From High School to College

1. From High School to College Continuing the Quest for the American Dream

2. Action Plan Junior/Senior Year • PSAT exam • Look for schools / Identify what you want in a school • Big or Small • Close or Far from home • Choice of Major/Courses of interest • Other activities (sports,student organizations, programs,etc.) • Talk to your Guidance Counselor • Study / Take the SAT or ACT • Check College Application Due Dates • Check Financial Aid Applications and their deadlines http://www.collegeboard.com/article/0,3868,6-30-023642,00.html • Review scholarships (ask Guidance Counselor for help)

3. Public (CUNY & SUNY) Private (NYU & Columbia) Vs. Full Time Vs. Part Time

4. City University of New York Community Colleges (2 years ) Median GPA Median SAT Score Borough of Manhattan Community College 70.2 –– Bronx Community College 70.3 –– Hostos Community College 70.2 –– Kingsborough Community College 71.0 –– LaGuardia Community College 70.7 –– Queensborough Community College 70.9 –– Four-Year Colleges Baruch College 82.1 1044 Brooklyn College 79.5 860 The City College 80.4 845 College of Staten Island 72.3 772 Hunter College 82.8 965 John Jay College of Criminal Justice 77.1 781 Lehman College 78.8 785 Medgar Evers College 70.7 766 New York City College of Technology 71.9 772 Queens College 81.5 830 York College 73.9 765

5. SAT & ACT *Scholastic Aptitude Test *American College Test • When do you take the SAT or the ACT? • Given many times during the year but you should register about 5 weeks before SAT= http://www.collegeboard.com ACT= http://www.actstudent.org • Where do you take the test? • Test centers are usually in local schools SAT= http://www.collegeboard.com ACT= http://www.actstudent.org

6. Getting Ready for the SAT or ACT • Free Mini-Test Online http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/test.html (SAT) http://www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html (ACT) • Study Guides from your Guidance Counselor or Public Library • Prep Courses - www.kaplan.com -www.princetonreview.com/home.asp LOW COST -www.lentzsatprep.com/ -http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/ -www.campcory.org/programs_sat_class.asp • Online Prep Classes, Testing Services, or Books - www.fastweb.com/fastweb/resources/articles/index/102202 -www.princetonreview.com/home.asp

7. Continuation of SAT & ACT How do you register for the test? • Register Online • Register by Mail -contact the SAT or ACT office and ask them to mail you a registration form • SAT office = (609) 771-7600 • ACT office = (319) 337-1270 • Ask your Guidance Counselor to help you register Costs of the SAT & ACT: • SAT = $43 • ACT = $30 • FEE WAIVERS: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees/feewaivers.html

8. Applying • -Campus Visits -Early Decision -Recommendations and transcripts • -Personal Statements -Application Fees ( waivers) -Tuition policies -School Scholarship Policies -Financial Aid

9. Final Choice • Acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April • Compare colleges and see what fits you better • Congratulations High School Graduate!

10. Students Without Immigration Status • It is estimated that about 65,000 students without immigration status graduate high school in the U.S. every year.( Urban Institute) • In the year 2000, the Migration Policy Institute stated that there is about 50,000 undocumented students that are enrolled in colleges & universities across the U.S. • Immigrant students without immigration status cannot work or join the military legally. • Immigrant students in New York and 9 other states may attend public universities and pay in-state tuition, but they cannot obtain federally & State financial aid or work legally to pay for their education. • Immigrant students in most states, including New Jersey, must pay out-of-state or international student tuition rates.

11. Qualifying for In-State Tuition in New York The law provides in-state (resident) tuition to certain undocumented students. You may qualify for the lower in-state tuition if you meet ONE of the following eligibility criteria: • *You attended an approved New York State High School for two years and graduated from an approved New York State High School and applied for attendance at NY public college within 5 years of receiving a New York State High School diploma, or • *You attended an approved New York State program for General Equivalency Diploma (GED) exam preparation, received a GED issued within New York State, and applied for attendance at CUNY within 5 years of receiving a New York State General Equivalency Diploma.

12. Filing Required Affidavit • In addition to meeting the above requirements, you must file a notarized affidavit stating that you have either filed an application to legalize your immigration status or will file such an application as soon as you are eligible to do so. AND • You must provide the College with a “ResidencyForm” and the necessary documentation proving New York State residency for 12 months prior to the first day of classes for the semester.

13. Sample Affidavit Affidavit of Intent to Legalize Immigration Status __________________, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he/she (Student’s Name) does not currently have lawful immigration status but, has filed an application to legalize his/her immigration status or will file such an application as soon as he/she is eligible to do so. __________________________________ (Student’s Signature) Sworn to me this ____day of the month of _______________ ,20___ , State of New York, County of _____________________.

14. 10 states with In-state Tuition qCalifornia qIllinois qKansas qNebraska qNew Mexico qNew York qOklahoma qTexas qUtah qWashington

15. College Application Process for Out-of-Status Students • Students who are asked about their immigration status should NEVER lie on their college applications. If you are not a U.S. Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident, do not say that you are. When asked what your immigration status is, you can simply write “none or not-qualified.” • No applicant is required to submit a Social Security Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, leave the question blank. (Note that if you have a Social Security Card that states that you are not work authorized or that you are work authorized only with an employment authorization document, the Social Security Number is a valid number – even if you have no work permit – and should be included.)

