1. Liberty Nicholas, LMSW Director of College and Alumni Engagement Communities In Schools of South Central Texas Marion High School lnicholas@cissouthcentraltexas.org 830.620.4247 x 19 Alexandra Villarreal, BSW College Engagement/ Alumni Specialist avillarreal@cissouthcentraltexas.org 830.620.4247 x 18

2. JUNIOR year in Review: Take the SAT or ACT - Fee waiver for free/reduced lunch collegeboard.org – SAT actstudent.org - ACT Continue to take challenging courses Consider career options Explore collegeboard.org – Big Future site Visit colleges of interest Work on community service hours Document hours of participation in extracurricular activities, community service, and work Document awards, honors, leadership roles

3. SENIOR Year in Review: Visit colleges of interest (2 college days allowed) Send thank you letters to the colleges you visit Take the SAT and/or ACT – there are fee waivers for students on free/reduced lunch collegeboard.org – SAT actstudent.org - ACT Apply to colleges – Fee waivers available for free/reduced lunch Write college essays Letters of Recommendations Apply for scholarships - local, state, national Apply for FAFSA or TASFA in January Remember housing applications and meal plans in spring Check for holds on college account Complete IRS Tax Transcript if requested by financial aid Complete loan counseling and sign Master Promissory Note Submit FINAL high school transcript

4. Automatic Admission to Texas Public Colleges and Universities All top Marion high school graduates who successfully complete the Recommended or Distinguished program will be automatically admitted into Texas public University or College if one of the following requirements is met: Applicants in the top 10% of their class at the end of their Junior year or after the first semester of their senior year (as long as the college application deadlines are met. Some universities may accept mid year senior ranks—you must check each college website). – OR If applying for the University of Texas in Austin, fall 2015 Freshman applicants must be in the top 7% at the end of their Junior year. Applicants must check the deadlines for admissions for each Texas College/University as they vary greatly. All deadline information may be found on the College/University website.

5. College Admissions 4 Year University 2 Year Community or Technical College Guaranteed Admissions:  Grades and rank from end of the junior year  SAT/ACT scores Committee Review: Student doesn’t meet guaranteed admissions  Grades and rank from end of the junior year  SAT/ACT scores  Essay  Extracurricular activities  Volunteerism  Awards  Work experience  Letters of Recommendation Guaranteed Admissions: MOST community colleges and technical colleges have an open door admissions policy  The only requirement is a high school diploma or GED

6. College Application Process Students begin filling out college applications fall of senior year Watch out for deadlines! UT/A&M Dec. 1st Many Scholarship Deadlines are in December! www.applytexas.org – Texas 2yr and 4yr institutions www.commonapp.org – Out of state institutions

7. Application Process The following MUST accompany a students application 4 Year University 2 Year Community or Technical College Fee Waiver or Application Fee SAT or ACT scores – scores must be sent from website www.collegeboard.org - SAT or actstudent.org - ACT High school transcript – requested in the counseling office Fee Waiver or Application Fee SAT or ACT scores – scores are recommended but not required High school transcript – requested in the counseling office

8. Application Process It is the responsibility of the student to supply ALL supporting documents to the receiving institutions before deadlines.

9. SAT vs. ACT SAT Math: up to Geometry and Algebra II Reading: sentence completions, short & long critical reading passages, reading comprehension Writing: grammar, usage, word choice and a mandatory essay Penalty: ¼ of a point for each wrong answer on multiple choice Scores: 200-800 per section added together 2-12 for the essay ACT Math: up to trigonometry Reading: four passages, one each of Prose, Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, & Natural Science Science: charts, graphs, and data interpretation English: stresses grammar Penalty: None Scores: 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a composite score Writing: optional essay and is an additional cost when registering. MOST colleges require the writing portion

10. Things to Know: SAT The SAT composite score is comprised of critical reading and math – colleges DO NOT include the writing portion when determining SAT score ACT when registering for the ACT the writing portion will be optional – MOST colleges require writing! Student’s need to pay the additional fee and register for ACT plus writing! Good to Know: Many out of state schools would rather have ACT scores sent then SAT.

11. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS Letters of Recommendation can be used for college admissions and for scholarships Get recommendations from people you know well Give plenty of notice: a minimum of two weeks - otherwise you might miss a deadline Supply information about yourself. Provide a resume which includes your extracurricular activities, community or volunteer service, employment, internships and summer activities Remember to keep a copy Write a thank you note to the person who wrote the letter of recommendation

12. Texas Success Initiative - TSI All students entering a Texas 2 or 4 year public college or university must take the TSI test PRIOR to enrolling in college level courses, unless exemption standards are met

13. TSI Exemptions Exit Level TAKS: 2200 for math and 2200 for English, with a required writing score of 3 ACT standard: composite score of 23, with a minimum score of 19 for English and 19 for Math SAT standard: composite score of 1070, with minimum of 500 in Critical Reading and 500 in Math

14. Show Me the MONEY

15. Financial Aid Four types of aid grants scholarships loans work study Don't rule out a dream school if it’s private and/or expensive Creative ways to save money Dual Credit AP Testing SAT Scores ACT Scores

16. Grants FREE Money Everything starts with the FAFSA-www.fafsa.ed.gov  January 1 of the senior year  Apply for a Pin – Both student and parent  Free Application  WATCH FOR SCAMS Most schools have a February 14 th deadline 1. Financial-aid officers use this form to determine the amount of your financial-aid award. 2. A new FAFSA must be submitted every year you’re in college to qualify for federal aid. 3. Fill out the application online - Aid is need based 4. Expected Family Contribution (EFC): Determines eligibility for federal financial student aid; obtained through FAFSA application. Things You Will NEED when filling out FAFSA: 1. Parent’s W-2 2. Student’s W-2 3. Filed 1040 – both 4. Parent & Student PIN 5. If you have moved this year you need to call the HR department for all current and previous employers and have your address changed for your W-2 to be sent

17. University Scholarships University requirements vary May be one application for admission/scholarships May be a separate application for admission/scholarships Private schools are more expensive but typically offer larger scholarships than public schools Public schools in Texas offer scholarships through the ApplyTexas.org website. Deadlines are prior to admission deadlines 5 short-answer questions required Refer to your resume to answer additional questions Read directions carefully and pay attention to deadlines Don’t discount scholarships of lower monetary value; every dollar helps

18. Private Scholarships WATCH DEADLINES 60+ private scholarship programs listed on Counselors’ Corner links to online applications or PDFs of applications 1. Local 2. State 3. National Work on one or two essays per week. Save essays you have already written. You may be able to use them again or modify them slightly for other scholarships. Make a copy of each scholarship you submit. Follow the directions set out in the scholarship application

19. Searching for the Scholarships Local/National Businesses Foundations/Nonprofits Universities Online! www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.org www.scholarshipexperts.com

20. Strategy and Securement Don’t wait or hesitate! Deadlines DO matter Content is *KEY* Small and Many Be flexible! Took a test? Take it again! SAT, ACT, AP, etc. Follow up? Follow up!

21. Top 5 Myths Surrounding the Money 1. “Scholarships are for the scholars and the sports stars.” 2. “Writers win every time~” 3. “I’m not a minority or have documented need, so I can’t apply!” 4. “Small scholarship packages won’t help me.” 5. “Competition is fierce– I shouldn’t bother!”

22. Loans Direct Subsidized Loans  Available to undergraduate students with financial need. Interest Free Loans Direct Unsubsidized Loans  Available to undergraduate students. The student does not have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan. These loans accrue interest Parent Plus Loans  Available to parents. Credit based and do require repayment or deferment after first year. Be On Time Loan  Zero Interest Loan  Must ASK your college’s financial aid dept to be placed on waiting list – All colleges are not guaranteed to have money to give  Must be a Texas resident and be eligible for Federal Financial Aid  Loan is FORGIVEN if student graduates ON TIME!

23. Work-Study The Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) funds part-time employment for undergraduate students with financial need Allows students to earn money to help pay for education expenses. The total award depends on when the student applies, the level of need, and the funding level of the school. The work-study award is NOT guaranteed money! The student most search for work-study jobs on their colleges website, apply, interview and be hired. Work-study is paid to the student every two weeks

24. WHY COLLEGE? College Graduates Earn More Money www.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt

25. Earn More by Staying in School www.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt High school graduates earn $430,000 more over their lifetimes than high school dropouts. Double your income by graduating from college. An Associate’s degree is worth $390,000 more than a high school diploma. A Bachelor’s degree is worth $1.2 million more than a high school diploma. A Doctorate (Ph.D.) is worth $1.7 million more than a Bachelor’s degree. A Professional (law or medical) degree is worth $2.9 million more than a Bachelor’s degree.

26. College is Required for a Better Job www.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt Almost All of the highest paying jobs require a college degree Jobs for college graduates include better benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans College graduates have half the unemployment rates of high school graduates and better job security There are many more jobs available for college graduates than high school graduates

27. Questions