1. Let’s talk about life after High School Parenting Tips Choosing a Career Going to School after High School Getting into College/Voc. School Paying for School

2. Parenting Tips – Are you a Helicopter Parent? Do you stay in close contact with your child every day? Are you in constant contact with administrators at your child's school? Have you ever researched or written a paper for your child? Do you frequently intervene if your student has had problems with his friends? Do you act as your child's secretary? (i.e. make doctor appointments for him, get him/her out of the bed, etc.) Have you ever tried to settle grading disputes for your child more than once? Have you ever chosen classes for your student to take? Do you feel bad about yourself if your child makes a mistake?

3. Turn Hovering into Helpful Refrain from calling every day. Instead, let your child call you. Or come to an agreement on how often and when communication should take place with your child. On average, this should be no more than three times a week and during times when your child isn't busy with schoolwork and other activities. Listen more than you talk. If your child calls you with a problem he is having at school, such as a roommate or grade dispute, just listen to what he has to say. Even if he asks you to step in and take over, refrain from doing so because that will not help him in the long run. He needs to learn how to solve problems on his own. So, instead of intervening, ask him what he thinks he should do to improve the situation. Turn in your two weeks' notice. Don't be your child's secretary. Let him schedule his own appointments, run his own errands, research his own college papers, etc. Unless you intend to cater to him throughout adulthood, it's crucial that you let him learn how to be self-sufficient now.

4. five common college parenting mistakes Forcing your opinions upon your child. Avoiding financial discussions. Withholding your own college experience. Fostering a dependent environment. Forgetting how important home is to your child. College life is a whole new experience for you and your child. Along the way, you'll both make mistakes, and that's okay. Just remember to learn from them.

5. Learning to let go: parents as partners Be a good listener. Encourage problem solving. Trust your child. Provide support. Find a time to connect. Changing your parental role when your child goes off to college can be hard to do, but it is crucial in order to maintain a good relationship with your student. Since your student is growing up and becoming an adult, he no longer wants or needs you to tell him what to do. He does, however, need you to be a partner and sometimes even a mentor to him while he is becoming his own person and experiencing life at college.

6. Insurance for College Students Renter's Insurance Don't overlook property insurance when your child heads off to college. Your student is probably taking valuable personal items with him to his dorm room or off-campus apartment Health Insurance The new healthcare reform law requires health insurers to allow young adults to stay on their parents' plan until they are 26. Check with your own medical policy to see what coverage will be provided for your child. Auto Insurance Your family auto insurance policy will more than likely cover a car that your child takes to college as long as the car is registered with you. Depending on where your child goes to school will determine your premiums.

7. Choosing a Career Learn More about Yourself Take a look at: Your interests Your skills Your career goals Focus on information that Pertains to your personality Represents the lifestyle you want Reflects the goals you have set for yourself Assure yourself Volunteer in a related field Work part time Job Shadow for a day or two Do an internship once you’re in school

8. Choosing a Career Learn More about Yourself Career Search (interest assessment) Skills Assessment Work Values Inventory Begin your career portfolio http://www.planningyourdreams.org User name and password Ask school counselor for “N” code Tennessee College and Career Planning System

9. Going to College Why go? The more education you get the more likely it is you will always have a job. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them. Education beyond high school gives you many other benefits, such as meeting new people, and taking part in new opportunities to discover and explore your interests.

10. Earnings chart Education LevelAverage Lifetime Earnings Professional degree $4.4 million Doctoral degree$3.4 million Master's degree$2.5 million Bachelor's degree$2.1 million Associate's degree$1.6 million Some college $1.5 million High school graduate$1.2 million

11. Going to School after High School The best school is the one that fits you! Type of school - Public vs. Private - 2-year vs. 4 year - Technical School Location - urban, rural, big town - large vs. small Size of school (how many students) Cost and financial aid Major offered Campus activities

12. Going to College What should you be looking for? Top Ten Reasons NOT to Choose a College Your boyfriend/girlfriend is going there Your best friend is going there It’s a party school You decided in the 7th grade that you wanted to go there Your mom and dad are alumni It has a good football team Your school counselor told you to pick it The school is prestigious The tuition is low It looks good in the guidebook

13. Going to College What can you do now? Attend college fairs or meet with college representatives during visits to your school Research Scholarships - internet - employer - bank - churches/social organizations Research Colleges - internet - campus visits

14. Going to College You just have to do some looking! Begin your college search by viewing virtual tours of over 1,300 college campuses!

