Wake County Public School

System

Post-Secondary

Planning Guide

For Seniors

2017-2018

Apex Friendship High School

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2017-2018 School Year

Dear Students & Parents: Whether your post-secondary plans include college, work, or military—the information here will be beneficial to you. School counselors are available to assist you through this process, answer questions, and direct you to resources. This booklet provides specific information and procedures for use during this important school year. Websites for national tests and deadline information for transcripts and scholarships are included. We look forward to working with you and hope that you have a very successful year! Sincerely,

Student Services Staff

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- CONTENTS -

Student Services Staff Directory ------------------------------------------- 4

Planning Checklist -------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Senior Planning Calendars ----------------------------------------------------- 7

Student Resume Information & Senior Personal Information Sheet ----- 9

Exploring Colleges Checklist -------------------------------------------------- 11

College Visit Information -------------------------------------------------- --- 12

College Comparison Worksheet ----------------------------------------------- 13

Tracking Your College Application/Tracking Chart -------------------------- 14

What College Admissions Offices Consider When Reviewing Applications- 16

Application Tips --------------------------------------------------------------- 16

Essay-Writing Tips ----------------------------------------------------------- 17

College Recommendation Tips ------------------------------------------------ 17

College Admissions Options --------------------------------------------------- 18

College Admissions Keywords ------------------------------------------------- 18

Transcript Policies and Procedures ------------------------------------------ 19

Standardized Test Information ---------------------------------------------- 21

Financial Aid Information ----------------------------------------------------- 23

Scholarship Process ----------------------------------------------------------- 26

A Special Word to Minority Students --------------------------------------- 27

Can You Afford Your College Choices Worksheet -------------------------- 28

College Foundation of North Carolina ---------------------------------------- 29

Helpful Websites for College Planning --------------------------------------- 30

Websites for all Public and Private Colleges and Universities in NC ------- 31

Community College and Technical Schools ----------------------------------- 33

Choosing a Career Path ------------------------------------------------------- 34

Employment After High School ----------------------------------------------- 35

Selective Service Registration and Military --------------------------------- 35

Information for Undocumented Students ----------------------------------- 36

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STUDENT SERVICES STAFF (@wcpss.net) Phone #

Position Name E-Mail 919-694-0500

Attendance Secretary Katie Elliot kelliot 20008

Career Counselor Lane Tomey ltomey 20116

Counselor (A – De) Elizabeth Cotton ecotton 29021

Counselor (Df – Kl) Alexandria Johnston ajohnston4 29022

Counselor (Kn – Q) Jennifer Conley jconley 20010

Counselor (R-Z) Sam Greene sgreene3 20011

Dean of Students Kari Kite kkite 20012

FAAP/Financial Aid Bonnie Sykes bsykes 20041

Guidance Secretary Sue Concordia sconcordia 20018

Intervention Coordinator Amy Matthews amatthews 20022

Registrar Linda Colhoun lcolhoun 20016

School Nurse Laura Clark laura.clark@wakegov.com 20041

School Psychologist Susan Parker sparker 20042

Student Assistance Steve Sapienza ssapienza 20040

Program Coordinator

Testing Coordinator Amy Matthews amatthews 20022

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PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR YEAR STUDENTS

Begin planning early. Use resources available in Student Services and on the Internet. Keep copies of all applications, forms, etc., as you submit them. Be aware of your own strengths, weaknesses, and grades. Ask teachers, counselors, etc., for letters of recommendation at least two weeks

before recommendations need to be mailed/received by college applications. Talk with your parents about their expectations, your desires, financial

considerations, etc. MEET DEADLINES set by schools, Student Services, self, and parents. Develop a student résumé and keep it updated. (No more than 1 page) Schedule a time to meet with your counselor to explore options. Complete your own applications and write your own essays. Take the initiative on your college/career search. Remember, this is YOUR life. Write follow up letters and thank-you notes after college interviews and meetings

with college representatives. Keep your counselor and your parents informed as to acceptances, scholarships,

etc. Submit your college applications on time. Allow 1 week for transcripts and recommendations to be sent via online or mailed

out. Be patient with your friends, parents, and counselors—this is a busy time for

everyone. Keep your grades up. Colleges have the option of revoking your admission if

your grades drop significantly. PARENTS

Help your student clarify realistic goals. Discuss future plans with your student early in the selection process, including

financial considerations and other possible restrictions. Allow your student to complete his/her own applications. Allow your student to make his/her own choices. Attend school programs and parent workshops in order to stay informed. Be patient with your student and the school—it is a busy time for everyone. MEET DEADLINES. Keep records of everything: applications, essays, phone calls, names, meetings,

etc. Plan college visits with your student; incorporate them into family vacations. Monitor your student’s academic progress throughout the year. If grades drop

significantly, colleges have the option of revoking your student’s admission.

