Part I The Academic Record Part II High School-Year by Year Part III Money for College

1. An Instruction Booklet for the Parents of Niagara Catholic Junior and Senior High School College Bound Students

2. Part IThe Academic RecordPart IIHigh School-Year by YearPart IIIMoney for College

3. Part IThe Academic Record In order to understand the college selection and admissions process, there are terms that parents need to understand and information they must have.

4. College Admissions CriteriaWhen evaluating an applicant, colleges look at: • Grade Point Average (GPA) • Class Rank • ACT/SAT Scores • Recommendations • Strength of Subjects • Special Talents: art, music, athletics • Personal Qualities • Activities/Volunteerism/Employment/Awards • Essays • Interviews

5. Grade Point Average (GPA)The average of a student’s end of term grades, starting with the Freshman Year. Class Rank Two numbers used to show where a student stands in his/her class (ex/ 10/40).

6. College and NUSTEP Courses • Students should enroll in the most rigorous courses that they can handle. College admissions offices want to see students taking challenging courses. • College courses are offered at Niagara Catholic through Niagara University’s NUStep program. • WHAT IS NUStep? • NUStep is an opportunity for students to earn college credit while still attending High School. They do not leave the High School campus, but are taught on their campus by university-approved instructors. Students should be ready for the challenge of college-level course work, and must be recommended for the course by either their school counselor or former instructors. Registration is completed online through Niagara University’s website. Students receive information on registration and payment from their course instructors the first week of school.

7. High School Transcripta document detailing a student’s academic achievement • Courses, grades, and credits for each grade completed, beginning with grade nine (and any high school credits earned in grade 8). • Cumulative GPA, class rank, and attendance • Anticipated graduation date • Test scores from the PLAN, PSAT, SAT, and/or ACT • Regents Exam Scores

8. School Profile • A document that provides information about the high school a student is attending: The guidance office automatically attaches one to each transcript that we send to a college for admissions purposes.

9. College Recommended Courses • 4 years of English • 3 years of Math • 3 years of Science • 2-3 years of the same foreign language • 4 years of Social Studies • 1 year of Fine or Performing Arts * Individual colleges may have different or additional requirements

10. Niagara Catholic’s CurriculumGrades 9-12 • Religious Studies 4 units • English 4 units • Social Studies 4 units • Mathematics 4 units • Science 4 units • Foreign Language 1 unit • Health ½ unit • Art or Music 1 unit • Physical Education 2 units • Computer Application 1 unit • Electives 1 ½ units 1 unit = 1 full year of a course TOTAL UNITS: 27

11. Community Service at Niagara Catholic • All students must complete volunteer service for a charitable non-profit organization for each academic year. At least ½ of this requirement must be fulfilled by the end of the first semester or the students will receive a 50% for the region course. All service hours must be completed before the designated date as determined by the Religion Department. • The minimum number of service hours to be completed are as follows: Freshman 15 hours Sophomores 20 hours Juniors 25 hours Seniors 30 hours

12. Four-Year High School Plan A listing of the courses a student plans to take during his/her Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Years. Each student has one file in the Guidance Office

13. College Majors • Most Colleges and University’s offer a broad range of majors • Students who know what they want to major in should choose their high school courses accordingly • Undecided students can use their first year of college to take their required general education classes • All students at Niagara Catholic should take advantage of the NUStep college program offered since these will help satisfy college general requirements before a student even finishes high school (remember NUStep courses are available to instructor referred or school counselor referred students only)!

14. Requirements for Athletes • NCAA-Division I and II colleges can give scholarships: Students must register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center at: http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA EMS/NCAA.html • NAIA- There are fewer colleges in this division, different eligibility requirements • NJCAA (Junior Colleges)- no academic eligibility requirements for incoming students

15. Two-Year Colleges, Career and Trade Schools • Students can train for many high growth career fields in two years or less • 2-year community colleges are the most affordable option • Students can start a 2-year community college and transfer to a 4-year college: Many colleges have a dual admissions program, i.e. NCCC, that streamlines this process. Pay lower tuition for 2-years then transfer to a 4-year college • Their courses are more career-related • They offer a more “hands-on” approach

16. Part II High School – Year by Year

17. High School – Year by Year There are specific things that a parents can do at each grade level to ensure that their children will be prepared for college.

18. 8th GradeWhile 8th grade may not be as important as grades 9-12, it is nevertheless an important year. • Grades may be used to determine ninth grade course placement. A few of the courses are actually high school courses that will eventually be averaged into the student’s overall GPA. • 8th grade students who develop good study skills are much better prepared for high school. • This is a good time to develop a 4-year plan and explore career opportunities • Students generally choose their 9th grade courses in the late winter months.

