Guidance Department

Counselors:Anya Stewart (Last names, A-K)Blake Edwards(Last names, L-Z)

South Carolina Graduation RequirementsPowdersville High School24 Total Units Required

Name: Date: Counselor: .

English(4 units)

Mathematics(4 units)

Science(3 units)

Social Studies(3 units)

ComputerScience(1 unit)

7 Units of Electives Needed to GraduatePE

(1 unit)

Foreign Language orCareer/Technology

(1 unit)

US History

Govt/Econ

Please note that in order to graduate, you must complete successfully the required units and pass all parts of the High School Assessment Program (HSAP).Also, realize that the above requirements satisfy the requirements for high school graduation and do not guarantee college entrance.

Minimum Requirements

Exams Required to GraduateMath HSAP English HSAP

Additional electives:

Biology

4 Year College Requirements(please note the differences in the graduation requirements vs. college admission requirements!)

English(4 units)

Mathematics(4 units)

Science(3 Lab units)

Social Studies(3 units)

ComputerScience(1 unit)

Fine Arts (One unit in appreciation of, history of, or

performance in one of the fine arts.)PE

(1 unit)

Foreign Language (2 or 3 units)

US History

Govt/Econ

Biology CP level or higher

Please note that all colleges have their own admission requirements. The requirements listed above are the minimum preference of most schools. Please research the particular schools you are interested in to make sure you are preparing/meeting the correct

requirements for admittance.

Chemistry CP level or higher

Algebra I OR (Math Tech I

and Math Tech II)

Geometry

Algebra II

Pre-Cal,Calculus,

Statistics, or Dual Credit

Math

Physics CP level or higher

“Other” Social

Studies

Of the same language

Something other than keyboarding Is recommended

English II CP level or higher

English III CP level or higher

English IV CP level

or higher

English I CP level or above

Name: Date: Counselor: .

WHAT SHOULD I DO AND WHEN SHOULD I DO IT?

Take at least one SAT and ACT by June of 2013 (for four-year colleges only).  Visit five college websites by May 1, 2013.  Visit at least two colleges by July 1, 2013.  Strategize which 3-6 colleges you will apply to by November 1, 2013.

  Take your second SAT and/or ACT in October. Take a third, if necessary in either

November or December (all testing should be done by January 1, 2014).  Apply to your prospective colleges by November 1, 2013. You can never lose by

applying early. Don’t wait for standardized testing to end to apply.  Complete the FAFSA after January 1, 2014, but as close to it as possible.

COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTINGSAT DATES

(Register at www.sat.collegeboard.org)Test fee is $50

Late Fee is an additional $27  

TEST DATE DEADLINE 

10/06/12 09/07/12 

11/03/12 10/04/12 

12/01/12 11/01/12 

01/26/13 12/28/12 

03/09/13 02/08/13 

05/04/13 4/05/13 

06/01/13 05/02/13 

ACT DATES(Register at www.actstudent.org)

Test fee is $35 for ACT without writingTest fee is $50.50 for ACT with writing

(recommended)Late fee is an additional $22

  TEST DATE DEADLINE

 09/08/12 08/17/12

  10/27/12 09/21/12

  12/08/12 11/02/12

  02/09/13 01/11/13

  04/13/13 03/08/13

 06/08/13 05/03/13

COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTINGThe spring of the junior year is the recommended time for taking SAT

and/or ACT for the first time.

Online applications are preferred, but paper copies are available.

Taking the writing part or notMost of the colleges require the writing part of SAT (writing section is

included, not an option) and ACT.

On ACT the writing part is optional (you have to sign up for the writing when you sign up to take the test). The ACT without writing is $35.00 and ACT with writing is $50.50.

If you plan on testing ACT, you may call the college you want to attend and ask if they require the writing part for admission.

COMPASS TestingIf you are planning on entering a 2-year school after

graduation, you DO NOT NEED to take SAT and/or ACT. Students transferring from a 2-year college to a 4-year college, still do not need to take SAT/ACT.

COMPASS is a computerized placement test to assess college readiness in English And math courses.

All of our juniors were tested and will receive their scores on Oct. 18th and 19th.

All students taking dual credits their senior year must take this test and meet a minimum requirements.

Sources of FINANCIAL AID*The colleges in which you are interested: Most colleges have Merit

and/or special talent scholarships. Typically, merit scholarships are based on a combination or SAT/ACT scores and rank in class. Each college has different programs.

*The State Government: SC scholarship programs. *The Federal Government: Based on income and assets of the student and

custodial parent(s). Complete FAFSA after Jan. 1st of the senior year, but as close to this date as possible.

 Register for free private scholarships searches: Fast Web is considered the best of

many. Go to www.fastweb.com.   Research your affiliations: The best are typically employers of parents and student,

organizations in which you belong or have membership (church denominations, unions, insurance companies, etc.).

