1. Post-Secondary & Financial Planning
11th Grade ICAP
Post-Secondary & Financial Planning
5/5/2019

2. Overview Review college entrance requirements
Introduce college admissions/application types
Review HEARS Academic Subject Requirements
Calculate student’s Index Scores and compare with Index Score requirements for Colorado colleges
Introduce safety, match, and reach schools
Play selective college admissions sorting game
Demonstrate how to research admissions requirements on Naviance. If time, allow students to practice and complete worksheet.
Review financial aid resources
Complete scholarship search
Practice sample scholarship application
5/5/2019

3. College Admissions Types
Early Decision (ED)
Usually apply in November and hear back in December
Early admissions option that is binding (i.e. if accepted, student MUST attend that college)
Early Action (EA)
Usually apply between November and mid December and hear back in January or February
Early admissions option that is not binding (i.e. if accepted, free to apply to other colleges to compare financial aid options)
Regular Decision/Admissions
Usually apply between December and February and hear back between March and mid April
Rolling Admissions
Apply anytime and hear back within 4-8 weeks
These colleges accept applications on case-by-case basis until they’ve filled all their sports in their freshman class. Applying early could improve chances of acceptance and the availability of financial aid
Common Application
Students can fill in one form online and send to over 400 Common Application member colleges or universities.
5/5/2019

4. Academic Subject Requirements
Academic Area
2010+ Graduates
English
4 years
Mathematics (must include Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, or equivalent)
Sciences
3 years
Social Sciences (at least one unit of US, World History and Government)
Foreign Language
2 year
PE ( must include one unit of health)
1 year
Electives 9 units
Collected over all 4 years
Exceptions:
Some colleges may have additional standards or Minimum Academic Preparation Requirements .
Private colleges may set their own admissions standards
Public 2-year colleges have open enrollment policies
5/5/2019

5. 1. Go to www.collegeincolorado.org
2. Click the
“College
Planning” Tab
3. Click “Prepare
for College”
Scroll down until you find “Calculate my index score for four-year Colorado colleges”
Denver Public Schools
5/5/2019

6. Index Score Requirements
Click the “New Applicant” tab and enter your academic information to calculate your Index Score (GPA, ACT)
Click the “Institutions” tab to compare your Index Score and GPA to those required by Colorado colleges
5/5/2019

7. Safety, Match, and Reach Schools
Safety School
People recommend selecting 1 safety school
This is a school with flexible admissions standards. Their is little to no chance of rejection from these schools.
Match School
People recommend selecting 2-4 match schools
Not only would you be happy attending these schools, but you fit within these school’s general admissions criteria.
Reach School
People recommend selecting 1 or 2 “reach” schools
Reach schools are your dream schools. They are more competitive schools that may be less likely to accept you. Your qualifications may fall slightly short of the college averages.
(E.g. even if you just miss the GPA or Index Score cutoff, this doesn’t mean you won’t be accepted or can’t apply.)
Denver Public Schools
5/5/2019

8. Beyond SAT/ACT & GPA Review/brainstorm:
When all the students meet the standard or if a student falls just short, what other factors do colleges consider when selecting students for college admissions?
Introduce the College Admissions Sorting Game
Select 10 volunteers
Follow game directions posted on wiki
Denver Public Schools
5/5/2019

9. College Admissions
While many factors are considered in college admissions, grades, challenging course selection, and test scores are still most important. Continue to challenge yourself your senior year!
Grades in college
Preparatory courses
Strength of
curriculum
Admission
Test scores
Grades in
All courses
Essay or writing
sample
Student’s demonstrated interest
Class rank
19% - Letters of Recommendation
7% - Extracurricular Activities
Denver Public Schools
5/5/2019

10. Naviance Researching Admissions Requirements
Open a new tab and log-in to Naviance using the following Username and Password
s.Firstnamelastinitial
NaviancePSWD or try
Click, “Log In”
5/5/2019

11. Admissions Requirements1
If you want a list of colleges to choose from, click “college match” and then select a college from your list
If you have a college in mind, click “college lookup” and search for a college by name 2
5/5/2019

12. Admissions Requirements
Once you find a college you want to research, click the “Admissions” tab
Research freshman admissions qualifications, the % accepted, test score ranges, admissions policies, and high school academic subjects required. Record answers using your handout.
Go back and select a different college to compare and contrast admissions requirements between the two colleges. Record answers on your handout.
5/5/2019

13. Denver Public Schools
5/5/2019

14. Common Application
Go to and fill out the Common Application
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15. 5/5/2019

16. Where is the Financial Aid?
Government:
Grants
Work Study
Loans
Colleges, private companies/donors, or foundations like DSF:
Scholarships – 3 Types
1) Merit-based: TALENT
2) Need-based: FINANCIAL NEED
3) Lottery- everyone has an equal chance
5/5/2019

17. FAFSA Play DSF video on completing the FAFSA
Cannot apply for FAFSA until October 1st, but try to apply early because money is awarded on a first come first serve basis.
What can you do now to get ready?
Encourage your parents to file their taxes early.
Visit to complete a trial application, visit to apply for your PIN #, and visit to get familiar with the website.
Begin collecting information you will need: SSN, B-date, driver’s license, W-2 forms, tax returns, savings account info, stocks and bonds.
Continue exploring colleges and select your top 10 schools. You must list your college on the FAFSA in order to receive an award letter from the college once you are accepted.
5/5/2019

18. Financial Aid Quiz
5/5/2019

19. Naviance Scholarship Search
Open a new tab and log-in to Naviance using the following Username and Password
s.firstnamelastinitial
NaviancePSWD or try
Click, “Log In”
5/5/2019

20. Naviance 1) Click the colleges tab
2) Explore scholarship match and scholarship list
Denver Public Schools
5/5/2019

21. Click a category heading to sort by deadline, award amount, etc.
Scholarship List
Click a category heading to sort by deadline, award amount, etc.
5/5/2019

22. Scholarship Match
5/5/2019

23. Practice Scholarship Application
Complete your Sample Scholarship Application
5/5/2019