Sheridan High School College Night

Welcome Students and Parents

Deciding on the Right College

Four Factors: 1. Self-Awareness.

2.

Finding a “Right Fit” school.

3. College Admissions.

4. Financial Cost.

Factor 1: Self Awareness

I.) Know yourself and the reason for attending college: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What do you want to Major in?

How many years will my Major take to complete? 2 year school vs 4 year school preference? Will it require Grad School?

What is important to you vs what is not?

Commuting Life vs Dorm Life.

Know your academic standing (look at your transcript), strengths, and weaknesses.

• Explore College Characteristics – Majors and educational programs offered.

– Type of school and degrees offered.

– Admission Policy.

– Location and size.

– Costs and financial aid.

– College affiliation and accreditation.

– Campus activities.

– Support Services.

Checklist for a Campus Visit

• Meet with Admissions Counselor.

• Verify admission requirements.

• Determine actual college costs.

• Ask about financial aid opportunities.

• Take a campus tour.

• Investigate academic programs of interest.

• Talk with coaches, other faculty members as appropriate.

• As a family, discuss the possibilities of attending this college.

Factor 3: College Admissions

• Prospective college students can apply to college using a variety of methods depending on which school they are interested in.

• Some methods are: • Common Application ( www.commonapp.org

) • Applying directly to the school using their own online or paper application.

• Most schools have application fees, but some will waive these fees if the student applies early.

Information Needed for College Admissions

1. Grade Point Average (GPA) • Alternatives for Low GPA students.

2. Extra-Curricular Activities.

3. Transcript.

4. Letters of Recommendation.

5. Test Scores (ACT or SAT)

Testing

• 5 Important Tests for College Decision Making: • OGT, PSAT, ACT, SAT, & ASVAB • •

Ohio Graduation Tests (OGT)-

Need to pass all to graduate high school. There are 5 OGT’s: Reading, Writing, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. Offered 3 times a year beginning Sophmore year. Need a score of 400 to pass.

PSAT/NMSQT-

Practice SAT. Not needed for college admissions, but allows student to qualify for National Merit Scholarships depending on score. Only offered to Juniors on fixed dates. The cost for the PSAT during the 2013-2014 school year is $14.00 and is due the day before the test to the Guidance Counselor.

Testing, Continued

• • •

ACT-

A standardized test used to measure English, Math, Reading, Science, and Writing. The Writing test is optional, but recommended. The cost for the ACT during the 2013-2014 school year is $36.50 without Writing and $52.50 with Writing. Registration must be completed online. Average composite score is a 21.

SAT-

A standardized test used to measure Reading, Math, and Writing. Average Score is a composite 1500. Max score is a 2400. Must register online. Cost is $50.00

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)-

Provides students with information regarding their personal aptitude at a particular career. Offered to students in grades 10-12. Recommended that they only take once. Is often a requirement for enlistment.

Apply for Admission and Observe Deadlines

• Narrow your choices • Have you met admissions test requirements?

• Know application fees and deadlines.

• Submit application materials along with transcripts and recommendations, etc.

Factor 4: The Financial Cost

• Determine the cost of college. Look at all costs…not just tuition. For example books, cost of living, insurance, etc.

• Several funding alternatives: – Scholarships – Grants – Work Study – Federal Financial Aid – G.I. Bill

Develop a Plan to Pay for College

• Determine actual cost of each college.

• Investigate all possible resources.

• Secure necessary forms and note deadlines.

• Apply as early as possible.

• Don’t eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial aid awards from each college.

• Develop a college budget.

Scholarships

• Scholarships = Free Money.

• Usually have a stipulation attached to them.

• There are several types of scholarships: – Private Local.

– Private State/National.

– Merit-based.

– School specific.

– Military based.

– Need based.

– Student specific – Career based.

– PSAT/NMSQT – Athletic – Appalachian

G.I. Bill & Other Military-Based College Incentives

• Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.

– Recipients are eligible for expanded tuition reimbursement with the potential to cover the full cost of any public college in their home state. There is a $17,500 cap for Private Colleges. The new bill also provides a housing allowance and a $1,000 a year stipend for books.

• The Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (DEA) provides the transfer of a G.I. Bill to a dependant or spouse if they are permanently and totally disabled due to service-related condition or who died while on active duty as a result of a service related condition. • College Credit for Service.

Grants

• Grants are different than Scholarships but have the same concept of free money.

• Grants are usually needs-based and are not merit-based with the exception of the student keeping college grades at a “C” or better. • There are several types of Grants: – Federal Government – State Government – Pell Grant is one of the better known Grants.

– Private Grants offered by companies. Grants change from year to year and from school to school so research by the student and family is important.

College Work Study Programs

• Work study is provided at most colleges.

• Funds are allocated from the Federal Government to Public and Private Colleges.

• These funds are used pay students or provide tuition reimbursement for students who work part-time on campus or approved community service positions.

Federal Financial Aid

• The Federal Government provides Financial Aid loans to qualifying students.

• These are loans, meaning they must be paid back.

• Over the life of the loan, students usually pay more back than borrowed, but interest rates on student loans are significantly lower than private loans.

• All colleges and the federal government have deadlines for financial aid. • Financial Aid Night at Sheridan High School on January 13, 2014 at 6:30 pm.

College Success Factors

• ACT/SAT scores, high school courses taken and high school grades are important “predictors” of college success.

• Pre-college planning to obtain the right “fit” for you is also important.

• However, your work habits and commitment is by far the best indicator of success.