Planning the Next Step

1. Planning the Next Step Paola High School Class of 2014

2. Credit Requirements • Varying levels of requirements • High school graduation requires 28 credits. • Qualified admissions - can gain automatic admission into regents school if you meet specific criteria. • Kansas Scholars – 3 additional requirements in addition to qualified admissions standards.

3. What we mean by College • Not just KU or KSU • Over 50 post-secondary institutions in Kansas to obtain a degree • Even more when certification programs are included • We use college generically to mean any schooling beyond high school

4. ACT & SAT Information • Four-year colleges will require one of these entrance exams. • Check with admissions office of prospective schools to see which test is needed. • Most schools in the Midwest prefer the ACT. • We suggest that students take the exam at least once during their junior year. • Next test is October 26th, past registration deadline, late fee required

5. ACT/SAT Registration • Both exams are offered about six times each year. • On-line registration • ACT – www.actstudent.org • SAT – www.collegeboard.com • Registration information and ACT practice test materials in the counseling office. • For NCAA: 9999 For NAIA 9876

6. TEST PREP • www.mystudentedge.com • Counseling office for access code • PHS Library • Paola Free Library • Practice ACT booklets in Counseling office • Mr. Onofrio—ACT prep class • ACT Prep courses available at some colleges and universities

7. COMPASS test information • Placement test utilized by technical schools and community colleges • Untimed, computerized, free • 3 sections: Reading, Writing, Math • Scores help determine class placement • Can call Ft. Scott to schedule a time to take the COMPASS (evening times are available)

8. Admission Checklist/Deadlines • Start now. Narrow down your list of choices to a manageable number • Each application usually must be accompanied by a check – it can get expensive. • Be willing to ask about fee waivers • Once you apply, keep track of everything you have done for each school (get organized) • Watch for separate scholarship applications • Student must send a transcript as part of the application

9. University Deadlines • REFER TO SCHOOL WEBSITE!!! • Admissions and scholarship deadlines are very important! • Some deadlines occur during the fall semester • Ex: KSU/KU have November 1st as their priority deadline

10. College Visits • PHS recognizes one college visit per student, you may take more. • Students should make up class work in advance of absence. • Please set up a visit with the college on-line. Do not just show up unannounced. • If you do not have access to a computer at home, come to the counseling office. • Take advantage of reps that visit PHS • Come prepared with questions

11. NCAA / NAIA Eligibility • This is important for anyone that anticipates competing at the collegiate level • Will need to send ACT / SAT results directly to NCAA/NAIA • Send transcript after completion of 6th semester and graduation. • Please come to the counseling office if this applies to you. We will help walk you through the process.

12. Financial Aid • FAFSA – FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID • WWW.fafsa.ed.gov • Required for federal and state aid • Recognized/required by many privately funded scholarships • It is free to complete. • Many questions can be answered while filling out the application online. • FAFSA forms become available on or before January 1st each year and the Kansas priority deadline for filing is March 1st.

13. Financial Aid (Con’t) • Types of aid: http://studentaid.ed.gov Federal: Stafford, Perkins, work study, Pell Grants, need-based merit scholarships College Goal Sunday – Feb 2014 http://www.collegegoal.org

14. FINANCIAL AID NIGHT • FINANCIAL AID NIGHT @ PHS • WED. JANUARY 8, 2013 @ 6:30 P.M. • Jeanne Mott, Director of Financial Aid @ Baker University to present

15. FINANCIAL AID / SCHOLARSHIPS • If there is a fee, be cautious • Scholarship services are expensive and you still have to do most of the work • Avoid pressure tactics • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is • Ask about employer scholarship programs

16. Best paying part-time job • Quote from students, “I don’t have time to do scholarship applications because I have to work” • 20 hours of scholarship applications – What if you only got 1 - $250 scholarship? • You just made $12.50 an hour with no taxes taken out. • What if you get a $1000 scholarship?

17. Free Scholarship Search • Personalized Matching • College Comparison • Tips • www.fastweb.com • Dedicated professional e-mail

18. Directory of Merit based scholarships • Organized by school • Not just for “A” students • Many are leadership or school involvement based • Some are specific to majors

19. Homework Help • Career – Resumes and Exploration • Test Prep – ACT, SAT, PSAT, … • College Search tools • Scholarships • Admissions – essays and hints • FREE!

20. Proud2Bprivate.com • Detailed info about the 18 private colleges in Kansas • Parents Guide • Info about Paying for College • How to plan a visit • Transfer info • etc.

21. Other on-line resources • http://www.bls.gov/ooh/                         Occupational Outlook Handbook • https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/       My Big Future • Other scholarship databases listed on the PHS Counseling website

22. Local Scholarships • There is money available locally. • Need to be prepared to fill out scholarships next spring • Scholarships are posted in the counseling office and on the PHS counseling website • It would be a good idea to prepare a resume, activity list, etc. to have on hand when completing applications.

23. Essays • Many scholarships require that students submit an essay. • It might be helpful to start on this task early. • Look through applications and find common themes. • Keep your essays on file and modify them as needed for future scholarships.

24. Letters of Recommendation • Don’t wait until the last minute. • Make sure that letters are being written by the correct people. • When asking for a letter… • allow for plenty of time. • provide a list of activities, interests, etc. • provide an addressed, stamped envelope.

25. Ethical and Personal Responsibilities • Authentic applications, essays and resumes • Personal conduct and reporting to colleges • Twitter, Instagram and Facebook • Maintain high academic performance (early release?)

26. Financial Fitness • Students at college will be hit with credit card application offers. • Be prepared to deal with this scenario. • Use only as a last resort – unless you will be able to pay off the entire balance. • If you need a loan – Federal student loans have a much better interest rate.

27. Random tidbits • Roommate decision – best friends? • Applications need to be typed or neatly printed in black or blue ink • College Visits – take them! • Campus tour vs. tailgate party • Look for PHS In-service days • Don’t overlook the Vo-Tech programs

28. QUESTIONS??? • Justin Elliott – Counselor A – K • justin_elliott@usd368.org • Deanell Wieland– Counselor L – Z • deanell_wieland@usd368.org • Linda Rice– Registrar • linda_rice@usd368.org • 913-294-8017