1. 12 th Grade PEP Post-Secondary & Financial Planning

2. Overview Introduce first step in the financial aid process: completing the Federal Application for Student Aid Review scholarship data and learn tips for winning scholarships Review scholarship lists and document your scholarship research in Naviance Understand the admission process and complete at least 1 college application Take the college quiz to see what you know

3. How much will college cost?

4. But wait… It’s not the same for everyone. It depends on your financial need. The Net Price Calculator will help you estimate what college will cost you and your family. Watch video to learn more: http://netpricecalc.challenge.gov/submissions/5959 -worry-about-more-important-things http://netpricecalc.challenge.gov/submissions/5959 -worry-about-more-important-things

5. Where is the Financial Aid? Government: Grants Work Study Loans College, private companies, foundations: Scholarships

6. FAFSA Play DSF video on completing the FAFSA o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJ2kIHFhvQ&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJ2kIHFhvQ&feature=relmfu Cannot apply for FAFSA until January 1 st, 2013, but try to apply early because money is awarded on a first come first serve basis. What can you do now to get ready? o Encourage your parents to file their taxes early. o Visit www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to complete a trial application, visit www.pin.ed.gov to apply for your PIN #, and visit www.fafsa.gov to get familiar with the website.www.fafsa4caster.ed.govwww.pin.ed.gov www.fafsa.gov o Begin collecting information you will need: SSN, B-date, driver’s license, W-2 forms, tax returns, savings account info, stocks and bonds. o Continue exploring colleges and select your top 10 schools. You must list your college on the FAFSA in order to receive an award letter from the college once you are accepted.

7. FAFSA Refer to top half of page 15 on student handout.

8. Why is the FAFSA important? Students who:Result: Completed FAFSA 90% of students enrolled in post- secondary education within 12 months of graduating No FAFSA45% of students enrolled in post- secondary education within 12 months of graduating

9. FAFSA & DSF Completing the FAFSA will determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). College Cost (tuition, fees, room, board, books, etc.) Expected Family Contribution Financial Need This information is used by colleges to determine your financial aid package award. Likewise, it is also used by DSF and other need-based scholarships to determine eligibility and the amount awarded. Financial Need Awards (grants, loans, work study, scholarships) Unmet need

10. Undocumented Students & the FAFSA Undocumented students may qualify for federal and/or state financial aid based on their residency status o If you or your parents filed an application with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and are in the process of obtaining residency, you may be eligible to receive resident fee status for tuition purposes and you may also be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Speak to a licensed immigration attorney for further details regarding your specific situation. Students who lack proper legal documentation are not eligible for federal aid under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 sec 505. Likewise, students who lack proper legal documentation in Colorado are not eligible for state funds.

11. In addition to FAFSA What else can students do to help reduce their unmet need and help pay for college? Unmet need Scholarship $ What you pay

12. Who wins Scholarships? According to Cindy Nguyen, admissions counselor at Metro, 10% of the students apply for 90% of the scholarships. Of students enrolled full-time at a 4-year college, 14.3% get enough grants to cover 50% or more of their total Cost of Attendance (tuition, roam and board, books, etc.) Of students winning scholarships, one-third receive more than $2,500. Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

13. More scholarships awarded for some majors Major Percentage Winning Average Award Math/Statistics23.2%$4,059 Engineering17.6%$3,075 Physical Sciences17.1%$3,180 Life Sciences16.9%$2,649 Education15.0%$2,420 Health14.8%$2,880 Social Sciences12.7%$3,063 Humanities12.5%$2,623 Computer Science11.1%$2,974 Business9.1%$2,828 Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

14. More Students with Good Grades Win Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 Scale High School GPA (% Winning Scholarships) 0.0-1.9 (D- to C) 5.7% 2.0-2.4 (C to B-) 7.1% 2.5-2.9 (B- to B) 9.5% 3.0-3.4 (B to A-) 10.7% 3.5-4.0 (A- to A) 18.7% Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

15. Better Test Scores Mean More Awards SAT Combined Score Probability of Winning a Scholarship < 700 2.6% 700 to 800 4.2% 800 to 900 5.4% 900 to 1000 5.8% 1000 to 1100 7.4% 1100 to 1200 8.5% 1200 to 1300 11.2% 1300 to 1400 13.2% ACT Composite Score Probability of Winning a Scholarship < 15 2.6% 15-17 4.7% 18-20 5.6% 21-23 7.3% 24-26 8.3% 27-29 11.1% 30-36 14.2% Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

16. The Race Myth Race Percent of Recipients Percent Winning Average Award White 71.5%14.4%$2,645 Black or African American 10.5%11.4%$2,962 Hispanic or Latino 8.1%9.1%$2,353 Asian 4.4%10.5%$3,170 American Indian or Alaska Native 1.4%32.7%$3,967 More than One Race 3.4%16.0%$4,891 All Minority Students 28.5%11.2%$3,167 Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

17. Top Ten Most Unusual Scholarships 1.Scholarship for Left-Handed Students 2.Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest 3.David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship 4.Zolp Scholarships 5.Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship 6.Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award 7.National Marbles Tournament Scholarships 8.Klingon Language Institute Scholarship 9.National Beef Ambassador Program 10.Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

18. Strategies for Winning Scholarships It’s a numbers game o Even among talented students, who wins involves a bit of luck, not just skill o To win more scholarships, you need to apply to more scholarships, but only if you qualify You can’t win if you don’t apply o One in four students never applies for financial aid The more you apply, the easier it gets o Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application Don’t miss deadlines o Use a scholarship tracker to help get organized and help prioritize your applications by deadline and award amount o Use your calendar to note scholarship application deadlines Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

19. Use a Scholarship Tracker Refer to page 16 of student handout. Have student use this form to record scholarships they research.

