1. Fort Mill High School Senior Parent IGP Meeting
September 8, 2016

2. Counseling Staff Shelley Graf 10-12 A-E Hannah Rash 10-12 F-K
Celestine Peters L-Q
Allison Davis R-Z

3. Important Announcements
Parents, we will meet with your student if they missed the senior meeting. We will go over all information posted in this PowerPoint.
Parents please empower your students to reach out to their counselor with questions.
Counselors are generally available before and after school, during student lunches, FLEX, and by appointment to answer any questions students may have regarding the college process.

4. Folder Contents Transcript White
Graduation/College Requirements Yellow
Completion of Major Application Yellow
Family Connection Step by Step Grey
How to Submit College Applications Grey
Fall 2016 Freshmen Profiles Salmon
State Scholarship Information Green
SAT/ACT Dates Blue
Test Preparation & Career Exploration Blue
Community or Technical College Information Purple
Step by Step Applying to York Tech Purple
Tips for Writing a College Essay Pink
To Students, From Your Professors Pink

5. *Meeting the SC Graduation requirements are required for this path.
Based on the courses you have taken, it appears your post high school plans are :
Work, Military,
2-year school, or
2-year transfer option
*Meeting the SC Graduation requirements are required for this path.
4-Year School
*Meeting the SC Graduation requirements are required for this path AS WELL AS additional courses. Courses that are required for a 4-Year school are designated with a CR.
I understand that I
must successfully
complete all courses bulleted to participate
in the WKHS
graduation ceremony.
________________
Student Signature
_______________
Parent Signature CR CR

6. Graduation Requirements
Yellow sheet
Bulleted in the “Work In Progress” section of the transcript.
Must earn credit in all classes bulleted to participate in graduation.
CR indicates a course needed to meet admission requirements for SC Schools (not needed for graduation from high school).
GPA is printed in the GPA Summary. SC Schools use the GPA and Rank from the SC UGP GPA column (weighted GPA – based on 5 point scale).

7. 4-Year School Your Plans
Listed on the top right of your transcript (indicated based on courses taken)
Work, Military, or 2-Year School
Includes 2 year transfer option
4-Year School
Includes additional requirements

8. Apply for jobs toward the end of the school year. Resume Applications
Destination - Work
Apply for jobs toward the end of the school year.
Resume
Applications
Interview skills
Internship

9. Destination - Military
Research Military Scholarships
Visit recruiters during lunch
Take the ASVAB
Offered at Fort Mill High School on October 19th
Sign up in Guidance to take the ASVAB by September 19th

10. Destination – Two Year College
Purple Sheet
Transfer Programs vs. Career Programs
Take entrance exam required by the school. Can submit SAT or ACT scores, but most students take the placement test at the community college called the COMPASS test.
IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO PURSUE A HEALTH CAREER, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE SAT OR ACT.
Back of sheet gives step by step directions on applying to York Tech.

11. Destination - Four Year College
Additional Four Year College Requirements are noted with a “CR” under Work in Progress.
Take a college entrance exam (ACT or SAT or both)
Register for the early fall administration
Fee waivers are available two weeks prior to test date.
Send scores directly from testing organization to college.

12. High School Majors
Yellow Sheet
Must have 4 Credits in an area to earn a major
Can earn multiple majors
Recognized at Graduation

13. Majors Optional Must Complete Application
A major is NOT required to graduate
A high school major does NOT have to match your intended college major
Must Complete Application
Turn into Tina Gardner in Guidance
Separate applications for each major
Final application deadline: Friday, April 14, 2017

14. Application Apply through the college website
How to Apply to College
Use the AT&T Method:
White Sheet
Application Apply through the college website
Test Score Send your test score(s) to the college (directly from testing agency)
Transcript Send your transcript to the college (through Naviance/Family Connections)

15. Applying to College Research Possible Colleges
Internet Searches
College Websites
College Visits
Open Houses
Campus Tours
2 days are excused for Official College Visits. Must present statement from the college that you attended on Official College Visit.
Wednesday, October 19th – Extra opportunity to do a College Visit the day of PSAT/ASVAB testing

16. Online applications are preferred by colleges
Applying to College
Online applications are preferred by colleges
Apply to at least four colleges
Don’t let cost keep you from applying
Apply NOW - even if you plan to take/retake an entrance exam

17. Application deadline vs. credential deadline
Deadlines
Application deadline vs. credential deadline
Watch for deadlines - each school sets their own
Set a personal deadline of Halloween

18. Recommendations
Some colleges (and many scholarships) will ask for letters of recommendation.
Carefully select references- someone who can comment on your positive characteristics.
Contact your references early - allow them AT LEAST two weeks to write your letter.
Complete a Resume or Activity Sheet to give to your recommender
Naviance/Family Connections has a resume template
Should you waive your right to view your recommendations? YES!

24. Visit Guidance Website
Common App Matching
Check
Visit Guidance Website

25. Only your counselor can see your information
Family Connections
Organizational tool
Only your counselor can see your information
Colleges cannot view your account
Allison

26. Family Connections I need to Register Enter Registration Code
Choose an you use often

27. How to Request a Transcript
Click Colleges Tab

28. Colleges I’m Applying to…

31. Naviance Set Up Help
Tuesday, September 20th counselors will assist seniors who would like help setting up their Naviance account. Anyone interested should come to the Media Center during FLEX.

