Post on 25-Dec-2015
Senior year can be a roller coaster of emotions for both students and parents…..
~A time of anticipation and anxiety;~A time of transition as students move towards
greater independence~A time to embrace new challenges like
managing time and finances~A time to let go
~A time to redefine oneself
SHOULD I BE FEELING GUILTY? WE HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING YET.
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE
WHEREVER YOU ARE NOW IS OK
THINGS HAVE A WAY OF WORKING OUT
My student doesn’t have any idea what he/she wants to do…
“Most successful young people don’t look inside and then plan a life. They look outside and find a problem, which summons their life.”
David Brooks – K.C. Star, June 1, 2011
NEED-TO-KNOW POINTS•A reasonable timeline for senior year•What college testing does my student need?•Factors to weigh in selecting a college•The admissions process-what & when•Scholarships•Financial Aid•What should I be doing to help my student?•Resources to help us be better informed•My role as counselor
TO-DO LIST FOR FALL SEMESTER
1. SIGN UP TO TAKE OR RE-TAKE ACT2. REGISTER FOR ACT TESTING STRATEGIES WORKSHOP3. FILL OUT A TRANSCRIPT FORM IN THE COUNSELING
OFFICE4. VISIT COLLEGE REPS AT BLHS5. COMPLETE SENIOR CAREER PROJECT IN ENGLISH IV6. SENIOR INTERVIEW WITH COUNSELOR7. GO ON SCHEDULED COLLEGE VISITS8. VISIT SCHOOL WEBSITES FOR ADMISSIONS/SCHOLARSHIP
INFO.9. ATTEND AREA COLLEGE FAIRS10. IF APPLYING FOR TOP SCHOLARSHIPS, REMEMBER
NOVEMBER 1 DEADLINES AT MANY UNIVERSITIES11. VISIT THE BLHS COUNSELING WEBSITE OFTEN 12. SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR
ADMISSIONS/HOUSING/SCHOLARSHIPS
TO-DO LIST FOR SPRING SEMESTER
1. Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon after Jan. 1 as possible
2. Continue to complete application packets if not done & research scholarships
3. Fill out online application for local scholarships (available Monday, January 30/ due Friday, February 24 at 4:00 p.m.
4. March 1 is priority deadline for FAFSA
5. April 1 if final admission deadline for some universities (KU)
6. May 17: Commencement
Choosing a College
Considerations for students• Personal traits• Goals• Academic abilities• Financial realities
Guidelines for parents• Provide encouragement,
support• Let the student drive the
process• Provide realistic feedback• Respect your child’s
decisions• Encourage your student to
ask for help
Your Ideal College•Size
•Location
•Environment (Physical, Academic, Social)
•Programs of StudyMajors, Internships, Creativity
•Extra-curricular optionsClubs & Organizations, Sports, Greek Life
•Post-Graduate Opportunities: Placement Office, Networking
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS: WHERE DO WE START?
Visit college websites – check pages on admissions – tuition-scholarships and financial aid
Follow links from career websites to find colleges that offer specific programs ex. Kansas Career Pipeline
Download applications or submit them online
Pay attention to deadlines
Financial AidFinancial aid, or Federal Student Aid, as it is known, comes from the government. It is money that helps students pay for educational expenses at postsecondary school: college, university, vocational school, graduate school.
•Grants – do not have to be paid back, and are based on the student’s financial need (as demonstrated on the FAFSA)
•Scholarships – Money awarded on student achievement. May come from the government, the institution, or private donors. Does not have to be repaid
•Work-Study – Money earned by the student from a job on or near the campus. Does not have to be repaid
•Loans – Must be repaid with interest.
For more information, go to www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov
Scholarship Sources
Scholarships are based on merit or a particular talent, and do not need to be paid back.
•Local scholarships – students apply online in February
•Scholarships from the postsecondary institution
•Parents’ work
•Church or other community organizations
•National scholarships
Always check the Counselors’ webpage for
updates.