College Readiness: Maximizing Success in Higher Education

1. LOUISBURG HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE INFORMATION SESSION

2. COLLEGE & READINESSAm I Ready?

3. COLLEGE READINESS LEVEL OF PREPARATION NEEDED TO ENROLL AND TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE COURSES.

4. COLLEGE PREPARATION HAVE A FOUR YEAR PLAN RIGOROUS COURSES = PREPARATION QUALIFIED ADMISSIONS CURRICULUM TESTING SCHEDULE ACT LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES MAINTAIN A BALANCE DEPTH RATHER THAN BREADTH WORK EXPERIENCE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF

5. COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS • ADMISSION SCORE REQUIREMENTS- 21 for Kansas Regents Schools; 24 for University of Missouri; varies with private and out of state schools. 2016 graduates will need a 24 at KU if their GPA is below a 3.25. STUDENTS MUST ALSO COMPLETE THE QUALIFIED ADMISSIONS CURRICULUM. • SCHOLARSHIP SCORE REQUIREMENT- Check individual websites for AUTOMATIC ACADEMIC AWARDS based on GPA/TEST scores. (MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS) • PSAT- Is NOT a college entrance exam, but does qualify the top ½ of 1% for a National Merit Scholarship. • SAT can be found at www.collegeboard.org

6. 2018/19 ACT DATES Sept 8th Oct. 27th Dec. 8th Feb. 9th April 13th June 8th July 13th PREPARATION: Log-In to Career Cruising account for Method Test Prep ACT TEST PREP tutoring also available. Check the school Calendar for dates/times.

7. WHAT IS OUT THERE?

8. COLLEGE PLANNING HOW DO I CHOOSE? CONSIDER: Admission Requirements Student Population- size and diversity Location Your comfort level/personality Major course of study Campus Atmosphere Campus Safety Campus Housing Financial Aid/ Support

9. BEGIN THE SEARCH START A COLLEGE FILE OR PORTFOLIO TO KEEP INFO TALK REALISTICALLY ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT AS A FAMILY: Size? Cost? Distance from Home? Major? START OPEN-MINDED and BEGIN NARROWING PARAMETERS. PRO/CON lists about colleges or RANK colleges in your portfolio or file REALISTIC VS. DREAM……...

10. The SEARCH…. https://www2.careercruising.com/default/cplogin/LOU Career Cruising is available to all LHS students for 24/7 access to college planning, searching, scholarship, and financial aid information.

11. …..More Planning Resources www.collegeboard.orgCollege Board has a FANTASTIC college search engine. Filters can be adjusted to personal choices. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-collegeshttp://www.actstudent.org https://www.livecareer.com/quintessential/teen-college https://www.petersons.com/

12. COLLEGE REPS AT LHS Wednesdays during Late Start. FANTASTIC Opportunity to learn more about colleges from the source and never leave school. ALL students are allowed to attend Lists are posted in student services and are announced when Reps arrive. Every time you meet with a College Representative, that is a college interview.

13. CAMPUS VISITS • VISIT THE CAMPUS BEFORE MAKING YOUR FINAL DECISION!!!!! • College websites- sign up-pre-register (DON’T JUST SHOW UP) • Pick up a college visit form before you go. • You get two each year- Senior and Junior. USE THEM!! Visit different sizes, cost of attendance, locations to use as comparisons. • While your on your visit, meet with professors, financial aid office, and see housing and dining options. Pick up sample programs of study.

14. DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLLEGES

15. COMMUNITY COLLEGES • 2 year colleges designed to meet needs of local communities • Affordable educational programs (compare COA sheets) • Transition step to university level • MOST CREDITS will transfer to state college and universities. Private Prestigous/Ivy League schools will not. • Career-oriented programs-designed to allow students to begin careers after 2 years of college or less • 1 year or less- certification/diplomas • 2 years- Associate’s degrees

16. PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES • Larger in size • Offer 4 year degree programs • Wide variety of majors, courses, and campus activities • Less expensive than private colleges • Early deadlines and admission requirements. NOV. 1st

17. PRIVATE COLLEGES • More individualized • Usually smaller in attendance • Opportunities to participate in intercollegiate activities, student government, etc. • More EXPENSIVE in cost • Almost 75% of students receive some form of financial aid • EARLY ADMISSION DEADLINES; STRICTER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

18. IVY LEAGUE • Very Competitive Admissions (6% admittance rate average) • Expensive Cost • Courses are rigorous • Lead U.S. News rankings in all categories • START EARLY TO BE ACCEPTED–EARLY DEADLINES, EARLY ACTION, EARLY DECISION

19. COST OF ATTENDANCE TUITION/FEES/BOOKS + ROOM/BOARD = $COA x 4 years = TOTAL KU/KSU: $11,000 + $9000 = $20,000 year x 4 = $80,000 ESU/PSU: $6500 + $7500 = $14,000 year x 4 = $56,000 KS Comm. College: $3280 + $5000 = $8,280 year x 2 = $16,560 BAKER: $25,580 + $7850 = $33,340 year x 4 year = $133,360 HARVARD: $45,278 + $14,381= $60,659 year x 4 year = $242, 636

20. APPLYING

21. Application Process • Narrow the list to 3-5 colleges • APPLY to as many colleges as you wish and make your final decision in late April, once you have seen your financial aid offers. • Apply online through each college’s website, or do the common application if the college is a member. (NO KS COLLEGES) • MEET THE DEADLINES!!!! • KU/KSU/WSU have Nov. 1st priority deadlines!

