COLLEGE INFO NIGHT Navigating the college admission process

The Senior Year Game Plan: August- October Narrow down your college choices Attend the Boise National College Fair Oct. 19 th Use websites like Consider ALL Options Private or Public 4 Year or 2 year Professional Technical Career/For-profit Update your Resume and Ask for Recommendation Letters Begin searching for scholarships

October – December continued Take the ACT and/or the SAT What’s the difference? ACT math, reading, English, science writing is optional no penalty for guessing Math, reading, writing NO science ¼ point penalty for each wrong answer Next Test Dates: ACT- Sept. 12 th, Oct. 24 th, Dec. 12 th SAT- Oct. 3 rd, Nov. 7 th, Dec. 5 th

Direct Admissions How does it work? All students with a 3.0 cumulative GPA who have taken a college entrance exam (ACT or SAT) will be admitted to all 8 Idaho public colleges/universities Students will receive “qualifying letters” in October Students still need to complete the application for admission for schools they are considering, pay fee, send transcript Fee will be credited toward tuition at school student attends What is Direct Admissions? Brand new initiative from the SBOE Policy allows Idaho colleges to notify students when they qualify for admissions

November - the game begins The Application for Admission Applications are online CAW- Nov Many colleges waive app fee this week Applications are not complete UNTIL the fee is paid (or waiver received) and they have your official transcript and test scores Transcripts are requested through the Registrar- Ms. Tagney

APPLICATION TIPS:  Memorize your SSN  I have time – the deadline is in June…Not if you care to get some scholarships  Important – use your legal name !!!  Provide correct address and phone number  What about my ? Be Professional  Know how long you have lived in Idaho for residency purposes

December Create a FSA ID to prepare for FAFSA BOTH student and parent need an ID Complete the FAFSA 4caster to estimate your aid Check your mail and regularly. Admission letters will start coming in Keep applying for scholarships! Especially school specific supplemental scholarships

January FAFSA time – get your parents’ taxes Fill out as much as you can in January Look for Scholarships offered by the school of your choice. Check CHS website for the updated Scholarship List Apply for the Idaho State Board of Ed scholarships - ip_jump.asp ip_jump.asp

February FAFSA priority deadline February 15 th Do Not Wait until Valentine’s Day !!! The first F stands for FREEwww.fafsa.ed.gov Most Scholarship priority deadlines are February 15 th ! Apply for all school scholarships just in case! Apply early and give yourself time to troubleshoot READ YOUR MAIL !!! No Acceptance Letter Yet ? Time to call the admissions office

March Set up college accounts and check your “To Do” lists Submit housing applications if you plan to live on campus Complete local scholarships Take the Compass test if you plan to attend CWI, CSI, TVCC Complete the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship- deadline March 1 st

April Check your college accounts for Financial Aid verification forms Check your financial aid package and accept or decline awards Update your FAFSA with 2015 tax info. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool Sign up for college orientation or complete online Complete the Lightfoot Scholarship if income is less than $93,000/year and 2.5 GPA

MAY  Register for classes if possible  Tell your school where you want your final HS transcript sent  GRADUATION! Celebrate

June, July, August Attend Orientation & Register for Classes Make sure all financial aid forms are submitted Complete Master Promissory Note and Loan Counseling if taking a student loan Oh, DO NOT FORGET – RELAX

Questions?