NAVIGATING SENIOR YEAR: Tips for

Parents

Basehor-Linwood High School Class of 2012Nancy Silverforb

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

“There were days when I wanted to cry at the thought of her leaving…..”

“and other days when I wanted to drop kick her right out the front door.” ….words from my cousin

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 SEMESTER1. 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 SEMESTER1. 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 SourcesScholarships 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.