Planning for Postsecondary Education and Training Presented by the South Western High School Guidance Department for Parents of 9th Grade Students

Contacting the Guidance Department: 717-632-2548 COUNSELORS: Dr. Tom O’Connor (A-F) x21910 [email_address] Mr. Wayne Kern (G-L) x21912 [email_address] Mrs. Amy Devine (M-R) x21914 [email_address] Mrs. Rachel Berkebile (S-Z) x21915 [email_address] Mrs. Lisa Dennis (School-to-Career) x21913 [email_address] SECRETARIES: Mrs. Michelle Cramer x21924 [email_address] Mrs. Mary Hahn x21925 [email_address]

COUNSELORS:

Dr. Tom O’Connor (A-F) x21910 [email_address]

Mr. Wayne Kern (G-L) x21912 [email_address]

Mrs. Amy Devine (M-R) x21914 [email_address]

Mrs. Rachel Berkebile (S-Z) x21915 [email_address]

Mrs. Lisa Dennis (School-to-Career) x21913 [email_address]

SECRETARIES:

Mrs. Michelle Cramer x21924 [email_address]

Mrs. Mary Hahn x21925

[email_address]

SWHS Mission Statement South Western High School - is committed to challenging all students to become self-sufficient lifelong learners and productive citizens who are able to adapt to the ever-changing world.

South Western High School - is committed to challenging all students to become self-sufficient lifelong learners and productive citizens who are able to adapt to the ever-changing world.

SWHS “School-to-Career” Focus: Emphasizing the use of “CHOICES Planner®” career & educational resources at home and at school Building strong connections with community & business partners in order to systematically expose all students to a variety of careers Keeping students “in sync” with their aptitudes, interests, & abilities Helping students discover a variety of options, equipping them with the skills to succeed in life, and fostering more effective planning for students’ futures

Emphasizing the use of “CHOICES Planner®” career & educational resources at home and at school

Building strong connections with community & business partners in order to systematically expose all students to a variety of careers

Keeping students “in sync” with their aptitudes, interests, & abilities

Helping students discover a variety of options, equipping them with the skills to succeed in life, and fostering more effective planning for students’ futures

Q: What’s the high percentage link between “school” and “career?” A: Postsecondary Education! OK, so where do I begin? I have at least 1,000 questions, like … What kind of school would be right for my student? How does the application process work? What about tests, like the SAT? How much will higher education cost, and how will we pay for it?

OK, so where do I begin? I have at least 1,000 questions, like …

What kind of school would be right for my student?

How does the application process work?

What about tests, like the SAT?

How much will higher education cost, and how will we pay for it?

Step #1: Relax … you CAN do this! With planning… preparation… and appropriate resources... higher education is possible for practically everyone! However … “ Without preparation, opportunity is an empty promise.” --Alan Page Minnesota Supreme Court Justice since 1992 (former Notre Dame All-American, Minnesota Viking & Member of the NFL Hall of Fame)

With planning… preparation… and appropriate resources... higher education is possible for practically everyone!

However …

“ Without preparation, opportunity is an empty promise.”

--Alan Page

Minnesota Supreme Court Justice since 1992

(former Notre Dame All-American, Minnesota Viking & Member of the NFL Hall of Fame)

Planning: Conducting research Self-discovery, self-knowledge, and self-assessment: interests, abilities, & values World of work awareness: careers, occupations, & lifestyles – seeing the “big picture” Mapping the pathway: education & training necessary to get “there” from “here” Connecting the plan to high school education & experiences Developing a strategy to drive the quest Parents must encourage and reinforce these activities!

Self-discovery, self-knowledge, and self-assessment: interests, abilities, & values

World of work awareness: careers, occupations, & lifestyles – seeing the “big picture”

Mapping the pathway: education & training necessary to get “there” from “here”

Connecting the plan to high school education & experiences

Developing a strategy to drive the quest

Parents must encourage and reinforce these activities!

