1. Let’s talk about life after High School
Choosing a Career
Going to School after High School
Getting into College/Voc. School
Paying for School

2. Choosing a Career Learn More about Yourself
Take a look at:
Your interests
Your skills
Your career goals
Focus on information that
Pertains to your personality
Represents the lifestyle you want
Reflects the goals you have set for yourself
Assure yourself
Volunteer in a related field
Work part time
Job Shadow for a day or two
Do an internship once you’re in school

3. Choosing a Career Learn More about Yourself
Tennessee College and Career Planning System
Career Search (interest assessment)
Skills Assessment
Work Values Inventory
Begin your career portfolio
User name and password
Ask school counselor for “N” code

4. Going to College Why go?
The more education you get the more likely it is you will always have a job. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them.
Education beyond high school gives you many other benefits, such as meeting new people, and taking part in new opportunities to discover and explore your interests.

5. Earnings chart Education Level Average Lifetime Earnings
Professional degree 
$4.4 million
Doctoral degree
$3.4 million
Master's degree
$2.5 million
Bachelor's degree
$ 2.1 million
Associate's degree
$1.6 million
Some college 
$1.5 million
High school graduate
$1.2 million

6. Going to School after High School The best school is the one that fits you!
Type of school
- Public vs. Private
- 2-year vs. 4 year
- Technical School
Location
- urban, rural, big town
- large vs. small
Size of school (how many students)
Cost and financial aid
Major offered
Campus activities

7. Going to College What should you be looking for?
Top Ten Reasons NOT to Choose a College
Your boyfriend/girlfriend is going there
Your best friend is going there
It’s a party school
You decided in the 7th grade that you wanted to go there
Your mom and dad are alumni
It has a good football team
Your school counselor told you to pick it
The school is prestigious
The tuition is low
It looks good in the guidebook

8. Going to College What can you do now?
Attend college fairs or meet with college representatives during visits to your school
Research Scholarships
- internet
- employer
- bank
- churches/social organizations
Research Colleges
- campus visits

9. Going to College You just have to do some looking!
Begin your college search by viewing virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses!

11. Going to School after High School The Campus Visit
Make the most of your visit!
Research the school beforehand
Call ahead and schedule the visit
Wear comfortable shoes
Bring a journal to take notes about the college
Talk to students while you are on campus
Try to meet with a faculty member in major
Sit in on a freshman level class
Talk to an admissions and financial aid counselor
Check out the residence halls
Eat in the dining hall
Read the campus newspaper
Check out campus bulletin boards
ASK QUESTIONS!

12. Going to School after High School The Campus Visit
Questions to ask…
Are there academic scholarships available through the school?
Are you required to live on campus your first year?
What is the cost of attendance?
Do most students participate in a meal plan?
How can I get involved on campus?
What types of social groups are available?
How do students spend their free time?

13. Going to School After High School The Campus Visit
Questions to ask…(continued)
Are there athletic programs offered?
How safe is the campus?
Are professors accessible outside of class?
What percentage of students receive financial aid?
What are the library hours?
Are there tutoring services available on campus?

14. Getting into College What do colleges look for in an applicant?
Grades
Standardized Test Scores
Extracurricular Activities
Application Essay
Letters of Recommendation
Challenging Schedule

15. Getting into College The Admissions Process
The ACT and SAT (entrance exams)
Retake ACT or SAT during senior year - -
Check with the School Counseling Office for registration packets and dates
Ask the Admissions Office about details (which test to take, what score you need, etc)

16. Getting into College The Admissions Process
The APPLICATION
Deadlines – some as early as Nov. 1 (this varies depending on the school)
Available online (college website), school counseling office, admissions office
- if permitted
Find out from the college what to include:
- recommendations - portfolio
- essay - transcripts
- resume - test scores (ACT/SAT)

17. Getting into College The Admissions Process
What other applications do I need?
- housing
- scholarships
- special programs (honors, etc.)
Don’t forget
- Application fee or fee waiver
- Additional transcripts
- Earlier deadlines

18. Getting into School after High School
DON’T WAIT!!!
APPLY EARLY!!!
MEET ALL DEADLINES!!!

19. Getting into School after High School
Time to ask
questions

20. Paying for College Financial Aid
MONEY that assists
students and families
in funding their
college education

21. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid
Grants
Federal
- Pell Grant – $5,550 max
- SEOG
State
- Tennessee Student Assistance Award
Institutional
Private
Money you do NOT
have to pay back!

22. Tennessee Student Assistance Award
Award Amounts for
4 yr / 2 yr private - $4,000
4 yr public - $2,000
2 yr public - $1,300
TN Tech Ctr - $1,000
Application Deadline: ASAP after Jan. 1
Valid EFC of $2,100 or less
TN resident
Amounts can be adjusted by financial aid office

23. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid
Scholarships
State
- Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program
- Ned McWherter Scholars Program: $6,000 award. Minimum 3.5 GPA & Minimum 29 ACT
Institutional
Private
Apply for all you are eligible!

24. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid
Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program
Apply for the lottery scholarship by filling out the FAFSA
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
- $4,000/year - 4 year OR
- $2,000/year – 2 year
Score 21 ACT (980 SAT) OR
Earn 3.0 weighted overall grade point average (GPA).

25. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid
General Assembly Merit Scholarship
Additional $1,000/year to HOPE Scholars who meet ALL of the following higher academic requirements:
Qualify for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship
Earn 3.75 weighted overall GPA (Your extra points for Honors and AP can count here.)
Score 29 ACT (1280 SAT)
Aspire Award
Additional $1,500/year to HOPE Scholars who meet ALL of the following income requirements:
You must qualify for the HOPE Scholarship
You (if you’re independent) or your parents must have a yearly income of $36,000 or less.

26. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid
Tennessee HOPE Access Grant
If you don’t qualify for the HOPE Scholarship but you meet other academic and income requirements, you may be eligible for this one-time only award.
Earn 2.75 weighted overall GPA
AND
Score ACT ( SAT)
Have parents’ or independent students yearly income $36,000 or less
- $2,750/year – 4 year OR
- $1,750/year – 2 year
The grant is not renewable but you can apply for a Tennessee Hope Scholarship after you’ve attempted 24 college credit hours and earned a cumulative 2.75 college GPA.

27. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid
Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
Offers up to $2,000/year (no more than the cost of attendance) to any full-time student pursuing a certificate or diploma at a Tennessee Technology Center. (Students can enroll part-time but their award will be pro-rated.) There is no ACT or GPA requirement.

28. Paying for College Financial Aid: Self-Help Aid
Employment
Federal Work Study
Campus Employment
Loans
Federal Perkins
Federal Stafford
Federal Parent (PLUS)
Institutional Loans
Alternative Loans
Graduate PLUS

29. Paying for College Financial Aid: How do I apply?
College or University
Institutional Aid
Other sources of aid
Outside scholarships and
loans
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Pell Grant
SEOG
Work Study
Perkins Loan
Stafford Loan
State Aid Programs (Lottery)

30. Paying for College FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
When…
Apply after January 1 of senior year of high school and each subsequent year
How…
Register for PIN early –
Remember…
Must reapply
Priority deadlines
Keep copies of everything
Parents/students should estimate if they file their taxes late!!!
Assistance…
College Goal Sunday

31. Paying for College How does the FAFSA work?
Students will get the Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail with their Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Helps to package:
Pell grant
SEOG
State grants
Work Study
Perkins loan Cost of Attendance (COA)
Stafford loan - Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
= Financial NEED

32. Paying for College Financial Aid: The Award Letter
Based on FAFSA and results of college aid applications
You will receive an award letter from the college detailing all the aid you have received
Must individually accept and/or deny all parts of the award package
Return to the college by deadline
May include other forms
Work Study Application
Loan Application (Master Promissory Note)

33. Paying for College A Word about SCAMS
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You should be suspicious of an organization if they: 
Send you a notification that you were selected to receive a scholarship for which you never applied.
Insist on your credit card number, any bank account number, calling card number, or social security number. If given a number, they could charge unnecessary fees or drain your account.
Pressure you to act fast. “This offer will expire....”.
Charge you for a scholarship
Offer to apply on your behalf or claim to have an influence on scholarship sponsors.
Guarantee scholarship winnings or search results

34. Follow up with your financial aid officer!
Paying for College
Follow up with your financial aid officer!

35. Let’s Review Fall of your Senior Year Start Early Do your research
Request information from schools
Visit campuses and attend Open House programs
Begin requesting application information
Take ACT or SAT again
Meet all deadlines
Do scholarship searches and applications
Ask questions
Complete your applications

36. Let’s Review Spring of your Senior Year Fill out the FAFSA in January
Complete any remaining paperwork with your college(s) (including your award letter)
Return your intent to enroll to your school of choice (usually May 1)

37. Let’s Review Summer before you enroll Attend New Student Orientation
Finish any last minute details with your school
Get Ready!!!

38. Top 5 things to learn before you go off to college
Laundry. If your mom has always done your laundry for you, be sure to ask her to show you how to do it before you move away.
Balance a checkbook. Part of becoming an adult is learning how to manage your finances.
Share. If you will be living in a dorm when you go to college, then you need to learn how to share. 
Use a PDA/smartphone/day-timer/calendar. Being organized is very crucial in college.
Take notes. In order to perform well in your college classes, you need to be able to take good notes. 

39. Let’s Review After you enroll Talk to career services for guidance
Take advantage of internships in your field of interest
Get practical experiences in your major (do I really want to do this?)
Get involved on campus to help ease the transition from high school to college
ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT!

40. Let’s talk about the Future
Next Steps…
Research and explore Career opportunities -
Visit Colleges -
Look for additional scholarships and apply -

41. Challenge Yourself Be better tomorrow than you are today!!!
Find what you are good at and become great!!!
Put forth an extra effort even if it is not easy!!!

42. Make the most of every opportunity and make the best decision for YOU.

43. Where can you find us? (865) 342-0670 www.ecampustours.com