Lee High School Parent Night Presented by SOAR

Lee High School Parent Night Presented by: SOAR Cohort 6

UNF SOAR • Who are we? • Why are we here? • American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Standards – knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community, and the world

Topics for Tonight • High School Graduation Requirements • Choosing a career path • Searching for colleges • College Admission Requirements • How to pay for college

Graduation Options • General Requirements (4 -year) – 24 credits • Standard College Preparatory Program (3 year) – 18 credits • Career Preparatory Program (3 -year) – 18 credits

High School Graduation General Requirements • • • English - 4 credits Math - 3 credits (must have Algebra 1 and Geometry) Science - 3 credits (1 Biology and 2 Physical Sciences) Additional Math or Science - 1 credit Social Studies - 3 credits Practical Career Ed or Fine Arts - 3 credits Life Management Skills - 1/2 credit Physical Education - 1 credit Personal, Social, Family Relationships - 1/2 credit Electives - 7 credits Foreign Language - not required for high school graduation but required for admission to state university

Additional Requirements • State Assessment Requirements: – Earn passing scores on the 10 th grade FCAT (Reading and Math) • Grade Point Average Requirements: – Earn a cumulative 2. 0 (unweighted gpa) on a 4. 0 scale

Choosing a Career Path

MOST PEOPLE WORK TO: • Make money • Help other people • Test or challenge themselves

Your Career Choice Can: • Determine your standard of living • Add meaning to your life • Define your daily routine

Career Chart Toppers • 650 plus career fields – Top Careers / 2 -year or certificate • Computer and Information Systems Manager • Computer Software Systems Engineer • Registered Nurse • Dental Hygienist • Respiratory Therapist $46. 26 hourly $36. 21 $24. 95 $24. 59 $19. 69

Career Chart Toppers • Top Careers (cont’d) / 4 -years or more • Elementary School Teacher • Gen. & Operations Manager • Secondary School Teacher • Accountant and Auditor • Management Analyst • Computer Software Engineer • Lawyer $25. 64 $42. 09 $26. 79 $26. 91 $37. 18 $38. 04 $50. 85

How do you decide? • 5 Questions to Consider: – What are your skills and interests? – What’s your personality? – What do you value? – What type of work environment appeals to you? – What amount of preparation and training are you willing to do?

Choosing a College Which School is Right for Me?

Questions to Consider • Why do I want to continue my education? • What kind of classes did I enjoy in high school? • What classes did I do well in during high school? • What is my goal? • What do I want when I finish my education?

More Questions to Consider • What can I afford? • What are my options for affording college? • What do important people in my life think about my possibilities? • What suggestions do people who care about me suggest for my future as far as education goes?

Decisions • Types of schools – Technical, trade, vocational – Community colleges – State colleges and universities – Independent colleges and universities A campus tour is essential!

College Admissions

Types of Colleges • State Universities – In-state vs. Out of state • Community Colleges • Independent Colleges and Universities • Technical, Vocational, and Trade Schools

State Universities • • • Florida A&M (Tallahassee) Florida Atlantic (Boca Raton) Florida Gulf Coast (Ft. Myers) Florida International University (Miami) Florida State (Tallahassee) New College of Florida (Sarasota) University of Central Florida (Orlando) University of Florida (Gainesville) University of North Florida (Jacksonville) University of South Florida (Tampa) University of West Florida (Pensacola)

State Universities • 11 Total • Regions: – North (1) – Central (2) – Southwest (3) – Southeast (2) – West (3)

State Universities • Requirements: – GPA • 3. 03 -4. 30 (midrange) – ACT • 19 -30 (midrange) – SAT • 937 -1380 (midrange) – Varies for each university (midrange included is for the 11 state university systems)

State Universities • Application (fee) – Common or specific, depends on institution • Letters of recommendation – Depends on institution, most require guidance counselor reference • Community Service – Not required for all state universities

Community Colleges • Florida Community College of Jacksonville • St. Johns River Community College • Santa Fe Community College • Tallahassee Community College • Lake City Community College

Community Colleges • FCCJ (Jacksonville) • SJRCC (Orange Park, Palatka, St. Augustine) • Santa Fe (Gainesville)

Community Colleges • Requirements: – High School Diploma • Sometimes a GED, depends on program of study – ACT/SAT or college placement test

Independent Colleges and Universities • Requirements vary, check with each institution – Miami University – Flagler College – Jacksonville University

Technical, Vocational, Trade Schools • First Coast Technical • FCCJ • FMU • ITT

Technical, Trade and Vocational Schools • Requirements: – High school diploma or GED – TABE (placement test)

Freshman & Sophomore Years • Meet Guidance Counselor • “College Track” classes – AP, foreign languages, algebra, dual enrollment • College entrance pre-tests • Organize college search • Maintain good grades

Junior Year Fall Spring • Contact schools • Know admission • Take ACT/SAT • Develop entrance • • • requirements Attend a college fair Register for SAT/ACT • writing samples Scholarships/Financial Aid Visit colleges & universities

Senior Year Fall • Prepare application • • packages Apply in early fall Gather info for FASFA Apply for scholarships Retake ACT/SAT Spring • File the FAFSA • Wait for college • • admission & financial aid letters Send transcripts Attend orientation

Financial Aid Comes in All Shapes and Sizes!!!

Funding your College • Scholarships & Grants • Work Programs • Loans

Scholarship & Grant Money FREE $$$ • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) • Florida Student Assistance (FSAG) • Florida Bright Future Scholarship – Florida Academic Scholars Award – Florida Medallion Scholars Award – Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award

Work Program Florida Work Experience Program • Working on college campus • Working in the area of educational goals • Earning $$$ for financial support

Loans “A good education is worth the investment” • Government-sponsored @ lower interest rates • Based on need & eligibility • Must pay back • Choose wisely

How to Get $$$ Getting Started • Apply for Admissions • Fill out the FAFSA Application and other financial paper work provided by the institution • Wait for a “Package”—Follow up!!! • Pick your Package

Important!!! CAUTION!!! • Pay close attention to DEADLINES!!!!!! • Apply for Bright Future Scholarships prior to high school graduation!!!!!

Websites/Resources • www. Florida. Student. Financial. Aid. org • www. FACTS. org • www. fafsa. ed. gov • www. ed. gov/finaid • www. finaid. org • www. petersons. com • www. srnexpress. com • www. fastweb. com