1. Clearing the Path to Higher Education
COLLEGE PLANNING
Clearing the Path
to Higher Education

2. Terry E. Kopchak Educational Consultant/Advisor
Scholarship Central & Grantseekers Central
The Muskingum County Community Foundation

4. Scholarship Central Access Program
College Resource Center
Parental Advising
Financial Aid Advising
College Applications Advising
Scholarship Assistance
FAFSA Assistance
Scholarship Scouts
Early Awareness Activities
School and Community Workshops
Professional Development

5. It’s not just about helping students find scholarships.
The focus is on
COLLEGE PLANNING!

6. The COLLEGE PLANNING process … the earlier the better.
Early awareness and study habits and skills can be emphasized and developed in elementary school and continued throughout middle school.

7. The Middle School/Junior High experience must include career and college exploration activities and emphasis upon study habits, test-taking, and challenging coursework.

8. Students and parents should utilize college planning information and materials which offer “to do” lists for preparation for education beyond high school.
Elementary School
Middle School/Junior High
High School (Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12)
Adults

10. Resources for College Planning “Checklists”
Federal Student Aid
ACT
Great Lakes
College Planning Center com
College Prep
Just to name a few!

12. “College Access Advisor”
Individual personal assistance to students and parents.
Support to educational professionals, especially school guidance personnel.
Information and services to the community through direct contact, displays, publications, meetings, workshops, seminars, and other events.

13. No matter how early we begin the college planning process, the junior and senior years of high school are the most critical and require substantial time, attention, and direction.

14. Initial College Planning Session
College Planning Folder
Admissions Testing (ACT/SAT)
College Choices/College Visits
Career/Major Choices
Activities, Honors, Awards (*Volunteer Service)
College Applications/Admissions
FAFSA Preparation
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarship Search (Local, State, National)

15. Tips for Scholarship Application Process
Create a personal list of scholarships to apply for in order of deadline dates.
Develop an Activity Sheet listing in and out of school activities, honors, and awards during high school, and especially volunteer service.
Request multiple “official transcripts” from guidance office for use with applications.
Obtain at least 2 letters of recommendation from school people and at least 1 from a community source.
Develop a general biographical essay of about 1 typed page which focuses upon goals for college and the future and strengths as a candidate for scholarships.

16. Follow-Up College Planning Sessions
Research Colleges and/or Scholarships
Develop Activity Sheet or Portfolio
Complete college applications
Prepare and file the FAFSA
Complete scholarship applications
Edit essays and responses to questions on college and/or scholarship applications
Interpret FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) and Financial Aid Award Letters from colleges

17. Important Components of Effective College Planning
Academic Rigor Take the most challenging courses possible. Consider AP and/or PSEO opportunities.
Getting Organized Create a college planning folder or notebook to gather materials about colleges, financial aid, and steps for college preparation.

18. Make a “wish list” of colleges of interest
Make a “wish list” of colleges of interest. Explore the colleges via websites, view books, college fairs, presentations, and personal visits.
Meaningful college visits are vitally important in considering the options for higher education.
Don’t just take the tour. Talk with admissions and financial aid counselors, talk with advisors or faculty in the field of interest, and talk with students who attend there. Current students will offer real insight and opinions about the school.

19. Take the ACT and/or SAT more than once!
Types of Schools
2-Year, 4-Year, Online, Career/Technical, Public, Independent, Proprietary.
Explore various options and scenarios which may represent the best opportunities for success and affordability.
Take the ACT and/or SAT more than once!
Participate in practice activities and classes to prepare and review for the tests.
Be aware of which test may be preferred by the college(s) of interest.

20. Prepare for College Applications and Scholarship Applications
Create a neat and thorough, but concise, list or resumé of school activities, community service, honors, and awards.
Gather a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation from school personnel (teacher, coach, counselor, principal, etc.) and 1 letter of recommendation from a community source (employer, pastor, family friend, etc.).
Develop basic essay responses which may be adapted (goals and plans for future, personal strengths, etc.)

21. Don’t hesitate to request waiver of application fees.
College Applications
Submit several college applications by the end of December.
Select at least 1 “dream school”, practical/probable choices, and 1-2 back-ups (include local options).
Don’t hesitate to request waiver of application fees.

22. Apply for Financial Aid
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 of senior year, but before the priority deadlines of the colleges of interest. The FAFSA is the first and most important step in the financial aid process. Filing as early as possible will assure consideration by the colleges for all assistance they offer, including federal grants and loans, work-study, and institutional merit and need-based aid.

23. FAFSA
It is more important that the FAFSA be filed on time than for it to contain accurate data! If federal taxes are not yet completed, estimated figures or the previous year’s tax data may be used. Corrections may be made after taxes are done.
The student and at least one parent/guardian must each obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from Federal Student Aid for signing the electronic FAFSA document.
Each question should be carefully answered and all responses reviewed before final submission.

24. FAFSA Financial Aid Award Letters
Thoroughly review the Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA, print out several copies of it for records and future use for scholarship applications.
Maintain secure records of FAFSA info, such as PIN’s, passwords, challenge answers, etc.
Financial Aid Award Letters
Award Letters must be reviewed carefully and thoroughly to determine details about aid packages. Compare one school’s offer to others.

25. Apply for Scholarships
Gather information and application materials for outside scholarships that are available form high school guidance, local college access offices, businesses, and organizations, as well as online sources and programs. Apply, apply, apply for scholarships!
Outside sources of financial aid can “close the gap” between the cost of attendance and available funding for college.

26. This presentation will be posted for download on www.mccf.org
Carefully weigh all factors in making a sound decision about selecting a college and don’t be afraid to
ASK for HELP!
This presentation will be posted for download on

27. Terry E. Kopchak Educational Consultant/Advisor
Scholarship Central & Grantseekers Central
The Muskingum County Community Foundation

28. Clearing the Path to Higher Education
COLLEGE PLANNING
Clearing the Path
to Higher Education