WELCOME SENIOR PARENTS

1. WELCOME SENIOR PARENTS BREMEN High school district 228 HILLCREST HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT September 24, 2013

2. POST HIGH SCHOOL MATTERS Presenter Glenda Townsend GJT 09/12

3. High School Graduation Requirement Review • 22 total credits • English – 4 • Math – 3 • Science – 3 • Social Studies – 1 ½ • U.S. History – 1 • Constitution Exam • Economics – ½ • Micro-computers – 1 • Health • Physical Ed – 4 • Electives – 4 • ACT

4. After High School Options Review • School to Work • Vocational/Technical Career School • Apprenticeship Programs • Military Service • Community College • 4-yr College/University

5. The 4yr College Option

6. College GraduatesEarn More Money

7. Choosing A School Look at Yourself • Examine your values • Think about your level of motivation • Explore your interests Gather Information • College view books and publications • College campus visits/fairs/open houses • Published guidebooks • Internet • Guidance office • Hillcrest, public, or college library

8. Types of Schools • Universities • Liberal Arts Colleges • Career Schools • Historically Black Colleges and Universities • Community/Junior Colleges • Women’s/Men’s Colleges

9. School Characteristics • Public, Independent or For Profit • Religious Orientation • Brick and Mortar or Online • Size • Location • Degrees/Academic programs offered • Diversity • Campus Life • Cost

10. How to Apply • Select 4-6 schools for which you meet requirements. • Get applications for each school or apply on-line. • Include essays or statements, if required • Complete a transcript release form to put in your 1st application • Complete the recommendation questionnaire, if needed • Request and include any required letters of recommendation. • Put everything in an envelope • Apply proper address Give the completed packet to the registrar, Mrs. Bracey

11. Application Deadlines Priority Early Decision Early Action Early Admission Regular Decision Rolling Admissions Wait List Deferred Admission

12. How Acceptance Decisions Are Made • G.P.A./Difficulty of Curriculum • ACT or SAT scores • Class Rank • Application Essays • Extracurricular Activities • Recommendations • Interviews • Intangibles

13. The Essay • Be original • Start early • Relate to college program • Don’t recycle a used essay • Answer the question(s) • Talk about • Activities • Travel • Favorite sayings • Accomplishments • Shortcomings • Personal traits Paint a picture of yourself.

14. Recommendation Letters Not all schools require recommendations. Only provide letters that are requested by the school. • Request letters only from people who have a positive opinion of you. • Make a formal request. • Supply the writer with as much information as needed. • Send a thank-you note after the letter has been written. • Allow as least 10 days for your letter to be written.

15. Activities Schools want to see activities that reflect: • a variety of interests • sustained interest in an activity • increased responsibility • increasing leadership skills

16. The Interview Most schools, especially larger ones, do not require an interview. You may request one if you believe it will help.

17. GIVE ME THAT APPLICATION! Every Student Must Apply • ATHLETES • SCHOLARS • OPEN ENROLLMENT • SPECIAL PROGRAMS • RECRUITED • PRESIDENT’S NIECE

18. The NCAA • The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) • 1,200 colleges, universities, athletic conferences and sports organizations • Committed to the sound administration of intercollegiate athletics • Helps regulate college sports programs. • Athletes must meet NCAA requirements prior to admission to college. • The NCAA does accept the April Illinois ACT test results.

19. Low GPA…Test Scores….Rank? • Retake the test. • Study hard, improve your grades. • Ask about special programs Remember! There is a place for you and your counselor can help you find it.