Planning: Using Resources CHOICES Planner® (SWSD - Internet) TestGEAR Test Prep Program (SWSD - Internet) SWSD Website - www.swsd.k12.pa.us/~tomo WWW Resources – many and ever-expanding! www.collegeboard.com www.studentaid.ed.gov www.pheaa.org Resources in Print Media: Video, Audio, CD-rom People power

CHOICES Planner® (SWSD - Internet)

TestGEAR Test Prep Program (SWSD - Internet)

SWSD Website - www.swsd.k12.pa.us/~tomo

WWW Resources – many and ever-expanding!

www.collegeboard.com

www.studentaid.ed.gov

www.pheaa.org

Resources in Print

Media: Video, Audio, CD-rom

People power

Planning: Using CHOICES Planner® CHOICES Planner ® ( www.bridges.com ): SWHS Site ID: 0100502 Password: western (all lowercase) Create a Portfolio – the ultimate “toolbox” Self-assessment of interests, skills, career-related aptitudes Career exploration, planning, and decision-making Educational exploration, planning, and decision-making Integral part of SWHS Graduation Project!

CHOICES Planner ® ( www.bridges.com ):

SWHS Site ID: 0100502 Password: western (all lowercase)

Create a Portfolio – the ultimate “toolbox”

Self-assessment of interests, skills, career-related aptitudes

Career exploration, planning, and decision-making

Educational exploration, planning, and decision-making

Integral part of SWHS Graduation Project!

Planning: Test Prep with TestGEAR Available at www.bridges.com SAT, PSAT, ACT Personal account Customizes test preparation “ Brain Scan” identifies strengths and areas most in need of improvement Permits self-paced individualization

Available at www.bridges.com

SAT, PSAT, ACT

Personal account

Customizes test preparation

“ Brain Scan” identifies strengths and areas most in need of improvement

Permits self-paced individualization

Planning: Using WWW Resources Information explosion on Internet! www.collegeboard.com – CollegeBoard.com for Parents www.act.org (ACT) www.educationplanner.org (AES/PHEAA) www.finaid.org (Financial Aid/Scholarships) www.fastweb.com (Financial Aid/Scholarships) www.sshechan.edu (PA State System of Higher Education) … plus many more websites, including: www.campuschamps.com (student athletes) www.ncaa.org (NCAA) www.state.pa.us (Info & Services: Learning in PA) www.papsa.org (PA career schools)

Information explosion on Internet!

www.collegeboard.com – CollegeBoard.com for Parents

www.act.org (ACT)

www.educationplanner.org (AES/PHEAA)

www.finaid.org (Financial Aid/Scholarships)

www.fastweb.com (Financial Aid/Scholarships)

www.sshechan.edu (PA State System of Higher Education)

… plus many more websites, including:

www.campuschamps.com (student athletes)

www.ncaa.org (NCAA)

www.state.pa.us (Info & Services: Learning in PA)

www.papsa.org (PA career schools)

Planning: Using print and other media Books in print: College Handbook College Board Book of Majors College Cost and Financial Aid Handbook Parents’ Guide to Paying for College Peterson’s Guides College Viewbooks & Catalogs Many, many, miscellaneous directories, compilations, and references College DVDs, streaming video, live Web cams, Web-based virtual campus tours, & other visual media Career exploration DVDs & videos Test preparation software and audiovisual media

Books in print:

College Handbook

College Board Book of Majors

College Cost and Financial Aid Handbook

Parents’ Guide to Paying for College

Peterson’s Guides

College Viewbooks & Catalogs

Many, many, miscellaneous directories, compilations, and references

College DVDs, streaming video, live Web cams, Web-based virtual campus tours, & other visual media

Career exploration DVDs & videos

Test preparation software and audiovisual media

Planning: Using People Power SWHS Counselors, Teachers, Coaches, & Administrators College Admissions Representatives, Financial Aid Officers, Faculty, & Administrators State Agency (PHEAA) Officers Junior-Senior Parents’ Forum - April SWHS Alumni

