Welcome to the 10th Annual Getting Ready
for College Conference
Presented by: West County College Access Network
Agenda
WelcomeGoals/Objectives Why College?College AdmissionCollege PreparationHigher Learning InstitutionsCollege ApplicationStudent Personal Statement Parent/Guardian ChecklistPaying for CollegeClosing
Why College?
High school diploma is no longer enough
Enables student to earn higher income and provides chance to work in better conditions
Enhances skills, knowledge and abilities (SKA)
Offers opportunity for personal development and future accomplishments
Creates positive role model for community
Provides quality life experiences – EXPOSURE
9th Grade
• Plan Out 4 Year Class Schedule
• Explore Extracurricular Involvement
• Maintain GPA
• Explore Interest/College Majors
10th Grade
• Grades Matter!
• Continue Involvement
• Prepare for PSAT
• Explore College Majors/ Campuses
11th Grade
• Take on Academic Challenges
• Pursue Leadership Opportunities
• Take PSAT Exam
• Practice for SAT and ACT
• Tour College Campuses
12th Grade
• Apply to Colleges Early
• Meet Provisions of Admission
• File FAFSA or California Dream ACT Application
• Apply for Scholarships
• Continue to EXCEL!
College!
College Prep over 4 Years
•Ensure on track to complete A-G requirements•Enroll in Advance Placement (AP) or College Courses •Download SAT practice booklet – www.collegeboard.com •Download ACT practice booklet – www.act.org •Register for College Admission Exams – Check for fee waiver•Pursue Leadership/Community Service/Volunteer Opportunities•Visit School Counselor to learn about College Access Programs available on campus •Tour Colleges – Visit colleges websites regarding tour dates•Create Scholarship Search Accounts – www.fastweb.com •Research and Apply for scholarships – e.g. Nordstrom offers $10K for high school juniors
10th and 11th Grade
12th Grade
•Visit school counselor to identify College Access Programs available on high school campus
•Prepare a personal statement and resume
•Create a college binder/activity calendar/carry a flash drive
•Visit colleges websites to review specific admission requirements and information for potential/future students
•Obtain 2-3 letters of recommendations – Ask teachers, counselors, community leaders, and/or extracurricular activities/club leaders
•Obtain high school transcript and create list of extracurricular activities, community or volunteer services, and/or awards
•Apply to colleges EARLY and check email account regularly
• Create Scholarship Matching Accounts - www.fastweb.comwww.scholarshipexperts.com, www.studentscholarship.org
• Apply for Scholarships – local, state, national, civic, social, check high school website, future attending college website, etc.
• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – www.fafsa.ed.gov or a California Dream ACT Applicationwww.caldreamact.org • Create a Web4Grants (WGS) account–www.webgrants4students.org or https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/ • Create a CSU Mentor account if applying or interested in learning more about California State Universities (CSU) – www.csumentor.edu
• Continue to EXCEL!
12th Grade Continued
Types of Institutions
•
Proprietary Schools
(6 months – 4 years)
• Certificate• Associate’s • Bachelor’s
• Masters
Community College(2 years)
• Associate’s Degree
High School Diploma/GED
University(4 years)
• Bachelor’s Degree
Graduate or Professional
School(2-6 years)• Masters
• Doctorate
College: Choosing the Best Fit
Factors to Consider:
• Areas of Interest/Majors
• Cost of Attendance (COA)
• Attend a CSU, UC, Public, or Private Institution
• College Term – Quarter (8-10 weeks) Semester (16-18 weeks)• Geographical Location (in-state, out-of-state or international student determines resident fees)
• Campus Life/Size
Impacted Majors and Campuses
Impacted Undergraduate Majors and Campuses in the California State University (CSU) 2016-2017
An undergraduate major or campus is designated as impacted when the number of applications received from fully qualified applicants during the initial filing period exceeds the number of available spaces.
CSUs Fullerton, Long Beach, San Diego, San Jose, and San Luis Obispo campuses are impacted in all majors.
College Applications
College Applications may require:• Official High School Transcript• Personal Statement• Letters of Recommendation• Standardized Test Scores – SAT and/or ACT• Financial Aid Application (FAFSA/CA Dream Act Application/SAR)
College Applications Fee
CSU campus admission application requires a $55 fee (per application)
UC campus admission application requires a $70 fee (per application)
Fees are nonrefundable, may not be transferred to another term, and are
subject to change.
College Fee Waivers
Application Fee WaiversCommunity College: Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver CSU campus: California residents who demonstrate financial
need may qualify for an application fee waiver. Students are allowed to submit application fee waivers to up to four CSU campuses when they apply using the CSUMentor site.
UC campus: Will waive application fees for up to four UC campuses for qualified students who would otherwise be unable to apply for admission. The fee waiver program is for United States citizens, permanent residents, and applicants eligible for AB540 benefits.
College Applications
Quick Glossary Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)Student Aid Report (SAR) – Summary of information
completed on FAFSAExpected Family Contribution – (EFC)
Four (4) easy steps to access college glossary:
1) Visit https://fafsa.ed.gov 2) Click on About Us tab (located upper left corner) 3) Scroll down to More Infor (located lower right corner) 4) Click on Glossary
Personal Statement
Student’s Personal Story• Opportunity to supplement application• Describe challenging circumstances
and/or barriers overcome • Write about interests, talents, personal
experiences, 1st generation to attend college, childhood, future academic and career goals, and why student wants to attend college
Personal Statement (cont.)
Allocate Sufficient Time To: • Drafting personal statement • Reviewing personal statement • Revising personal statement based on
feedback from two (2) reviewers • Finalizing personal statement for
submission with college applications and/or scholarships opportunities
Parent/Guardian ChecklistFirst 5Create a College Planning/Event Calendar with highlight
deadlines
Establish deadlines for College Preparation Activities – e.g. personal statement, college applications, create WebGrants for Student Account, scholarships etc.
