College Information Night

Liberty Nicholas, LMSWDirector of College and Alumni Engagement

Communities In Schools of South Central TexasMarion High School

lnicholas@cissouthcentraltexas.org830.620.4247 x 19

Alexandra Villarreal, BSWCollege Engagement/ Alumni Specialist

avillarreal@cissouthcentraltexas.org830.620.4247 x 18

JUNIOR year in Review:Take the SAT or ACT - Fee waiver for

free/reduced lunch collegeboard.org – SAT actstudent.org - ACT

Continue to take challenging coursesConsider career optionsExplore collegeboard.org – Big Future siteVisit colleges of interestWork on community service hoursDocument hours of participation in

extracurricular activities, community service, and work

Document awards, honors, leadership roles

SENIOR Year in Review:Visit colleges of interest (2 college days allowed)Send thank you letters to the colleges you visitTake the SAT and/or ACT – there are fee waivers for

students on free/reduced lunch collegeboard.org – SAT actstudent.org - ACTApply to colleges – Fee waivers available for free/reduced

lunchWrite college essaysLetters of RecommendationsApply for scholarships - local, state, nationalApply for FAFSA or TASFA in JanuaryRemember housing applications and meal plans in springCheck for holds on college accountComplete IRS Tax Transcript if requested by financial aidComplete loan counseling and sign Master Promissory NoteSubmit FINAL high school transcript

Automatic Admission to Texas Public Colleges and UniversitiesAll top Marion high school graduates who successfully complete theRecommended or Distinguished program will be automaticallyadmitted into Texas public University or College if one of the followingrequirements is met:

Applicants in the top 10% of their class at the end of their Junior year orafter the first semester of their senior year (as long as the collegeapplication deadlines are met. Some universities may accept mid yearsenior ranks—you must check each college website).

– OR If applying for the University of Texas in Austin, fall 2015 Freshman

applicants must be in the top 7% at the end of their Junior year.

Applicants must check the deadlines for admissions for each Texas College/University as they vary greatly. All deadline information may be found on the College/University website.

College Admissions4 Year University

2 Year Community or Technical College

Guaranteed Admissions: Grades and rank from end of the

junior year SAT/ACT scores

Committee Review:Student doesn’t meet guaranteed

admissions Grades and rank from end of the

junior year SAT/ACT scores Essay Extracurricular activities Volunteerism Awards Work experience Letters of Recommendation

Guaranteed Admissions:MOST community colleges andtechnical colleges have an open

dooradmissions policy The only requirement is a high

school diploma or GED

College Application ProcessStudents begin filling out college applications fall of senior

year

Watch out for deadlines!UT/A&M Dec. 1st

Many Scholarship Deadlines are in December!

www.applytexas.org – Texas 2yr and 4yr institutions

www.commonapp.org – Out of state institutions

Application ProcessThe following MUST accompany a students application

4 Year University 2 Year Community or Technical College

Fee Waiver or Application Fee

SAT or ACT scores – scores must be sent from website

www.collegeboard.org - SAT or actstudent.org - ACT

High school transcript – requested in the counseling office

Fee Waiver or Application Fee

SAT or ACT scores – scores are

recommended but not required

High school transcript – requested in the counseling office

Application Process

It is the responsibility of the student to supply ALL

supporting documents to the receiving institutions

before deadlines.

SAT vs. ACTSAT Math: up to Geometry and

Algebra II Reading: sentence

completions, short & long critical

reading passages, reading

comprehension Writing: grammar, usage,

word choice and a mandatory

essay Penalty: ¼ of a point for

each wrong answer on multiple

choice Scores: 200-800 per section

added together 2-12 for the essay

ACT Math: up to trigonometry Reading: four passages, one

each of Prose, Fiction, Social Science, Humanities, & Natural Science Science: charts, graphs, and data interpretation English: stresses grammar Penalty: None Scores: 1-36 for each subject , averaged for a composite score Writing: optional essay and is an

additional cost when registering. MOST colleges require the writing portion

Things to Know:SAT

The SAT composite score is comprised of critical reading and math – colleges DO NOT include the writing portion when determining SAT score

ACT when registering for the ACT the writing portion will be optional – MOST colleges require writing! Student’s need to pay the additional fee and register for ACT plus writing!

