1. Let’s talk about life after High School
Choosing a Career
Going to School
after High School
Getting into College
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 Interest Assessment
Skills Confidence Assessment
Work Values Assessment
Begin your career portfolio
User name and password
Ask counselor for N Code

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Going to College
Begin your college search by viewing virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses!

8. Going to School after High School The Campus Visit
Make the most of your visit!
Call ahead and schedule the visit
Wear comfortable shoes
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
Check out the residence halls
Eat in the dining hall
Read the campus newspaper
Check out campus bulletin boards
ASK QUESTIONS!

9. Going to School After High School The Campus Visit Questions to Ask…
Are there tutoring services available on campus?
What are the library hours?
How safe is the campus?
Are there athletic programs offered?
Are professors accessible outside of class?
What percentage of students receive financial aid?
Are there academic scholarships available through the school?
What is the cost of attendance?
Do most students participate in a meal plan?
What types of social groups are available?
Are you required to live on campus your first year?
How can I get involved on campus?

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

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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

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

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

16. Financial Aid Terms COA EFC FAFSA PIN SAR Grant/Scholarship Loan
Verification
COA – Cost Of Attendance
EFC – Expected Family Contribution
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Pin# - a four digit number combined w/ (name, social security number. & Date of Birth) to identify you.
SAR – Student Aid Report – a summary of information submitted on your FAFSA.
Grant/Scholarship – student funds that do not have to be repaid.
Loan – borrowed money that MUST be repaid with interest.
Verification – a process where schools confirm the data reported on your FAFSA. (30% of population must be verified)

17. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid
Money you do NOT
have to pay back!
Grants
Federal
- Pell Grant – $5,550 max
(Valid EFC of $5273 or less)
- SEOG
State
- Tennessee Student Assistance Award
Institutional
Private

18. 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 College of Applied Technology- $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
Returning college award recipients will be awarded money first, then students with $0 EFC

19. 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
Each school has an individual list of scholarships
Private
Business (Wal-Mart, Target, or Office Depot etc…)
Professional Organizations
Sororities/Fraternities/Church/Work
Apply for all you are eligible!

20. 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).

21. 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 an adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less.

22. 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.

23. 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.

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

25. 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)

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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)

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

30. Let’s Review Fall of your Senior Year Start Early
Request information from schools
Visit campuses and attend Open House programs
Begin requesting application information
Retake ACT or SAT
Search for scholarships
Meet all deadlines
Ask questions
Complete your applications

31. 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)

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

33. Top 5 things to learn before you go off to college:
1. Laundry
2. Balance a checkbook
3. Share
4. Keep track of assignments
5. Take notes

34. 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!

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