Senior Information Meeting Class of 2015

Senior Information Meeting Class of 2015Sallie Wiggins, School [email protected]

Senior Year - FallContinue to research/visit collegesFinalize your college listTake college entrance exams (if needed)Complete college applications online and submit necessary paperworkSearch for/apply for scholarshipsOrder graduation supplies

*Maintain a listing of all usernames and passwords as well as a calendar of deadlines

Senior Year - SpringPay for graduation suppliesFollow up with admissions at colleges/universitiesRe-take college entrance exams (if necessary)Continue to research/apply for scholarshipsComplete the FAFSA (February)Compare award letters and decide on college (April)Send in deposit to chosen collegeSend final transcripts to chosen college

SATSAT Reasoning TestCritical Reading, Writing, and MathRegister on-line at www.sat.org/register Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of thiswww.sat.org SAT Question of the DayPractice SAT testsCollege SearchAmend SAT registration informationScholarship Search

ACTOne composite score: 1-36Most colleges require WRITING sectionRegister on-line at: www.actstudent.org/start Score reports can be sent to 4 colleges without charge- take advantage of this!Web Site includes:Test prep, college planning, and career planning

ASSET/COMPASSEvaluate incoming students' skill levels in Reading, Writing Skills, Writing Essay, Math, and English as a Second LanguagePlace students in appropriate coursesConnect students to the resources they need to achieve academic success

*For 2-year technical colleges in state

Important Fall Testing DatesSATOctober 11November 8December 6 (at CHS)SAT PrepFREE OnlineFace-to-Face - Tuesday, December 2$50 registration with counselorACTSeptember 13October 25 (at CHS)December 13ACT PrepFREE - Online

*For ASSET/COMPASS (2-year technical colleges) make testing appointment directly with college - FREE

Applying to College AT&TA: Complete an ApplicationOn-Line applications are preferred by collegesRecommended to apply to three collegesDont let cost keep you from applyingT: Request your Transcript be sent- PARCHMENT or by mailT: Request Test Scores be sent directly by SAT/ACT to schools applied

Important Information for All ApplicationsCHS Address: 18132 Hwy 72 East Clinton, SC 29325Counselor Name/Number/E-mailSallie A. Wiggins [email protected] Name/Number/E-mailMaureen S. Tiller [email protected] and GPA from transcriptTest dates and scoresSchool and Community Activities

Requesting Transcripts - PARCHMENTSearch colleges, see your chances of getting in, and request/store/send transcripts when you are readyFree for all SC universities/collegesRegister and submit requests track online

Parchment.com makes it easy to search colleges, see your chances of getting in, and request, store and send transcripts when you are ready to

Requesting Transcripts - MAILComplete college transcript release form in guidance First transcript is mailed for free Each additional transcript is $1.00Include any recommendation forms and/or fee waivers

*Transcripts are processed weekly. Allow 2 weeks and follow up with counselor.

Dont Panic CHECK STATUSAfter all materials are sent, FOLLOW UP directly with the college/university admissions.Most colleges/universities will EMAIL the applicant with information.You can also call the admissions office directly.Remember colleges are busy around holiday and exam times. You may experience lag time.

College AthletesIf you are planning to participate in college level athletics, you MUST register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Registration is on-line at:eligibilitycenter.orgRegister at the end of junior year. Registration requires submitting your transcript. (PARCHMENT or mail)Registration also requires official test scores sent directly from the test company.You ALSO need to request your final transcript to be sent to the Eligibility Center- so that you will be cleared to play. (PARCHMENT or mail)

*Our Booster Club pays for membership to Core Course GPA to assist students in determining eligibility. See Mrs. Wiggins about this!

Four Ways to Pay for CollegeGrants Money given to youScholarships Money that is given to you because of academic achievement, talent, skill, or financial aidWork Money you earn from a job on or off campusLoans Money you borrow and must repay

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)A form of need analysisDetermines the Expected Family ContributionUse ALL 2014 income (taxed and untaxed)Provide both student and parent(s) incomeLooks at total household sizeLooks at how many are in collegeTotal assets are considered in calculationCan send to up to 10 colleges/universitiesFREE & ANNUAL Process!!

FAFSA Electronic ApplicationsApply online in Spring of Senior Yearwww.fafsa.govApply for a PINwww.pin.ed.govStudent and at least one parentTips and Hintswww.finaid.org/fafsa/maximize.phtml

Help is Available FREECHS Financial Aid Help SessionsTBA: Late February/Early MarchCollege Goal South CarolinaLate FebruaryVarious locations across the stateFOR MORE INFO...http://sccango.org/college-goal-sc/

FAFSA ResultsStudent Aid Report (SAR)3-5 days after processing via e-mail or 2 weeks after processing via mailTo you and all the schools you listed on the FAFSA

Cost of Attendance (COA) Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) = NEED

Award Letter from schools you listed on the FAFSA

Unusual CircumstancesFinancial Aid Offices will use professional judgmentNotify college financial aid office of special circumstances:Change in parents marital statusLoss of income or significant reductionDeath of a parent

