Senior Highlights

1. Senior Highlights College, Career, and Financial Aid Planning

2. Topics Today • Important Information & Timelines for Senior Year • Being on track for graduation! • Researching and applying to post-secondary school. • Testing information (ACT, SAT, Accuplacer/Compass) • Job searching if going directly into work world. • Scholarships! • Understanding Financial Aid - Application Process

3. Reminder of Graduation Requirements In order to graduate, students must have earned at least 23 credits total. Included in these credits are the following required courses: • 4 credits English • 3 credits of Math • 2 credits Social Students (Modern World History, American History) • .5 credit Economics and .5 credit Civics • 3 credits Science (Physical Science, Biology, 3rd year of your choice) • 1.5 credits Physical Education (P.E. 9, P.E. of your choice, & Fit for Life) • .5 credit Health In order to participate with your class in the graduation ceremony, you must have earned 22.5 credits by the end of the second semester. If you are credit deficient, your counselor will be talking with you and creating a graduation plan to work toward earning your diploma.

4. Planning and Decision Making • Do your research! Visit Schools, talk to Representatives when they visit NRHS, Ask Questions! Never hesitate contacting a school to ask your questions…that is why they are there! • If looking into the Military, see a recruiter as early as possible. Ask questions!!! If considering joining the Military but also wish to attend a 4-year college, research ROTC options, as it could be a great fit. • If planning to go straight into the work force, begin putting together a resume now, where you can get help and feedback from teachers and counselors!

5. CareerCruising • Career Cruising is an excellent resource for College planning, applying and tracking your applications!! • Login with your google acct through the school intranet or from home at https://sso.careercruising.com/page/openidconnect • Items moving to your CareerCruising account: • Ordering Transcripts • Local Scholarship Listing • Application Tracker • Sample Career Cruising Page

6. 2-year or Tech Programs • Many Tech and Community Colleges offer a variety of associate and certification programs, as well as programs that can transfer into a 4-year college. These programs generally also financial aid eligible. • This is a great option if you do not need a 4-year degree for the career you’re interested in, or if you wish to start at a 2-year to transfer to a 4-year(saves money, and/or allows you to ‘test the college waters’ before committing to a 4-year program). • The ACT is still used, but for placement, not admission. However, students can also or alternately take the Tech/Community Colleges Placement test (Accuplacer or Compass) • Apprenticeships are also a great option! So be looking into those for your intended career field as well! (Electrical, Plumbing, Heating/Air, Construction, and many others!!)

7. What Should I Be Doing, and When?? • Early Fall (Sept-Oct) • Students should be narrowing down colleges/programs to apply to. Application windows usually are open by now (generally open between Sept. 1 – 15). Similar process for tech school or apprenticeship programs, but often later deadlines. • Now would be a great time to visit a school if you have not yet. (You get 2 excused absences a year for this) • Begin applying sooner than later. Best to apply to at least 2-3 schools, at a minimum. • Begin checking and applying for scholarships (through our website, as well as your college/university, or outside organizations) • If you need to retake the ACT, this should be completed soon as well.

8. What Should I Be Doing, and When?! • Early to Mid-Fall (Sept – Nov) • Request letters of recommendation if needed (complete recommendation letter request form and give to teacher. Allow them at least 2 weeks to complete) Note: UW Madison has specific template. • Complete applications to Universities or other programs. • Request transcripts through CareerCruising.com • Send ACT scores (unless they accept the score we put on your transcript – copy vs. official) • Continue checking and applying for scholarships – Now all through your CareerCruising account!

9. What Should I Be Doing, and When?! • Late Fall to Early Winter (Nov - Jan) • Applications to Universities/Colleges should be in, unless they have later deadlines. • Tech Schools usually have slightly later deadlines. But be checking as some programs (ie: nursing, welding) are very competitive and often have deadlines similar to 4-year universities. • Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). • Apply for Reciprocity if you are going to a school in a bordering state that requires the application (i.e. MN Schools) • Start looking at the Early Math Placement tool (UW System) http://www.exams.wisc.edu/empt

10. Paying for CollegeFinancial Aid Options • Scholarships – Students must apply to these. If awarded scholarships, this is free money for your education. • Grants - Like scholarships in that it doesn’t have to be paid back. Often “need-based”. But not always • Loans • Public / Federal Aid (FAFSA) • Private Loans

11. SCHOLARSHIPS • YOU CAN START SEARCHING FOR AND APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS ANYTIME NOW THAT YOU ARE SENIORS! • Check local scholarships through CareerCruising! • Local Scholarship Application and Process – Will be due by Mid-February. • Starting this year, will be available through Google Forms!! • Outside Scholarships – apply to individually and they select the recipients. Many are posted on the website. You can find others on a variety of websites (ie: fastweb, wacky scholarships). • Check with each University/College you are applying to! • STRIVE Scholarship Program!

12. Federal Student Aid • Loans offered through the government for lower interest than private loans (such as from a bank). • Offer a grace period to repay. • Could be offered work-study! • Can receive subsidized or unsubsidized. • Technical or Community College programs also eligible HELPFUL NOTE! If you have a choice, SUBSIDIZED is always the better option!

13. Why Apply for Financial Aid? Types of Aid Financial Aid Myth Video BOTTOM LINE: • No strings attached by applying and no cost! • Can see what you qualify for. • Some colleges require this to consider you for merit based scholarships (not just need based). • If you need help, visit fafsa.gov, visit your counselor, or attend one of the several FREE financial aid nights hosted by local colleges/universities

14. How Does it Work?! ( It’s actually quite simple! ) • First, you must be accepted to a school. • You can list more than one school on your FAFSA!! • It’s best to apply sooner than later. You can submit as early as October 1st, 2018. • Go to fafsa.ed.gov • Start your application. You’ll need: • Create an FSA ID at fsaid.ed.gov • You’ll also need your SSN, Parents financial info, and schools you have/are applying to. • Parents can list their financial info from last year’s taxes (2017)

15. What Happens AFTER I File my FAFSA?! • Your application will be sent to the federal financial aid office as well as the financial aid offices at the schools you have listed on the application for review • You must be accepted at the schoolyou plan on attending before you willreceive aid offers from them. • What Happens Next Video

16. Some other Considerations!! • Many private schools may offer more and larger scholarships, therefore bringing students costs down quite a bit. Usually based on Academic Achievement and ACT scores. But can be need-based. • Public Universities also offer scholarship opportunities. Check with those schools directly. • Any additional scholarships can bring down the amount owed.

17. Questions? • Your packet contains all the information we discussed today. • We will be pulling you in for senior interviews over the next several weeks. However, you can also visit or schedule a time with us on your own. • As always, we are here to help with any questions or concerns you have!!