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Navigating the Maze

Navigating the Maze. Career, College and Financial Aid Options 2012. By: Mrs. Susan Wales Athens High School Counselor. The Options . Post-Secondary Education 4-year Colleges and Universities 2-year Colleges (Community) Technical and Professional Schools

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Navigating the Maze

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  1. Navigating the Maze Career, College and Financial Aid Options 2012 By: Mrs. Susan Wales Athens High School Counselor

  2. The Options • Post-Secondary Education • 4-year Colleges and Universities • 2-year Colleges (Community) • Technical and Professional Schools • Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard) • Work Force • Apprenticeships

  3. Work Force Options • www.gobuildalabama.com • To learn about Alabama construction trades for nonresidential building construction and their pay scale • 19% growth rate is projected • Apprenticeships and programs available at community colleges • Pipe fitters, welders, steel workers, boilermakers, electricians, carpenters, masons, sheet metal workers

  4. Career Research • Kuder Navigator is a site that students can access to take assessments to determine interests, skills and values. They will need to set up an account at www.kudernavigator.com. The batch code is N3492493SFM. • The Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov) offers insight into thousands of different careers.

  5. Thinking About Four Year Schools

  6. Thinking About 2 Year Schools

  7. Choosing a College or UniversityThings to Consider: • Cost • Size • Location – Rural/Urban, In State/Out of State • Campus • Social Activities • Academics – Major? Class Size? • Religion • Sports • Special Programs – Honors Programs, Internships, Co-ops, Study Abroad

  8. Choosing a College • Be Realistic • Narrow Your List • VISIT the Schools You are Interested in Attending • Make Sure You Meet the Application Deadlines!!! For universities, apply in the fall of your senior year.

  9. Suggestions for College Visits: • Research a college before you go – check out their website thoroughly • Talk to students on campus • Eat in one of the dining halls • Tour the dorms • Ask about class sizes, activities, safety • Talk to professors in the discipline you are interested in majoring in • Talk to people in financial aid • Follow-up with a thank you note

  10. Some Examples of Technical and Professional Schools : • Culinary Schools • Nashville Auto-Diesel College • The Art Institutes • Virginia College • Trade Schools – There are also certificate programs available at community colleges in various trades.

  11. What Are Universities Looking For? • Academic Record – Grade Point Average (GPA), Difficulty of Classes, Class Rank • Testing Scores – ACT or SAT • Extracurricular Activities, Awards/Honors, Community Service, Employment • Sometimes – Letters of Recommendation, Essays, Interviews

  12. Academic Record • Rigor of Curriculum – Universities are looking for “college prep” courses: English, Math (bare minimum is Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), Science (prefer lab courses in advanced science classes), Social Studies, Foreign Languages. They like to see advanced courses because they are better preparation for college. • Grade Point Average (GPA) • Quality Points (4.0 Scale)

  13. Testing Scores • ACT and SAT are college entrance exams designed to test readiness for college. You must take “college prep” classes to prepare for them! Classes such as: Alg. II and beyond, Chemistry, English, Social Studies. • The advanced classes provide better preparation. • Please see me before you register.

  14. SOMETHING NEW! • Some universities are now requiring that ACT scores be sent directly from ACT. If you need score reports sent, go to www.actstudent.org for details.

  15. Requirements for some local colleges:

  16. Calhoun Community College • Admission: Rolling Admission, Must have HS diploma • Entrance Exam: ACT is not required. • You may take a free placement test (COMPASS) at Calhoun to determine English and math placement in classes.

  17. University of North Alabama • Admission: For Unconditional Admission, students need ACT of 18, 2.0 GPA on Core Classes (4 English, 2 Math, 2 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Additional)

  18. University of Alabama in Huntsville • Admission: Sliding Scale Based on Core GPA and ACT (3.0 GPA + 20 ACT, 2.0 GPA + 25 ACT). Average ACT is 25 and Average GPA is 3.54. • Must have 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 3 Science, 4 Social Studies, 6 Electives.

  19. University of Alabama - Birmingham • Admissions: ACT 20 • Minimum 2.25 GPA in Academic Core Classes Including: 4 English, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math (Alg. I and higher), 1 Foreign Language, 3 Additional Academic Courses.

