College Planguide_WEB1

8/9/2019 College Planguide_WEB1

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A college planning

guide for students

and their families

Building

Prepared by

U.S. Department of Energy

Office of Science

Toward a

Better Future

Building

Toward a

Better Future


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Whats In

Inside this guide, you will find useful infor

tips on preparing for college and becoming

applicant for college admission and fi

Introduction

Why Attend College?

Live Up to Your Potential

Paying For College

You Can Afford to Go to College

College and Institutional Contributions

Family Contributions

How to Apply for Aid

Financial Timeline

Where to Go for Financial Answers

Doing Your Homework

Your Best PartnerSuccess Begins Early

Elementary School Years

What to Read at Home

Middle School and High School Years


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Introduction

This guide provides useful information and t

preparing for college and becoming a succ

applicant for college admi


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When you think about your future, what cmind? A good job? Independence? Finasecurity? Perhaps you know just what y

be when you grow up. Or, you may not have any iThat is okaymost students are unsure about their future. But college is the key to the kind of life you

A college education can mean the difference betwestay in a minimum-wage job or moving into a well-career that you enjoy. A college education gives yoprovides you with a range of job possibilities, and abe in a better position to help your family and com

Even if you are not sure what you will do as an aduprepare to go to college. What you learn will help most out of life.

Like most students, you are probably interested in mmovies, making friends, and figuring out how to mof your time in school. Thats good, but it is also im

start planning for your future. Today, in fact!

College graduates earn higher salaries than aonly have a high school education. But coljust about money and earning potential; it is

having choices. College graduates typically have gropportunities for self-fulfillment and career advance

Why

AttendCollege?

Choices for alifetime

A collegeeducation

pays off

More Education = Greater Earning Power

CHRISISATEACHER. CHRISWILLEARNENOUGHMONEYTOBUYA


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$40,000

$60,000

$80,000

$100,000

$18 062

$26,059 $28,548

$33,541

$49,674

$61,033

$79,986

$94

Employers need people with skills. The more skillsemployees bring to their jobs, the more they are able tocontribute, and the more they are rewarded. Thats why

an accountant makes more money than a cashier and aveterinarian makes more than a pet groomer. All of thesejobs are essential; some just require more education, training,and responsibility.

But skills arent just about earning wages, they are also aboutbuilding on your knowledge base and contributing to society.Your skill level will determine the activities you will pursueduring most of your work week.

Live

YourPote

Collegecareer s

AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARYBY LEVELOF EDUCATION


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Paying For Colleg

This section explains the process that mill

of students go through to apply

financial aid so they can comp

their college educa


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You Can Afford to

Go toCollege

College is expensive but you dont have to pexpenses yourself. The tool that students ause to work out the financial plan is a finan

called the FAFSA, or the Free Application for FederAid (see page 12). This application divides the contcollege expenses between the family of the studencollege or other institutions.

College expenses include tuition, room and board, and supplies, health insurance, and travel betweenand home.

The family contribution is broken into two parts pstudents. After their financial information is assesseparents and students financial contribution are deccombined into the family contribution. This means tstudents financial worth (such as savings accounts,parents financial worth are considered when comp

Financial Aid& the FAFSA

Who Pays?


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contributions. In cases where a student is no longer dependenton parents, only the students resources are considered in thefinancial plan.

In addition to the family contribution, colleges typically willcontribute. Colleges and institutions support the cost ofattending college with grants, student loans, and/or scholarships(see page 10). The family can also negotiate with the financialaid office to obtain the best financial aid package and thefamilys payment schedule.

If a student wants to attend college but the parents are not willing

or able to contribute to the expenses, the student can becomeindependent and then re-apply when eligible. Students areclassified as independent based on factors such as age, livingapart from parents without support, and marital status. Theseclassification criteria vary from state to state and you shouldcheck with your states department of education for moreinformation on how your state classifies students as dependentor independent.

You can learn more information about students in your state atthe U.S. Department of Education Website atwww.ed.gov/erod,then click on state search.


