I've done some college research but...

" I've done some college research but..." 

• I don't remember what schools I looked up.
• I liked some of the schools I looked at but forget why. 
• I researched so many schools, they are all running together.
• none of them are in a city. 
• etc, etc. 

Remember the research grid some of you completed last week? Well, here is something similar in digital form SO YOU WON'T LOSE IT and you can update it regularly. As you do your college (re)search, keep this document open in another window and ADD the answers as you look through college webpages. Then the info is ALWAYS available to you. Fill in as much info in each box as you can! 

Make sure that when you open this google sheet, you opt to make a copy of it and save it to your own drive. Once you open the document via the link below, click file and select "Make a copy..."
If you have questions on how to do this, just let me know! I'll check your "My College (re)Search" sheet next time I see you, so get started TODAY! 

Here's the link to the sheet.

Hey, Juniors! What time is it?!

COLLEGE TIME! 

I know you have a lot going on RIGHT NOW and it may be hard to make time to think about college...but let's start the process. 

Believe me, it'll save you some stress next year. Just as your current Senior friends!

This should be a fun process as you explore your opportunities. I know most of you have some great ideas about where you'd like to go and what you'd like to do (I'm super impressed, by the way). There are SO many options out there though. Take a few minutes to answer some questions and see if you learn anything new! 

Click here to get a few recommendations just for you!
Try this link too for some other ideas! 

Take some time each week to research colleges and post-secondary training programs near and far. Make sure you keep track of what you find. I'd start a google doc/sheet where you can save school names, weblink and other important information. Maybe rank schools you've researched on a scale of 1-5 starts. Be creative! Whatever works for you! 

Check out these tips for building your college list. Now is the time to brainstorm so write ALL of your ideas down. Want to go to college in a far away state or even another country? Want to go to Stanford but aren't sure how to make it happen?

WRITE IT DOWN! 

When I see you next, I'll want to see your brainstorm list of colleges and post-secondary programs you'll consider. Fill up a page and HAVE FUN EXPLORING! 

Second Semester Senior Year! What do I do?!

Hey Seniors! The countdown is ON! You are in the final months of your High School career. 

So, what's important now?! 

Check out the list below and consider setting reminders and deadlines in your phone's calendar. Trust me, it works! 

• Visit colleges that you are considering attending if you are able
• Make a final decision about which college to attend and notify the school of your decision 
• Give your school counselor/DSF Advisor a copy of your college acceptance notice 
• Keep track of all college deadlines for fees and paperwork 
• Notify the schools that you will not be attending 
• Continue to search and apply for scholarships opportunities 
• Remember your 2nd Semester grades DO MATTER! 
• Give your school counselor/DSF Advisor a copy of any scholarship award letters
• Continue to keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines 
• Check you email for your SAR (Student Aid Report), if you haven't already
• Compare financial aid packages from different schools
• Create a Pros/Cons List for your possible colleges to help you decide where to attend
• Get in touch with the Financial Aid office at your school (or schools) of choice 
• Talk to your peers and trusted adults about the whole process
• Let your school counselor/ DSF Advisor know which college you will be attending so they can send out your final official transcript including 2nd semester

Accepted!!! Now what?

Many of you have received acceptance letters from colleges and universities around the country. 

Congratulations! 

Now what?! You have some big decisions to make but where do you even start?

Let's consider a few approaches to making your decisions! 

Remember: There is no such thing as a perfect college but you can DECIDE on the best college for you.  College really is what YOU make of it!

1) ASK QUESTIONS! Consider what is most important to you like distance from home, cost to you, sports teams on campus, course of study, clubs etc. Make a list of at least 10 questions that you can research and answer about your colleges. Create a chart to keep track of the questions and answers (something like this). You'll likely have to do some research to find your answers...but that's all part of the decision making process! 

2. Compare Financial Aid Packages! You'll need to consider  the cost of attendance for each school. This doesn't ALWAYS mean go to the school that will cost you the least! For example, if College A has the Major you want to pursue but College B does not, it may be worth it to attend College A! Don't lose sight of your long term goals. Here is some more info on assessing the $$$ part of your decision. Talk to people you trust especially when considering any loans! 

3. If you are able to do so, visit the campus (even if you've already been). You have now been accepted and are deciding where to spend a HUGE amount of time and energy over the next 2-4 years. Most schools provide opportunities to return after you've been accepted and even arrange for overnights where you stay in the dorms with current students. Let me know if you want help looking into this kind of opportunity! You get to learn first hand about life on campus by living it for a day or two! If you can't stay over night or won't be living on campus, you can probably find an event (a play, lecture, sports game) that's open to the public. Check it out! 

4. Talk to people who know and love you! While you don't have to do what they say, people who know you probably can help with the decision. They may bring up things you didn't think about and likely have your best interests at heart. Talking it through is also a great way to learn more about yourself and your interest in particular schools. Do you get really excited when talking about College B but not so much about College A? That tells you something important!!!! 

5. Pay attention to deadlines as they vary by school. You don't want to miss out out on your 1st Choice School because you missed the deadline for committing! 

As always, let me know if you have any questions! 

I completed my FAFSA>>>Now what?

