ARKANSAS Works Career Coach Program Robin Allen and Jack Magolio West Memphis High School

The Role of a Career Coach Our purpose, as career coaches, is to empower Arkansas high school students to make informed decisions about their career and educational plans and to increase the number of students enrolled in postsecondary education from the 19 designated counties in the state of Arkansas.

Career Coach Job Description Career Coaches provide career guidance and development to secondary students to assist them in preparing for high school graduation, postsecondary education, or workforce training. We help students anticipate high school graduation, identify career plans, apply for scholarships & admissions to colleges, and many other career related activities that are needed after graduation from high school.

Career Coach Analogy The student is the driver and the career coach is the passenger beginning the journey of traveling on a career pathway! What does this mean?

Career Coaches Provide: Any postsecondary assistance to students in grades 8-12. Preparation for college (ACT registration, Clearinghouse registration, College admissions & scholarship applications) Financial Aid assistance, information and workshops for students and their families. Help with transitioning to postsecondary education of any kind (college, vocational, or workforce training) Access to local businesses and industry leaders Help with concurrent enrollment & classes at MSCC

Technical or Vocational School Barber school/Beauty school College Admissions You should be shooting for a 19 composite score on your ACT or the COMPASS, this 19 gets you out of developmental classes and allows you to take college classes without remediation!!!!! As Career Coaches, we want to help you go to any sort of postsecondary education institution that you choose. You have many options: College (2yr or 4yr) Technical or Vocational School Barber school/Beauty school Flight School Military If you can show us you will put forth the effort to follow through with your choices, we will do everything we can to help you get to any school of your choosing.

College 101 – What are your options? Two-year Community Colleges: This can be a GREAT option for students who have just graduated high school. Generally, these are 2-year programs that award an ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE at the end of the two years. Some programs are designed to prepare students to enter the job market after completion. Often times, community college credits can transfer to four-year programs, allowing students to enter the program as a Junior. These schools are present throughout Arkansas and can be a rewarding and very affordable way to begin college. Four-year College/Universities: These schools offer a BACHELOR’S DEGREE to graduates. Some students enroll right out of high school while others may transfer into a school as a junior after completing their associate’s degree at a community college. Four year schools offer a broader range of majors (including very specialized majors), and extracurricular programs such as athletics, newspaper, debate teams and bands. There are MANY four-year schools in Arkansas with a broad range of tuition prices (which are generally more expensive than Community College Tuition) Information on the different types of schools can be found at: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/where-to-start/2.html

More options… Trade/Vocational Schools: This can be a very attractive option to students because of the more concentrated and specific nature of their programs. These schools offer specialized training in the specific areas (auto repair, paralegal, dental hygienist, HVAC, carpentry, cosmetology, etc.) and will offer a diploma, license, certificate, or associate’s degree. Some credits may transfer to a bachelor’s program at a four year school but that should be checked before transferring. Military Services: Those that wish to pursue the military or National Guard and reserves can be eligible for up to 36 months of full tuition benefits to schools all over the country, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL PAY FOR ALMOST ALL OF YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION! For more info on the new GI Bill visit http://www.todaysgibill.org/. Or http://www.gibill.va.gov/

Financial Aid Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) Career coaches are here to help you and your parents with applications for Financial Aid! We help you log on to the www.fafsa.ed.gov website, create a PIN needed for all future FAFSA applications, and assist with filling out the application. 2013 Financial Aid applications will be available starting in January ’13. Maximum Federal Aid (Pell Grant) allowed per year is currently $5,550 for the 2013-14 school year. (This is halved over the two semesters) Things you will need for your FAFSA application: Parents 2012 tax return, or proof of no income Parents Social Security Number & Birthdate Students SSN & Birthdate If you have special living situations, let us know and we will guide you on the appropriate way to fill out the FAFSA. There will be two workshops during the year, including COLLEGE GOAL SUNDAY, that will provide information and help with filling out the FAFSA!

Additional State programs for AR Students YOUuniversal Scholarship – Arkansas Academic Challenge or “Lottery Scholarship” Who May Apply: Undergraduates must be a recently graduated Arkansas resident with a 2.5 GPA and/or 19 ACT composite. Students must complete Financial Aid Application to be eligible. Award: $4,500 per year Deadline: June 1 Higher Education Opportunities Grants (GO! Grant) Who May Apply: Undergraduates must be an Arkansas resident for at least 12 months prior to applying for the grant. Students also must meet the financial need criteria established for the GO! Grant and attend an approved Arkansas institution. Award: Up to $1,000 Arkansas Governor's Scholars Who May Apply: Governor's recipients must hold the equivalent of a 27 ACT composite or 1220 SAT, or a 3.5 GPA. Award: 75 Scholars up to $4000 per year Deadline: February 1 Governor's Distinguished Scholars Program who May Apply: Governor's Distinguished applicants must possess a 1410 SAT or 32 ACT composite score and a 3.5 GPA, or are named National Merit Finalist or National Achievement Scholar. Award: 300 Scholars up to $10,000 per year

Preparation timeline for Senior Year Fall of Senior Year: Maintain strong study habits and continue to keep grades up in school. Continue to exercise your leadership roles in clubs and organizations Register to take the ACT or SAT. Test scores are important college admissions factors and allow you to qualify for scholarships. Id the top 5 colleges to which you plan to apply. Create a master calendar of all of the relevant application and scholarship deadlines for each school on the list. Attend College fairs in the area and be prepared to visit the tables of schools that interest you the most. Make sure to introduce yourself to the college representative. Schedule College visits to the schools you are most interested in, making sure to meet with admission staff, sign up for a campus tour, meet with financial aid, and meet with any coaches (if you are interested in college athletics) If you are interested in playing sports in college, begin emailing/calling coaches who coach at colleges on your list. Get specific information on what they are looking for in their student-athlete recruits. Take the time to ask 3-4 teachers from your high school to write college recommendation letters. Make sure you give each of them PLENTY OF TIME to write and submit your recommendation letter (at least 3 weeks prior to the college’s application deadline). Meet with your high school guidance counselor and Career Coach to discuss college application deadlines. In this meeting, get assistance with formally requesting your high school transcript to be mailed to each college to which you are applying.

Preparation timeline for Senior Year Spring of Senior Year: Before March 1st of your senior year, make sure that your family submits their FAFSA financial aid application. By April of your senior year, collect all of your acceptance letters and financial aid notifications and review them with your family, or others you trust, to discuss affordability. Call the schools you are most interested in, and ask any final questions. Before May 1st of your senior year, make your official college decision and submit the required enrollment deposit. In the summer after your senior year, sit down with your family and/or mentors and discuss specific college budgeting for your coming freshman year (everything from tuition billing to personal expenses) In the summer after your senior year, make sure that you submit all required enrollment forms to your school( housing forms, medical forms, registration for classes, new-student orientations registration, meal plans, etc.); contact your college to make sure they have received all of your forms.

Arkansas Higher Education Institutions

Arkansas Higher Education Institutions