The College Application Process

1. The College Application Process

2. Our goals for tonight! Explain the college application process Importance of SAT/ACT Testing Importance of Scholarships/Financial Aid

3. 3 Ways to Apply to College • www.cfnc.org- is the most preferred way to apply. 2 yr and 4 yr colleges. • Individual College or University applications. • The Common Application.

4. CFNC.ORG CFNC is the recommended application site for North Carolina Colleges. This is for both the private and public, 2 yr and 4 yr schools. Students can apply to multiple colleges without retyping personal information. Applications are fairly short, schools might not require essays and the information can be saved from one application to the other. Students are able to send transcripts electronically by using the transcript manager function. (please hold off until January to send electronically, have students ask in Guidance for us to mail a hard copy while we are converting from NCWISE to Powerschool)

5. College/University Websites • Students can apply directly to school by using an individual schools website. This is the preferred method if the school is outside of North Carolina. • IE. www.canisius.edu

6. Common Application The following North Carolina Schools use the Common Application: Davidson Duke Guilford UNC-Asheville UNC-Chapel Hill UNC-Wilmington Wake Forest University Warren Wilson

7. Positive Benefits of Common Application for 2013-14 • Can be used in both instate/outstate schools • Usually used for the more prestigious schools in the country • Basic Information only has to be inputted just one time

8. Negative Benefits of the Common Application Transcripts can not be electronically uploaded It’s a lengthy process-additional essays are needed Some individual contact is lost. (Third party)

9. Letters of Recommendations??? Should a student send letters of recommendation? • Most colleges do not require students to submit letters of recommendations, and if a student does submit letters, it is not guaranteed that the letter will be read. • Letters of recommendation are only required for a small amount of the colleges/universities • Once a students application has been received and at that point if the university or college wants more information from a student, then they will contact the student to acquire such letters.

10. Recommendations If you are asking for letters of recommendation you need to ask the person first. Also, provide an outline/resume of who you are to help your recommender write a glowing letter  Ask them no less then a week prior to the deadline for it. Bring a self address envelope and stamps for postage. ***TIP: If the application does not mention or require letters of recommendation, do not send them.

11. · Regular vs. Rolling Admissions • Regular-Students apply to the college and university by their midwinter deadline, and you receive an acceptance letter before April 1st. You make your acceptance to the school by May 1st. • Rolling Admissions-Students apply and within 2-6 weeks find out if they have been accepted. Most colleges use this process.

12. Early Decision vs. Early Action Early Decision (ED)-Is BINDING! You apply to the university by their deadlines. By applying under the ED plan, you make a commitment to attend that college if you are accepted and surrender the right to wait until May to make a decision. Going back on your agreement after being offered ED admission could result in other colleges refusing to admit you and they can freeze your financial aid!!!  Early Action (EA)-This is NONBINDING that requires you to submit your application in early fall most likely by November 1 or 15. The college lets you know if you have been accepted by early January, but you have the right to wait to respond back to them by May 1. This give you time to compare colleges before making a decision as an EA application doesn’t commit you to enrolling if accepted.

13. SAT and ACT Test • Both are acceptable standardized test that colleges/universities look for. • SAT cost $51.00, ACT plus Writing is $52.50. • Students should indicate at least 4 colleges to send their scores to. Score reports beyond this could cost between $12-14 per score report. *If they are an athlete, make sure they put the NCAA clearinghouse as one of their choices. • New changes for ACT and SAT- photo id need to be uploaded when registering for test. This is required after March 2013 • Fee waivers are available for both test. • Register on line for test at www.collegeboard.org for SAT, and www.actstudent.comfor the ACT.

14. Financial AidWhat is it, and how can I get it? • FAFSA-Free Applications for Federal Student Aid- is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT • Scholarships/Grants • Major Grant programs in the UNC system • Institutional-Merit-based • Local/Community (Spring Semester/Businesses) • National • Loans • Federal-Unsubsidized vs. Subsidized • Parent PLUS Loans • Private Loans

15. Eligibility Criteria for Financial Aid • To receive financial aid from a student must meet the following criteria: • Be enrolled in a degree or recognized certificate program • Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or permanent resident; • Make satisfactory progress toward completion of the academic program and, if applicable, registered for the Selective Service, and • May not be in default on a loan previously received for college expenses nor owe a refund on a scholarship, grant or loan from a previous enrollment period. • Whenever possible, aid will be offered to meet the full amount of the student’s eligibility. *Priority deadline is March 1st. • Sample Formula-Determining Eligibility • Cost of Attendance • - Expected Family Contribution* Calculated from information on the FAFSA and CSS/Profile forms • -Other Aid**Private Scholarships and other aid reported by students. • Eligibility for Financial Aid

16. FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov –main webpage. • Available after January 1, 2014 for the 2014-2015 school year • Apply for a PIN number for both parents and student. Same PIN # is used every year while student is in school. You can apply for this prior to January 1st. • Gather tax information-Make sure demographic information is correct. Names must match the birth certificate and social security card • Deadline to file for FAFSA-The sooner the better. March 1-15 is the recommended deadline for majority of the schools. If still can submit after March 15, however the amount of grants, scholarships and other aid could be less.

