2015Franklin High School Senior Parent Night

Why Go To College?

College is a pathway to success and a better life.

College graduates have half the unemployment rates of high school graduates.

Study what you care about. College is fun! Hundreds of different

clubs and activities and thousands of new people to meet.

Go Center Website

The College Application Process

What colleges are looking for?Finding the right collegeApplying to colleges

What Colleges Are Looking For

A well-rounded student (GPA, class rank, course load, test scores, extracurricular activities)

Essays matter! Take the SAT and ACT more than once

(collegeboard.org and actstudent.org) Each college has their own requirements

(review their website)

Finding the Right College

Things to Consider:

1. Cost (In-State versus Out-of-State Tuition)

2. Big School versus Small School

3. Public versus Private University

4. Majors offered

5. Location (weather, big versus small city, distance from home)

Finding the Right College

Do online research on colleges

www.collegeboard.org

www.collegescorecard.ed.gov

www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org

www.franklin.episd.org/counseling

Finding the Right College

Ask Questions to the Right People

1.Visit colleges and/or talk to admissions counselors

2.Talk to recruiters who visit Franklin

3.Go to Franklin College Night (October 28th)

4.Visit Mr. Couder in the GO CENTER!! (S133)

Applying to Colleges

1. Pick at least 5 to 6 colleges to apply to (dream, realistic, safety)2. Check deadlines and requirements for each college (early action,

regular admission, scholarship)3. Complete application essays (have them reviewed and edited)4. Use applytexas.org and commonapp.org to save time5. Have SAT and/or ACT scores sent to colleges 6. Visit business office at Franklin to send official transcripts to colleges7. If necessary, ask teachers and counselors for recommendation letters

(at least 3 weeks before deadline)8. SEEK OUT SCHOLARSHIPS!!

Don’t Stress Out…You Can Do This!

Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships- Merit or Need Based

Grants- Federal or State

LoansWork Study- Earn While You

Learn

Applying for Federal Aid

When you are applying for admission, you are not applying for federal aid

These are two distinct processes.

If you are accepted into a college, enroll, and do nothing else, you WILL NOT receive any financial aid.

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Apply Early Between 01/1/2016 to 03/15/2016

Website www.fafsa.gov

Families submit only one FAFSA

The Federal Student Aid Log-In – New Process

No more PIN! Students now create an FSA ID. Yes, parents also create their

own. Both the student and at least

one parent will use their individual FSA ID to electronically sign the student’s FAFSA.

Why Fill Out FAFSA?

Filling out FAFSA qualifies students for: need-based grants loans work-study.

Expected Family Contribution The FAFSA is used to calculate your

“expected family contribution” or EFC, a measure of your family’s annual ability to pay for college.

Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance

Expected Family

Contribution

Need

- =

Is cost of attendance the same as tuition?

Tuition Room & BoardInsurance TransportationBooks Fees

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Two Parts Student Contribution Parent Contribution

Factors Considered Income Assets- Savings, Investments (NOT RETIREMENT) Number In Family Number In College

EFC is Constant – Doesn’t Change between schools

Avoid a Rejected FAFSA

1. Have Correct Personal Information: Student name, social security number and date of birth: exactly as it is on the social security card

Enter correct parent information

2. Students should indicate it is their 1st year of college

3. Students do not have a bachelor’s degree

4. Section 3 on the FAFSA determine if student is Dependent OR Independent (almost all high school graduates are

dependent)

If dependent answer “NO” to all questions in Section 3

5. Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) vs. Tax Paid

6. Sign the FAFSA

Students and Parents need FSA ID

parents without SSN need to mail the signature page (don’t forget the stamp!)

GRANTS

Two types of grants: Government Grants- based on financial

need

Institutional Grants- distributed at the discretion of the school

LOANS

Subsidized must demonstrate need U.S. Department of Education will pay

(subsidize) the interest that accrues while in school

Unsubsidized not based on need most everyone can qualify

PLUS Loans Parent Loans

Federal Work Study (FWS)

Provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school

Employment may be on or off campus Inquire about jobs at your college’s Student

Employment Office

Sample Award Letter

Sample Checklist Letter

AWARD LETTER

With“Estimated

Awards Stamp”

Sent with Checklist

Letter

Texas Student Aid Programs

Toward Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS )Grant Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) Texas Public Educational Grant Top 10% Scholarship Texas B-On-Time Loan Colleges Access Loan (CAL) Program

Scholarships

Scholarship Facts

Most scholarships come from colleges Scholarships are awarded for academic merit, talent or need Very few scholarships pay the entire cost of attendance No scholarships go unclaimed The larger the scholarship, the more competition Scholarships can be renewable or non-renewable All scholarships have a deadline! Best time to apply for scholarships is NOW!!

