1. Information Night 2013 Welcome Class of 2014 & 2015 Seniors & Juniors and their Parents

2. Now is the time to apply to college! Still trying to decide on what school would be best for your student? Check out all “Know How to Go” Events. Go on College Visits and Visit College Websites. Check out college planning websites.

3. The Princeton Review  Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review has long been a leader in helping college and graduate school–bound students achieve their higher-education goals through test-preparation services, tutoring and admissions resources, as well as through online courses and resources and print and digital books.  www.princetonreview.com www.princetonreview.com

4. College Board – “Big Future” Visit their website for everything you need to know about college planning … https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

5. College Applications SENIORS! Apply Online! Apply NOW!! Complete all required steps for applying. Then go to the AHS Website and click on Transcript Request Transcript Request Request that your transcript be sent electronically through PARCHMENT. It’s FREE!

6. Average application fees - $35 - $50 Common Application is $75 Community College applications are FREE! Early Action – a guaranteed answer by a set deadline when you meet the early action deadline. Check university websites. Early Action Schools: U of M – Nov 1 (Decision by 12/24/13) U of M uses the Common Application MSU – Nov 1 Make it your deadline to get college applications in by October 31, 2013.

7. College Application Week (CAW)  November 4-8, 2013  All AHS seniors will submit college applications during this week (if they haven’t already).

8. How do colleges decide to admit? The “holistic approach” But here is what they primarily look at in applicants:  GPA  Course Rigor  ACT  Involvement in school and community

9. Retake the ACT! Every student should take the ACT more than once. Studies show each time a student retakes the ACT, his or her score increases by at least one point. A one point difference can mean better chance of admittance to college and scholarship money. Do some test prep! Sign up for the ACT Workshops being held at SC4 in the up coming weeks. The national test dates will be on the next slide. National test dates are on Saturdays (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) We are NOT a national test center. Register to take the ACT at http://www.actstudent.orghttp://www.actstudent.org ACT Student ID# is needed when registering. $36.50

10. ACT Dates 2013/14 Test Date Registration Deadline w/Late Fee September 21, 2013 August 23 Aug 24-Sept 6 October 26, 2013 Sept 27 Sept 28-Oct 11 December 14, 2013 Nov 8 Nov 9-22 February 8, 2014 Jan 10 Jan 11-24 April 12, 2014 March 7 March 8-21 June 14, 2014 May 9 May 10-23 Register online at www.actstudent.org

11. ACT Fees Basic Fee (No Writing)$36.50 ACT (Plus Writing) $52.50 Late Fee $23.00 Additional colleges$12.00 each Test date change$22.00 Test center change$22.00 Standby testing$45.00 Viewing Scores OnlineFree

12. ACT Prep Workshops Improve Your ACT Score Workshop (all grades) Offered at SC4 (M-TEC Building) Four (4) Saturdays September 21 September 28 October 5 October 19 Cost -$25 per session (ENGL, MTH, SC I, READ) Call Jennifer Evans (810) 455-4261 for more info. Register at link on HS Web Page.

13. College Essay Workshop Essay Coaching: Make the Most of Your College Application Essay September 26th (4-6 or 7-9 p.m.) in Marysville at RESA To Register: Visit the AHS Counseling Center Page – follow the link.

14. FREE ACT Prep Online  You can access FREE ACT Prep resources at Michigan Electronic Library at www.mel.org.www.mel.org  Participants of the ACT Prep Workshop (offered in Fall and Winter Sessions) received Barron's ACT Prep Book, ISBN-13: 978-0- 7641-4482-0. You are welcome to purchase on your own through Amazon for approximately $16. www.amazon.comwww.amazon.com

15. Juniors (Class of 2015) Take the PSAT When taken in the junior year, the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (MNSQT) Cost is $14.00 – Make check payable to ACS, Mrs. Donaldson is taking registrations. Test is at AHS (1 st, 2 nd & 3 rd hrs) Wednesday, October, 16, 2013,Lecture Hall Deadline to register tomorrow, Thursday, 9/19/13 Visit College Board for more info. All college bound and IB Students should be taking this.

16. Seniors are encouraged to visit college campuses. Student arranges college visit through college/university website or by calling college/university. College Visits (Off Campus)

17. On Campus -- Fall Open Houses Nearly all colleges host a fall “Open House” on their campus At these events students are able to take a tour, meet students, listen to presentations, go to a football game, even spend the night in the dorms! Many have on-site admissions as well. Visit the website of the college you are interested in or look at the showcase in the senior hall. Student arranges the visit.

