1. Senior Parent Meeting
August 16, 2018

2. Graduation Requirements
Complete all course requirements
Jump Start/TOPS Tech students must earn necessary credentials
Pass all required End-of-Course (EOC)/LEAP Exams
Take the ACT and WorkKeys Tests
Complete the FAFSA

3. Graduation Requirements

4. Graduation Requirements
TOPS Tech/Jump Start Credentials

5. HOW TO’s: How To Be An Honor Graduate
To be an honor graduate, students must achieve a 3.3 CHS weighted GPA and achieve an ACT composite score of 20 or higher. He/she will be awarded a “gold cord” to wear during graduation ceremonies and will be invited to attend a special Honors Banquet, along with his/her parents, at the end of the senior year.
How To Be In The “Top 5”
In order to graduate as one of the “Top 5” in the class, student must be an honor graduate with at least a 3.3 CHS weighted GPA, achieve a composite score on the ACT of 20 or higher, and schedule 8 courses in each of the four years of high school. Top 5 graduates must also schedule an advanced English and Math their senior year.

6. ACT
WHAT?
ACT is a national test that assesses students’ college-readiness. It is made up of four subtests: English, Math, Reading, and Science.
HOW?
Register online at act.org
WHEN?
If you haven’t signed up to take the ACT on October 27th, sign up by September 28th.
WHY?
Colleges determine acceptance and scholarships based on students’ GPA and ACT scores. The higher the score, the more money offered.

7. Louisiana Colleges Minimum Requirements
Flagship – LSU
Statewide – ULL, UNO,
& LA Tech
Regional – all others

8. College Readiness Benchmark Scores
English Composition: 18 on the ACT English Test
Algebra: 22 on the Mathematics Test
Social Science: 22 on the ACT Reading Test
Biology: 23 on the ACT Science Test

9. College Readiness Benchmark Scores
English Composition, social sciences courses, College Algebra, and Biology are the first credit- bearing courses most commonly taken by first- year college students.
Students who meet a Benchmark on the ACT have approximately a 50% chance of earning a B or better and approximately a 75% chance of earning a C or better in the corresponding college course or courses.

10. College Remedial Courses
Facts about Remedial Courses:
Remedial Courses are classes that some students must take in order to build up math, reading, or English skills before they are allowed to take regular college courses.
Remedial courses do not count towards your degree.
You have to pay for the course, but you do not earn college credit.
Remedial courses are only offered at community colleges.
How do I test out of remedial courses?
English ACT Subscore ≥ 18; Math ACT Subscore ≥ 19

11. Louisiana TOPS Program
TOPS Scholarship
Minimum Criteria
What does it pay?
TOPS Opportunity
TOPS* GPA – 2.5
ACT Score – LA Average (currently 20)
Tuition at a LA public college/ university or the average of LA public universities
TOPS Performance
TOPS GPA – 3.0
ACT Score – 23
Tuition + $200 per semester
TOPS Honors
ACT Score – 27
Tuition + $400 per semester
TOPS Tech**
TOPS GPA – 2.5
ACT Score – 17
Tuition at a 2-year public community or technical college
*Your TOPS GPA is calculated by averaging quality points from the 19 TOPS Core Curriculum units.
**TOPS Tech can only be used for “Technical” Degrees at a 2-year college.

12. TOPS Scholarships Eligibility Requirements:
A student who has resided in Louisiana for the last two years of high school
Have no criminal convictions
2.5 minimum TOPS GPA on a 4.0 scale
ACT score of 20 or above (LA State Average)
19 Core Curriculum units

13. TOPS Scholarships Benefits:
Provides the amount equal to tuition at a Louisiana public institution OR
An amount equal to the average public tuition at a private institution (In 2017, the amount was $5718 per year.)
TOPS may be received for up to 8 semesters.
TOPS does not cover fees including: academic excellence fees, energy surcharges, technology fees, books, room & board, parking fees or lab fees

14. TOPS Tech Award Eligibility Requirements:
A student who has resided in Louisiana for the last two years of high school
Have no criminal convictions
2.5 minimum TOPS GPA on a 4.0 scale
ACT score of 17 or above OR WorkKeys Silver Certificate
19 TOPS Opportunity Core Curriculum or TOPS Tech Curriculum

15. TOPS Tech Award Benefits:
For students attending a Louisiana public institution which does not offer an academic degree at the baccalaureate level, the award shall pay an amount equal to tuition
For students attending a public or LAICU institution which offers a baccalaureate degree, the award shall be for an amount equal to the previous year average of tuition paid at the previous group of schools

16. Applying for TOPS FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
FAFSA is the form to fill out for all federal aid, including TOPS, Pell Grants, loans, etc.
Website:
Must be filled out by July 1st for Fall entry into college
Will need parent financial information
Graduation Requirement! (Must be filled out no later than two weeks prior to graduation to be eligible to graduate.)

17. How do I know if I qualify for TOPS?
TOPS award letters are given out in mid-July by the Louisiana Office of Federal Student Aid (LOSFA).
Monitor your TOPS status by logging in to the Louisiana Award System.

18. How to Keep TOPS Credit Hours, GPA, and FAFSA
Must maintain full time status each semester and earn a minimum of 24 credit hours during the Academic Year
Must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA for TOPS Opportunity and TOPS Tech
Must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA for TOPS Performance and TOPS Honors
Complete your FAFSA by July 1st each year

19. Applying for Scholarships
Deadlines as early as November 15th
Most public universities determine scholarships based on GPA and ACT
Most private universities require a separate scholarship application to be considered. This application includes an essay and a resume of activities and awards. (Begin your resume now!)
If you need a teacher or counselor recommendation, ask at least two weeks before the deadline.

20. College Scholarship Deadlines
November 15th
Louisiana State University
Loyola University
McNeese University*
Tulane University*
December 1st
Northwestern State University
University of Southern Mississippi
December 15th
University of New Orleans
*Separate scholarship application

21. Why is my ACT Score Important for Scholarships?
The higher your ACT composite, the more scholarship money you qualify for.
Most college scholarship minimum criteria is an ACT composite score of 23 and a GPA of 3.0.
Example: SLU’s Scholarships.

22. Scholarship Newsletter
Seniors
A scholarship newsletter is given out every other month with important information and deadlines.
Criteria for university scholarships are given in the scholarship newsletter.
National and local scholarships with criteria and deadlines are given.
Important senior information regarding ACT and FAFSA are included in the scholarship newsletters.

23. Scholarship Newsletter
Scholarship Websites
These websites also give you information about college majors and careers!

24. FAFSA Home Page
FAFSA on the Web home page (

25. FAFSA 6 Easy Steps to Complete the FAFSA
Create a FSA ID for yourself: fsaid.ed.gov
Create a FSA ID for one parent: fsaid.ed.gov (If tax return is filed jointly, create a FSA ID for the parent listed first on the tax return.)
Get your parental tax information from 2017
Complete FAFSA at
FAFSA application opens October 1, 2018.
Complete the application.

26. FAFSA What do I need to complete the FAFSA?
Your Social Security Number
If not a US citizen, alien registration number or permanent residence card
Parent Social Security Number
Your address/password
Parent address/password
2017 Parent Tax Forms
If your parents are not married, use the parent who makes less money regardless of who you live with.
Untaxed Income: worker’s comp, child support, veterans benefits

27. Thank you ALL for coming tonight! we wish all of you a successful year!
BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
JANUARY GRADUATES: MAIN THEATER
3 YEAR GRADUATES: TECH THEATER