Prep Reviews

8. Comparing Colleges Compare
2 "reach" schools (schools that might be a reach to get into)
2 "target" schools (schools they believe they may end up at ultimately
2 "safety" schools (backup choices)

9. College Comparison Chart

10. Categories to Consider
Location (Location - Distance from home, Urban vs. Suburban vs. Rural
Size (Enrollment, Physical Size of Campus)
Environment (Type of School Setting, Religious Affiliations)
Admission Requirements (Deadlines, Tests Required, Average Scores & GPAs)
Academic Programs (Your Major is offered, typical class size)
Extracurricular Activities

11. Why Visit Colleges?
A key part of deciding which college to go to is finding a good fit. A great way to get more information is to visit the colleges in person.
Juniors and Seniors get 2 “college days”. Bring back an official college day letter on letterhead to the attendance office.

12. Apply to Colleges
Don’t wait. Anything that needs to be mailed should be sent in several weeks before it is due. This allows time for delivery and processing. Online materials should be sent weeks before the deadline as well.
Submit once. When you apply online, you’ll usually get an automated response saying your materials have been received. If you don’t, contact the college’s admission office. Don’t apply online again or mail in another application.
Keep copies. Make a copy of each piece of each application. Save personal identification numbers, passwords, canceled checks and notes or s from admission officers. This documentation can save you if a problem arises.
Get confirmation. If you mail applications, put a stamped postcard addressed to your house in each package so admission officers can let you know that your materials arrived. The U.S. Post Office also offers a similar “return receipt” service. It may take a few weeks for confirmation cards to reach you.
If you get a notice saying something is missing, don’t panic. Just call the admission office and calmly ask what steps you can take. This is why you wisely saved copies of everything and sent in your application early!

13. Where to Apply to College
(public Texas schools)
(private schools)
Check out your college’s website for all application requirements.

14. You’ve Been Accepted… Now What?
Make Your Decision
You don’t have to decide overnight. Many colleges don’t expect your final decision until May 1, so you have some time to make up your mind. But remember that colleges are serious about reply deadlines. If you don’t send your deposit in time, you risk losing your place.
Respond to the Colleges
Once you’ve decided which college you want to attend, inform all the colleges that accepted you about your decision.
Respond to the college you’ve decided to attend. Make sure to send in the following items by the deadline:
Your acceptance letter
A deposit
A separate acceptance letter for financial aid, if required
Any other required items
Respond to the colleges whose offers you're declining. Send a brief note to the other colleges to thank them and turn down their offers. This frees up places for other students. 

15. How Do I Pay for College? Start with the FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Get an FSA ID
Complete after January 1 of the senior year
Find out and meet deadlines!

16. FAFSA Information
ASAP after January 1, complete your income tax return. You don’t have to file your income tax return before you start filling out the FAFSA, but it’s a good idea to do so. A lot of the requested information is the same
If your college has an early financial aid application deadline, you may need to complete your FAFSA before your income tax return is ready. Just estimate your and your parents’ income as best as you can on the FAFSA. Don’t worry — you can return and update your information once your tax returns have been filed.
College and state aid may have earlier deadlines than Federal Aid. Completing before February 1 is a great idea!

17. After Completing the FAFSA
The Student Aid Report (SAR)
After the information you provided is analyzed, you will receive a SAR that contains the data you entered on the FAFSA.
Review the SAR carefully for errors (the form highlights items that may need attention) and follow directions for making and submitting corrections. Submit corrections promptly. Make sure to keep a copy of the SAR for your records.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
On the front page of the SAR, you'll find a figure called the expected family contribution (EFC). Your EFC is an indicator of your family’s financial strength. It is sent to your state scholarship agency as well as to the colleges you listed on the FAFSA. They use this number to determine your financial aid award.
Specific Financial Aid Information
Can be obtained at your college’s financial aid office.

18. Types of Financial Aid Loans Must Be Repaid Work-Study
If your student loan is based on need, it is subsidized. This means you don't have to pay the yearly interest while you're in college.
Unsubsidized loans aren't based on need. These loans require you to make yearly interest payments.
Work-Study
If your package includes work-study, it means the aid office may help you find a job on campus where you can earn the amount expected. 

19. More Financial Aid GIFT AID
Grants & scholarships don’t have to pay back. That’s why they’re called gift aid.
Most scholarships are merit based. This means that they are awarded to students with certain qualities, such as proven academic or athletic ability. Many scholarships have rules — maintaining a certain GPA, for example — that you have to follow to continue receiving aid.
Most grants are need based. This means that they are usually awarded based on your or your family’s financial situation.
Remember, though, that gift aid rarely covers the entire cost of college. It’s just part of the picture — a picture that may include loans, family savings and other sources of money.

20. Places to Find Scholarships
College’s financial aid office
Counselor’s website
Religious organizations
Organizations related to your field of interest
Your employers or parent’s employers

21. BEWARE…
You will not receive a scholarship without completing an application!!!
The application represents you. Make sure it is:
Neat
Legible
Grammatically correct
Completed as requested

22. Avoid SCAMS Don’t pay for help to find $$$$$ for college
Don’t pay for FAFSA

23. Transcripts FHS – Request form in the main office.
NFHS – Request with Ms. Calderon in the senior services suite
Request well in advance of your deadline!
Transcripts can be picked up after 48 hours.
It is student’s responsibility to mail the transcripts to the college or provide stamped self-addressed envelope.
Request several more than you think you will need so you already have some on hand.
Do NOT open sealed envelopes !!!!

24. Recommendation Letters
Select someone who knows you well
Provide pertinent information
Provide personal resume
Allow for adequate time (at least 2 weeks) - Check due dates!