RVHS Senior Parent Workshop 2014 College Admissions Testing Financial Aid

1. RVHS Senior Parent Workshop 2014College AdmissionsTestingFinancial Aid Presented by: Kristy De La Garza - Wardell RVHS Financial Aid Officer

2. College Applications We had an application drive for South Texas College & The University of Texas – Pan American Mrs. Charles Mon., September 23rd Rm.500 Mrs. Rowland Mon., September 23rd Rm. 307 Urge your children to applyNOW whether they are waiting for ACT / SAT scores or to test.

3. College Admissions

4. Things to Consider: • Location • Exam Requirements • Admission Requirements • Types of Financial Aid • Scholarship Opportunities • Costs

5. ADMISSIONS:Universities Require a Complete Admissions File to make their decision! REMEMBER TO THINK….FAST!!! 1. Fee Payment or Application Fee Waiver per each College Application 2. Application on applytexas.org OR commonapp.org • May require Essays (if required) prior to submission • Letters of Recommendations (if required) • Resume (Optional) 3. Scores from Exams: Official Scores from SAT/ SAT II /ACT/ TSI Exam sent directly to college 4. Transcript which indicates completion of student’s high school program, rank, & grade point average on record.

6. The Admissions Process REMEMBER .…F. A. S. T.!!!! Fees (If applicable) Application Scores (ACT, SAT, THEA, TSI) Transcript (Obtained from your RVHS registrar) ALL INFORMATION IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE THE DEADLINES –NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

7. Texas Common Application Application waivers are available to qualifying students Sul Ross State University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Texas A&M University Kingsville Texas State University Texas Tech University University of North Texas University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at San Antonio ANY OTHER TEXAS PUBLIC 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY SOME TEXAS PRIVATE SCHOOLS!!!

8. COMMON APPLICATION Visitwww.commonapp.orgto apply for out of state universities or private universities. Visit the web-site. Review deadlines to submit all paperwork at least 2 weeks prior to deadline. Early Decision is November 1st.

9. UTPA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Students must meet one of the following requirements: Fall 2014 Admissions •ACT 18+ Composite Score •SAT 850+ (Math and Critical Reading Only)

10. Planning on Playing College Sports? Make sure your child is registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse Organization after testing for ACT and/or SAT only! NCAA Registration Process: • Web application at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net • Membership fee • Submit two high school transcripts •One transcript as soon as web form is complete •Second transcript at final graduation

11. College Entrance Exams

12. Why do students need to take college placement exams? Universities Use Testing Information for: Pre-College Programs •UTPA Concurrent Enrollment Program •STC Dual Enrollment Program College Admissions •Can you succeed at the college/university? Scholarship Criteria •Does your score merit a scholarship award? Course Placement •What level are you proficient in math, English, etc.

13. TSI • New Texas college placement exam that replaces the THEA and Accuplacer. Local College Testing Offices: UTPA Testing Office 665-7584 STC Testing Office 872-7617

14. Exemptions for TSI TAKS –Exit Level Scores Exempt for MATH 2200 MATH Exempt for Reading and Writing 2200 ELA with a 3 on Essay ACT Scores 23+ composite –With at least a 19+ math and 19+ English SAT Scores 1070+ math and critical reading scores –With at least a 500 math and 500 critical reading Check with counselor if your child is exempt from taking the new TSI exam

15. National Placement Exams ACT Plus Writing: $52.50 (Waivers available for free) Register online at www.actstudent.org SAT = $51.00 (Waivers available for free) SAT is requiring that ALL students take the writing Register online at www.collegeboard.org

16. ACT/ SAT EXAMS ACT or SAT SCORES: Need to send directly from ACT or SAT to your University. $11 cost per university

17. Have You Already Used Your Test Fee Waivers? Students are onlyallowed two fee waivers for each exam even if registered and did not show up for an exam 2 ACT Fee Registration Waivers 2 SAT Fee Registration Waivers or Subject Test

18. Testing Photo Requirements Both ACT and SAT now require examinee to upload their photo at the time of registration (no exceptions). Why? For test security purposes to prevent cheating. What does this mean for the student? *Register early to avoid any technical issues.