   *These three sources are the most impacting in terms of helping reduce college

costs considerably. Spend most of your time exhausting these possibilities

State ScholarshipsPalmetto FellowsLife ScholarshipHope ScholarshipLottery Tuition

Palmetto Fellows ScholarshipAvailable for attendance at four year

institutions in South CarolinaMaximum Award

$6,700 during Freshman year$7,500 per year for Sophomore through

Senior yearsMust apply during Senior year of high

schoolDeadline for early applications is December

15Deadline for final applications is June 15

Guidance Counselors will help with the application process

Palmetto Fellows ScholarshipInitial Eligibility criteria:

Top 6% of class,1200 or higher SAT (math and critical

reading), 27 or higher ACT, and3.50 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading

ScaleOR1400 or higher SAT (math and critical

reading), 32 or higher ACT, and4.00 cumulative GPR on Uniform Grading

ScaleContinued Eligibility criteria:

3.0 GPA or greater and at least an average of 30 credit hours per academic year.

LIFE ScholarshipAvailable for attendance at a two or four year

institution in South Carolina.

Maximum Award – at a Four Year institution:Up to $5,000 per year

Maximum Award – at a Two Year or Technical School:Up to Cost of tuition + $300 book allowance

LIFE ScholarshipInitial Eligibility requirements at a

4 year school: Any two of these three:3.0 or higher cumulative GPATop 30% of high school class1100+ SAT (math and critical reading), or

24+ ACTInitial Eligibility requirements at a

2 year school:3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

SC Hope Scholarship

Freshman year only at four year institutions in South Carolina

Maximum Award: Up to $2,800 towards the cost of

attendanceEligibility Requirements:

3.0 GPA at time of high school graduation

Lottery Tuition AssistanceFAFSA must be submitted.

Must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours and be a degree seeking student.

* This information regarding the eligibility and scholarship amounts for LIFE and Lottery Assistance are always subject to change.

September October November December January

• Sign up for the PSAT.

• Meet with the counselor to discuss credits and college entrance requirements.

• Take PSAT.

• Prepare for the SAT.

• See your counselor about free SAT prep resources.

• Begin the college search.

• Start brainstorming a list of important college characteristics.

• Identify entrance requirements for schools that interest you.

• Begin learning about college funding by talking to your counselor or attending college info nights.

• Register online for the SAT or ACT.

• Begin a file to organize your college information.

• Keep info about scholarships, housing, required tests, campus clubs, etc.

February March April May Summer• Practice for the ACT and/or SAT.

•Contact colleges to set up spring visits (call admissions).

• Take the ACT or SAT

•If you do not have many extracurricular activities, think of clubs to join or volunteer opportunities.

• Take the ACT or SAT

• Attend local college fairs.

•Visit colleges (spring break is a good time when many colleges are still in session).

• Take ACT or SAT (if you have not taken a test already).

• Make a resume of your accomplishments, awards, work experience.

•If you are unsure of career directions or majors, visit your counselor to discuss.

• Visit colleges.

• Work on drafts of college admission essays.

• Register with NCAA if you plan to play division I or II sports.

•Narrow your college list to 5-8 schools (safe, realistic, reach)

• Register for fall ACT or SAT if necessary.

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Recommended WebsitesPVHS: http://asd1.schoolwires.com/pvhs. Go to the Guidance tab on the top and select from the dropdown menu. Information on testing, scholarships, colleges, a guidance calendar and more.

TESTING: www.collegeboard.com –Student and parent sections. Information on the SAT, AP and CLEP. Register online for the SAT.www.actstudent.org –ACT information and registration.www.tctc.edu –Click on ‘prospective students’, then ‘getting started’, then ‘placement testing’. Information on placement testing for technical colleges.

COLLEGES:www.sccango.com-Information about SC colleges, college search, apply to SC colleges.www.collegeboard.com –College search and links to all colleges.www.scpathways.org –College information and links to all SC public colleges.www.eligibilitycenter.org- Register with the NCAA (to play Division 1 or Division 2 sports)www.commonapp.org - group of colleges that use a common application.

CAREER:www.bls.gov/oco - US Dept of Labor website. Detailed info on various careers.www.yourchildscareer.org –Parent website for helping children with career planning. Designed for parents in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties.

Websites cont’d.FINANICAL AID:www.pin.ed.gov –Application for PIN# to complete FAFSA online. Should be done in the fall.

www.fafsa.gov –To apply online for Federal Aid (grants, student and parent loans and work-study programs). You must apply after Jan. 1 of the senior year but as close to this date as possible.

www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov - get an idea how much aid you might receive from the Fed Gov.

www.fastweb,com- Free private scholarship search.

www.che.sc.gov -SC Higher Education Scholarship Brochure (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, etc.).

MILITARY:www.military.com - links to all branches of the military, information on scholarships for the military community, and information on education.