1. Your Senior Year
Planning for Success Beyond Truman High School

2. Keep up with the Counseling Center
It is your responsibility to… CHECK YOUR STUDENT
Important information is sent to your student account all the time so please continually check your inbox
Follow us on for important tweets

3. Attendance Our goal is for you to have a minimum of 90% attendance
Attending below 90% will put your ability to earn credits in jeopardy and get in the way of you being able to attend school functions such as homecoming and prom
This breaks down to missing no more than 8 class periods per semester, per class
Be here, turn it your work, communicate with teachers and you will be fine!

4. Graduation Requirements
Department
Class of 2018
UM System Requirements
Language Arts 4
Social Studies 3
Math 4*
Science
Fine Arts 1
Practical Arts
P.E.
Health .5
Personal Finance
Foreign Language 2*
Electives 10
Total 27
* Additional grades and ACT score required (see Program of Studies for additional information) **Must be Algebra 1 and Higher

5. Applying for college
1. Learn to navigate college websites! It is your responsibility to research your colleges of interest. Most questions can be answered by the websites. College Comparison Worksheet (contact the admissions office if site can’t answer questions) 2. Check deadlines at schools of interest. (these start early so stay on top of your deadlines) 3. Fill out an application (most schools prefer an online application be submitted) 4. Sign up with counseling secretary to have your transcript sent (you must have a transcript release on file before records will be sent) 5. Visit schools if at all possible

6. Letters of Recommendation
Who should you ask for a letter of recommendation?
Teachers
Coaches/Sponsors
Employers
Youth Group Leader
Principals
Counselors
Make sure to ask at least two weeks in advance of when you need the letter by and provide them with Student Info Form!!!

7. Letter of Recommendation Student Info Form (available in counseling center) Letter of Rec Student Info Form

8. You will need to fill out a FASFA to apply for federal financial aid (opens on October 1st)
FIRST, apply for a FSA ID (both student and parent) which is used to sign into FASFA website and to sign off on forms at end
Requires access to parents’ past tax return (2016)
Federal deadline for FASFA submission is June 30th
Missouri’s FASFA priority filing deadline is Feb 1st

9. Financial Aid FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Need to apply for FSA ID, once processed (within 3 days) it will be sent to your
FSA ID is needed to sign/submit FASFA
Parent/guardian must have 2016 tax return to complete FASFA (parent/guardian who provides a majority of support)
All Colleges and Universities require FAFSA application for financial aid consideration
Submitting a FAFSA is also a requirement for A+ Eligibility
REMEMBER:
First Word in FAFSA is FREE!!!!
DO NOT PAY TO SUBMIT

10. ACT Test Dates Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required $25)
October 28, 2017
September 22, 2017
September 23-Oct 6
December 9, 2017
November 3, 2017
November 4–17
February 10, 2018
January 12, 2018
January 13–19
April 14, 2018
March 9, 2018
March 10–23
June 9, 2018
May 4, 2019
May 5-18
Register online at
Bright Flight has a base score of 31
Free/Reduced Lunch – eligible for 2 fee waivers (see your counselor)
THS ACT Code –

11. Scholarship Searches 101

12. Scholarship Resources
SCHOLARSHIP BOARD
SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE
Click on the counseling center tab on the Truman website
Click Scholarships
Link to Scholarship website:
Link to ISD Foundation scholarship website:

13. Always start with… YOUR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FIRST!!
Institutional Awards
Always start with… YOUR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FIRST!!
Institutional awards have higher dollar amounts, are almost always renewable (provided you meet requirements), and can make a high priced institution more affordable.

14. Check with your schools:
Are you considered for scholarships when you apply for admissions?
Is there a separate scholarship application?
When is the deadline?
DO THE RESEARCH

15. Consider local scholarship opportunities before national ones!
Local Opportunities
Consider local scholarship opportunities before national ones!
Foundation Scholarships
Truman Heartland
Other local organizations

16. National Opportunities
Search for national scholarship opportunities, which may be based on academics, area of study, group affiliation or military study.
Unigo.com
Cappex.com
Fastweb.com
ScholarshipPoints.com
Scholarships.com
Petersons.com
SchoolSoup.com
CollegeScholarships.com
MeritAid.com
ScholarshipMonkey.com

17. Foundation February – Foundation Scholarships are due (Feb 14thish)
Link posted on Scholarship Page (when made available)
Check application criteria/requirements!
Scholarship application form
Supplemental page
Personal financial statement
Letters of recommendation (ask early, provide biographical information sheet available in counseling center)
What to include: Clubs you are apart of, sports, academic accomplishments, volunteer hours or groups you work with, awards you have received, leadership opportunities you have accomplished.

18. Consider membership organizations or employers:
Elks, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, National Honors Society, etc.
Does your parent/guardian’s employer offer a scholarship or tuition reimbursement?

19. HELPFUL SCHOLARSHIP HINTS

20. NEVER, EVER pay for a scholarship search!

21. Read the eligibility requirements carefully!
Make sure you meet these requirements.
If you have questions, contact the sponsor.

22. Organize all scholarship materials!
Keep all documents together. Scholarships may ask for: transcripts, standardized test scores, financial aid forms, tax returns, essays, and recommendations MAKE COPIES!!!

23. Proofread! Proofread! Proofread!
Check spelling and grammar; have someone else proof read too.

24. Don’t leave anything blank!
If you have questions contact the sponsor for the scholarship; otherwise put “N/A” or “Unknown”.
Follow Instructions!
Read carefully
Make sure the application is legible.
Type when able… if handwritten, print.

25. Double-check!
Make sure everything is correct, accounted for, and signed/dated. If you are reusing materials, make sure all names and dates have been updated. Submit the application early! Reduces YOUR stress!
* Hints & Tips amended from CollegeBoard’s website:

26. Questions? Contact Prince Armstrong Mindy Beard Dee Hurt Scott Intagliata