22. Application Process..cont. • Complete BOTH college and scholarship applications-online—meet the DEADLINES! • Pay application fee • Send Transcript- Let Shelby know where to send it • Wait, wait, wait...(Fill out scholarship apps, FAFSA, housing,etc.) • Select college by the end of April

23. APPLICATION TERMS • EARLY ACTION- Take this opportunity for all colleges you are seriously considering. (Oct./Nov./Dec.– know by Jan. 1) • ROLLING ADMISSION- Application reviewed when received- Decisions made throughout the cycle. • REGULAR DECISION- Early January Deadline- know by April • EARLY DECISION—NOV. 1– Once accepted, you must withdraw all other college applications. You ARE COMMITTED TO THIS COLLEGE FOR 2014-2015

24. Common Application • Good for over 450 schools nationwide (no KS schools) • Usually due January 1st • Submit and track everything on-line • Pay application fee for each school • www.commonapp.org

25. FACTORS IN COMPETITIVE ADMISSION DECISION PROCESS • STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE (TRANSCRIPT) • STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES (ACT or SAT) • ACTIVITY LIST • COMMUNITY SERVICE • WORK OR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE IN FIELD OF STUDY • RECOMMENDATIONS • GPA- Slightly lower grades in a rigorous program are preferred to all A’s in less challenging work. • ANYTHING SPECIAL OR TALENTS, AWARDS, HONORS

26. DEADLINES MISSING A DEADLINE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERS YOUR CHANCE OF ADMISSION OR SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS. Check each college’s website for their particular set of deadlines. Applications should usually be completed by Nov. 1st as a general rule.

27. Paying for College

28. FEDERAL AID • All Federal Aid is determined by the FAFSA. The Fafsa can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. • NEVER PAY to have someone help you fill it out. • The FEDERAL AID IS DETERMINED BY PARENTS INCOME. • FAFSA IS NOW AVAILABLE OCT. 1st

29. FILLING OUT THE FAFSA • https://fafsa.ed.gov/

30. TYPES OF FEDERAL AID • GRANTS- PELL GRANT – BASED ON NEED • STAFFORD STUDENT LOANS– SUBSIDIZED or UNSUBSIDIZED • WORK STUDY ALL FORMS OF AID ARE DETERMINED BY COLLEGE OF ATTENDANCE AND ARE SUBTRACTED FROM THE ESTIMATED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION. (EFC).

31. FEDERAL AID LIMITS

32. FEDERAL AID, Etc. • Apply for your FSA ID. https://fsaid.ed.gov/ • Young men at least 17 years, 3 months of age need to register with Selective Service at www.sss.gov/ Without registering, you will be unable to receive financial aid. • If you need help understanding the FAFSA or Federal Aid, we will be having a Financial Aid meeting on January 25 at 6:00. An FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid’s online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Need this first before applying for Financial Aid.

33. SCHOLARSHIPS • MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH THE COLLEGE: ACT, GPA, CLASS RANK • NATIONAL/REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS- applicable to students everywhere • LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS- www.usd416.org Over 30 different scholarships with over 80 recipients last year. • ATHLETIC/ACTIVITY SCHOLARSHIPS- based on a skill or sport.

34. BEGIN YOUR SCHOLARSHIPS NOW • Mark the LHS website to begin working on the list of local scholarships located there. The majority are due March 26th with a few earlier than than. • Listen to the announcements or read them online. Often times opportunities will arise that are placed in the announcements. • Search for scholarships, CAREER CRUISING!!! • www.fastweb.comwww.collegeboard.org • APPLY, APPLY, APPLY • DO YOUR OWN SCHOLARSHIPS! ASK PEOPLE TO PROOFREAD THEM- BUT THE STUDENT SHOULD FILL THEM OUT!

35. SCHOLARSHIP ETC. REMEMBER unless a scholarship says guaranteed renewable for 4 years, you will not be receiving that money after that year. FRESHMAN year tends to hold the most amount of scholarship money. Local, National, and College scholarships tend to decline by year (unless guaranteed renewable)> Make sure you apply on time, all t’s crossed, all i’s dotted, no miss-spelled words. TYPE, TYPE, TYPE.

36. FINANCIAL AID AWARD LETTER • This will include all of your financial aid awarded by the college- GRANTS, LOANS, and ANY SCHOLARSHIP MONEY> • Pay attention to scholarship amounts • One year, over four years, or renewable??? • CALL THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE IF YOU SEE AN ERROR OR HAVE QUESTIONS.

37. YOUR TURN……QUESTIONS?