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are funds that directly support the student but do n

be repaid or earned. Universities and the federal goffer a variety of grant programs.

are funds that may be borrowed by the student, ancases by the parent, which must be repaid over 10 years after the student leaves school. Most loans colow interest rates and favorable repayment terms thlow monthly payments.

are awarded to students based on merit or need, orboth, and do not have to be repaid or earned. Couniversities have their own scholarships that they aeligible students. Religious organizations, civic grouf d ti d b i ff h l hi t

College costs are considerable and they are oeach year. Financial assistance funds exist tstudents and their families. These funds are

college to decrease the students payments. They in

Grants

Loans

Scholarships

Work-study Programs

Grants

Scholarships

Loans

College and

InstitutionalContributions

Resources arethere for those

who needthem


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The Expected Annual Family Contribution is theamount that the student and family are expected tocontribute towards college expenses. This amount

depends on a number of factors. For example, is the studentreceiving support from his/her family? What is the familysincome? What is the students income? What is the familys networth? What is the students net worth? Does the family havemore than one student attending college at the same time? Doesthe student have dependents?

Using this information, there are financial aid calculators (suchaswww.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml) that allow

students to determine how much money the family is expectedto contribute, what the college expenses will be (includingtuition, room and board, books and supplies, and healthinsurance) and how much additional financial aid will have tobe obtained in the form of student loans, grants, or scholarships(see page 10 for definitions and more information on thesedifferent types of financial aid).

For example, using the financial calculator listed above, a familyof 4 with one student attending a public college and an annualgross income of $20,000 might have an expected annual familycontribution of $0, meaning that all of the students collegeexpenses should be paid from grants, scholarships, and otherfinancial aid given through the college. The same family of 4with an annual gross income of $75,000 might have anexpected annual family contribution equal to the entire cost of

attending a 4-year public college.

Moreover, the amount proposed by the colleges financial aidoffice is negotiable and families should discuss their needs andexpectations with college officials to obtain the best financialaid program possible.

FamCont

What wfamily

contrib

Financi

negotia

Family affect yaid pac

FactCon


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How toApply

for Aid

TheFreeApplication for

FederalStudentAid

(FAFSA)covers it all

Applying for

financial aidwww.fafsa.ed.gov

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (

be filed free of charge. It is used to determioffered by both federal and state funds. Stu

be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or refugeesfor federal and state aid. Students and their parentbegin to think about applying for financial aid andthe necessary forms and supporting documents duNovember of the students senior year in high schApplications are usually due between March 1 andduring the students senior year but can be submitas January 1. Completing the FAFSA form before th

deadline will ensure the highest level of financial a

M

ore students than ever qualify for some tfinancial assistance. Most financial aid pr

available to students with demonstrated fneed, although some programs are available to studon the basis of academic achievement. Student loantime jobs are available to all students regardless of federal governments Student Gateway Web site,www.students.gov, provides access to resources foplanning for their education. Public service opportustudents a way to serve their country or help in the

in exchange for college money. Americorps and ROgood examples of such public service programs. Yoreceive more information about Americorps by linkwww.americorps.org or calling (800) 942-2677.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFS


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Novemberof the students senior year

Contact the financial aid offices of theschools that you have applied to forschool code numbers.

Begin to collect the documents andinformation required to complete the FreeApplication for Federal Student Aid. Thefollowing information should be collected:

Social Security numbers for the childplanning to attend college and parents,alien registration card, and driverslicense number (if applicable)

Most recent W-2 forms

Most recent tax return forms

Most recent records for untaxed

income (Welfare, Social Security, Aidto Families with Dependent Children,Temporary Assistance to NeedyFamilies, or Veterans Benefits)

Bank statements for past year

Mortgage information for past year

January or Februaof the students senior year

Send the Free ApplicationStudent Aid or complete thversion of this applicationwww.fafsa.ed.gov. Keep everything you submit to any school.

Send the required forms toAid Office of the school thattend in the fall.

Juneof the students senior year

At this point, you should rstudent aid report and an

from your accepting institudifference will have to bestudent loan or work-studYou should begin to comprequired applications for tand/or work-study progra

The following suggested timeline will help families andstudents who are applying for financial aid. You may wantto read pages 32 33 to better understand the college

application process, which begins in students junior year.

Financial Timeline

SENIOR YEAR SENIOR YEARSENIOR YEAREAR SENIOR YEAR


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Where toGo for

FinancialAnswers

Who to talk toR

esources for help and information about finafor college expenses include:

Your high school guidance office Your states education commissioners office

The Financial Aid Office at the school you to attend

Teachers at the school you plan to attend maware of special grants and scholarships ofby the school

Alumni from the school you plan to attend your area

Other parents in your area who have childrattending college

www.studentaid.ed.gov


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Doing Your Homewor

Students and their families should be partners

the beginning of the students schoo


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An emphasis on education begins in the homNumerous studies have shown that familiesmost critical role in their childs academic su

Expectations of good grades and a concern for hom

well done represent values that families should reThese values will reward children in the classroomto come and help them succeed in life.

