Senior Year

1. Senior Year Work Military-ASVAB test will be given here on November 6th. 2 yr College/Trade Schools 4 yr College

2. The College Application Process

3. Three Ways to Apply to College www.cfnc.org- is the most preferred way to apply. 2 yr and 4 yr colleges. Individual College or University applications. Schools may ask prospective students to include additional information, such as letters of recommendation and extra forms that need to be filled out. The Common Application. It’s a very long and detailed application. It is good to use for out of state and a select number of in state colleges and universities. Be aware if you are using this form to check with the individual universities to see if they are asking for additional information as well.

4. CFNC.ORG Every student and parent should create a CFNC account. CFNC college applications are only for NC colleges and universities, both private/public, 2 yr and 4 yr schools. Using CFNC, students can apply to multiple colleges without retyping demographic information and they are also able to send transcripts electronically by using the transcript manager function.

5. Common Application/School Application There is nothing wrong when using these applications, HOWEVER, keep in mind that if you apply using one of these, you have to let us know to send your transcripts! Schools will not down load your transcript from CFNC if you apply via Common App or School App. We will request that you provide us a self addressed envelope with at least 2 stamps, so we can send the appropriate college your transcript! Both for the application and final transcripts.

6. Letters of Recommendations??? Should a student send letters of recommendation? No, most colleges do not require students to submit letters of recommendations, and if a student does submit letters, it is not guaranteed that the letter will be read. **Letters of recommendation are only required to very prestigious colleges/universities, or once a students application has been received and at that point the university or college wants more information from a student, then they will contact the student to acquire such letters. If you are asking for letters of recommendation you need to ask the person first. Also, provide an outline/resume of who you are to help your recommender write a glowing letter  Ask them no less then a week prior to the deadline for it. Bring a self address envelope and stamps for postage. ***TIP: If the application does not mention or require letters of recommendation, do not send them.

7. · Regular vs. Rolling Admissions and Early Decision vs. Early Action • Regular-Students apply to the college and university by their midwinter deadline, and you receive an acceptance letter before April 1st and make your acceptance to the school by May 1st. • Rolling-Students apply and within 2-6 weeks find out if they have been accepted. Most colleges use this process. • Early Decision (ED)-Is BINDING! You apply to the university by their deadlines. By applying under the ED plan, you make a commitment to attend that college if you are accepted and surrender the right to wait until May to make a decision. Reneging on your agreement after being offered ED admission could result in other colleges refusing to admit you and they can freeze your financial aid!!! •  Early Action (EA)-This is NONBINDING that requires you to submit your application in early fall most likely by November 1 or 15. The college lets you know if you have been accepted by early January, but you have the right to wait to respond back to them by May 1. This give you time to compare colleges before making a decision as an EA application doesn’t commit you to enrolling if accepted.

8. SAT and ACT Test • Both are acceptable standardized test that colleges/universities look for. • SAT cost $50.00, ACT plus Writing is $50.50. Score reports will be sent by them, up to 4 colleges, beyond that the cost is about $14.00 per score report. • SAT scores can be reported on our Transcripts, ACT CAN NOT • Study guides are available in our media center for student use • New changes for SAT- photo id need to be uploaded when registering for test. This is required after March 2013, however they can do it now as well. • Fee waivers are available for both test. • Register on line for test at www.collegeboard.org for SAT, and www.actstudent.comfor the ACT

9. How do I know if I can get a fee waiver • Number of Members in Household and Income • 1 = $20,665 • 2 = $27,991 • 3 = $ 35,317 • 4 = $42,643 • 5 = $49,969 • 6 = $57,295

10. Financial AidWhat is it, and how can I get it? • FAFSA-Free Applications for Federal Student Aid- is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT • Scholarships/Grants • Major Grant programs in the UNC system • Institutional-Merit-based • Local/Community (Spring Semester/Businesses) • National • Loans • Federal-Unsubsidized vs. Subsidized • Parent PLUS Loans • Private Loans