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Student Services Meet with students to help with post-high school plans. Provide information regarding admissions; clarify information. Provide opportunities to learn about various colleges and military branches. Publicize college visitations, special events, open houses, and scholarship information. Provide information to applications and forms:

College Applications SAT, SAT Subject Test , & ACT registration forms Financial aid (FAFSA) forms Scholarship applications

Write accurate and informative letters of recommendation as requested. Mail out transcripts, midyear grades, and school recommendations as requested

within 10-15 days.

SENIOR YEAR COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

SUMMER

Prioritize college choices

Determine deadlines for colleges and scholarships

Visit colleges

Create/update resumé

Register for SAT/ACT

Make sure senior course selections meet college expectations

Athletes, check NCAA requirements at ncaa.org

EARLY FALL

Meet with your counselor to explore options

Attend county-wide college fairs and also meet with visiting admissions representatives at Apex Friendship

Begin applying to college by completing applications and essays. Early Action deadlines start October 15th. Check with your colleges to see when is their deadline.

Create/update resume and/or complete Senior Information Sheet

Request transcripts from CFNC for in-state colleges or from ScribOrder for out-of-state colleges

Register for and take SAT/ACT (students should take one of these tests at least 2 times)

Request recommendations

Apply for scholarships

Complete financial aid process and FAFSA

Meet early action/decision deadlines, if applicable

Keep grades up MID YEAR

Verify that your application process is complete

Continue applying for scholarships

Request midyear transcripts, as needed

Keep grades up SPRING

Make final college decision or see counselor, as needed

Continue applying for scholarships

Communicate with your college to begin enrollment

Take AP/SAT Subject Tests, as needed

Request final transcript for out of state schools (CFNC will automatically send these out)

Complete NCAA requirements (athletes)

Keep grades up

GRADUATE! (June 13th @ 8 pm) mandatory rehearsal on June 7th 6-8pm

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SENIOR YEAR COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR

August-September October November December

Review graduation re-quirements

Attend the College Fair at McKimmon Center – Sept. 17

Parents – attend Planning For College program at AFHS, 6:00 pm., Oct. 5

Sign up for SAT & ACT tests Update resume Gather recommendations

Meet with college representatives

Sign up for SAT & ACT tests

Start sending out applications

Early Action/Decision deadline

Apply for scholarships Pick up a FAFSA &

start application with your tax returns from 2016

Make an appointment with the financial aid advisor (Bonnie Sykes)

Mail out applications Continue to check

deadlines Apply for scholarships

Don’t forget about January deadlines

Work on scholarship applica-tions over winter break

Attend Financial Aid Workshop

January February March April Register for the Selective

Service (boys who are 18)

Double-check to see all applications have been received for Early Action/Decision

Know individual college deadlines for financial aid applications

Apply for scholarships

Register for any SAT Subject Tests required for placement

Continue applying for scholarships

Avoid Senioritis!

Look for your SAR (Student Aid Report) in the mail if you’ve applied for financial aid

Sign up for AP tests Meet with counselor

if you have uncertain post-graduation plans

Apply for scholarships

If you’ve decided on a college, notify

other colleges you won’t be attending

Mail in your housing forms!

If you haven’t been accepted anywhere, don’t panic; see your counselor

May June May 1st is Candidate’s Reply

Day — let your 1st choice college know you’re coming!

Take AP tests

Mandatory rehearsal June 7th from 6-8pm

June 13th @ 8pm GRADUATE!!!

