MHS COUNSELORS Brenda Lee (A-Er) Ann Nault & Amy Roberts (Es-La) Kirstin Doughty (Le–Re) Nathan Howden (Ri– Z)

 Individual meetings with counselor Review credits and graduation requirements Talk about goals and college choices  Review timelines  College visits

 Transcript Requests  Sending Test Scores  NCAA Division I and II  Deadlines  Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Choose an appropriate, mature address that you will use for college correspondence. Commit to checking this address often. This is the primary tool for college communication. Facebook/Instagram/Twitter Will a college or university check? Wise to assume that a college, scholarship organization or future employer may check. Web Search Do a Google search of your name to make sure you know what is posted about you. Your social networking sites may be fine, but be sure to check friend’s posts as well

 Application – 12 th Year Campaign  Transcript  Test Scores (ACT or SAT) (if required)  Activities  Personal Statement or Essay (if required)  Letters of Recommendation (if required)  SAT Subject Tests (only if required)  Fee

 If you hear that your application is not complete – don’t panic! Come see your counselor with the correspondence you receive and we will help to fix.  University of Washington – Seattle will notify students of admission decisions March 15 – 31, 2016  Colleges may notify you immediately if you qualify for admission or as late as the week of April 1, 2016.

 The national reply date to notify that you intend to enroll is May 1, 2016 (postmark).  You will deposit at one college. We will send many copies of your transcript during the application process. We will only send one final transcript.  Notify the chosen school that you are accepting their offer of financial aid and mail the housing forms as soon as possible.  Notify any schools which have offered admission that you have decided not to attend.  Remember that all offers of admission are CONDITIONAL – stay focused second semester!

 Check with the admissions and financial aid offices at the colleges/universities the student is applying to  Scholarships received by MHS are available in the Counseling Center as well as listed online on the MHS website under the Counseling TabCounseling Tab Click on Scholarships  Other internet resources:

Naviance is our district’s new career and college planning systems which provides an individualize experience for students to engage in early career and college readiness activities. Using Naviance students can explore their strengths and interests, define academic and educational goals, explore career and college opportunities, and develop a plan for High School and Beyond

The DTA allows students to complete AA, AS or AAS degree to transfer to most bachelor’s degree programs in the state of Washington. Currently about 41% of bachelor degrees awarded each year are to those who started at a community or technical college. Accepted by:  Central Washington University  Cornish College of the Arts  Eastern Washington University  Gonzaga University  Northwest University  Pacific Lutheran University  Saint Martin’s University  Seattle Pacific University  Seattle University  The Evergreen State College  Whitworth University transferdegrees.aspx

 15 Member States  Student pays 150% of receiving institution’s regular resident tuition  For more information:

Eastern Oregon University  Eastern Oregon University – Washington residents automatically qualify for resident tuition. University of Idaho CategoryHigh School GPA Level of Funding Platinum $8,000 Gold $6,000 Silver $5,000 Bronze $2,000

Non-Profit  Private –Their commonality comes from the fact that the majority of funding for the institution comes from student tuition and endowments. Tuition is not impacted by a student’s state of residency and financial aid often reduces the total cost of attendance.  Public – Public universities are most often state-run which lowers the tuition for in-state residents. The largest source of funding comes from state and local taxes.For-Profit  Proprietary institutions operate under the demands of stockholders and investors. Often, programs offered are non- traditional formats; many classes are only available online. Up to 90% of for-profit revenue at the proprietary schools comes from federal student aid and this reliance has created a culture among the for-profits which encourages students to borrow beyond their means.

 Early Action – Early Application, Early Response, Reply Date is still May 1. May apply to more than one Early Action institution.  Early Action Single Choice – Early Application, Early Response, Reply Date is still May 1. May apply to only ONE institution early.  Early Decision – Early Application, Early Response. Must accept offer of admission.  Fast Apps – Usually an easier application, often no fee. Does not benefit the student unless the institution is on the student’s list of colleges/universities.

Non-profit University For-Profit University

 PHILOSOPHY: A supplement to the family’s contribution  GOAL: Consistency and equity for all students.

FINANCIAL AID Scholarships College/University- Based Community-Based Tax Credits Grants Federal State Loans Federal Private Work Study

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid Required to be considered for any type of federal and state aid Recommended that you complete the FAFSA even if you do not think you will qualify for assistance The FAFSA for the school year will be available beginning January 1, May be completed online Apply for your PIN now!

CSS PROFILE  Required by some colleges, universities (usually independent) and scholarship organizations as a supplement to the FAFSA.  The only schools in Washington State requiring the PROFILE are Whitman College for all applicants and the University of Puget Sound for Early Decision applicants.  Registration is $25.00 and $16.00 for each college or program  The PROFILE may be submitted NOW and must be done online

FINANCIAL AID REMINDERS  Each school will put together the best financial aid package possible. Carefully compare these offers realizing that each school cannot provide the same offer. How much money is given in grants vs. loans? You can accept all or part of the financial aid package. Pay attention to deadline dates for accepting or declining the offer.  Do not try to negotiate between two offers – contact each school separately if there is additional information.  Call FED.AID or contact any local college financial aid office.  Attend Financial Aid Night on December 3 7:00 pm in the Library