Junior & Senior Parent Night

1. Meet with your counselor throughout the school year.

2. Complete the FAFSA. Available October 1st3. Decide what you will be doing next year or which

schools you will be applying to.4. Check school admission procedures and begin

the application process.5. Take or retake the SAT/ACT.6. Apply for University scholarships7. Complete local scholarship notebook.8. Accept college offers & review financial aid9. Complete Community Service (The earlier the

better!)10. Apply for as many outside scholarships as you

can. It’s free money. 11. Finish the school year with good grades.12. Request final transcripts be sent to university.

Type of School – 2 year, 4 year, Public Private Religious Affiliation

Program of Study – Do they offer the major or degree programs you need?

Location – In/out of State, weather, Rural/Urban/Suburban communities

Admission requirements – GPA, SAT/ACT requirements, letters of Rec, Essays

Housing – On/off campus dorms, Roommates, Apartments, Academic dorms

Campus Life – Athletics, clubs, religion, fraternities/sororities…

School Size – UW (45, 870), WSU (20, 043), Gonzaga (7,491), St. Martin’s (1,771) – Ask

about classroom sizes and the Staff to Student ratio.

Cost – Tuition, Room and Board, Scholarship and Financial aid opportunities

Comparing post-high school options:

Go to: www.wois.orgSite key: contact the Career Center

• Compare schools, programs, entrance requirements, apprenticeships, financial aid.

• Career Interest Surveys• Professions: outlook, education required, salary, etc.

Washington National GuardSgt Robert Freeman 425-218-9692

US MarinesSgt Jason Taylor 425-337-1584

US Navy Adam Novak 425-328-5613

US Army SFC Jesse Thompson 360-863-8983

US Air ForceTechnical Sgt, Ryan Griffin425-355-1966

Associate and Technical Degrees at Community College is an option.

•Direct Transfer Agreements•Career training programs•Certification programs•One, Two, and Four Year Degree options

Application Process

•Open enrollment, but don’t wait too long or you may not get classes you want.

•Apply early for admission and financial aid

•One application for all Washington State Community Colleges and Tech Schools

•Apply orientation registration

Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)Utilize the advisor at the Community College

The Application

•Different for each public school: •WSU, UW, WWU, EWU, CWU, Evergreen…

•Independent schools often use The Common App or Send-Edu:•Gonzaga, PLU, Seattle U, SPU, St. Martins, U Puget Sound, Whitman, Whitworth…

•Expect to be asked basic information•Read directions carefully and proofread before submitting your application. Make sure you have answered all questions.

•Expect to pay a fee. •Usually around $50-70•Fee waivers available (must ask the college you are applying to)

• Remember: Due dates are FIRM! Start early!

The EssayProvides a snapshot of who you are-your voice, your path, your goals.

Make sure it is personal, but stay within the guidelines.

Answer questions as they are written.

Don’t be shy. Let the reader know how you have influenced the lives of others.

Have multiple people read your essay and give suggestions.

Proof read.

Sending Official Transcripts

Request forms are available in the Career Center. Ask Mrs. Hale

Students will need to mail their official transcripts once picked up.

Common App and SENDedu transcripts are sent by your counselor. You DO NOT need to request from Mrs. Hale

University of Washington does not want a transcript unless you are admitted.

Any college credit earned in high school is sent via the community college after admittance into the university. (Running Start, College in the HS, Tech Prep)

Registration: Is done online. Register well in

advance to avoid late fees.

SAT: collegeboard.orgACT: actstudent.org

Sending Scores: Most of the time, scores

need to be sent officially from the testing agency. Some schools accept unofficial scores sent from the high school.

Students get to send their scores to 4 schools for free during the registration process. There are fees to send additional score reports.

Juniors: Suggested that you take the test in the late

spring.

Community Colleges: Use the Smarter

Balance Testing for class placement.

PLANNING: Do you need one? If so, how many? -You can re-use the same letter for multiple applications. -Colleges and/or scholarships may or may not need them...

RULE 1: Request your letter EARLY! –Do not wait until the week something is due to request them.

RULE 2: Ask someone who knows you well. -Not a parent, relative, or friend-Teachers who have taught you more than once-Coaches / Club Advisors / Community Leaders-Your School Counselor if they know you well-Community Service Supervisor

RULE 3: Have an activity resume ready.-List academic accomplishments, activities, awards, community service, employment, or anything relative that youwould like your letter writer to focus on.

RULE 4: Be sure to thank your letter writer!

FAFSA• Grants• Work Study• Loans

Scholarships• Institutional Scholarships• General Scholarships• Local Scholarships

Why FAFSA?Completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the single most important thing you can do to get assistance paying for college.

What does FAFSA do? FAFSA determines expected family contribution (EFC).

Cost of Attendance - EFC = Aid Eligibility

Date available: October 1st (First come first serve… Apply early!)

Grants – Federal, state, or institutional awards that don't have to be repaid. FREE MONEYMany state governments and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for nonfederal aid. Washington State Need Grant, College Bound Scholarship, etc…

Work Study - Part-time campus employment subsidized by the Federal government.