There are many things that families can do at homedaily basis that will help children succeed. Most teaagree that reading is the single most important skillacademic success.

Read with your children. Encourage them to reand discuss what they read.

Talk with your children about school andeveryday events.

Supervise homework and provide your childrewith a quiet place to work. Make sure they com

their assignments.

Encourage your children to write.

Provide learning experiences outside of schooParks, museums, zoos, and historical sites offerlearning experiences.

Communicate to your children that education isand encourage them to do their best in school.

Observe what your children watch on televisiwith them about the programs they watch.

Promote good discipline and a positive outlook

YourBest

Partner

Parents andstudents

workingtogether


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Encourage exercise, proper amount of sleep, andgood nutrition.

Help your children get their own library cards.

Encourage them to use the resources offered at thepublic library.

Promote a solid attendance record in school.

Meet regularly with teachers.

Attend school functions to show that education is afamily priority.

Be a model of sound values, not just in your words butin your actions.

The best teacher is notnecessarily the one whopossesses the most

knowledge, but the onewho most effectively enableshis students to believe intheir ability to learn.


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SuccessBegins

Early

What studentsand families

should do

Children in families who are actively involvewith their education are much more likely tsuccessful in life.

The following section can help parents understand children should be learning as they progress throughalf of elementary school. The topics mastered in gthrough 6 serve as the foundation for what studentlater grades.

Students in grades 3 through 6 are expected to studacademic material subjects both at home and at sch

should work hard on all their assignments and testsshould ask the teacher when they have questions.

Families should request and read all the materials thpublishes for families. Families should also ask theiteacher or principal about any aspects they dont un


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Elementary School Year


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What toRead at

Home

Grade 4

Abels Islandby William Steig

All About Sam

by Lois Lowry

The Birchbark House

by Louise Erdrich

Charlottes Web

by E.B. WhiteDead Letter

by Betsy Byars

A Guide Dog Puppy

Grows Up

HomeReading Ideas

forIntermediate

Students

Beverly Cleary Books Long time favorites, grand current topics

Brian Jacques Series Great fantasy literatureChronicles of Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis

Eyewitness Books and Videos Especially than added section at the end that shows the behindthe making of the videos

The Fudge Series by Judy Blume

Harry PotterSeriesby J. K. Rowling Parmuch as children

Roald Dahl Books

Imaginative, creative, and jShel Silverstein BooksPoetry everyone love

Grades 4-6

Jim Ugly

by Sid Fleischman

Lilys Crossingby Patricia Reilly

The Paper Airp

by Seymour Simon

Pippi Longsto

the series by Astri

Shiloh

by Phyllis ReynoldStories Julian

by Ann Cameron

Twenty and Te

by Claire Huchet B


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Grade 5

Bigger

by Patricia Calvert

Bingo Brown and theLanguage of Love

by Betsy Byars

The Boggart

by Susan Cooper

Castle

by David Macaulay

The Castle in the Atticby Elizabeth Winthrop

Exploring the Titanic

by Robert Ballard

The Facts and Fictions of

Minna Pratt

by Patricia MacLachlan

From the Mixed-Up Filesof Mrs. Basil E.

Frankweiler

by Elaine L. Konigsburg

The Great Brain

by John D. Fitzgerald

Island of the

Blue Dolphins

by Scott ODell

The Long Road to

Gettysburg

by Jim Murphy

The Man Who Was Poe

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats

of NIMH

by Robert C. OBrien

My War With

Goggle Eyes

by Anne Fine

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Tuck Everlasting

by Natalie Babbitt

The Wright Brothers:

How They Invented the

Airplane

by Russell Freedman

Grade 6

Anne of Green Gablesandthe series by Lucy MaudMontgomery

Anne Frank, Beyond the

Diary: A Photographic

Remembrance

by Ruud Van der Rol

The Devils Arithmeticby Jane Yolen

Diceys Song

by Cynthia Voigt

Esperanza Rising

Johnny Trem

by Esther Forb

Out of the D

by Karen Hess

Ribbons

by Laurence Y

Roll of Thu

My Cry

by Mildred Tay

Sixth Grad

by Louis Sacha

The Slave D

by Paula Fox

Small Steps

Got Polio

by Peg Kehret

SSSSSpace Statio

Grade

by Jerry Spine

The Spanish

by Scott ODel

The True Co

Charlotte D

by Avi

Voices Afte

by Richard Pec

Walk Two M

by Sharon Cree

Watsons Go

Birmingham

by Christopher


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Middle School and

High School Year


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GettingOn Track

It is extremely important for you to get a hea7th and 8th grades and take courses that will get the college preparatory courses you will need in

Foreign language and math courses completed in 7thgrades may be used to meet high school college-prerequirements. Taking the highest level courses avaiand science during middle school will prepare youfor all of your academic courses in high school andbe eligible for a wide range of upper level electivFor example, Algebra 1 should be taken during mid(eighth grade typically) to allow you to take advan

higher level math classes in high school.