16. Going to School after High School The Campus Visit Research the school beforehand Call ahead and schedule the visit Wear comfortable shoes Bring a journal to take notes about the college Talk to students while you are on campus Try to meet with a faculty member in major Sit in on a freshman level class Talk to an admissions and financial aid counselor Check out the residence halls Eat in the dining hall Read the campus newspaper Check out campus bulletin boards ASK QUESTIONS! Make the most of your visit!

17. Are there academic scholarships available through the school? Are you required to live on campus your first year? What is the cost of attendance? Do most students participate in a meal plan? How can I get involved on campus? What types of social groups are available? How do students spend their free time? Going to School after High School The Campus Visit Questions to ask…

18. Going to School After High School The Campus Visit Questions to ask…(continued) Are there athletic programs offered? How safe is the campus? Are professors accessible outside of class? What percentage of students receive financial aid? What are the library hours? Are there tutoring services available on campus?

19. Getting into College What do colleges look for in an applicant? Grades Standardized Test Scores Extracurricular Activities Application Essay Letters of Recommendation Challenging Schedule

20. The ACT and SAT (entrance exams) Retake ACT or SAT during senior year - http://www.act.org/aaphttp://www.act.org/aap - http://www.collegeboard.com/splashhttp://www.collegeboard.com/splash Check with the School Counseling Office for registration packets and dates Ask the Admissions Office about details (which test to take, what score you need, etc) Getting into College The Admissions Process

21. The APPLICATION Deadlines – some as early as Nov. 1 (this varies depending on the school) Available online (college website), school counseling office, admissions office - http://app.commonapp.org, if permittedhttp://app.commonapp.org Find out from the college what to include: - recommendations- portfolio - essay- transcripts - resume- test scores (ACT/SAT)

22. Getting into College The Admissions Process What other applications do I need? - housing - scholarships - special programs (honors, etc.) Don’t forget - Application fee or fee waiver - Additional transcripts - Earlier deadlines

23. Getting into School after High School DON’T WAIT!!! APPLY EARLY!!! MEET ALL DEADLINES!!!

24. Getting into School after High School Time to ask questions

25. Paying for College Financial Aid MONEY that assists students and families in funding their college education

26. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid Grants Federal - Pell Grant – $5,550 max - SEOG State - Tennessee Student Assistance Award Institutional Private Money you do NOT have to pay back!

27. Tennessee Student Assistance Award Award Amounts for 2010-2011  4 yr / 2 yr private - $4,000  4 yr public - $2,000  2 yr public - $1,300  TN Tech Ctr - $1,000 Application Deadline: ASAP after Jan. 1 Valid EFC of $2,100 or less TN resident Amounts can be adjusted by financial aid office

28. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid Scholarships State - Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program - Ned McWherter Scholars Program: $6,000 award. Minimum 3.5 GPA & Minimum 29 ACT Institutional Private Apply for all you are eligible!

29. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program http://www.tn.gov/CollegePays Apply for the lottery scholarship by filling out the FAFSA Tennessee HOPE Scholarship - $4,000/year - 4 year OR - $2,000/year – 2 year Score 21 ACT (980 SAT) OR Earn 3.0 weighted overall grade point average (GPA).

30. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid General Assembly Merit Scholarship Additional $1,000/year to HOPE Scholars who meet ALL of the following higher academic requirements: Qualify for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship Earn 3.75 weighted overall GPA (Your extra points for Honors and AP can count here.) Score 29 ACT (1280 SAT) Aspire Award Additional $1,500/year to HOPE Scholars who meet ALL of the following income requirements: You must qualify for the HOPE Scholarship You (if you’re independent) or your parents must have a yearly income of $36,000 or less.

31. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid Tennessee HOPE Access Grant If you don’t qualify for the HOPE Scholarship but you meet other academic and income requirements, you may be eligible for this one- time only award. Earn 2.75 weighted overall GPA AND Score 18-20 ACT (860-970 SAT) AND Have parents’ or independent students yearly income $36,000 or less - $2,750/year – 4 year OR - $1,750/year – 2 year The grant is not renewable but you can apply for a Tennessee Hope Scholarship after you’ve attempted 24 college credit hours and earned a cumulative 2.75 college GPA.

