College for a Day 2016:What’s my path?

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• Agenda• What/Why college?

• Types of higher education and institutions

• College Admissions process

• How to pay for College

• How to prepare now!

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How can you prepare?C Create a Timeline

O Open Doors Through Research

L Learn to ask the Right Questions

L Look for Funding Opportunities

E Establish Good Habits

G Go Visit

E Evaluate your Strengths

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• Mark a calendar with all important dates:

• Identify when you may take the ACT/SAT

• When to visit colleges

• When to apply to colleges

• When to apply to scholarship opportunities

Create a timeline

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• Use the internet to find out about different majors and academic programs

• Contact college(s)you are interested in

• Use Fastweb.com for scholarship information

• Look at the cities the colleges you are interested in is located

Open doors through research

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• Speak with your high school guidance counselors

• Speak with your friends and family members• Talk to students who may currently attend the

college you are interested in that went to your high school

• Contact the college recruiter for your area

Learn to ask the Right Questions

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• Scholarships• Begins today!

• Grants (FAFSA)

• Loans (FAFSA)

• Work-Study (FAFSA)

• Savings

Look for Funding Opportunities Early

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Establish Good Habits• Go to school on time

• Develop good study habits

• Be consistent

• Build healthy friendships

• Build good relationships

• Meet all deadlines

• Ask questions

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Go Visit!

• Visit all types of schools

• Shadow a friend for a day

• Attend events at several schools

• Take virtual tours

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• What are you interested in?

• What are you good at?

• What you do NOT like to do?

• What makes you happy?

• In what subjects do you excel?

Evaluate your Strengths

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What can higher education do for you?

More job opportunity

Higher salary

Able to pursue my dream

Make a difference for others

Connections with new people

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Did you know?

U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

“College graduates earn 84% more than high school grads over a lifetime...”

-Georgetown University study 2011

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• Did you know?• There are three types of

“higher education”:• Private or Public 4 year colleges and

universities• 2 year community colleges or junior colleges• Vocational or Technical schools

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• Four types of Institutions:

• Open Enrollment

• Liberal Admissions

• Selective Institutions

• Highly Selective

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• Four Main Admissions Plans• Regular Decision

• Rolling Admissions

• Early Action

• Early Decision

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• Types of Institutions: Open Enrollment

2 year institutions offering associate degrees May have transfer guarantees, students can also apply to transfer

4 year institutions Students can usually transition if the campus is part of a network of a

university

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• Types of Institutions: Open Enrollment

2 year 4 year

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• Types of Institutions: Liberal Admissions • – These institutions have criteria that the students would

need to meet in order to enroll.

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• Types of Institutions: Selective Institutions

• – These institutions employ a Holistic Review process taking many factors into consideration when admitting students.

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• Types of Institutions: Highly Selective• – Schools with really low acceptance rates. These

institutions consider many more factors for their Holistic Review Process

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• Academic Record• Curriculum• Grade Point Average / Class Rank• Courses/Course Load

• Standardized Test Scores• ACT/SAT • Further Testing?

•Extra-curricular Activities• Athletics• Clubs• Work Experience• Community Service• Leadership

•Personal Qualities• Essays• Letters of Recommendation• Diversity • Special Talents

“Holistic Review”: What Do Colleges Look For?

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Why is college so expensive?

The “Cost of Attendance” includes the following:

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•Did you know?• The U.S. Department of Education has

more than $150 Billion dollars ($150,000,000,000) in Financial Aid for

students who qualify and APPLY!

SENIORS! You must file a…

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FAFSA Details Question 53: Select Yes if you had no living parent (biological or adoptive) at any time since you turned age 13, even if you are now adopted.Select Yes if you were in foster care at any time since you turned age 13, even if you are no longer in foster care as of today.Select Yes if you were a dependent or ward of the court at any time since you turned age 13, even if you are no longer a dependent / ward of the court as of today.

• Students who answer “Yes” to independent status questions will not be required to include parent income information on the FAFSA, but may be asked to provide supporting documentation.• The Financial Aid office will let you know

what additional information they may require (court documents, letters from a Case worker, etc.)

• Once finalized, you will NOT be required to include parent income information on the FAFSA, only your income information (if you have any).

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Types of Financial Aid *Scholarships & Grants(free money!)*Loans(you pay these back)*Work-Study(you have to work to earn)

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• Talk with your Guidance Counselor for local scholarships• Check out local organizations, churches, ads, etc.• • Online sites like Big Future, GoodCall.com, Fastweb.com

• Check with the Colleges/Universities you’re applying to!

Where to find/apply?

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Ohio ETV Program

Up to $5,000 per year! Funding is limited and only available on a first-come first-serve basis. Apply JULY 1st each year!

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So, let’s recap!• Talk to someone you know who has been to college.• Work hard in school & ask good questions.• Look and apply for scholarships NOW, and file the FAFSA

in fall of your Senior year. • Meet all the required deadlines at the schools you’re

applying to. • Don’t be afraid to ask for help and ask questions!

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Questions?