POST-SECONDARY PREPARATION CHECKLIST

AS A SENIOR:

  ·       Take challenging classes in English, mathematics, science, history, computer and a foreign language.

·       Register for and take the ACT, SAT or any other exams required for admissions to the schools you might want to attend.  If you have difficulty paying the fees for such test, see your counselor about a fee waiver.

·       Meet with your counselor early in the year to discuss your plans and begin the process of selecting information on colleges.

·       Identify the important factors when choosing a college:

1.     Whether you want to attend a two-year college, four-year college, private or technical school.

2.     Pick the college that offers the program of study you wish to pursue.

3.     Choose the location and size of school that meets your needs.

4.     Determine what is your chance of admission to that college.

5.     Find information on costs and financial aid.

6.     Determine what college entrance examinations (ACT or SAT) are required and be sure to have your scores sent to the college of your choice.

·       Share your college plans with your parents and have them help you.

·       Use the college information resources in the counseling office:  (1)  Use the Handbook on Colorado Collegiate Institutions,  (2)  Use the Barron’s Profile on American Colleges for out-of-state schools,  (3)  Use the Colorado and National directories of private vocational schools.

·       Visit the college campus of your choice.  Check out the following information:  (1)  Where will you eat?  Sleep?  Attend classes?  Worship?  Have fun?,  (2)  What is the community like?  (3)  What kinds of students will you be associating with during the next few years?  (4)  What is the academic atmosphere like?  (5)  Other questions may concern campus regulations, extra-curricular activities, fraternities, sororities, financial aid, social life, etc.

·       Attend College Night at the high school.

·       Once you have made a final selection:  (1)  Complete the application (type or print neatly in ink).  (2)  Be sure to meet the application deadline for the college of your choice.  (3)  Take your completed application and application fee to the counseling office.  Your counselor will make a transcript and mail everything together for you.

·       Complete all necessary financial aid forms by the schools’ deadlines.  Forms may be obtained from the counseling office after January 1^st.  You will need your parents’ income tax return to complete them.  Make sure that you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

·       Request all required letters of recommendation, transcripts, and such at least two weeks before any deadlines.

·       Be patient while your chosen college’s admission people process your application.

·       If it is not certain that you will be accepted at your first choice, you will probably want to choose a back-up college and apply to that school also.

·       Once you have been accepted, be sure to send the admissions office a letter of acceptance.

·       Be sure to arrange housing.  Sometimes a down payment is required.

·       When you check-out at the end of your senior year, be sure to indicate on the checkout card where you want your final transcript sent.

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION FOR POST-SECONDARY TRAINING

Students and parents should not assume that they cannot afford a particular college or university.  Financial aid often makes it possible for students to attend colleges they would have thought too expensive.

            The following are sources of financial assistance for postsecondary students.

Federal Pell Grants

Campus based Programs

                                    Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

                                    Federal Work-Study

                                    Federal Perkins-Loans

William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans

                                    Federal Direct Stafford Loans

                                    Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Federal Family Education Loans

                                    Federal Stafford Loans

                                    Federal PLUS Loans

Grants (Pell and FSEOG) do not have to be repaid;  loans (Perkins, Direct, and FFEL) must be repaid.  Work-study (FWS) provides income from a part-time job.

            Federal Pell Grants are awarded through strict rules set by the Department of Education.  If a student is eligible on the basis of these rules, an eligible school may pay the student his or her Federal Pell Grant and will be reimbursed by the Department of Education.

Scholarships are also a source of money that is awarded because a student is outstanding in some area.  This can be provided through the college (based upon grade point average, college test admission test scores, and/or class rank) or awarded through local sponsoring agencies with varying requirements.  Students are encouraged to apply for all scholarships.

            Most students will find that financial aid generally comes in the form of a “package”.  A package is a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work study.  Packages are awarded through the financial aid office, and will vary from college to college.

Important phone numbers:

                                                Federal Student Aid Information Center:

                                                            General Information:  1-800-4-FED-AID 

(1-800-433-3243)

                                                            TDD (for the hearing impaired)

                                                                                                1-800-730-8913

                                                            Toll number for application status checks

                                                                                                319-337-5665

Important Wed Sites:

                                                ED’s Information for Students:

                                                            http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/Students/

                                                FAFSA on the Web:

                                                            http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

                                                Funding Your Education:

                                                            http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FYE

                                                The Student Guide:

                                                            http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/

                                                Completing the FAFSA:

                                                            http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FAFSA

TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL AID, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

1.     In the fall of your son or daughter’s senior year, complete the individual financial aid (and scholarship) application forms for each college to which your son or daughter is applying.

2.     Obtain a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) from your high school guidance office in December and have all of your tax information organized early.  The FAFSA is a federal form which asks for information on income and assets.  Approximately 3 - 10 weeks after you have mailed your FAFSA, you will receive an SAR (student aid report) which will inform you of your EFC (estimated family contribution).  This is the amount they have determined you can afford to pay for your son or daughter’s education that year.  If the cost of the college is more than your EFC, you have a financial need and should be eligible for financial aid.  Contact the college’s financial aid office for further information and assistance.

3.     In addition to the FAFSA, some colleges also require the submission of the CSS/Financial Aid Profile.  The financial Aid Profile is a need analysis and there is a processing fee.  Contact your high school guidance office for information and forms.

4.     Attend any financial aid nights and/or meetings that may be offered in your area.  Canon City High School will host a FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP on January 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Auditorium.  Representatives from Financial Aid and Admissions from the University of Southern Colorado and a representative from the Southern Colorado Educational Opportunity Center will be available to share information that evening.  This should be an very informative meeting and all parents are encouraged to attend.

5.     Complete the FAFSA as soon after January 1 (or after the financial aid meeting) as possible.  Even if you know that you will not qualify for any need based aid because of your income, you should still complete the FAFSA. Colleges and organizations often want it verified that students are not eligible for need based aid before they award non-need based aid. 

Tip:  Before you send the FAFSA, make a copy.

A FINAL CHECK-LIST FOR SENIORS AND PARENTS.

1.     Have your career plans be finalized?

2.     Have you taken the appropriate tests for admissions into your post secondary study?

3.     Have you completed all necessary application forms for further training?

4.     Have you considered all financial aid?

5.     Have you made a decision in a career area?

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP

Monday, January 12, 1998

Canon City High School Auditorium  7:00 p.m.

Representatives from University of Southern Colorado Admissions Office and Financial Aid Office and a representative from Southern Colorado Educational Opportunity Center will present the program.

Parents of seniors are encouraged to attend.

School to Work Grant,       Get with Lee about details

Spring and Summer School??