19. Financial Aid

20. Scholarships University/College Scholarships • Public/Private Universities and Colleges Organizations and Corporations • National, regional, state, and local scholarship applications available at the Financial Aid Office from August to May. • Horatio Alger - $20,000 (Parents make below $55K) • Wendy’s - $ 10,000 (Athlete, at least B average) DUE 20th • Coca-Cola Scholars - $2000-$20,000 (A/B Avg; Community Svc) • ConocoPhillips - $20,000 ( Boys & Girls Club / Engineering) • Magic Valley - $20,000 (Must have Magic Valley Electricity) • H.S. Oratorical - $10,000 (Must defend / speak about Constitution) • SIGN UP FOR : fastweb.com & hsf.net

21. Scholarship Tips Log on to http://edinburg.vela.schooldesk.net/ every month for the RVHS FAO Scholarship List • Encourage your children to turn applications in at least two weeks before the deadline. • Submit a resume • Make sure your information is mistake free • USE SPELL CHECK!!!

22. Scholarship Scams Be careful with “special invitations” for students and parents! What to look for and avoid: 1. Free seminar –Letter or invitation announcing a free financial aid seminar or interview 2. Scholarships for profit –Applications requiring a $5-$3,500 fee 3. Scholarships that never materialize –Consumer asked to provide money up front with nothing in exchange 4. The guaranteed scholarship search –For a fee, consumer is “guaranteed” a scholarship or else receive a full refund.

23. FAFSAwww.fafsa.gov http://youtu.be/c-23SMf5DyQ Free Application for Federal Student Aid

24. FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA for students beginning college Summer 2014 Available now! What do you need? You and your parent’s 2012 W-2 forms You and your parent’s 2012 income tax returns Deadline: As soon as possible FAFSA for students beginning college Fall 2014 Available January 1, 2014 What do you need? You and your parent’s 2013 W-2 forms You and your parent’s 2013 income tax returns Priority Deadline –March 1, 2014

25. FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid When Applying with FAFSA: Grants Pell Grant $5,645 •FREE Money Texas Grant $5,000 TOTAL = $10,645 Work/Study Program •Part-time job Loans •Money you have to pay back

26. Grants Grants are based on financial need. There are over eight state and federal grants. Types of Grants Available • Toward Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant • Student must graduate under the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement graduation plan • Student must demonstrate financial need Federal Pell Grant • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) • Texas Legacy Grant for Veteran’s Children

27. Student Loans Loans are monies borrowed for college and must be paid back. Federal Stafford Loan • Student Loans •Subsidized •Unsubsidized Perkins Loan • Student Loan •Institutional Loan for Education majors (Teachers) Plus Loans Need credit check on parent’s information

28. Work/Study Program If you qualify for the Work/Study program, please take advantage of the opportunity! Statistics show that college students who work 10-14 hours a week have better GPAs.

29. Financial Aid Application Steps 1.Family completes FAFSA 2.FAFSA sent to processor 3.Processor sends data to up to ten schools as you reported on the FAFSA 4.Each school evaluates application and creates an award package 5.Award letter sent to student 6.Student accepts award on line or returns award letter to school 7.School concludes award processing 8.University financial aid office pays bills and produces checks

30. Parent Financial Aid Websites www.texascollegemoney.org Website shows the financial aid that you might receive at each of the nine University of Texas campuses www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov Website calculates the expected family contribution for your education based on you parents’ tax information www.collegeboard.org Website calculates the expected family contribution without student having to put in identifying information

31. IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES & EVENTS

32. Important Senior Events & Dates ECISD College Night Wednesday, September 18th UTPA Wellness and Recreational Sports Center University Visits: Oct. 10th – Art Institute & Texas A&M University Oct. 11th – UTPA & the College of Business Oct. 14th – Texas State University & UTSA Oct. 22nd– St. Edward’s University & Notre Dame Nov. 2nd– The University of the Incarnate Word & Texas Tech (tentative) Scholarship Gala: January & / or February = Goal $100,000 FAFSA NIGHT: Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 6-8:30 p.m.

33. RVHS Financial Aid Office Website All information provided today will be available online on: http://edinburg.vela.schooldesk.net

34. What Do You Do Now? Make sure your senior registers for the ACT and / or SAT exams and take them by December 14th date! Complete and submit admission applications BEFORE Thanksgiving vacations! View and complete scholarship applications on time!

35. Turn in the following to the Financial Aid Office: We need a copy of ALL Acceptance Letters Any Scholarships received Financial Aid Award Letters (how much $$$ you have been awarded by EACH university Good luck SRS. 2014!!!!

36. Robert Vela High School 956-289-2650 Erica Alvarez Financial Aid Clerk e.alvarez@ecisd.us Kristy De La Garza Financial Aid Officer k.delagarza@ecisd.us 956-289-2650 ext. 6448