RVHS Senior Parent Workshop 2014College Admissions

TestingFinancial Aid

Presented by:Kristy De La Garza - WardellRVHS Financial Aid Officer

We had an application drive for South Texas College &

The University of Texas – Pan American

Mrs. Charles Mon., September 23rd Rm.500

Mrs. Rowland Mon., September 23rd Rm. 307

Urge your children to apply NOW whether they are waiting for ACT / SAT scores or to test.

College Applications

College Admissions

LocationExam RequirementsAdmission RequirementsTypes of Financial AidScholarship OpportunitiesCosts

Things to Consider:

REMEMBER TO THINK….FAST!!!1. Fee Payment or Application Fee Waiver per each College Application2. Application on applytexas.org OR commonapp.org

May require Essays (if required) prior to submission

Letters of Recommendations (if required) Resume (Optional)

3. Scores from Exams: Official Scores from SAT/ SAT II /ACT/ TSI Exam sent directly to college

4. Transcript which indicates completion of student’s high school program, rank, & grade point average on record.

ADMISSIONS:Universities Require a Complete

Admissions File to make their decision!

REMEMBER .…F. A. S. T.!!!! Fees (If applicable) Application Scores (ACT, SAT, THEA, TSI) Transcript (Obtained from your RVHS

registrar)

ALL INFORMATION IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE MUST BE RECEIVED

BEFORE THE DEADLINES –NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

The Admissions Process

Application waivers are available to qualifying students

Sul Ross State University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Texas A&M University Kingsville Texas State University Texas Tech University University of North Texas University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at San AntonioANY OTHER TEXAS PUBLIC 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY

SOME TEXAS PRIVATE SCHOOLS!!!

Texas Common Application

Visit www.commonapp.org to apply for out of state universities or private universities. Visit the web-site.

Review deadlines to submit all paperwork at least 2 weeks prior to deadline.

Early Decision is November 1st.

COMMON APPLICATION

Students must meet one of the following requirements:

Fall 2014 Admissions•ACT 18+ Composite Score•SAT 850+ (Math and Critical Reading Only)

UTPA ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Make sure your child is registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse Organization after

testing for ACT and/or SAT only!

NCAA Registration Process: Web application at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Membership fee Submit two high school transcripts

•One transcript as soon as web form is complete•Second transcript at final graduation

Planning on Playing College Sports?

College Entrance

Exams

Universities Use Testing Information for:

Pre-College Programs•UTPA Concurrent Enrollment Program•STC Dual Enrollment Program

College Admissions•Can you succeed at the college/university?

Scholarship Criteria•Does your score merit a scholarship award?

Course Placement•What level are you proficient in math, English, etc.

Why do students need to take college placement exams?

New Texas college placement exam that replaces the THEA and Accuplacer.

Local College Testing Offices: UTPA Testing Office

665-7584

STC Testing Office872-7617

TSI

TAKS –Exit Level Scores

Exempt for MATH2200 MATH

Exempt for Reading and Writing2200 ELA with a 3 on Essay

ACT Scores23+ composite –With at least a 19+ math and 19+ English

SAT Scores1070+ math and critical reading scores –With at least a 500 math and 500 critical reading

Check with counselor if your child is exempt from taking the new TSI exam

Exemptions for TSI

ACT Plus Writing: $52.50 (Waivers available for free) Register online at

www.actstudent.org

SAT = $51.00 (Waivers available for free)

SAT is requiring that ALL students take the writing

Register online at www.collegeboard.org

National Placement Exams

ACT or SAT SCORES: Need to send directly from ACT or SAT to

your University.$11 cost per university

ACT / SAT EXAMS

ACT REGISTRATION ACT EXAM DATE1 SEPT. 27 DEADLINE OCT. 26 EXAM2 NOV. 8 DEADLINE DEC. 14 EXAM

SAT REGISTRATION SAT EXAM DATE1 OCT. 3 DEADLINE NOV. 7 EXAM2 NOV. 8 DEADLINE DEC. 7 EXAM

Students are only allowed two fee waivers for each exam even if registered and did not show up for an exam

2 ACT Fee Registration Waivers

2 SAT Fee Registration Waivers or Subject Test

Have You Already Used Your Test Fee Waivers?

Both ACT and SAT now require examinee to upload their photo at the time of registration (no exceptions). Why? For test security purposes to prevent cheating.

What does this mean for the student? *Register early to avoid any technical issues.

