College Admissions Financial Aid Introductions Our GEAR UP

College Admissions & Financial Aid

Introductions Our GEAR UP Team includes:

Overview Parts of a College Application Agenda What Admissions Officers Look For Senior Year Timeline Resources

What do we mean when we say college? o. When we say “college”, we mean any type of education or training after high school. We also use the terms “postsecondary education” and “postsecondary training”. o. There are many options for students after high school, including apprenticeships, military, on-thejob training programs, community college certificates, two-year degrees, and four-year degrees. o. The term college includes all of these things.

Fall Overview: The Whole Picture • College application prep • SAT/ACT tests • Early admissions deadlines • Scholarship applications • Submit a FAFSA/WASFA Winter • College applications due • Scholarship applications Spring • Award/acceptance letters • Choosing a college • Scholarship applications Summer • Two-year financial aid awards • Scholarship awards & applications • College orientation

Two-year College Applications: Two-years vs. Four-years • Personal information • Transcript • Financial Aid Information • Placement test • Program-specific prerequisites Four-year College • Personal Information • Transcript • Letter of Recommendation • Standardized Test Scores • Financial Aid Information • Resume of Activities • Essay and Short Answer Questions

Students should: Ask someone who knows them well. Letters of Recommend ation Ideas include teacher, counselor, pastor, community service coordinator/supervisor. Consider how long the individual has known them and in what capacity. Don’t ask a family member. Ask the writer at least one month before the application is due. Provide them with their essay and student activities list or resume. Ask for one academic and one character recommendation. Follow college/university instructions carefully.

Possible activities include: Resume of Activities • • GEAR UP Clubs and sports Jobs Student government Community service Religious involvement (youth groups, etc. ) Arts or music Care giving for a family member Students should describe: • The impact the activity had on them. • Any leadership roles. • Length of time they participated.

Goal #1 Application Essay Demonstrate fit with the college or university. Goal #2 Address things that were not asked in other parts of the application.

#1 • Discuss how your family’s experience or cultural history enriched you or presented you with opportunities or challenges in pursuing your educational goals. Sample Essay Questions #2 • Why do you feel that (name of university) is a good match with your educational goals? #3 • Tell us a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

What Do Admissions Officers Look For? The Comprehensive Application Review Academic rigor, quality of senior year courses, and grade trends. Extracurricular activities. Comprehensive Review Ability to enhance the diversity of the university. Academic performance relative to opportunity. Did the student take advantage available opportunities?

Fit What Admissions Officers Look For Reflection Writing • Diversity • Interest • Community involvement • Evidence of past and future academic performance • Ability to grow and learn from challenges • Evidence of critical thinking • Tone • Use of appropriate examples • Organization and focus • Ability to follow directions

There are two major things college admissions staff look for on a student’s application. From The Mouth of a Former Admissions Director… 1. The ability to be successful in the classroom based on past experiences and achievements. 2. The ability to contribute to the campus community, based on past experiences and achievements.

September Overview Figure out which colleges are the “right fit” and make reach/target/safety list. Identify references for letters of recommendation. Create a calendar of application and financial aid deadlines. Begin scholarship searches.

Size Personal Values Reminder: Finding the Right Fit Location Student Life Type of College Student Services Program of Study

Reach, Target, Safety Reach Target Safety • Academically challenging-student may not quite fit the college’s academic profile. • Selective admissions. • Potentially high cost of attendance. • Student is likely to be admitted based on their academic profile. • Student would be happy attending that college. • Would not be financially overwhelming to attend. • Student is almost certain to be admitted. • Student would be happy and get a good education there. • Affordable with reasonable effort.

Where should I apply? How many schools? Plan on applying to 3 -6 colleges. How likely are you to get in? How likely will you be able to afford it? Will you be happy there? Is it a good match for you?

Create a Calendar of Application and Financial Aid Deadlines

Prepare to File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid: Determines expected family contribution to college. Required in order to access federal and some state aid Must be filed senior year and every year the student is in college. Student tasks in September Apply for FSA ID – https: //fsaid. ed. gov Collect documents Application opens October 1, 2017 for 2018 -19 year. Deadlines Colleges set their own priority deadlines College Bound Scholarship students need to file as soon after October 1 st and follow their prospective colleges deadlines

State Financial Aid for “DREAMers” State Need Grant funding for noncitizens who meet the residency requirements established in HB 1079: As of 2015, State Need Grant and the College Bound Scholarship are available to students who have DACA status. • Have a Washington high school diploma or a GED® • Be a Washington resident for three years prior to, and continuously since, earning the high school diploma or equivalent. • Sign a written promise to apply to become a permanent resident of the United States, when eligible. • Must meet the same residency requirements as U. S. citizen (typically parents living in the state for one year prior to college). • Must provide DACA documentation. • Eligibility for College Bound Scholarship still restricted to those who successfully applied in 7 th or 8 th grade.

