1. Valley Pathways Junior/Senior Meeting
Information for Life Beyond High School

2. You can also hit up your advisors 
Who to see for what…
Ms. Burr,
Guidance Counselor
I can help navigate websites, explore college and career options, talk “how to”s
Mrs. Vereide,
Registrar
She can help you with
all your records. Transcripts,
shots, and what nots.
You can also hit up your advisors 

3. A Few Suggestions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o
Be organized
Meet deadlines
Stay in the race until you cross the finish line.
Actions = Consequence
Make good decisions!

4. Important Fall Dates Oct. 1st – FAFSA available online *NEW DATE*
College applications for FY19 open
Oct 5 need to sign up for Nov SAT
Oct 13 – Q1 ends
Oct. 16th & 17th Anchorage College & Career Fair –
Alaska Airlines Center
Nov 4th – SAT at Mat Su Central
Dec 21 – Q2 ends
Watch for more information on these fall events:
WorkKeys

5. Important Spring Dates
Feb – ASVAB
U of Alaska financial aid scholarship = mid-Feb
All Seniors interested in APS:
Complete ACT/SAT by March 2017
March 24th – Prom
Last Day for Seniors – May 1st!!!
May 9th Graduation practice in the AM
May 9th Graduation 1PM Menard Sports Complex
Apply to a U of Alaska school by June 1 to keep UA scholarship

6. Post High School Planning
What will I do?
College Degree:
*Associates
*Bachelor
*Master
*Doctorate
Vocational Training:
*Certificate
*Apprenticeship
*On the job training
Military:
*Air Force
*Army/Marine
*Coast Guard
*Navy

7. Food for thought….
Pulled from:
Employers first look at applicants with High School Diplomas then GEDs
… and prefer if applicants have experience.

8. Who am I?
Where am I going?
How do I get there?

9. https://acpe.alaska.gov/PLANNING/Education_Planning/AKCIS
VPS Login Info:
Username: valleypath
Password: 4Student
Information on careers, colleges, and scholarships. Specific to Alaska as well as other states. Lots of information!

10. The Application Portfolio What You Will Need to Apply for…
Colleges, Technical Schools, Scholarships, the Armed Services, Apprenticeship Programs & Jobs:
Resume
Essays and Cover Letters about You and Your Interests
Letters of Recommendation from Teachers and Community Members.
Don’t leave high school without these 3 things completed!!!

11. College Application - usually online
Transcripts – Mrs. Vereide, Registrar
GPA/Rank … on your transcript
Letters of Recommendation
Exams:
SAT
ACT
See the VPS Guidance Website or my staff website for dates and locations…
Best date for SAT is Nov 4th … at Mat Su Central

12. SAT Test Date: Registration Deadline: ***Mandated Testing TBA
October 7
November 4*
December 2
March 10
May 5
June 2
Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing on the new SAT.
September 8
October 5
November 2
February 9
April 6
May 3
SAT includes: Reading, Math, and Writing.
***Mandated Testing TBA

13. ACT Test Date: Registration Deadline: October 28 December 9
February 10
April 14
June 9
Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing on the ACT.
September 22
November 3
January 12
March 9
May 4
ACT includes: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing.
***Mandated Testing TBA

14. What you can be working on…
Attend college, armed services, and technical college visits. Visits will be in the daily bulletin. If possible, visit college campuses.
Investigate careers, colleges, and training programs. Start narrowing your focus.
Select 3 to 5 colleges – create a folder for each one with deadlines and requirements written on the outside of each folder.
Review your transcript to make sure you are taking the classes you need for graduation and post graduation plans.
Take the ACT, SAT, ASVAB, and WorkKeys
Create separate folders for copies of transcripts, letters of recommendation, resumes, and essays (have several copies of each).
Make a folder for each scholarship that you apply for.
Complete the financial comparison sheet.

15. Financial Aid
Funding comes from many sources – Each college will create a proposal for you based on the FAFSA.
Scholarships are typically awarded during your senior year.
They are everywhere!!! Get digging and keep your eyes open!
Check out my website 
FAFSA
After Oct 1st
Personal:
EFC
Estimated
Family
Contribution
FED. Gov’t:
Grants
Subsidized &
Unsubsidized
Loans
Work Study
Scholarship:
Academic
Aptitude
Athletic
Unique
Any and all

16. FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
October 1st – you’ll need an accurate estimate of your income and expected taxes.
Go to and apply for a pin number a few days prior to actually completing the FAFSA. (It’s an electronic signature)
You’ll be given an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) amount and the EFC will be sent electronically to each college you designated on the FAFSA application.
The college financial aid office will create a Financial Award Proposal and it will be sent to you for approval.
Keep a file to refer to when you renew the FAFSA each year of college and Grad school. UAA Mat-Su offers FAFSA help to assist in the application process. Call and make an appointment.

17. WUE – Western Undergraduate Exchange
Students are eligible to request a reduced tuition rate of 150% of resident tuition at participating colleges.
Students must apply – a small number of awards are available.
States participating: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

18. Apply, Apply, Apply Scholarships
At VPS: weekly updates posted in the counseling office, added to daily bulletin when appropriate, and sent out to advisors. Also check the VPS Counseling website for links. Specifically the Seniors ***Look Here!!!
Internet: AKCIS, fastweb.com, collegeboard.com, Google (watch for scams)
Schools: Your college or vocational program will usually have scholarships linked under financial aid.
Keep track of deadlines and be professional and organized in your presentation. Don’t rule yourself out of applying! Typically, the closer the source of the money the higher your chances of receiving the money.
Scholarships

19. Alaska Performance Scholarship
Three levels of awards
Level 1 $4,755 per year for 4 years
Level 2 $3,566 per year for 4 years
Level 3 $2,378 per year for 4 years
Based on GPA (2.5+), ACT(21+)/SAT(1060+)/WorkKeys (13+)
Must fill out FAFSA
Optional: Create an account on the Alaska Student Aide Portal (ASAP)
2 ways to qualify:
4 math, 4 science, 4 lang. arts, 4 social studies
3 math, 3 science, 4 lang. arts, 4 social studies, foreign lang.
*Some classes do not count for APS. Be sure to check with your counselor.

20. NCAA/NAIA NCAA – Division I and Division II
NAIA – Intercollegiate Athletics at all other levels
Register online for NCAA at
Register online for NAIA at
Registration with the Clearinghouse is a student/parent responsibility.
***See Ms. Burr for more important info!!!

21. Questions???