1. Welcome to the 2017-2018 Johnsonville High School Senior Guidance Night

2. Seniors…….Ask Yourself These Important Questions:
What am I going to do with my life after graduating from high school?
Do I want to go straight to work?
Do I want to join the Military?
Do I want to go to a technical college, a 4-year college or a specialty school?
Have I taken an Interest Inventory with our career facilitator lately to see where my interests indicate success in a chosen career field?
Have I researched different career options, figured out a career choice and made a plan?
Have I learned what I have to do next to begin working towards my chosen career path in this field?

3. Did you know that you could earn more money staying in school and graduating?
High school graduates earn $430,000 more over their lifetimes than high school dropouts…..
Do you want to struggle to pay your bills and take care of your family?
Do you want to miss out on the things you love but CAN’T afford?
Do you want to have to settle for the jobs that are left over because that’s all you qualify for?
You’re on the final stretch of the race…..DON’T GIVE UP NOW!!!!!!
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4. Did you know you could DOUBLE your income by graduating from college…..
A two-year Associate’s degree is worth $390,000 more than a high school diploma.
A four-year Bachelor’s degree is worth $1.2 million more than a high school diploma.
A Doctorate (Ph.D.) is worth $1.7 million more than a Bachelor’s degree.
A Professional (law or medical) degree is worth $2.9 million more than a Bachelor’s degree.

5. College Graduates Earn MORE Money:
College Facts – Student Presentation
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6. Did you know COLLEGE is Required for a Better Job……
All of the highest paying jobs require at least a college degree.
Jobs for college graduates include better benefits, such as life insurance, health insurance and retirement plans.
College graduates have half the unemployment rates of high school graduates and better job security.
There are many more jobs available for college graduates than for high school graduates.

7. College = Lower Unemployment Rate
College Facts – Student Presentation
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8. College Helps You to Help Your Family…
You will be able to BETTER support your family with a larger salary AND better benefit packages.
You will pave the way for your brothers and sisters and other relatives to go to college.
You will be able to help your children with their homework and give them a better life. As a result, they will be more likely to attend college themselves.

9. College Facts – Student Presentation
College is a Lot of Fun!
You get to do amazing things and to train for a job you will enjoy. There are many activities on college campuses like student government, sports and fraternities/sororities.
You will meet smart and interesting people from all over the nation and establish lifelong friendships.
At college, it is actually “cool” to be smart. You will learn how to think and express yourself more clearly and solve important problems. You will become more independent and self-confident.
College Facts – Student Presentation
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10. Choosing a Career Path…
Choosing a Career Path….Your choice of careers will define and drive the College Selection Process.
If you are uncertain of your career path….you will need to meet with Mr. Craton Dicks to set up an appointment to do an interests inventory and begin the career search process.
Every senior needs to identify a Plan “A” and a Plan “B” (or a backup plan). You never know what the future holds….plans can change….be flexible!!!
Do research and be knowledgeable about your career choice and both career plans. Make sure you have the interests, abilities and personal strengths/skill sets to be happy and successful in this career?
Now you can begin your College Search based on the information you have gathered!!!!

11. In deciding where to apply, first consider your values…
In deciding where to apply, first consider your values….ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
Do you value being close to home, or would you prefer to go far away?
Are you looking for schools with strong resources in your potential major, or are you looking to have a school with a lot of potential choices/options? Perhaps you can find both. If the college you’ve chosen DOESN’T have your chosen major that’s a MAJOR RED FLAG!!!!
What about the size of the school? Do you want to be the BIG fish in the Little Pond or the LITTLE fish in the BIG Pond?
Your main concern may also be finding the sweet spot between affording college and getting a quality education.

12. Considering what’s important to you — and what isn’t — is a good way to gain clarity about what you actually want from your educational experience. If nothing else…..it helps you to know what to STAY AWAY FROM !!!
Academics – Liberal Arts Colleges/Universities or Training /Trade Schools…..highly selective reputations or general admissions…..Public or Private…Religious or Secular….
Location – In-State or Out-of-State….Near the mountains or the beach….this could affect hobbies / extra curricular activities such as snow skiing or surfing….On campus housing, apartments or commuting back and forth…
Athletics – strong athletic program and reputation or more academic and research oriented with an intramurals program…a college may want YOU to play for them!

