Seniors Class of 2016 Fall College, Scholarship, & Financial Aid Presentation Presentation

College Applications Most college applications are available online. Some applications are available in the Guidance Office. If you do not find the application you need there, you should contact the college’s admission office and ask for an application, housing information, and financial aid information. Each application may have a fee of $20-$50. Apply to the school or schools of your choice as soon as possible. Apply to the school or schools of your choice as soon as possible. Even state schools in the past have closed admission in the first semester. Even state schools in the past have closed admission in the first semester. High demand programs at technical schools and universities fill quickly. High demand programs at technical schools and universities fill quickly. Meeting the deadline of the application may generate scholarship opportunities. Meeting the deadline of the application may generate scholarship opportunities. Housing preferences and registration may be offered by your application date. Housing preferences and registration may be offered by your application date. Health programs are selective & have additional criteria & forms that must be completed after the application. Apply early & be ready for placement tests. Health programs are selective & have additional criteria & forms that must be completed after the application. Apply early & be ready for placement tests.

Applications should be complete, neat, and accurate. Please follow directions! Generate paper applications using black ink. Enclose a resume/activities list. Proof your application/resume/essay before submission.

X

Paper Applications Bring the completed application + fee to guidance. Sign a release of records We send your application/fee/transcript to your college Online Applications Apply/pay fee/print out additional info online Sign a release of records in the Guidance Office We send your transcript to your college

An official transcript must be sent directly from the high school to the college. You must sign a release of information form each time you request a transcript. Please give ample time (one week) for processing and mailing the application so the deadline can be met.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

College Applications Continued Your ACT score is reflected on your official transcript and will be sent to your college with your transcript. Your ACT score is reflected on your official transcript and will be sent to your college with your transcript. Some schools require that the score be sent directly from ACT. Go to to send your scores directly to the college. $12 fee for each college. Some schools require that the score be sent directly from ACT. Go to to send your scores directly to the college. $12 fee for each college. Students applying to schools with selective admission policies should also apply to a “safety school.” Students applying to schools with selective admission policies should also apply to a “safety school.” Please give school personnel a minimum of two weeks notice to complete letters of recommendation. Please give school personnel a minimum of two weeks notice to complete letters of recommendation.

COLLEGE AND OPEN HOUSE VISITS Information about special college days and events should be posted on college or university websites. If you are interested in visiting a specific college or university, go to the website to get information on open house dates or to get contact information for private visits. Information about special college days and events should be posted on college or university websites. If you are interested in visiting a specific college or university, go to the website to get information on open house dates or to get contact information for private visits. Schedule a visit to the college or school that you are considering. Spending time on the campus is one of the best ways to decide which college will best meet your needs. Schedule a visit to the college or school that you are considering. Spending time on the campus is one of the best ways to decide which college will best meet your needs. ONE DAY PER SEMESTER WILL BE ALLOWED FOR SENIORS TO VISIT COLLEGES. ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE IN THE MAIN OFFICE PRIOR TO THE VISITATION DAY. This day will be a “FIELD TRIP” and not an absence. ONE DAY PER SEMESTER WILL BE ALLOWED FOR SENIORS TO VISIT COLLEGES. ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE IN THE MAIN OFFICE PRIOR TO THE VISITATION DAY. This day will be a “FIELD TRIP” and not an absence.

SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE VISITS TO JCHS Visits by college representatives will be posted in MANY places. If you wish to speak with a college representative, ask your counselor in advance for a pass. Visits by college representatives will be posted in MANY places. If you wish to speak with a college representative, ask your counselor in advance for a pass. Military recruiters are available during lunch hours only once per month as scheduled. Use your lunch hour or panther time to meet with them. Students will not be allowed to miss a class to talk with a recruiter. Military recruiters are available during lunch hours only once per month as scheduled. Use your lunch hour or panther time to meet with them. Students will not be allowed to miss a class to talk with a recruiter.