Obtain high school transcript/awards/club activities
Visit various colleges websites to ensure clear understanding of college admission requirements
Establish relationship with high school College Access Program contact or “Google” College Checklist
Next 5 Ensure student is on track with A-G requirements and passed
Exit Exam
Visit various colleges websites and review information for potential/future students
Plan college tours – Visit selected colleges websites for tour dates, discuss living arrangements, review Cost of Attendance
Network with family, friends, co-workers, and check social/civic organizations regarding scholarship opportunities
Check employer’s website for scholarship opportunities
Parent/Guardian Checklist (cont.)
• California State University (CSU) Applications: Fall 2015 filing period - October 1 – November 30, 2015
• WCCUSD PSAT (Juniors) and SAT (Seniors) scheduled during school/home school
- October 14, 2015• University of California (UC ) Application Fall 2015 filing period - November 1-30, 2015
• Submit FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) or CA Dream Act Application (www.caldreamact.org) Check with school regarding “Cash for College Night Workshop”
- January 1 – March 2, 2016 Note: Review Student Aid Report (SAR) and submit
corrections as soon as possible
• College Admission Notifications – ( UC post admission online) - March 1-30, 2016• Submit Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by - May 1, 2016• Submit Official high school and college records by - July 1, 2016
Important Deadlines
What You’ll Learn Today
•Different forms of money for college
•How to get it
•Where to get it
•When to get it
Tuition & Fees Room & Board
Transportation
Books & Supplies
Miscellaneous Living Expenses
Cost of Attendance (COA)+
What are the costs?
Sources of Financial Aid
College(institutional aid)
outside/privateSources
FederalGovernment
State Government
Federal Aid
GRANTS
•Federal Pell Grant: need-based, up to $5,775•Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: exceptional need, up to $4,000State of California Aid•Cal Grants- Must be a CA resident or AB540 attending an eligible institution in CA
- Must make satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution
A need-based employment program that provides on- and off-campus jobs to students.
Work Study
The amount of work study is determined by FAFSA
Compensation is at least the current federal minimum wage
A student must work for these funds
To understand the difference between the two, consider this: When will interest begin to accrue?
Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized
Type Need or No Need
Interest
Subsidized Stafford Loan
A need-based loan
Interest is paid by the federal government while a student is in school at least ½ time, during grace period, and during authorized periods of deferment
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
NOT a need-based loan
A student is always responsible for paying interest
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WHAT?
US Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grant + State Aid + Institutional Aid+
Scholarships)
Undocumented/ AB540 Students
State Financial Aid (State Aid + Institutional Aid+
Scholarships)
Foster Youth All Financial Aid
(Pell Grant+ Chaffee Grant+ State Aid + Institutional Aid+ Scholarships)
(Fill out Dream Application)
Applying for Financial Aid FAFSA4caster
• Get a head start on the FAFSA application!
• Check out your financial aid eligibility before 12th grade at: http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
Financial Aid for Undocumented Students-AB131
AB131: Authorizes AB540 students to apply for state aid: Board of Governor’s Fee Waiver Cal Grants
Effective January 1, 2013
Financial Aid for Undocumented Students-AB130
AB130: Authorizes AB540 students to apply for privately funded scholarships given out by a CA public college/university.
Effective January 1, 2012Requirements:-Be classified as AB540
-Scholarships’ requirements will be implemented by each campus.
Financial Aid for Undocumented Students
• Not eligible for FAFSA• Eligible for CA Dream Act• AB130• Private Universities• Private Scholarships
–www.E4FC.org
How can parents help? Ensure students:
– Are aware of types and sources of financial aid– Get help from their school to fill out the FAFSA– Submit the FAFSA/CA Dream Application as early as
possible (if eligible)– Do your Taxes early!!– Check the SAR for accuracy– Meet state deadlines for financial aid (3/2/16)– Communicate with their institution’s office of
financial aid
New in 2016….
FSA IDFederal Student ID (replaces PIN)An FSA ID is a username and password that
you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites. Your FSA ID identifies you as someone who has the right to access your own personal information on ED websites such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) at fafsa.gov.
CSS PROFILE
•Usually ONLY IF PRIVATE SCHOOL REQUESTS THIS FORM
•PROFILE Application deadline is February 1, please be aware that on January 29, 30, 31, and February 1 activity on the PROFILE website is heavy.
•The fee for the initial application and one college or program report is $25. Additional reports are $16.•A limited number (6 total) of fee waivers are granted automatically — based on the information entered on the PROFILE application — to students who are first-time college applicants and are from families with low incomes and assets.
The Financial Aid Process
Complete FAFSA/DREAM
APP
Receive and review the Student Aid
Report
Complete verification
process (if selected)
Receive and review
Award Offer
Respond to college
Complete all pending
processes
Renew FAFSA/ DREAM APPevery year
What is a Scholarship?
Money awarded (free) to students based on academic or other achievements to help pay for education expenses.
Award Based on: Financial need Merit Special Talents Experiences, etc.
NEVER pay to access scholarship information!
Scholarship Resources
Scholarships Fastweb: Fastweb.comScholarships from all over the country.
East Bay Consortium Scholarship Directory: eastbayconsortium.orgA variety of local and national scholarships. Ed Fund: Edfundwest.orgFor low-income WCCUSD seniors with a 2.5 GPA and above.
Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC): e4fc.orgSupporting undocumented studentsThe Gates Millennium Scholars: www.gmsp.org
Attend Resource Fair
Complete College Conference Evaluation for entry into Conference Raffle
Closing Thought
If you can dream it, you can do it. Walt Disney
Closing
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