Senior Parent Meeting

1. Senior Parent Meeting WELCOME! September 17, 2013 Mrs. Nichole Boseman, Principal Mr. Tom Kupec, A – J Mrs. Jan Whitson, K – Z Wren High School

2. College Timeline for Seniors • Apply EARLY! (by Thanksgiving) • Take SAT/ACT if necessary • Visit colleges in which you are interested • Research private scholarships: http//:asd1.schoolwires.com/wrhs www.fastweb.com • Complete the FAFSA after Jan.1, 2014 • Expect financial aid packages from colleges by March/April • Final transcript sent to college by Guidance in June 2014

3. Key Points for Seniors: • Apply with intention! Plan A,B,C… Applications begin the file. • Sign “Transcript Notebook” in Guidance for transcript to be sent to college. ($1.00 per transcript) • Send SAT/ACT scores to college.

4. Possible Sources of Financial Aid • FEDERAL: Grants, Loans, Work Study, Teach Grants • STATE: Palmetto Fellows, Life, Hope, Need Based Grants, SC Tuition Grant • COLLEGE: Merit, Special Talent, Departmental Awards • PRIVATE: Free Scholarship Searches, Employer of Parent/Student, Civic Organizations, Church Organizations, Guidance Website

5. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) A form of need analysis Determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Use ALL 2013 income (taxed and untaxed) Provide both student and parent(s) income Looks at total Household size How many are in college? Total assets are considered in calculation Can send to up to 10 colleges/universities FREE

6. Federal Programs Pell Grant Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) TEACH Grant College Work Study Perkins Loan Direct Stafford Loan Programs Direct Parent PLUS Loan

7. Electronic Applications Apply for a PINwww.pin.ed.gov both student and at least one parent Apply onlinewww.fafsa.gov Tips and Hintswww.finaid.org/fafsa/maximize.phtml

8. State Programs in SC Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Palmetto Life Scholarship Hope Scholarship Lottery Tuition Assistance Need-Based Grant Administered by SC Commission on Higher Education www.che.sc.gov

9. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Available for attendance at four year institutions in South Carolina Maximum Award $6,700 during Freshman year $7,500 per year for Sophomore through Senior years Must apply during Senior year of high school Deadline for early applications is December 15 Deadline for final applications is June 15 Guidance Counselors will help with the application process

10. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Initial Eligibility criteria: Top 6% of class, 1200 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 27 or higher ACT, and 3.50 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale OR 1400 or higher SAT (math and critical reading), 32 or higher ACT, and 4.00 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading Scale Continued Eligibility criteria: 3.0 GPA or greater and at least an average of 30 credit hours per academic year.

11. LIFE Scholarship Initial Eligibility requirements at a 4 year school: Any two of these three: 3.0+ final cumulative GPA Top 30% of high school class 1100+ SAT (math and critical reading), or 24+ ACT Initial Eligibility requirements at a 2 year school: 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

12. LIFE Scholarship Available for attendance at a two or four year institution in South Carolina. Maximum Award – at a Four Year institution: Up to $5,000 per year Maximum Award – at a Two Year or Technical School: Up to Cost of tuition + $300 book allowance

13. SC Hope Scholarship Freshman year only at four year institutions in South Carolina Maximum Award: Up to $2,800 towards the cost of attendance Eligibility Requirements: 3.0 GPA at time of high school graduation

14. Technical College information: Requires placement testing (Compass) SAT/ACT is NOT required for admission 3.0 GPA on final transcript = FREE tuition University transfer, associate degree, certificate program

15. REMEMBER: • Complete college applications EARLY! • Complete the FAFSA! • Financial Aid Night, Jan. 9th – 6:30PM Wren High School

16. Questions