Tips for Finding Scholarships

1. Work closely with counselors and college readiness teacher (Mr. Couder)

2. Create online accounts with scholarship databases

3. Apply only for scholarships that you qualify for and are obtainable

4. Look for local community scholarships

www.fastweb.com

www.finaid.org

www.scholarships.com

Strategies for Winning Scholarships

It’s a numbers game To win more scholarships, apply to more

scholarships, but only if you qualify

You can’t win if you don’t apply 1 in 4 students never applies for financial aid

It gets easier after your first 6 applications Essays can be reused and tailored to each

new application

Don’t miss deadlines

Missing deadlines Failing to proofread the application Failing to follow directions (essay length, number

of recommendations) Omitting required information Applying for an award when you don’t qualify Failing to apply for an award for which you are

eligible Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor Writing a boring essay

Common Scholarship Application Mistakes

Beware of Scholarship Scams

If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a scam

Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship Do not give out personal information like bank account

numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers

Beware of the unclaimed aid myth

Financial Aid Page

College Visits at Franklin

Why Speak to College Visitors?

Get inside info on what colleges are looking for Admissions representatives often make initial acceptance or denial

recommendations Get answers to your questions Compare schools Seniors are allowed 1 excused day per semester for

college visits.

October College Visits to FranklinAll visits are at lunch in room S133

October 8th: Princeton University October 9th: John Hopkins University October 13th: UTEP A-Primetime Program October 15th: Sul Ross State University October 19th: Yale University October 21st: University of New Mexico October 22nd: University of Chicago October 26th: Baylor University October 27th: Trinity University in San Antonio October 29th: St. Edward’s University in Austin

College Night at Franklin

October 28th from 6 to 8pm in the Franklin Cafeteria Get important info on dozens of

universities Meet college admissions representatives Get free stuff

Credit by Exam

Given 4 times during the yearSee your counselor if you need to take a

Credit by Exam.

SAT AND ACT

School-wide PSAT and SAT on October 14th All Students will take either PSAT or SAT

free of charge Must bring photo ID day of exam SAT or ACT score needed for admission to

almost all universities You should take the SAT and/or ACT

multiple times

Practice for the SAT

Practice for the new SAT on Khan Academy®

Official practice recommendations tailored to your strengths, weaknesses, and progress.  Log on to satpractice.org to check it out and start practicing today!

Practice for the Current SAT

Try a real SAT question at The Official SAT Question of the Day™. There's a new question every day, complete with a detailed explanation and hint.

SAT Subject Tests

Showcase your achievements in the college admission process with SAT Subject Tests — and potentially receive credit for introductory-level college courses. Some universities require SAT Subject Test

ACT SAT

Stands for American College Test Scholastic Aptitude Test

What is testedACT assesses knowledge of subjects taught in high school.

SAT measures literacy and writing skills, and assesses how well a student analyzes and solves problems.

Website www.actstudent.org sat.collegeboard.com/home

When to take the testFebruary, April, June, September, October, December.

January, March, May, June, October, November, December.

Penalty for incorrect answersThere is no penalty for wrong answers.

There is penalty (¼ point) for each wrong answer except for grid-in (not multiple choice) questions in Math. Omitted questions neither count for nor against a student's overall score.

Test Duration3 hours and 25 minutes (including 30 minutes for an optional writing test).

3 hours and 45 minutes

Major Sections4 major sections- English, Math, Reading, and Science Reasoning. A fifth section (Writing) is optional.

3 major sections- Mathematics, Reading and Writing. The Writing section includes an essay.

