1. Senior Information Meeting Class of 2015 Sallie Wiggins, School Counselor 864-938-1854 Salliewiggins@lcsd56.org

2. Senior Year - Fall Continue to research/visit colleges Finalize your college list Take college entrance exams (if needed) Complete college applications online and submit necessary paperwork Search for/apply for scholarships Order graduation supplies *Maintain a listing of all usernames and passwords as well as a calendar of deadlines

3. Senior Year - Spring Pay for graduation supplies Follow up with admissions at colleges/universities Re-take college entrance exams (if necessary) Continue to research/apply for scholarships Complete the FAFSA (February) Compare award letters and decide on college (April) Send in deposit to chosen college Send final transcripts to chosen college

4. SAT SAT Reasoning Test SAT Reasoning Test –Critical Reading, Writing, and Math Register on-line at www.sat.org/register Register on-line at www.sat.org/registerwww.sat.org/register Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this www.sat.org www.sat.org www.sat.org –SAT Question of the Day –Practice SAT tests –College Search –Amend SAT registration information –Scholarship Search

5. ACT One composite score: 1-36 One composite score: 1-36 Most colleges require WRITING section Most colleges require WRITING section Register on-line at: www.actstudent.org/start Register on-line at: www.actstudent.org/startwww.actstudent.org/start Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this! Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this! Web Site includes: Web Site includes: Test prep, college planning, and career planning

6. ASSET/COMPASS Evaluate incoming students' skill levels in Reading, Writing Skills, Writing Essay, Math, and English as a Second Language Place students in appropriate courses Connect students to the resources they need to achieve academic success *For 2-year technical colleges in state

7. Important Fall Testing Dates SAT –October 11 –November 8 –December 6 (at CHS) SAT Prep –FREE – Online –Face-to-Face - Tuesday, December 2 –$50 registration with counselor ACT –September 13 –October 25 (at CHS) –December 13 ACT Prep –FREE - Online *For ASSET/COMPASS (2-year technical colleges) – make testing appointment directly with college - FREE

8. Applying to College – AT&T A: Complete an Application A: Complete an Application –On-Line applications are preferred by colleges –Recommended to apply to three colleges –Don’t let cost keep you from applying T: Request your Transcript be sent- PARCHMENT or by mail T: Request your Transcript be sent- PARCHMENT or by mail T: Request Test Scores be sent directly by SAT/ACT to schools applied T: Request Test Scores be sent directly by SAT/ACT to schools applied

9. Important Information for All Applications CHS Address: –18132 Hwy 72 East Clinton, SC 29325 Counselor Name/Number/E-mail –Sallie A. Wiggins 864-938-1854 –Salliewiggins@lcsd56.orgSalliewiggins@lcsd56.org Principal Name/Number/E-mail –Maureen S. Tiller 864-938-1840 –Maureentiller@lcsd56.orgMaureentiller@lcsd56.org Rank and GPA from transcript Test dates and scores School and Community Activities

10. Requesting Transcripts - PARCHMENT Search colleges, see your chances of getting in, and request/store/send transcripts when you are ready Free for all SC universities/colleges Register and submit requests – track online Parchment.com makes it easy to search colleges, see your chances of getting in, and request, store and send transcripts when you are ready to

11. Requesting Transcripts - MAIL Complete college transcript release form in guidance Complete college transcript release form in guidance First transcript is mailed for free Each additional transcript is $1.00 First transcript is mailed for free Each additional transcript is $1.00 Include any recommendation forms and/or fee waivers Include any recommendation forms and/or fee waivers *Transcripts are processed weekly. Allow 2 weeks and follow up with counselor.

12. Don’t Panic – CHECK STATUS After all materials are sent, FOLLOW UP directly with the college/university admissions. After all materials are sent, FOLLOW UP directly with the college/university admissions. Most colleges/universities will EMAIL the applicant with information.Most colleges/universities will EMAIL the applicant with information. You can also call the admissions office directly.You can also call the admissions office directly. Remember – colleges are busy around holiday and exam times. You may experience “lag” time. Remember – colleges are busy around holiday and exam times. You may experience “lag” time.

