College Prep Guide

COLLEGE

PREP GUIDESPRING

2013

Campus Outreach / Freshman Survival Guide / C

ollege Visits

Master Test Taking / Scholarsh

ip Tips / Financial Aid Packages

2 College Prep Guide Spring 2013

A private, Catholic, liberal arts university

1301 20th St South Great Falls, MT 59405 406-791-5202 www.ugf.edu

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College Prep Guide Spring 2013 3

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INSIDE

Scholarship Application Tips.................................... 4, 5College Visits ....................................................................5, 7Campus Outreach ...............................................................6How Students Can Master Test Taking ................... 8Freshman Survival Guide .............................................. 10Financial Aid Awards ......................................................11Handling the Stress of being a Student ................. 14

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The high cost of a college education means that a lot of students are looking for fi nancial aid to help pay for it. But the competition can be sti� . According to the most recent National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, only 5.5 percent1 of undergraduate students re-ceived non-athletic scholarships. What can students do to give themselves the best chance of receiving some much-needed scholarship money?

“Start your search and application process as early as possible,” says Ti� any Turner, Program Manager at International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc., who manages 30 scholarship programs. “Give yourself plenty of time to fi nd scholarships that fi t your skills and needs. And most applications will require essays and letters of recommendation, so you want to make sure you have plenty of time to pull those together.”

Turner also encourages students to apply for as many scholarships as they qualify for. “There aren’t a lot of

big, full-ride scholarships available, but many smaller scholarships can add up to a surprising amount.”

The Scholarship ApplicationWhen applying for scholarships, attention to detail is

an important step to success: • Follow directions carefully. Make sure you have all

the supporting materials required, but don’t include anything that is not requested.

• Fill out the entire application. Don’t skip any ques-tions. If one doesn’t apply to you, make a note of that on the application. If you’re not sure how to an-swer, you can contact the scholarship coordinator.

• Proofread carefully. Typos and grammar errors can hurt your chances. Have a parent or teacher double-check your application.

APPLICATION TIPS(Family Features)

Continued on page 5Volunteering and community involvement plays a big role in awarding today’s scholarships.

SCHOLARSHIP


SCHOLARSHIP • Watch all deadlines. Set up a calendar

for application deadlines and make sure you meet them. If you miss one, your application won’t be considered.

Many scholarship applications require some kind of written essay or letter.

• Be specifi c. Focus on the topics the application requires. Use concrete examples rather than vague, general statements.

• Be yourself. This is your chance to show scholarship providers what kind of person you are and why they should help pay for your education. Let your personality come through, and include details that reveal who you really are.

• Be honest. Never exaggerate grades, skills or experience. If you fi nd yourself feeling the need to do so, you’re prob-ably not applying for the right scholar-ship.

Volunteering and community involve-ment plays a big role in awarding today’s scholarships. “More and more scholarship providers are looking for well-rounded

students who not only take their studies seriously, but also have a long-term com-mitment to their local communities,” said Turner.

For example, Foresters, an interna-tional life insurance provider committed to family well-being, o� ers the Forest-ers Competitive Scholarship worth up to $8,000 for eligible customer members and their spouses, children and grandchildren. In addition to academic requirements, ap-plicants must have performed a minimum of 40 hours of community service in the 24 months leading up to the application deadline.

“Do some research on the organization providing the scholarships,” Turner said. “You may fi nd that successful applicants have volunteered more than the minimum, and that can make a di� erence in their award decisions.”

Finding and applying for scholarships is a big process. But, when done right, it can help you achieve your goal of going to college.

1National Postsecondary Student Aid Study: http://www.fi naid.org/scholarships/award-count.phtml#NPSAS

SCHOLARSHIPcontinued from page 4

Finding the perfect college is kind of like investigative journalism -- you must do loads of research, ask all the right questions and visit the scene to gather fi rst-hand knowledge and experi-ence.

College visits should start percolating in the parental and student lobes toward the end of ju-nior year and the start of senior year. Road trips may be necessary, and several at that. The most comprehensive virtual tours and online scouring simply cannot replace the experience of seeing real dorm rooms or eating in actual dining halls.

As any tooth-and-nails journalist will tell you about a hot story, parents should have a strategy for visiting college campuses and getting the most out of each tour. Prepare to be schooled by Dr. Richard Bavaria, senior vice president of education outreach for tutoring authority Sylvan Learning.

