Douglas Brady

1. Douglas Brady Associate Director of Admissions Radford University

2. How college can change your life

3. College is important • Unemployment rates are directly tied to your level of education • Studies consistently show that attending college adds to your lifelong earnings • Difference between a high school graduate and a four-year degree – between $800,000 and $1 million

4. College is important

5. College is important • People who have attended some college • Report higher levels of job satisfaction • Typically live healthier lifestyles • Enjoy benefits such as insurance, paid vacation, a retirement plan, etc. • Are more involved in their communities through higher levels of volunteering and voting • It’s true—college is important!

6. Choosing the right college

7. Many choices • There are over 6,000 colleges to choose from in the United States • With this many choices, where and how do you start to look for the college that is right for you? • Before you start searching, think about your goals

8. What are your goals? • Some students already know they want to • Learn a trade or enter a specific profession • Obtain a degree, maybe in a specific field • Not sure about your goals? • College is a great place to explore your options • Goals can change while researching colleges • About 80% of college students change their major at least once

9. Choosing a college • Narrow down your list of potential colleges by identifying the characteristics important to you • Factors some students consider • Program or major you are considering • College size • Class size • Location or distance from home • Support programs

10. Choosing a college • Additional factors to consider • Campus culture • Extracurricular activities • Religious or cultural affiliations • Cost of attendance • Ultimately cost matters but • Think about cost when making your final decision, not as much when starting your search • Consider your net out-of-pocket cost, not just the sticker price

11. Researching college choices • Parents and school counselors can help • There are many college search web sites • www.CollegeProwler.com • www.CollegeBoard.org • www.PrincetonReview.com • www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator • www.vawizard.org • All these sites allow you to search for colleges based on the factors that are important to you

12. Your college applications • Each college has its own requirements for completing the application process • These can include • Completing a short form and taking a placement test at a community college • Submitting test scores, essays, reference letters and a portfolio at some colleges • Check each college’s web site for requirements

13. Your college applications • Determine college application due dates • Postmark date or arrive by date • Note on your calendar • Read the directions carefully • Ability to follow directions correctly is part of the acceptance criteria • Meet the application deadlines • Each college sets its own deadline

14. Your college applications • Application fees • Most colleges have an application fee • Many colleges will waive the fee • You may have to submit • SAT or ACT scores • Transcripts • References/recommendations • Essays • Other evidence of talent

15. College entrance exams • For many students, the admissions process includes taking college entrance exams • PSAT or PLAN – “Practice” tests for the SAT/ACT • Placement tests • SAT or ACT • Disability accommodations and fee waivers are available

16. College entrance exams • SAT • Measures conceptual thinking rather than facts • Critical reasoning, math, and a required writing test • ACT • Measures what you learned in high school • English, math, reading, science and optional writing test • Depending upon your learning style, you may perform better on one test versus the other

17. Your college applications • Transcripts • Official high school transcript needed for each college application • College transcript also required if you’ve taken any college courses • Transcript is used to document your GPA, class rank and the rigorousness of your high school program • Many acceptances contingent on maintaining GPA • Most require a final high school transcript

18. Your college applications • References • Usually from teachers, other adults and peers • Allow plenty of time • Give as much information as possible • Include stamped, pre-addressed envelope • Write thank you notes to your references and let them know when you get accepted

19. Your college applications • Admissions essays • Stay on topic • Essays should be error free • Don’t exceed the word limit • Be yourself

20. Your college applications • Other evidence of talent • Portfolio • Audition tapes • Writing samples • Contact specific program for more information

21. Any questions?

22. Paying for college

23. Sources of college funds – 2012 Source: “How America Pays for College”, Sallie Mae, 2012

24. Your college costs • Which college would cost you the most to attend? • Example private college - $55,850 • Sample state college - $19,619 • The answer seems obvious, but it isn’t as simple as comparing these numbers

25. Your college costs • When you look at the costs listed on the previous slide, you are looking at the college’s “sticker price” • More formally known as “Cost of Attendance” (COA) • Consists of direct and indirect costs • Direct costs are paid to the college • Tuition and fees • Room and board if living on campus

26. Your college costs • COA also includes indirect costs • Room and board if living off campus • Books and supplies • Personal expenses • Transportation • Allowance for dependent care • Loan fees • Cost of a personal computer • Costs related to disability • Reasonable costs for study abroad

27. Your college costs • Comparing COA – the “sticker price” – of various colleges does not give you an accurate picture of what it will cost to attend • Can get an estimate of net price by using your college’s “net price calculator” • You find out the actual net price by applying for financial aid

