1. Project Plan Ahead 2014

2. Options After High School  Work  Military  Technical School  Trades/Apprentice programs  College  2 Year (Community Colleges) Cost around $3000 a year, smaller class sizes, able to transition to 4 year school (open enrollment) Assessment tests will be required prior to enrollment  4 Year (Public $14,000-$18,000 a year) (Private $25,000-$30,000 a year)

3. High School Courses Recommended for College Bound Students  English4 Years  Mathematics4 Years  Social Studies4 Years  Science4 Years  Foreign Language2 Years

4. What colleges look for in incoming Freshmen  Many 4 year colleges base their acceptance on a student’s ACT/SAT scores, the student’s high school curriculum and their Cumulative Grade Point Average. Many schools have a sliding scale that addresses the above mentioned issues. The following is an example scale:  ACTH.S. Rank%/GPA Class 2348 2.7 GPA 2254 2.8 GPA 2162 2.9 GPA 2069 3.2 GPA 1978 3.4 GPA 1886 3.8 GPA 1794 4.1 GPA

5. Honors and Advanced Placement Courses  Prepares you for college course work  May improve your ACT score  Earn college credit in high school  (AP exam score of a 3, 4, 5)  May increase your grade point average and class rank  Highly regarded by most colleges

6. National Testing  Most colleges accept either the ACT or the SAT tests as part of their decision making process. These test are indicators on how well a student will do in college. These scores are also used for students applying for merit based scholarships. The ACT is considered a curriculum based test, whereas the SAT is considered more a logic/intelligence based.  2014-2015 ACT test dates:  September 13, 2014  October 25, 2014  December 13, 2014  February 7, 2015  April 18, 2015  June 13, 2015

7. Choosing the Right School  SCC College Fair October 16, 2014 11 - 2  Attend the National SLU College Fair in the Fall, and the SLU College Fair on October 19, 2014 (1-4) to start narrowing educational opportunities down to 3-5 schools by beginning of senior year  Take advantage of college visits  Meet with college representatives when they visit FHN, dates noted on E-news  FHN College Fair (Recommended for Juniors)  April 14, 2015

8. Consider College Characteristics  Majors and Educational Programs  Admission Policy  Location and Size  Cost and Financial Aid  Campus Activities  Support Services

9. List, Compare, and Visit Colleges  Prepare a college comparison checklist (pg. 20-23)  Weigh advantages and disadvantages  Contact the office of admissions  Schedule appointments for your campus visits (pg. 17-19)

10. Finding the Right School  Help pare down the many college choices by accessing: www.collegeboard.com  With the above internet site, you will be able to create a username and password for your student.

11. Missouri Connections  www.missouriconnections.org www.missouriconnections.org  Free Search Engine for Missouri Students  Interest Inventory  4 Year Plan  Careers  College School Sort  Reality Check  Projected Job Market for Careers  Financial Aid & Scholarship Information

12. Apply for Admissions and Observe Deadlines  Narrow your choices  Review college admission test requirements  Know application fees and deadlines (pgs. 5-7)  Know scholarship requirements (pg. 15)  Submit application materials (paper/electronic)  Application for admission (pg. 24)  Recommendations (When asked for)  Submit Transcript Request Form (TRF) to the guidance office  Apply early and check specific school deadlines (Many deadlines are November/December)

13. Develop a Plan to Finance College  Determine college costs  Investigate ALL possible resources  Parents  Savings  Summer earnings  Financial aid: scholarships, grants, A+, loans and work study (FAFSA form www.fafsa.ed.gov)www.fafsa.ed.gov  Secure necessary forms and note deadlines  Apply for financial aid as early as possible, no sooner than January 1 st Senior Year (register for pin # www.pin.ed.gov)

14. FAFSA ( Free Application for Federal Student Aid )  All colleges require submission of this online form (1/1/15-4/1/15) for any type of financial aid (pgs. 26-31). Senior Year  Submitting this information is very similar to filing taxes and is based on parents income as well as students.  Parents must be involved in this process  Attend Financial Aid Night in January 13, 2015.  FAFSA Frenzy at St. Charles Community College Sunday, Feb. 9, 2015 (2-4)

15. $$$$ Opportunities (pg. 15)  www.fhsdschools.org (Regional Search) www.fhsdschools.org  www.fastweb.com (National Search)www.fastweb.com  www.meritaid.com (College Specific Search) www.meritaid.com  www.finaid.org (All Purpose Search) www.finaid.org  SCC Trustees Scholarship (3.00 GPA or 23 ACT = full tuition)

16. Costs  Don’t eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial assistance information! This information generally comes in March through the Student Aid Report (SAR).  Remember……. Check with college officials for accurate costs

17. What do I do now?  After completing this workshop, the counselors are available for appointments if you would like to discuss this further.  Mrs. SchwarzA-Com851-5056  Mrs. JohnsonCon-Go851-4978  Mrs. WoodrumGr-H851-4982  Mrs. Kerr-Grant I-Mc851-5041  Mrs. HermanMe-Pa851-5924  Mrs. Faulkner Pe-Sp851-5082  Mrs. Moore St-Z851-4959