12 th Grade PEP

1. 12th Grade PEP Post-Secondary & Financial Planning

2. Overview • Introduce first step in the financial aid process: completing the Federal Application for Student Aid • Review scholarship data and learn tips for winning scholarships • Review scholarship lists and document your scholarship research in Naviance • Understand the admission process and complete at least 1 college application • Take the college quiz to see what you know

3. FAFSA • Play DSF video on completing the FAFSA • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJ2kIHFhvQ&feature=relmfu • Cannot apply for FAFSA until January 1st, 2013, but try to apply early because money is awarded on a first come first serve basis. • What can you do now to get ready? • Encourage your parents to file their taxes early. • Visit www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to complete a trial application, visit www.pin.ed.gov to apply for your PIN #, and visit www.fafsa.govto get familiar with the website. • Begin collecting information you will need: SSN, B-date, driver’s license, W-2 forms, tax returns, savings account info, stocks and bonds. • Continue exploring colleges and select your top 10 schools. You must list your college on the FAFSA in order to receive an award letter from the college once you are accepted.

4. FAFSA • Refer to top half of page 15 on student handout.

5. FAFSA & DSF • Completing the FAFSA will determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). College Cost (tuition, fees, room, board, books, etc.) Expected Family Contribution Financial Need • This information is used by colleges to determine your financial aid package award. • Likewise, it is also used by DSF and other need-based scholarships to determine eligibility and the amount awarded. Financial Need Awards (grants, loans, work study, scholarships) Unmet need

6. Undocumented Students & the FAFSA • Undocumented students may qualify for federal and/or state financial aid based on their residency status • If you or your parents filed an application with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and are in the process of obtaining residency, you may be eligible to receive resident fee status for tuition purposes and you may also be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Speak to a licensed immigration attorney for further details regarding your specific situation. • Students who lack proper legal documentation are not eligible for federal aid under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 sec 505. • Likewise, students who lack proper legal documentation in Colorado are not eligible for statefunds.

7. In addition to FAFSA What else can students do to help reduce their unmet need and help pay for college? Apply for scholarships! Unmet need Scholarship $ What you pay

8. Who wins Scholarships? • According to Cindy Nguyen, admissions counselor at Metro, 10% of the students apply for 90% of the scholarships. • Of students enrolled full-time at a 4-year college, 14,3% get enough grants to cover 50% or more of their total Cost of Attendance (tuition, roam and board, books, etc.) • Of students winning scholarships, one-third receive more than $2,500. • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

9. More scholarships awarded for some majors • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

10. More Students with Good Grades Win • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

11. Better Test Scores Mean More Awards • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

12. The Race Myth • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

13. Top Ten Most Unusual Scholarships • Scholarship for Left-Handed Students • Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest • David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship • Zolp Scholarships • Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship • Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award • National Marbles Tournament Scholarships • Klingon Language Institute Scholarship • National Beef Ambassador Program • Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

14. Strategies for Winning Scholarships • It’s a numbers game • Even among talented students, who wins involves a bit of luck, not just skill • To win more scholarships, you need to apply to more scholarships, but only if you qualify • You can’t win if you don’t apply • One in four students never applies for financial aid • The more you apply, the easier it gets • Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application • Don’t miss deadlines • Use a scholarship tracker to help get organized and help prioritize your applications by deadline and award amount • Use your calendar to note scholarship application deadlines • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

15. Use a Scholarship Tracker • Refer to page 16 of student handout. Have student use this form to record scholarships they research.

16. Searching for Scholarships • Start searching as soon as possible (if you wait until spring to start searching, you will miss half the deadlines) • Use a free scholarship matching service and complete all questions, including optional questions, to increase your number of scholarship matches. • Look for local scholarships on bulletin boards near the counseling office and/or the DSF office. • Look for scholarship listing books in the library’s jobs and careers section, but check the date • Look in the coupon section of the newspaper • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

17. Free scholarship matching websites • www.finaid.org/scholarships • www.finaid.org/websearch • www.finaid.org/scholarshipscams • www.fastweb.com • www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams • www.finaid.org/taxbenefits • www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf

18. Additional Resources • Refer to the bottom half of page 15 of student handout for additional info about college financial planning and scholarship information.