  20. University of Alabama • Admission: Evaluated Based on ACT (must include Writing), GPA, and High School Course Load. ACT 21 and GPA 3.0 Mentioned in Literature. • Require: 4 English, 4 Social Sciences, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II and Geometry), 1 Foreign Language, 3 Science, 5 Additional Units.

  21. University of Alabama • Preview Days –Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 12, Feb. 4, Feb. 18. • You may schedule a family campus tour at www.gobama.ua.edu/visits. Tours may be scheduled Monday – Saturday.

  22. Auburn University • Base Admissions on ACT (with Writing), GPA and Classes Taken, Essays • Must have: 4 English, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 2 Science. • Recommended: Additional Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language. • Average GPA is 3.81 • Average ACT is 27.

  23. Birmingham-Southern College • Admission: Based on Course Selection, Grades, Essay, ACT or SAT Scores and School Recommendation, Interview • Must Have 16 Units Including: 4 English, 2 Foreign Language, History, Math (Alg. I, Alg. II and Above), Natural Science, Social Science, 3.0 GPA

  24. Alabama A&M University • Admission: Must have 18 ACT, 2.0 GPA • High School Sr. Day – Nov. 3. Go online to make reservations or call Dwayne Green at 256-372-5250.

  25. Troy University • Admission: 20 ACT, 2.0 GPA • Scholarships – 27 ACT, 3.5 GPA – Full Tuition; 31 ACT, 3.7 GPA – Tuition plus Room and Board; Leadership scholarships start with 22 ACT, 3.0 GPA

  26. University of Montevallo • December 1 – Scholarship Deadlines start. Some of their deadlines vary. • Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA • See website for more complete details.

  27. Mississippi State University • Admission: 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Advanced Electives (Foreign Language, Science or Math), ½ Computer. • 16 ACT, 2.5 GPA on Core Classes

  28. Other Universities: • University of Montevallo • ACT 20, 2.5 GPA • University of South Alabama • ACT 20 ACT, 2.0 GPA, 16 Core Units • University of West Alabama • ACT 19, 2.0 GPA • Samford University • No set score (Avg. ACT 26, GPA 3.7) • Jacksonville State • 20 ACT

  29. Student Athletes: • To play at a Division I or Division II school, athletes must meet requirements set forth by the NCAA. • 2.0 GPA in 16 core academic courses plus the required ACT or SAT score • Students must register with NCAA Clearinghouse. Online form at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

  30. ACT Testing Dates: • December 8– Register by Nov. 2 • February 9 – Register by Jan. 11 • April 13– Register by March 8 • June 8 – Register by May 3

  31. How will you pay for college?

  32. Types of Financial Aid: • Grants – These are typically need-based and do not have to be repaid. Examples: Pell, FSEOG, TEACH, Iraq/Afghanistan Service. • Scholarships – These are typically based on merit and do not have to be repaid. Examples: Academic, Athletic, Leadership. • Work-Study – Students work for the university on a part-time basis. • Loans – These are lower interest loans by the federal government – PLUS, Stafford, Perkins.

  33. MORE ON GRANTS • PELL and FSEOG Grants – Based on your family’s income • TEACH Grant – For students who plan to teach in public schools who serve students from low-income families • Iraq or Afghanistan Grant – Based on your family’s income and a parent killed in service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11

  34. MORE ON LOANS • Federal Student Loans offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment terms and options. • Federal Perkins Loan – college is lender, interest 5%, depends on need • Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender, interest 6.8%, depends on need, no interest while in college • Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender, interest 6.8%, interest charged while in college

  35. MORE ON LOANS • Direct Plus Loans for Parents – borrower is responsible for all interest, 7.9% interest, no negative credit history, govt. is the lender, repayment begins within 60 days after the 2nd loan disbursement. • A fact sheet on loans is available in the College and Career Room.

  36. Financial Information • For more information, go online to: www.studentaid.ed.gov • This is an excellent website with lots of information on financing your college education.

  37. FAFSA Forms: • To receive any type of financial aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This may be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. • For Seniors, it is based on family income for 2012. • A pin number must be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov. • A Student Aid Report showing Expected Family Contribution to College will be sent to you. A report will also be sent to the colleges you choose.

