1. College Planning Night
GIBBS hiGH SCHOOL
COUNSELING OFFICE

2. Introductions Gibbs High School Counselors:
Kim Galyon: students last names A-F
Matea Tarver: students last names G-M
Marissa Buchanan: students last names N-Z
Maleka Tate: Counseling Intern
Pellissippi State Community College:
Selena Kimber
Lincoln Memorial University:
Hannah Wilson
East Tennessee State University:
Victor King

3. Agenda What Is College? How to plan for college?
How to pay for college?
Panel Discussion
Question and Answer

4. What Is College?
Ice breaker: Share words that come to mind when you hear the word “college”
A college is any school that a student enrolls in after receiving their high school diploma or GED that offers a certificate or degree for completing courses.

5. Types of Degrees
Diploma and Certificate: take less than a year to two years to complete and focus on a specific skill or career. (example: Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology aka TCAT)
Associate’s Degree: two-year degrees offered at community colleges (example: Pellissippi State Community College)
Bachelor’s Degree: four-year degrees offered at public and private four-year colleges and universities (example: Lincoln Memorial University, East Tennessee State University)

6. Where to find colleges http://www.collegefortn.org

7. Preparing for College in 10th Grade
It’s never too early to start preparing for college!
Continue or start to take challenging courses.
Grades, Grades, Grades!
Put effort into extracurricular activities.
Research careers.
Take Advanced Placement (AP) Exams and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Subject tests as appropriate.
Apply for Governor’s School.

8. Preparing for College in 10th Grade
Research funding for college including scholarships, grants, loans, etc.
Visit colleges and browse the web.
Read.
Have a summer plan.
If you want to play Division I or II sports in college, start the certification process and check with your School Counselor to make sure you’re taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements.

9. Preparing for College: 11th Grade Fall Semester
Study for and take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).
Scores from the PSAT are used to determine eligibility and qualification for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Decide what type of schooling you want to pursue after high school.
Start a list of colleges and have a discussion with your family about the colleges you’re interested in.
Explore careers and their earning potentials.
Stay on track with your classes and grades.
Create an appropriate address if you don’t already have one. Get in the habit of checking it regularly.

10. Preparing for College: 11th Grade Fall Semester
Find out if the colleges you are interested in require the ACT, ACT Writing, SAT, or SAT Subject Tests.
Figure out when you’ll be taking important tests like the ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and AP exams, and mark the dates on your calendar.
Stay involved with extracurricular activities.
Start looking at financial aid information and scholarships so you will be prepared for next year. 
Start applying for scholarships that allow you to apply as a junior; note deadlines on calendar.
Start visiting colleges.
Apply for Governor’s School.

11. Preparing for College: 11th Grade Spring Semester
Register online for college admission exams such as the ACT or SAT.
All students are required to take the ACT as a graduation requirement.
Continue to keep track of academic and extracurricular activities and any recognitions and awards.
Prepare a challenging schedule for senior year.
Talk to your School Counselor about early postsecondary opportunities such as dual enrollment.

12. Preparing for College: 11th Grade Spring Semester
Apply for a summer job or internship in fields you’re interested in.
Continue visiting colleges on your short list while classes are in session. 
When researching schools, use a school's net price calculator, which is located on the institution's website, to get a personalized estimate of what that school will cost your family.
Ask seniors what advice they’d give on the college process.
Look over the Common Application so that you know which schools accept the common app and exactly what information you’re going to need when you apply to colleges.

13. Preparing for Senior Year
Senior year of high school is a busy and exciting time! In addition to being the leaders of Gibbs High School you will also be taking the next steps towards college and your career.

14. Jumpstart Your College Search Over the Summer
Go on college visits.
Narrow down your colleges being considered.
Start thinking about which teachers you would like to write letters of recommendation for you.
Use your list of activities you’ve participated in (volunteer experiences, honors and awards) since 9th grade and create a resume.
Work on your college application essays.
Think about engaging in a meaningful activity such as community service or travel.  

15. Jumpstart Your College Search Over the Summer
Review the application procedures for schools you plan to apply to. Write down and keep track of deadlines!
Start thinking about if you’re going to apply early decision or early action to any schools. This process typically begins earlier. If you plan to apply early decision to any school, take the time to visit the school again and make sure you’re willing to commit.
Get advice from other college students.
Read a variety of books and magazines and review your math skills over the summer.  This will help you to prepare for the ACT and/or SAT if you plan to take it in the fall.

