1. Class of 2020
College and Financial Aid Information

2. 11th Grade College Planning
Make a college list and visit website
Organize a testing plan
ACT/SAT/SAT Subject Tests
Make sure you are meeting special requirements (ex. NCAA)

3. Preparing for Senior Year
Prepare a challenging schedule for senior year!
Start a scholarship search and look into Financial Aid Options
Contact your recommendation writers
Apply for a summer job, internship, or educational program
Visit college campuses and set up appointments with your top
college choices
Start working on your college application essays!!
Make Early Decision preparations

4. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS
SAT
ACT
Writing
Math
Critical Thinking
Subject Tests
(if college requires it)
(fee waiver: free and reduced lunch)
FIVE SUBJECT TESTS
Math
English
Reading
Science
Writing
SAT
ACT

5. College Options Public Colleges and Universities
Private Colleges and Universities
Begin looking at how finance your college education

6. Early Decision vs Early Action
Applications completed by early November
Acceptance higher for Early
Decision than regular
admission
If not accepted early, still
considered for general
application.
Early decision is BINDING
May apply to only ONE college
Must decide to attend before
receiving financial aid
package.
Applications completed by early November.
Acceptance rates higher for
Early Action than regular
admission.
Students can apply to several
colleges at one time.
Students do not need to make
a final decision until May 1st.
Some colleges have “single-choice early action”. Students
cannot apply to other colleges
early.
*Financial Affordability, QuestBridge
Must be 100% SURE!!
Early Action is not BINDING

7. Common Application
Advantages: Approximately 500 colleges participate One application to complete Disadvantages: Technical issues Lengthy Essays can seem impersonal

8. Coalition for Access & affordability
Seeks to close the gap for under-served students
Low income, High Achieving Students
“Virtual Locker” to store evident of student achievements
Non-traditional method of reviewing student applications
Increasing number of colleges participating
More information at:

9. TWO “SAFE” SCHOOLS TWO “REACH” SCHOOLS TWO “GOOD” SCHOOLS
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
TWO “SAFE” SCHOOLS
TWO “REACH” SCHOOLS
TWO “GOOD” SCHOOLS

10. ESSAYS Do’s and Don’ts FIND YOUR PASSION! College Essays
College Applications
Scholarships
Do’s and Don’ts
PROOFREAD PROOFREAD PROOFREAD

11. What colleges look for……
GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Rigor of Curriculum
Extra-Curricular Activities

12. WHAT DO Colleges Want? Sustained Community Service /Volunteering
Unique Students
Strong Interests
Well-rounded

13. DATE TO REMEMBER
November 1, 2019

14. How will you fund your education?
FINANCIAL AID
COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE
How will you fund your education?

15. Paying for college FAFSA Unsubsidized vs. Subsidized Terms to know
PLUS Loan
Stafford Loan
Grants = Gift
Scholarships
Private
Department
Need
Academic
Work/Study
Terms to know
Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan rates are approximately 5% with an addition 1% annual fee. Unsubsidized loans begin acquiring interest as soon as the loan is dispersed and the student is expected to begin paying interest on the loan right away. Unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need, so anyone can apply for them, however the school you attend will determine how much you can borrow. Subsidized loans are financial need based, they can not exceed the amount needed to attend the university. The interest is paid for by the federal government while you are attending school at least part time and for the first s6 months after graduation. PLUS Loans cover the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid is received. Interest begins to accrue after the loan is disbursed and the interest rate is 7.6% and is fixed and there is a loan fee of 4%. Stafford Loans have a 6 month grace period after graduation. They are secured by the federal government. Stafford loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized and are financial need based loans. The current interest rate on a Stafford loan is 5% Types of Grants include the Pell Grant, FSEOG, and TEACH. Work Study is part time work offered byt eh university and/or for-profit businesses that work with the university. Scholarships vary by need and are issued by private institutions. You do not need to pay a scholarship back. Look for scholarships at: careeronestop.org Work Study is available to all students (full, part time, undergraduates and graduates with financial need. Your university must participate in the federal work study program. Work study emphasizes employment in civic education or work related to your course of study. Your school will pay you directly unless you indicate otherwise and you will earn an hourly wage.
More detailed information can be found on the studentaid.ed.gov website.

16. Start FAFSA October 1, 2019 Basis of Financial Aid from ALL sources.
Why the FAFSA?
Start FAFSA October 1, 2019
Basis of Financial Aid
from
ALL sources.
Apply Early.
Due: March 1, 2020

17. SCHOLARSHIPS ACADEMIC COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER NEED GRADES TEST SCORES
SERVICE/COMMUNITY
EXTRA-CURRICULAR
COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER
NEED
FINANCIALLY BASED

18. Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Scholarships take time and effort; the more you
invest, the greater the potential returns.
The sooner you start the process, the better.
Be very aware of deadlines, don’t wait until the
last minute.
Save all work and reuse for other applications when possible.
Be sure to tailor your application to the scholarship instructions.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!!!

19. Legitimate Scholarship Opportunities Check before you write a check!
Scholarship Scams
Legitimate Scholarship Opportunities
No out of pocket expenses
No fee to match student with scholarship
Will not contact invite you to informational
meeting.
Will have a good rating with BBB
Check before you write a check!

20. Questions ?