  38. FASFA Information • Grant money is distributed according to need and is given out on a “first come, first serve” basis. • It is important to fill out your FAFSA forms before March 1st for many schools. • You must fill out FAFSA before you can receive scholarship money from schools.

  39. Free Help with FAFSA Forms: • Counselors with the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence are available to help parents with FAFSA forms. • The office is located in the QuadPlex (corner of Hobbs St. and Thomas St.) • The number is (256) 233-1220. • There is no cost for this service.

  40. Some examples of scholarships available:

  41. ROTC Scholarships for Military Minded Students: • Army ROTC – 19 ACT, 2.5 GPA. Jan. 1 Deadline. • NROTC Scholarships require an ACT score of 22 in Math and English. • Air Force ROTC Scholarships require a 24 Composite ACT, GPA 3.0, Class Rank of Top 40%. • Marines ROTC: 22 ACT • Very competitive – These are minimum scores.

  42. Academic Scholarships: • Different schools have different requirements. It pays to do your research online and check out the websites of the schools you are interested in applying to. • Always fill out the scholarship application. You might meet the requirements for endowed scholarships even if you don’t meet the academic scholarship requirements. • You must meet the deadlines! • Don’t forget to consider some of the smaller schools. They offer good scholarships as well. • Some schools have you fill out separate scholarship applications. • Some departments give out scholarships and you must fill out separate applications.

  43. UAH Academic Scholarships: • UAH – Deadline is Dec. 1. • Separate Scholarship Application. • UAH will allow students to continue taking the ACT in the spring to try and increase their score. • UAH scholarships start with 25 ACT and 3.0 GPA. As scores go up, the amount of the scholarships go up. • Fact Sheet is available in College/Career Rm.

  44. UNA Academic Scholarships: • Deadline is Dec. 3. • Scholarships start with 3.0 GPA on corecurriculum and 25 ACT. • 25 ACT = $3,000/year • 26 ACT = $4,000/year, 27 ACT - $4,500/year • 28 ACT = $5,000/year • 29 ACT = $6,000/year, 30 ACT - $7,000/year • 32 ACT = $7,000/year + Room • 33-36 ACT = $7,000/year+ Room + Books

  45. University of Alabama Academic Scholarships • Deadline is Dec. 1. • Must fill out scholarship application in MyBama (http://mybama.ua.edu). • Scholarships start with 27 ACT and 3.5 GPA - $1,500/year • 28-29 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $3,500/year • 30-36 ACT, 3.5 GPA – Full Tuition • First Generation Scholarships

  46. Auburn University Academic Scholarships • Spirit of Auburn Scholarships • Deadline is Dec. 1. • 28-29 ACT and 3.5 or higher GPA = $2,500/year • 30-31 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition • 32-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition, $1,000 technology allowance, invitation to University Honors College • Foundation, Legacy and Achievement – 26 ACT and 3.5 GPA • Provost Leadership – 3.25 GPA, Diversity • General Scholarships – 3.0 GPA

  47. UAB Scholarships • December 1 – Deadline • UAB Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $1,000 • 24 ACT, 3.5+ GPA - $2,500 • 25-27 ACT, 3.5+ GPA - $4,000 • 28-32 ACT, 3.3+ GPA - $7,000 • 33+ACT, 3.0+ GPA – Full Tuition + (highly competitive)

  48. Mississippi State Scholarships • Scholarship Deadline – Dec. 1 • Scholarships start with 25 ACT, 3.0 GPA, Excellent leadership and service activities • Will consider December ACT scores.

  49. University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) • Admission – Requirements are going up in 2012. (Core 4 every year, Math through Trig, 2 Foreign Language credits, 1 Fine Art credit), 20 ACT, 2.5 GPA • Separate scholarship application • Deadlines vary • Scholarships for out-of-state students start with 26 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $2,000/year

  50. University of South Alabama • Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $3,500/year • 27-29 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $6,500/year • 30-31ACT, 3.5 GPA - $8,000/year • 32 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $9,000/year, $10,000/year • 33+, 3.5 GPA - $11,000/year • Dec. 1 - Deadline

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