11. Eligibility Criteria for Financial Aid • To receive financial aid from a student must meet the following criteria: • Be enrolled in a degree or recognized certificate program • Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or permanent resident; • Make satisfactory progress toward completion of the academic program and, if applicable, registered for the Selective Service, and • May not be in default on a loan previously received for college expenses nor owe a refund on a scholarship, grant or loan from a previous enrollment period. • Whenever possible, aid will be offered to meet the full amount of the student’s eligibility. *Priority deadline is March 1st. • Sample Formula-Determining Eligibility • Cost of Attendance • - Expected Family Contribution* Calculated from information on the FAFSA and CSS/Profile forms • -Other Aid**Private Scholarships and other aid reported by students. • Eligibility for Financial Aid

12. FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov –main webpage. • Available after January 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year • Apply for a PIN number for both parents and student. Same PIN # is used every year while student is in school. You can apply for this prior to January 1st. • Gather tax information-Make sure demographic information is correct • Deadline to file for FAFSA-The sooner the better. March 1-15 is the recommended deadline for majority of the schools. If still can submit after March 15, however the amount of grants, scholarships and other aid could be less.

13. CFNC-FINANCIAL AID NIGHTTuesday January 22nd @ 6:30Opened to all WHS parents and the Archdale/Trinity Area

14. FAFSA DAY • Saturday February 16, 2013 at RCC, DCCC and GTCC from 9-12 • What to bring with you: • 2012 W2 forms • SS # of both parent and student • 1040 forms-TAXES • FAFSA Pin # • Make sure everything is spelled correctly-or you will have issues. Make sure your home address matches what you list on your taxes or it kicks out your FAFSA • Will take about 45 minutes to 1 hour. • Register after October 15 by calling 1-919-843-2201

15. Scholarshipsand Grants

16. Scholarships and Grants Defined • Scholarships and Grants are generally the same thing-awards made to a student that do not have to be repaid. “FREE MONEY” • This is the preferred type of aid, since it doesn’t have to be repaid. Each scholarship or grant program is run independently based on the rules specified by the creator of the program. Many programs require separate applications, and must be applied for by each student. • Many of the schools financial aid offices have search engines that will give students specific links and directions for their individual scholarships and grants. This is linked under their specific universities Financial Aid Office website. • Some grant or scholarship programs are specific to a particular school. In such cases, the school generally chooses students to receive the award. Please see your school’s financial aid counselor for more information regarding this type of award.

17. State Grants: Major grant programs for NC students attending NC colleges and universities. • North Carolina Community College Grant • North Carolina Educational Lottery Scholarship (need based for public institutions only) • State Contractual Scholarship Fund is now combined with the North Carolina Legislative Grant-Neediest families will qualify-private institutions only • UNC Need-Based Grant

18. Federal Grants • By completing the FAFSA, you will be considered for both state and federal grants and scholarship programs. • Federal Pell Grant Program • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) • Federal Work Study Grant Program

19. Institutional Merit-based Scholarships Most colleges/universities offer merit-based scholarships. Merit-based scholarships are for those student who show great academic promise at the university, leadership qualities, and commitment to service. Usually students with at B+ or higher GPA Each college/university could have a separate merit-based scholarship applications. While some colleges, will automatically nominate students for special merit-based scholarships based on a students high school GPA. • Some college/universities require students to interview for selective scholarships. • Once a student receives a Merit-based scholarship they might have to maintain a certain undergraduate GPA to keep their scholarship each year. • In addition college/university may require students to have service hours, club participation or community service hours.

20. Need-based Scholarships • Are awarded on the basis of a combination of financial need and academic performance. Some also have additional criteria, ranging from county of residence to field of study. Many of these are renewable, providing that recipients continue to demonstrate need and maintain a minimum grade point average as indicated on the Financial Aid Notification you will receive from the Office of Scholarships/Student Aid.