Cast a wide netIf your high-schooler hasn’t done so already,

help them compile a list of potential universities. Ask what aspects of college life -- sports, extra-curriculars, campus/enrollment size, dorm life,

NAVIGATINGTHE LEARNING CURVE OFCOLLEGE VISITS

Call ahead to schedule tours, and make sure college is in session and students are attending classes so potential applicants see the whole experience.

(NewsUSA)

Continued on page 7


BillingsMSU Billings

McMullen Hall 1500 University Dr. Billings, MT 59101

(406) 657-1639

BozemanMSU-Bozeman

Strand Union Building, Room 179Bozeman, MT 59717

(406) 994-5024

ButteSchylar Canfi eld-Baber, Outreach Manager

Montana TechStudent Union Building, Room 112A

1300 W. ParkButte, MT 59701(406) 496-4890

Great FallsMSU-Great Falls College of Technology

2100 16th Ave. S.Great Falls, MT 59405

(406) 771-5136

HelenaUM-Helena College of Technology

Student Center Donaldson CampusHelena, MT 59601(406) 447-6950

KalispellFlathead Valley Community College

P.O. Box 777Lakeside, MT 59922

(406) 756-3382

MissoulaUM-Missoula

Lommasson Center, Room 218Missoula, MT 59812

(406) 243-5425

Miles CityMiles Community College

2715 Dickinson St.Miles City, MT 59301

(406) 874-6197

PabloSalish Kootenai College

Kenmille Building58138 U.S. Hwy 93

(406) 275-4860

Courtesy of the Student Assistance Foundation

CAMPUS OUTREACH OFFICES:

Schylar Canfi eld-Baber, Outreach Manager

Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) reaches out to students and families across Montana through sta� at its nine campus outreach o� ces.

Managers at these o� ces provide money management counseling, scholarship search and applica-tion assistance, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion help, resource referrals and more.

“These outreach o� ces allow SAF employees to interact with students in a setting that’s accessible and comfortable,” said Kelly Cresswell, SAF’s vice president of Founda-tion Activities. “We know from our experience that we’re able to serve far more students when we’re on campus, and provide a valuable re-source to the communities in which we have outreach o� ces.”

REACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTSREACHING OUT TO STUDENTS


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religious affiliations, academic strengths and offerings -- are important to them and use those criteria.

Mark choices as dream, target and safety schools based on your child’s aca-demic performance and test scores. The initial list can be pared down to a realistic number of colleges to visit.

Get SAT/ACT prep supportIf some of the dream schools seem out

of range due to unsatisfactory test scores, get your student SAT help from the local Sylvan Learning (www.sylvanlearning.com) tutoring experts. The level of competition to get into top schools is more intense than ever.

“The number of early admission ap-plications has increased dramatically, with some universities seeing double-digit jumps. To begin the college process, most students applying to competitive colleges now take the SAT/ACT more than once,” says Bavaria.

Go while college is in sessionWeekends and holidays can be dead

zones for college life, which won’t give your student a real glimpse of the campus. Call ahead to schedule tours, and make sure college is in session and students are attending classes so potential applicants see the whole experience.

Ask smart questionsEncourage your kid to question every-

one -- students, professors, advisors, librarians, coaches and more. Ask the same questions of different students and professors to compare answers. Parents, remember to hit key topics that students might forget, like financial aid and safety. You can usually trust them to inquire about food selection and social activities.

COLLEGE VISITScontinued from page 5


Although educators and administrators continue to debate the actual value of tests and examinations, testing has become an intrinsic part of the American education system.

Neither students nor parents can escape the reality of exams, and continuing academic success largely depends on managing test anxiety and learning how to adequately prepare for exams. But, that’s not the only factor. Doing homework assignments and participating in class help testing profi ciency, too.

“Make sure your child completes homework assign-ments and class projects,” says Richard Bavaria, Ph.D., senior vice president for education outreach at Sylvan Learning.

“Because tests refl ect overall achievement, the more e� ort your child puts into learning, the more likely he or she will do well on tests.”

Here are some other test-prep tips for both parents and students from Dr. Bavaria:

Know the targetMake sure that you understand exactly what is being

assessed, how it is being assessed (types of questions) and how it will be graded.

Use a study process campusTest preparation and studying should be an ongoing

process. Ideally, students should spend 15 minutes per night studying content from each school subject, in addition to any nightly homework.

