Planning for Life after High School – Control Your Destiny

1. Planning for Life after High School – Control Your Destiny Senior Presentation William H. Turner Technical Arts High School Mrs. Erdvig, CAP Advisor

2. Control Your Destiny • Your future is your responsibility • Involve your parents • Read and reread • Follow directions – write legibly • Meet deadlines • Keep copies • Create a “professional” email and check it daily • Make sure I have your email erdvign@dadeschools.net • Check my website regularly (at least once a week) – www.turnertechcap.com

3. Control Your Destiny • Plan, Implement, and Follow Up • Set a weekly planning appointment with yourself • specific day and time • involve your parents • List specific goals for the week – go to my website (www.turnertechcap.com) to see how to set “SMART” goals • make them measurable • set a date and time • examples - • I will study for my ACT on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. • On Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m., I will research and identify five universities to apply to.

4. The American Postsecondary Education System • Vocational/Technical School • Community College • 4-Year Colleges and Universities • Colleges offer through a Bachelor’s Degree • Universities also offer graduate level degrees (Master’s and Doctorate) • Check the accreditation of the school. • There are different types of accreditation. • College/university – Visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation - http://www.chea.org/ • Career accrediation • Go to my website or email me if you are not sure about a school’s accreditation.

5. Types of Post-Secondary Institutions • Technical Schools – Earn a certificate in a certain trade or profession. • Community Colleges – Usually the first 2 years of college, or award 2 year degrees intended to prepare you for a job. - 50% of students attending Florida’s state universities are community college graduates. - 75% of funding comes from the state.

6. Types of Post-Secondary Institutions (continued) • Public Universities – Post-secondary institutions where you can earn a Bachelor, Master’s or Doctorate degree (75% of funding comes from the state). • Private Universities - You can also earn a Bachelor, Master’s or Doctorate degree, but almost 100% of funding comes from student-paid tuition.

7. Military Options • Research the options that are available if you are interested in the military. • Direct enlistment • Or get your degree first: • ROTC • College First programs • Military Academies • www.turnertechcap.com/usmilitaryprograms.html

8. Types of Degrees • Associate Degree: Approximately 60 credits, typically 2 years, offered at State Community Colleges. • Associate of Arts degrees are designed to lead to a Bachelor’s degree. • Associate of Science degrees are designed to lead directly to career placement. • Bachelor’s Degree: Approximately 120 credits, typically 4 years • Master’s Degree: Typically 2 more years after the Bachelor’s • Doctorate Degree: Typically 2 more years after the Master’s • Medical School, Veterinary School, Law School

9. Entry Requirements • Vocational / Technical School: Students must be at least 16 years or older and has graduated or withdrawn from high school. The TABE is given to all students within the first six weeks of their enrollment period • Community College: 2.0 GPA; SAT/ACT not required, but recommended. All students take the CPT for class placement • 4-year College/University: Entrance based on GPA; SAT/ACT test scores are required, Application requirements may include letters of recommendation, essays and involvement in community service and leadership.

10. State University Minimum Requirements – Many state universities have higher minimum requirements now – visit each school’s website for the latest requirements • To be considered for admission to a state university, you must take 18 core courses and graduate from high school. Admission offices also consider: • Your GPA in the core “college prep” courses • The difficulty of the courses you took. They like to see honors or college-level courses in high school, such as AP, IB, AICE or dual enrollment courses. • Your college entrance exam scores (either the SAT or ACT) • College Prep Curriculum English 4; Mathematics 4*; Natural Science 3; Social Science 3; Foreign Language 2; Electives 2* • TOTAL18 Credits *Freshman applicants to the state university system must have two or three additional high school credits as electives, depending on the year they entered high school: • Applicants who entered high school before July 1, 2007 must have three additional high school credits as electives (with three math courses). • Applicants who entered high school July 1, 2007 or after must have two additional high school credits as electives (with four math courses).

