1. WELCOME!

2. Senior Portraits Taken by Prestige Photography
Prestige will automatically assign each student an appointment time beginning in June
Prestige will mail a flyer to the address HHS has on file with an appointment reminder
The onus is on the student to change the date/time
See teacher, Ms. Ginsberg for more details or call Prestige at Option #4

4. Goals Factors for choosing colleges College application process
Financial Aid
This summer
Tips

5. WHY GO TO COLLEGE?

6. What are some important college considerations?
Location – close or far from home
Size of campus – big, medium, small
Setting – urban, suburban, rural
Cost – financial aid or scholarships available
Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI)
Academic programs/majors offered
Student life – athletics, Greek life, student organizations
What else?

7. College List Safety Core Reach
Your numbers matter but they do not define you.

8. Importance of Admissions Criteria for Selective Colleges
Grades in college prep courses (AP, IB, Honors, Dual Enrollment)
Rigor of Coursework, Strength of school curriculum
Admissions Test Scores (ACT, SAT)
Grades in All Courses
Essays
Demonstrated Interest
Counselor Letter of Recommendation (ASK EARLY)
Teacher Letter of Recommendation (ASK EARLY)
Activities
Special skills, talents, awards, community service & passions
Interview

9. #1 pitfall for college applications?

10. Early Action vs. Early Decision
Nonbinding – you do not have to attend if accepted
Can apply to multiple schools EA (unless specified “single-choice”)
Receive response by January
Early Decision
Binding – you must attend if accepted
Can only apply to one college ED
Cannot apply to any schools EA, but can apply Regular Decision
Not recommended if you want to compare financial aid offers
EA and ED Deadline: November 1 (for most colleges)

11. Financial Aid Scholarships Grants Loans (subsidized vs. unsubsidized)
Work Study

12. Financial Aid Sources Financial aid vs. scholarships FAFSA
CSS Profile (usually more selective colleges)
Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC): State grants
TN Promise
Tuition savings programs
“No Loan” Schools
Outside & University scholarships

13. FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Application for Grants, Loans, Work-Study, Scholarships
Required for Hope Scholarship, TN Promise, and other $
Opens October 1, 2019
Submit by January 1, 2020 (ideally)

14. TENNESSEE PROMISE
FREE college tuition (yes, free)
Deadline is usually November 1
No GPA or ACT requirement
Only 2-year colleges, technical schools, and a few associate degree programs at 4-year schools.

15. TENNESSEE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP 3.0 unweighted GPA OR 21 ACT
4-year college:
Up to $1,750 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshmen and sophomore
Then up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior
2-year college:
Up to $1,500 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore

16. Tips to make the college process easy-ish
START EARLY
BE ORGANIZED
Get a college folder or binder
Write down passwords – you’ll have about 2,986,342 user ID/passwords to remember
BE EARLY FOR DEADLINES (remember, they are real)
CHECK YOUR (student’s) DAILY
START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS EARLY

17. Parent hints Communication with your child
College choice
Money conversations early
The student is going to college…
Recognize the changes that are happening
Leaving home, high school, comfort-zone
Roller coaster ride

18. What should students do this summer?
Research colleges and create a list of deadlines, including the college’s SCHOLARSHIP deadline
Visit colleges or plan visit days for the Fall
Prep for the ACT/SAT to take again in the fall
Start college essays – posted on Common App
Start Common Application (after August 1)
Decide on recommenders