12 th Grade PEP

12th Grade PEP

Post-Secondary & Financial Planning

Overview• Introduce first step in the financial aid process:

completing the Federal Application for Student Aid

• Review scholarship data and learn tips for winning scholarships

• Review scholarship lists and document your scholarship research in Naviance

• Understand the admission process and complete at least 1 college application

• Take the college quiz to see what you know

FAFSA• Play DSF video on completing the FAFSA

o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgJ2kIHFhvQ&feature=relmfu

• Cannot apply for FAFSA until January 1st, 2013, but try to apply early because money is awarded on a first come first serve basis.

• What can you do now to get ready?o Encourage your parents to file their taxes early.o Visit FAFSA.gov to get familiar with the website and get your PIN #

set-up.o Begin collecting information you will need: SSN, B-date, driver’s

license, W-2 forms, tax returns, savings account info, stocks and bonds.

o Continue exploring colleges and select your top 10 schools. You must list your college on the FAFSA in order to receive an award letter from the college once you are accepted.

FAFSA• Refer to top half of page 15 on student handout.

FAFSA & DSF• Completing the FAFSA will determine your Expected

Family Contribution (EFC). College Cost (tuition, fees, room, board, books, etc.)Expected Family ContributionFinancial Need

• This information is used by colleges to determine your financial aid package award.

• Likewise, it is also used by DSF and other need-based scholarships to determine eligibility and the amount awarded.

Financial NeedAwards (grants, loans, work study, scholarships)Unmet need

Undocumented Students & the FAFSA• Undocumented students may qualify for federal and/or

state financial aid based on their residency statuso If you or your parents filed an application with the Immigration and

Naturalization Service (INS) and are in the process of obtaining residency, you may be eligible to receive resident fee status for tuition purposes and you may also be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Speak to a licensed immigration attorney for further details regarding your specific situation.

• Students who lack proper legal documentation are not eligible for federal aid under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 sec 505.

• Likewise, students who lack proper legal documentation in Colorado are not eligible for state funds.

In addition to FAFSAWhat else can students do to help reduce their

unmet need and help pay for college?

Apply for scholarships!

Unmet needScholarship $What you pay

Who wins Scholarships?

• According to Cindy Nguyen, admissions counselor at Metro, 10% of the students apply for 90% of the scholarships.

• Of students enrolled full-time at a 4-year college, 14,3% get enough grants to cover 50% or more of their total Cost of Attendance (tuition, roam and board, books, etc.)

• Of students winning scholarships, one-third receive more than $2,500.

• Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

More scholarships awarded for some majors

Major Percentage Winning

Average Award

Math/Statistics 23.2% $4,059 Engineering 17.6% $3,075 Physical Sciences 17.1% $3,180 Life Sciences 16.9% $2,649 Education 15.0% $2,420 Health 14.8% $2,880 Social Sciences 12.7% $3,063 Humanities 12.5% $2,623 Computer Science 11.1% $2,974 Business 9.1% $2,828 • Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

More Students with Good Grades Win

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)on a 4.0 Scale

High School GPA (% Winning

Scholarships)

0.0-1.9 (D- to C) 5.7% 2.0-2.4 (C to B-) 7.1% 2.5-2.9 (B- to B) 9.5% 3.0-3.4 (B to A-) 10.7% 3.5-4.0 (A- to A) 18.7%

• Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

Better Test Scores Mean More Awards

SAT Combined Score

Probability of

Winning a

Scholarship< 700 2.6%700 to 800 4.2%800 to 900 5.4%900 to 1000 5.8%1000 to 1100 7.4%1100 to 1200 8.5%1200 to 1300 11.2%1300 to 1400 13.2%

ACT Composite Score

Probability of

Winning a

Scholarship< 15 2.6%15-17 4.7%18-20 5.6%21-23 7.3%24-26 8.3%27-29 11.1%30-36 14.2%

• Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

The Race MythRace

Percent of

Recipients

Percent

Winning

Average

Award

White 71.5% 14.4% $2,645 Black or African American 10.5% 11.4% $2,962 Hispanic or Latino 8.1% 9.1% $2,353 Asian 4.4% 10.5% $3,170 American Indian or Alaska Native 1.4% 32.7% $3,967 More than One Race 3.4% 16.0% $4,891 All Minority Students 28.5% 11.2% $3,167

• Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

Top Ten Most Unusual Scholarships

1. Scholarship for Left-Handed Students2. Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest3. David Letterman Telecommunications

Scholarship4. Zolp Scholarships5. Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship6. Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award7. National Marbles Tournament Scholarships8. Klingon Language Institute Scholarship9. National Beef Ambassador Program10.Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Strategies for Winning Scholarships

• It’s a numbers gameo Even among talented students, who wins involves a bit of

luck, not just skillo To win more scholarships, you need to apply to more

scholarships, but only if you qualify• You can’t win if you don’t apply

o One in four students never applies for financial aid• The more you apply, the easier it gets

o Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application• Don’t miss deadlines

o Use a scholarship tracker to help get organized and help prioritize your applications by deadline and award amount

o Use your calendar to note scholarship application deadlines

• Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

Use a Scholarship Tracker

• Refer to page 16 of student handout. Have student use this form to record scholarships they research.