19. NavianceScholarship Search • Open a new tab and log-in to Naviance using the following Username and Password Student ID # mmddyy Click, “Log In”

20. Naviance 1) Click the colleges tab 2) Explore scholarship match and scholarship list

21. Scholarship List Click a category heading to sort by deadline, award amount, etc.

22. Scholarship Match

23. Scholarships for Undocumented Students • Scholarship A-Z for Undocumented Students- http://www.latinosincollege.com/payingsch/Scholarships_for_undocumented_students.pdf • Latino College Dollars - http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/ • Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund http://www.maldef.org/assets/pdf/Scholarship_List_2010_2011.pdf • BOCES GeneseoMigrant Centerwww.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships.htm • Harvest of Hope Foundation -www.harvestofhope.net • View your handout for an additional list of scholarships

24. Scholarships and Undocumented Students • Remember, while undocumented students may not receive federal or state grants or scholarships, there is no policy or law against receiving private scholarships from private schools for private donors. • Even if a private scholarship application asks for a social security number, you may always call the donor and ask if they will allow any exceptions

25. NavianceScholarship Exploration Survey 1) Click the about me tab 2) Click “dps scholarship exploration survey”

26. Complete the SurveyList the scholarships you’ve explored Click “Save and I am finished”

27. NavianceCollege Essay/Personal Statement 1) Click the about me tab 2) Click “dps draft of college Essay/personal statement” to edit and review. Use this as a starting point to for both your scholarship and college application essays.

28. Admissions Checklist • See page 4 - 5 of handout for checklist by month.

29. Admissions Steps (Fall) • Research colleges and find your reach, match and safety schools. Attend college tours and college fair, etc. • Schedule to take or re-take the ACT/SAT, if appropriate, and make sure your scores are sent to all college options • Complete and submit applications prior to Winder Break Note: the sooner the better to increase your chances of being accepted and receiving aid (Nov 1 early deadline) • Edit and finalize your college essays and submit on time • Request letters of recommendation and submit on time • If you college accepts it, submit a CSS/Financial Aid Profile at www.profileonline.collegeboard.com • Review your transcript for accuracy • Keep up your grades and verify that you are on-track to meet all graduation requirements • Use college application tracker to keep track of application components and deadlines for each school

30. Admissions Steps (Spring) • Submit your FAFSA as soon a possible after January 1st. • Remember to complete CSS profile, especially if attending a private school and if ineligible to complete FAFSA. • Attend a financial aid workshop to receive assistance. • Check to see that colleges you applied to have received your application. • Make sure colleges have received your midyear transcript, test scores, and financial aid information. • Expect your student aid report (SAR) 4 weeks after you complete the FAFSA. If not, begin asking questions. • Begin receiving admission decisions and financial aid award letters from colleges. • Keep track of all acceptances, rejections, and waitlists. • Decide which college you will attend. Pay the deposit, if required. Notify colleges if you will not be attending. • Have your counselor send your final transcript. • Take AP exams and CLEP tests, if applicable.

31. Apply Now • Find and download an application for a college of interest. • Research the application requirements and complete your college application tracker. • Complete the application. • If letters of recommendation are required, begin filling out the request form to give to teachers.

32. Application Tracker • Refer to page 12 of student handout

33. Recommendation LetterRequest Form • Refer to page 14 of student handout.

34. Other Scholarship & Application Tips • Use a professional email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com • Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material • Google your name to see what shows up • Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it • Send the application by certified mail, return receipt requested or with delivery confirmation • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

35. College Quiz http://knowhow2go.org/freshmen_quiz.php