21. Local/Community Scholarships • Local scholarships usually are submitted to WHS by the local community organizations between January and May. • Deadlines or turn around for some of the scholarships are very short. • Most scholarships are for students who have participated in that local chapter or school organization i.e. Junior Civitans • All scholarships have a criteria for consideration that includes a minimum GPA, essay and letter(s) of recommendations. TIP-Always fill out scholarships in INK or attach a typed response to the scholarship questions and attach a school resume. NEVER USE PENCIL!!

22. Local Scholarships to lookout for just to name a few • State Employees Credit Union-For students who will attend a public 4 yr college- Deadline-April 2013. Will be available in the next few months. Outside scholarship committee determines this. • Matthew Hunt Memorial Scholarship-Application, Essay –April/May 2013 • Kiwanis Club- February-Due early March • Randolph County Sports Council-April -Senior Athletes (1 male, 1 female-coaches nomination) • WHS Athletic Booster Scholarship- April/May-Application, Essay and Interview in May. 1 male and 1 female athlete will be selected. • Jr. Civitans- On-going participation in the school club-See Ms. Monroe for information (January-May) • Ferree Foundation- Application are received after January 1st, due by April, Interview is in May. Outside scholarship committee determines this • Senior Project Scholarship- May • EARS-Educational Associates of Randolph County Schools Applications given in March, due back in April, Awarded in May • ADK-Teaching-March/April

23. National Scholarships • National Scholarships are sponsored by corporations, non-profit organizations and are opened to thousands of HS students each year. • Students and parents need to use search engines to find such scholarships. These scholarships can be narrowed down to an individual students specific interests and activities.

24. Scholarships/Grants you can search on CFNC: • Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) • Alexander Gram Bell Association for the Deaf • American Council for the Blind • AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship (must use a manual or electric wheelchair) • Assistance League of the Triangle Scholarship Program • Aubrey Lee Brooks Scholarships • Caremark Eric Delson Memorial Scholarship • Certain Private Education Institutions Grant (CPEI) • Crumley Roberts Crib to College Foundation-Next Step Scholarship • Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship • Epsilon Sigma Alpha • Federal Pell Grant Program • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOGP) • Foundation for Science and Disability, INC

25. CFNC Grants/Scholarships cont • GlaxoSmithKline Opportunity Scholarship • Golden LEAF Scholarship Program *Randolph County Resident • Jagannathan Scholarship • Medical Professionals of Tomorrow Scholarship • Michael A DeMayo Scholarship • National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART) • North Carolina Association of Public Accountants (NCACPA) • North Carolina Bar Association Foundation Scholarship (NCBA) • North Carolina Education and Training Voucher Program • North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (ELS) • North Carolina Hispanic College Fund Scholarship • North Carolina Optometry Scholarship Loan Program (OSL) • North Carolina Restaurant Association Hospitality Education Foundation Scholarship • North Carolina Vietnam Veterans, Inc. Scholarship Program (NCVVI)

26. CFNC Grants/Scholarships Cont • North Carolina 4-H Development Fund Scholarship • NC Community College Grant & Loan Program • NC Reach • NC Sheriffs Association Undergraduate Criminal Justice Scholarships • Penn Family Scholarship • Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship Program • Progress Energy Power Careers Program • Ruckus House Scholarship • Shaver-Hitchings Scholarship • Spina Bifida Association • State Contractual Scholarship Fund Program (SCSF) • Sate Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) Merit Based/Need Based • State Employees Credit Union Foundation “People Helping People- Community College/Public University • Teacher Assistant Scholarship Fund (TASF) • Teacher Educations Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

27. “Outside” Scholarships • Before you begin your search: • Beware; there are scholarship scammers! You can check for scholarship scams at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. • Note that the scholarship search web sites that we provide do not charge for search; however some websites may sell your name to other companies and mailing list • CFNC Grant and Scholarships-Financial Aid for North Carolina-CFNC provides a list of scholarships and loans for residence of NC. • Minority Scholarships • United Negro College Fund • American Indian College Fund-This organization provides information about resources for Native Americans • Hispanic College Fund-Provides information and resources for Hispanic Americans. • Minority Scholarship Resources Through FinAid • Gates Millennium Scholars-Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