Good to Know: Many out of state schools

would rather have ACT scores sent then SAT.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONSLetters of Recommendation can be used for college

admissions and for scholarships

Get recommendations from people you know wellGive plenty of notice: a minimum of two weeks -

otherwise you might miss a deadlineSupply information about yourself. Provide a resume

which includes your extracurricular activities, community or volunteer service, employment, internships and summer activities

Remember to keep a copyWrite a thank you note to the person who wrote the letter of recommendation

Texas Success Initiative - TSIAll students entering a Texas 2 or 4 year

public college or university must take the TSI

test PRIOR to enrolling incollege level courses, unlessexemption standards are met

TSI Exemptions

Exit Level TAKS: 2200 for math and 2200 for English, with a required writing score of 3

ACT standard: composite score of 23, with a minimum score of 19 for English and 19 for Math

SAT standard: composite score of 1070, with minimum of 500 in Critical Reading and 500 in Math

Show Me the MONEY

Financial AidFour types of aid

grantsscholarshipsloanswork study

Don't rule out a dream school if it’s private and/or expensive

Creative ways to save moneyDual CreditAP TestingSAT ScoresACT Scores

Grants FREE Money

Everything starts with the FAFSA-www.fafsa.ed.gov

January 1 of the senior year Apply for a Pin – Both student and parent Free Application WATCH FOR SCAMS

Most schools have a February 14th deadline1. Financial-aid officers use this form to determine the

amount of your financial-aid award.2. A new FAFSA must be submitted every year you’re

in college to qualify for federal aid.3. Fill out the application online - Aid is need based 4. Expected Family Contribution (EFC): Determines eligibility for federal financial student aid; obtained through FAFSA application.

Things You Will NEED when filling out

FAFSA:1. Parent’s W-22. Student’s W-23. Filed 1040 – both4. Parent & Student PIN5. If you have moved this

year you need to call the HR department for all current and previous employers and have your address changed for your W-2 to be sent

University ScholarshipsUniversity requirements varyMay be one application for admission/scholarships May be a separate application for

admission/scholarships Private schools are more expensive but typically offer

larger scholarships than public schoolsPublic schools in Texas offer scholarships through

the ApplyTexas.org website. Deadlines are prior to admission deadlines 5 short-answer questions required Refer to your resume to answer additional

questionsRead directions carefully and pay attention to deadlinesDon’t discount scholarships of lower monetary value;

every dollar helps

Private ScholarshipsWATCH DEADLINES

60+ private scholarship programs listed on Counselors’ Cornerlinks to online applications or PDFs of applications

1. Local

2. State3. National

Work on one or two essays per week.Save essays you have already written. You may be able to use

them again or modify them slightly for other scholarships.Make a copy of each scholarship you submit.Follow the directions set out in the scholarship application

Searching for the ScholarshipsLocal/National BusinessesFoundations/Nonprofits UniversitiesOnline!

www.fastweb.comwww.collegeboard.orgwww.scholarshipexperts.

com

Strategy and Securement Don’t wait or hesitate!Deadlines DO matterContent is *KEY*Small and ManyBe flexible!Took a test? Take it again!

SAT, ACT, AP, etc.

Follow up? Follow up!

Top 5 Myths Surrounding the Money

1. “Scholarships are for the scholars and the sports stars.”

2. “Writers win every time~”

3. “I’m not a minority or have documented need, so I can’t apply!”

4. “Small scholarship packages won’t help me.”

5. “Competition is fierce– I shouldn’t bother!”

LoansDirect Subsidized Loans Available to undergraduate students with financial need.

Interest Free Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Loans Available to undergraduate students. The student does not

have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan. These loans accrue interest

Parent Plus Loans Available to parents. Credit based and do require repayment or

deferment after first year.

Be On Time Loan Zero Interest Loan Must ASK your college’s financial aid dept to be placed on waiting

list – All colleges are not guaranteed to have money to give Must be a Texas resident and be eligible for Federal Financial Aid Loan is FORGIVEN if student graduates ON TIME!

Work-StudyThe Federal Work-Study Program (FWS) funds part-

time employment for undergraduate students with financial need

Allows students to earn money to help pay for education expenses.

The total award depends on when the student applies, the level of need, and the funding level of the school.

The work-study award is NOT guaranteed money! The student most search for work-study jobs on their colleges website, apply, interview and be hired.

Work-study is paid to the student every two weeks

WHY COLLEGE?College Graduates Earn More Money www.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt

High School Dropout

High School Graduate

Some College, No Degree

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Doctorate (Ph.D.)

Professional Degree

$1,102,120

$1,531,400

$1,863,040

$1,920,680

$2,742,160

$3,337,800

$4,449,440

$5,612,760

Average Lifetime Earnings

Earn More by Staying in Schoolwww.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt

High school graduates earn $430,000 more over their lifetimes than high school dropouts.

Double your income by graduating from college.An Associate’s degree is worth $390,000 more

than a high school diploma.A Bachelor’s degree is worth $1.2 million more

than a high school diploma.A Doctorate (Ph.D.) is worth $1.7 million more

than a Bachelor’s degree.A Professional (law or medical) degree is worth

$2.9 million more than a Bachelor’s degree.

College is Required for a Better Jobwww.finaid.org/otheraid/CollegeIsPower.ppt

Almost All of the highest paying jobs require a college degree

Jobs for college graduates include better benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans

College graduates have half the unemployment rates of high school graduates and better job security

There are many more jobs available for college graduates than high school graduates

Questions