1. September 26, 2014 Senior Class Meeting

2. Senior Timeline - Fall Continue Your Education!  Trade School  Community College  University  Military

3. Why Go to College? Whether you are uncertain about going to college or you just need some reassurance you're on the right track, here are a few reasons to go to continue your education:

4. Why Go to College?  Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than it was for your parents' generation.  Today most good jobs require more than a high school diploma.

5. Why Go to College?  Every bit of education you get after high school increases the chances you'll earn good pay.  Most college graduates earn more money during their working years than people who stop their education at high school earn.

6. Why Go to College?  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.

7. Why Go to College?

8. Apply!  Now is the time to apply for Early Admission  For a Texas School, go to www.applytexas.orgwww.applytexas.org

9. Click on “Create your account now” and fill out your profile information.

10. Be sure to save your USERNAME and write down the PASSWORD that you chose. PASSWORD that you chose.  You have successfully saved Your myApplyTexas profile.  Your Username is: dunl123  You will need your username each time you log on to ApplyTexas so save it in your phone or take a screen shot.  You may now go to My Applications and create a new application.go to My Applications Put it in your phone!

11. My Applications  Choose either “Create a new 4 year university admissions application” or “Create a new 2 year college admissions application”  If the 2 year college you want to go to says “coming soon” then go directly to that school’s website and apply there. You will find a link for either “future students” or “perspective students” then a button for “admissions” or “apply on line”  If you want a private university that isn’t listed or an out of state university, follow the directions above.

12. My Applications We have assigned an application ID number to this application. Please make note of it, as it is required for all further communication concerning this application and may be needed to retrieve your application password. Your application ID is 1081234 If you want to apply to more than one school, you can COPY and submit your application to another university.

13. Transcript  After submitting your application, you will need to request an official transcript  The form is on the counter in the Counseling Office  Mrs. Iltis is the one who actually sends out the high school transcripts to the college.  If you took dual credit courses, you will need to request an official transcript from the college

14. Mrs. Austin

15. Paying for College  Scholarships  Grants  Working and Savings  Loans

16. Scholarships  College Scholarships – There are 3 main reasons to apply early :  It indicates to the college that they are your first choice and that you are serious about attending there.  Each school will have a scholarship application that you will be able to fill out. Most have a link on ApplyTexas. However, sometimes you must go to the specific school website and click on their link for scholarships.  It is very important to know the priority deadline for scholarship applications. Texas A&M’s deadline is December 1, Tarleton State’s is Feb. 15…  Priority Housing – early admission students get first choice of housing.

18. Early admission also helps with housing priority…

19. Scholarships  Local Scholarships – You can apply for Graham scholarships by going to www.grahamisd.com High School Counseling GHS Scholarship Application and filling out the Common Application form.www.grahamisd.com  The due date is around March 15  Fill out one application and then print as many copies as you need  The applications are either mailed to the benefactors or turned in to the counseling department.  The Local Scholarship book comes out in December.  Mrs. Holub is in charge of the Local Scholarship program

20. Scholarships  State and National Scholarships – Another means of finding state and national scholarships available is to use a search engine like those found on the counseling web under the link “Financial Aid and Scholarships.”  www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com  www.scholarships.com www.scholarships.com

21. Scholarships  Ask employers, clubs, associations, or other local groups if they offer scholarships.

22. Military Scholarships The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) offers a variety of scholarships – from full- tuition to additional funding for room and board to allowances for books and fees – that are awarded based on merit and not financial need.

23. The Montgomery G.I. Bill As a Soldier, you can take advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill

24. Grants  The Pell Grant, Texas Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants, etc. are all obtained by filling out the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov  The form for the fall of 2015 will not be available until after January 1  You will need to have your and your parents’ income tax return completed before you begin your application.  You will also need a pin or electronic signature before you begin. You can apply for one at www.pin.ed.govwww.pin.ed.gov  If you are curious about how much you might qualify for, you can fill out a FAFSA forecaster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov  Most schools will not consider scholarships until you have filled out your FAFSA.

25. Working and Savings Work-study  Work-study programs are funded by the federal government and some states, and are included in many students’ financial aid package.

26. Loans There are three types of loans:  Student loans: Interest begins when you get the money, but you don't have to repay the loan until you graduate.  Parent loans: Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) allows your parents to pay for your education.  Alternative loans: If student or parent loans do not cover the complete cost, private lenders may offer loans to cover the rest.

27. Mr. Iles

28. Testing for College There are 2 types of tests  1. College Entrance Exams – ACT or SAT tests are required for admission to a 4 year university.  Each university sets the score for automatic admission to their campus  Colleges will accept either test – ACT or SAT  2. Texas Success Initiative Exams

29. Open Enrollment  Junior colleges, community colleges and trade schools are OPEN ENROLLMENT  That means you do NOT have to take a college entrance exam (ACT or SAT)  All you need is a High School Diploma and a check book! $$$

31. Texas Success Initiative Exams  Students attending Texas public institutions of higher education must be in compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)  The law requires all entering college students to be assessed for college readiness in reading, mathematics and writing unless the student qualifies for an exemption.  Each student who fails to meet the minimum passing standard of the exam offered by the institution must be placed in a developmental education program designed to help the student achieve college readiness.

32. Texas Success Initiative Exemptions  ACT - Composite score of 23 or higher with at least a 19 on both English and math sections  SAT - Combined verbal and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal test and math test

33. Senior Timeline - Fall  Dual Credit Students  Official Drop Date  November 6  Spring Scholarship form due Oct. 15  College Transcripts  Stay with you FOREVER

34. In-School ACT  Tuesday, Sept. 30  If you have not pre-registered, go see Mrs. Holub in the counseling office NOW

35. “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.” Albert Einstein