Searching for Scholarships

• Start searching as soon as possible (if you wait until spring to start searching, you will miss half the deadlines)

• Use a free scholarship matching service and complete all questions, including optional questions, to increase your number of scholarship matches.

• Look for local scholarships on bulletin boards near the counseling office and/or the DSF office.

• Look for scholarship listing books in the library’s jobs and careers section, but check the date

• Look in the coupon section of the newspaper• Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

Free scholarship matching websites

• www.finaid.org/scholarships• www.finaid.org/websearch• www.finaid.org/scholarshipscams• www.fastweb.com• www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams• www.finaid.org/taxbenefits• www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf

Additional Resources• Refer to the bottom half of page 15 of student

handout for additional info about college financial planning and scholarship information.

NavianceScholarship Search

• Open a new tab and log-in to Naviance using the following Username and Password

Student ID #

mmddyy

Click, “Log In”

Naviance1) Click the colleges tab

2) Explore scholarship match and scholarship list

Scholarship ListClick a category heading to sort by

deadline, award amount, etc.

Scholarship Match

Scholarships for Undocumented

Students• Scholarship A-Z for Undocumented Students - http://

www.latinosincollege.com/payingsch/Scholarships_for_undocumented_students.pdf

• Latino College Dollars - http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/

• Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund http://www.maldef.org/assets/pdf/Scholarship_List_2010_2011.pdf

• BOCES Geneseo Migrant Center www.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships.htm

• Harvest of Hope Foundation - www.harvestofhope.net• View your handout for an additional list of scholarships

Scholarships and Undocumented

Students• Remember, while undocumented students may

not receive federal or state grants or scholarships, there is no policy or law against receiving private scholarships from private schools for private donors.

• Even if a private scholarship application asks for a social security number, you may always call the donor and ask if they will allow any exceptions

Naviance Scholarship Exploration Survey

1) Click the about me tab

2) Click “dps scholarship exploration survey”

Complete the SurveyList the scholarships you’ve explored

Click “Save and I am finished”

Naviance College Essay/Personal Statement

1) Click the about me tab

2) Click “dps draft of college Essay/personal statement” to edit and review. Use this as a starting point to for both your scholarship and college application essays.

Admissions Checklist• See page 4 - 5 of handout for checklist by month.

Admissions Steps (Fall)

• Research colleges and find your reach, match and safety schools. Attend college tours and college fair, etc.

• Schedule to take or re-take the ACT/SAT, if appropriate, and make sure your scores are sent to all college options

• Complete and submit applications prior to Winder Break Note: the sooner the better to increase your chances of being accepted and receiving aid (Nov 1 early deadline)

• Edit and finalize your college essays and submit on time• Request letters of recommendation and submit on time• If you college accepts it, submit a CSS/Financial Aid Profile at

www.profileonline.collegeboard.com • Review your transcript for accuracy and make sure all courses you

have taken are noted on your transcript• Keep up your grades and verify that you are on-track to meet all

graduation requirements• Use college application tracker to keep track of application

components and deadlines for each school

Admissions Steps (Spring)

• Submit your FAFSA as soon a possible after January 1st. • Remember to complete CSS profile, especially if attending a private

school and if ineligible to complete FAFSA.• Attend a financial aid workshop to receive assistance.• Check to see that colleges you applied to have received your

application.• Make sure colleges have received your midyear transcript, test

scores, and financial aid information.• Expect your student aid report (SAR) 4 weeks after you complete

the FAFSA. If not, begin asking questions.• Begin receiving admission decisions and financial aid award letters

from colleges. • Keep track of all acceptance, rejections, and waitlists. • Decide which college you will attend. Pay the deposit, if required.

Notify colleges if you will not be attending.• Have your counselor send your final transcript.• Take AP exams and CLEP tests, if applicable.

Apply Now• Find and download an application for a college of

interest.• Research the application requirements and

complete your college application tracker.• Complete the application.• If letters of recommendation are required, begin

filling out the request form to give to teachers.

Application Tracker• Refer to page 12 of

student handout

Recommendation Letter

Request Form• Refer to page 14 of

student handout.

Other Scholarship & Application Tips

• Use a professional email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com

• Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material

• Google your name to see what shows up• Make a photocopy of your application before

mailing it• Send the application by certified mail, return

receipt requested or with delivery confirmation

• Secrets to Winning a Scholarship by Mark Kantrowit, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid, April 19, 2011.

College Quizhttp://knowhow2go.org/freshmen_quiz.php