career, college and financial aid options by: mrs. helen thrasher west limestone high school...

Career, College and Financial Aid Options By: Mrs. Helen Thrasher West Limestone High School Counselor

The Options Post-Secondary Education 4-year Colleges and Universities 2-year Colleges (Community) Technical and Professional Schools Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard) Work Force Apprenticeships

Work Force Options www.gobuildalabama.com To learn about Alabama construction trades for nonresidential building construction and their pay scale 19% growth rate is projected Apprenticeships and programs available at community colleges Pipe fitters, welders, steel workers, boilermakers, electricians, carpenters, masons, sheet metal workers

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 activation code is N955985EQJ. The Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov) offers insight into thousands of different careers.

Thinking About Four Year Schools

Thinking About 2 Year Schools

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

Choosing a College Be Realistic Narrow Your List VISIT the Schools You are Interested in Attending Make Sure You Meet the Application Deadlines!!! For universities, apply in the fall of your senior year.

Suggestions for College Visits: Research a college before you go check out their website thoroughly Talk to students on campus Eat in one of the dining halls Tour the dorms 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

Some Examples of Technical and Professional Schools : Culinary Schools Nashville Auto-Diesel College The Art Institutes Virginia College Trade Schools There are also certificate programs available at community colleges in various trades.

What Are Universities Looking For? Academic Record Grade Point Average (GPA), Difficulty of Classes, Class Rank Testing Scores ACT or SAT Extracurricular Activities, Awards/Honors, Community Service, Employment Sometimes Letters of Recommendation, Essays, Interviews

Academic Record Rigor of Curriculum Universities are looking for college prep courses: English, Math (bare minimum is Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), Science (prefer lab courses in advanced science classes), Social Studies, Foreign Languages. They like to see advanced courses because they are better preparation for college. Grade Point Average (GPA) Quality Points (4.0 Scale)

Testing Scores ACT and SAT are college entrance exams designed to test readiness for college. You must take college prep classes to prepare for them! Classes such as: Alg. II and beyond, Chemistry, English, Social Studies. Advanced classes and AP provide better preparation. Please see me before you register.

SOMETHING NEW! Some universities are now requiring that ACT scores be sent directly from ACT. If you need score reports sent, go to www.actstudent.org for details.

Calhoun Community College Admission: rolling admission, no application fee. Entrance Exam: ACT is not required, but recommended. Reading: minimum 15 to be exempt from reading course; English: minimum 20, in order to enroll in EG 101, Math: minimum 20, in order to enroll in MTH 110 or MTH 112. You may take a free placement test (COMPASS) at Calhoun to determine English and math placement in classes.

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)

University of Alabama in Huntsville Admission: Sliding Scale Based on Core GPA and ACT (3.0 GPA + 20 ACT, 2.0 GPA + 25 ACT). Average ACT is 25 and Average GPA is 3.54. Must have 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 3 Science, 4 Social Studies, 6 Electives.

University of Alabama - 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.

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.

University of Alabama Preview Days Nov. 11 Feb. 3 (juniors and seniors) Feb. 20(juniors and seniors) You may schedule a family campus tour at www.gobama.ua.edu/visits. Tours may be scheduled Monday Saturday. www.gobama.ua.edu/visits

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 3.79 Average ACT is 26.

Birmingham-Southern College Admission: Based on Course Selection, Grades, Essay, ACT or SAT Scores and School Recommendation Must Have 16 Units Including: 4 English, 2 Foreign Language, History, Math (Alg. I, Alg. II and Above), Natural Science, Social Science

Alabama A&M University Admission: Must have 18 ACT, 2.0 GPA Dean Scholarship Up to $4,000 +$250 for books and supplies 3.0 GPA, 21 ACT Provost Scholarship Up to $5,000 +$500 for books/supplies 3.25 GPA, 24 ACT Presidential Scholarship Full Tuition + $1,000 books 3.5 GPA, 26 ACT

Troy University Admission: 20 ACT, 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

University of Montevallo December 1 Scholarship Deadlines start. Some of their deadlines vary. Scholarships start with 25 ACT, 3.25 GPA See brochure for more complete details.