11. Minimum GPA, SAT, ACT for State University System – many State Universities have higher minimums – check each school website

12. There are 28 Community Colleges in the State of Florida – many are now Colleges offering Bachelor degrees in some programs. (MDC – Criminal Justice, Nursing, Education) There are 11 Public Universities in the State of Florida State University & Community College System

13. Over 50% of the students in upper-division courses at the universities are community college transfers. 2 + 2 Articulation Must meet universities’ transfer criteria. Transferring To State Universities

14. The state of Florida has created an agreement that creates a "2+2" system. Students can earn a bachelor's degree by taking the first two years of lower division work at a community college and the last two years at a state university. Any student that graduates with an A.A. is guaranteed to transfer all courses to a state university – not necessarily their choice. Transfer to Four-Year State Universities (2+2)

15. What 4-year Colleges/Universities Look for When Making Decisions Top 3 Most Important Factors • Strength of curriculum (academic courses, Honors, Advanced Placement) • Grade Point Average (GPA) and class rank • College Entrance Examination Scores (ACT or SAT) If the college requires them: • Essay • Interview • Recommendation Letters • Resume (leadership, community service, extracurricular, talents, etc)

16. Standards of Selectivity

17. Know Where You Stand • Check the “profile” of the entering freshman class for the college • GPA breakdown • SAT/ACT scores • Search the college website for this information – “freshman profile” • Look up the information on www.collegeboard.com • Apply to a range of colleges not just “long shots”

18. FAMU FAU FGCU FIU FSU NCF UCF UF UNF USF UWF MIDDLE RANGE GPA (summer in parenthesis) 3.0-3.49 (2.59-2.99) 3.0-3.6 (2.8-3.4) 3.03-3.71 (2.9 – 3.53) 3.4-4.1 (3.2 – 3.9) 3.7-4.2 (3.4-3.9) 3.71- 4.27 3.4-4.1 (3.3 – 3.8) 4.0-4.4 (3.6 – 4.2) 3.53- 3.78 (3.2 – 3.41) 3.50- 4.1* (3.22 – 3.81)* 3.1-4.0 (2.7 – 3.5) MIDDLE RANGE SAT 940 980- 1130 960- 1120 1080- 1210 1180-1330 R 630-740 M 600-680 1140- 1280 1210- 1400 1160- 1210 1100- 1270* 980- 1150 MIDDLE RANGE ACT 20 20-24 20-24 23-26 26-29 (F) 22-25 (S) 27-31 24-28 26-31 23-24 24-28 21-25 Preferred Time to Apply Sept. Fall of Senior Year Sept 1 – Nov 15 July 1 – Dec 1 Prior to Oct 15 2/15/09 for guar. Freshman schol. Fall of Senior Year July 1 – Nov 1 Fall of Senior Year Jan 1 for scholar. consid./ March 1 admission Fall of Senior Year Institutional Matrix - FallSUS Admissions as of September, 2008SAT Scores are for Math and Reading Only This is one-year old – it has gone UP!

19. “First Generation” Programs Many colleges and universities have programs promoting the recruitment, admission, support (financial and social) of “First Generation” students. • Students whose parents have had no college or university experience. Often a first generation student is defined as one whose parents have not received a Bachelor’s degree. • When compared to the "traditional student", first-generation college students are more likely • to come from low income families • not to have been encouraged by teachers (not parents) to attend college • There are differences between first-generation and traditional students with respect to their basic knowledge of college, personal commitment, and level of family support, with first-generation students being at a disadvantage in most cases. • FSU requires an additional application (FSU Care) for their “first generation” program – you can download it from their website – www.fsu.edu

20. Types of College Admission • Early Decision. Students make a commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll. The application deadline and decision deadlines occur early. Early decision is a “binding” decision with that one school. • Early Action. Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision well in advance of the institution's regular response date. Students who are admitted under Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution's offer of admission or to submit a deposit until the regular reply date (not prior to May 1). • Regular Decision. Students submit an application to an institution by a specified date and receive a decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time, but not later than April 15.

21. Types of College Admission (cont.) • Rolling Admission. Institutions review applications as they are completed and render admission decisions to students throughout the admission cycle. • Wait List. An admission decision option utilized by institutions to protect against shortfalls in enrollment. Wait lists are sometimes made necessary because of the uncertainty of the admission process, as students submit applications for admission to multiple institutions and may receive several offers of admission. By placing a student on the wait list, an institution does not initially offer or deny admission, but extends to a candidate the possibility of admission in the future, before the institution's admission cycle is concluded.

