Planning Information for Parents of Juniors

1. Planning Information for Parents of Juniors NUHS Guidance Department- 507-359-8430 Margaret Smude- Counselor- A-K Ryan Ziemer- Counselors- L-Z Emily RoigerHagberg- Secretary

2. Spring and Summer • Register for April 12th ACT- deadline is March 7th • Visit www.actstudent.org to register (NUHS code 241-830) • June 14th test date as well (May 9th deadline) • Visit Colleges now and through the summer (do not put off until Senior year) • Remember to use MCIS to get college information • In July/August, register for the September ACT if not taken yet or want to improve score

3. Senior Year- September • Sign up for October ACT if need to take or want to improve score • Student should sign up for Senior Planning with their counselor • If planning on applying to the University of MN-TC, your student should apply now • It is recommended that students take 4 years of math for the University of Minnesota schools (soon to be required- Class of 2015) • Begin application process for all colleges • Make it a goal to have 2-3 applications completed and sent off by Thanksgiving • If applying online, please let Emily know where to send the official transcript to • If applying paper application, can bring completed application with fee into the Guidance Office and we will send for you

4. Senior Year- October • Line up recommendations from teachers, employers, coaches, etc. • Recommended to have 3 letters written • Begin looking for scholarships • Local Scholarship after Thanksgiving break • www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.cappex.com • Other scholarships also available on NUHS Guidance Department’s website • Register for December ACT if needed • Midwest Student Exchange Program- check college for deadline • For schools in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan and Missouri • www.getreadyforcollege.org has more information

5. Senior Year- November • Finish completing college applications and send off • Apply for your PIN number- both student and parent will need to have one • www.pin.ed.gov • This will be used when applying for financial aid in January (www.fafsa.ed.gov) • Finish gathering letters of recommendation (will be helpful for scholarship applications) • Local Scholarships will be available (a packet will be provided to each Senior)- deadline to apply- mid-February (date depends on school calendar) • If attending a 2-year college, your student must take the Accuplacer

6. Senior Year- December • Consult with counselor to review your final list of colleges • Males will need to register with the Select Service prior to applying for financial aid • Continue applying for scholarships

7. Senior Year- January • Gather the information you will need for the FAFSA • PIN number (www.pin.ed.gov) • W2 information • Social Security number and driver’s license • Tax Return from previous year (both student’s and parent’s) • Current bank statements • Current asset information (business & investment mortgage, stocks, bonds, etc.) • Attend the local financial aid night (at MLC)

8. Senior Year- February • Complete and submit FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) • Select school and submit housing deposit/forms • Continue applying for scholarships • If attending a 2-year college, your student must take the Accuplacer • Apply for reciprocity if attending college in North and South Dakota and Wisconsin

9. Senior Year- March • If your student has not applied to a college yet and would like, encourage them to do so • Sign up for AP exams in the Guidance Office • Keep track of notices from colleges including housing and student aid reports • Reply promptly and meet deadlines

10. Senior Year- April & May • Notify colleges to which you have applied, but will not attend • Take AP exams if needed • Your student MUST let Emily know where to send their final high school transcript • This can hold up registration for their fall semester if they do not do this • Watch for the financial aid report and respond quickly • Send college (MSU or SMSU) official transcripts to chosen college • CLEP exams are available- see counselor for more information

11. NCAA Information • NCAA Clearinghouse needs to be completed if playing Division I or II sports • NUHS code is 241-830 • www.ncaacearinghouse.net to register and for more information Division I (16 core courses) 4 years English 3 years Math (Algebra I or higher) 2 years Science (1 year of Lab) 1 year additional Math, Science or English 2 years Social Studies 4 years additional core courses from areas above or World Language Division II (16 core courses) 3 years English 2 years Math (Algebra I or higher) 2 years Science (1 year of Lab) 3 years additional Math, Science or English 2 years Social Studies 4 years additional core courses from areas above or World Language

12. College Admission Requirements • 4 Year College Requirements • 4 years of English (including Composition, Literature and Speech) • 3 years of Math (2 years of Algebra- at least one advanced Algebra- and 1 year of Geometry) • University of Minnesota system is requiring 4 years of math for students entering fall of 2015 and beyond • 3 years of Science (at least 1 year of Biology and a Physical Science and at least 1 lab) • 3 years Social Studies (including 1 year of US History and Geography) • 2 years World Language • 1 year World Culture or 1 year of Fine Arts • ACT score (acceptable score determined by college)

13. College Admission Requirements • 2 Year College Requirements • Open enrollment policy • High school diploma or equivalency • Some specialized programs do fill up fast as there are limited spots available • Accuplacer score • Cut scores determined by school • Not an entrance exam but a placement exam to determine if students are college ready

14. Alternative Post High School Options • Military • Army, Army National Guard, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force • Work • Travel • Volunteering (Peace Corps)