17. FAFSA DAY • Saturday February 22, 2014 at RCC, DCCC and GTCC from 9-12 • What to bring with you: • 2013 W2 forms • SS # of both parent and student • 1040 forms-TAXES • FAFSA Pin # • Make sure everything is spelled correctly-or you will have issues. Make sure your home address matches what you list on your taxes or it kicks out your FAFSA • Will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour. • Register after October 15 by calling 1-919-843-2201

18. Scholarshipsand Grants

19. Scholarships and Grants Defined • Scholarships and Grants are generally the same thing-awards made to a student that do not have to be repaid. “FREE MONEY” • This is the preferred type of aid, since it doesn’t have to be repaid. Each scholarship or grant program is run independently based on the rules specified by the creator of the program. Many programs require separate applications, and must be applied for by each student. • Many of the schools financial aid offices have search engines that will give students specific links and directions for their individual scholarships and grants. This is linked under their specific universities Financial Aid Office website. • Some grant or scholarship programs are specific to a particular school. In such cases, the school generally chooses students to receive the award. Please see your school’s financial aid counselor for more information regarding this type of award.

20. State Grants: Major grant programs for NC students attending NC colleges and universities. • North Carolina Community College Grant • North Carolina Educational Lottery Scholarship (need based for public institutions only) • State Contractual Scholarship Fund is now combined with the North Carolina Legislative Grant-Neediest families will qualify-private institutions only • UNC Need-Based Grant

21. Federal Grants • By completing the FAFSA, you will be considered for both state and federal grants and scholarship programs. • Federal Pell Grant Program • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) • Federal Work Study Grant Program

22. Institutional Merit-based Scholarships Most colleges/universities offer merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are for those student who show great academic promise at the university, leadership qualities, and commitment to service. Usually students with at B+ or higher GPA Each college/university could have a separate merit-based scholarship applications. While some colleges, will automatically nominate students for special merit-based scholarships based on a students high school GPA. • Some college/universities require students to interview for selective scholarships. • Once a student receives a Merit-based scholarship they might have to maintain a certain undergraduate GPA to keep their scholarship each year. • In addition college/university may require students to have service hours, club participation or community service hours.

23. Need-based Scholarships • Are awarded on the basis of a combination of financial need and academic performance. Some also have additional criteria, ranging from county of residence to field of study. Many of these are renewable, providing that recipients continue to demonstrate need and maintain a minimum grade point average as indicated on the Financial Aid Notification you will receive from the Office of Scholarships/Student Aid.

24. Local/Community Scholarships • Local scholarships usually are submitted to WHS by the local community organizations between January and May. • Deadlines or turn around for some of the scholarships are very short. • Most scholarships are for students who have participated in that local chapter or school organization i.e. Junior Civitans • All scholarships have a criteria for consideration that includes a minimum GPA, essay and letter(s) of recommendations. TIP-Always fill out scholarships in INK or attach a typed response to the scholarship questions and attach a school resume. NEVER USE PENCIL!!

25. “Outside” Scholarships • Before you begin your search: • Beware; there are scholarship scammers! You can check for scholarship scams at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. • Note that the scholarship search web sites that we provide do not charge for search; however some websites may sell your name to other companies and mailing list • CFNC Grant and Scholarships-Financial Aid for North Carolina-CFNC provides a list of scholarships and loans for residence of NC. • Minority Scholarships • United Negro College Fund • American Indian College Fund-This organization provides information about resources for Native Americans • Hispanic College Fund-Provides information and resources for Hispanic Americans. • Minority Scholarship Resources Through FinAid • Gates Millennium Scholars-Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

26. Reliable Scholarship Websites • Absolutely Scholarships • Collegeboard Scholarship Search- www.collegeboard.com • Cappex- www.cappex.com/scholarships • CollegeFunds.net-Free scholarship and financial aid information • Colleges.com • College-Scholarships.org • Fastweb-Large database of 375,000 scholarships www.fastweb.com • Federal Student Aid- www.studentaid.ed.gov • Foundation for the Carolinas- www.fftc.org • Go College- www.gocollege.com • Grants and Scholarships- www.nccommunityfoundation.org • The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid- www.finaid.org • Petersons.com-one of the largest free online scholarship databases with over 1.6 million listed scholarships available

27. Loans • Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized • PLUS Loans-Parent Loan Program • Private Loans • Perkins Loans

28. Loan Limits-How much can I get? • Dependent Students • First year student-$3500 Sub/$2000, UnSub • Second year student-$4500 Sub/$2000, UnSub • Third year student and beyond-$5500 Sub/$2000, UnSub • Dependent students are claimed on a parents income taxes • Independent Students • First year student-$3500 Sub/$6000, UnSub • Second year student-$4500 Sub/$6000, UnSub • Third year student and beyond-$5500 Sub/$7000, UnSub • Independent students are not claimed on income taxes, are students who could be in foster care, or are “homeless”

29. What you do now! • Students and parents need to check emails! Colleges/universities contact students through email. All important information about deadlines and deposits are communicated through a college website email or your personal email. • Students must check weekly for any new emails from the colleges/universities. • Create professional email addresses. Ie. sheilamAtkins72@blah.com vs.. Owiescutemommy@blah.com • Check spam mail too!

30. What we need from each student • A copy of the acceptance letters from EACH college/university • Any scholarship or grant money that a student is offered from EACH college/university, regardless if that student is planning on attending or not. • Finalized Financial Aid Award letter that is given to the student. This outlines all institutional scholarships, grants, loans.

31. College Visit Program • When: Monday October 7th • Where: WHS Warrior Hall aka the CAFE • What Time: 5 to 6 p.m. • Sponsored by: CACRAO • Carolina’s Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers.

32. College Application Week-CFNC • The week of November18th is College Application Week. • Most of the private colleges/universities are FREE. College applications cost can range from $35.00 to $75.00 per school. • Community College applications are FREE year round as well. • If students receive a fee waiver, they can receive application waivers!

33. Thank you for coming  Mrs. Sheila Dunphy-Atkins Sdunphy-atkins@randolph.k12.nc.us 336-476-1500 ext. 4140