22. Types of Funding for College GRANTS – Based on financial need - Private (CAP Grant) - Public: Federal (Pell Grant) - State (Fla. Student Assistance Grant) WORK-STUDY – Based on financial need- Employment on campus – usually jobs are not too demanding, with the idea you can study some at work, thus the name, Work-Study STUDENT LOANS – Based on financial need - Perkins (administered by the college - 5% int.) - Stafford (subsidized or unsubsidized, capped at 8.25% currently) PARENT LOANS– NOT based on financial need - Not need-based, can borrow up to cost of education, payment begins 60 days after date of loan.

23. Fall - Senior Year • Research colleges • visit the college websites or the college campus • check all types of colleges (i.e., public, private, community colleges, universities) • view the freshman profile • check types of admission and admissions deadlines • narrow your list to 5 - 10 colleges • Reasons to select a college • Geographical location • Selectivity • A certain field of study • Size of a college • Size of the community • A sport you play • The cost of attendance (COA) • Or a religious affiliation

24. Fall - Senior Year • Select and apply to colleges. – APPLY AS EARLY AS APPROPRIATE • Many college application deadlines have moved up. • Highly competitive schools and competitive schools may be earlier. • Make sure to involve your parents in the process. • Apply to more than one college. If you REALLY want to go to college, and you are not sure you will get in, go ahead and apply. This is your dream school or reach school. Have some in between choices, and apply to at least one college you are just about positive you will be accepted to. • On-line applications are preferred • If you are eligible for requests to waive the college application fee, check if the school accepts them

25. College Applications • Make sure to send necessary items before deadlines • Test scores (some require SAT subject area exams) • Transcripts • Request from the Registrar – Mrs. Bastien • Allow at least 1 week to come in • Don’t forget to pick them up • Essays • Letters of recommendation • Application waivers • If possible, include our school “profile” – available on www.turnertechcap.com – “Applying to College” page • Your application will be closed if all items are not received by the application deadline

26. College Fairs • Turner Tech • September 23 – during lunch • National College Fair • November 5th, 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Fort Lauderdale Convention Center • www.nacacnet.org – click on “events/training” then on College Fairs

27. Fall - Senior Year • Take or retake the ACT and/or SAT if needed • influences college decisions • a factor with some scholarships • waivers and requests to waive college fees – can take up to 5 days • Study! • www.march2success.com – test prep site from the U.S. Army (free – indicate if you do not want the military contacting you) • www.mdc.edu/cd/north - MDC Community Educaton – test prep (small fee) • Show up early, rested, and with correct documentation

28. Fall - Senior Year • Start your Financial Planning – most students use a combination of sources to pay for college • Apply for scholarships • keep a few sealed transcript copies on hand for “last minute” scholarships that may require a transcript • Use www.turnertechcap.com & www.fastweb.com • Save money for college costs such as: • housing and tuition deposits • orientation fees • insurance • travel • Stay organized

29. Winter/Spring - Senior Year • December 1 - go to www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org and file your Florida Financial Aid • January 1 - the Free Application Federal Student Aid opens for filing • CAP financial aid workshops • Requires parent’s and student’s IRS filing information • May be done on estimated taxes and updated after income tax is filed • Students starting college in summer after graduation must file for the previous year’s FAFSA • Males 18 or over must register for the Selective Service to receive federal financial aid. • Make sure to meet the college/university financial aid deadline. • This includes community college financial aid deadlines.

30. Winter/Spring - Senior Year • You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. • Compare your financial aid award letters. • Work with the financial aid office at the college/institution if you have questions. • Not enough aid? Ask if other financing plans are available. • You must tell colleges of your acceptance or rejection of offers of admission or financial aid by May 1. • Send necessary deposits to the college you choose. • Stay up on housing deadlines/deposits, immunization/health form deadlines, etc. • Make sure to give Mrs. Erdvig • Keep your grades up! – admissions offers can be rescinded

31. Make a Master Calendar and note important dates and tasks such as: • application deadlines • college financial aid deadlines • other deadlines (i.e., dorm deadlines, acceptance deadlines) • request recommendations • Request ACT and SAT scores be sent • request transcripts be sent (first 5 free, $1 each after that) – keep a couple of spare transcripts on hand for scholarship applications • write application essays (ask teachers, parents, friends to read first drafts • prepare/request any other necessary materials • follow up with the schools to make sure everything has been received

32. Cost of Attendance (COA) – this is two years old – so the costs have gone up. Visit each school’s website for updated costs.