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), Computer. 16 ACT, 2.5 GPA on Core Classes

Other Universities: University of Montevallo ACT 20, 2.5 GPA University of South Alabama ACT 20 ACT, 2.0 GPA, 16 Core Units University of West Alabama ACT 19, 2.0 GPA Samford University No set score (Avg. ACT 26, GPA 3.7) Jacksonville State 20 ACT

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.www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

ACT Testing Dates: September 8 Register by Aug 17 October 27 Register by Sept 21 December 8 Register by Nov 2 February 9 Register by Jan 11 April 13 Register by March 8 June 8 Register by May 3

Types of Financial Aid: Grants These are typically need-based and do not have to be repaid. Examples: Pell, FSEOG, SMART, TEACH, ACG. 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.

MORE ON GRANTS PELL and FSEOG Grants Based on your familys income TEACH Grant For students who plan to teach in public schools who serve students from low-income families SMART Grant Based on need, 3 rd and 4 th year of college in certain fields Academic Competiveness Grant Based on need, Advanced classes completed

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 4.5%, depends on need, no interest while in college Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan govt. is lender, interest 6.8%, interest charged while in college

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. A fact sheet on loans is available in the Guidance foyer.

Financial Information For more information, go online to: www.studentaid.ed.gov www.studentaid.ed.gov This is an excellent website with lots of information on financing your college education.

FAFSA Forms: 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. www.fafsa.ed.gov For Seniors, it is based on family income for 2012. A pin number must be obtained at www.pin.ed.gov.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.

FASFA 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 1 st for many schools. You must fill out FAFSA before you can receive scholarship money from schools.

Free Help with FAFSA Forms: 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.

ROTC Scholarships for Military Minded Students: Army ROTC 19 ACT, 2.5 GPA. Jan. 1 Deadline. NROTC Scholarships require an ACT score of 22 in Math and English. Air Force ROTC Scholarships require a 24 Composite ACT, GPA 3.0, Class Rank of Top 40%. Marines ROTC: 22 ACT

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. You must meet the deadlines! Dont forget to consider some of the smaller schools. They offer good scholarships as well. Some schools have you fill out separate scholarship applications. Some departments give out scholarships and you must fill out separate applications.

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. Fact Sheet is available in guidance.

UNA Academic Scholarships: Deadline is Feb. 1. Scholarships start with 3.0 GPA on core curriculum and 25 ACT. 25 ACT = $3,000/year 26-27 ACT = $4,000/year 28 ACT = $5,000/year 29-31 ACT = $8,000/year 32 ACT = $8,000/year + Room 33-36 ACT = $8,000/year+ Room + Books

University of Alabama Academic Scholarships Deadline is Dec. 1. Must fill out scholarship application in MyBama (http://mybama.ua.edu). Scholarships start with 27 ACT and 3.5 GPA - $1,500/year 28-29 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $3,500/year 30-36 ACT, 3.5 GPA Full Tuition First Generation Scholarships - new

Auburn University Academic Scholarships Spirit of Auburn Scholarships Deadline is Dec. 1. 28-29 ACT and 3.5 or higher GPA = $2,500/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

UAB Scholarships December 1 Deadline UAB Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $1,000 24 ACT, 3.5+ GPA - $2,500 25-27 ACT, 3.5+ GPA - $3,000 28-32 ACT, 3.3+ GPA - $6,000 33+ACT, 3.0+ GPA Full Tuition + (highly competitive)

Mississippi State Scholarships Scholarship Deadline Dec. 1 Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA, Excellent leadership and service activities

University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Admission Requirements are going up in 2012. (Core 4 every year, Math through Trig, 2 Foreign Language credits, 1 Fine Art credit), 20 ACT, 2.5 GPA Separate scholarship application Deadlines vary Scholarships for out-of-state students start with 26 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $2,000/year

University of South Alabama Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $3,500/year 28-29 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $5,000/year 30-31ACT, 3.5 GPA - $8,000/year 32 ACT, 3.5 GPA - $9,000/year 33+, 3.5 GPA - $11,000/year Dec. 1 - Deadline

Jacksonville State University Deadline is March 1. Apply for academic scholarships online Begin with 22 ACT 26 ACT = Full tuition + books 30 ACT = Full tuition + room/board Leadership scholarships (paper application) 20 ACT, 2.5 GPA

Troy University 27 ACT, 3.5 GPA Full Tuition 31 ACT, 3.7 GPA (60 awarded) Full Tuition, Room and Board Leadership Scholarships start with 22 ACT, 3.0 GPA Separate scholarship application Deadlines vary with different scholarships. See website for more details.

