College Admissions, Scholarships, Student Aid, etc.

STAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL

College Admissions, Scholarships, Student Aid, etc.

Where can I find scholarship information? Listen to announcements! Paper copies of scholarship application

are available in my office. On the Staunton High School website

http://www.stauntonschools.org Click on students then guidance news.

Where can I find other resources & even more scholarships?

www.FastWeb.com

www.whatsnextillinois.org

www.Scholarships.com

http://www.fastaid.com

www.collegeboard.com

www.mycollegeoptions.com

How can I search for a college?

www.whatsnextillinois.org (most reliable)

www.overgrad.com www.MyCollegeOptions.com www.USCollegeSearch.org See book in guidance office titled Book

of Majors

Senior Year Timeline Fall

College representativesOrganize applications by creating files for each of your

target schools. List all requirements and deadlines.Retake the ACT if you want to improve your score.

Register on the web or see me for a paper application. ACT is being offered at SHS October 25 and February 7. Curriculum effect can increase your scores.

Request letters of recommendation as soon as possible (but only as needed) from teachers and community leaders.

Look into scholarships in the guidance office, school website, and on any internet search sites.

Senior Year Timeline Fall/Winter

Work on college applications! Many applications are due in early January and a few as soon as November 1st.

File the FAFSA: www.fafsa.ed.gov, ASAP after January 1st

—Remember it is much easier to complete your FAFSA if you have your 2014 income taxes done. But getting them done earlier is always better. Involve your parents and yourself in this process.

Check with your prospective schools about additional financial aid application forms and requirements.

Keep looking into scholarships in the guidance office, school website, and on any internet search sites. It’s lots of work but rewarding! Don’t make the biggest mistake of all, by not even applying. Typically, you will only receive about 10% of the scholarships you apply for. If you apply for one, your chances are slim to none. If you apply for all of our local scholarships (Staunton community gave away 62 scholarships last year), you may receive 6 or 7.

Senior Timeline

Late Winter/SpringKeep looking into scholarships in the guidance office,

school website, and on any internet search sites. The bulk of all scholarships are due March-May.

Compare your admissions offers.Make a decision…if you have not already. Many

schools require a decision by May 1st.Check deadlines for housing, financial aid, etc. This

is 100% your responsibility.

Forms Transcript Request Forms Student Questionnaire College Visitation Day Requests & Guidelines College Credit Opportunities at SHS SHS Profile Lewis & Clark Community College Transcript

Request

Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, October 22nd Financial Aid meeting during Parent-Teacher Conferences- Parents and Students should plan on attending.

College representatives visiting SHS- see guidance page or listen for announcements

More Info

NCAA- If you plan on participating in sports at a division 1 or division 2 school you must register with the NCAA http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html

NAIA- If you plan on participating in sports at a NAIA school, you must register with the NAIA http://www.playnaia.org/

Common Application- Some schools require you to apply via the Common Application. www.commonapp.org

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What is financial aid?

Money to pay for college or career schoolGrantsLoansWork-studyScholarships

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Who can get federal student aid?

U.S. citizen or permanent resident High school graduate/GED holder Eligible degree/certificate program Valid Social Security number Males registered for Selective Service Satisfactory academic progress

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Who can get other kinds of financial aid?

States, colleges, and private scholarships have their own eligibility criteria.

Be sure you know what you need to do to qualify.

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How much federal student aid can I get?

In general, depends on your financial need. Financial need determined by Expected Family Contribution

(EFC) and cost of attendance (COA) EFC comes from what you report on FAFSA COA is tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, etc.

COA – EFC = financial need

How much federal student aid can I get?

Example: first-year student in 2013-14Maximum amounts allowed: Federal Pell Grant: TBD [$5,500 in 2011-12] TEACH Grant: $4,000 Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans: $5,500 total Federal Perkins Loan: $5,500 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant:

$4,000 Federal Work-Study: depends on funds available at

school Direct PLUS Loan (for parents): COA minus other aid

received

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How much federal student aid can I get?

For early estimate, use FAFSA4caster: Go to www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov Enter some financial information Get an estimate

How much state, school, and scholarship money can I get?

Depends on the program: do your research!Our state aid: Fill out the FAFSAAsk college financial aid offices for

info about aid available at their schools

Free scholarship search: www.studentaid.ed.gov/scholarship

www.fastweb.com

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How do I apply for aid? Federal student aid: fill out Free Application

for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov

State aid: fill out the FAFSA School aid: contact financial aid office at

schools you are considering Scholarships: visit scholarship website or call

contact number for information

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How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?

1. Get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov• Your parent might need a PIN too• Choose your own PIN or let the site choose one for you• Don’t tell anyone your PIN!

2. (Optional) Use FAFSA on the Web Worksheet to get ready.

• Get worksheet at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/worksheet

• Find a checklist of documents you need at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/pubs (“What Information Do I Need When I Fill Out the FAFSA?”).

• Fill out worksheet to prepare your answers.

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How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?

3. Fill out your FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov• Apply on or after Jan.1 but as early as possible to

meet all deadlines.• Need help? Use “Live Help” icon or call 1-800-4-FED-

AID.• Don’t forget to print confirmation page.

4. Watch for response by e-mail, from FederalStudentAidFAFSA@cpsemail.ed.gov, or by mail

• Double-check your information online at www.fafsa.gov (use your PIN to log on) or on the paper Student Aid Report mailed to you

• Correct any mistakes and update any information as necessary

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How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?

5. Watch for e-mails or letters from the schools you are considering

• Give the schools any additional paperwork they ask for

• Meet all deadlines or you could miss out on aid!

What happens next?

Each school will tell you how much aid you can get at that school.

Once you decide which school to attend, keep in touch with the financial aid office to find out when and how you will get your aid.

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Where can I get more info?

www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov Information about aid programsFree scholarship searchFree college search

1-800-4-FED-AIDInformation about aid programsHelp with the FAFSA

Staunton High School will offer a FAFSA workshop in February. Students and parents can come and fill out their FAFSA with help from financial aid experts. Students do not have to be enrolling in LCCC to partake in workshop.

Communication & Questions