SWHS Counselors, Teachers, Coaches, & Administrators

College Admissions Representatives, Financial Aid Officers, Faculty, & Administrators

State Agency (PHEAA) Officers

Junior-Senior Parents’ Forum - April

SWHS Alumni

JOB #1: Academics Curriculum Graduation Requirements Appropriate Course Selections Challenging One’s Abilities Athletic and Extracurricular Considerations Attendance Achievement

Curriculum

Graduation Requirements

Appropriate Course Selections

Challenging One’s Abilities

Athletic and Extracurricular Considerations

Attendance

Achievement

Curriculum: Graduation Requirements (Class of 2010 & thereafter) English – 4 cr. Social Studies – 4 cr. Science – 3 cr. Math – 4 cr. Humanities – 2 cr.* * recommendation for college-bound students : at least 2 credits within the same Foreign Language Business/Career – 1 course Fine Arts – 1 course Practical Arts – 1 course Phys. Ed. – 2 cr.(.5 cr./yr.) Health Ed. – 1 cr. (.5 cr. in 9 th & in 11 th ) Safety Ed. - .25 cr. (10 th ) First Aid - .25 cr. (10 th ) Speech - .5 cr. (12 th ) Graduation Project

English – 4 cr.

Social Studies – 4 cr.

Science – 3 cr.

Math – 4 cr.

Humanities – 2 cr.*

* recommendation for college-bound students : at least 2 credits within the same Foreign Language

Business/Career – 1 course

Fine Arts – 1 course

Practical Arts – 1 course

Phys. Ed. – 2 cr.(.5 cr./yr.)

Health Ed. – 1 cr.

(.5 cr. in 9 th & in 11 th )

Safety Ed. - .25 cr. (10 th )

First Aid - .25 cr. (10 th )

Speech - .5 cr. (12 th )

Graduation Project

Course Selection & Scheduling Consult South Western High School’s Curriculum Guide, “The Compass” Appropriate course selections, consistent with postsecondary aspirations Academic, Honors/Advanced Placement Proper course sequencing Prerequisite courses Advance planning Dual Enrollment, Early Graduation NO SLACKING!

Appropriate course selections, consistent with postsecondary aspirations

Academic, Honors/Advanced Placement

Proper course sequencing

Prerequisite courses

Advance planning

Dual Enrollment, Early Graduation

NO SLACKING!

Admissions Testing ( Don’t panic! ) PSAT/NMSQT (10 th & 11 th ) SAT Reasoning Test (11 th & 12 th ) ACT Assessment (11 th & 12 th ) SAT Subject Tests (optional) AP (Advanced Placement) Tests (The PSSA Reading, Mathematics, Writing and Science Assessments are not currently used by colleges in their admissions deliberations.)

PSAT/NMSQT (10 th & 11 th )

SAT Reasoning Test (11 th & 12 th )

ACT Assessment (11 th & 12 th )

SAT Subject Tests (optional)

AP (Advanced Placement) Tests

(The PSSA Reading, Mathematics, Writing and Science Assessments are not currently used by colleges in their admissions deliberations.)

PSAT/NMSQT Taken during school day on designated Wednesday in October (fee = approx. $15) Measures critical reading, math, and writing skills needed for college & many career fields Opportunity to compare student performance with college-bound peers nationally For juniors, serves as National Merit Scholarship qualifier Student Search Service puts college admission & financial aid info in your mailbox Best opportunity to practice for SAT under real test conditions Yields excellent score report highlighting strength areas and those needing improvement

Taken during school day on designated Wednesday in October (fee = approx. $15)

Measures critical reading, math, and writing skills needed for college & many career fields

Opportunity to compare student performance with college-bound peers nationally

For juniors, serves as National Merit Scholarship qualifier

Student Search Service puts college admission & financial aid info in your mailbox

Best opportunity to practice for SAT under real test conditions

Yields excellent score report highlighting strength areas and those needing improvement

