WELCOME TO JUNIOR NIGHT March 15, 2017

CONTACT INFORMATION Megan McCamy College and Career Advisor Central High School Counseling Center 816-671-4080 megan.mccamy@sjsd.k12.mo.us Follow on Twitter @CHS_College101

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION ACT test Selecting the “right” college College Applications Requesting Transcripts College Visits Types of Financial Aid Scholarships FAFSA Summer To-Do List

ACT TEST (CHS School Code 262895) Who should take the ACT? Anyone planning to attend college. All juniors will take the ACT in April at Central (for free!). Scores are reported back to the student and the high school. Register online (www.actstudent.org). Cost $42.50 ~ Students on free/reduced lunch qualify for two fee waivers (see counselor). Typically there are tests offered in February, April, June, September, October, December each year. The registration date is about a month in advance of test. Many colleges require scores to be sent directly from ACT (can select up to four colleges at no extra charge during registration). **Many colleges do not require the “writing” portion of the ACT ($58.50). Contact individual colleges to see what they recommend.

SELECTING THE RIGHT COLLEGE Selecting the “right” college is difficult. College selection should be based on where the student will be successful. Consider: campus size, distance from home, cost, majors, scholarships, sports, special needs, etc. Ask the question – is this a realistic choice? ALWAYS have a back-up plan! Online college searches are very helpful. Don’t focus too much on the major, but what the college has to offer the student. www.collegeboard.org and www.missouriconnections.org Look at admission requirements now – 4 years of Math? World Language? Etc.

COLLEGE VISITS Go to the admissions website or call the college to arrange a visit. Summer is a great time – or check PD days when school is in session! Parents should attend with the student, if possible. Visits can be individual or group (some offer Saturday visits). ASK QUESTIONS (current college students can offer great info on campus safety, food, campus life, residence halls, etc.) Tour the residence halls and eat the food. Find out about hidden fees (parking, books, activity fees). A college visit is one of the most important things you and your student can do. Talk to college reps when they visit CHS. Check the website for dates. Also look at PD days

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS Each college will open their application this summer – no specific date. No deadlines before school starts – we will remind students after school starts! Many colleges have a Nov 1 – Dec 1 priority deadline. Even though colleges have early deadlines, many will continue to take application for admissions after deadlines – rolling admissions. Contact college to see what is required for a complete application packet (application, essay, ACT/SAT scores, application fee, high school transcript, letters of recommendation, supplemental information, etc.). The Common Application is for more selective colleges all over the USA. Approximately 700 colleges accept the Common App. www.commonapp.org

REQUESTING TRANSCRIPTS Mrs. King, CHS Registrar, located in the Counseling Center, will send transcripts for scholarships and colleges. She sends them daily. Requests for transcripts must be completed on the CHS website (Departments > Counseling Center > Seniors > Transcript Request Form). Fill out form and submit online. https://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Page/12467 If you have earned college credit through a dual credit class at CHS, you must send a college transcript to your college. Do this after the class has ended and grades are posted.

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID Money used to help with college expenses: Scholarships (college, local, national, A+, athletic, etc.) – “free money” that is not paid back Grants – “free money” that is not paid back Student Loans – must be paid back Parent Loans – must be paid back Work-Study – working on campus at college The way you pay for college – here are the differences

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS There are many local scholarships – most due in spring of senior year! Ask student/parent employers about scholarships. Organizations in which you are a member – church, credit union, professional organizations. Companies you do business with – Farm Bureau, banks, insurance companies, etc. Find local scholarships on CHS website. Departments > Counseling Center > Resources by Grade Level > Senior > Scholarships (Seniors). https://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Page/4162 Many scholarships are stackable (meaning you can add scholarships together to cover costs). Apply for many!

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS A lot of money is available on the national level, but many students are competing for this money. There are many websites for scholarship searches: http://www.fastweb.com/ and https://www.cappex.com/ and https://www.collegeboard.org/ are a few options. There are many national scholarships listed on the CHS website also.

ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS Athletes need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if interested in Division I or II school. http://www.eligibilitycenter.org/ (Waivers available for free/reduced lunch) – Register now! Check out the CHS Counseling website and click on “College Athletics” for much more info. Students need to send their ACT scores directly from ACT. Talk to your high school coach about your interests and have them make contact with college coaches. Call college coaches to indicate your interest, send them film, stats, schedules, etc. IMPORTANT – you must send 6th/7th semester transcript and FINAL TRANSCRIPT upon graduation.

A+ PROGRAM Students must have participation agreement on file. Visit CHS website. About Us > A+ Program to see guidelines. https://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/domain/3299 All requirements completed by beginning of May. 2.5 GPA, 95% attendance, 50 hours unpaid tutoring/mentoring, citizen in good standing, submit FAFSA. Visit with your college to determine if there are benefits and understand requirements. Many colleges have their own scholarships. See Ms. Davison (A+ Coordinator) in LRC (Tues/Wed).

FAFSA FREE Application for Federal Student Aid Available after October 1 (new date for 2016) Apply by February 1 (Missouri schools) File electronically at http://www.fafsa.gov/ (not .com) This is FREE – do not pay a fee! All families must fill out the FAFSA in order to qualify for any federal/state financial aid, including loans. Some schools require FAFSA for scholarships; must complete for A+ Program! We will host FAFSA/Financial Aid night in October.

SUMMER TO-DO LIST Keep a log of volunteer hours Make list of names/contact information from volunteering, employment, etc. Research colleges Visit a college or two while off school Look at college websites to see what is needed to apply – start on essays early, gather letters of recommendation if required, etc.

ANY QUESTIONS? Thank you for coming! Follow us on Twitter @Counseling_CHS Sign up to receive “Remind” updates Please complete survey and leave on table! Ms. Davison is here if you have any questions about the A+ Program. Counselors are available for questions also.