16. College Application Process for Undocumented Students (cont) • Universities are only required to report information to immigration authorities about international students who are on student visas. ***REMEMBER YOU’RE NOT AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT WHEN YOU ARE UNDOCUMENTED!! • Universities are notrequired to report any information about students without immigration status.

17. What about Private Colleges & Universities? -Every private college and university determines its own policy for students who are out-of-status. -You can call the admissions office and ask about its policies for students without immigration status. Some schools are more favorable than others. **If you are nervous about calling, ask a friend or guidance counselor to ask for you**

18. Paying for college Can I get financial aid? Students without immigration status cannot obtain federally-funded or New York State-funded financial aid*. However, students without immigration status can apply for private scholarships, awards and loans to help them pay for higher education. *Loans are very DIFFICULT to obtain!!

19. Paying for CollegePayment Plan • TuitionPay plan is a monthly plan that provides interest-free monthly installments. It works well for families who can't afford the entire tuition bill at one time, or those who want to hold on to their interest-earning savings a little longer. • TuitionPay takes your bill and splits it into smaller amounts, payable over a number of months. You still owe the same amount of tuition, but you now have more time to pay and your payments are much smaller. www.tuitionpay.com

20. How would I make that money? • For New York State residents, tuition for full-time students at CUNY's six community colleges is about $2,800. At the 11 senior colleges, it is about $4,000 per year. • $2,800/12 months = $233.33/month - Community college • $4,000/12 months = $333.33/month - Senior College • What other people have done: • Aditi’s parents helped her out with her tuition for Baruch by renting out her room, meanwhile she moved out to a smaller room in her house. • Zhe He is able to attend Bronx Community College because he got a $500 scholarship and works at a restaurant during the evenings • Miguel is able to attend City College because he baby-sits whenever he can during the week and during the weekends.

21. Paying for college • For a list of scholarships and awards that do not depend on immigration status visit: www.maldef.org • Check out our NYSYLC website to see more scholarships: www.nysylc.org

22. Paying for college Attention CUNY Students! You may qualify for the Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship regardless of your immigration status. Peter F. Vallone Academic Scholarship Program Awards up to $1,000 annually for 10 semesters of baccalaureate degree study. This award is dependent on annual funding by the NYC Council. • High school average of B or better with a minimum of 12 high school academic units • Graduation from a New York City high school within the past 12 months with no attendance at any postsecondary institution • Must enroll as a full-time student • In order to retain eligibility, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA. In addition, baccalaureate degree students must complete 90 credits by the end of the 8th semester. • There is no application for this scholarship; students must be admitted to a CUNY college and must have completed the FAFSA. You may also be able to qualify for other internal CUNY scholarships once you are a student in any specific CUNY college.

23. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Because students without immigration status are not eligible for federal financial aid, it is generally not necessary to fill out a FAFSA form. Except when: • Eligible for certain like the Peter. Vallone Scholarship • Some private colleges and universities may still ask you to complete a FAFSA form to determine an estimated family contribution.

24. If you need to file a FAFSA: • You are not required to fill in a Social Security Number. If you do not have a real Social Security Number, leave this space blank. • If you have no immigration status, you should check off the box that indicates “No, I am not a citizen or eligible non-citizen • The application will be rejected and returned to you, but will include your estimated family contribution.

25. CUNY Citizenship & Immigration ProgramFree Lawyer Consultations Central Office (646) 344-7250 • The Immigrant’s Center at City College (Manhattan) (212) 650-6620 • Immigration Clinic at NYCCT (Brooklyn) (718) 260 5597 • Queensborough Community College Center for Immigration (718) 631-6611 • The Immigrant’s Center at Hostos Community College (718) 518-4395 • Flushing Immigration Center ( I) (718) 640-9223 • Flushing Immigration Center (II) (718) 262-2983

26. Beyond College…. Even though in-state tuition makes it somewhat easier for undocumented students to attain a college degree, they are still in the same predicament. (nurses, doctors, teachers, armed forces) Undocumented Students Need the DREAM Act* to legalize their status! *Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act

27. The D.R.E.A.M. Act In order to qualify, immigrant students would have to: • Have lived in the U.S. for at least five years; • Have first arrived in the U.S. under the age of 16; and • Demonstrate good moral character. Upon high school graduation, the immigrant student could apply for conditional residence and have up to six years to complete one of the following requirements for unconditional lawful permanent resident (green card) status: • graduate from a two-year college; or • complete two years towards a four-year college degree; or • serve in the U.S. military for two years.

28. Help make the American DREAM Act a reality in 2009! • Sign the DREAM Act petition! • Tell your congress members (3) to support the DREAM Act! • Join our Action List • Join the NYS Youth Leadership Council!

29. Join the New York State Youth leadership Council! The NYSYLC is a network of young advocates representing high schools, colleges, communities of faith and community-based organizations committed to promoting the advancement of immigrant youth through leadership development and advocacy.We believe that improving access to higher education and creating equal opportunity for immigrant youth are a means to fulfill our mission.www.nysylc.org212-627-2227 ext. 248info@nysylc.org