1. College Application Process & FAFSA
Monday, September 25, 2017

2. Steps to Apply to College
Apply for admission starting July 1st -- Check deadlines
Submit necessary documents to complete admission application
Send ACT/SAT scores directly from the agency to the colleges
Request high school transcript under Student tab on FHS website
Request dual credit college transcript from SPC and/or ASU
Pay the application fee or use fee waiver if applicable
Complete scholarship application--Check deadlines
Honors College usually has separate application
One parent and student request FAFSA ID at
Complete FAFSA starting October 1st at
Check scholarships on FHS counselor website/ Scholarship tab

3. Applytexas.org
4 and 2 year public universities in the state and some private institutions
Some colleges may have their own application on their website
Complete ALL sections, even if it says optional
Pay the application fee- it is not submitted until this is done
Allow 2-4 weeks for colleges to approve a request to use fee waiver
Complete the scholarship application part of applytexas before you submit
Can “copy” information into a new application for another school
4 year applications request more information than 2 year so make sure you complete all sections
“Saved but not submitted” applications will be deleted in 120 days

4. Applytexas.org Use legal name as it appears on social security card
Enter SSN even though it says it’s optional
Permanent address is your legal address where your mail goes
Physical address is where you live
Write username and password down and keep in a safe place to use for more applications
READ everything closely! Once you click SAVE there are still a couple of steps before the profile is SAVED.
Click on “You may now go to My Applications to complete an application.”
Use a working, professional that you check
READ carefully the dual credit application question. You are applying for full college admissions not for dual credit.

5. Fee Waivers
Clicking payment with “Fee Waiver” is a REQUEST to waive the application fee- NOT an automatic
Colleges can decide not to grant one
Colleges can require additional information/documentation
Allow extra time to ensure application is “paid” with a fee waiver PRIOR to deadlines
Not every college uses the same criteria/ process
ACT/SAT application fee waiver forms
EFC (estimated family contribution) from your FAFSA
Form unique to that college to be completed by a school counselor

6. FAFSA Federal Application For Student Aid
**NEW** The FAFSA is available October 1, 2017
Use your 2016 IRS Income Tax
Need to request FSA ID (replaced the PIN) PRIOR to completing FAFSA
A username and password used by students and parents
Electronically sign documents with FSA ID
IRS Retrieval Tool available immediately
Now some scholarship deadlines have moved up- CHECK DEADLINES
Complete college applications earlier- can’t wait until Thanksgiving
ACT/SAT results needed earlier to meet scholarship deadlines
First Come, First Served money

7. Be Careful Read everything closely
Some questions are “status of today” even though you are using 2015 income tax information
FAFSA is a process You are not finished until $$ hits your account!
Check your SAR
Complete verification if needed
Check regularly
Accept financial aid award letter
Follow Up!!
WRITE down your FSA ID and keep in a safe place to be used in future years s

8. College Readiness Standards
Students who do not meet the standard will be called in and guided to sign up for a TSI date.
Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
ACT Exemption
19 Math
19 English
23 Composite
SAT Exemption
530 Math
480 Evidenced Based Reading and Writing

9. South Plains College Dual Credit
Spring 2018
US Government, Texas Government, Speech
Online
Form is completed each semester
Complete the following:
Applytexas application (only if this is your first SPC course this year)
Send ASU transcript to SPC if applicable to your student (only do once/year)
Turn in form by December 1st to the Counseling Suite

10. Class of 2018 College and Career Readiness Seminar
October 11, 2017
Check in 9:00-9:30
Attendance will be taken
Sessions on FAFSA, Apply Texas, Scholarships, Time Management, Job Interview Skills, Leadership Skills, Soft Skills in the Workplace, Social Media Safety and more
Guest Speakers: Dr. McCord, Balfour, Dr. Satterwhite (SPC)

11. FHS FAFSA Workshops October 5th October 10th 5:30-7:00
Library Computer Lab
Please bring your 2016 IRS Income Tax Information
Representatives from Texas Tech University Financial Aid Office

12. JOIN FHS COUNSELORS ON REMIND
to 81010
JOIN FHS COUNSELORS ON REMIND