20. Other Career Options

21. Apprenticeship • Bricklayer • Carpenter • Electrician • Glazier • Tile Layer • Iron Worker • Operating Engineer • Painter/Decorator • An industry-based “earning while learning” system • Combines on-the-job experience with technical training • Leads to certified journeyman status

22. Community College • Transfer Programs • Associate (A.A.) degrees • Long-term certificates • Short-term certificates • South Suburban • Prairie State • Moraine Valley • Joliet • Lincoln • Parkland • Chicago City Colleges

23. The Military • Contact the recruiter for your branch • Take the ASVAB as soon as possible. • Navy • Airforce • Army • Marines • National Guard • Reserves • Coast Guard • Military Academies

24. Career Schools Professional, proprietary, or technical schools that provide specific training for business, trade, technical, or industrial occupations. • Acme School of Locksmithing • American Floral Art School • Adams Institute of Travel • Coldwell Banker Institute of Real Estate • Coyne American Institute • Illinois School of Health Sciences • Capri Beauty School

25. School-To-Work Job Search • Internet Websites • Yellow Book • Want-Ads • Word-of-Mouth • Seek an industry that you like. • Choose a growing industry • Look for company training programs. • Continually improve your skills.

26. Costs You can expect to pay for: • Tuition • Fees • Room and Board • Books and Supplies • Transportation • Extras

27. Financial Aid • The Federal Government • The State of Illinois • The college (institutional aid) • Private scholarships and awards • Loans

28. U.S. Department Of Education GRANTS Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant WORK OPPORTUNITIES Federal Work-Study (FWS) National Service Trust Program/AmeriCorps LOANS Federal Perkins Loan Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) Federal Stafford Loan Federal PLUS loan Federal Consolidation Loan William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program

29. State of Illinois NEED-BASED GRANTS Monetary Award Program (MAP) Illinois Incentive for Access Grant Program MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS Golden Apple Scholarship Merit Recognition Scholarship (MRS) Robert C. Byrd State Scholarship TEACHER PROGRAMS Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Programs Illinois Future Teacher Corps (IFTC) Special Education Teacher Tuition Waiver Program

30. Free Application For Financial Aid (FAFSA) • To apply for U.S. Department of Education and many state or school programs, you must complete the FAFSA. • In addition to the FAFSA, some schools or states may ask for other forms. • You must reapply for most financial aid each year. • Never pay to file your FAFSA

31. Institutional Aid • Money from colleges, universities, technical, trade, and vocational schools • May require a separate application form • Strict application deadlines and qualifications

32. Private Scholarships and Awards • Agencies, associations, corporations, civic, religious, and philanthropic groups and associations sponsor scholarships • Every scholarship has requirements. You must be qualified or you will not be considered. • Thousands of scholarships are offered each year. • You must search for and apply for scholarships GOOD LUCK!

33. Your Scholarship Search • State and Local Representatives • Unions(Credit and Job) • Insurance companies • Military • Local Chambers of Commerce • Colleges and Universities • Private, no cost to you, agencies such as: • Educational Talent Search • Ada S. McKinley • Target Hope • Internet websites • Hillcrest Scholarship Newsletter • Public and College Libraries • Hillcrest IMC • Bookstores • Magazines • Fraternities/Sororities • Parent employers • Your employer • Relatives

34. The “Free Ride” • Some schools give money to attract the best students or athletes. • Other schools give money to top students to add diversity or special talent to their student body. • Most schools do not pay for all of a student’s expenses. • Competition for these awards is intense

35. How to Apply for Scholarships • Complete a paper application or apply on-line. • Collect all required materials. • Include a signed transcript release form. • Add correct address. • Give the completed package to the Registrar.

36. Parent Tasks in College Planning • Attend College Fairs and visit campuses. • Make a realistic college list. • Review your financial situation with your child • Obtain a PIN number from www.fafsa.ed.gov today! • Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible after January 1st. • Read college correspondence with your child. • Review college and scholarship applications. • Most importantly! Be there and support them.