University of West Alabama Admission 19 ACT, 2.0 GPA April 15 Deadline Scholarships start at 21 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $1,500/year 23-24 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $2,500/year 25-26 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $3,500/year 27-28 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $4,500/year 29-30 ACT, 3.0 GPA - $5,500/year 31+ ACT, 3.0 GPA - $10,000/year

Leadership Scholarships: Many of the smaller schools offer good leadership scholarships with a little bit lower ACT score required. For example: UNA Minimum 18 ACT, Core Curriculum GPA 2.75, Resume required. From $1,200/year to $8,000. Troy 22 ACT, 3.0 GPA. Girls State Representative Scholarship. University of West Alabama Gives scholarships to those who held leadership positions in high school such as SCA President, Sr. Class President, Yearbook Editor, etc. $1,500-$2,500/year.

Community College Scholarships Many community colleges offer a variety of scholarships. Deadline for Calhoun is March 1. Scholarship application at www.calhoun.edu. Calhoun offers Foundation Scholarships, Athletic Scholarships, Fine Arts Scholarships, Many Leadership Scholarships for Those Active in Calhouns Student Government Association, College Literary Magazine, Warhawks, etc.

Calhoun Scholarships There is a separate scholarship application (available online). ACT 26 and up One year scholarship of full tuition and fees Must complete FAFSA by March 1. Also need: transcript, essay, letters of reference (optional)

Wallace State Community College You may take the COMPASS placement test instead of the ACT to attend Wallace State. Separate scholarship application Feb. 15 Deadline Academic Scholarships are based on ACT (21+) scores, GPA (3.0+), Essays and Letters of Recommendation. Fact Sheet available in College and Career Room.

Local Scholarships Local scholarship information is typically sent out in the spring. Watch the West Limestone guidance website, check in the guidance foyer, listen to morning announcements, follow guidance on Twitter and FaceBook.

More Information: Come and visit the Guidance Department. I will be glad to help you look up materials. We have handouts and fact sheets for different colleges and scholarships, as well as reference books. I will be glad to work with you on learning to navigate college websites. The best advice is to explore

College and Career Guides These are full of great information but they wont be of use to you unless you read them! There are forms in guidance for College Visitation Days and Transcript Requests. There are also sample resumes. For some applications, you need to include a resume. To help in writing letters of recommendation, teachers and counselors need a copy of your resume.

STI Now This is a great way of keeping up with your grades.

Great Websites!!! For information on careers, go to www.bls.gov. Scroll down to Featured Publications and click on Occupational Outlook Handbook. Detailed information on a multitude of careers.www.bls.gov www.alstudentaid.com Check out these publications Affording Higher Education, Getting In and Planning Your Future. www.alstudentaid.com

Good Websites: www.getin2college.com Their handbook has a lot of useful tips. www.getin2college.com www.mapping-your-future.org This has a lot of helpful information. www.mapping-your-future.org College Searches www.petersons.com, www.collegeboard.com, www.princetonreview.comwww.petersons.com www.collegeboard.com www.princetonreview.com Financial Aid www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov

Final Thoughts: If you have applied and been accepted to more than 1 college, let the ones that you will not be attending know before May 1. That will open a spot for another student. Let Mrs. OConnell know when you need transcripts sent. Forms are available in the guidance office. Let Mrs. Craig know when you need to take a college visitation day. Juniors are allowed 1 day. Seniors are allowed 2. Forms are available from Mrs. OConnell

The Last Word: I enjoy working with you at West Limestone High School. I am willing to meet with you and your parents after hours if needed. Please feel free to call for an appointment. You are my priority. I will be glad to help you prepare for your future in any way I can. Mrs. Thrasher

career, college and financial aid options by: mrs. helen thrasher west limestone high school...

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