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STUDENT RESUME´ INFORMATION AND/OR

SENIOR PERSONAL INFORMATION SHEET

Creating a student résumé or completing the Senior Personal Information Sheet is an important step in planning for your future. You will use your student résumé for many pursuits, including after-school and summer employment, volunteer work, job shadowing and internships, college applications, and scholarship applications. You may wish, instead, to complete the Senior Personal Information Sheet. Your counselor, teachers, and other adults may use your résumé or the Personal Information Sheet when they write letters of recommendation for you and when they help you with the scholarship process. Each senior is strongly advised to have a résumé or a Personal Information Sheet and to share that with your counselor. Your résumé should be in a format that best highlights your experience, education, and interests. See below for tips on creating a résumé, and see the following page for a sample résumé. Your Senior Personal Information Sheet provides answers to a number of questions your personal reference might have as he/she writes your letter of recommendation. You may pick up a copy of this form in Student Services. One possible résumé format will include the following sections: Heading: Name, Address, Telephone, *email

*Your email address should be professional or formal (yourname@...) not something that presents questionable character (Partygirl@...)

Skills: Technical/Computer Skills, People Skills, Language Skills, Work Skills, Certifications Education: Specialized classes or training, expected graduation from high school Experience: Volunteer and paid work, special projects you have completed Activities: School and community activities in which you have participated (include dates, offices

and awards) Honors/Awards: Recognition you have received for outstanding work or leadership Interests: Cover anything not in “Activities”

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SAMPLE RÉSUMÉ John E. Doe

2011 Happy Valley Lane Raleigh, N.C. 27600

(919) 123-4567 johnedoe@email.com

Activities and Leadership Intramural basketball (12, 11, 10, 9) Spanish Club (12, 11, 10, 9) President (12); Vice-President (11) Class Council (12, 11, 10) Key Club (11, 10, 9) Secretary (10) National Honor Society (12, 11, 10)

Senior-Senior Prom Chairman (11) Science Club (11, 10)

Church Youth Group (12, 11, 10, 9) Soloist in church Youth Choir (12, 11, 10) Cross-Country Team (12, 11, 10, 9) Team Captain (12) Junior Varsity Basketball (10, 9) Honors/Awards A Honor Roll (11) A-B Honor Roll (10, 9) National Spanish Honor Society Fifth Place in North Carolina on National Spanish Exam Most Valuable Player – Cross-Country (11, 10) A+ Certification in Novell – Computer Technician Community Service/Volunteer Activities Participant in “Run for the Cure” for breast cancer awareness (11) Vacation Bible School teacher (11, 10, 9) Volunteer with Helping Horse – therapy for disabled children (12. 11, 10. 9) Church Youth Group Mission Trips to Appalachian Mountains, Mexico, Belize Small group leader, coordinating morning shifts and nightly devotions Other Interests and Experience Piano lessons (age 8-16) Recreational Soccer (age 5-14) Travel: England, Russia, Canada Amateur Astronomer Work Experience

Brothers Cleaners (12, 11) Ragazzi’s Restaurant (10)

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EXPLORING COLLEGES CHECKLIST

Step One: Know yourself and your reasons for wanting to attend college

Identify your strengths and weaknesses Analyze your interests and values Analyze your reasons for attending college

o To achieve a personal goal o To increase your earning power o To prepare for a career and expand learning o For extracurricular activities and social life o Because of influence of family and friends

Step Two: Consider college characteristics Majors and educational programs and unique opportunities within these programs Admission policy Location and size Costs and availability of financial aid College affiliation and accreditation Campus activities Academic reputation Room and Board options Job placement and Graduate School acceptance percentages

Step Three: List, compare and visit colleges Compile information from several sources

o College visits o Online information o College catalogs, bulletins, DVD’s o College representatives and college fairs o Counselors and teachers o Parents, students and alumni

Prepare a college comparison checklist (included in this book) Weigh advantages and disadvantages

Step Four: Apply for admission and observe deadlines Narrow your choices to a minimum list of four colleges (in the following fashion)

o One college- “sure thing”- you are overqualified and will definitely be admitted o Two colleges- “realistic choices”– you meet the qualifications for admission o One college – “long shot” or “stretch” – you would really like to attend this college, but you may

not fit the typical profile of students admitted to this college Review college admission test requirements (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Test, TOEFL) and register to take

appropriate tests Know application fees and deadlines Submit application materials

o Completed application for admission o Application fee o High school transcript o Recommendations o Admissions test results