37. Get Ready! • VISIT SCHOOLS • RESEARCH COLLEGES AND MAJORS • GET APPLICATIONS • WRITE ESSAYS • REQUEST LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION • TEST OR RE-TEST • VOLUNTEER • AVOID SENIORITIS Your Plan……Your Future

38. Remember! College is a Pathway to Opportunity In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a prerequisite. – President Barack Obama

39. COLLEGE PLANNING TIMETABLE September/October •Finalize list of colleges applying to. •Attend college visitations at Hillcrest High School. •Attend campus tours available during Columbus Day and/or Veterans Day. •Obtain college applications available through guidance office or College Admissions office. •Complete college applications. •Continue to search for scholarships. oKeep a journal of scholarships you meet criteria for and their deadlines. •Check for necessity of ACT/SAT retakes. November/December •Attend Financial Aid Seminars. •Check to see if the college of your choice requires its own financial aid form. •Keep working to finalize college choices. •Check on housing application deadlines. January •Complete FAFSA - keep a copy. •Apply for other sources of financial aid. February/March •Send 7th semester transcripts to colleges if required. •Look for summer work - you'll be expected to help pay college expenses. April/May •Colleges should have notified you of their decision-- You should notify colleges of your decision by May 1. •Make sure housing applications are finalized. June •Request that guidance send final transcripts to the college of your choice. •Remember! Your acceptance is contingent upon a satisfactory final transcript showing 8 semesters. If you get poor grades during your 7th and 8th semesters, your acceptance can be CANCELED.

40. COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS 101 Every day students inquire about college scholarships. The list below includes some of the most common sources for these monies. It is our hope that this will assist you in your quest. Remember, if you win scholarship money, it will be the result of your diligent efforts. When you win, please let us know so your achievement can be recognized. GOOD LUCK! 1. Hillcrest scholarship newsletter 2. Public and college libraries 3. Hillcrest IMC 4. Bookstores (Borders, Crown, Barnes & Nobles) 5. Churches/Synagogues 6. Magazines 7. Fraternities/Sororities 8. Parent employers 9. Your employer 10. Relatives 11. State and local representatives 12. Unions (credit or job related) 13. Banks or lending institutions 14. Insurance companies 15. Private, no cost to you, search agencies such as: Educational Talent Search Ada S. McKinley Target Hope 16. Military 17. Local Chambers of Commerce 18. Colleges and Universities 19. Internet sites

41. COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST Seniors before you submit your application packet; you must complete and check each item below. Submit your application packet to the registrar only after you have checked every item on this list. Place this checklist on the top of every application. 1._____ Completed application with your signature 2._____ Transcript request form 3._____ Completed recommendation questionnaire if a letter is required from your counselor 4._____ Letter(s) of recommendation from anyone other than your counselor 5._____ Check/money order for the amount requested or fee waiver request, if you qualify for one (please include your social security number) 6._____ Appropriate size envelope properly addressed. 7._____ Typed essay if required 8._____ Application and essay have been checked for errors When you have completed your application packet, please submit it to the registrar. She will insert a copy of your transcript and forward the entire package to your counselor.

42. COLLEGE AND SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS ALL students must follow these instructions. This includes, Target Hope, Education Talent Search, Ada S. McKinley, and others. 1. Obtain college applications by: a. Searching the files in guidance b. Downloading from college sites on-line c. Calling or writing each college and requesting an application 2. Complete each application. 3. If you complete your application on-line, download the counselor page if there is one, complete it and follow the remainder of these instructions. 4. If you complete your application on-line and there is no counselor page, you must write a short note to let the registrar know that you need an official transcript sent to the college, then follow the remainder of these instructions. 5. Put all necessary papers in an envelope(application, application fee, essay(s), recommendation letters, transcript request note). Remember, if you need a separate letter of recommendation from your counselor, you must ask for one. You should not assume that this will be done for you without asking. 6. Address the envelope and put your return address on it. 7. Obtain a BLUE transcript request form from guidance. Complete it and have your parent sign it. You only need to do this ONCE, it will be put on file for future applications. 8. Give the completed application package along with the BLUE transcript form to the registrar. The MRS. BRACEY will insert an official copy of your transcript and give the entire package to your counselor to be checked, logged-in and mailed. You must give the Guidance Department TEN (10) days to complete an application or form. There is no guarantee that deadlines will be met if less time is given! GOOD LUCK! GT 9/13