32. SAT
Blue Sheet
To register AND send scores go to:
Critical Reading (new SAT = Evidence-Based Reading and Writing), Math, and Essay
Colleges will accept old or new SAT scores
Super Scoring
Cost : $45 (No Writing); $57 Plus Writing
Subject Test- Do you need it?
Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this.

33. ACT To register AND send scores go to: www.actstudent.org
One composite score
$ no writing, $ plus writing
Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge - take advantage of this!
To determine if your college/university requires/recommends the writing portion, go to:

34. College Athletes
If you are planning to participate in college level athletics, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
Registration is online at eligibilitycenter.org
Register NOW. Registration requires submitting your transcript and sending your ACT or SAT test scores.
See your coach for more information.

35. College Application Day
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Seniors can fill out at least one college application that day in the Media Center
Counselors and College Admission Representatives will be there to help.
Not Mandatory - but encouraged!
Students will be given a pass to come to the Media Center starting at 12:45 pm

36. Students must sign up in Guidance starting Monday, September 12.
Ready - Set - APPLY!
Students must sign up in Guidance starting Monday, September 12.
Space is limited. First come first serve.
Students MUST fill out the provided workbook prior to coming to College Application Day.

37. Federal Financial Aid Green Sheet
Must complete Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Need Based
Pell Grant
Campus-based Programs
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Federal Work Study Program
Perkins Loan Program
Stafford Loan
PLUS Loans (Parents)
Financial Aid Night – November 1, 2016
Hannah

38. State Supported Scholarships
Palmetto Fellows
For Early Awards, Mrs. Peters will submit the application and required documentation to the CHE for the students who qualify by Dec 15th. Students are eligible to apply if they meet one of the following:
Score 1200 (Reading + Math) on SAT or 27 on ACT, 3.5 minimum GPA, top 6% of sophomore, junior or senior year. OR
Score 1400 On SAT or 32 ACT and 4.0 GPA
Up to $6,700 1st academic year
Increases to $7500 in 2nd, 3rd and 4th academic years
For Late Awards, the guidance counselor/school representative must submit the application and required documentation to the Commission on Higher Education for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship by June 15th. Add reporting code

39. Palmetto Fellows - Continued
In order for the student to receive scholarship funds they MUST complete the DESIGNATION FORM
This is the SOLE responsibility of the student
The student is provided this form via to the listed on the electronic application
The student MUST attend an eligible 4-year institution the fall semester immediately following high school graduation
Enrolling in a 2-year institution during a fall or spring semester forfeits the student’s PFS eligibility
Not enrolling the fall semester upon high school graduation forfeits the student’s PFS eligibility

40. State Supported Scholarships
LIFE Scholarship
Four-Year school- two out of three qualifiers
3.0
top 30% of graduating class
1100 on SAT or 24 on ACT
Up to $5000 per academic year
Two-Year school-
Cost of tuition (up to $5000) plus $300 book allowance

41. State Supported Scholarships
HOPE Scholarship
Only available at Four-Year schools
3.0 Final GPA
Up to $2,800 for the first academic year
Lottery Tuition Assistance Program
Only available at Two-Year schools
Must complete a FAFSA
Award money varies by academic year.

42. Naviance/Family Connections
Scholarships
Naviance/Family Connections
Advertised scholarships, most have links available online or applications can be ed to you from guidance.
Local Scholarships: Feb/May
Church, Work, Clubs
Institutional Scholarships:
Contact your school’s Financial Aid Office
Most are automatically considered

44. Scholarships - continued
Beware of “for fee” services
Popular websites:
Submit a copy of your award letter to Guidance - we use this to calculate the total scholarship money earned for the class of 2017.

45. Scholarship Scams 1. Fees
2. Credit card or bank account information needed
3. Scholarship guarantee
4. No work involved
5. No contact information
6. Unsolicited scholarships
7. Pressure tactics
8. Claims of "exclusive" scholarships
9. Sponsor goes out of their way to sound "official"
10. Your questions aren't answered directly

46. Tips for Parents The application process should be student driven.
Have your student apply NOW! You don’t have to wait for test scores.
Review this PowerPoint on the Guidance website.
Make sure to request ALL transcripts through your Family Connection account
Make sure you send ALL test scores directly from the testing agency

47. Important Dates:
Tuesday, September 20 – Help setting up Family Connection/Naviance account in Media Center (FLEX)
***Counselors cannot send transcripts if you do not have your account set up!!***
Thursday, October 6 – College Application Day
Monday, October 17 – College Fair at Winthrop University (6 PM – 8 PM)
Wednesday, October 19 – College Visit Day (need to bring documentation of visit for it to be an excused absence)
Tuesday, November 1 – Financial Aid Night
(6:30 PM in F106/F112)

48. Next Steps Return the Major Application by April 14, 2017. Questions
Return one signed copy of the transcript before you leave tonight.
Return the Major Application by April 14, 2017.
Questions

49. Thanks for Coming! Questions & Answers
See the counselors in the commons, or make an appointment to see your counselor if you have any other questions.