12th Grade ICAP

Academic Planning

Overview1. Introduce steps for post-secondary transition

o For college - (e.g. college portal, FAFSA verification, award letters, and placement testing)

o For career – (e.g. job-seeker profile, resume/cover letter, applications, work readiness certification, etc.)

2. Highlight key differences between high school and post-secondary

3. Review senior exit system

College Transition Checklist

Let’s go through these one at a time.

1) Acceptance Letters

If you have not yet received an acceptance or rejection letter, call the college or university to make sure you submitted all the required application materials (e.g. transcripts, ACT test scores, letters of recommendation, etc.)

2) Web Portal

• The web portal will contain information such as your financial aid award package, important forms you need to complete, your student records, how to sign-up for classes, and your tuition bill, etc.

• Check your college email and web portal regularly!

• Visit your school’s website and try to find their web portal. It is most likely located under “Current Students.” Sometimes it’s called something else like UCD Access, Metro Connect, or CCD Connect, etc.

• Your acceptance letter should contain important information regarding your student ID and/or how to sign-in to your student web portal.

3) College Scholarships

• Visit your college Financial Aid Department website to apply for college-specific scholarships

4) College Opportunity Fund

• Visit https://cof.college-assist.org to apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF), which pays a stipend toward in-state college tuition for all eligible students.

4) FAFSA Follow-up• FAFSA Follow-up

o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k99tgfqzfuw&feature=relmfu

• Financial Aid Awardso http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE-qYhQEfqA&feature=relmfu

6) Student Aid Report (SAR)

• To view your Student Aid Report, use your PIN to login at FAFSA.gov o Otherwise, you will receive instructions via email or postal mail

• Check your EFC (Expected Family Contribution)o Note: If your application is incomplete, your SAR will not include an EFC, but

will tell you what you need to do to resolve the issue

• The schools listed on your FAFSA will have access to your SAR and use this information to determine your eligibility for Financial Aid.

• Make sure the FAFSA data on your SAR is correct and complete. If you find a mistake, correct or update your FAFSA.

7) College Award Letter(s)

Please refer to your handouts

$23,300 $5,000$17,900

$2,300 $4,000 $2,500 $8,800 $2,400 $2,000 $4,200 $6,900

$17,400

$500 + $5,000 = $5,500

$17,900 - $17,400 = $500

College Comparison• Take 5 minutes to complete your College Comparison

Worksheet for Top Notch University

• Compare and contrast – Which college seems to offer the best package? (Remember: Gift Aid does not have to be paid back)

$23,300 $5,000$17,900

$8,800

$6,900$17,400

$500

$5,500

$37,100 $5,000$32,100

$27,300

$4,800$32,100

$0

$5,000

8) FAFSA Verification Process

• What is FAFSA Verification?o FAFSA verification is a process students need to complete to verify the accuracy

of information submitted on their FAFSA.

• Who is flagged for verification?o About 1/3 of FAFSA applicants are flagged for FAFSA verification.o You may be selected randomly or due to incomplete, estimated, or inconsistent

information reported on your FAFSA.

• How will I know if I’m selected for verification?o On your Student Aid Report, an asterisk (*) will appear after your EFC number,

along with instructions on what to do next.o In the financial aid portion on your college student portal, there should be

information regarding steps you need to take for FAFSA verification.

• What will I need to do?o Contact your college’s Financial Aid Office for directions. You will be asked to

submit some forms and Federal tax documents (e.g. IRS tax transcript, W-2s).

• How long will it take?o The verification process can take up to 30 days or even longer, so begin the

process right away.

9) Placement Tests• Students who have an ACT sub score at or above

the following are exempt from placement testing:

• Students who have lower ACT sub scores must take the Accuplacer placement test to determine if they are eligible for college-level, credit granting courses (vs. remedial courses)

• To practice the Accuplacer, go to http://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students and click on the free sample questions

ACT

Reading 17 & above

English 18 & above

Math 19 & above

Accuplacer

80 & above

95 & above

+/- 85 & above

10) Housing• If you want to live on campus,

o You need to apply for campus housing and pay your deposit prior to the deadline

• If you want to live off campus but your school requires freshman to live on campuso You may be able to complete an “exemption” form to

prove that you meet certain requirements.

11) Orientation• At most schools, freshman orientation is mandatory and

includes the following: o Academic advisingo An introduction to campus resources and policieso An opportunity to meet other studentso An opportunity to register for first-semester courses

• Sign up soon and mark on your calendar

12) Registration• Typically, you will get the chance to register for

fall classes at orientation. If not, find out how to register for classes online and/or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.

13) Immunization Forms

• Colorado law requires college students to be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella.

• Students will need to submit the following:1. An Immunization Form, with official documented proof of

immunization2. A signed Meningococcal Disease Information Form

• Some schools may require additional forms (e.g. Tuberculosis Risk form)

• Forms and requirements can be found on your school’s website.

14) Tuition Bill• Log into your student portal to review your tuition bill.• Call or research the college website for information

regarding your school’s tuition policies and deadlines.o Typically, you must pay your remaining tuition and fees in full prior

to the start of school.o Or, you must check with your school to see if they will arrange an

extended payment plan.

• Health Insurance Note: o Many colleges will charge $1,000 for a college insurance plan. o However, this fee can easily be waved. All you need to do is submit

a form verifying that you are covered on a current health insurance plan (e.g. your parent’s plan).

15) Final Transcripts• Upon graduation, you will need to remember to

send your official high school transcript and ACT scores to your college Admissions.

Career Transition Checklist

Senior Exit Process• Schedule an appointment with your counselor if

you need help with any of these steps.• Try to complete as many of these steps as

possible. prior to the senior exit survey.

• Senior Exit Process:1. Senior Exit Survey

FYI: CLEP Test Optionhttp://clep.collegeboard.org/started

Example:

College Culture Shock/Transition video• http://

www.firstinthefamily.org/collegeyears/soundslides/AcademicCultureShock/index.html

Naviance ICAP Survey

• Click “about me”

• Click “My ICAP” survey

• Complete question #37

• Make sure you have completed questions 26-36 as well.

Click