1. Mr. Seth Young, Principal
Senior Year
WELCOME!
Mr. Seth Young, Principal
Mr. Tom Kupec, A – J
Mrs. Billie J. Fry, K – Z
CEEB Code #

2. Your senior has/will be informed!
Counselors are in process of visiting all senior English classes.
Each senior will receive a packet of information.

3. Important Dates
College Fair – September 28th from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
College Application Day – October 5th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Senior Job Shadow – October 11th – All Day
Financial Aid Night – October 12th at 6:30 PM

4. College Timeline for Seniors
Apply EARLY! (by November 1st)
Take SAT/ACT if necessary (by Jan. 1st)
Visit colleges in which you are interested
Research private scholarships:
http//:asd1.schoolwires.com/wrhs
Complete the FAFSA after Oct.1, 2017
Expect financial aid packages from colleges by March/April
Pay deposit to college by May 1, 2018
Final transcript sent to college via Parchment
week of June 18th, 2018.

5. Key Points for Seniors:
Apply with intention! Plan A,B,C… Applications begin the file (3-6).
Request transcripts be sent to college(s) via Parchment account.
Send SAT/ACT scores to college OR check ACCUPLACER scores
Essays (if necessary)
Teacher Recommendations (if necessary)

6. Testing 101 Which test do I take?
ACT – 4 year college
SAT – 4 year college
ACCUPLACER – 2 year college
How many times do I take the test(s)?
Do I need to take any of these tests?

7. Technical College information:
Requires placement testing (Accuplacer)
SAT/ACT is NOT required for admission
3.0 GPA on final transcript = FREE tuition
Bridge programs, University transfer (What’s the difference?)
Associate degree, certificate program
Current dual enrollment students need to re- apply for fall semester admissions

8. Possible Sources of Financial Aid
FEDERAL: Grants, Loans, Work Study, Teach Grants
STATE: Palmetto Fellows, Life, Hope, Need Based Grants, SC Tuition Grant, Lottery Tuition Assistance.  
COLLEGE: Merit, Special Talent, Departmental Awards
PRIVATE: Free Scholarship Searches, Employer of Parent/Student, Civic Organizations, Church Organizations, Guidance Website

9. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
A form of need analysis
Determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Use ALL 2016 income (taxed and untaxed)
Provide both student and parent(s) income
Looks at total Household size
How many are in college?
Total assets are considered in calculation
Can send to up to 10 colleges/universities
FREE
Help is available online and by phone at Fed-Aid ( )
Do your taxes early, will need the info to complete, don’t need to file taxes
but must complete prior to trying to complete this form.
Not fully decided on which college no problem list up to the six most likely
if you decide on a different one it can be added later
Best of all it is free. Do Not Pay someone to help you complete this form.

10. Federal Programs Pell Grant Supplemental Ed. Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
TEACH Grant
College Work Study
Perkins Loan
Direct Subsidized/Un Loan Programs
Direct PLUS Loan
These are the federal programs your tax dollars are paying for. Take
advantage of them, you don’t know if you qualify until you apply.

11. Electronic Applications
Create an FSA ID# - this has replaced the PIN #
Apply online after Oct. 1, 2017
FED-AID
Paper applications are available but the process is slower, and much more prone to error, the online version catches most of the mistakes we make.
Your college or guidance office has the paper forms if needed.
Save this PIN you will need it for years to come.

12. State Programs in SC Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Palmetto Life Scholarship
Hope Scholarship
Lottery Tuition Assistance
Need-Based Grant
Administered by SC Commission on Higher Education
CHE’s web site has all the details but the main points are as follow.

13. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Available for attendance at four year institutions
in South Carolina
Maximum Award
$6,700 during Freshman year
$7,500 per year for Sophomore through Senior years
Must apply during Senior year of high school
Deadline for early applications is December 15
Deadline for final applications is June 15
Guidance Counselors will help with the application process
This is the premier scholarship for the most academically talented.

14. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Initial Eligibility criteria:
Top 6% of class,
1200 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 27 or higher ACT, and
3.50 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale OR
1400 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 32 or higher ACT, and
4.00 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale
Continued Eligibility criteria:
3.0 GPA or greater and at least an average
of 30 credit hours per academic year.

15. LIFE Scholarship Any two of these three:
Initial Eligibility requirements at a 4 year school:
Any two of these three:
3.0+ final cumulative GPA
Top 30% of high school class
1100+ SAT (math and critical reading), or 24+ ACT
Initial Eligibility requirements at a 2 year school:
3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

16. LIFE Scholarship
Available for attendance at a two or four year institution in South Carolina.
Maximum Award – at a Four Year institution:
Up to $5,000 per year
Maximum Award – at a Two Year or Technical School:
Up to Cost of tuition + $300 book allowance
This is the big one that came about with lottery proceeds.
Can not double dip, Palmetto Fellow and Life
If don’t qualify as an entering freshman, can earn it by making a 3.0 GPA

17. SC Hope Scholarship
Freshman year only at four year institutions in South Carolina
Maximum Award:
Up to $2,800 towards the cost of attendance
Eligibility Requirements:
3.0 GPA at time of high school graduation
If not quite eligible for the Life the Hope may help. This is a one year only
scholarship, after the first year you must make a 3.0 to qualify for the
Life or no more help.

18. Award Letters for Each College
Award Letters from Colleges:
Institutional money- Scholarships
Federal money-Grants, Loans, Work Study
State money-Scholarships, Grants
Actual Cost of Attendance

19. REMEMBER: Complete college applications EARLY! Complete the FAFSA!
FED-AID (Help Center for FAFSA)
(FAFSA info)
(NCAA)
Senior Parent Night, September 14th – 6:30PM
Fin. Aid Night, October 12th – 6:30PM

20. Recommended Websites
WREN HS: Go to the Guidance tab on the top and select from the dropdown menu. Information on testing, scholarships, colleges, a guidance calendar and more.
TESTING:
–Student and parent sections. Information on the SAT, AP and CLEP. Register online for the SAT.
–ACT information and registration.
–Click on ‘prospective students’, then ‘getting started’, then ‘placement testing’. Information on placement testing for technical colleges.
COLLEGES:
Information about SC colleges, college search, apply to SC colleges.
–College search and links to all colleges.
colleges use the common application.
– 95 colleges use the coalition application.
CAREER:
–Career testing and information. Students have lifetime membership with the SC Career and Planning System.
– Career testing and information.
- US Dept of Labor website. Detailed info on various careers.

21. Questions