Houston High School Class of 2012 Senior Information

Important Dates ► Oct. 15 th – Senior portraits are due for the Yearbook. See Mr. Wagoner if you still need a photographer. ► Oct. 23 rd -24 th College Fair – Anchorage ► Oct. 27 th - WHS Financial Aid Info. 6:30 ► Nov. 15 th – ASVAB ► Nov. 30 th – HHS College and Career Fair ► Dec. 15 th – Senior recognition ads due. (If you order before Nov. 1 st you can get a free yearbook or get the cost of your yearbook deducted from your ad price!) ► Dec. 14 th -16 th - Semester Finals

► Jan. 1 st – FAFSA 2012 ► April 16 th All correspondence should be completed to walk at graduation. ► April 14 th – Prom ► May 8 th -10 th Senior Finals ► May 17 th graduation practice 9am-1pm ► May 17 th Graduation 7:00PM Menard Sports Complex

A Few Suggestions Students: ► Be organized ► Meet deadlines ► Stay in the race until you cross the finish line. ► Actions = Consequence ► Make good decisions!

Post High School Planning Post High School Planning What is Success? College Degree: *Associates *Bachelor *Master *Doctorate Vocational Training: *Certificate *Associates *Apprenticeship *On the job training Military: *Air Force *Army/Marine *Coast Guard *Navy

AKCIS User Name: houstonhs Password: 4akcis Information on careers, colleges, and scholarships. Specific to Alaska as well as other states. Lots of information!

ACT Test Date: ► October 22, 2011 ► December 10, 2011 ► February 11, 2012 ► Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing on the ACT. Registration Deadline: ► September 16, 2011 (Late: Sept. 30, 2011) ► November 4, 2011 (Late: Nov. 18, 2011) ► January 13, 2012 (Late: Jan 20, 2011) ► ACT includes: English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing.

SAT Test Date: ► November 5, 2011 ► December 3, 2011 ► January 28, 2012 ► March 10, 2012 ► Don’t guess. Points are taken off for incorrect answers on the SAT. Registration Deadline: ► October 7, 2011 (Late: Oct. 21, 2011) ► November 8, 2011 (Late: Nov. 20, 2011) ► December 30, 2011 (Late: Jan. 13, 2012) ► February 10, 2012 (Late: Feb. 24, 2012) ► SAT includes: Reading, Math, and Writing.

College College ► Application ► Transcripts: Ms. Bell, Registrar ► GPA/Rank ► Letters of Recommendation ► Exams: SAT ACT ACT HHS code: HHS code:

Organize college, financial aide & scholarship information… ► Visit the college fair and college campuses if possible. Also listen for announcements when colleges visit HHS. ► Select 3 to 5 colleges – create a folder for each one with deadlines and requirements written on the outside of each folder. ► Separate folders for copies of transcripts, letters of recommendations, resumes and essays (have several copies of each). ► Make a folder for each scholarship that you apply for. ► Complete the financial comparison sheet as you have the information provided.

Financial Aid ► Attend the Financial Aide presentation at WHS, Oct. 27 6:30 ► Attend HHS College & Career Fair Nov. 30 th. ► Funding comes from many sources – Each college’s financial aid department will create a proposal for you based on the FAFSA. FAFSA After Jan 1 st Personal: EFC Estimated Family Contribution FED. Gov’t: Grants Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans Work Study Scholarship: Academic Aptitude Athletic Unique Any and all

Scholarships ► Weekly updates in the counseling department ► – excellent source of scholarship information ► WUE – Western Undergraduate Exchange ► Google search for scholarships – watch for scams. ► Each college you apply to will have scholarships, normally linked under financial aid. ► Typically the closer the source of money the more likely you’ll get the award. ► Do not rule yourself out of applying… ► Meet deadlines and be professional in your presentation.

FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid ► January 1 st – you’ll need an accurate estimate of your income and expected taxes ► ► You’ll need to apply for a pin number a few day’s prior to actually completing the FAFSA. (It’s an electronic signature) ► You’ll be given an EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) amount and the EFC will be sent electronically to each college you designated on the FAFSA application. ► The college financial aid office will create a Financial Award Proposal and it will be sent to you for approval. ► Keep a file to refer to when you renew the FAFSA each year of college and grad. School. ► UAA Mat-Su offers FAFSA Saturdays to assist in the application process.