PSAT/NMSQT Critical Reading : sentence-level & critical reading passages ( like the SAT) Math : algebra, geometry, functions, probability, statistics, data analysis (like the SAT) Writing : grammar, usage, word choice, identify sentence errors, improve sentences, improve paragraphs (like the SAT, but without the essay) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scores reported on 20-80 scale with percentile rankings Test-taking hints and practice test provided at registration Recommended for students in both sophomore & junior years Results available as early as mid-December

Critical Reading : sentence-level & critical reading passages ( like the SAT)

Math : algebra, geometry, functions, probability, statistics, data analysis (like the SAT)

Writing : grammar, usage, word choice, identify sentence errors, improve sentences, improve paragraphs (like the SAT, but without the essay)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scores reported on 20-80 scale with percentile rankings

Test-taking hints and practice test provided at registration

Recommended for students in both sophomore & junior years

Results available as early as mid-December

SAT Reasoning Test SAT is intended to supplement students’ secondary school record in college admissions considerations Formerly called the SAT-I, the SAT Reasoning Test was implemented in March 2005 Critical Reading Section (formerly Verbal ) Emphasis on critical reading , sentence-level reading Reading comprehension, sentence completions, paragraph-length critical reading items Mathematics Section Emphasis on number & operations, algebra I & II and functions, geometry, statistics, probability, and data analysis Multiple-choice & student-produced responses Calculator use permitted, but not required Writing Section Emphasis on grammar, usage, and word choice Multiple-choice questions and student written essay

SAT is intended to supplement students’ secondary school record in college admissions considerations

Formerly called the SAT-I, the SAT Reasoning Test was implemented in March 2005

Critical Reading Section (formerly Verbal )

Emphasis on critical reading , sentence-level reading

Reading comprehension, sentence completions, paragraph-length critical reading items

Mathematics Section

Emphasis on number & operations, algebra I & II and functions, geometry, statistics, probability, and data analysis

Multiple-choice & student-produced responses

Calculator use permitted, but not required

Writing Section

Emphasis on grammar, usage, and word choice

Multiple-choice questions and student written essay

SAT Reasoning Test Scores reported on scale of 200 (low) to 800 (high) for each scale Percentile rankings reported for each scale Offered at national test centers on seven Saturdays during year Administered at SWHS annually in October, November, & June SAT Subject Tests Formerly called “SAT-II,” are one-hour, multiple-choice specific subject tests (e.g., math, literature, chemistry, history), some with special features (i.e., language listening, required calculator use) Used by some colleges for admission, course placement, and/or student advising

Scores reported on scale of 200 (low) to 800 (high) for each scale

Percentile rankings reported for each scale

Offered at national test centers on seven Saturdays during year

Administered at SWHS annually in October, November, & June

SAT Subject Tests

Formerly called “SAT-II,” are one-hour, multiple-choice specific subject tests (e.g., math, literature, chemistry, history), some with special features (i.e., language listening, required calculator use)

Used by some colleges for admission, course placement, and/or student advising

ACT Assessment ACT Assessment: <3-hour multiple-choice test measuring developed skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning; now includes an optional writing test ACT is intended to supplement students’ secondary school record in college admissions considerations ACT SCORING: English * : 1 - 36 Mathematics * : 1 - 36 Reading) * : 1 - 36 Science Reasoning * : 1 – 36 Writing (optional) 1 - 36 Composite (*sum /4): 1 - 36

ACT Assessment: <3-hour multiple-choice test measuring developed skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning; now includes an optional writing test

ACT is intended to supplement students’ secondary school record in college admissions considerations

ACT SCORING:

English * : 1 - 36

Mathematics * : 1 - 36

Reading) * : 1 - 36

Science Reasoning * : 1 – 36

Writing (optional) 1 - 36

Composite (*sum /4): 1 - 36

A dvanced P lacement Testing Capstone exams offered through College Board’s AP Program, designed to assess mastery of college-level course work AP Courses currently offered at SWHS: English Literature and Composition United States History Government and Politics: United States Calculus AB Biology Physics B Optional, testing fee paid by student ($86 per exam for 2009) Scored on a 1 (low) to 5 (high) scale; colleges vary widely in their acceptance & treatment of AP scores, even within institutions (consideration usually begins at 3) Potential savings and/or academic advantages for degree completion are real but not guaranteed