28. About the FAFSA • FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid • Determines eligibility for • Most federal financial aid programs • Many state financial aid programs • Much of the aid colleges award from their own funds • Some scholarship programs • Colleges may require additional forms to collect more detailed data

29. About the FAFSA • FAFSA asks you questions about • Income • Assets • Family size • Number of family members attending college • Number one reason people don’t file a FAFSA • They assume they are not eligible for aid • This may be a costly assumption

30. Cost of not filing • Each year 1.7 million students who would be eligible for financial aid do not file a FAFSA • 33.1% would have qualified for a Pell Grant • 17.1% would have qualified for the maximum Pell Grant award • Also missed out on potential aid from the state, the college and many scholarship providers Source: Mark Kantrowitz, “Reasons Why Students Do Not File the FAFSA”, January 2011 www.finaid.org/educators/20110118nofafsareasons.pdf

31. About the FAFSA • Three versions of the FAFSA • Online – www.fafsa.gov • PDF FAFSA – Print from your computer • Paper FAFSA – Call 800.4.FED.AID • It is always free to complete the FASFA • Online version is best • Built-in edits make it easier to complete accurately • Sign it electronically with your PIN obtained from www.pin.ed.gov • Faster results

32. FAFSA help is available • You can receive in-person help in completing the FAFSA at a “ 2013 Super Saturday” event • Financial aid professionals will help you complete the FAFSA online • The date for 2013 • Saturday, February 9, 2013 • Details at www.vasfaa.org

33. Navigating financial aid • After completing the FAFSA, the student receives the Student Aid Report (SAR) • Correct any errors and return • SAR contains Expected Family Contribution (EFC) • FAFSA information is also sent to the colleges you listed to receive the data

34. EFC determines aid offered • COA (Cost of attendance) — EFC = financial need • Financial aid office will then determine the student’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and for any aid the college may be able to offer from its own funds • Financial aid office may ask for additional information • Student will receive an award letter

35. Types of federal financial aid

36. Virginia grants summary

37. Understanding award letters • Read your award letter carefully • Could be either on paper or online • Follow instructions for next steps • Meet all deadlines • Inform college of changing financial issues

38. Understanding award letters • What if it’s not enough? • Researchprivatescholarships • Consider any potential employer benefits • Check into college tuition payment plans • Make financial aid office aware of changes in your financial situation • Reminder – you must complete the FAFSA to be considered for most types of aid • Consider part time employment during college

39. Any questions?

40. Scholarship searches & scams

41. Scholarships • A form of gift aid – money given to students that doesn’t have to be repaid • There are lots of different types of scholarships • You don’t always need • a very high GPA • to be the greatest athlete • Diligence and perseverance are great tools when applying for scholarships

42. Scholarships • An estimated 45% of college students receive scholarship funds • Average scholarship amounts received • 4-year public college = $4,876 • 4-year private college = $14,016 • Community college = $2,929 Source: How America Pays for College 2012 https://www1.salliemae.com/about/news_info/research/how_america_pays_2011/

43. Popular scholarship sites • Three good and legitimate sites • Fastweb – www.fastweb.com • College Board – www.CollegeBoard.com • Scholarships.com – www.scholarships.com • Many other scholarship search sites but • Avoid paying a fee • Keep an eye out for possible scams

44. Other scholarship resources • A successful scholarship search extends beyond the Internet • High school counselor • May have a list of local competitions • Check with other area high schools • College/University • Financial aid office • Check within your major

45. Other scholarship resources • Family and friends • Employers • Religious, civic, and community organizations • Foundations • Military • Public library

46. Successful scholarship candidates • Apply for many different scholarships • Request application allowing plenty of time to complete application requirements • Turn in error-free applications • Follow all application directions • Watch out for the fine print • Keep copies of completed applications • Be thankful and gracious

47. Scholarship applications • May need to provide • Proof you have filed the FAFSA • Essays/personal statement • Letters of recommendation • Examples of work in specific study area/portfolio • SAT/ACT scores • Transcripts • Interview – in-person or phone

48. Watch for scams • You’re guaranteed to win or your money back • You can’t get this information anywhere else • Give us your credit card number to get started • The scholarship will cost some money • You are a finalist (for a scholarship you didn’t apply for) • If it sounds too good to be true • Come to a free seminar • We’ll do all the work for you

49. Tips to remember • Scam mailings often sound and look official • Expect winning notification from legitimate scholarships via mail not by phone • Watch out for 900 area code telephone numbers • Always walk away from high pressure sales • Be wary of endorsements

50. When you win • What to expect • Congratulations letter – keep a copy for your records! • High profile scholarships may include follow ups • May need to send transcripts and proof of enrollment • Fulfill obligations – such as thank you letters • Check may be sent to you or your college • College may adjust your financial aid award