WELCOME

1. WELCOME SENIOR PARENT NIGHT September 20, 2011

2. Guidance Counselor Info737-6800 • Ms. Myra Lewis, Senior Counselor • myra.lewis@hardin.kyschools.us • Ms. Kim Cardin, Junior/Senior Counselor • kimberly.cardin@hardin.kyschools.us

3. What Have We Done So Far?What’s next? • Met with each senior to cover: • Graduation requirements • Transcript review • Brief college information overview • (See handout) • Will meet again the week of September 26th to cover: • College visits, applications & ACT • Hand out the Getting In books to all seniors with information on all KY colleges, universities, scholarships and financial aid

4. Current Information… • Ms. Lewis’s website: www.hardin.k12.ky.us/chhs/dept/Guidance/mlewis/INDEX.html • Or: Go to CHHS home page> Academics>Guidance>Myra Lewis • Information on Scholarships, Open Houses, Special Programs, and other senior events

5. To-Do List for the Fall • Re-take the ACT • Begin exploring colleges that you are interested in attending • Check websites • Schedule College Visits • Attend College Fairs • Be aware of admission and scholarship deadlines

6. ACT • Register online at www.actstudent.org • Next test dates: • Oct 22 (late deadline Sept 30/additional late fee required) • Dec 10 (deadline Nov 4) • Seniors should take the ACT NO LATER than Dec. 2011 • ECTC hosts ACT Prep Workshops ($39 a class) • Registration forms are available in the guidance office. • Online study resources at www.actstudent.org • Fee waivers are available for students who receive free or reduced lunch

7. COLLEGE FAIRS • Next college fair is at John Hardin High in E’town on Sept. 29 from 6 -8 p.m. • Most all KY colleges and some out of state colleges attend • Military branches will attend • Financial Aid Workshops 6:30 & 7:30 • GREAT for seniors (and juniors)! • College & Career Expo, Oct. 9th 1-4 p.m. @ KY International Convention Center, Louisville

8. College Visit Policy • CHHS allows two visits per student per school year. The policy, as it reads in the Parent/Student Handbook, is as follows: • “A senior student enrolled in Honors or AP English may take two (2) college visits that do not count as absences from school. Requests to use a “College Visit Day” must be made in the Guidance Office at least two weeks prior to the visit. Students are to pick up a form that is to be signed by their guidance counselor as well as an official at the college. Students are responsible for any missed work. Visits may not be made during the last two weeks of school, statewide assessment, or final examinations. The student does not need to inform the Guidance Office or obtain approval for college visits made on a school break or on a weekend.” • REMEMBER TO SEE MS. LEWIS or MS. CARDIN BEFORE THE VISIT! The policy says 2 weeks, make sure it is at least 1 week, please!

9. FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid • Cannot file FAFSA until January 1, 2012 • You will need your state and federal income tax info • FAFSA must be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov • Can apply for PIN now • DO NOT pay to file your FAFSA form. There are sites out there that try to scam students and parents. The REAL thing is FREE!!!

10. College Cost & Planning Report • Free service provided by KHEAA to all high school students • Students can access this from their KEES account (more info on next slide) • Click on “College Cost & Planning Report” > Register for a student account at studentaid.com > Input student demographic info & parent’s financial info > SUBMIT! • Within a few days, a personalized online report will be available with college comparisons, costs, financial aid estimates, etc. • They will mail the report if the student calls the 1-800 number that is provided and requests a copy by mail

11. KEES Account • Must register for a ZIP Access to access your KEES account at www.kheaa.com • Receive $money$ for GPA + ACT • Money directly transfers from KEES to the KY college • The money does not go to the student’s college account until the student is admitted, enrolled and in attendance • Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college to keep all their $$, 2.5 GPA cuts their KEES by 50%; below 2.5 and they lose their KEES $$

12. Scholarships • Types • Academic—colleges & universities • Local—businesses and organizations • KEES—administered by Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) • National—can be located on websites such as www.fastweb.com, www.zinch.com, www.scholarships.com • Athletic –given by colleges & universities • Students are responsible for applying for these and for requesting transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. • CHECK MS. LEWIS’S WEBSITE REGULARLY!

13. What are colleges looking for? • GPA +ACT • Rigorous curriculum • Rank in class • Involvement in activities (clubs, sports, organizations) ESPECIALLY leadership roles • Volunteer experiences • THE WELL ROUNDED STUDENT!

14. NCAA & NAIA Clearinghouses • Students planning to play sports at the college level must register with the agency to which the college belongs • www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • www.playnaia.org • There is a processing fee (Free/Red. lunch are eligible for waiver) • For NCAA, students must send scores directly to NCAA when registering for the ACT • Students need to notify Ms. Lewis or Mr. Bauer that they are registering with NCAA or NAIA.