I've applied to college(s). Now what?!

Hi Fives, Seniors! 

You've submitted college applications and are opening doors for your future....It's important to have a few choices and there is still plenty of time to apply to other schools. But what else can you be working on?

1. Fill out the FAFSA! Most of you have done this but if you haven't THE TIME IS NOW! Let's set up an appointment to get this done! 

2. Keep your grades up. I know it's hard as you get further along in your Senior Year. Senioritis is REAL! But your grades STILL matter. Your colleges will get your Final Transcript and they can 'un-admit' you. 

3. Check your COLLEGE email! Make sure the admissions office has all of your application pieces. Your colleges will send you information about establishing an email account with them. YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS REGULARLY! If you don't, you could miss out on deadlines, $cholarship opportunities, and other important information. If you have trouble remembering user names and passwords, make sure to make a note in your phone so you can log in!

4. Apply for ALL of the $cholar$hips! Seriously, apply for as many as you can. Use the Scholarship List on the right side of this page and consider setting up a Fastweb.com search that will email you scholarships you are eligible to receive! 

College and Scholarship Essays!

You guys! If you haven't started (and maybe even finished) your college application essays...

IT IS TIME! 

I know it can be hard to write about yourself and share your thoughts, feelings and experiences with total strangers. But it can be the MOST POWERFUL part of your application. Sure, grades and test scores matter but most colleges want to get to know YOU as a person with a story...not just the numbers and letters on your transcript! Your essay really is an opportunity for the people in admissions to learn more about WHY they should admit YOU to their college. 

Carve out some time over Thanksgiving Break to work on essays! 

TAKE A CHANCE! 

Be yourself! Make sure your essay 'sounds' like you. Just like you want people to be REAL with you, being REAL in your essay makes a difference! 

Start NOW! Select one of your essay topics. Set your timer for 30 minutes and just brainstorm. Write/type EVERYTHING that comes to mind...even if it's takis! I mean, try to stay focused on the topic and write any and everything that comes to mind. You may come across an idea or direction you weren't expecting BUT that will make an awesome essay! And remember, no one has to EVER see your brainstorming document. 

Check out the links below for some great tips on writing your BEST college essay! There are some video clips too. 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/8-tips-for-crafting-your-best-college-essay

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions

What types of Financial Aid are there?

Hey Seniors! We've talked a lot about the FAFSA and the federal Pell Grant, loans and work-study programs available with FAFSA completion. But there are OTHER options too! We've talked about Institutional Aid- money that is awarded to you by your school of choice. This can be need based, merit based and/or based on your chosen major/course of study. Get in touch with your College or University's Financial Aid Office and see what they offer! You may be able to search for Scholarships via their webpage too.

When should you be applying for Scholarships?

NOW! Even if you are a Junior or underclassmen...

There are scholarships for just Freshman.
NOW is the time especially if you are a Senior. Consider it your homework. Seniors, you should be spending a few hours a week researching scholarships, deciding which ones to apply for and then ACTUALLY APPLYING! As you near adulthood, this is a great test of your preparedness. No one can do it for you! Go get that $$$! 

Remember to look carefully at your scholarship options and avoid SCAMS!

Here are links to some of the Federal Grants:

• Federal Pell Grants  
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)  
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants  
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants  

Here's a great resource for SEARCHING for Scholarships! 

https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx

Don't forget the YESS Scholarship Resources page too!
http://yesscollegeandcareercorner.blogspot.com/p/scholarship-resources.html

Here are some ideas about other places to look for/ask about scholarships:

• your library’s reference section
• foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
• organizations (including professional associations) related to your field(s) of interest
• ethnicity-based organizations
• your employer or your parents’ employers

College and Scholarship Apps! It's your JOB!

Hey Seniors! The time is NOW for completing your college and scholarship applications! Think about the process as a part time job...that can pay off in $cholar$hip dollar$ as well as in higher earning$ over your lifetime once you graduate. Remember, this is true for certificates, associates degrees, AND bachelors degrees.

Commit to a few hours a week of work on your applications! Be sure to have a few trusted adults read your essays! Label your essays well as google docs. For example, "Emily Webster MSU Essay" so that your readers know it's your essay!

Remember to use your College App Info Sheet to help you complete your applications accurately. You should apply to at least 3 schools....one you're sure to get into, one you will likely get into and a REACH school...one that may be a bit harder to get into. But now is the time to try!


Click here to search for Scholarships!

Click here for Essay Writing Tips! 

Click here for some help deciding where to apply! 

Scholarship Essays!

Hey Team 2018! 

It's CERTAINLY time for you to be working on your scholarship essays! Here are some tips! 

1. Grab your reader's ATTENTION! 

Out of the First Lines below, which one would you be more likely to read??? 

• Example #1: Strong leadership skills are important for many reasons.
• Example #2: November 12, 2004, was the day I lost everything.

Think of how you can stand out from the pack and use YOUR unique voice! 

2. Edit and reuse your Essay (don't make MORE work!).

With a few edits, you can adjust your essay to be used for more than one application. Be sure that you are answering the specific question for each essay but keep in mind, there is usually overlap of topics! 

3. Keep your readers INTERESTED!

Be creative. Think outside the box. While your mom or dad may be your biggest role model, a lot of students will likely say that...Can you come up with a different answer? Or a unique approach? 