13. Types ​ of​ ​ college admissions Decisions:​
Early​ ​Action​ ​ ​allows ​​you​ ​to​​ apply​ ​to a​ ​​school​ ​early,​ ​meaning that​ you’ll​ ​hear​​ back​ sooner ​about​ ​ your​ ​ status​ as​ an​​ applicant.​ ​ Some​ ​ schools​ ​ offer​ ​ exclusive/restrictive​ ​ early​​ action,​ ​ ​which means​ that​ ​ you​ ​ can​​ apply​ ​ ​early​ to​ ​ that​ ​​school​ ​but ​ not​​ ​any​ ​other​ ​school.​ ​ ​ ​Regardless, the ​ advantage​ ​ of​ ​ early​ ​ action​ ​ is​ ​ that​ ​ whether​ ​ or​​ not​ ​ you’re​ ​ accepted​ ​ to​ ​ your​​ early​ ​ action​ ​​school, you ​ can​ ​ still​ ​ apply​ ​ regular​ ​ ​action to other​​ ​schools ​​afterward.​ ​
Early ​​action​ ​shows​ ​the​ ​college​ ​that you’re very​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​their​ ​school,​ ​increasing​ ​the​ ​likelihood​ ​ of​ ​acceptance,​ ​but​ ​leaving​ ​you the ​flexibility​ ​ to​ ​still​ ​go​ ​to​ ​another ​school ​if​ ​you ​wish.​​

14. Early​ ​Decision​ ​Though​ ​they​ ​sound​ ​alike,​ early​ ​ decision​ ​ is​ ​ different​ ​ from​ ​ early​ ​ action:​ ​ in​ ​ early​ decision​ ​you​ ​sign​ ​a ​ contract​ ​ saying​ ​ that​​ you​ ​ will​​ attend​ ​ ​the​ ​school​ ​if​ ​you ​ are​ ​ accepted.​ ​ ​If ​you’re​ totally​ ​invested​ in​ ​ a​ ​ school​ ​ and​ ​ know​​ ​for​ ​sure​ that’s​ ​where​​ ​you​ ​want ​ to​ ​ go​ ​ –​ ​ regardless​ ​ of​ ​ how​ much ​ financial​ ​ aid​ ​ you’ll​ ​ receive​ ​ ​– ​ then​​ go​ ​ for​ ​ it!​ ​
***If Financial aid is a concern….hold off on doing Early Decision till you know the costs involved!!!

15. The 2 most common admissions decisions:
Rolling​ ​Admission​:​ ​Rolling ​ admission​ ​ means​ ​that​ ​ the​ ​ school​​ will​ ​ take​ ​ qualified​ ​ applicants​​ until​ the​ ​class​ ​is​ ​filled.​ ​You​ ​can​ ​apply ​ anytime​ ​ after​ ​ a​ ​ certain​ ​ date​ ​ and​ ​ will​ ​ hear​ ​ back​ ​ within​ ​ a​ particular​ ​number​ ​of​ ​weeks ​ on​​ your​ ​ status.​ ​ ​
Regular​ ​Decision​: ​This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​final​ ​and​ ​most​ ​normal​ ​ opportunity​ ​to​ ​apply​ ​for​ ​a​ ​school.​ ​Make​ ​sure you ​ get​ ​ your​ ​ applications​ ​ ​in​ ​before​ ​this​ ​deadline​ ​so​ ​you​ don’t​ ​​have​ ​to​ ​worry​ about​​ ​it.​ ​Most​ ​of your ​ applications​ ​ will​ ​ be​ ​ regular​ ​ decision.​

16. Get ORGANIZED:
Start a special folder/binder and a planner where you can keep up with all correspondence and contact with colleges, financial aid and scholarship information.
Always date documents, print off confirmation pages, and keep an accurate record of all you provide or submit to them.
If you have questions….write them down so you don’t forget them….get answers!!!
If you have concerns or issues….get help to resolve them!!!
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BUSINESS IN A TIMELY AND EFFICIENT MANNER!!!

17. Once you’ve narrowed down your College choices…You’ll need Standardized Test Scores to start the college application process.
ACT and Work Keys – All Seniors should have an ACT score and a Work Keys certificate from this past Spring when you took it here at JHS!!!!
SAT – Some of you chose to take SAT as well as the ACT and have scores for both.
If you don’t have the test score you need to get admitted to your college of choice or to qualify for scholarships…..you need to take either the ACT or SAT until you get the score you need!!!!
You will need to register online as quickly as possible!
Fee waivers are available for students who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program. There is a limit of 2 per senior.
ASVAB – If you are planning to join the military after high school, you may need to RETAKE the ASVAB to get a higher score. See Ms. Diane if you need to test on 12/13/17 to get on the testing roster.