Take the rightcourses in

MiddleSchool,

Grades 7 8


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CharYourCourForSucc

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

ACADEMIC SUBJECTS

LANGUAGE ARTS

MATHEMATICS

SCIENCE

7th GRADE 8

Pre-Algebra; Algebra 1 (students should take thehighest level math classes they can take to be

ready for high school and college level courses)

Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science(students should take as many laboratoryscience classes as they can to prepare for highschool and college level courses)

Students should take the highest levelEnglish/Language Arts classes they can take.

Students should consider taking a foreignlanguage course as early as possible.

Use this worksheet to keeptrack of your Middle School

coursework


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As a general rule thecourses you take ingrades 9 through 12

will determine your college

admission options.Studies show that if studentstake algebra and geometryearlystarting in the 8th and9th gradethey are morelikely to go on to collegethan students who dont.

Stay On

Track

The following is a sample college preparatorTake as many Honors and Advanced Placemcourses as you can. Take the AP Examinatio

of courses in which you have done well. The highprovide students with the Approved Course List th

which courses meet college admission requiremenhave the option, apply to a school that has an InterBaccalaureate (IB) Program.

9th Grade

GeometryLaboratory Science

(Biology*)

Language ArtsForeign LanguageHealth/ElectivePhysical Education

Take the rightcourses and

work hard todo well

11th Grade

Pre-CalculusLaboratory Scie

(Chemistry*)

Language ArtsVisual/PerformCollege-Prep E

12th Grade


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Challenge yourself with demandingcourse work.

Honors courses Whenever possible, take courses designated

as Honors-level courses. The work will challenge you moreand it will also help you prepare for the rigors of collegeclasses.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses Your school will offerAP courses in some subjects. Students who take these coursesmay decide to register and pay for an AP examination in thatsubject. Scores earned on AP exams earn university credit.

Students with passing grades on the AP exams may be givencredit without tuition cost for an applicable course. Anotherpossibility is the college could waive a required course so thestudent can advance more quickly.

Stay involved and broaden your talents As your time andtalentspermit, participate in school and community activitieswhere you can enjoy the value of interacting with others. At

your school, join the science or drama club or work with ateacher to start such a club; if the chess club is small, give thema hand join them and help them become more competitive.Form a science bowl team with four other students and competein your local event. Convince a teacher to start an artappreciation club or other club for which you and your friendshave a high enthusiasm. Trycommunity theater or other

opportunities where you canexpand your horizons in aninteresting and enjoyableenvironment.

AcceptheChal

Takeadvanc

classeswork h


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Use this worksheet to keeptrack of your High Schoolcoursework

ChartYour

CourseFor

Success

Fall

LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH(second language)French, German, Spanish, Latin, Mandarin Chinese,Japanese, etc. 2 years required; 3 years recommended

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTSDance, Drama, Music, or Visual Arts

ACADEMIC SUBJECTS

HISTORY/SOCIAL SCIENCEU.S. History; Civics; American Government; WorldHistory, Cultures, and Geography; European History2 years required

ENGLISH(language of instruction)Composition, Literature (American, English, World, etc.)4 years required

MATHEMATICSAlgebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry,Pre-Calculus, Integrated Math, Calculus (do not includearithmetic and Pre-Algebra)3 years required; 4 years recommended

LABORATORY SCIENCEBiology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Integrated Science with Lab,Marine Biology, Physiology, Anatomy, etc.2 years required; 3 years recommended

9TH


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Fall Spring Fall Spring Fall

10TH GRADE 11TH GRADE 12T

SCIENCE

ENGLISH

COLLEGE


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College Admission Te

PSAT Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test

is a practice test used to predict a students perfothe all-important SAT I. The PSAT also gives studeto become familiar with the testing format of the SAtaking the PSAT will be included in a pool for consthe prestigious National Merit Scholarship.

SAT I Scholastic Achievement Test Scores on help colleges and scholarship programs compare y

preparation and ability with other students. Taken on the same day, the Verbal Test and the Math Testabout three hours to complete.