32. Paying for College Financial Aid: Gift Aid Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant Offers up to $2,000/year (no more than the cost of attendance) to any full-time student pursuing a certificate or diploma at a Tennessee Technology Center. (Students can enroll part-time but their award will be pro-rated.) There is no ACT or GPA requirement.

33. Paying for College Financial Aid: Self-Help Aid Employment Federal Work Study Campus Employment Loans Federal Perkins Federal Stafford Federal Parent (PLUS) Institutional Loans Alternative Loans Graduate PLUS

34. Paying for College Financial Aid: How do I apply? College or University Institutional Aid Other sources of aid Outside scholarships and loans FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid Pell Grant SEOG Work Study Perkins Loan Stafford Loan State Aid Programs (Lottery)

35. Paying for College FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid When… Apply after January 1 of senior year of high school and each subsequent year How… http://www.fafsa.ed.gov Register for PIN early – http://www.pin.ed.gov http://www.pin.ed.gov Remember… Must reapply Priority deadlines Keep copies of everything Parents/students should estimate if they file their taxes late!!! Assistance… College Goal Sunday

36. Paying for College How does the FAFSA work? Students will get the Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail with their Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Helps to package: Pell grant SEOG State grants Work Study Perkins loan Cost of Attendance (COA) Stafford loan - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial NEED

37. Paying for College Financial Aid: The Award Letter Based on FAFSA and results of college aid applications You will receive an award letter from the college detailing all the aid you have received Must individually accept and/or deny all parts of the award package Return to the college by deadline May include other forms Work Study Application Loan Application (Master Promissory Note)

38. Paying for College A Word about SCAMS If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You should be suspicious of an organization if they: Send you a notification that you were selected to receive a scholarship for which you never applied. Insist on your credit card number, any bank account number, calling card number, or social security number. If given a number, they could charge unnecessary fees or drain your account. Pressure you to act fast. “This offer will expire....”. Charge you for a scholarship Offer to apply on your behalf or claim to have an influence on scholarship sponsors. Guarantee scholarship winnings or search results

39. Paying for College Follow up with your financial aid officer!

40. Let’s Review Fall of your Senior Year Start Early Do your research Request information from schools Visit campuses and attend Open House programs Begin requesting application information Take ACT or SAT again Meet all deadlines Do scholarship searches and applications Ask questions Complete your applications

41. Let’s Review Spring of your Senior Year Fill out the FAFSA in January Complete any remaining paperwork with your college(s) (including your award letter) Return your intent to enroll to your school of choice (usually May 1)

42. Let’s Review Summer before you enroll Attend New Student Orientation Finish any last minute details with your school Get Ready!!!

43. Top 5 things to learn before you go off to college 1. Laundry. If your mom has always done your laundry for you, be sure to ask her to show you how to do it before you move away. 2. Balance a checkbook. Part of becoming an adult is learning how to manage your finances. 3. Share. If you will be living in a dorm when you go to college, then you need to learn how to share. 4. Use a PDA/smartphone/day-timer/calendar. Being organized is very crucial in college. 5. Take notes. In order to perform well in your college classes, you need to be able to take good notes.

44. Let’s Review After you enroll Talk to career services for guidance Take advantage of internships in your field of interest Get practical experiences in your major (do I really want to do this?) Get involved on campus to help ease the transition from high school to college ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT!

45. Let’s talk about the Future Next Steps… 1. Research and explore Career opportunities - http://www.planningyourdreams.org http://www.planningyourdreams.org 2. Visit Colleges - http://www.ecampustours.com http://www.ecampustours.com 3. Look for additional scholarships and apply - http://tn.gov/CollegePayshttp://tn.gov/CollegePays

46. Challenge Yourself Be better tomorrow than you are today!!! Find what you are good at and become great!!! Put forth an extra effort even if it is not easy!!!

47. Make the most of every opportunity and make the best decision for YOU.

48. Where can you find us? (865) 342-0670 www.ecampustours.com www.planningyourdreams.org www.edsouth.org/SOS