1. Guidance Department Counselors: Anya Stewart (Last names, A-K) Blake Edwards(Last names, L-Z)

2. South Carolina Graduation Requirements Powdersville High School 24 Total Units Required Name: Date: Counselor:. English (4 units) Mathematics (4 units) Science (3 units) Social Studies (3 units) Computer Science (1 unit) 7 Units of Electives Needed to Graduate PE (1 unit) Foreign Language or Career/Technology (1 unit) US History Govt/Econ Please note that in order to graduate, you must complete successfully the required units and pass all parts of the High School Assessment Program (HSAP). Also, realize that the above requirements satisfy the requirements for high school graduation and do not guarantee college entrance. Minimum Requirements Exams Required to Graduate Math HSAPEnglish HSAP Additional electives: Biology

3. 4 Year College Requirements (please note the differences in the graduation requirements vs. college admission requirements!) English (4 units) Mathematics (4 units) Science (3 Lab units) Social Studies (3 units) Computer Science (1 unit) Fine Arts (One unit in appreciation of, history of, or performance in one of the fine arts.) PE (1 unit) Foreign Language (2 or 3 units) US History Govt/Econ Biology CP level or higher Please note that all colleges have their own admission requirements. The requirements listed above are the minimum preference of most schools. Please research the particular schools you are interested in to make sure you are preparing/meeting the correct requirements for admittance. Chemistry CP level or higher Algebra I OR (Math Tech I and Math Tech II) Geometry Algebra II Pre-Cal, Calculus, Statistics, or Dual Credit Math Physics CP level or higher “Other” Social Studies Of the same language Something other than keyboarding Is recommended English II CP level or higher English III CP level or higher English IV CP level or higher English I CP level or above Name: Date: Counselor:.

4. WHAT SHOULD I DO AND WHEN SHOULD I DO IT? Take at least one SAT and ACT by June of 2013 (for four-year colleges only). Visit five college websites by May 1, 2013. Visit at least two colleges by July 1, 2013. Strategize which 3-6 colleges you will apply to by November 1, 2013. Take your second SAT and/or ACT in October. Take a third, if necessary in either November or December (all testing should be done by January 1, 2014). Apply to your prospective colleges by November 1, 2013. You can never lose by applying early. Don’t wait for standardized testing to end to apply. Complete the FAFSA after January 1, 2014, but as close to it as possible.

5. COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING SAT DATES (Register at www.sat.collegeboard.org) Test fee is $50 Late Fee is an additional $27 TEST DATE DEADLINE 10/06/1209/07/12 11/03/1210/04/12 12/01/1211/01/12 01/26/13 12/28/12 03/09/1302/08/13 05/04/134/05/13 06/01/1305/02/13 ACT DATES (Register at www.actstudent.org) Test fee is $35 for ACT without writing Test fee is $50.50 for ACT with writing (recommended) Late fee is an additional $22 TEST DATE DEADLINE 09/08/1208/17/12 10/27/1209/21/12 12/08/1211/02/12 02/09/1301/11/13 04/13/1303/08/13 06/08/1305/03/13

6. COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTING The spring of the junior year is the recommended time for taking SAT and/or ACT for the first time. Online applications are preferred, but paper copies are available. Taking the writing part or not Most of the colleges require the writing part of SAT (writing section is included, not an option) and ACT. On ACT the writing part is optional (you have to sign up for the writing when you sign up to take the test). The ACT without writing is $35.00 and ACT with writing is $50.50. If you plan on testing ACT, you may call the college you want to attend and ask if they require the writing part for admission.

7. COMPASS Testing If you are planning on entering a 2-year school after graduation, you DO NOT NEED to take SAT and/or ACT. Students transferring from a 2-year college to a 4-year college, still do not need to take SAT/ACT. COMPASS is a computerized placement test to assess college readiness in English And math courses. All of our juniors were tested and will receive their scores on Oct. 18 th and 19 th. All students taking dual credits their senior year must take this test and meet a minimum requirements.