28. Reliable Scholarship Websites • Absolutely Scholarships • Collegeboard Scholarship Search- www.collegeboard.com • Cappex- www.cappaex.com/scholarships • CollegeFunds.net-Free scholarship and financial aid information • Colleges.com • College-Scholarships.org • Fastweb-Large database of 375,000 scholarships www.fastweb.com • Federal Student Aid- www.studentaid.ed.gov • Foundation for the Carolinas- www.fftc.org • Go College- www.gocollege.com • Grants and Scholarships- www.nccommunityfoundation.org • The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid- www.finaid.org • Petersons.com-one of the largest free online scholarship databases with over 1.6 million listed scholarships available

29. Scholarships Websites continued • The Scholarship Page-This database can be searched or browsed by subject • ScholarshipExperts.com-constantly updates their database to provide the most accurate scholarship information available. Also powers SallieMae’s College Answer scholarship search engine. • Scholarship.FATomei.com • Student Award Search Aid-Tips on how to find scholarships and how to apply for them in such a way as to give you a competitive advantage • SuperCollege • SRN Express • Wired Scholar-This is a great site for college planning. It includes scholarship search.

30. Loans • Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized • PLUS Loans-Parent Loan Program • Private Loans • Perkins Loans

31. Loans Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans-have a fixed interest rate currently as low as 4.5%. They are federally guaranteed loans based on financial need. Interest does not accrue on the loan while the student is in school at least half time or during any future deferment periods (i.e.. Medical school, or other graduate school work). The federal government “subsidizes” (or pays) the interest during these times. This loan is in the students name and not the parent. The debt is the students!

32. Loans • Unsubsidized Stafford Loans- are federally guaranteed loans that are not based on financial need. Interest will accrue from the time the loan is disbursed to the school, but can be deferred until 6 months after graduation. Interest rate currently is 6.8%. Like the subsidized loan, this loan is taken in the students name and is the responsibility of the student to pay back, not the parents

33. Loan Limits-How much can I get? • Dependent Students • First year-$3500 Sub/$2000, UnSub • Second year-$4500 Sub/$2000, UnSub • Third year and beyond-$5500 Sub/$2000, UnSub • Dependent students are claimed on a parents income taxes • Independent Students • First year-$3500 Sub/$6000, UnSub • Second year-$4500 Sub/$6000, UnSub • Third year and beyond-$5500 Sub/$7000, UnSub • Independent students are not claimed on income taxes, are students who could be in foster care, or are “homeless”

34. What you do now! • Students and parents need to check emails! Colleges/universities contact students through email. All important information about deadlines and deposits are communicated through a college website email or your personal email. • Students must check weekly for any new emails from the colleges/universities.

35. What we need from each student • A copy of the acceptance letters from EACH college/university • Any scholarship or grant money that a student is offered from EACH college/university, regardless if that student is planning on attending or not. • Finalized Financial Aid Award letter that is given to the student. This outlines all institutional scholarships, grants, loans.

36. College Visit Program • When: Monday October 8th • Where: WHS Warrior Hall aka the CAFE • What Time: 5 to 6 p.m. • Sponsored by: CACRAO • Carolina’s Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers.

37. College Application Week-CFNC • The week of November12th is College Application Week. • Most of the private colleges/universities are FREE. College applications cost can range from $35.00 to $75.00 per school. • Community College applications are FREE year round as well. • If students receive a fee waiver, they can receive application waivers!

38. WHS Counselors  Mrs. Diana Mishoe- A-K dmishoe@randolph.k12.nc.us 336-476-1500 ext. 4141 Mrs. Sheila Dunphy-Atkins- L-Z Sdunphy-atkins@randolph.k12.nc.us 336-476-1500 ext. 4140