13. College Athletes If you are planning to participate in college level athletics, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. If you are planning to participate in college level athletics, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Registration is on-line at: Registration is on-line at: –eligibilitycenter.org Register at the end of junior year. Register at the end of junior year. –Registration requires submitting your transcript. (PARCHMENT or mail) –Registration also requires official test scores sent directly from the test company. You ALSO need to request your final transcript to be sent to the Eligibility Center- so that you will be cleared to play. (PARCHMENT or mail) You ALSO need to request your final transcript to be sent to the Eligibility Center- so that you will be cleared to play. (PARCHMENT or mail) *Our Booster Club pays for membership to Core Course GPA to assist students in determining eligibility. See Mrs. Wiggins about this!

14. Four Ways to Pay for College Grants – Money given to you Scholarships – Money that is given to you because of academic achievement, talent, skill, or financial aid Work – Money you earn from a job on or off campus Loans – Money you borrow and must repay

15. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) A form of need analysis Determines the Expected Family Contribution Use ALL 2014 income (taxed and untaxed) Provide both student and parent(s) income Looks at total household size Looks at how many are in college Total assets are considered in calculation Can send to up to 10 colleges/universities FREE & ANNUAL Process!!

16. FAFSA Electronic Applications Apply online in Spring of Senior Year –www.fafsa.govwww.fafsa.gov Apply for a PIN –www.pin.ed.govwww.pin.ed.gov –Student and at least one parent Tips and Hints –www.finaid.org/fafsa/maximize.phtmlwww.finaid.org/fafsa/maximize.phtml

17. Help is Available FREE CHS Financial Aid Help Sessions –TBA: Late February/Early March College Goal South Carolina –Late February –Various locations across the state FOR MORE INFO... http://sccango.org/college-goal-sc/

18. FAFSA Results Student Aid Report (SAR) –3-5 days after processing via e-mail or 2 weeks after processing via mail –To you and all the schools you listed on the FAFSA Cost of Attendance (COA) – Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) = NEED –Award Letter from schools you listed on the FAFSA

19. Unusual Circumstances Financial Aid Offices will use professional judgment Notify college financial aid office of special circumstances: –Change in parent’s marital status –Loss of income or significant reduction –Death of a parent

20. Federal Programs Pell Grant Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) TEACH Grant College Work Study Perkins Loan Direct Stafford Loan Programs Direct Parent PLUS Loan

21. Federal Pell Grant Must file FAFSA Based on Need Up to $5, 550 (proposed for 2015-16) Award based on enrollment status (Full time, part time, or less than half time)

22. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Up to $4,000 a year (depending on cost of selected college/university) Must file FAFSA Based on need Limited funds

23. TEACH Grant Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program MAXIMUM AWARD: –Up to $4,000 per year Eligibility Criteria –Enrolled in an eligible program, and –Agree to teach In a critical subject In a critical geographical area For at least four years within eight years of completing the program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded

24. TEACH Grant (cont.) Failure to teach requires repayment under terms of an unsubsidized Direct Loan How to apply: –Check with the financial aid office at your institution for availability and application procedures –May not show on award letter unless you ask

25. SC Need-Based Grant Maximum Award –Up to $2,500 annually if enrolled in full-time and $1,250 if enrolled part-time for a maximum of eight full-time equivalent terms –College determines the exact award amount Eligibility Criteria –Must file the FAFSA –Must be needy based on the results of the FAFSA (consistent with Pell Grant eligibility)

26. SC Tuition Grant Need-Based Grant Program available to Eligible SC Residents attending SC Independent Colleges on a Full-Time basis Freshman Academic Eligibility Criteria –Top 75% of senior class, or –SAT score of 900 (CR+M) or higher, or –ACT score of 19 or higher, or –Final high school GPA of 2.0 or higher on SC Uniform Grading Scale