8. Sources of FINANCIAL AID *The colleges in which you are interested: Most colleges have Merit and/or special talent scholarships. Typically, merit scholarships are based on a combination or SAT/ACT scores and rank in class. Each college has different programs. *The State Government: SC scholarship programs. *The Federal Government: Based on income and assets of the student and custodial parent(s). Complete FAFSA after Jan. 1 st of the senior year, but as close to this date as possible. Register for free private scholarships searches: Fast Web is considered the best of many. Go to www.fastweb.com. www.fastweb.com Research your affiliations: The best are typically employers of parents and student, organizations in which you belong or have membership (church denominations, unions, insurance companies, etc.). *These three sources are the most impacting in terms of helping reduce college costs considerably. Spend most of your time exhausting these possibilities

9. State Scholarships Palmetto Fellows Life Scholarship Hope Scholarship Lottery Tuition

10. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Available for attendance at four year institutions in South Carolina Maximum Award $6,700 during Freshman year $7,500 per year for Sophomore through Senior years Must apply during Senior year of high school Deadline for early applications is December 15 Deadline for final applications is June 15 Guidance Counselors will help with the application process

11. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Initial Eligibility criteria: Top 6% of class, 1200 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 27 or higher ACT, and 3.50 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale OR 1400 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 32 or higher ACT, and 4.00 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale Continued Eligibility criteria: 3.0 GPA or greater and at least an average of 30 credit hours per academic year.

12. LIFE Scholarship Available for attendance at a two or four year institution in South Carolina. Maximum Award – at a Four Year institution: Up to $5,000 per year Maximum Award – at a Two Year or Technical School: Up to Cost of tuition + $300 book allowance

13. LIFE Scholarship Initial Eligibility requirements at a 4 year school: Any two of these three: 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA Top 30% of high school class 1100+ SAT (math and critical reading), or 24+ ACT Initial Eligibility requirements at a 2 year school: 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

14. SC Hope Scholarship Freshman year only at four year institutions in South Carolina Maximum Award: Up to $2,800 towards the cost of attendance Eligibility Requirements: 3.0 GPA at time of high school graduation

15. Lottery Tuition Assistance FAFSA must be submitted. Must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours and be a degree seeking student. * This information regarding the eligibility and scholarship amounts for LIFE and Lottery Assistance are always subject to change.

16. SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary Sign up for the PSAT. Meet with the counselor to discuss credits and college entrance requirements. Take PSAT. Prepare for the SAT. See your counselor about free SAT prep resources. Begin the college search. Start brainstorming a list of important college characteristics. Identify entrance requirements for schools that interest you. Begin learning about college funding by talking to your counselor or attending college info nights. Register online for the SAT or ACT. Begin a file to organize your college information. Keep info about scholarships, housing, required tests, campus clubs, etc. FebruaryMarchAprilMaySummer Practice for the ACT and/or SAT. Contact colleges to set up spring visits (call admissions). Take the ACT or SAT If you do not have many extracurricular activities, think of clubs to join or volunteer opportunities. Take the ACT or SAT Attend local college fairs. Visit colleges (spring break is a good time when many colleges are still in session). Take ACT or SAT (if you have not taken a test already). Make a resume of your accomplishments, awards, work experience. If you are unsure of career directions or majors, visit your counselor to discuss. Visit colleges. Work on drafts of college admission essays. Register with NCAA if you plan to play division I or II sports. Narrow your college list to 5-8 schools (safe, realistic, reach) Register for fall ACT or SAT if necessary. Junior Year Planning Tasks

17. Recommended Websites PVHS: http://asd1.schoolwires.com/pvhs. Go to the Guidance tab on the top and select from the dropdown menu. Information on testing, scholarships, colleges, a guidance calendar and more. TESTING: www.collegeboard.com –Student and parent sections. Information on the SAT, AP and CLEP. Register online for the SAT. www.actstudent.org –ACT information and registration. www.tctc.edu –Click on ‘prospective students’, then ‘getting started’, then ‘placement testing’. Information on placement testing for technical colleges. COLLEGES: www.sccango.com-Information about SC colleges, college search, apply to SC colleges. www.collegeboard.com –College search and links to all colleges. www.scpathways.org –College information and links to all SC public colleges. www.eligibilitycenter.org- Register with the NCAA (to play Division 1 or Division 2 sports) www.commonapp.org - group of colleges that use a common application. CAREER: www.bls.gov/oco - US Dept of Labor website. Detailed info on various careers. www.yourchildscareer.org –Parent website for helping children with career planning. Designed for parents in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties.

18. Websites cont’d. FINANICAL AID: www.pin.ed.gov –Application for PIN# to complete FAFSA online. Should be done in the fall. www.fafsa.gov –To apply online for Federal Aid (grants, student and parent loans and work-study programs). You must apply after Jan. 1 of the senior year but as close to this date as possible. www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov - get an idea how much aid you might receive from the Fed Gov. www.fastweb,com- Free private scholarship search. www.che.sc.gov -SC Higher Education Scholarship Brochure (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, etc.). MILITARY: www.military.com - links to all branches of the military, information on scholarships for the military community, and information on education.