CLASS OF 2015 TEXT ALERTS

Receive messages on your phone or email about:

• SCHOLARSHIPS• TNPROMISE• DEADLINES• FAFSA NIGHTS• RESOURCES• MORE!!!!!!

Graduation Stuff

VALEDICTORIAN SELECTION

Students with a 3.8+ GPA after 7 semesters will be considered with

the following formula:•35% GPA•35% Strength of Schedule•30% ACT

GRAD W/ DISTINCTION› 3.0 + one of the following:

Earn a nat’l recognized industry cert

Participate in Governor’s School Participate in All State Music Organization

Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-finalist

Attain a 31 or higher composite on ACT

Earn 12 or more hours of college credit

Earn a 3 or higher on 2 AP exams

GRAD W/ HONORS

Students who score at or above all of the ACT readiness benchmarks listed below will graduate with honors› English – 18› Math – 22› Reading – 22› Science - 23

ACHS Website – Communication, Scholarship opportunities, etc

Text Alerts – Sign up for phone notifications (see p. 26)

Get Organized – Calendar, file, timeline Resume – Senior book has ideas (p.12)

Annoucements – much info is communicated - IMPORTANT

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

Who needs one?› UT and other Competitive Colleges› Scholarships

If they don’t ask, don’t send – it probably will not have the desired effect

1. Complete the Senior Information Sheet (p. 28-29) and Teacher Evaluation Sheet (p. 30-31) – YOU CAN DO THIS NOW!

2. Provide copy of resume3. Provide Address, Stamped

Envelope (if needs to be mailed)4. Allow 2 weeks!!! (+ mail time)Counselor Rec – Steps 1-4Teacher Rec – Steps 2-4

WHAT DO I DO?

ACT – must register online WHAT SCORE DO YOU NEED?› Enroll at RSCC with no remedial

classes (score 18 in Eng, 19 in Math, 19 in Reading)

› 27 – average at UTK› 23 – average at UTC› 32 – 34 – mid 50% at Vanderbilt

(admitted 14%) RETAKE – Oct 25 or Dec 13

› Sign up by Sept 19 (FRIDAY) for Oct test

GettingInto

College

ADMISSIONS

•TCAT TNPromise will PAY!!

•Everyone accepted – Waiting List (Welding/Auto already a wait)

•Get app online – print and mail with shot record

•Apply ASAP!!

COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Roane State, Pellissippi, etc)

› Transfer Pathways and Career Programs (check school website)

› Apply online (takes approx. 15 min)› Send transcript AFTER JANUARY› Gather Supplementary Items

Driver’s license Shot record

4 – YEAR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

› More complex applications› May require personal statement, letter of

recommendation, or essay› Often have an EARLY deadline (Nov or Dec)› May have a separate deadline for scholarships

(UTK is Nov 1)› May have deadline for LAST ACT accepted for

admissions/scholarship consideration› Safe bet is Oct ACT, Dec accepted at some

schools› EVERY SCHOOL IS DIFFERENT – KNOW

YOUR SCHOOLS!!!!!

COMPETITIVE: Admission factors can include Application, GPA, ACT , Personal Statements, Essay, Recommendations…

NOTE: UTK is in this category. Avg scores are 27 ACT/3.9 GPA. You must complete a personal statement with your app. This is an important factor in admission

UTK & other competitive colleges use a “holistic review” to help choose the most qualified freshman class. Less qualified students are denied or waitlisted.

•HIGHLY SELECTIVE: Deadline for Application & Scholarships… Applications include essays & recommendations and often involve a 2-part applications process. Even highly qualified applicants are often denied or waitlisted. EX: Vanderbilt, Duke…

If you are SURE you want to attend a particular highly competitive university, you may want to consider applying by the Early Admissions Deadline. IF YOU APPLY EARLY ADMISSIONS YOU ARE COMMITING TO ATTEND THIS SCHOOL IF YOU GET ADMITTED.

Talk to College Reps – College Fair at ACHS – Sept 25 during lunch

Talk to present/former students, parents, etc

VISIT!! Counts as an absence, Fall Break is a great time…

Rule of Thumb – Dream school, realistic, back-up

TRANSCRIPTWHAT IS IT?

•FINAL GRADES 9 - 12

•TEST SCORES (ACT & SAT)

•PART OF APPLICATION PROCESS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS & SCHOLARSHIPS

TRANSCRIPTHOW DO I GET ONE?•SIGN THE TRANSCRIPT BOOK IN GUIDANCE

•BRING IN STAMPED, ADDRESSED ENVELOPE (Don’t Forget Application Fee if applies)

•ALLOW 3 DAYS (+ mail time)!

TRANSCRIPTAPPLICATION

Don’t send transcript until AFTER you apply!

Don’t send transcript until AFTER you apply!

If there is additional paperwork that a counselor needs to fill out – please let us know in advance

YOUR APPLICATION ISN’T COMPLETE UNTIL THIS IS RECEIVED

Financial Aid

FINANCIAL AID

•SCHOLARSHIPS

•GRANTS

•COLLEGE WORK STUDY

•STUDENT LOANS

DIFFERENT TYPES

FAFSA - FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID

Federal form that serves as an objective way to determine how much a family can afford to pay for college.