4. Follow the Essay Instructions.

The guidelines are there for a reason. Don’t write under the limit. Don’t write over the limit. Submit the application early...you will not get an extension. Be sure to answer the question(s). If they ask for the file as a .pdf, take the time to send it as a .pdf. 

5. Stay Focused on the TOPIC.

Be sure everything you write is connected to the topic. Do not go on a tangent just to add words to meet a word count. Readers are reviewing A LOT of essays and just need one reason to stop reading. 

6. Have a Point!

THESIS THESIS THESIS

You can look at your thesis as your one-sentence answer to the essay question. The rest of your essay should fully support your thesis statement and paint an intriguing picture for your readers. 

7. Check Your Essay for Spelling Errors.

In fact, have a friend and a teacher/counselor check your essays too. 

8. Use Correct Grammar and Punctuation.

Take your time to write, read, re-read and re-write as needed. Do your best and then seek help from someone you know is a good writer (see #7). 

9. Care About What You’re Writing.

When choosing your topic or thesis, be sure it is something that you personally care about sharing. You'll stand out as passionate! Bonus- It is easier to write about topics that you care about! 

10. Avoid Repetative Conclusions.

Don't just rewrite your thesis. Find a new way to restate it when wrapping up your essay. End with a STRONG, INTERESTING conclusion. Take your time when crafting this! 

.

FAFSA Checklist!

On October 1st, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens for completion. Below is a list of the items you need to complete your application for FREE $$$$ for college including most technical schools (Emily Griffith Technical College).

Be sure to get these items together NOW so you are ready!

Here’s what you’ll need:

 Your Social Security card and driver’s license (if you have one).

Your parents income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms from 2016 if you are a dependent (and you are unless declared otherwise). 

• If you are employed, bring your tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms from 2016! 

 Records and documentation of other nontaxable income received such as welfare benefits, Social Security income, veteran’s benefits, military or clergy allowances (if applicable). 

 Any additional applicable financial information, such as taxable work-study, assistant-ships, fellowships, grants and scholarship aid reported to the IRS, combat pay or special combat pay and cooperative education program earnings. 

 Records of any additional nontaxable income: Examples include: child support received, veterans’ non-education benefits, money received or paid on your behalf, etc. 

 Current bank and brokerage account statements, including records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments (if applicable). 

 Business or investment farm records (if applicable). 

 Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances, such as anything that changed from last year or anything that distinguishes the family from the typical family in terms of unusual marital situations, living situations, separations, etc. Examples include: high non-reimbursed medical and/or dental expenses, unusually high dependent care costs (e.g., for a special needs child or an elderly parent), death, divorce, salary reductions, job loss and private K-12 tuition. 

 When filling out and submitting your FAFSA electronically, you’ll need an FSA ID to sign the form. If you don’t have one, you can create a FSA ID online. If you are applying as a dependent- again, you are unless declared otherwise – one parent is required to sign as well. To electronically fill out your FAFSA online, your parent should also apply for a FAFSA ID at the same site. 

 If you are a male, 25 years or younger, you must be registered with Selective Service. 

Check out this worksheet for further information.

(Checklist above pulled from the Fastweb site.) 

Senior Year 1st Semester Checklist!

Hey Seniors! I know you have A LOT going on...SAT prep and testing, homecoming, sports, clubs, enjoying the last year of high school, work, AP/Honors classes, concurrent enrollment, etc, etc.

Don't forget your Post-Secondary Planning! Check out the checklist below to help guide your planning, application and access process. As always, let me know if you have ANY questions!

FALL OF SENIOR YEAR! 

• Finalize your College/Post-Secondary Program Application List! Be sure to include some schools that may be harder to get in to as well as at least one school to which you will for sure be admitted. This list can include colleges, apprenticeships, military and/or technical schools. These are all GREAT post-secondary options. 

• Prepare for and complete the FAFSA. Use the search tool in the blog to find LOTS of information regarding what documents you need, creating a FSAID and other info about the process. 

• Stay focused on your grades and extracurricular activities. These remain important parts of your resume. Finish strong! 

• Keep track of deadlines! Consider using calendar reminders on your phone to alert you well ahead of deadlines (so you take time to work on applications) as well as the day applications are due. 

• Meet with your School Counselor. They will need to know what schools/programs you are applying to so they can send Transcripts, Score Reports, and other application items. Be sure to give them access to the required forms WELL in advance. Be sure to THANK them for their help. 

• Continue researching scholarships, add them to your College Research Spreadsheet, and complete these applications! 

• Ask for Letters of Recommendation NOW! Be sure you are giving your teachers, counselors, etc enough time to write you an AWESOME letter. If you wrote one for yourself last year, you an share it with them along with your resume to help them out! 

• Complete your College/Post-Secondary Program applications as soon as possible. Even if a school has a deadline in the spring, aim to complete your application by Thanksgiving Break. Put yourself at the TOP of the pile! 

• ASK for help! If you have questions, ASK them! It's ok to not know everything about the post-secondary process. It's a whole new world. If something doesn't make sense, ASK! This is a good habit to get into as you'll have LOTS of questions once you get to college. ASKING for help is part of being an adult, trust me!