Federal ProgramsPell GrantSupplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)TEACH GrantCollege Work StudyPerkins LoanDirect Stafford Loan ProgramsDirect Parent PLUS Loan

Federal Pell GrantMust file FAFSABased on NeedUp to $5, 550 (proposed for 2015-16)Award based on enrollment status (Full time, part time, or less than half time)

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)Up to $4,000 a year (depending on cost of selected college/university)Must file FAFSABased on needLimited funds

TEACH GrantTeacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant ProgramMAXIMUM AWARD:Up to $4,000 per yearEligibility CriteriaEnrolled in an eligible program, and Agree to teachIn a critical subjectIn a critical geographical areaFor at least four years within eight years of completing the program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded

TEACH Grant (cont.)Failure to teach requires repayment under terms of an unsubsidized Direct LoanHow to apply:Check with the financial aid office at your institution for availability and application proceduresMay not show on award letter unless you ask

SC Need-Based GrantMaximum AwardUp to $2,500 annually if enrolled in full-time and $1,250 if enrolled part-time for a maximum of eight full-time equivalent termsCollege determines the exact award amountEligibility CriteriaMust file the FAFSAMust be needy based on the results of the FAFSA (consistent with Pell Grant eligibility)

SC Tuition GrantNeed-Based Grant Program available to Eligible SC Residents attending SC Independent Colleges on a Full-Time basisFreshman Academic Eligibility CriteriaTop 75% of senior class, orSAT score of 900 (CR+M) or higher, orACT score of 19 or higher, orFinal high school GPA of 2.0 or higher on SC Uniform Grading Scale

SC Tuition Grants (cont.)Students must file FAFSA annuallyAnnual Application Deadline June 30Maximum award - $2,800Tentative Award notifications via e-mailwww.sctuitiongrants.com for more information

Federal College Work StudyMust file FAFSABased on needLimited fundsStudents work up to 20 hours/week earn a paycheckUsually on campus

Federal Perkins and Stafford LoansFederal Perkins and Stafford LoanMust file FAFSASubsidized = no interest accrues while in schoolUnsubsidized = interest accruesPayments are deferred until out of schoolLow interest rates

Other LoansFederal Direct PLUS LoanCollege/University will provide instructions on how to apply in the award letterPalmetto Assistance Loan and SC Teachers Loan ProgramApply online at www.scstudentloan.org

ScholarshipsCollege Board Scholarship Searchhttps://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-searchFast Web Scholarship Searchwww.fastweb.comCollege Net Scholarship Searchwww.collegenet.com

State Programs in SC*Palmetto Fellows ScholarshipLife ScholarshipHope ScholarshipLottery Tuition Assistance

*Administered by SC Commission on Higher Educationwww.che.sc.gov

General Eligibility Criteria for All State ProgramsBe a SC resident;Be a US citizen or permanent resident (green card);Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible SC public or private institutionCertify that he/she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year

General Eligibility (cont.)Verify that he/she does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid and not be in default on any Federal loansAward Amounts:Cannot exceed the cost-of-attendanceHalf awarded during the fall and half during the spring

LIFE Scholarship 2-Year Colleges

S.C. Scholarships 4-Year Colleges

Palmetto Fellows and Life Scholarships EnhancementsMaximum Enhancement$2,500 per year beginning in the Sophomore yearEligibility CriteriaDeclare a major in Mathematics or Science*Have earned at least 14 credit hours of math or science courses* during the Freshman year

*A complete list of eligible majors and courses can be found on the SC Commission on Higher Educations website, www.che.sc.gov

Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP)Available for students attending SC Technical Colleges, USC Regional Campuses and Spartanburg Methodist CollegeMaximum Award:$75 per credit hour, up to $900 per semester for full-time attendanceEligibility Criteria:Must file the FAFSAMust be degree seeking and enrolled in a minimum of 6 creditsCannot receive LIFE Scholarship

Local ScholarshipsCummins-Wham (due ~April 15)In memory of late Mae Wham and Charles Cumminslast year awarded $36,000 to 12 students ($3,000 each)M.S. Bailey (due ~April 15)In memory of late Mercer Silas Bailey$40,000 to 2 students ($20,000 each)McAlister (due ~April 15)Full tuition, room, board, books for one student

**Check your monthly newsletters for other scholarships!!

CHAMPS Scholarship*due mid-MarchAwarded each year to a graduating CHAMPS high school senior who has applied for and has been granted admission to Presbyterian CollegeWorth the equivalent of PCs annual direct cost to attend (room, board, tuition, select fees)Renewable for three consecutive years, contingent upon the recipient demonstrating satisfactory academic progressRequirements:Be recognized as an outstanding student representative in CHAMPSApply for and be granted admission to PCCumulative HS GPA of B or betterAbove average SAT ScoresInclude a letter in application requesting consideration and a letter of recommendation from a CHAMPS administratorSubmit a resume