Capstone exams offered through College Board’s AP Program, designed to assess mastery of college-level course work

AP Courses currently offered at SWHS:

English Literature and Composition

United States History

Government and Politics: United States

Calculus AB

Biology

Physics B

Optional, testing fee paid by student ($86 per exam for 2009)

Scored on a 1 (low) to 5 (high) scale; colleges vary widely in their acceptance & treatment of AP scores, even within institutions (consideration usually begins at 3)

Potential savings and/or academic advantages for degree completion are real but not guaranteed

Getting to the Bottom Line … The College Board recently surveyed four-year colleges to determine what admissions criteria they consider “very important”… based on responses from nearly 2,000 institutions: School Achievement – 83% Test Scores – 59% Recommendations – 19% Application Essay – 17% Interview – 14% Activities – 4%

The College Board recently surveyed four-year colleges to determine what admissions criteria they consider “very important”… based on responses from nearly 2,000 institutions:

School Achievement – 83%

Test Scores – 59%

Recommendations – 19%

Application Essay – 17%

Interview – 14%

Activities – 4%

Checking Your Toolbox: Handy Web Resources CHOICES Planner Free service courtesy of South Western SD REQUIRED for satisfactory completion of Graduation Project Includes testGEAR (online test prep) CollegeBoard.com for Parents CollegeBoard.com Students

CHOICES Planner

Free service courtesy of South Western SD

REQUIRED for satisfactory completion of Graduation Project

Includes testGEAR (online test prep)

CollegeBoard.com for Parents

CollegeBoard.com Students

NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association www.ncaa.org Core Purpose … to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse … all high-school athletes wishing to compete in college must register with the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

Core Purpose

… to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount

Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse

… all high-school athletes wishing to compete in college must register with the Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse

www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse: Prospective Student-Athletes Registration form and Login Student information General Information (including eligibility rules) Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete Division I Freshman Eligibility Standards Division II Freshman Eligibility Standards High School Core Courses Requirements List of Approved Core Courses (formerly 48H) Schools sponsoring NCAA sports

NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse:

Prospective Student-Athletes

Registration form and Login

Student information

General Information (including eligibility rules)

Guide for the College Bound Student-Athlete

Division I Freshman Eligibility Standards

Division II Freshman Eligibility Standards

High School Core Courses Requirements

List of Approved Core Courses (formerly 48H)

Schools sponsoring NCAA sports

FINANCING HIGHER EDUCATION Introduction to Financial Aid Programs & Resources (Financial Aid Information Night: Wed., Jan. 7, 2009, 6:30 - 8:00 PM SWHS Auditorium) Let’s talk MONEY…

Primary Value Underlying “Financial Aid” “ Families have a moral obligation to assist students with the costs of postsecondary education.”

“ Families have a moral obligation to assist students with the costs of postsecondary education.”

Categories of Aid NEED BASED AID - primary source of financial assistance, based on demonstrated financial need MERIT BASED AID - generally awarded with little or no regard to financial need, recognizing student’s academic performance, special skills or achievements, athletic or artistic potential, program of study, family background

NEED BASED AID - primary source of financial assistance, based on demonstrated financial need

MERIT BASED AID - generally awarded with little or no regard to financial need, recognizing student’s academic performance, special skills or achievements, athletic or artistic potential, program of study, family background

Types of Financial Aid GIFT AID Scholarships Grants SELF HELP Loans Employment

GIFT AID

Scholarships

Grants

SELF HELP

Loans

Employment

Financial Aid Sources FEDERAL* STATE* INSTITUTIONAL* PRIVATE * Key application method and form: FAFSA ( F ree A pplication for F ederal S tudent A id), more specifically FOTW (FAFSA on the Web) filed no earlier than January 1 of the year the student will enroll in higher education

