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Solving the Puzzle: College, Career and Financial Aid Options 2013

Solving the Puzzle: College, Career and Financial Aid Options 2013. Presented by: Susan Wales Athens High School Jr./Sr. Counselor. The Options. Post-Secondary Education Four-year Colleges and Universities Two-year Colleges (Community)

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Solving the Puzzle: College, Career and Financial Aid Options 2013

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  1. Solving the Puzzle: College, Career and Financial Aid Options 2013 Presented by: Susan Wales Athens High School Jr./Sr. Counselor

  2. The Options • Post-Secondary Education • Four-year Colleges and Universities • Two-year Colleges (Community) • Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard, Coast Guard) • Work Force • Apprenticeships

  3. Career Research • Kuder Navigator is a site that students can access to take assessments to determine interests, skills and values. They will need to set up an account at www.kudernavigator.com. The batch code is N3683443QRW. • The Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov) offers insight into thousands of different careers.

  4. Career Research Websites • www.alcareerinfo.org – Alabama’s Hot 40 Jobs, information on preparing for college, and financial aid • www.mynextmove.org – Has different ways to search for careers • www.alstudentaid.com – Check out these publications – “Affording Higher Education,” “Getting In,” “Planning Your Future.”

  5. Thinking About Four Year Schools

  6. Thinking About Two Year Schools

  7. Technical or Professional Schools • Culinary Schools • Nashville Auto-Diesel College • The Art Institutes • Virginia College • ITT Tech • Trade Schools – There are also certificate programs available at community colleges in various trades.

  8. Calhoun’s Programs • www.calhoun.edu, Programs of Study, Division of Business/CIS/Technology and Workforce Development • Aerospace Technology, HVAC, Automation/Robotics, Barbering/Cosmetology, Design Drafting, • Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology, • Process Technology, Renewable Energy

  9. Calhoun’s Health Care Programs: • Nursing, Clinical Lab Technology, Dental Assisting, EMS, Physical Therapy Assistant, Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology • Some of these programs have specialized requirements for admission.

  10. Things to Consider in Choosing a College or University: • Cost • Academics – Major? Class size? • Size • Location – Rural/Urban, In State/Out of State • Campus • Social Activities/Sports • Special Programs – Honors, Co-op, Study Abroad, Internships

  11. Choosing a College • Be Realistic • Narrow Your List • VISIT the Schools You are Interested in Attending • Make Sure You Meet the Deadlines – for applications, scholarships, housing! For universities, apply in the fall of your senior year.

  12. Suggestions for College Visits: • Research before you go – Check out their website thoroughly, register online for a visit • Talk with students on campus • Tour the dorms • Eat in one of the dining halls • Ask about class sizes, activities, safety • Talk to professors in the discipline you are interested in majoring in • Talk to people in Financial Aid • Follow up with a thank-you note

  13. College Visit Days: • Juniors are allowed 1 day, seniors are allowed 2 days (before March 31st). You can also visit on weekends sometimes or days we are out of school. • Forms are available in the Attendance Office. • You must have the College Visit Form filled out by your teachers 5 days in advance of your visit and turned back in to the Attendance Office. • You must bring signed verification back from the college showing that you were there and turn it in to the Attendance Office at AHS.

  14. What are Universities Looking For? • Academic Record – Difficulty of Classes, GPA, Class Rank • Testing Scores – ACT or SAT • Extracurricular Activities, Community Service, Awards/Honors, Employment • Sometimes – Letters of Recommendation, Essays, Interviews

  15. Academic Record for Universities • Rigor of Curriculum – “College Prep” classes such as English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language. Advanced classes are better preparation! • GPA • Quality Points (4.0 Scale)

  16. Testing Scores • ACT and SAT are college entrance exams designed to test readiness for college. • Advanced classes provide better preparation. • Please see me before you register for the ACT. • Seniors planning to attend Calhoun may take the COMPASS test for free. • All juniors will take the ACT with Writing in April 2014 as part of state testing requirements. • PREPARE BEFORE YOU TAKE IT!

  17. Testing Scores • Some colleges require that ACT and SAT test scores be sent directly from the testing agency. If you need test scores sent directly, go online to request score reports: www.actstudent.org for ACT and www.collegeboard.org for SAT (and AP).