SCHOLARSHIPS If you are interested in a scholarship, you should begin research immediately. Scholarships are available, but it takes time and effort on your part to find the ones for which you qualify and then to properly apply. Remember, a million students may apply to a national scholarship, while less than 20 may apply to a local scholarship. Pick the ones you have time to fill out and you have the best odds at being awarded.

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE OF THE COLLEGE Information about financial aid, scholarships and financial aid office contact information is available on your college’s website. Information about financial aid, scholarships and financial aid office contact information is available on your college’s website.

JCHS GUIDANCE OFFICE An updated Scholarship Bulletin will be available as announced. The bulletin will be posted on the JCHS website and personal copies will be available in the Guidance Office. The bulletin will describe scholarship opportunities that are mailed to us. Some local scholarships are only available to JCHS students and will be listed on the bulletin and announced. Most of those are available in the spring semester. It is your responsibility to listen to announcements each day and pick up a bulletin. Both announcements AND the bulletin are available online on the JCHS website!!!! No excuses! An updated Scholarship Bulletin will be available as announced. The bulletin will be posted on the JCHS website and personal copies will be available in the Guidance Office. The bulletin will describe scholarship opportunities that are mailed to us. Some local scholarships are only available to JCHS students and will be listed on the bulletin and announced. Most of those are available in the spring semester. It is your responsibility to listen to announcements each day and pick up a bulletin. Both announcements AND the bulletin are available online on the JCHS website!!!! No excuses! The Career Information System (CIS) program is updated each year with local, state, and national scholarships. This program can be accessed on the website: The Career Information System (CIS) program is updated each year with local, state, and national scholarships. This program can be accessed on the website: The Internet is another source where you may do scholarship research. Some reputable websites for this type of research are and A list of helpful websites is available in Guidance and on the JCHS website. The Internet is another source where you may do scholarship research. Some reputable websites for this type of research are and A list of helpful websites is available in Guidance and on the JCHS website.

Scholarship Opportunities Cont. PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT You may be eligible for a scholarship through an employer. PARENTS’ FRATERNAL OR SOCIAL ORGANIZATION (Example Moose, Elk’s, KC’s, Eagles, Masons, American Legion). These organizations have offered scholarships in the past years. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT Some possibilities are Academy scholarships, ROTC, Child of a Veteran Scholarship (U of I), VFW, and American Legion. OTHER Do not overlook your church, union affiliation, and any other organizations of which you or your parents are members.

Financial Aid FAFSA Financial Aid forms (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available in December for students and on FAFSA Financial Aid forms (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available in December for students and on Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA online. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA online. You may apply for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study after January 1, You may apply for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study after January 1, Grants and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first- served basis, so it is recommended you submit the FAFSA by March 1, Grants and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first- served basis, so it is recommended you submit the FAFSA by March 1, All students are advised to complete the financial aid application. A parent meeting will be held at JCHS in January to explain the application process. All students are advised to complete the financial aid application. A parent meeting will be held at JCHS in January to explain the application process.

ACT PREP SESSIONS Webster University and SIUE

College Fairs Illinois Regional College Fair 10/20/2015 SIUE Illinois Regional College Fair 10/20/2015 SIUE Saint Louis National College Fair 10/18/2015 Saint Louis National College Fair 10/18/2015

College Application Day At JCHS A representative from ISAC is tentatively scheduled to be available on Thursday October 15 th to help students fill out college applications You must make an appointment in the guidance office to participate

LCCC EARLY START PROGRAM Tim Gwillam from LCCC will be here on 10/22/2014 to register interested students Tim Gwillam from LCCC will be here on 10/22/2014 to register interested students Early start program allows qualified students to take two classes at LCCC for half price Early start program allows qualified students to take two classes at LCCC for half price You can attend school at JCHS for a half day and go to LCCC classes You can attend school at JCHS for a half day and go to LCCC classes

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! If you have any questions, see Ms. Davis, Mrs. Ross or Mrs. Geers in the Guidance Office. We will be happy to help you!