2. ACT  Can score a 1-36 (Average of 4 sections—Math, Science, Reading, English)  No penalty for guessing SAT I  Can score 200-800 on each of three sections (Critical Reading, Math, and Writing)  No penalty for guessing (new change) *Studies show that out of the students who have taken both the ACT and SAT I, 1/3 of the students score better on the ACT, 1/3 score better on the SAT, and the other 1/3 score the equivalent on both tests. Ex. 24 ACT/1170 SAT

3.  Complete all applications online, if possible. ◦ Most students waive their right to view their letters of recommendation or other information from those who contribute to the application. It’s a good idea to do this, because colleges will not view the recommendations with validity if they know that the student has had or will have access to that info. ◦ Gather letters of recommendation, resume, or any other information the application asks for and submit separately if applying online/together if applying on paper.  Send your transcript to the school. (Fill out the transcript request in the guidance office)  Complete the scholarship application (if separate and/or applicable).  College will mail you their decision, what to do next, etc.

4.  Very few students win a completely free ride ◦ Of students enrolled full-time at a 4-year college  0.3% get enough grants to cover the full COA  1.0% get enough grants to cover 90% or more of the COA  3.4% get enough grants to cover 75% or more of the COA  14.3% get enough grants to cover 50% or more of the COA ◦ Of students winning scholarships, more than two-thirds (69.1%) received less than $2,500  More students at 4-year colleges win scholarships ◦ 8.3% of students at 4-year colleges win scholarships ◦ 2.6% of students at 2-year colleges win scholarships - Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb

5.  It’s a numbers game ◦ Even among talented students, who wins involves a bit of luck, not just skill ◦ To win more scholarships, apply to more scholarships, but only if you qualify  You can’t win if you don’t apply ◦ One in four students never applies for financial aid  It gets easier after your first 6 applications ◦ Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application  Don’t miss deadlines - Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb

6.  Prioritize your applications by deadline and the expected value of the scholarship  Use a calendar and checklist to get organized  Create an accomplishments resume  Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals  Read and follow the instructions  Make your application stand out from the crowd  Ask to be nominated  Practice on a copy of the application form - Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb

7.  Ask the teacher whether she can write you a great letter of recommendation  The recommendation should be relevant to the scholarship sponsor’s goal  Provide the recommender with a copy of your accomplishments resume  Provide the recommender with all required forms  Thank the recommender for writing the letter - Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb

8.  Answer the essay question orally and transcribe the recording  Use an outline to organize your thoughts  Give examples and be specific  Personalize your essay and be passionate  Write about something of interest to you  Talk about your impact on other people  Proofread a printed copy of the essay for spelling and grammar errors - Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb

9.  Use a professional email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com firstname.lastname@gmail.com  Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material  Google your name to see what shows up  Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it  Send the application by certified mail, return receipt requested or with delivery confirmation  If rejected, ask for the reviewer comments - Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb

10.  Scholarships in our own backyard vs. nationwide scholarships  Service clubs—Rotary, Civitan, Kiwanis, American Legion, etc.  Scholarships from religious organizations  Money from your worker’s union  Talk to your employer (student and parent)  Scholarships from extracurricular activities (Boy Scouts, FBLA, Key Club, etc.)

11.  Your college financial aid office  Your department of study at the college you choose.  Search the newspaper for past winners of scholarships.  The internet (www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, etc.)www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com  Big businesses  Professional associations

12.  Scholarship books  Use your ethnicity or a disability  Use your leadership and/or community service  Contests  Military Job vs. Scholarship Searching 20 hour part-time job  $160=$8/hour 20 hour scholarship search  $1000 scholarship=$50/hour

13.  Missing deadlines  Failing to proofread the application  Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of recommendations)  Omitting required information  Applying for an award when you don’t qualify  Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible  Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor  Writing a boring essay - Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb

14. 1. Spout off on social media. 2. Lie on your application. 3. Neglect standardized test prep. 4. Be frivolous about grades. 5. Don’t devote time to your application essay. 6. Don’t take the admissions interview seriously. 7. Sit on your couch and do nothing. 8. Skate through your senior year after applying. 9. Use a tasteless email address. 10. Ignore deadlines. Suzanne Schaffer, http://www.parentscountdowntocollegecoach.com/201 3/11/21/top-10-ways-ruin-college-admissions- chances/ http://www.parentscountdowntocollegecoach.com/201 3/11/21/top-10-ways-ruin-college-admissions- chances/

15. More Information  http://falkvillehigh.al.mch.schoolinsites.com/ -- Click on Guidance for information on scholarships and on links and calendar for more information and reminders. http://falkvillehigh.al.mch.schoolinsites.com/  www.alcareerinfo.org Career Planning, Scholarships/Financial Aid, and other info for students and parents. www.alcareerinfo.org  Saving for college (PACT, ESA’s, and 529 Plans)  North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence— 256-350-6478  Stay organized and motivated!

16.  If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a scam  Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship  Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship  Do not give out personal information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers  Beware of the unclaimed aid myth

17. College Characteristics  Academics  Size  Atmosphere  Cost  Location  Student Body Type

18.  Seniors could have started applying Sept 100% online  Will accept a weighted GPA  1 st round of acceptance letters will be mailed Oct. 15.

19.  In the past the regular decision minimums in the fall were around a 24 ACT/1170 SAT and a 3.25 GPA.  Some admission decisions will be deferred— this is not a denial of admission. All deferred admissions will get a final answer by Feb. 15.  Writing portion of the ACT is required.  Will take the highest ACT regardless of when the writing portion was taken.  ACT scores must be sent from ACT and will not be accepted off of the back of the transcript.