  18. For Juniors • PSAT (Preliminary to the SAT) is the National Merit Scholarship qualifying test. • Test will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. • Cost is $15. • Sign up in the Guidance Dept. by Sept. 30. • Prep material available on www.collegeboard.org • Big benefit of PSAT – My College QuickStart program

  19. Great Website for College Planning and Information • www.collegeboard.org • Click on Students • Click on Big Future • Or go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org • Has information on scholarship searches, college visits, financial aid, choosing a college, and more

  20. Admission Requirements for Some Local Colleges: What It Takes To Get In

  21. Calhoun Community College • Admission: Rolling Admission, Must have HS diploma • Entrance Exam: ACT is not required. • You may take a free placement test (COMPASS) at Calhoun to determine English and math placement in classes.

  22. University of North Alabama • Admission: For Unconditional Admission, students need ACT of 18, 2.0 GPA on Core Classes (4 English, 2 Math, 2 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Additional)

  23. University of Alabama in Huntsville • Admission: Based on test scores, GPA, rigor of coursework, trend of high school grades, achievements in leadership and scholarship. Advanced diploma is strongly recommended. • Must have 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 3 Science, 4 Social Studies, 6 Electives. • Avg. GPA-3.86, Avg. ACT (Middle 50%)- 22-29

  24. University of Alabama in Birmingham • Admissions: ACT 20 • Minimum 2.25 GPA in Academic Core Classes Including: 4 English, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math (Alg. I and higher), 1 Foreign Language, 3 Additional Academic Courses.

  25. University of Alabama • Admission: Evaluated Based on ACT (must include Writing), GPA, and High School Course Load. ACT 21 and GPA 3.0 Mentioned in Literature. • Require: 4 English, 4 Social Sciences, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II and Geometry), 1 Foreign Language, 3 Science, 5 Additional Units.

  26. Auburn University • Base Admissions on ACT (with Writing), GPA and Classes Taken, Essays • Must have: 4 English, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 2 Science. • Recommended: Additional Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language. • Average GPA is 3.81. • Average ACT is 27.

  27. Troy University • Admission: ACT 20, 2.0 GPA • Scholarships – 27 ACT, 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition; 31 ACT, 3.7 GPA = Tuition plus Room and Board; Leadership scholarships start with 22 ACT, 3.0 GPA

  28. University of Montevallo • Admission: 20 ACT, 2.5 GPA • Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA • Deadlines vary but start with Dec. 1. See website for complete details.

  29. Mississippi State University • Admission: 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Advanced Electives (Foreign Language, Science or Math), ½ Computer. • 16 ACT, 2.5 GPA on Core Classes

  30. University of Mississippi • Admission: 4 English, 3 Math (Alg I, Alg II, Geometry at a minimum), 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2 Advanced Electives (Foreign language or Core), ½ Computer • Must have 2.5 GPA on Core and 16 ACT or 2.0 GPA on Core and 18 ACT

  31. University of South Alabama • Admission: 20 ACT and 2.0 GPA, 16 core units or 19 ACT and 2.5 GPA, 16 core units • Scholarships start with 23 ACT and 3.0 GPA = $2,500/year

  32. Student Athletes: • To play at a Division I or Division II school, athletes must meet requirements set forth by the NCAA. • 2.0 GPA in 16 core academic courses plus the required ACT or SAT score • Students must register with NCAA Clearinghouse. Online form at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.

  33. ACT Testing Dates • Sept. 21, 2013 – Register by Aug. 23 • Oct. 26, 2013 – Register by Sept. 27 • Dec. 14, 2013 – Register by Nov. 8 • February 8, 2014 – Register by Jan. 10 • April 12, 2014 – Register by Mar. 7 • June 14, 2014 – Register by May 9

  34. How Will You Pay for College? • Grants • Scholarships • Loans • Work-Study

  35. Types of Financial Aid: • Grants – These are typically need-based and do not have to be repaid. Examples: Pell, FSEOG, TEACH, Iraq/Afghanistan Service. • Scholarships – These are typically based on merit and do not have to be repaid. Examples: Academic, Athletic, Leadership. • Work-Study – Students work for the university on a part-time basis. • Loans – These are lower interest loans by the federal government – PLUS, Stafford, Perkins.

