Tonight’s Agenda

1. Welcome to Fuquay-Varina High SchoolScholarship NightSeptember 4, 2012Presented byFVHS Student ServicesSpecial Guest: Mrs. Sarita BroadwayCFNC Senior Regional RepresentativeCollege Foundation, Inc.

2. Tonight’s Agenda Welcome Scholarship Process Evaluation

3. Program Overview • Review the Scholarship process at FVHS • Understand the types of scholarships: • Need Based • Merit Based • Community • Athletics • APPLY!

4. FVHS Scholarship Bulletin • Available online monthly on the FVHS website www.//fvhs.wcpss.net • It has information about all of the scholarship we know about • Students and parents can check to see the scholarships that are available • The scholarship bulletin may be emailed to parents and students if you provide email information to tmyers1@wcpss.net

5. Requesting Transcripts • Each scholarship requires an official transcript sent directly from FVHS. • Student are to bring in the completed application and all the information needed for the scholarship in an addressed envelope with enough postage. Make sure this is done 24 hours before deadline of scholarship. Ms. Lyle, the Registrar is located in room 83. • Any counselor recommendation forms must be turned in with the transcript request. • Transcripts are free!!!

6. Counselor and/or Teacher Recommendation • Request recommendations from counselors and/or teachers if necessary • “Brag Sheet” • Allow two weeks to complete your letter of recommendation

7. Need Based Scholarship • Need-based grants and need-based scholarships are basically the same thing – money available for students based on financial need to help pay for college.

8. Need Based Scholarship Need is determined by parents and students income using the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid: www.fafsa.gov). Financial aid money can only be applied for during the Senior year after Jan. 1st.

9. FAFSA Day FAFSA Day is February 23, 2013 High School seniors and their families will have the opportunity to get help completing and electronically submitting their FAFSA form. Go to www.cfnc.org/FAFSADay for details *Students must register through www.CFNC.org for this event.

10. Need Based Scholarship & State Grants: Major grant programs for North Carolina students attending North Carolina colleges and universities are listed below. • North Carolina Community College Grant • North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship • Federal Pell Grant • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program • North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship

11. List Of Need-Based Programs:  Many need based scholarships are listed at www.cfnc.org under the Pay tab.

12. Merit Based Scholarship Most merit based scholarship money comes from the colleges, universities and endowments. These scholarships are based on “merit” – special talent, achievement or skill -- not on financial need.

13. What Do The Big Merit Winners Look Like? • GPA: 4.0++ • Class Rank: top 5%-10% of their class • SAT Scores: 1350+ (Reading & Math only) • ACT Scores: 30+ • Courses Taken: the most challenging available - Honors - Advance Placement - College Transfer • Extracurricular Activities: Depth & breadth – depth is more important; consistency is valued; breadth is impressive if sincere; LEADERSHIP is valued by scholarship selection committees!

14. Merit Scholarships Each College Provides Merit Scholarships For example: NCSU – Park Scholarship UNC-CH – Morehead Cain Scholarship UNC-C – Levine Scholarship Campbell – Strickland Scholarship Many have Sept/Oct deadlines - be sure to check college websites early!

15. List Of Merit-Based Programs:  Many merit-based scholarships are listed at www.cfnc.org under the Pay tab.

16. Community Scholarships • Scholarships identified for a specific community i.e. Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Wake County. • Criteria is set by sponsoring organization. • Amount of award varies

17. Athletic Scholarship • The first step in marketing yourself to college coaches is an honest evaluation of your talent level. • Identify what level of competition is a good fit for you. (Division I, II, NAIA, or Junior College prospect) • Talent level: your coach, opposing coaches, and camp performances/evaluations

18. Athletic Scholarship (continued) • Cover Letter – introducing yourself written in your words with goals for your college experience • Resume • Schedule • Letter of Recommendation – a brief letter from your coach, an opposing coach, an official or a camp counselor that knows you and your skills well.

19. Athletic Scholarship (continued) • Each of the associations have valuable information regarding rules and guidelines to adhere to throughout the recruiting process. These are available in printed form as well as on the internet. Start your research during your junior year is a good idea, but do not contact coaches outside of the contact periods mentioned in the guidelines.