27. SC Tuition Grants (cont.) Students must file FAFSA annually Annual Application Deadline – June 30 Maximum award - $2,800 Tentative Award notifications via e- mail –www.sctuitiongrants.com for more informationwww.sctuitiongrants.com

28. Federal College Work Study Must file FAFSA Based on need Limited funds Students work up to 20 hours/week – earn a paycheck Usually on campus

29. Federal Perkins and Stafford Loans Federal Perkins and Stafford Loan –Must file FAFSA –Subsidized = no interest accrues while in school –Unsubsidized = interest accrues –Payments are deferred until out of school –Low interest rates

30. Other Loans Federal Direct PLUS Loan –College/University will provide instructions on how to apply in the award letter Palmetto Assistance Loan and SC Teachers Loan Program –Apply online at www.scstudentloan.orgwww.scstudentloan.org

31. Scholarships College Board Scholarship Search –https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/schol arship-searchhttps://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/schol arship-search Fast Web Scholarship Search –www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com College Net Scholarship Search –www.collegenet.comwww.collegenet.com

32. State Programs in SC* Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Life Scholarship Hope Scholarship Lottery Tuition Assistance *Administered by SC Commission on Higher Education –www.che.sc.govwww.che.sc.gov

33. General Eligibility Criteria for All State Programs Be a SC resident; Be a US citizen or permanent resident (green card); Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible SC public or private institution Certify that he/she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year

34. General Eligibility (cont.) Verify that he/she does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid and not be in default on any Federal loans Award Amounts: –Cannot exceed the cost-of-attendance –Half awarded during the fall and half during the spring

35. LIFE Scholarship – 2-Year Colleges GPA (UGP) Standardized Test Scores RANK 3.0NoneNone

36. S.C. Scholarships – 4-Year Colleges NAME GPA (UGP) ACT / SAT RANKAMOUNT HOPE3.0 Up to $2,800 max for 1 st year of college LIFE (must meet at least 2) 3.0 24 (Composite) / 1100 (CR + M) Top 30% Up to $5,000 max per year PALMETTO FELLOWS 3.5or4.0 27 (Composite) / 1200 (CR + M) or 32 (Composite) / 1400 (CR + M) Top 6% Up to $6,700 max per year [increases to $7,500 beginning sophomore year]

37. Palmetto Fellows and Life Scholarships Enhancements Maximum Enhancement –$2,500 per year beginning in the Sophomore year Eligibility Criteria –Declare a major in Mathematics or Science* –Have earned at least 14 credit hours of math or science courses* during the Freshman year *A complete list of eligible majors and courses can be found on the SC Commission on Higher Education’s website, www.che.sc.gov

38. Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) Available for students attending SC Technical Colleges, USC Regional Campuses and Spartanburg Methodist College Maximum Award: –$75 per credit hour, up to $900 per semester for full-time attendance Eligibility Criteria: –Must file the FAFSA –Must be degree seeking and enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits –Cannot receive LIFE Scholarship

39. Local Scholarships Cummins-Wham (due ~April 15) Cummins-Wham (due ~April 15) –In memory of late Mae Wham and Charles Cummins…last year awarded $36,000 to 12 students ($3,000 each) M.S. Bailey (due ~April 15) M.S. Bailey (due ~April 15) –In memory of late Mercer Silas Bailey –$40,000 to 2 students ($20,000 each) McAlister (due ~April 15) McAlister (due ~April 15) –Full tuition, room, board, books for one student **Check your monthly newsletters for other scholarships!!

40. CHAMPS Scholarship *due mid-March Awarded each year to a graduating CHAMPS high school senior who has applied for and has been granted admission to Presbyterian College Worth the equivalent of PC’s annual direct cost to attend (room, board, tuition, select fees) Renewable for three consecutive years, contingent upon the recipient demonstrating satisfactory academic progress Requirements: 1.Be recognized as an outstanding student representative in CHAMPS 2.Apply for and be granted admission to PC 3.Cumulative HS GPA of “B” or better 4.Above average SAT Scores 5.Include a letter in application requesting consideration and a letter of recommendation from a CHAMPS administrator 6.Submit a resume