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COLLEGE/CAREER CENTER UPDATE

March 21, 2012College/Career Specialist: Mrs. Judy Bracken

Room D112 (703) 248-5531 brackenj@fccps.orgHours: 7:30 am 3:30 pm

THINGS TO CONSIDER AFTER YOU ARE ADMITTED TOCOLLEGE

Compare financial aid packages from the colleges you areconsidering. www.collegeboard.com/student/pay is a calculator thathelps you appropriately compare need-based financial aid packages.

Compare the types of financial aid. What is the proportion of grants,loans and campus employment?

Compare living costs. Does the college guarantee to provide housingfor all four years? Off-campus living can be expensive.

Compare policies concerning financial aid for future years. Does thecollege guarantee to meet your financial need for all four years, just oneyear, or not at all?

Compare the bottom line. How does the total aid package compare withthe total cost of attendance? In addition to tuition, fees, room & board, isthe college considering books, transportation and personal expenses?

Remember your key question is NOT how much grant money you receive

but how much your family has to pay and borrow to afford the college.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID(FAFSA) www.fafsa. gov

SENIORS & SENIOR PARENTS, its not too late to fill out the FAFSA, thefederal form that determines eligibility for grants, loans, work-study and insome cases scholarships. Be sure to request a Personal IdentificationNumber (PIN)www.PIN.gov. The PIN allows you to electronically sign theFAFSA. Both the student & one parent must request a PIN.

Did you know that FAFSA on the Weballows applicants to access their IRStax information and have it automatically inserted into the FAFSA as ofFebruary 1? Just answer a brief series of questions to determine if you areeligible for IRS data retrieval.

TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT (TAG)is a program of theCommonwealth of Virginia, providing annual grants to Virginia residentswho are full-time students at eligible non-profit, private colleges anduniversities in the state. For more information go towww.virginiaprivatecolleges.org

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USEFUL WEBSITESwww.finaid.org/questions/divorce.phtml will help divorced parents figureout how to fill out the FAFSA

http://nursingdegreeguide.com will help students who are interested innursing find degree programs in the United States

www.HealthManagementCareers.org is a website to view studentsdiscussing their choice of a career in healthcare management, plussuccessful executives talking about their own careers as leaders ofhospitals and other healthcare organizations.

www.collegemajors101.com offers lots of information about what you cando with dozens of majors, as well as what you can expect academically ifyou pursue these majors.

COLLEGE VISITSoffers the college bound student a first-hand look atcolleges and universities throughout the United States. Almost everyregion in the U.S. is covered. Go to: www.college-visits.com for more info.

REGISTRATION FOR 2012 SAT & ACTJUNIORS, if you are planning to take the ACT, SAT or SAT subject teststhis spring you should sign up NOW in order to insure your test site ofchoice.

SAT I at www.collegeboard.comMAY 5 SAT registration deadline: APRIL 6, 2012JUNE 2 SAT registration deadline: MAY 8, 2012

ACTat www.actstudent.orgJUNE 9 ACT registration deadline: MAY 4, 2012

Make sure to sign up for the ACT writing. Most colleges require it.For ACT practice questions go to: http://www.acttestquestions.com

The first opportunity you will have to take the ACT for the 2012-13 schoolyear is September 8, 2012.

The first opportunity you will have to take the SAT for the 2012-13 schoolyear is October 6, 2012.

You may register for these tests after July 1, 2012.

FEE WAIVERS FOR SAT and ACT There are certain circumstancesthat may allow you to take the SAT & ACT for free by obtaining a feewaiver. If you feel you may qualify, see your counselor.

NOT A GREAT TEST TAKER? Go to www.fairtest.org to see schools thatdo not use, or place less emphasis on, SAT or ACT scores for admission.

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