•The FAFSA Is Used To Determine State & Federal Grants.

•The FAFSA Is The Application For The Lottery.

WHO SHOULD COMPLETE THE FAFSA?

ANY SENIOR WHO PLANS TO:

Attend a 4-yr. College

Attend a 2-yr. College

Attend a vocational/technical school

EVERY SENIOR!!!

Complete FAFSA After January 1st ’15 (Must Complete taxes or estimate) •Must apply online Application•Apply For PIN Now For Student And 1 Parent (Link on Web site)

HOW DOES FINANCIAL AID WORK?•FAFSA DETERMINES EFC (Family Contribution)

•SCHOOLS DETERMINE COA (Cost of Attendance) This includes Tuition, Room & Board, Books, Travel…

•NEED = COA – EFC •DIFFERENT AT EACH SCHOOL•EVALUATE YOUR FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE! (Grants, WS, Loans…)

CURIOUS WHAT YOUR EFC MIGHT BE?

CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE:

FAFSA 4 CASTER

http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/F4CApp/index/index.jsf

RESOURCES PAT DANKO: To become a

client you must meet qualifications (Neither parent can have 4 yr degree and/or income guidelines) & do Trio Form (talk to counselor at appt)

HOPPY MERRYMAN: GEAR UP

FAFSA DAYS - TBA

FINANCIAL AIDOTHER SCHOLARSHIPS•AVAILABLE FROM LOCAL, STATE, REGIONAL, & NATIONAL SOURCES

•ADVERTISED THROUGH MULITIPLE METHODS

•ADVERTISED ON ACHS WEBSITE, TEXT ALERTS (p. 26)

•INTERNET SEARCHES

•PARENT’S WORKPLACE

•COLLEGES

Nov 1 deadline - Online Application – see p. 17-19 for more info

Mandatory Meetings with Mentor› Jan 13 – 5:30› March 10 – 5:30› ACHS Cafeteria

LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIPS

•COMPLETE THE FAFSA

•TAKE THE ACTSee p. 20

•3.0 GPA OR 21 ACT:$3,500/yr. Fr and Soph (4-yr)$4,500/yr Jr and Sr (4-yr) $3,000 (2-yr. college)

LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIPS

•3.75 GPA AND 29 ACTExtra $1,000/yr

•3.0 GPA OR 21 ACT AND $36,000 or less yearly income:

Up to $1,500 a yr

LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIPS

SUPPLEMENTAL AWARDS (only 1)

LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIPS

• 2.75 – 2.99 GPA AND • 18-20 ACT AND• $36,000 or less yearly income:

$2,500/yr (4-yr), $1,750 (2-yr)*Award is non-renewable after 24 attempted hours, however can become HOPE eligible

NOTE: Examples for fall ’14(subject to change for ’15)

INSTITUTIONAL

GUARANTEED SCHOLARSHIPS

•MTSU: 3.5 +28 ACT- $4,000/yr Others for 25-30 ACT - APPLY BY DEC 1

•ETSU: 3.5 (6th sem) + 27 ACT - $4,000/yr Others for 25-30 ACT – APPLY BY DEC 15

LMU: 3.5 + 29 ACT—Full Tuition3.5 +25 - $8,000/yr

UTC: 3.75 + 30 ACT - $4,000/yr 3.5 + 26 ACT - $3,000/yr

3.4 + 24 ACT - $2,000/yr

Apply by Dec 1!

GUARANTEED SCHOLARSHIPS

Be admitted by MARCH 1 Deadline, limited number so inquire early!

SCHOLARSHIP

TIPS•CHECK ALL SOURCES OFTEN (at least monthly)

•IF YOU QUALIFY, APPLY!

•FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

SCHOLARSHIP

TIPS•BE NEAT!

•PROOFREAD!

•BE CAREFUL WITH E-MAIL NAMES & FACEBOOK

•DON’T MISS DEADLINES!!

SENIOR YEAR COUNSELOR’S ROLE

•Provide information•Answer Questions•Mail Official Transcripts•Complete Supplementary Material

STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY

•Apply online

•Follow Transcript Request Procedures (3 days for transcript-2 weeks for recommendation letters)

•Research & Apply for Scholarships

•MEET DEADLINES!!

ACHS SCHOOL COUNSELING WEB PAGE

•NEWS•YEARLY CHECKLISTS•SCHOLARSHIPS•WEB LINKS•MUCH MORE!!!

http://www.achs.acs.ac/school_counseling

HELP!

There will be a Fin Aid mtg with a rep from TSAC in the ACHS Auditorium on Nov. 10 at 6pm

FAFSA Help – Jan - TBA

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

ACTION ITEMS…DO NOW!!! College Short List…! Apply Online to Colleges Research Scholarships (website,

scholarship searches, individual schools)

ACT TNPromise Resume FAFSA Pin and 4Caster College Visits