FAFSA or WASFA? US citizens or US nationals US permanent residents WASFA Non-citizen students Students with DACA status Some non-residents Must meet residency requirements Valid Social Security Number www. readysetgrad. or g/wasfa

The. Wash. Board. org The. Washboard. org is a free resource for Washington students or residents attending college outside of Washington. Offered $44 million in scholarships last year. Matches scholarships to interests and goals. Web-based; can be used in school, libraries, or at home and contains no ads or SPAM. Scholarships are diverse and support a variety of students, not just high school seniors.

Scholarship Tips Network Don’t just use the Internet for scholarship research. Network with the people around you. Money is Money Aim high, accept low. Fit the Bill Students must fit the requirements but don’t have to fit all the preferences. Know the Requirements Like a college application, a scholarship application often requires letters of recommendation, personal profile, essay/personal statement, and transcripts.

What can families do? Have a conversation with your child about your child’s college plans. Be open. Help your child network for potential scholarships.

October Overview Meet regular decision deadlines. Attend financial aid workshops. File the FAFSA or the WASFA.

Register for SAT/ACT October Overview Draft admission and scholarship essays. Talk with English teacher or counselor about essays. Request official high school transcripts. • SAT – collegeboard. org • ACT – actstudent. org

The 12 th Year Campaign

October – November College Goal Washington Free, on-site program that helps students and families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

November Overview Attend a NACAC College Fair. Finish application essays. Visit college campuses.

Why Apply Early? Early Admissions • Greater proportion of applicants admitted • Early action: earlier notification without obligation to go • Eases senior year anxiety • Scholarships Things to Consider: • Very difficult to get released from an early decision obligation • Cannot compare financial aid offers • Financial aid package may not meet a student’s need

January and February Overview Complete college applications Keep your grades up! Complete scholarship applications.

March & April Overview Review acceptance letters and financial aid awards. Decide where to go and send required materials to college. Scholarships – keep applying!

Cost of Attendance March & April: Award Letters Expected Family Contribution Award Amount (scholarships, grants, loans, work study) Financial Need vs. Total Award Amount Option to accept, reduce, or reject

How much is in “free money” (scholarships and grants), versus loans? What would the total loan debt be at each college? March & April: Evaluating Award Letters How do I access work-study? After required expenses are taken out (tuition & fees, room & board), how much is left for the rest of the term to cover other expenses, like books? Are the scholarships I’m receiving renewable? Or just a one-time thing? What do I need to do to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to keep my financial aid?

March & April: Making the College Choice Visit campus The “Right Fit” (size, location, etc. ) Degree programs Financial aid package Weather College paper

May 1: National Candidates’ Reply Date Thank you notes May & June Overview Final transcript College deadlines Graduation!

College orientation Summer Overview Two-year financial aid awards Scholarship awards

Who needs what? • What are the conditions of the scholarship? Scholarship Disbursement Where does the money go? • Financial aid office • Student financial services How can the funds be used? • Tuition and fees • Books

ACT: http: //www. act. org/content/dam/act/unsecured/do cuments/Fee. Waiver. pdf SAT (The College Board): http: //professionals. collegeboard. com/guidance/ap plications/fee-waivers Test & Application Fee Waivers National Association for College Admission Counseling: www. nacacnet. org/studentinfo/feewaiver/pages/de fault. aspx College or University-Specific: See Office of Admissions websites at each college. College Bound students: OSPI

Up Next Mobile Messaging Campaign Up Next will provide students and families across the country with personalized information and encouragement to complete important college and financial aid milestones and tasks.

College Scorecard https: //collegescorecard. ed. gov Web Resources Big Future: www. bigfuture. collegeboard. org/collegesearch Community and Technical Colleges of Washington State: www. checkoutacollege. com

Questions?

Contact information: Thanks for coming • [insert counselor/advisor/mentor name] Phone: (xxx) xxx-xxxx E-mail: xxxx@xxxx. xxx

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