Dollars and Sense…Paying the College

November 17, 20086:30—8:00

Why College?

Going to college has many benefits.

•Better paying jobs •Access to a wider range of career choices

•Exposure to a wide range of people and

cultures

College Prep ChecklistFreshman Year (9th)

Know what you have to do to get into college

Meet with high school counselor to discuss four plan

Take challenging classes Get involved in

extracurricular activities Research colleges, careers

and scholarships in the internet

Do volunteer work Keep an academic portfolio

and journal

Sophomore Year (10th)

Continue all activities listed under Freshman Year

Register for the PSAT Review your PSAT test results and

look at your strengths and work on your weaknesses

Start a list of colleges to consider. Use virtual tours and begin thinking about which colleges you like to visit in depth

Focus on your GPA Plan your summer. Find

programs and camps to attend. Continue scholarship search Update your records of activities,

volunteer work, and programs.

Junior Year (11th)

Register and take the PSAT Learn how to improve Stay on the ball with grades Discuss your list of colleges with counselor Register and take for the ACT, SAT, and/or SAT subject test Continue to participate in school or community-based

extracurricular activities Talk to college representative at college fairs Investigate the availability of financial aid from federal, state,

local, and private sources Continue to research scholarships

Senior Year (12th) Obtain all the admissions and financial aid applications from

your top college picks Complete college and scholarships applications Ask for recommendations, if the colleges require them Beware of deadlines post mark vs in the office Keep a copy of all records Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st

Review acceptances and financial aid offers By May 1st, make final decisions, notify schools, and submit

any necessary documents or deposits

Graduation Requirements 4 English 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social Studies 2 Foreign Languages (same) 1 Fine Arts 1 Computer Technology 1 ½ PE ½ Communication Application ½ Health 3 ½ Electives

Types of Institutions• 2 year– Community Colleges

– Specialize in college transfer programs often tied to four-year colleges in state or local area

– Offer technical programs designed to serve the community’s needs– Grant associate degrees or certificates upon completion of program

• 4 year- Universities– Made up of divisions called school or colleges– Geared toward preparation for professional occupations– Grant Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences upon completion of

program

• Vocational, Technical and Business – Specialize in skill training (e.g. welding, cooking, word processing)

Standardized Testing• PSAT/NMSQT= Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship

Qualifying Test– Not used for college admission– To be taken in the junior year to qualify for national merit and

recognition

SAT– A three-hour and 45 minute college admission test of critical reading,

mathematical reasoning abilities, and writing skills

SAT Subject Test– A one-hour college admission test of knowledge in a specific subject

area.

ACT Assessment– About a three-and-a-half-hour college admissions examnaton that

consists of test in English, mathematics, reading, and science.

Know YourselfWhen considering the kind of college you are interested in, use these factors as a guide.

Make sure you meet all your needs—academically, socially and financially. Type. . . What kind of an academic environment will you excel

in?Two year or four-year, public or private;

vocational or technical; religious affiliation, coed or single sex, etc

Size… under 1,000 students; 1,000-5,000 or over 15,000

Location. . . Geographic region, urban, suburban, rural setting, distance from home, etc

Facilities. . . Academic Athletic Residential and Student life

Researching Colleges 101

• The Internet• College guidebooks• College viewbooks, bulletins, and

videos• College visits• College fairs

Campus Visits 101 Schedule an appointment with an admissions officer and/or

financial aid administrator at college your are considering Take campus tour Research the college before you go so you know what questions to

ask Try taking an “unoffficial” high school transcript with you Attend a class and eat in the dining hall Read the student newspaper

Look at bulletin boards to see what’s going on around campus Ask students what they like about the campus and don’t like Check out whatever is important to you: athletic facilities, fine

arts facilities, career counseling office, student newspaper office, etc

Who’s Eligible for Financial Aid?

Top Five “I’m Not Eligible” Myths

1. My family’s income not low enough2. Parents have already saved a lot for my college

education.3. Older brother/sister wasn’t eligible for financial aid last

year.4. I’m only going to college part time.5. I’m not a U.S. citizen, so I don’t qualify.

Getting Financial Aid

• Types of Financial Aid

Free Money = grants and scholarships

Grants: Money awarded based on financial need.

Scholarships: Money given for a variety of reasons—excellent grades, economic need, community involvement, parents’ employers, membership in organizations

Earned Money = Work-study programs

Borrowed Money = Loans

Applying for Financial Aid

The number one form to fill out for financial aid is the

FAFSAa FREE government form that students mustfill out to be considered for federal student aid

• Must reapply for aid each year while in school• Incomplete or late forms will reduce your chances of getting financial aid.• Keep copies of all applications you send.• Gather important documents needed for financial aid (bank statements, driver’s license, W-2, tax returns, etc.).

Fastest way to fill it out is via FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is filled out after January 1st of each year a student is in college.

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Where can I get more info?

• www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov – Information about aid programs– Free scholarship search– Free college search

• 1-800-4-FED-AID– Information about aid programs – Help with the FAFSA

The Cost of College• Direct costs include tuition, room and board in college housing, and

special fees.

• Indirect costs include items such as books, computers and computer supplies, transportation, off-campus housing and personal expenses.

• Comparing Colleges Comparing Cost

College A College B College A College B

Grants $2,500 $4,300 Annual Price $13, 500 $32,000

Scholarships 2,000 11,500 Financial Aid - 9,000 -26,800

Work-Study 1,000 2,500 Family’s Cost 4,500 5,200

Stafford Loan 3,500 3,500PLUS Loan 0 5,000 Financial Aid 9,000 26,800

Searching for Scholarships

Many scholarships are based on select criteria like:• Grades• Chosen college• Chosen major• Organization affiliation• Artistic ability• Leadership ability• Athletic ability• Gender• Race• Parents organization affiliation• Parents’ place of work• Military background economic

• Resources– The Internet– Scholarship Guides

DEADLINESPost marked vs must be received

ScamsNo one can guarantee you a scholarship;

information is free

Networking Ask around

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Reflections

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CONTACT US

Cypress Lakes Counselors

-(281) 856-3800

College and Career Specialist: -- Brenda Gauthey

– Brenda.gauthey@cfisd.net– (281) 856-3837– Wikispace:

www.collegeandcareercenter.wikispaces.com