Loans - Low-interest student loans that will need to be repaid. Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans

What info do you need to complete the FAFSA: FSA ID (parent and student), social security numbers, drivers license, 2015 Tax returns, bank statements, other financial documents.

Other Items: Male students need to register for the selective service when they turn 18.Parents/students must updated their info once 2016 taxes have been filed.

https://fafsa.ed.gov/

“I’m not going to bother filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid because …”

#1 - “I (or my parents) make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid.”

#2 - “Only students with good grades get financial aid.”

#3- “The FAFSA is too hard to fill out.”

Do I need to fill out the FAFSA every year? – Yes.

My parents are divorced, do both parents need to submit financial information? – The custodial parent is responsible for filling out the FAFSA. (Usually this is considered the parent with whom the student has lived with the most during the past 12 months.)

My custodial parent has remarried, does my step-parent have to report their income on FAFSA? – Yes. If you are living with parent and step-parent more than 50% of the time.

My parents are not helping me to pay for school. Do they need to fill out FAFSA? – Yes, students must claim their parents until they are 24*

When I filed the FAFSA both of my parents were working full time, but recently my parents lost their jobs… What can I do to change my FAFSA? – Call of write the college’s financial aid office, let them know your circumstances and ask for a professional judgment. Colleges have the authority to make adjustments to the data on the FAFSA on a case-by-case basis.

I plan on attending a school out of the country full time to earn my degree. Can I receive Federal Aid? – No. But most schools will want your FAFSA info for other possible financial aid options. --Most semester or study abroad programs through US institutions will grant Federal Aid.

I don’t have legal US citizenship. Can I fill out the FAFSA? –Yes, only if you have a Alien Registration Number. Washington state also has their own financial aid application for non-citizens. WASFA. Please see your counselor for more information.

What is a Scholarship? A Scholarship is a gift. It does not need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.

What kinds of scholarships are available?Institutional scholarships - Available at the school you’re applying General Scholarships – Available now! (see who offers them above)Local Scholarships – Notebook available in January

Common Questions: How do I find these scholarships? When do I apply for scholarships?How do I apply for scholarships?

These are scholarships that students can receive from the college or university they plan on attending.

Many times Colleges & Universities use information from FAFSA to determine eligibility.

What are the Types of Institutional Scholarships?◦ Need based◦ Merit or Academic based◦ Skill based◦ Athletic based

Where do I find Institutional Scholarships?◦ Visit the FINANCIAL AID website of the college that you are applying to

How and when to apply?◦ Typically a separate application. Sometimes it could be combined with

the colleges application. Application will be online. ◦ Deadlines vary: usually late January or early February.

1000’s of scholarships out there… available to all students! Where to look? Scholarship database sites: ◦ thewashboard.org (for Washington students only)

◦ fastweb.com◦ scholarships.com

The Scholarship bulletin board (Located outside the career center)

The Career Center website: http://glacierpeak.sno.wednet.edu/careercenter

Nonprofits, foundations, religious or community organizations

Phone Apps: Scholly, ScholarshipAdvisor, Scholarships.com, SAIL

Parent’s employer(s) or your student’s employer(s)

Just for Glacier Peak High School Students!◦ 60+ scholarships available

◦ Last year only 105 seniors applied

◦ 452 Students in class of 2017

How to apply? ◦ One Application for all 60 scholarships

◦ Individual scholarship information and criteria available for viewing on Career Center Webpage usually before winter break.

◦ Application will be available on GP Career Center Webpage in January.

◦ Sign-up sheets for individual scholarships will be available in Career Center in January.

NEVER PAY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH

SAVE EVERYTHING!!

◦ Typically a scholarship (or even college applications) will ask you to write a short responses to questions… Save everything in a word document.

“Who was the most influential person… why?”

“What is your financial need… why?”

“What are your career goals… why?”

Have a activities resume ready!

◦ Include dates, awards, leadership positions – clubs, sports, community service.

Have a calendar ready and write down deadlines!

◦ Some applications will take longer than others to fill out. Some also require teachers, counselors, or community members to submit things.

◦ DO NOT wait until a few days before something is due to startyour application or to ask for help.

Consider going to a community college first (Direct Transfer Agreements) – Transfer to a 4-year later.

Get a JOB!!! ◦ Work on paying off student loans while in college; Many loans

are interest free while going to school!

Live frugally – Keep a budget, live at home, get a

roommate, ride the bus, make your own meals…

Have the military pay for your schooling

WUE / WICHE ◦ Reduced tuition rates for out-of-state schools!!

◦ If you’re interested in applying as a WUE student, go to www.wiche.edu/wue

◦ There is an application process:

Specific GPA requirements

Specific SAT/ACT test score requirements

May be limited to certain majors

Mrs. Lee A-D Mr. Walsh E-K

Mrs. Fortune Ro-Z

Mr. Childers L-Ri

Mrs. HaleCareer Center Specialist