20.  February 10 th deadline—Use AUSOM website to apply  Spirit of Auburn Scholarships 1. Presidential—33-36 ACT (1400-1600 SAT) score and a 3.5 GPA—covers tuition for four years 2. Founders—30-32 ACT (1330-1390 SAT) score and a 3.5 GPA—$8000 per year 3. University—28-29 ACT (1250-1320 SAT) score and a 3.5 GPA --$4000 per year 4. Other scholarships are available starting around a 22 ACT.

21.  Could have started applying August  Apply online or pdf version is available  Writing portion of the ACT is required.  Will take the highest ACT regardless of when the writing portion was taken. ACT score must be sent through ACT.

22.  Last year a 3.0 GPA and 21 ACT/1000 SAT score was generally accepted for admission  Will accept a weighted GPA if printed on the transcript  Some admission letters are being sent out as soon as the application is complete

23.  Capstone Scholar—3.5 GPA and a 27 ACT/1210 SAT--$3500/year for 4 years  Collegiate Scholar—3.5 GPA and a 28 ACT/1250-1320 SAT--$4000/year for 4 years  Foundation in Excellence—3.5 GPA and a 29 ACT/1290 SAT--$4913 or half-tuition for 4 yrs  Presidential Scholar—3.5 GPA and a 30-36 ACT/1330-1600 SAT—In-state tuition for 4 years  Academic Elite—Member of Univ. Fellows, 3.8 GPA and a 32-36/1400-1600 SAT—Tuition for 4 years, $8500 per year for 4 years and Ipad

24.  Generally speaking, UAB admits students with at least a 20 ACT/950 SAT and a 2.25 GPA.

25. In-State Scholarships for 2014-2015 Annual Amount Required Test ScoreRequired GPA Presidential Recognition, Presidential, and Endowed Scholarships (supplemental application required) Tuition and fees33-36 ACT 3.5 GPA or higher Golden Excellence$7,50030-32 ACT Collegiate Honors$5,50027-29 ACT UAB Breakthrough$3,00024-26 ACT UAB Academic Achievement $2,00020-23 ACT Collegiate Honors$5,50030-36 ACT 3.0-3.49 GPA UAB Academic Achievement $2,00024-29 ACT

26.  Generally speaking, UAH admits students with at least a 20 ACT/970 SAT and a 2.9 GPA. However, they have a sliding scale for GPA as the ACT score goes up.  Scholarships

27.  In general, admission standards are an 18 ACT score (or ranked in the top 50% of the senior class) and a 2.0 in core subject areas.

28.  Full admission starts at a 20 ACT  Students with a 22 ACT are automatically qualified for scholarships.  Students with a 26 ACT are automatically qualified for a full-tuition scholarship and book stipendfor up to four years.  Students with a 30 ACT are automatically qualified for a full-tuition, room and board scholarship for four years.

29.  Require you to have graduated from high school for admission.  An ACT score is not required for admission—However, if you score a 20 on the Math/English portions, you will not be required to take the COMPASS placement test to determine which Math/English class where you start in the fall of your Freshman year.  Last year, a 27 ACT score and a 3.0 GPA was a full-tuition scholarship at Calhoun and Wallace State  Many other scholarship opportunities exist at the community college level with lower ACT requirements than at 4-year colleges.  Tuition rates at community colleges are cheaper than 4-year universities.  Once students complete a couple of years of community college (usually around 48 hours), four-year schools offer admission and scholarships based on the GPA at the community college and not your high school GPA/ACT score.

30. Opportunities in Technology Fields/Career Tech  65% of the projected jobs of the future will require a two-year technical education. 20% will require a four-year degree. 15% will require no formal training at a post-secondary school.  However—65% of graduates pursue four-year degrees and 20% pursue two-year technical degrees.

31. Healthcare CareersProcess Technology Machine Tool TechnologyWelding Industrial MaintenanceHVAC Aerospace/AviationTechnology Design/Drafting Automation/Electrical TechRobotics

32. Wallace State Community College Technical Degrees/Certificates  Agriculture Production/Horticulture  Auto Body Repair  Auto Mechanics  Automotive Manufacturing Technology  Aviation Flight Technology  Commercial Foods  Commercial Sewing  Diesel Mechanics  Drafting and Design Technology  Electronic Technology  Heating and Air Conditioning  Precision Machining/CNC/Tool and Die/Plastics  Upholstery/Interior Refinishing  Welding

33.  Auburn University—$29,000  Univ. of Alabama—$26,000  UAB—$23,000  UAH—$24,000  UNA—$19,000  Troy University—$22,000  Jacksonville State—$20,000  Calhoun Community College—$8,000  Wallace State Community College--$8,000

34. 1. Go to a school you can afford. 2. Search for scholarships like crazy and take advantage of financial aid and grants if possible. 3. Generate income—Studies show that an average college student working 20 hours/week can pay for an in-state public school education. 4. Save like crazy before school and while working in the summers during school. 5. Live frugally—Sacrifice for 4 years so that you can live the next 40 uncommonly. -Rachel Cruze, @rachelcruze

35. www.fsapubs.org www.fafsa.gov www.pin.ed.gov www.studentaid.ed.gov

36.  Kenny Lopez ◦ Kc.lopez@morgank12.org ◦ 256-784-5248