33. Financing Your Education • A child’s education after high school is the responsibility of the parent. • There is financial aid available to help with the costs based on financial need and/or merit • Financial Aid Sources – four sources • Federal Government (FAFSA) - www.fafsa.ed.gov • Florida Financial Aid - www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org • Private Scholarships • College/University funds

34. Financial Aid Forms to Complete • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – Apply in January– because aid will be based on your previous year’s income. You must apply on-line at: www.fafsa.ed.gov • Florida Financial Aid: Register for Florida Bright Futures and other state scholarships, grants, loans and work study. You must apply on-line beginning in December at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org • PROFILE – Some colleges require, this is completed beginning in September of the student’s senior year. Investigate colleges thoroughly to see if you must complete this. Information and on-line registration is at www.collegeboard.com. (Look for CSS Profile) • If accepted, the college sends you a financial aid award letter that may include a mix of types of financial aid. You will use this information in making your final decision. • Meet deadlines!!! You will miss out on money if forms are sent in late!!! And keep copies of everything!!

35. Bright Futures Scholarships • Florida Academic Scholars • Florida Medallion Scholars • Gold Seal • www.facts.org • Go into your Electronic Personal Education Planner (ePEP) • Select ‘High School Academic Evaluation’ • Select ‘Bright Futures’ • View where you stand on each scholarship • The state evaluates your meeting of the criteria upon your date of graduation • GPA in specific courses • Specific course work • Community service for Academic Scholars • ACT and/or SAT scores (CPT can also be used on Gold Seal) • you have through the the June testing administration • Make sure to keep up with legislative changes due to the State budget issues.

36. Scholarships • Scholarships are awards you are given to help you pay for college, usually based on something you do well: • Academics • Athletics • Arts • Community service, activities, or writing an excellent essay.

37. Sources beyond FAFSA (Federal) and Florida (Bright Futures, etc.) • Colleges – colleges offer a huge amount of money to enrolling students. Be sure to apply for any scholarships colleges you are applying to may offer, AND APPLY ON TIME! – Some private schools will ensure that all unmet need for admitted students is met.

38. Private Scholarships – • Corporations and organizations award college scholarships. • Many are listed on the CAP Scholarship website www.turnertechcap.com • You can research them on your own (I.e., www.fastweb.com, www.facts.org). • Many scholarship organizations who now promote their scholarships on their own website. • Apply, Apply, Apply! • Make sure I have your email address so you receive my scholarship updates.

39. Quick Financial Aid Timeline • December 1 – do your Florida Financial Aid (must do before you graduate – do as soon as possible) • January 1 (as soon as possible after) – do your Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) • Varied – Make sure to meet the requirements and “preferred” financial aid deadlines of the colleges that you have been accepted to (some are as early as February 1) • This means to maximize the amount of aid you can receive you need to have your FAFSA and Florida (if a Florida school) done by the “preferred” deadline. • some “pots” of money are limited and the money goes to those who have everything done on time.

40. Simple Look at How Financial Aid Works • When you file your FAFSA, you will be given your “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC). • This is how much your family is expected to put toward your education. • This is subtracted from the cost of attending the school to give you your “financial need”. • The Financial Aid Offices of the colleges you have been accepted to will do what they can to award as much of your “financial need” as possible through a combination of grants, loans, etc. and will give you a “financial aid award letter” – now often posted on the Internet. • Once you have received all of your “award letters”, you will decide which school you will attend – let them know. • You want to get as many independent scholarships as possible to fill the gap in your financial need. • I will do a detailed presentation on financial aid in January.

41. Athletics:www.ncaaclearinghouse.netFree or reduced lunch can receive waivers for the fee.

42. Important Websites • www.turnertechcap.com • www.facts.org • www.collegeboard.com • www.actstudent.org • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org

43. Mrs. Erdvig, CAP Advisor • Website – www.turnertechcap.com • Email • erdvign@dadeschools.net • College Resource Room during Lunch– Room 47 • Walk-ins • Office - Room 16 • Before school – I am usually in by 6:45 a.m. • By appointment - use a counselor request slip