18. What does your high school transcript say about you?
Colleges will want to see how you used your time in high school, examining your course load and grades. Usually colleges will weigh the high school junior and sophomore years with more clout than freshman year, as they understand the adjustment period to high school can be hard. Overall, colleges are mindful of trends in your transcript.
Colleges will usually weigh your academic performance relative to the opportunities available at​ ​your​ ​school​ ​and​ ​not​ ​against​ ​the​ ​opportunities​ of​ ​other​ ​students​ ​from​ ​other​ ​schools.

19. “Official” High School Transcripts:
Notify Ms. Prosser in the Guidance Office when you need for your Official HS Transcript to be sent to a college/university. Some colleges will accept an unofficial copy from you.
Notification to Ms. Prosser can be by , written note or by submitting a guidance request form….please remember to sign it and date it!!! I will also sign it and date it when it has been sent to the college. This will leave a paper trail that we can back track and follow if something goes wrong.
You have been given an Unofficial copy of your transcript in your senior folder for your reference and use. OFFICIAL COPIES MUST BE SENT BY GUIDANCE AND SENT DIRECTLY TO THE COLLEGE, SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND/OR RELEVANT PROGRAMS!!!

20. How Student Financial Aid can help pay the bills and make your dream of going to college a reality!!!
College isn’t always as expensive as you might think.
There’s a lot of money available to help you pay for college.
Student financial aid will help you bridge the gap between college costs and what you and your family can afford to pay.
Student aid includes money from the federal and state government, from colleges themselves, and scholarships from foundations, private organizations and companies.

21. Five Types of Student Financial Aid:
Gift aid, such as grants and scholarships, which is free money that does not need to be repaid.
Student employment, such as part-time work- study jobs, which lets you earn as you learn.
Student loans, which is money that is repaid over several years, usually with interest.
Education tax benefits, such as the Hope Scholarship tax credit, which is money you get by filing a federal income tax return, even if you don’t owe any taxes.
Military student aid, such as ROTC and the GI Bill, where you earn money for your education in exchange for service in the United States Armed Forces.

22. The Best Type of Student Aid:
Grants and scholarships are better than student loans because you don’t have to pay them back!
Some funds are awarded based on financial need (the difference between the costs and ability to pay)….
Some funds are based on academic, artistic or athletic merit or other skills and activities….
Some funds are based on unusual criteria
Creating a prom costume out of duct tape
A scholarship for left-handed students

23. Scholarships offered by the State of South Carolina:
S.C. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
S.C. Life Scholarship
S.C. Hope Scholarship
S.C. LTAP (Lottery Tuition Assistance Program)
Palmetto Fellows and Life Enhancement Scholarships – for students who major in Math, Science, and/or STEM majors at college and are awarded for the sophomore year of college.
S.C. Need-Based Grant
S.C. Teaching Fellows Program
S.C. Tuition Grants Program – awarded to students who choose to attend a private college to offset the cost of higher tuition.
You have a brochure in your packet
with more information!!!

24. How Do You Find Scholarships?
Use a free online scholarship match service like
Fastweb matches your profiles personal characteristics against a very large database of scholarships, so you will see only those scholarships for which you are qualified.
The Fastweb database is updated daily, with automatic notification of new awards that match your profile.
Fastweb also provides college resources such as information on financial aid, college admissions, internships and more.

25. Other Good Scholarship Websites:
Schoolsoup.com
CollegeXpress.com
Going Merry.com
Zinch.com
Imagine America Foundation.org
Affordable Colleges.com
StudentAid.gov
Scholarships offered by the college you’ve chosen…
Presidential Scholarships, athletic scholarships, etc.
Local Scholarships – check the scholarship board at the back door of the guidance office and Mr. Craton’s office on a regular basis to see scholarships that come through the school.
APPLY EARLY AND INCREASE YOUR ODDS BY APPLYING TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE!!!

26. How Do You Apply for Scholarships?
After you locate the scholarships, you will need to submit an application to each scholarship.
Many scholarships require short essays, letters of recommendation and high school transcripts.
If you become a finalist, some scholarships will conduct an in-person or telephone interview.
If you win the scholarship, the sponsor will hold the money until you have enrolled in college. They will then send a check to you and/or to the college to help you with your college costs.

27. Don’t Lose Your Scholarship….
Some scholarships are renewable, which means you get money every year you are in college as long as you continue to meet the established guidelines.
You may be required to get and maintain good grades….sometimes a required GPA and/or minimum number of college credit hours to keep the scholarship.
You may be required to send annual grade reports to the scholarship sponsor to verify your status and stay eligible.