Use strategies to manage test anxietyA little test anxiety can be helpful, but too much can

have an adverse e� ect on test performance. In order to manage test anxiety, make sure to be prepared, and use breathing and visualization techniques to work through the process.

Follow test instructionsWhile taking a test, make sure to pay close attention

to test- and question-specifi c instructions. Circle key words to make sure that all responses/answers ad-dress all parts of the question. When in doubt, ask the teacher to clarify.

Use a process to organize school-work and a study area

Being organized helps students access all materials when they are needed. A clean, quiet study area also helps students focus.

Support learning preferencesIdentify learning preferences, whether auditory,

tactile or visual. Keep them in mind when studying to help with di� cult subjects.

Use appropriate strategies to address di� erent question types

Knowing what types of questions will be on the test helps determine what and how students should study. Find out what kinds of questions will be used, be it multiple-choice, short-answer, true/false, matching or essays, and prepare appropriately.

HOW STUDENTSCAN MASTER TEST TAKING

(NewsUSA)

While taking a test, make sure to pay close attention to test-and question-specifi c instructions.

CAN MASTER TEST TAKINGCAN MASTER TEST TAKING


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Moving away from home for the fi rst time can be scary -- for both students and parents. But life in the dorm shouldn’t cause freshmen fear. Get started now preparing for your college career, and you’ll be ready for class in no time.

Plan ahead Start thinking about what you’ll need to thrive in dorm life. Make

a list of items to purchase for your dorm and for class. Check with your college for a list of recommended items, as well as items that are not allowed in the dormitory.

Create a budgetDetermine how much income you’ll have while in school, and

create a budget. Explore all your options for sticking to your new budget. Reloadable pre-paid cards are a great tool for learning to live within a set budget. These cards can be used like any debit or credit card but are loaded with money upfront and don’t require a bank account. They’re cheap, and many o� er e-mail or text updates on balances.

Dorm room essentialsStocking a dorm room on a budget has been made easier by

discount retailers. In one stop, you can get everything you need to outfi t your dorm room. Basics include a bed-in-a-bag, sheets, towels, pillow, trash can and storage bins. You’ll also need laundry detergent and a laundry basket or bag, fabric softener and stain remover, an iron, a hair dryer, hand sanitizer and tissue. Think of the items you typically use throughout the day and stock up.

Bathroom BasicsMost dorms don’t provide the luxury of private restrooms, so be

prepared for the community restroom. Items you’ll need include a shower caddy fi lled with essentials such as shampoo, razor and soap, wash cloths, fl ip fl ops and a bath robe.

Stock the fridgeBusy class schedules and late-night study sessions require seri-

ous sustenance, typically in the form of easy and cheap foods. Fill your dorm room pantry with inexpensive necessities like ramen noodles, peanut butter, microwave popcorn, pretzels and bottled water. You’ll probably also want a few basic cooking supplies such as a can opener, a set of small bowls and a co� ee maker.

Get ready for classNow that your dorm room is in order, you’ll need to get ready for

class. Classroom basics include a book bag, notebooks, highlight-ers, and pens and pencils. If you have a computer and printer, don’t forget copy paper, extra discs or an external hard drive.

(NewsUSA)

FRESHMAN SURVIVAL GUIDE:

When searching for dorm room essentials, make sure to s tock up on items you typically use throughout the day.

GET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESSGET READY FOR CLASS FOR LESS


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Where the people make [the difference].

For Montana students faced with choosing among two or three postsecondary institutions, the contents of their fi nancial aid award letters may make all the di� erence.

As a result, it’s important for students and families to make a close comparison of fi nan-cial aid opportunities and evaluate the overall benefi ts of each award package.

In general, most fi nancial aid professionals agree that it’s best to compare fi nancial aid award letters based on out-of-pocket cost. Out-of-pocket cost is the di� erence between the total cost of attendance and the total gift aid (grants and scholarships). Net cost, on the other hand, corresponds with expected family contribution (EFC), and should be similar among the di� erent colleges. Higher out-of-pocket costs result in greater debt after college, so it’s defi nitely favorable to select a school that helps to minimize out-of-pocket costs through fi nancial aid.

Also, students and parents should be sure to take into account the full cost of attendance. Consider direct costs which include tuition, fees, room and board and textbooks and sup-plies, and indirect costs which include travel, computer, personal expenses, student health insurance and more. Some schools only provide information on direct costs, so remaining costs should be factored into the equation when iden-tifying the most generous fi nancial aid award package.