SAT II Subject Test These one-hour tests measurknowledge and skills in particular subjects and youapply that knowledge. They fall into five general English, history and social studies, mathematics, sci

languages.

ACT The ACT Assessment is designed to assess hstudents general educational development and thecomplete college-level work. The test covers fourEnglish, mathematics, reading, and science reasonin

Test atYourBest

Practice, practice,practice!

Community Colleges none required*

Independent and ACT or SAT IPrivate Colleges

Most State ACT or SAT II

Required collegeadmission

tests


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Take yoon timC

olleges and universities have different testingrequirements. Some may accept your highest score,while others may accept an average of all tests of the

same type taken.

Be sure to register for tests at least six weeks before the testdate. Late registrants may be redirected to an alternate testsite. You can talk to your guidance counselor to learn aboutregistering for tests.

9th Gra

October Take the PSAT test for National Merit Scholarship

consideration.

April or May Take the SAT I or ACT.

May or June Take the SAT II tests in writing, math, and athird subject area you have studied in your junior year. Ifapplicable, take AP Subject Exams.

10th GOctober Take the PSAT test again as a practice test.

June If you did well in your Laboratory Science class, takethe SAT II Subject Test for that subject.

11th G

OctoberRetake the SAT I or ACT if you desire.

November or December Retake the SAT I or SAT II ifyou desire.

May If applicable, take AP Subject Exams.

12th G

October Some high schools offer a practice PSAT * to

freshmen. Be sure to take advantage of this first chance to takethe test in a practice mode.


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Decemberof the students junior year

Begin collecting data for colleges/

universities of interest.

Browse schools atwww.nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool/index.asp

What to consider when choosing a school:

Does the school offer majors/programsin areas that interest you?

Does the school offer extracurricularactivities that interest you?

Do you prefer to attend a universitywith a large student body or asmaller college?

What is the faculty to student ratio?

Where is it located?

What is the cost? Create a folder for each school with:

Application

Deadlines

Take SAT I, SAT II, ACT

Each school will specify whare necessary for applying.

Januaryof the students junior year

Contact schools of interest and dates to visit in the spring.

Mayof the students junior year

Narrow down college selectiondeciding which schools to appconsider the same factors that ywhen you were researching schin December and narrow your five or six schools.

Juneof the students junior year

Retake exams if necessary.

Begin filling out applications.

The following suggested timeline will help parstudents who are applying for college:

College Application

Timeline

JUNIOR YEAR JUNIOR YEAR JUNIOR YEAJUNIOR YEARYEAR JUNIOR YEAR


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Septemberof the students senior year

Contact teachers and guidance counselors

and request recommendations. Ask English teacher to proofread

entrance essays.

Octoberof the students senior year

Request transcripts be sent to schools(Your high school is usually required tosend the transcript and recommendations).

Finalize applications and make sure youhave enclosed all materials you areresponsible for:

Essay

Application

Application fee

Novemberof the students senior year

Send in all applications to

or before the priority dead Deadlines are usually in

Keep a copy of everythto schools.

SENIOR YEAR SENIOR YEAR SENIOR YEAR SSENIOR YEARYEAR

Overview


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The Department of Energys overarching missadvance the national, economic, and energythe United States; to promote scientific and te

innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure

environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapcomplex. The Department has four strategic goals achieving the mission.

Defense Strategic Goal: To protect our nasecurity by applying advanced science and nutechnology to the Nations defense.

Energy Strategic Goal: To protect our na

economic security by promoting a diverse supreliable, affordable, and environmentally sound

Science Strategic Goal: Tour national and economic security

world-class scientific research cadvancing scientific knowle

EnvironmentGoal: To protect th

environment by proresponsible resolutenvironmental legCold War and by the permanent diNations high-lev

waste.

Overviewof DOE

and Officeof Science

StrategicGoals


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Within the Department of Energy, the Office ofScience supports a broad array of basic andapplied research, and operates a variety of unique

scientific facilities to support the Departments energy and

national security missions. It also supports research in areassuch as climate change, genomics, and life sciences. TheOffice provides more than 40 percent of total federal fundingfor basic research in the physical sciences, and serves as theprincipal federal funding agency for research in high-energyphysics, nuclear physics, and fusion energy sciences. It alsocontributes to a vital and diverse national scientific workforceby providing national laboratory research opportunities to

students and teachers.

For more information about the Office of Science Programs,contact the Office of Science at 202-586-5447, [email protected] visitwww.science.doe.gov.

C

Infor


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