20. NCAA Clearinghouse & Student Athletes • The clearinghouse certifies your eligibility to compete as a student athlete, but your college must accept you as a student. • The clearinghouse evaluates your academic record to determine if you are eligible to participate at a Division I or II college as a freshmen. • You can review the eligibility requirements and register at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net or at 877-262-1492. • Contact: Randy Swann, CDC rswann@wcpss.net room 101

21. Athletic Associations • National Collegiate Athletic Association www.ncaa.org 317-917-6222 *Any student wishing to be recruited by NCAA division I or II schools must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics www.naia.org 913-791-0044 • National Junior College Athletic Association www.njcaa.org 719-590-9788

22. Scholarship Tips • Meet all Deadlines • Neat and complete – you are trying to impress the readers • Get letters of recommendation early • Write an autobiographical statement • Show off your individual talents, interests and strengths

23. Common Mistakes • Not applying for scholarships for which you are eligible – this is the #1 MISTAKE • Not applying on time – postmarked vs. received deadlines • Waiting too late to do a good job – plan ahead! • Not giving enough notice or information to those writing letters of reference/recommendations. Try to give at least TWO week notice

24. Common Mistakes (continued) • Black ink vs. Blue ink – always use black or type! Almost all scholarship can be typed now using the latest version of Adobe Reader. Type whenever possible. • Not having essays proofread for mistakes • Waiting too late to take the ACT/SAT. Take 2x by the end of the junior year in second semester • Not completing the FAFSA by school’s deadline

25. What Can I Do? • Start building your resume’ now. Keep it updated with all of the honors and awards you win, extra-curricular activities and community service/volunteer work, and paid work that you do. The format should be simple and through, covering and explaining all that you have done. • Good grades & test scores are expected. Take the challenging classes to help you get into the top of the class and to help prepare you for the SAT/ACT.

26. What Can I Do? (continued) • Start taking the SAT/ACT as soon as you have completed Algebra II. You can improve your scores by working on your weaknesses, and retaking the test. Be sure to take the PSAT as a junior, and use it to see what you need to work on. For an additional fee, you can get the questions, correct answers, and your answers for each SAT/ACT you take. This can be useful if you use the results and prepare. NEVER say that you are a bad test taker! You will subconsciously make this come true!

27. What Can I Do? (continued) • The extracurricular activities are what make the difference. Get involved in the school and/or community. Find something you like and can get passionate about! • Volunteering is more impressive than paid work. While paid work is good, it is not as impressive unless the job is unusual or you are helping to support your family.

28. What Can I Do? (continued) • Think like a college admissions officer. You are trying to become someone the college wants to recruit for their college. That is usually a student who demonstrates leadership potential and/or someone who makes a difference in world

29. What Can I Do? (continued) • Your leadership is the biggest factor outside of academics that makes you competitive. You don’t have to be in students government to demonstrate leadership. Some scholarships do like traditional school leadership, but it can also be shown through leadership in clubs, church, and community organizations.

30. What Can I Do? (continued) • Can you find a need and work to fill it? Doing this can really get you noticed because it isn’t seen very often. It shows initiative and leadership. • You need to remember that mission trips are great, but they are now common (unless you did something unusual). Is there some leadership you can exhibit on the trip?

31. Last Year Scholarship Report:Class of 2012 • Total Scholarships reported -115 • Academic 105 • Athletic 10 • Military 4 • Band 0 • Fine Arts 6 • TOTAL AMOUNT $3,416,654

32. Senior Scholarships/Awards for Senior Night All forms with documentation are due to Ms. Myers by May 10, 2013. It is imperative that we receive information from you in order for you to be recognized for your outstanding accomplishments.

33. Helpful Websites: • www.//fvhs.wcpss.netFVHS • www.cfnc.orgCollege Foundation of North Carolina • www.wcpss.netWake County Public School System • www.collegeboard.comSAT & AP Testing Information • www.actstudent.orgACT Testing Information • www.fafsa.gov Free Application for Federal & State Aid • www.Fastweb.com Scholarship search

34. Upcoming Events: • November 8 – ASVAB • November – College Application Day • TBA – Financial Aid Night • January 1 – FAFSA available • February – AP Exam Registration • February - Wake Tech on-site admissions • February - ASVAB • February – Junior Conferences

35. Upcoming Events (cont.): • February 23 – FASFA Day • March – National College Fair • April – FVHS Career Fair • May – AP Testing • May – Senior Night • June – Graduation Rehearsal • June – Graduation

36. We are looking forward to working with you and your student this school year. Please let us know if we can assist you in any way. This powerpoint presentation will be available on the www.fvhs.wcpss.net Go Bengals!