College Information Presentation for Seniors Class of 2021 MHS - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

College Information Presentation for Seniors Class of 2021 MHS College and Career Center September 2020 1

MHS Class of 2021 College Handbook  Detailed information to help students understand the steps to applying for college and financial aid  Download here  Limited quantities of printed handbooks are available in the College and Career Center  This presentation highlights the key sections of the handbook:  Plan for College/Career  Apply to College  Pay for College  Helpful Websites 2 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Plan for College/Career MHS College and Career Center September 2020 3

Resources/Timeline Pages 3 & 4 in MHS College Handbook  Resources for seniors  College and Career Center  Schoology Class of 2021 “course”  Guidance Counselors  MHS Website  Opportunity Board  MHS e-Newsletter  Timeline  The Handbook includes a suggested monthly timeline  Many application deadlines are in the fall, so the process starts now 4 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Consider College Options  4- year college/university = Bachelor’s degree  2-year college transfer to 4-year college/university = “2+2” = Bachelor’s degree  2 year degree = A.S. degree  Vocational program = training for career  Decide what path is best for you/your goals  Find colleges that match 5 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Researching and Visiting Colleges Pages 5 – 9 in MHS College Handbook  Virtual College Fairs/Information Sessions  College websites  Many offer virtual tours/info sessions/chats with admission officers  Big Future (part of College Board)  Florida Shines  Be proactive – take advantage of these opportunities  Make a list of colleges, know deadlines and apply 6 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

SAT and ACT Tests Pages 10 and 11 in MHS College Handbook  Register to test/retest (if needed) ASAP  Required for many 4-year colleges/universities  and for Florida Bright Futures/many other scholarships  Be aware of test registration deadlines  Be aware of college deadlines to accept test scores  SAT test dates/registration information – click here  ACT test dates/registration information – click here 7 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Apply to College MHS College and Career Center September 2020 8

General Application Process Pages 12 – 14 in MHS College Handbook The Application 1.  Online – go to college websites for instructions  Start the application and complete each section  Pay the application fee and submit Transcripts 2.  Order from MHS Registrar (or complete Self Reported Academic Record depending on college instructions) Official SAT and ACT test scores 3.  Send official scores to colleges (order via your SAT/ACT student account) 9 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Read the instructions carefully Every college/university does it differently  Each college provides detailed instructions on how to apply  The instructions will let you know what their deadlines are, what is needed by the deadline, the essay prompt, etc. – available on their websites  Questions? Call the college! They are the experts on their application – so don’t hesitate to contact them DEADLINES ARE CRITICAL 10 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Application Status  After you submit your application, be sure to check your status – read your email and look for confirmation from the college that the application was received  Make sure all other required documents (transcripts, test scores) were received 11 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

College Essay Page 15 in MHS College Handbook  May be a part of the application; if so, essay prompts will be provided  A way for the college to get to know you beyond grades/test scores  Present a personal and compelling view of yourself  Show them who you are, what motivates you, what your are passionate about, etc.  Typically 500 words long  Handbook provides tips and helpful websites MHS College and Career Center September 2020 12

Letters of Recommendation  Page 16 in MHS College Handbook  May be a part of the application – not all colleges require them  Meet with (or email) your teacher/counselor and ask them to be a recommender  Give your recommender at least 2 weeks notice  Provide information to help them write a great letter  Complete a form available in the CCC/Guidance  Attach your resume 13 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Resume Page 16 in MHS College Handbook  All activities while in high school  Clubs, sports, volunteer service, work, honors, awards  Quality not Quantity  Include number of years involved and hours per week or hours per month  Colleges want to know what you do outside of class  Sample resume templates available in the College and Career Center 14 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Pay For College MHS College and Career Center September 2020 15

Cost of Attendance Pages 17 in MHS College Handbook  Determine Cost Of Attendance  Tuition and fees  Room and Board (meal plan)  Books and Supplies  Personal Expenses  Transportation  Look for estimated cost of attendance on each college website 16 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Four Key Steps to Financial Aid Federal Aid – FAFSA 1.  Need based - federal grants, student loans, work study  EVERY SENIOR SHOULD COMPLETE THE FAFSA State Aid – Florida Student Financial Aid 2.  Merit based – grades, test scores, volunteer hours, other Institutional Aid 3.  From the colleges 4. Private Scholarships  National and local 17 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

The FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid Pages 19-20 in MHS College Handbook  The FAFSA is available to complete on October 1, 2020  Based on your 2019 tax information  On or after October 1 st , go to FAFSA.gov to fill out the application  Website provides detailed instructions on how to complete it and the FAFSA help center is open extended hours to take calls  The most important financial aid application to complete 18 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

The FAFSA Continued  The earlier you complete it, the more likely you are to receive certain types of aid (such as Federal Work Study). Plus some colleges have deadlines for the FAFSA  Students and parents should complete the FAFSA together because both will have to provide information and sign the application  You will receive confirmation email within a few days. Read the email carefully to make sure it went through successfully.  Even if you think you won’t qualify, every senior should complete the FAFSA – many colleges require it to be completed in order to offer Institutional Aid 19 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

FSA ID  Create your student and parent FSA IDs prior to starting the FAFSA application  Required to electronically sign the FAFSA  Student must have one  Parent must have one  Must be different  Each must have a unique cell phone number and/or email address  Learn more/link to FSA ID here 20 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

State Aid – Florida Financial Aid Application Page 21 in MHS College Handbook  Seniors must complete the FFFA application to be eligible for state of Florida aid  This application includes Florida Bright Futures and many other state grant programs  Opens October 1 st  It’s your responsibility to know and meet the requirements and deadlines for state aid 21 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Florida Bright Futures  Eligibility requirements are subject to change by the Florida Legislature  You can apply even if you are still working towards the requirements; Must apply/meet requirements before graduation  Note GPA Requirement: unrounded, weighted high school GPA (calculated to two decimal places) in the 16 college-preparatory credits. Honors, AP and DE weighted .50 per year course. See Bright Futures website for details. MHS College and Career Center September 2020 22

Institutional Aid  Aid from the Colleges/Universities  Admissions Scholarships  Based on ACT/SAT/GPA  Many universities have admissions scholarships but they all have different rules and deadlines. Contact their Office of Admissions for more information  Start early- Some schools stop awarding these scholarships as early as November  Need-Based Aid from the Colleges/Universities  COMPLETE THE FAFSA! Check the college deadlines for FAFSA. MHS College and Career Center September 2020 23

Private Scholarships  Hundreds of organizations offer scholarships to students  Each set their own criteria, application and deadline  The organization will determine the winners  If students meet the criteria, they are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as they are able  Check the MHS Scholarship List often  College and Career Center page of MHS website  Check other scholarship databases (see page 22 in the MHS College Handbook) 24 MHS College and Career Center September 2020

Helpful Websites  Page 23 in MHS College Handbook provides additional resources for college and career planning 25 MHS College and Career Center September 2020