1. College Knowledge

2. Think of college as any preparation or training after high school—a pursuit of postsecondary credentials Some credentials are academic and others are certifications

3. Give it Some Thought… 25 to 30% attain a 4-yr degree 1:2:7 Value of work It’s all about a match Academic Readiness Social Readiness Financial Readiness

4. Give it Some Thought…

5. Analyze your strengths, interests, abilities, talents Explore careers that include some of the competencies you already possess or which may be developed www.bls.gov/k12 or www.collegefortn.orgwww.bls.gov/k12www.collegefortn.org Know Yourself

6. A great place to start; gain skill competencies Attend all day, every day Finish in 12 to 18 to 20 months—86% placement in jobs Affordable – TNP covers all tuition Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology – TCATs

7. Examples: Asst. Animal Lab Tech Aircraft / Avionics Diesel Powered Equipment Industrial Maintenance or Electrical Technology TCATs Health Information Mgmt Pharmacy Technology Plastic Injection Molding/Robotics Mechatronics Surgical Technology More than 50 different programs statewide

8. Similar to a university setting Typically earn an associate degree (A.A., A.S., or A.A.S.) some certificate or diploma programs Finish in two years Seamless transfer through TTP www.tntransferpathway.org www.tntransferpathway.org Affordable – TNP covers all tuition Community College

9. Program Examples: Architecture Construction Gaming Business Mgmt Health Services Culinary Arts Landscape Mgmt Occupational & Physical Therapy Asst. Community College Criminal Justice Information Technology Advanced Maintenance Education Social Work Nursing Graphic Arts Paramedic Dental Hygiene

10. Selective admissions requirements Micro community—where you live, work, and play Responsible for own time management (and laundry) Earn a bachelor’s degree in four years (master’s and doctorate) Higher cost of attendance College or University

11. Financial Thoughts… DID YOU KNOW? More than $185 billion in financial aid is available. Financial aid comes from many sources: Federal government grants, loans and other aid: 73% College grants/ scholarships: 18% State government grants/scholarships: 5% Private and employer grants/scholarships: 4%

12. Speaking of Financial Aid, Let’s talk FAFSA!! What is the FAFSA????? Free Application for Federal Student Aid

13. Available October 1, 2016 www.fafsa.gov (VERY IMPORTANT!) Students AND parents possessing valid Social Security Numbers must create FSA ID usernames/passwords (fsaid.ed.gov) to sign electronically Most students and parents will submit FAFSA using IRS Data Retrieval Tool to upload 2015 tax information 17-18 FAFSA

14. Reason #1: Alignment Many college admissions application deadlines occur in the fall Financial aid application done at same time = less confusion Reason #2: Certainty No need to estimate tax info IRS Data Retrieval Tool available immediately Earlier receipt of Expected Family Contribution (helps with assessing net costs) Reason #3: Less Pressure More time before state and school deadlines More time to compare schools before College Signing Day Reason for Change

15. FSA ID Student and parent should keep record of usernames, passwords, and challenge question answers

16. *Click Show Text *Required

17. mm/dd/yyyy *Required *Click Show Text

18. *Must create

19. FSA ID ISSUES Login to fsaid.ed.gov using the “Edit My FSA ID” tab and review/update your info. Contact FSA at 1.800.433.3243 * Parents who do NOT possess valid SSNs…Will NOT be able to create FSA IDs

20. FAFSA CHECKLIST  Student’s Social Security Number and alien registration card (if applicable)  Parent(s)’ Social Security Number(s)  Student’s driver’s license number  2015 tax information for student and parent(s)  Records of 2015 untaxed income, such as child support and veterans noneducation benefits  Information on checking and savings account balances; investments; and business and farm assets

21. Tennessee Promise HOPE, other TELS, TSAA PELL Grant Scholarships Speaking of Costs, Here’s Some Help

22. FAFSA The Money Door!

23. Based on financial need Max. award is $5,815 Jobs on campus 3.68% / 6.41% usually deferred payment Based on academic merit Ranges from $1,750-$7,500 Based on Tenn. residency $2,000 to attend TCATs Based on financial need Ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 Pays remaining dollars owed on tuition & fees for a 2-year or TCAT program (or eligible 4-yr. – must be Assoc. prgm ) TN Promise PELL Grant Work Study Student/Parent Loans HOPE Wilder Naifeh TSAA

24. Wheel of Funding To apply for funding file a Free Application for Financial Student Aid—FAFSA at www.fafsa.govwww.fafsa.gov *Additional HOPE award money is also available for summer classes. *For junior and senior year, HOPE increases to $4,500, HOPE Aspire to $6,000 and HOPE GAMS to $5,500. Student Financial Aid Portal::To learn of your personal award amounts, sign in at www.tn.gov/collegepays www.tn.gov/collegepays

25. TSAA…TN Student Assistance Award Program Assists financially-needy students. Prior-year recipients (renewals) receive awards if eligible and submitting on or before Mar 1. All other awards made to neediest applicants. Awards are based on funding availability and made until funds are depleted. Award Amounts: $1,000 – Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology $1,300 – 2-year institution $2,000 – 4-year public institution $4,000 – 4-year independent institution