Testing Photo Requirements

Financial Aid

University/College Scholarships Public/Private Universities and CollegesOrganizations and Corporations National, regional, state, and local scholarship applications available at

the Financial Aid Office from August to May.Horatio Alger - $20,000 (Parents make below $55K)Wendy’s - $ 10,000 (Athlete, at least B average) DUE 20th

Coca-Cola Scholars - $2000-$20,000 (A/B Avg; Community Svc)ConocoPhillips - $20,000 ( Boys & Girls Club / Engineering)Magic Valley - $20,000 (Must have Magic Valley Electricity)H.S. Oratorical - $10,000 (Must defend / speak about

Constitution)SIGN UP FOR : fastweb.com & hsf.net

Scholarships

Log on to http://edinburg.vela.schooldesk.net/

every month for the RVHS FAO Scholarship List

Encourage your children to turn applications in at least two weeks before the deadline.

Submit a resume Make sure your information is mistake free USE SPELL CHECK!!!

Scholarship Tips

What to look for and avoid:1. Free seminar –Letter or invitation announcing a free

financial aid seminar or interview2. Scholarships for profit –Applications requiring a $5-

$3,500 fee3. Scholarships that never materialize –Consumer asked

to provide money up front with nothing in exchange4. The guaranteed scholarship search –For a fee,

consumer is “guaranteed” a scholarship or else receive a full refund.

Scholarship Scams

Be careful with “special

invitations” for students and

parents!

http://youtu.be/c-23SMf5DyQ

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

FAFSAwww.fafsa.gov

FAFSA for students beginning college Summer 2014 Available now! What do you need? You and your parent’s 2012 W-2 forms You and your parent’s 2012 income tax returns Deadline: As soon as possibleFAFSA for students beginning college Fall 2014 Available January 1, 2014 What do you need? You and your parent’s 2013 W-2 forms You and your parent’s 2013 income tax returns Priority Deadline –March 1, 2014

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid

When Applying with FAFSA:

Grants Pell Grant $5,645•FREE Money Texas Grant $5,000

TOTAL = $10,645Work/Study Program•Part-time jobLoans•Money you have to pay back

FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid

Grants are based on financial need.There are over eight state and federal grants.

Types of Grants Available Toward Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant

Student must graduate under the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement graduation plan

Student must demonstrate financial need

Federal Pell Grant Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

(SEOG) Texas Legacy Grant for Veteran’s Children

Grants

Loans are monies borrowed for college and must be paid back.

Federal Stafford Loan Student Loans

•Subsidized•Unsubsidized

Perkins Loan Student Loan•Institutional Loan for Education majors (Teachers)

Plus Loans Need credit check on parent’s information

Student Loans

If you qualify for the Work/Study program, please take advantage of the opportunity!

Statistics show that college students who work 10-14 hours a week have better GPAs.

Work/Study Program

1.Family completes FAFSA2.FAFSA sent to processor3.Processor sends data to up to ten schools as you reported on the

FAFSA4.Each school evaluates application and creates an award package5.Award letter sent to student6.Student accepts award on line or returns award letter to school7.School concludes award processing8.University financial aid office pays bills and produces checks

Financial Aid Application Steps

www.texascollegemoney.org Website shows the financial aid that you might

receive at each of the nine University of Texas campuses

www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov Website calculates the expected family

contribution for your education based on you parents’ tax information

www.collegeboard.org Website calculates the expected family

contribution without student having to put in identifying information

Parent Financial Aid Websites

IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

& EVENTS

ECISD College Night Wednesday, September 18th

UTPA Wellness and Recreational Sports CenterUniversity Visits:Oct. 10th – Art Institute & Texas A&M UniversityOct. 11th – UTPA & the College of Business Oct. 14th – Texas State University & UTSAOct. 22nd – St. Edward’s University & Notre DameNov. 2nd – The University of the Incarnate Word & Texas

Tech (tentative)

Scholarship Gala: January & / or February = Goal $100,000

FAFSA NIGHT: Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Important Senior Events & Dates

All information provided today will be available online

on:http://

edinburg.vela.schooldesk.net

RVHS Financial Aid Office Website

Make sure your senior registers for the ACT and / or SAT exams and take them by December 14th date!

Complete and submit admission applications BEFORE Thanksgiving vacations!

View and complete scholarship applications on time!

What Do You Do Now?

We need a copy of ALL Acceptance Letters Any Scholarships received Financial Aid Award Letters (how much $$$

you have been awarded by EACH university

Good luck SRS. 2014!!!!

Turn in the following to the Financial Aid Office:

Kristy De La GarzaFinancial Aid Officer

k.delagarza@ecisd.us956-289-2650 ext. 6448

Robert Vela High School

956-289-2650

Erica AlvarezFinancial Aid Clerke.alvarez@ecisd.us