  36. More on Grants: • PELL and FSEOG Grants – Based on your family’s income • TEACH Grant – For students who plan to teach in public schools who serve students from low-income families • Iraq or Afghanistan Grant – Based on your family’s income and a parent killed in service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11

  37. More on Loans: • Federal Student Loans offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment terms and options. • Federal Perkins Loan – college is lender, interest 5%, depends on need • Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender, interest 6.8%, depends on need, no interest while in college • Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender, interest 6.8%, interest charged while in college

  38. More on Loans: • Direct Plus Loans for Parents – borrower is responsible for all interest, 7.9% interest, no negative credit history, govt. is the lender, repayment begins within 60 days after the 2nd loan disbursement. • A fact sheet on loans is available in the College and Career Room.

  39. Financial Information • For more information, go online to: www.studentaid.ed.gov • This is an excellent website with lots of information on financing your college education. • Do Not Pay for Scholarship • Search Information.

  40. FAFSA Forms: • For Seniors, it is based on family income for 2013. • A pin number must be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov. • A Student Aid Report showing Expected Family Contribution to College will be sent to you. A report will also be sent to the colleges you choose. • To receive any type of financial aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This may be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

  41. FAFSA Information • Grant money is distributed according to need and is given out on a “first come, first serve” basis. • It is important to fill out your FAFSA forms before March 1st for many schools. • You must fill out FAFSA before you can receive scholarship money from schools.

  42. FREE Help with FAFSA: • Counselors with the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence are available to help parents with FAFSA forms. • The office is located in the QuadPlex (corner of Hobbs St. and Thomas St.) • The number is (256) 233-1220. • There is no cost for this service.

  43. SOME EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:

  44. Academic Scholarships: • Different schools have different requirements. It pays to do your research online and check out the websites of the schools you are interested in applying to. • Always fill out the scholarship application. You might meet the requirements for endowed scholarships even if you don’t meet the academic scholarship requirements. • You must meet the deadlines!

  45. UAH Academic Scholarships: • UAH – Deadline is Dec. 1. • Separate Scholarship Application. • UAH will allow students to continue taking the ACT in the spring to try and increase their score. • UAH scholarships start with 25 ACT and 3.0 GPA. As scores go up, the amount of the scholarships go up.

  46. UNA Academic Scholarships: • Deadline is Dec. 2. • Scholarships start with 3.0 on Core Curriculum and 25 ACT. • 25 ACT = $3,500/year • 26 ACT= $4,500/year • 27 ACT = $5,000/year • 28 ACT = $5,500/year • 29 ACT = $6,500/year • 30-36 ACT = $6,500-$8,000/year • Limited Provost Scholarships – 24 ACT, $2,000 Requires a resume

  47. University of Alabama • New Deadline – Dec. 15, will accept Dec. ACT test scores. • Must fill out scholarship application in MyBama (http://mybama.ua.edu). • Scholarships start with 27 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $3,500/year • 28 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $4,000/year • 29 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $4,725/year • 30-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition • First Generation Scholarships

  48. Auburn University • Spirit of Auburn Scholarships • Deadline is Dec. 1. • 28-29 ACT and 3.5 or higher GPA = $3,000/year • 30-31 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition • 32-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition, $1,000 technology allowance, invitation to University Honors College • Foundation, Legacy and Achievement – 26 ACT and 3.5 GPA (competitive – based on funding)

  49. UAB Scholarships: • Deadline: Dec. 1, but they will consider the Dec. test scores • Scholarships start with 24-29 ACT and 3.0 GPA = $2,000/year, 30-36 ACT and 3.0 GPA = $5,500/year • 20-23 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $2,000/year • 24-26 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $3,000/year • 27-29 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $5,500/year • 30-32 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $7,500/year • 33-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Tuition + Fees

  50. Mississippi State Scholarships: • Scholarship Deadline is Dec. 1, but they will consider Dec. test scores. • Scholarships start with 26 ACT and 3.0 GPA • Non-resident Tuition Scholarships – 24 ACT and 3.0 GPA = 50% Non-resident Tuition, 26 ACT and 3.0 GPA = 100% Non-resident Tuition

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