1. Military Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens; not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life! The time is coming to “make good choices”!

2. Are you checking the OHS website, your college(s), TheWashBoard, College Board, FastWeb, Google, &/or senior notes for good fits?

3.  Award offers can be sent electronically or via the mail; formats will vary.  Award offers usually only cover ONE year & can change.  Follow all instructions carefully!  Respond within deadlines!  Loans and Work Study are considered SELF-HELP ~ you can accept, accept in part, or decline.  You have 6 months AFTER you finish school before loan payments start.  If you don’t understand something or need help, CONTACT THE SCHOOL’S FINANCIAL AID OFFICE !!! Receiving an Award Offer Check your email often & RESPOND!

4. Costs and Comparing Offers Compare actual and estimated costs! Even though school 2 offers the most gift aid, the net cost is much more than Schools 1 and 3. ReadySetGrad BigFuture It’s OK to negotiate a better offer!

5. How does financial aid get to my school? Complete all documentation requirements with your financial aid office. Register for classes. If receiving loans, complete loan entrance counseling and master promissory notes according to your school’s instructions. Find out payment schedule at the beginning of each semester / quarter. Enrolling part-time could change your eligibility for some awards. Once your eligibility has been finalized, the financial aid office will apply your aid to the outstanding charges on your student bill. This can happen before, at the beginning, or during the enrollment period. If your financial aid is not enough to cover your bill, you will need to pay your remaining balance. If your financial aid is more than your bill, the remaining aid is generally paid directly to the student. Know your payment deadlines

6.  You must APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID & fill out the FAFSA/WASFA EACH YEAR!  The 2017-18 FAFSA will be AVAILABLE OCTOBER 1 ST, 2016  Inquire with Financial Aid Offices regarding any new deadlines. What to do after this year… Continuing to understand and meet deadlines can give you a greater chance of receiving a comparable aid package each year.

7. More Ways to Pay for your Education….

8.   Create a budget.   List monthly income sources (savings, wages & parental allowances) & estimated monthly expenses (school supplies, food, laundry, fun).   Use BigFuture.com or your school’s website to estimate costs!   Track expenses using an online personal finance management tool like Mint.com Develop Good Financial Habits!   Separate wants from needs.   Is $30 per week for gas a "need" or a "want?" How much do you “want” to eat out? How much will laundry cost?   Some students give themselves a weekly cash allowance rather than carry a debit card, and when it’s gone, they wait until next week for more "wants.“   Find out where to get free/discounted food, clothes, services to reduce costs.   Set up a checking account.   Banks often cater to college students with free checking/saving accounts, (no fees on withdrawals or fund transfers.)   Find out which bank(s) or credit union(s) have ATM’s near campus.

9.   Use, don’t abuse, credit cards.   College is a great time to start building credit (for renting an apartment, buying a car, etc.), but don’t let yourself get overextended!   Use a debit card for day-to-day expenses instead of a credit card – you can withdraw an “allowance” and not pay cash advance fees. Develop Good Financial Habits (cont.) !   Know your financial aid/loans options.   Use payment calculators to see what your student loan will be upon graduation, and come up with a plan for how you will pay it back.   Be open to living back at home after graduation until you’re ready….   Shop smart for books.   Textbooks are one of the biggest expenses – a new edition of a biology book can cost upward of $300.   Bypass the campus bookstore and buy gently used books or download your books – they are less expensive that way.   Even paying shipping to buy used books online can be cheaper than new.

10. I’m Leaving Home…. What do I do Next??? Decide Where to Live:  Dorm (housing deposit due this Spring)  Coed/Same-sex, Special Theme, Smoke free, Room style, Dining Hall  Fraternity/Sorority (won’t know until fall after rush, so get a backup if you can)  Apartment (try Craig’s List, local newspaper’s classifieds, Chamber of Commerce!)  With other family Find a Suite/Roommate(s)?  Someone from OHS?  Ask college who’s been assigned once dorm is selected  On-line want ads in community or on college’s website Is a car allowed (on campus) or needed (city life)?  Look at costs for parking a vehicle! Look at other transportation options! Choose a meal plan  Check out website for options provided by college https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/making-decision

11. Here’s a tip: Start taking care of yourself NOW; be willing to admit when you need help!

13. Getting the Most out of College…

15. Try to take classes in your areas of strength and/or interest to begin with….

16. Respond to the college you’ve decided to attend. Make sure to send in the following items by the deadline: Your acceptance letter A tuition deposit A separate acceptance letter for financial aid, if required Any other required items (ie. housing deposit, etc.) Respond to the colleges whose offers you're declining. Send a brief note to the other colleges to thank them and turn down their offers. Placement Exams Accuplacer or Compass (English and Math) for 2-year college system Math Placement Exam for 4-year college system (check school’s website!) Prepare to select classes https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/academic-life/8-tips-for- choosing-college-classeshttps://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/academic-life/8-tips-for- choosing-college-classes Full time vs. Part-time? Check your financial aid…. More things to do this Spring….

17. What’s left to FINISH? High School and Beyond Plan – DUE February 29 th  Journal Entry #3 – “How do I become that?” (4-5 sentences)  Post-Secondary Plan – all 3 tabs! As of today…. Senior Reflection Make-ups – April 15 9:30-10:30am April 19-21 7:30-10am Or schedule with your counselor or Mrs. Reykdal Make-up info. on OHS website The Scoring Rubric 93%

18. Login = ohs-last name first initial middle initial (no spaces) EX: ohs-reykdalke Password = your student/login number ( add a 0 at the beginning if only 6 #’s )