16. Preparing for College: 12th Grade Fall Semester
Get in the habit of checking your regularly. Colleges and Federal Financial Aid will use this to contact you during your senior year.
Start saving money for unexpected college costs like calculators, transportation, application fees, etc.
Decide on the list of schools you’re applying to. Many students like to have a “dream school” and a “safety school” as well as two or three others.

17. Preparing for College: 12th Grade Fall Semester
Double check all college application deadlines and requirements.
If you’re applying early decision or early action, those deadlines are often between October 1st and November 1st.
Give any recommendation forms to appropriate teachers and counselors.
Send your official ACT or SAT test scores to the colleges where you’re applying. Retake ACT or SAT early if you want to try to raise your score.
Submit your college applications! Look for your school’s College App Week!
Request transcripts and letters of recommendation at least two weeks prior to application deadlines.
Transcripts can be requested in the counseling office.

18. Preparing for College: 12th Grade Fall Semester
Complete your FAFSA as close to October 1st as possible.
Look for your local FAFSA Frenzy events if you need help completing the FAFSA.
If you are chosen for verification, complete the verification form.
Work on scholarship applications and pay attention to deadlines.
Check with the financial aid offices of the colleges you’re applying to for other scholarship opportunities.

19. Preparing for College: 12th Grade Spring Semester
Look for acceptance letters/ s.
If you are accepted into the schools you applied to, you will receive your financial aid package.
Consider which school is the best social, academic, and financial fit for you.
Choose the college you want to attend!
Send in your non-refundable deposit to the school of your choice.
Ask your high school to send your final transcripts to the college of your choice.

20. Preparing for College: 12th Grade Spring Semester
Celebrate your acceptance to college!
Contact the admissions and financial aid offices at the schools you applied to in order to ensure they have everything they need from you.
Look into summer jobs, summer plans and a budget.
Notify your high school of your college choice and all scholarships and grants awarded.
Graduation!
Look into college orientation information, move-in information, and class availability. You may be able to register for classes already, or you may have to wait until later in the summer.

21. Paying For College
Developing a plan to pay for college can feel overwhelming. Fortunately for students in Tennessee, there are many options available to help reduce the cost of attending college, including:
The Tennessee Promise
Grants and Scholarships
This portion of the presentation is an important one because cost of college is a big concern for students and families. Consider inviting a parent of a current college student or a local alum to talk about how they addressed paying for college, or offering students and families additional meeting times with you specifically for financial aid questions.

22. Tennessee Promise
The Tennessee Promise is a financial aid program offering two years of tuition-free community or technical college to Tennessee high school graduates.
Tennessee Promise provides eligible students with a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or TSAA.
Each Tennessee Promise Scholar will receive a mentor who will provide guidance and assistance as the student enters higher education.
Applications are due by November 1 during your senior year of high school.
See for more information.

23. State Grants and Scholarships
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
Tennessee Student Assistance Award
General Assembly Merit Scholarship
Tennessee Aspire Award
Tennessee HOPE Access Grant
Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
Tennessee Hope Foster Child Tuition Grant

24. State Grants and Scholarships
Students must complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for Tennessee state grants and scholarships
Information can be found at:

25. Paying For College - Scholarships
Start searching early (you don’t have to be a senior to apply for scholarships)
Beware of scams!

26. Where to Find Scholarships
Scholarship websites (see handout)
School Counseling Programs’ Websites
Ask organizations/clubs to which you belong if they offer scholarships
Ask your employer (students and parents) if they offer scholarships
University-based Scholarships

27. Paying For College - Scholarships
There are colleges that meet up to 100% of your financial need
See US News and World Report article “Colleges That Claim to Meet Full Financial Need”

28. Questions?

29. Visit tnreconnect.gov today!
Whether you’re returning to finish a degree to going to college for the first time, Tennessee Reconnect can help!
Between providing for your family, working a job, and paying bills, returning to college can often seem like an unrealistic option. To make college a reality, Tennessee Reconnect programs are designed to help busy adults like you achieve dreams of attaining a college degree or certificate.
Visit tnreconnect.gov today!

30. Did you know? 81% of Tennessee adults would feel a sense of personal accomplishment by earning a college degree or certificate.
As part of Tennessee Reconnect, all Tennessee adults can attend and earn a diploma or certificate at any of our 27 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) completely free of tuition and fees.
Check out tnreconnect.gov to search for programs, choose a degree path, talk to an advisor, learn how to pay for college and estimate your expenses and calculate how many of your past credits may transfer to your degree program.
Tennessee has between 900,000 and 1 million adults with some college but no degree. It is impossible to achieve the mission of the Drive to 55 without re-engaging adults and helping them finish their degree or certificate.