28. Beware of Scholarship Scams!!!
Beware of scholarships that charge any kind of an application fee, even if it is just a few dollars.
Don't invest more than a postage stamp for information about scholarships or to apply for scholarships.
If you have to pay money to get money it’s probably a scam.
Don’t give out your Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number or debit card number to any scholarship providers!!!
Nobody can guarantee that you will win a scholarship.

29. What is Need-Based Financial Aid and how do you Apply for it?
Need-Based financial aid is provided by the U.S. Department of Education and is awarded to eligible students for FEDERAL grants, loans, and work study programs. It is usually based on your family’s income, number of family members, and family circumstances…..
To be eligible for Federal Financial Aid you and your parent must apply for a FSAID #(this is how you sign the online application electronically) and complete the FAFSA online application at
Federal financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis which makes it really important to complete the form as soon as it becomes available on October 1st…..

30. How does the FAFSA work?
The FAFSA is used to calculate your “expected family contribution” or EFC, a measure of your family’s annual ability to pay for college.
A lower EFC makes you eligible to receive more need-based financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant.
Financial Need = Cost of Attendance – EFC
Students with a lower EFC qualify for more financial aid.
Students with a zero EFC (mostly students with family income less than $30,000) have full financial need and qualify for even more financial aid to help pay for school.

31. The FAFSA helps you to be eligible for:
Federal Pell Grants – awards approximately $5920 a year and is renewable.
SEOG – Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant awards up to $4,000 a year and is renewable.
Federal Work-Study
Student Loans: Subsidized and Unsubsidized
Subsidized – Need-Based student loans subsidized
by the federal government (Stafford and Perkins
Loans) LOW INTEREST Payments….
Unsubsidized - These are usually offered by
private companies and have Higher INTEREST
rates….not recommended if you can help it!!!

32. FAFSA Continued…..
More detailed information and instructions for applying for the federal financial aid are provided in your senior packet for you to refer to later….
Don’t forget to print out a copy of your FAFSA and the confirmation page once you have submitted your FAFSA……put it in your file.
Your Student Aid Report (SAR) will come and explain what aid you were eligible for….
You will be notified by your college of the financial aid package you have been awarded.
If you need assistance, please call or come by the guidance office!!!

33. Miscellaneous: Take Care of Your Business
Grades – Honor Roll, Academic Lettering, Honor/High Honor Graduates…NO Failures….NO Excuses…This is your last chance to pour it on and get your class rank and GPA as high as you can get it!!!
Absences – NO FA’s….failure due to EXCESSIVE absences….don’t be out unless it is excused…you are going to want the extra time at the end to enjoy the end of year activities!!! Clear up any MAKE-UP WORK you may have missed when you were out.
Listen to the MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS for instructions, deadlines, and reminders of things you will be responsible for doing.
JOSTENS - Senior supplies….ordering and paying for in a timely manner. Don’t order unnecessary items….it’s expensive enough without that!!!

34. Miscellaneous: Continued……
College Applications – 4-year college applications should be submitted by November 1st….if you are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner and you have not applied yet, you may be too late!!!! Know the DEADLINES for the college you want to attend!!!! Some deadlines can be as early as October 15th….
Applications to Technical Colleges can be submitted after the 1st of the year.
Fee waivers for college applications are available to seniors who are on free or reduced lunch and who were eligible to use a waiver to take either the ACT or SAT.

35. Miscellaneous: Continued…..
IGP Conferences - The last day to hold your senior IGP exit conference is Friday, September 29th. If you still have not had your conference as of today, have your parent contact Mr. Craton Dicks to set up an appointment!!!!
Pay your bills as you go….don’t let them all pile up on you and your parents at the end of the year. For example, make sure you are clear on Beta Club dues….you will not wear a Beta sash at graduation if you have not paid your dues to be a member in the Beta Club!!! Don’t forget your lunch account too….June will be too late to do anything about it

36. Raise the Bar:
Be active in curricular and extra-curricular activities….you will be more well-rounded!!!
Be positive role models and good leaders
Show pride in JHS and School Spirit
Make Good Choices….Good Decisions…Show Good Character and Integrity….DO THE RIGHT THING EVEN IF NO ONE ELSE DOES!!!
Have a Positive Attitude
No whining please….it only makes you look bad 
Make incredible memories that you will remember for a lifetime!!!
And finally…….

37. You will get out of this school year just what you put into it…
You will get out of this school year just what you put into it…..Make it be the best ever….
MAKE IT HAPPEN

38. I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have after the program….
Thank you for coming!!!
I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have after the program….