FEDERAL*

STATE*

INSTITUTIONAL*

PRIVATE

* Key application method and form: FAFSA ( F ree A pplication for F ederal S tudent A id), more specifically FOTW (FAFSA on the Web) filed no earlier than January 1 of the year the student will enroll in higher education

Costs of Attendance (COA) DIRECT COSTS Tuition & Fees Room & Board Books & Supplies INDIRECT COSTS Transportation Personal Expenses Personal Computer Loan-related fees Disability-related expenses Child or elder care

DIRECT COSTS

Tuition & Fees

Room & Board

Books & Supplies

INDIRECT COSTS

Transportation

Personal Expenses

Personal Computer

Loan-related fees

Disability-related expenses

Child or elder care

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) (measure of a family’s financial strength) Parent Contribution (PC) (plus)+ Student Contribution (SC) (equals)= Expected Family Contribution (EFC) (calculated from FAFSA info)

Parent Contribution (PC)

(plus)+

Student Contribution (SC)

(equals)=

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

(calculated from FAFSA info)

Expected Family Contribution (EFC) DETERMINING FACTORS Parents’ income Parents’ assets (not primary residence) Age of older parent Family size/number in college Student’s income Student’s assets

DETERMINING FACTORS

Parents’ income

Parents’ assets (not primary residence)

Age of older parent

Family size/number in college

Student’s income

Student’s assets

NEED CALCULATING FINANCIAL NEED: [Cost of Attendance] minus [ Expected Family Contribution] equals “ Need ” (for need-based aid) (COA) - (EFC) = Need

CALCULATING FINANCIAL NEED:

[Cost of Attendance] minus

[ Expected Family Contribution]

equals “ Need ” (for need-based aid)

(COA) - (EFC) = Need

Need varies with cost of institution - $12,000. EFC $11,000. NEED (equals) (minus) $23,000. COA College A (private) $14,000. COA (minus) - $12,000. EFC (equals) $ 2,000. NEED College B (public)

Examples of Financial Aid Packages $11,125. Total Package $ 2,625. Stafford Loan $ 2,000. Perkins Loan $ 1,500. Work-Study $ 0. SEOG Grant $ 5,000. Institution Schol. $ 0. PA State Grant $ 0. Pell Grant College A (private) $ 3,125. Total Package $ 2,625. Stafford Loan $ 0. Perkins Loan $ 0. Work-Study $ 0. SEOG Grant $ 500. Institution Schol. $ 0. PA State Grant $ 0. Pell Grant College B (public)

Remaining Need NEED - Federal Aid - State Aid - Private Aid - Institutional Aid Remaining Need (Unmet Cost)

NEED

- Federal Aid

- State Aid

- Private Aid

- Institutional Aid

Remaining Need (Unmet Cost)

Remaining Need After Aid Packages $11,125. Total Aid Package $11,875. Unmet Cost $11,875. Remaining Need $11,000. Need $23,000. COA College A (private) $14,000. COA $ 2,000. Need $ 3,125. Total Aid Package $10,875. Remaining Need $10,875. Unmet Cost College B (public)

Meeting Remaining Need (“Unmet Cost”) PLUS Loans – Federal (ED) & State (PHEAA) Parent Loans Other Scholarships (community or fraternal organizations, unions, charitable foundations) – some advertised through SWHS Guidance Department Employers (tuition assistance and/or reimbursement, scholarships, education grants/loans) PA nowU (formerly PA TAP) Programs & other “Section 529 Plans” Personal Savings (student and/or parents) Student Employment Private Gifts Private Loans Second Mortgages Etc.

PLUS Loans – Federal (ED) & State (PHEAA) Parent Loans

Other Scholarships (community or fraternal organizations, unions, charitable foundations) – some advertised through SWHS Guidance Department

Employers (tuition assistance and/or reimbursement, scholarships, education grants/loans)

PA nowU (formerly PA TAP) Programs & other “Section 529 Plans”

Personal Savings (student and/or parents)

Student Employment

Private Gifts

Private Loans

Second Mortgages

Etc.