26. What is the promise Provide last dollar funds to cover tuition for ALL students enrolling at a:  Tennessee community college or college of applied technology  Tennessee four-year institution with associate or certificate programs Tennessee Promise Scholarship

27. What is a Partnering Organization?  This is the organization that provides the required elements of TN Promise to you and tracts your data.  REDI is your Partnering Organization so you will report everything to REDI….not TN Achieves!!!! (despite what a post-secondary school may tell you!)  We will text, call and email you - speaking of which… Tennessee Promise Scholarship

28. Contact Info is Important….. Contact Methods:  Remind  Email  Telephone/Cell

29. When to apply – NOW! (deadline is Nov. 1) We will be registering you at school! How to stay eligible Work with a partnering organization—(REDI) Attend two informational meetings— Fall: College Knowledge and/or Financial Aid Workshop Spring: AnyCollege Simulation and/or College Orientation Do your FAFSA by Jan. 17, 2017 8 hours of Community Service (July 1 – then each Semester) Complete FAFSA Verification – (materials must be provided to the institution by Aug. 1, 2017) Tennessee Promise Scholarship

30. What is Verification???? A DEAL BREAKER IF YOU DON’T DO IT!! PRINT YOUR SAR (Student Aid Report)!!! READ YOUR SAR!!! Usually, the 2 nd paragraph tells you if you have been selected for verification. Don’t wait for the school to contact you….call them! Submit any and all required documents ASAP!!! Follow up with the Financial Aid Office and make sure they have everything they need. Do all correspondence in writing and document everything! Tennessee Promise Scholarship

31. This is what your SAR looks like Verification Info YOU CAN LOSE YOUR TN PROMISE FOR NOT COMPLETING VERIFICATION ON TIME!!!!

32. Tennessee Promise Scholarship ExamplesABC Tuition$4,000 Pell TELS TSAA -$8,000-$3,000$0 Gap$0$1,000$4,000 TNPromise$0$1,000$4,000 Tuition$0

33. Tennessee Promise Scholarship Examples 2-yr Public 4-yr Public4-yr Private Tuition$4,000$8,000$20,000 Eligible Tuition $4,000 HOPE/Pell/TSAA -$3,000-$3,500 TN Promise-$1,000-$500 Your cost$0$4,000$16,000

34.  27 TCATs  13 Comm Colleges  Public & Private 4-year Colleges & Universities: Acquinas CollegeAustin Peay State Univ. Bapt. College Health SciencesBethel University Bryan CollegeCarson-Newman Christian Brothers UniversityCumberland University Hiwassee CollegeJohn A Gupton College Col Johnson UniversityLane College LeMoyne-Owen CollegeLincoln Memorial Univ. Martin Methodist CollegeSouth College Southern Adventist Univ.TN State University Trevecca Nazarene Univ.Tusculum College Welch College School Choices

35. Scholarships – Local – usually in spring – Private – more than $3 billion – Institutional – given by the school (ck for priority deadline) Other Financial Aid Sources

36. – Prepare resume, activity record, letters of recommendation, essay (primarily for four- year schools) – Online or paper app – Proof carefully before sending and be aware of deadlines – Two free tips: professional email and Grandma-proof social media Application Process

37. – Transcripts – ACT scores – Immunization records – Application fees: Yes, for four-year No, for two-year

38. Speaking of ACT…. – TN Dept. of Education Announces ACT Sr. Retake Opportunity *any public school student who took the ACT as a junior has the ability to retake the ACT free of charge on Saturday, Oct. 22!!!!! YOU MUST REGISTER BY SEPT. 16 (if you register after than you are responsible for late fees…voucher expires on 9/30. late reg. dline

39. Hit Submit – Now What? Expect to get an email that your application has been received Develop a relationship – be in touch with admissions representative Respond to requests in a timely manner Acceptance and Award Letters If this is your school choice, reply to confirm your acceptance Establish student account with school: jWeb, @my.uu.edu, etc Continue to respond to/with school’s communication Expect more fees—housing and tuition deposit

40. You will have admitted status Respond to orientation and pre-registration opportunities Be in touch with financial aid office—call if you are uncertain about aid offerings or to confirm that your FAFSA information is on file and updated (Sign the award letter; know your COA— more about that in Nov) Over the Summer

41. And lastly….. Remember…..there are important things to do after you graduate!!!! 1)Remember who your partnering organization is (REDI) 2)Remember to turn in your community service….if you’re going to a summer term – deadline is May 1; if you are starting in the fall –deadline is July 1. (*and 8 additional hours every semester…check the website for deadlines) 3)Remember, you will need to re-apply for TN Promise!!! Go to the TSAC portal, log into your account, click on apply for scholarships, click on TN Promise and reapply. 4)Remember…..the FAFSA has to be re-done every year!!!! Don’t lose your FSA ID info. And do this as soon as it opens in October. 5)CHECK YOUR EMAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

42. Contact Information REDI Director : Lisa Hankins 731-668-6450 731-394-5120 (cell) lhankins@swtdd.org REDI Website: www.reditn.com