The College Process: Information for Juniors and their Parents Presented by: Christina Anderson John Carroll University

Timeline: Junior Year Review your course selections with your Guidance Counselor Continue researching schools – Attend college fairs and school visits Take SAT and ACT in the spring Visit College Campuses in the spring and summer before senior year – Talk to an Admissions Counselor and tour campus or attend an Open House event – Pay close attention to admission and scholarship criteria Keep grades up! Document all honors and activities Begin to investigate outside scholarship opportunities Think of people who can write letters of recommendation.

Timeline: Senior Year The Busiest Year of Them All! Visit College Campuses (and return visits) – Talk to an Admissions Counselor and tour campus – Overnight visits, meetings with faculty and coaches, class visits – Eat on campus!!! Retake the SAT/ACT if necessary Review admission criteria for the schools/programs you are interested in pursuing to ensure you meet all requirements Apply to colleges in the Fall of your senior year – Applications should be in before Christmas Break (preferably before Thanksgiving)! – Be aware of priority deadline dates, scholarship dates – Myth: I cannot attend a Private institution because it is too expensive. Fact: Private institutions traditionally have more institutional aid to award.

Timeline: Senior Year Look and apply for scholarships all year – Peak scholarship season is October until Mid-March – Most scholarships will only allow Seniors to apply File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid beginning January 1 st Meet all DEADLINES!!! Wait until you receive your Financial Aid Award Letter to decided which institution you will attend. See your LEAF Advisor

Comparing SAT and ACT: SAT Ten sections with a mandatory Writing section. Three Critical Reading Three Math Three Writing Experimental Final Score: The sum of each section score for a possible total of Average SAT Score: 1509 Length: 3 hours 45 minutes. ACT Four sections with the optional Writing test. Math Science Reading English Optional Writing Test Composite Score: Average score of all four sections. (Does not include Writing Section) Average ACT Score: 21 Length: 2 hours 55 minutes. Add an additional 30 minutes if the student takes the Writing Test.

What differences should I know about? The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more like an aptitude test, testing reasoning and verbal skills. The ACT counts only correct answers and does not penalize for guessing. SAT will deduct a fraction of a point for wrong answers. Some colleges require the ACT Writing Section. Check the colleges Admissions website. SAT Questions get progressively harder through a section. ACT questions are mixed up throughout each test.

Misc Testing Information: All 4 year institutions accept the ACT as well as the SAT. Some colleges, especially Ivy League Institutions, will require SAT subject tests as well as the SAT. Some colleges, like Baldwin-Wallace College, are test optional schools. It means students do not have to submit ACT or SAT test scores.

How Important are Grades??? Final Transcripts are sent at the end of a students senior year – Admissions can be rescinded based on final transcripts – Grades can get students academic scholarships Average GPA if Incoming Freshmen Cleveland State3.2* Baldwin-Wallace3.5* Bowling Green3.2* John Carroll3.5* Ohio University3.4* *

Things to do… Get Organized! Create a College application organizer. Create an address just for correspondences from institutions. Keep copies of any applications you complete, including financial aid and scholarship. (Copy your tax forms, too)

Financial Aid Process Student receives Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Department of Education Student receives Financial Aid Award Letter from the school March/April for new students May/June for continuing students Student applies for aid to cover costs Student starts school year Beginning January 1 st Student files FAFSA for upcoming school year

Scholarship Season Institutional Scholarships – Academic/Merit Based Admissions Office – Need Based/Endowed Financial Aid Office Outside Scholarships (November-May of senior year) – Local Organizations – Work Place – Clubs/Boosters

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Most Federal, State, and Institutional Aid requires that you complete a FAFSA. The processed FAFSA yields an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Students starting Fall 2015 will fill out their FAFSA no earlier than January 1, You can file the FAFSA for free at BEWARE of agencies that charge to file the FAFSA!

Loans, Work-Study, and Federal Aid… Oh my! A FAFSA must be completed to be eligible for Federal Aid. Work-Study – Federal Work-Study – Campus Work-Study Loans – Stafford Loans – Perkins Loans – PLUS Loans Grants – Pell Grant – FSEOG Grant – TEACH Grant

Comparing PLUS vs Alternative- What is the BEST Option Federal Parent Loans Fixed interest rate Accrued interest capitalizes once at final repayment Credit check on parents based upon federal standards-(no debt to income ratios Alternative Loans X Variable interest rate set monthly or quarterly X Interest rate usually will not exceed 25% X Accrued interest may capitalize monthly, quarterly or at final repayment X Student and co-signer must pass a comprehensive credit check

Comparing PLUS vs Alternative- What is the BEST Option Federal PLUS Loans Federally insured against death and disability for both the parent and student Ability to easily consolidate PLUS Loans under the Federal Consolidation Loan Program PLUS Loans will be reported only on the parents credit report Alternative Loans X Not federally insured against death and disability of both student or co-signer X Can not consolidation under the Federal Consolidation Loan Program X Alternative Loans will be reported on both the students and the co-signers credit report

Link Manageable Student Loan Debt to Future Earnings! Unmanageable Student Loan Debt is defined as having payments exceed 8% of a students gross monthly income! Examples: Major (Undergraduate) Average Starting Salary* Estimated Debt Threshold Monthly Payment** Computer Science$63,017$36,506$ Engineering$57,176$33,122$ Nursing$55,774$32,309$ Business$46,832$27,130$ Psychology$40,611$23,526$ Education$32,661$18,921$ *NACE Salary Survey **Based on Unsubsidized Stafford Loan interest and repayment period.

Resources College Advantage (529 Plans) – EFC Calculator – Loan Payment Calculator – Financial Aid Information – – – Scholarship Search – (national) – (local) –

Questions??? Sandy Hanley Advisor LEAF Christina Anderson Assistant Director of Enrollment