1. Mrs. Nichole Boseman, Principal
Senior Parent Meeting
WELCOME!
September 16, 2014
Mrs. Nichole Boseman, Principal
Mr. Tom Kupec, A – J
Mrs. Jan Whitson, K – Z
Wren High School

2. Your senior has been informed!
Counselors visited all senior English classes last week.
Each senior received a packet of information.
College Application Day – Sept. 24
College of Charleston, TCTC, Winthrop, Converse, Coastal Carolina, Erskine

3. College Timeline for Seniors
Apply EARLY! (by Thanksgiving)
Take SAT/ACT if necessary
Visit colleges in which you are interested
Research private scholarships:
http//:asd1.schoolwires.com/wrhs
Complete the FAFSA after Jan.1, 2015
Expect financial aid packages from colleges by March/April
Final transcript sent to college by Guidance in mid June 2015

4. Key Points for Seniors:
Apply with intention! Plan A,B,C… Applications begin the file.
Sign “Transcript Notebook” in Guidance for transcript to be sent to college. ($1.00 per transcript)
Send SAT/ACT scores to college.

5. Possible Sources of Financial Aid
FEDERAL: Grants, Loans, Work Study, Teach Grants
STATE: Palmetto Fellows, Life, Hope, Need Based Grants, SC Tuition Grant  
COLLEGE: Merit, Special Talent, Departmental Awards
PRIVATE: Free Scholarship Searches, Employer of Parent/Student, Civic Organizations, Church Organizations, Guidance Website

6. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
A form of need analysis
Determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Use ALL 2014 income (taxed and untaxed)
Provide both student and parent(s) income
Looks at total Household size
How many are in college?
Total assets are considered in calculation
Can send to up to 10 colleges/universities
FREE
Help is available online and by phone at Fed-Aid ( )
Do your taxes early, will need the info to complete, don’t need to file taxes
but must complete prior to trying to complete this form.
Not fully decided on which college no problem list up to the six most likely
if you decide on a different one it can be added later
Best of all it is free. Do Not Pay someone to help you complete this form.

7. Federal Programs Pell Grant
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
TEACH Grant
College Work Study
Perkins Loan
Direct Stafford Loan Programs
Direct Parent PLUS Loan
These are the federal programs your tax dollars are paying for. Take
advantage of them, you don’t know if you qualify until you apply.

8. Electronic Applications
Apply for a PIN both student and at least one parent
Apply online
Tips and Hints
Paper applications are available but the process is slower, and much more prone to error, the online version catches most of the mistakes we make.
Your college or guidance office has the paper forms if needed.
Save this PIN you will need it for years to come.

9. State Programs in SC Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Palmetto Life Scholarship
Hope Scholarship
Lottery Tuition Assistance
Need-Based Grant
Administered by SC Commission on Higher Education
CHE’s web site has all the details but the main points are as follow.

10. 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 will help with the application process
This is the premier scholarship for the most academically talented.

11. 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 GPR on Uniform Grading Scale
Continued Eligibility criteria:
3.0 GPA or greater and at least an average
of 30 credit hours per academic year.

12. LIFE Scholarship Initial Eligibility requirements at a 4 year school:
Any two of these three:
3.0+ final 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:
3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

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. SC Hope Scholarship
Freshman year only at four year institutions in South Carolina
Maximum Award:
Up to $2,800 towards the cost of attendance
Eligibility Requirements:
3.0 GPA at time of high school graduation
If not quite eligible for the Life the Hope may help. This is a one year only
scholarship, after the first year you must make a 3.0 to qualify for the
Life or no more help.

15. Technical College information:
Requires placement testing (Compass)
SAT/ACT is NOT required for admission
3.0 GPA on final transcript = FREE tuition
University transfer, associate degree, certificate program
Current dual enrollment students need to re-apply for fall semester

16. REMEMBER: Complete college applications EARLY! Complete the FAFSA!
FED-AID (Help Center for FAFSA)
(FAFSA info)
(NCAA)
Financial Aid Night, Jan. 8th – 6:30PM
Wren High School

17. Questions