1. HFA Guidelines for Applying to College
Senior Parent Night September 13, 2018

3. Pointers for Parents
Think about your son or daughter’s readiness factor
Plan and have discussions around expectations – yours and theirs
Encourage applications to a range of schools (reach, target, ‘fiscally safe’)

4. Parent Timeline Fall Semester: Spring Semester:
Assist with tracking deadlines
Sign-up for scholarship search engine(s)
Fill out financial aid forms in October:
FAFSA (fafsa.gov)
CSS Profile* (cssprofile.org) *if applying to highly selective colleges
If student is applying Early Decision, sign legal contract after conversation with school counselor
Spring Semester:
Submit Housing deposits for top 2 schools (if required)
Review and discuss financial aid award letters as a family
Make college choice deposit by May 1

5. Senior Timeline Fall Semester: Meetings with school counselor
Complete college search process
Retake college entrance exams
Officially request transcripts and teacher recs in Naviance
Submit College Applications
Submit Scholarship Applications – from colleges
FAFSA financial aid form starting in October
CSS Profile financial aid form* *if applying to highly selective colleges
Spring Semester:
Submit Scholarship Applications-additional
Make college choice by May 1

10. What Are Colleges Looking For?
Transcript, Transcript, Transcript
Test scores
Student essay
Letters of recommendation
Extracurricular activities
Explanation for irregularities (ex., drop in grades)
Build a class

11. Still Searching? Naviance Other Resources:
● Imfirst.org ● Collegescorecard.ed.gov
● CTCL.org

12. Scholarships: Where to start
Scholarship requirements typically include one of the following categories: financial need, merit recognition, or special talent or diversity. Most award packages are provided directly from the college.
Fill out the college specific scholarship application
Students exhibiting financial need will often receive additional grant money from the United States government (ex. Pell Grant) or Tennessee state government (ex. Access, etc.)
Apply with the FAFSA in October
Scholarship websites are a great way to search for private based scholarships,
Fastweb.com, Cappex.com
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee cfmt.org
Some scholarships just for HFA students
Applications accepted January – March
Local Scholarships
Listed on Naviance website as information is received
Academic Common Market (SREB)
sreb.org
If a Tennessee state college does not offer your major, you can pay in-state tuition at a participating out-of-state college.
Not guaranteed but worth looking into if it applies.
Never pay for a scholarship application!!

13. What you can do now FAFSA (FSA ID#, 4caster)
Net Cost Calculators (on college websites)

14. Summary Make deadline spreadsheet Apply early to colleges
Look for scholarships
Fill out financial aid forms in October
Students should attend counseling meetings and application workshops held throughout the fall semester

15. Pointers Do not take control of the process
Reassure your son or daughter that you will be proud, regardless of the outcome
Don’t believe everything you hear – get an objective third party opinion
Remember, there is a school out there for everyone

16. Don’t forget to breathe!

17. Upcoming Events 9/15 Academy Day @ Downtown Library, 9:30 am
Free ACT: HFA, 8am
FAFSA Workshop: HFA, 9-11 am
Financial Aid Speed-Aiding: HFA, 6pm
COLLEGE FAIRS:
9/15 Academy Downtown Library, 9:30 am
St. Cecilia, 6:30 pm
Cool Springs Mall, 5:30- 8 pm HFA, 11:30 am
TSU Gentry Center, 3-6:30 pm

18. Counselor Contact information:
A-D: Kanika Childress
E-K: Jeanetta Harper
L-R: Lauren Law
S-Z: Katherine Sanford

20. This program is thanks to: Katherine Sanford
Hume-Fogg Academic High School (TN)
Gloria Miller
Glenbrook South High School (IL)
and Barrington High School (IL)