1. Guidance Department
Principal: Seth Young Counselors: Tom Kupec (Last names, A-J) Billie Fry (Last names, K-Z) Lyn Ridlehoover– Guidance Secretary CEEB Code #

2. WHAT SHOULD I DO AND WHEN SHOULD I DO IT?
Take at least one SAT and ACT by June of 2018 (for four-year colleges only).
Visit five college websites by July, 2018.
Visit at least two colleges by August, 2018.
Begin NOW to strategize which 3-6 colleges you will apply to in the fall.

3. WHAT SHOULD I DO AND WHEN SHOULD I DO IT?
Take your second SAT and/or ACT in August or September of senior year. Take a third, if necessary, in either October, November or December (all testing should be done by January 1, 2019).
Apply to your prospective colleges by November 1, 2018.
College Website/Admissions
Common Application
Coalition Application
Complete the FAFSA after October 1, 2018, but as close to it as possible. You will use 2017 income tax information.

4. Next Steps After the Application
Two-Year Colleges:
Request Guidance to send transcript through Parchment.
Accuplacer Placement Test
Bridge Programs-Apply to Four-Year College
University Transfer-Apply to Two-Year College

5. Next Steps After the Application
Four-Year Colleges
Request Guidance send transcript to college through Parchment.
Request testing agencies send ACT and/or SAT scores to colleges.
Have teachers send letters of recommendation if necessary.
Complete essay if part of the application.

6. Two Key Reminders Students will apply to colleges in the fall
(between 8/1 and 11/1)
Students and parents will complete the FAFSA
(after October 1, 2018)

7. TESTING SAT DATES ACT DATES (Register at www.sat.org)
Test fee is $46 without writing
Test fee is $60 with essay
  TEST DATE DEADLINE
 03/10/18 02/09/18
05/05/18 04/06/18
06/02/18 05/03/18
08/25/ /27/18
ACT DATES
(Register at
Test fee is $46 without writing
Test fee is $62.50 with writing
TEST DATE DEADLINE
02/10/ /12/18   
04/14/18 03/09/18
06/09/18 05/04/18
07/14/ /15/18

8. Sources of FINANCIAL AID
*College: Most colleges have Merit and/or special talent scholarships. Typically, merit scholarships are based on a combination or SAT/ACT scores and rank in class. Each college has different programs. *State Government: See reverse side for listing of SC scholarship programs. *Federal Government: Based on income and assets of the student and custodial parent(s). Complete FAFSA after Oct. 1st of the senior year, but as close to this date as possible. Private Scholarships: Fast Web is considered the best of many scholarship search engines. Go to *These three sources are the most impacting in terms of helping reduce college costs considerably. Spend most of your time exhausting these possibilities

9. Private Scholarships
Guidance Department: Scholarships are listed on our website, ed weekly to parents, and on Google Classroom. Research your affiliations: The best are typically employers of parents and student, organizations in which you belong or have membership (church denominations, unions, insurance companies, etc.). Think about creative possibilities: For example, if you are an RA at a college, will the college waive your room and board fees? Do any professors at your prospective colleges know of any available money? Does playing in the marching band, even if you are not music major, avail you to scholarship money? Think of some other possibilities.

10. SC State Scholarships
The information on SC State Scholarships is current through 10/26/ Subject to change at any moment.
The South Carolina Commission for Higher Education may make revisions to the scholarship requirements due to the recent changes in the Uniform Grading Policy.

11. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Available for attendance at four year institutions in South Carolina
Maximum Award
$6,700 during Freshman year
$7,500 per year for Sophomore through Senior years
Must apply during Senior year of high school
Deadline for early applications is December 15
Deadline for final applications is June 15
Guidance Counselors initiate the application process
This is the premier scholarship for the most academically talented.

12. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Initial Eligibility criteria:
Top 6% of class,
1200 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 27 or higher ACT, and
3.50 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale OR
1400 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 32 or higher ACT, and
4.00 cumulative GPA on Uniform Grading Scale
Continued Eligibility criteria:
3.0 GPA or greater and at least an average
of 30 credit hours per academic year.

13. LIFE Scholarship
Available for attendance at a two or four year institution in South Carolina.
Maximum Award – at a Four Year institution:
Up to $5,000 per year
Maximum Award – at a Two Year or Technical School:
Up to Cost of tuition + $300 book allowance
This is the big one that came about with lottery proceeds.
Can not double dip, Palmetto Fellow and Life
If don’t qualify as an entering freshman, can earn it by making a 3.0 GPA

14. LIFE Scholarship Initial Eligibility requirements at a 4 year school:
Any two of these three:
3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
Top 30% of high school class
1100+ SAT (math and critical reading), or 24+ ACT
Initial Eligibility requirements at a 2 year school:

15. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
A form of need analysis
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Use ALL 2017 income (taxed and untaxed)
Provide both student and parent(s) income
Looks at total Household size
Total assets are considered in calculation
Can send to up to 10 colleges/universities
FREE

16. WREN HS: Go to the Guidance tab on the top and select from the dropdown menu.
Information on testing, scholarships, colleges, a guidance calendar and more.
TESTING:
–Student and parent sections. Information on the SAT, AP and CLEP. Register online for the SAT.
–ACT information and registration.
–Click on ‘prospective students’, then ‘getting started’, then ‘placement testing’. Information on placement testing for technical colleges.
COLLEGES:
Information about SC colleges, college search, apply to SC colleges.
–College search and links to all colleges.
Register with the NCAA (to play Division 1 or Division 2 sports)
colleges use the common application.
– 113 colleges use the coalition application.
CAREER:
–Career testing and information. Students have lifetime membership with the SC Career and Planning System.
– Career testing and information.
- US Dept of Labor website. Detailed info on various careers.
Recommended Websites

17. Websites cont’d. FINANICAL AID:
–To apply for a “FSA ID” and to complete the FAFSA. Also link to FAFSA4caster to find out how much aid student may qualify for.
Collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx - Net Price Calculator is a tool to help you estimate college costs.
Free private scholarship search.
-SC Higher Education Scholarship Brochure (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, etc.).
MILITARY:
- links to all branches of the military, information on scholarships for the military community, and information on education.

18. Questions