Top Score 36 2400

ACT Dates

TEST DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE LATE FEE REQUIRED

SEPTEMBER 12, 2015

AUGUST 7, 2015 AUGUST 8-21, 2015

OCTOBER 24, 2015

SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 SEPTEMBER 19-OCTOBER 2, 2015

DECEMBER 12, 2015

NOVEMBER 6, 2015 NOVEMBER 7-20, 2015

FEBRUARY 6, 2016

JANUARY 8, 2016 JANUARY 9-15, 2016

APRIL 9, 2016 MARCH 4, 2016 MARCH 5-18, 2016

JUNE 11, 2016 MAY 6, 2016 MAY 7-20, 2016

SAT DATES

TEST DATE NORMAL DEADLINE LATE REGISTRATION ONLINE SCORE RELEASE

OCTOBER 3, 2015 SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 SEPTEMBER 22, 2015 OCTOBER 22, 2015

NOVEMBER 7, 2015 OCTOBER 9, 2015 OCTOBER 27, 2015 NOVEMBER 26, 2015

DECEMBER 5, 2015 NOVEMBER 5, 2015 NOVEMBER 23, 2015 DECEMBER 24, 2015

JANUARY 23, 2016 DECEMBER 28, 2015 JANUARY 12, 2016 FEBRUARY 11, 2016

MARCH 5, 2016 * FEBRUARY 5, 2016 FEBRUARY 23, 2016 MARCH 24, 2016

MAY 7, 2016 * APRIL 8, 2016 APRIL 26, 2016 MAY 26, 2016

JUNE 4, 2016 * MAY 5, 2016 MAY 25, 2016 JUNE 23, 2016

AP Courses Offered by Our School:

Art Drawing BiologyArt 2D Design Physics 1English 3 Physics 2English 4 Environmental ScienceFrench 4 PsychologyGerman 4 Human GeographySpanish 4 European HistorySpanish 5 Comparative GovernmentCalculus AB US GovernmentCalculus BC MacroeconomicsStatistics US HistoryWorld History

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AP Exams

• AP Exams are administered by schools worldwide on set dates each May.

• Exams usually last around three hours.

• Each AP Exam contains:

• Multiple-choice questions

• Free-response questions (essay, problem-solving, oral response)

AP Exam Fees

• AP Exam fee for 2016 is $92 per exam (subject to change).

• Students that are eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch, will pay a reduced rate per exam.

Why Take AP Exams?

Most two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States offer credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP Exam scores (3 or better on a scale from 1-5).

• Credit: Students earn credit toward their college degrees.

• Advanced placement: Students can skip introductory courses and move directly into higher-level classes, and/or fulfill general education requirements.

• DAP: Must take and “pass” 4 AP Exams

DUAL CREDIT

Dual Credit Courses offered at Franklin: English 3, English 4, English 4 British

LiteratureUS History

Classes are award credit through EPCC. Check to see if your chosen colleges

accepts this dual credit. 

Franklin Counseling Website

Counseling Website Useful Information

Visit the Franklin counseling website to get information on the following:

1. Information about credit by exam, credit recovery, AP and Dual Credit

2. Helpful tips about applying to college and creating a college planning guide

3. Links to study aids for the SAT and ACT

4. Scholarship and financial aid information

College Exploration Program

Largest program in the country to help students discover their interests and aptitude

April 6, during Spring Parent Teacher Conferences, free of charge

FRANKLIN PTSA

Franklin PROM

April 16th at Grace Gardens

PROJECT GRADUATION

All Night Party after graduation at Western Playland to keep kids safe

while having a blast

 

PTSA SCHOLARSHIPS

Applicants must be members of PTSA

$1,000 per scholarship and application will be available mid-March,

deadline in April

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Pick up form at PTSA Table in the lobby tonight.

Text 210-557-0766 if interested in helping or donating for any event (on info sheet)

Senior Activities

Date Event14-Oct Senior Auction16-Oct Neon dress-up @ Americas30-Oct Color Night @ El Dorado5-Nov Senior Royalty vs. Eastwood

Nov Senior Dodgeball*2-Dec Class Christmas tree decorating

27-Jan Mr. Franklin10-Feb Ms. Franklin

Apr Talent Show*16-Apr Prom @ Grace Gardens27-May Senior Breakfast

31-May Parade of Graduates & Senior Assembly3-Jun Senior sunset

*Dates to be announced

Tips for a Great Senior Year

Don’t stress too much Pay attention to deadlines Make good connections with your teachers Be active in school Visit Mr. Couder in the Go Center room S133 for help

with colleges and scholarships Visit franklin.episd.org for useful information or ask

your counselor any questions you have. Have fun!

Don’t forget to order your class rings!

Cap and Gown Price $30

Announcement Price $1.10 each

Congratulations Class of 2016!!!