20. Searching for Scholarships Start searching as soon as possible (if you wait until spring to start searching, you will miss half the deadlines) Use a free scholarship matching service and complete all questions, including optional questions, to increase your number of scholarship matches. Look for local scholarships on bulletin boards near the counseling office and/or the DSF office. Look for scholarship listing books in the library’s jobs and careers section, but check the date Look in the coupon section of the newspaper Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

21. Free scholarship matching websites www.finaid.org/scholarships www.finaid.org/websearch www.finaid.org/scholarshipscams www.fastweb.com www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams www.finaid.org/taxbenefits www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf

22. Additional Resources Refer to the bottom half of page 15 of student handout for additional info about college financial planning and scholarship information.

23. Naviance Scholarship Search Open a new tab and log-in to Naviance using the following Username and Password Student ID # mmddyy Click, “Log In”

24. Naviance 1) Click the colleges tab 2) Explore scholarship match and scholarship list

25. Scholarship List Click a category heading to sort by deadline, award amount, etc.

26. Scholarship Match

27. Scholarships for Undocumented Students Scholarship A-Z for Undocumented Students - http://www.latinosincollege.com/payingsch/Scholarship s_for_undocumented_students.pdf http://www.latinosincollege.com/payingsch/Scholarship s_for_undocumented_students.pdf Latino College Dollars - http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/ http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/ Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund http://www.maldef.org/assets/pdf/Scholarship_List_2010 _2011.pdf http://www.maldef.org/assets/pdf/Scholarship_List_2010 _2011.pdf BOCES Geneseo Migrant Center www.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships.htm www.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships.htm Harvest of Hope Foundation - www.harvestofhope.net www.harvestofhope.net View your handout for an additional list of scholarships

28. Scholarships and Undocumented Students Remember, while undocumented students may not receive federal or state grants or scholarships, there is no policy or law against receiving private scholarships from private schools for private donors. Even if a private scholarship application asks for a social security number, you may always call the donor and ask if they will allow any exceptions

29. Naviance Scholarship Exploration Survey 1) Click the about me tab 2) Click “dps scholarship exploration survey”

30. Complete the Survey List the scholarships you’ve explored Click “Save and I am finished”

31. Naviance College Essay/Personal Statement 1) Click the about me tab 2) Click “dps draft of college Essay/personal statement” to edit and review. Use this as a starting point to for both your scholarship and college application essays.

32. Admissions Checklist See page 4 - 5 of handout for checklist by month.

33. Admissions Steps (Fall) Research colleges and find your reach, match and safety schools. Attend college tours and college fair, etc. Schedule to take or re-take the ACT/SAT, if appropriate, and make sure your scores are sent to all college options Complete and submit applications prior to Winder Break Note: the sooner the better to increase your chances of being accepted and receiving aid (Nov 1 early deadline) Edit and finalize your college essays and submit on time Request letters of recommendation and submit on time If your college accepts it, submit a CSS/Financial Aid Profile at www.profileonline.collegeboard.com www.profileonline.collegeboard.com Review your transcript for accuracy Keep up your grades and verify that you are on-track to meet all graduation requirements Use college application tracker to keep track of application components and deadlines for each school

34. Admissions Steps (Spring) Submit your FAFSA as soon a possible after January 1 st. Remember to complete CSS profile, especially if attending a private school and if ineligible to complete FAFSA. Attend a financial aid workshop to receive assistance. Check to see that colleges you applied to have received your application. Make sure colleges have received your midyear transcript, test scores, and financial aid information. Expect your student aid report (SAR) 4 weeks after you complete the FAFSA. If not, begin asking questions. Begin receiving admission decisions and financial aid award letters from colleges. Keep track of all acceptances, rejections, and waitlists. Decide which college you will attend. Pay the deposit, if required. Notify colleges if you will not be attending. Have your counselor send your final transcript. Take AP exams and CLEP tests, if applicable.

35. Apply Now Find and download an application for a college of interest. Research the application requirements and complete your college application tracker. Complete the application. If letters of recommendation are required, begin filling out the request form to give to teachers.

36. Application Tracker Refer to page 12 of student handout

37. Recommendation Letter Request Form Refer to page 14 of student handout.

38. Other Scholarship & Application Tips Use a professional email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com firstname.lastname@gmail.com Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material Google your name to see what shows up Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it Send the application by certified mail, return receipt requested or with delivery confirmation Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

39. College Quiz http://knowhow2go.org/freshmen_quiz.php