PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT College, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

How to start the conversation of college choice…  What are your academic interests?  What kind of student are you?  How do you learn best?  What activities outside the classroom matter most to you?  How important is prestige to you?  What kind of social and cultural environment would you like best?  What do you want to live for the next for years?

College Planning  Sign up for counselor led APP sessions.  Attend a college fair.  Visit with admissions counselors who visit your school.  Check college websites for admissions events.  Seniors are allowed two college visit days. Students should turn in documentation of the visit to the front office.  4 or more!

College Planning  Register for the ACT if you have not already taken it, or if you are not satisfied with your score. April is the last ACT test that TOPS will accept without delay of payment for seniors.  Be sure to include the correct social security number when registering. Remember to report the scores to TOPS  Check with the specific institution for the university’s requirements for ACT.  TOPS- 20 minimum composite  LA Board of Regents minimum admission:  ACT English score = 18 minimum  ACT Math score = 19 minimum

College Planning  Check each university’s website for most current ACT, Curriculum, and GPA requirements. Universities can, and often will, change their requirements.  Students who are borderline to meeting admission requirements are encouraged to apply.  Most private and highly selective admission universities have a more individualized holistic process of admissions.

What do Admissions Committees Look At?  Academic Record  Standardized Test Scores  Engagement Outside the Classroom  Personal Qualities  Hooks and Institutional Priorities

Application Deadlines Apply for admission at the colleges you have chosen, in accordance with their deadlines. Most applications open Aug. 1st. APPLY EARLY! Pay attention to deadlines!!!

ANY STUDENT REQUESTING THAT INFORMATION BE SENT TO A THIRD PARTY MUST HAVE A PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGN A RELEASE FORM.

College Transcript Request  PLAN AHEAD FOR ALL REQUESTS!!!!  You do NOT have to send a transcript to Louisiana Public Universities unless they request it.  If you need an official transcript, you can obtain a transcript request form from Mrs. Benton in the front office. The form must be completely filled out and the proper fee attached. Transcript only is $2.00, $3.00 for entire packet. Final transcripts are $3.00.

College Transcript Request  An unofficial transcript can be obtained through the student progress center. Students will be given TOPS reports.  Student’s and parents should check transcripts to make sure they are on track to graduate, meet the TOPS requirements, and fulfill college admission requirements.  Check for errors with your name, D.O.B, and social security #.

Recommendation Letters  PLAN AHEAD FOR ALL REQUESTS!!!!  If you need a letter of recommendation or a counselor report filled out, request it at least 3 weeks in advance and supply a resume.  If you are submitting an application through Common App or SEND EDU, then all documents will be submitted electronically. A resume must be turned into the counselor and teacher.

What is financial aid? Grants- money that does not have to be repaid, generally based on financial need Loans- money that has to be repaid College Work Study- offers part-time jobs for eligible students (based on need) who are enrolled at least half time

Financial Aid  Financial aid is determined by: University Cost – Expected Family Contribution= Demonstrated Financial Need Financial Aid is first come, first serve. The amount of aid received depends on how much is available. Complete applications in a timely manner!!

How do I apply for Financial Aid?  FAFSA- after January 1 (also used for TOPS application)*See NHS counseling website.  CSS Profile by November 15  Initial application and one college is $25, additional reports are $16. Fee waivers are available  Contact financial aid officer of the college you plan to attend inquire about financial aid deadlines and required forms.

University Scholarships  Each university has it’s own deadlines and requirements for their scholarship programs.  Some scholarships are based on merit and some are based on financial need.  Find out if the university has a separate scholarship application.  Inquire about scholarships offered by specific academic departments.

Other Scholarships  All scholarships that become available to the NHS counseling department will be listed on the counseling website under the local scholarships or non local scholarships link. Students should check this often and should apply to any that they may qualify for. By no means is this a comprehensive list of scholarships. There are many free scholarship search websites available.

Questions to Ask Colleges about Financial Aid  Does the college meet the full need of all admitted students?  Is this college need blind or need aware?  Does the college offer merit aid, or does it offer need- based aid only?  How will an outside scholarship affect my financial aid package?  Assuming my need remains the same after freshman year, will the composition of my financial aid package change?  What are the academic requirements for continued financial aid?

Congrats on your Award!!  Notify the counseling office.  As soon as your student receives a scholarship offer, please turn in the documentation to the counseling office to have a copy made.