19. 9th GradeHow to Guide and Advise Your Freshman*Remember-this is the year that all their preparation for their academic future success starts to count! • Monitor academic progress • Encourage involvement in a wide variety of activities. Colleges want well-rounded students on their campus. • Start and “Activities List”. • Help your child select appropriate 10th grade courses. • Help plan meaningful summer activities • Start a college savings account

20. 10th GradeHow to Guide and Advise Your Sophomore • Monitor academic progress • Continue to encourage involvement in community/school/volunteer and leadership opportunities • Have your child take the PLAN (practice test for the ACT) • Explore and discuss college options • Oversee 11th grade course selection • Help plan meaningful summer activities • Update “Activities List” • Add money to college savings account • Begin to explore scholarship availability

21. 11th GradeHow to Guide and Advise Your Junior • Monitor academic progress • Continue to encourage involvement • Think about and explore college options • Attend Junior Open Houses at various colleges • Have your child register for the ACT and/or SAT in the Spring • Have your son/daughter register for the PSAT in September This is a practice test for the SAT Students can use their test scores to see how they compare to other college bound students This test is used to determine National Merit Award

22. 11th grade-How to guide your Junior Continued THE ACT • Offered in October, December, February, April, and June • 4 multiple choice tests – English, Reading, Math, and Science • Scores given for each section (1-36) • Composite Score • Optional Writing Test • www.act.org

23. 11th Grade-How to Guide and Advise Your Junior Continued THE SAT • Offered in October, November, December, January, March, May, and June. Niagara Catholic is NOT a SAT Test Center. They can take the exam at Niagara Falls High School, Lew-Port High School, or Niagara Wheatfield High School. Juniors typically take the exam in May. (Seniors typically RETAKE the exam in October for a better score). • 3 Sections-Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. Most colleges are most interested in just the Critical Reading and Math cores. • Scores range from 200 to 800 for each section. Students should strive to achieve a total score of around 1100 (Critical Reading plus Math scores combined). This will keep students eligible for most SUNY colleges. • SAT Subject Tests-one hour tests in specific subject areas. Students applying to selective colleges typically will have to take 1-2 subject exams (check requirements ahead of time). • www.collegeboard.com

24. 11th Grade-How to Guide and Advise Your Junior Continued • Make College Visits • Learn about the college before you visit • Take a tour • Meet with an admissions requirements • Sit in on a class • Get information on intended major • Check out Honors Programs • Read a campus newspaper • Visit a dorm • Talk to students • Verify the cost and find out about financial aid/scholarships • Check out the town where the college is located

25. 11th Grade-How to Guide and Advise Your Junior Continued • Oversee selection of senior year courses • Look for scholarships. Scholarships sent to the school are posted on the Niagara Catholic School website under the Guidance Section. Often, parents’ employers or community affiliations may offer scholarships for dependent children. • Update “Activities List”. • Meet with High School Counselor • Narrow the list of college choices • Put money into your college savings account

26. 12th GradeHow to Guide and Advise Your Senior • Continue to monitor academic progress • Set up a calendar for the year • Have your daughter/son sign up for the first ACT and/or SAT (latest test date=November), if necessary • Oversee completion of financial aid and scholarship applications. Financial Aid (FAFSA) goes from Jan.1 to mid-march. Scholarships are all year long. • Oversee completion of college applications • Make sure applications are completed correctly • Provide information for recommendations • Make sure applications are sent in before deadlines

27. Part III Money for College

28. Money for College Financial aid is money that is given, earned, or lent to help students pay for their education.

29. Four Categories of Financial Aid • GRANT – money given, usually because of financial need • Scholarship – money awarded for achievement or talent • Work Study – money earned by working at the college • Loan – borrowed money that must be repaid

30. Financial Aid continued • Except for merit-based scholarships, financial aid is generally awarded on the basis of financial need. • Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending a college and the amount a family can afford.

31. Financial To receive need-based aid, parents MUST complete the necessary forms. • FAFSA: Requirement off ALL colleges • College Financial Aid Form • The PROFILE • TAP: NYS financial aid if student attends a NYS college

32. The FAFSA • A federal form that determines how much a family can afford to pay • Submit your FAFSA after January 1 of your daughter/son’s Senior Year. Niagara Catholic School has a financial aid night in January and March at which financial aid experts explains the financial aid sources and documents (FAFSA and TAP) • www.fafsa.ed.gov

33. Loans • PLUS Loan • Perkins Loan-low interest loan to help needy financial students • Stafford Loan • Subsidized Stafford Loan-based on financial need and interest does NOT accrue while attending college • Unsubsidized Stafford Loan- not based on financial need and interest DOES accrue while attending college

34. Applying for Scholarships • Start early • Contact the college’s financial aid office for information • Know that Private Colleges offer more scholarships • Apply for local scholarships • Network • Use the internet • Be aware of deadlines • Pursue all financial aid opportunities • Be leery of scholarship searches that charge a fee • Frequently check the Niagara Catholic Guidance Office webpage for new scholarship postings!

35. For Additional Information

36. For Additional Information • www.collegeboard.com • www.act.org • www.petersons.com • www.finaid.org • www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool • www.ed.gov/finaid.html • www.fafsa.com • www.fastweb.com