Always use caution when considering fi nan-cial aid packages that include non-need-based loans. Accept gift aid fi rst and non-need-based loans after that. Remember, students are not required to accept the full loan amount, and

COLLEGEFINANCIAL AID AWARDS: BE A COMPARISON SHOPPERBy Carolynn Bright, Student Assistance Foundation

Continued on page 12


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Sheridan College inJohnson County235 S. Main StreetBuffalo, WY 82834307.684.2001www.sheridan.edu/jc

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should try to limit this type of aid, if pos-sible, in order to minimize debt load follow-ing graduation.

Parents and students should look for “gapping” in financial aid award letters. Gapping occurs when a college is unable to meet the full, demonstrated need of the students due to limited financial resources. Sometimes, schools attempt to disguise the gap by packaging student loans with other aid, leading students to accept funds that they will ultimately be required to repay.

In addition, be aware that some schools “front load” their grants. This means they award more grants in a student’s fresh-man year than in subsequent years. On the one hand, this practice helps students who drop out to have fewer loans to pay, but on the other, it paints an unrealistic financial aid picture for students who stick with their college agenda.

These are just a few of the items that students and parents should consider when evaluating financial aid award let-ters. Several helpful calculators and worksheets are available on the Internet to help with this process, including finaid.org, bigfuture.collegeboard.org, etc.

Remember, if you don’t understand something about your award letter, or think you should qualify for additional free aid, contact the financial aid office at your school immediately.

In addition, if you need help under-standing or making comparisons of your award letters, go to smartaboutcollege.org/outreach to find a nonprofit Student Assistance Foundation campus outreach manager near you.

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AWARDScontinued from page 11


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In light of the country’s economic downturn, few topics are as prevalent as stress. In the course of the last year, many families have su� ered the loss of their income, and many more have even lost their homes.

The reality of a recession always illustrates the problem of stress. But for the nation’s students, stress is a reality that, unlike economic woes, is more permanent than it is temporary. Handling stress is a large part of being successful in the class-room, particularly as students advance through high school and into higher education. But handling stress is di� erent for everyone, and there are myriad healthy ways in which students can cope with stress.

Combine regular exercise witha healthy diet

Studies abound as to the mental benefi ts of exercise. Exer-cise not only improves a person’s physical health, but also has a positive impact on mood, oftentimes making it easier to cope with stress. Part of that is because exercise relieves muscle tension, which can build up greatly in individuals su� ering from signifi cant stress. In addition, the negative e� ects of stress can be weight gain and other damaging physical e� ects, making exercise especially important for those under constant stress.

While a healthy diet can be di� cult for the nation’s college students, that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Recognizing that, many of the nation’s universities have increased their e� orts to provide students with healthier fare at dining halls or other cam-pus eateries. Students should take advantage of this whenever and wherever possible. Eating well can also help reduce stress, as a balanced diet will provide both the energy and nutrients necessary to handle a full load.

Learn to take a breatherAdults often take breaks when going through the daily grind,

and students should make note and follow suit. Studying for too long without taking a break can be counterproductive, as concentration will begin to wane after too long, making it in-creasingly di� cult to soak in studies. Schedule breaks into each study session, whether it’s to go for a walk, jog or simply fi t in a healthy meal. But don’t allow break time to become too big a distraction.

Determine the root cause of the stressWork is typically the root cause of adult stress, and school is

often the cause for students. Many students stretch themselves too thin, hoping to gain as much as they can from their high school or college experience and therefore fi lling their schedules. But students who feel as though they’re being pulled in too many directions should drop an activity or two. For instance, playing a varsity sport while holding down a part-time job and having a full course load is simply doing too much. If a class is getting to be too much to handle, students should consult a teacher and explain the situation.

Don’t be afraid to speak about stressMany students fi nd it healthy and rejuvenating to simply speak

about their levels of stress. This helps to get things o� their chest, and it also inadvertently gives them time away from stud-ies. Be it sharing experiences with stress among fellow students or simply talking to Mom and Dad, students should speak about stress in an e� ort to combat its ill e� ects.

(Metro Services)

HANDLING THE STRESSOF BEING A STUDENT

The stress of being a success-ful student is a pressure many students must learn to deal with, particularly as they advance through high school and higher education.

OF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENTOF BEING A STUDENT


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