18. The counseling center hosts visits from many colleges. Representatives from the respective college will set up a time during our school day to visit with any prospective applicant. College visits are publicized in the daily announcements. Students can sign up in the Student Services. College Visitation (On-Campus)

19. College Visits on Campus Central Michigan University – 9/12 – 2 nd hour University of Michigan – 9/17 – 6 th hour Northern Michigan University – 9/18 – 2 nd hour Michigan State University – 9/18 – 6 th hour Northwood University – 9/24 – 5 th hour Eastern Michigan University – 9/30 – 3 rd hour Blue Water College of Cosmetology – 10/8 – seminar Saginaw Valley State University – 10/24 – 5 th hour University of Detroit Mercy – 10/31 – seminar

20. St. Clair County Community College (SC4) College Night Thursday, October 22, 2013 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center Corner of Erie Street & Glenwood Avenue Over 40 institutions will be represented. ALSO --- INFORMATION SESSIONS ON SC4 First session – 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Second session – 7:30 to 8 p.m.

21. Denna Norrod– College Access Counselor - Know How to Go Higher Education Consultant at St. Clair County RESA (810) 455- 4261 Norrod.Dena@sccresa.org She will be hosting seminars for parents at AHS in the up-coming months Information will be in the Daily Announcements and posted on the website.

22. Financial Aid Basics Scholarships(free money) – does not have to be paid back TWO KINDS Merit Based – based on grades, involvement in school and community, character Need Based – based on parents financial situation (income, assets, debts) Grants (free money) – does not have to be paid back (based on income) FAFSA Loan – must be paid back (may be subsidized (borrower does not pay interest) or unsubsidized (borrower does pay interest)

23. What is the FAFSA? The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as Pell grant, student loans, and college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid. www.fafsa.ed.gov Begin application January of the graduating year. Priority deadline March 1 st College Goal Sunday @ SC4 – Feb 9, 2014 (2-4) FAFSA Night at AHS Thursday, Feb 20 (6-8 PM) Mr. Zimmerman will be helping students w/FAFSA in math class

24. Other Forms of Financial Aid Check out your college’s financial aid website Check out the Student Services link on the AHS Website – www.algonac.k12.mi.us You can also check out these resources: www.studentaid.ed.gov www.studentaid.ed.gov http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid www.students.gov www.students.gov www.stclairfoundation.org Check out your affiliations – employers, unions, religious affiliations, etc for scholarships available

25. Tuition Incentive Program - TIP To be eligible a student must have (or have had) Medicaid Coverage for 24 months within a 36 consecutive month period. Students are identified as TIP eligible as early as sixth grade, typically age 12 or after, so you may have received a letter from the OSG when your student was in middle school. It is a state of Michigan program that pays college tuition and mandatory fees in two phases. Phase I pays for a certificate program (one year) or for an associate’s degree (two-year degree) from Michigan colleges. Phase II at public universities covers $2,000 for the junior and senior year in college.

26. If you don’t have the letter with the acceptance form, call this number – 1-888-447-2687 and ask to speak to someone about TIP. Tell them you need the TIP acceptance form. It will be mailed to you, fill it out and send it back. When you receive your TIP Eligibility Letter, put it in a safe place! If you need a copy of this letter contact the OSG at 1-888-447-2687. Your student will take this letter to his or her financial aid office of the college or university they will attend; the financial aid office will take it from there! Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, 2014! TIP eligible students may be eligible for other federal and state financial aid programs that will cover other education expenses like room & board, books, supplies and transportation. Complete your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fafsa.ed.gov

27. Local Scholarships Local Scholarship Applications for the 2013/14 school year will be available via the web beginning in January 2014. Deadline will be March 28, 2014. Local scholarships are available to AHS seniors only. Merit and need based scholarships Many award students for community service Need two letters of recommendation Over $43,000 in scholarship money given away All are listed at the Student Services portion of the AHS Website.

28. Senior Awards Assembly All seniors and their parents should plan to attend the annual senior awards assembly Friday, June 6, 2014. Begins at 8:00 AM Ends approximately 11:00 AM Local Scholarships are presented as well as many other awards, including those from St. Clair TEC.