Are You Ready Class of 2018 Denise Keaton

Are You Ready? Class of 2018 Denise Keaton Coordinator of Student Financial Aid Guidance and Counseling Department 281 -985 -6408

COLLEGE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK! • Preparing for College • Planning for College • Paying for College

PREPARATION • Participate in extra curricular and community service activities • Continue to challenge yourself • Try an AP, Dual Credit or Pre AP class • Graduation – Foundation with endorsement • Maintain high grades – Top 10% Rule • SAT School Day Test – March 1 • Link college board account with Khan Academy • Customized Practice

• After School day SAT PLANNING • Continue to use Khan Academy. • After receipt of scores register for May or June SAT. • Take ACT test. • Research colleges and narrow down to your top 5 -7 schools. • Consider an out of state school. • Take college visits during Spring Break or the summer. • Begin researching information on financial aid. • Continue monitoring your grades. • Develop a resume that list all of your activities and awards.

PLANNING • College Application Process • College applications for Texas pubic colleges and some private – www. Apply. Texas. org • Opens July 1, 2017 • Out of state colleges www. commonapp. org • Private and out of state college and universities • Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success - http: //www. coalitionforcollegeaccess. org/ • 49 colleges • Universal College Applications www. universalcollegeapp. com • 34 colleges

PLANNING • Apply. Texas Essays • Topic A: • What was the environment in which you were raised? Describe your family, home, neighborhood, or community, and explain how it has shaped you as a person. • Topic B: • Most students have an identity, an interest, or a talent that defines them in an essential way. Tell us about yourself. • Topic C: • You've got a ticket in your hand -- Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION • Begin to ask now (Minimum of 4 persons) Not a family member • Teacher • Counselor • Principal • Assistant Principal • Community Person • Pastor • Submit a resume • Allow a minimum of two weeks • Follow up

PAYING FOR COLLEGE • Save as you can. It is never to late to start. • Begin the Financial Aid process • FAFSA and TAFSA (Opens October 1) • FAFSA – www. FAFSA. gov • TASFA – www. AIE. org • Create an FSA ID for parent and student (FAFSA only) NOW • WWW. FSAID. ED. GOV • Use prior year taxes (2016 taxes) • Visit the financial aid office of the campus you attend • Begin your scholarship search now

Scholarships

RAISE. ME SCHOLARSHIP • • • Receive micro scholarships Approximately 140 colleges Follow by deadlines on website Input correct information review transcript www. raise. me

SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES • www. Aldineisd. org • https: //bigfuture. collegeboard. org/scholarship-search • www. Unigo. com • www. chegg. com • www. fastweb. com • www. cappex. com • www. scholarships. com • www. scholarshipmoney. com • www. scholarsnapp. com • www. niche. com

Questions