High five for completing your FAFSA! But that's just the beginning of your financial aid journey. Take a few minutes to watch the video below:

https://youtu.be/1c1gNefSw78?list=PL23B9A23CD8DD82DD

Keep an eye on emails from FAFSA. You'll receive one with a link to your SAR shortly after submitting your FAFSA application. You may want to search your inbox for FAFSA and/or SAR (student aid report) to be sure you haven't missed it! Some students didn't read the whole thing and never got to the link for the SAR!

If you've already been admitted to any colleges, follow the steps provided in your admission paperwork/email to access your account for that school. Some of them may also create an institutional email address for you. You'll want to check that regularly (at least once a week!) in case they send you information about financial aid and enrollment to that email address! Consider making a calendar reminder to check weekly!

Check out the info provided by FAFSA about Next Steps here. There's info about verification, your SAR, how to claim your award $, and some details about the loan process should you choose to accept a loan.

Always talk to a trusted adult or friend about financial aid decisions. Remember you'll get financial aid packages from all the schools for which you submitted an application. You'll want to compare these offers as you decide what school to attend! Don't commit to anything until you've considered your options from a financial perspective too!!!

The Vocabulary of Finanicial Aid: A Glossary

The Vocabulary of Financial Aid: A Glossary 

Accreditation-

The US Department of Education recognizes that the school meets basic academic standards. Schools must be accredited to be eligible to participate in federal student aid programs. Make sure the schools you are considering are accredited! 

COA- Cost of Attendance

The total amount it will cost you PER YEAR to go to school. This number includes tuition and fees; room and board; and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and dependent care. It will include personal expenses, such as an allowance for the rental or purchase of a personal computer; costs related to a disability; and reasonable costs for eligible study-abroad programs.

DRN- Data Release Number
A 4 digit number given to you on your SAR (top right hand corner). It can be used to grant permission for your FAFSA data to be shared with other schools.

DEFAULT-
Failure to pay your loan according to the loan agreement or promissory note. There can be serious legal consequences of defaulting. Seek help before you choose to default!

DEFERMENT-
Postponing payment during which time interest does not accrue. You have to go through a process to request deferment. You can't just decide to stop paying!

DISBURSEMENT- 
Payment of federal aid funds to the borrower (usually the student- that's you!) by the school. This usually happens twice a year.

EFC- Estimated Family Contribution
The number used to determine your federal financial aid is based on the information you provide on your FAFSA.

FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid

FEDERAL STUDENT AID- 
This is financial aid provided by the federal government. You apply for the aid by completing the FAFSA. Grants, loans, and work study are all parts of Federal Student Aid. The money is to be used for college or career school costs at eligible schools.

FINANCIAL AID OFFER or PACKAGE-
The total amount of financial aid (federal and nonfederal) a student is offered by a college or career school. The school's financial aid staff combines various forms of aid into a “package” to help meet a student’s education costs.

FSA ID- Federal Student Aid Identification

INSTITUTIONAL AID-
Financial aid provided by the institution you are attending. This can come in the form of grants and/or scholarships for which you must submit applications.

INTEREST-
A loan expense paid to the borrower based on the interest rate and the remaining unpaid amount of the loan.

LOANS-
Money you borrow that must be repayed with interest.

PELL GRANT-
A federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need.

PERKINS LOAN-
A federal student loan, made by the recipient's school, for undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need. 

SAR- Student Aid Report
You'll receive a SAR after you've completed your FAFSA application. If you provided an email address, the link to your report will come via email. Provided there were no errors on or questions about your FAFSA, this will also include your EFC.

SCHOLARSHIPS-
Money awarded to you for your educational expenses that does not have to be repaid. Don't forget to APPLY for a pile of scholarships!

WORK STUDY-

You'll complete part-time work on campus as part of your federal student aid. The money earned will be used to pay your college expenses.

Don't forget to talk to trusted people in your life about financial aid decisions! 

$$ Scholarships $$

Hey, Seniors! I know we talk A LOT about scholarships...but you won't get them by talking! 

 YOU HAVE TO PUT IN WORK!

What's your game plan? How are you tackling this MAJOR PROJECT? 

Here are some ideas for managing all of the details, planning your timeline and WINNING! 

• Set aside time every week to work on scholarships. Add it to your calendar and COMMIT to making it happen!
• Start by searching for scholarships. Use the resources here! As you find scholarships you are eligible for, make a list in a spreadsheet! Prioritize! NOTE DEADLINES and Total $$$ you can earn! 
• Once you have a list, get started on the applications. You'll be applying for many so set up a system for tracking which ones you are applying for, your log in info, what paper work you may need to send or upload (ie ACT Score Sheet, your Transcript). 
• REMEMBER THE DEADLINES! Set reminders in your phone WELL BEFORE the scholarships are due. DON'T PROCRASTINATE. 
• Ask for Letters of Recommendation ASAP!!! (See here for info on how to best do this!)
• Have people you know well read your essay(s) AND have people you don't know so well help you too! Different perspectives and feedback will only strengthen your work!
• SUBMIT! SUBMIT! SUBMIT! Remember, you can't be awarded scholarships if you don't apply! 

Find more helpful info on how to find and apply for scholarships here.