Financial Aid Forms FAFSA – “ F ree A pplication for F ederal S tudent A id” Required for Federal and State Programs, and for virtually all postsecondary institutions that administer federal $ FOTW = FAFSA on the Web CSS PROFILE Fee-based service provided through the College Board, not required by many colleges Institutional Forms Private Applications Loan Applications

FAFSA – “ F ree A pplication for F ederal S tudent A id”

Required for Federal and State Programs, and for virtually all postsecondary institutions that administer federal $

FOTW = FAFSA on the Web

CSS PROFILE

Fee-based service provided through the College Board, not required by many colleges

Institutional Forms

Private Applications

Loan Applications

Back to Your Toolbox: More Handy Web Resources FAFSA.ed.gov FAFSA4caster.ed.gov + password & PIN US Department of Education CollegeBoard.com for Parents CollegeBoard.com Students EducationPlanner.org American Education Services (AES) & PHEAA SWGUIDANCE.edublogs.org “ Local” scholarship sources

FAFSA.ed.gov

FAFSA4caster.ed.gov + password & PIN

US Department of Education

CollegeBoard.com for Parents

CollegeBoard.com Students

EducationPlanner.org

American Education Services (AES) & PHEAA

SWGUIDANCE.edublogs.org

“ Local” scholarship sources

Wrapping up … Q: What traits do Admissions Officers look for in applicants? A: The very same traits that produce success across one’s career and life span...

Key Traits for College, Career, & Life Success: Strong academic achievement Potential for intellectual growth & academic success Communication skills Interpersonal skills Involvement (extracurricular & community activities) Demonstrated initiative & ambition Independence & leadership Personal responsibility for decisions Accountability for choices and their consequences Time & task management skills

Strong academic achievement

Potential for intellectual growth & academic success

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Involvement (extracurricular & community activities)

Demonstrated initiative & ambition

Independence & leadership

Personal responsibility for decisions

Accountability for choices and their consequences

Time & task management skills

The Bottom Line – 7 Points Think “College Bound” starting NOW ! Get your student involved and get yourself involved - take an active approach, and insist on QUALITY ! Start planning financially in your family – learn how financial aid works, and what’s “out there” for when it’s your turn Initiate discussions about the institutional characteristics that will be important in “matching” schools to your student’s needs – and start looking for schools that match! Nurture scholastic achievement – encourage appropriate reading and foster good “academic” behavior Monitor and guide your student’s course selections – remember, QUALITY is key, but balance rigor and reality! Insist that your college-bound student takes the PSAT/NMSQT in 10 th and 11 th grades, and the SAT (or ACT) at the end of 11 th grade – and take some practice tests.

Think “College Bound” starting NOW !

Get your student involved and get yourself involved - take an active approach, and insist on QUALITY !

Start planning financially in your family – learn how financial aid works, and what’s “out there” for when it’s your turn

Initiate discussions about the institutional characteristics that will be important in “matching” schools to your student’s needs – and start looking for schools that match!

Nurture scholastic achievement – encourage appropriate reading and foster good “academic” behavior

Monitor and guide your student’s course selections – remember, QUALITY is key, but balance rigor and reality!

Insist that your college-bound student takes the PSAT/NMSQT in 10 th and 11 th grades, and the SAT (or ACT) at the end of 11 th grade – and take some practice tests.

SWHS Guidance Department stands ready to help your family! Thank you for the support and encouragement you have given your students, and for all you invest in their future success. Your participation in tonight’s program is a visible sign of your devotion and commitment to your children. QUESTIONS??? GO MUSTANGS!

Thank you for the support and encouragement you have given your students, and for all you invest in their future success.

Your participation in tonight’s program is a visible sign of your devotion and commitment to your children.

QUESTIONS???

GO MUSTANGS!