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COLLEGE VISIT INFORMATION

Perhaps the most influential factor in college selection is the campus visit. A visit allows you to get a feel for the campus and to see how you might feel living there for the next four years. It is tremendously important to visit the campus and see the students, meet professors, see the residence halls, etc. The best time to visit schools is when classes are in session. If you can’t visit during this time, remember that campuses are not the same in the summer or on breaks as they are when students are around, so keep that in mind when you visit. Don’t let weather or other such factors impact how your visit goes. To plan a campus visit, you should visit the college’s website and register on-line for a visit; or, if that option is not available, call the Admissions Office. Planning your visit in advance is suggested. Please make sure that an Educational Leave Form is filled out in advance and handed in to the attendance office. College visits are still counted as an absence, an “excused” absence. The campus tour is a very important part of every campus visit. Be sure to ask questions about the academic rigor, social environment, extracurricular activities, class sizes, housing options, etc. (See questions below and on the next page.)

SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR VISIT

1. Verify admission requirements and discuss your chances for successful admission.

2. Spend the night in the dorm—not in a hotel—and sit in on some classes that interest you. 3. Pick up a copy of the school newspaper. 4. Read the course catalog and check the list of faculty, their degrees, and the courses they

teach. Investigate your academic program by meeting with professors. 5. If you are interested in playing a sport, try to set up a meeting with a coach. The same goes

for any activity of interest. 6. Find out about the quality of the Career Services Office. 7. Talk with students. 8. Ask about scholarships and financial aid.

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN YOU VISIT

1. Who teaches your classes? Professors or Teaching Assistants? 2. How adequate is the library? Are you able to get the books you need when you need them? 3. Tell me about housing. Are some dorms much better than others? Do many students live

off campus? 4. How competitive is the student body? 5. How accessible are professors? 6. What is the biggest issue on campus? 7. Are certain courses harder to get into? If so, which ones in particular? 8. What is the greatest shortcoming of this college? What do students complain about? 9. Why did you choose this particular college? Do you still feel the same way about it? 10. What kinds of students are most happy here? Least happy? 11. How can I find out the Graduate School admission rate and the Job Placement rate for my

intended major? 12. What technology is required and how do I access technology support services?

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COLLEGE COMPARISON WORKSHEET (Jot down notes to help you remember details about prospective schools)

College Name

Location -distance from home

Expenses -tuition, room, board -est. total budget -application fee, deposit

Size -enrollment

Environment -type of school -setting (rural/urban) -size of nearest city -coed/single-sex -religious affiliation

Admission Requirements

-deadlines -tests needed -avg. GPA, rank, SAT -notification date

Academics -my major offered? -accreditation -student-faculty ratio -avg. class size

Financial Aid -deadlines -school-specific form? -% receiving aid -scholarships?

Housing -guaranteed freshman housing? -meal plan

Facilities -academic -recreational -other

Activities -clubs, organizations -Greek life -athletics/intramurals -study abroad

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TRACKING YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION

There are many different ways to organize yourself and your applications to college. Some suggestions you might consider:

Establish a file folder for each school to which you are applying (whether paper or on a flash drive)

Make a copy of the chart on the next page and do this for each school to which you are applying.

Keep everything from a particular school in that folder and keep track of your progress in the college application process by making entries on the tracking sheet.

Retain copies of each application and all other materials submitted with your application for your files.

See the next page for an easy-to-use Tracking Chart.

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COLLEGE APPLICATION TRACKING SYSTEM

Name of College or University _________________________________ Address __________________________________________________

Admissions contact __________________________________________ Telephone numbers and email addresses _________________________

Deadline Date Items Verified

Required for Application Date Sent Received Date

College application

Transcript

Secondary school report

Teacher and other recommendations(s) if applicable

Personal Statement (or essay, short-answer questions, etc.)

SAT/ACT scores (must be ordered & send directly from college board)

FAFSA application

Other financial aid forms (CSS, college-specific financial aid application, etc.) – If applicable

Housing application

Housing deposit

Scholarship applications

Mid-year transcript, if applicable

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WHAT DO ADMISSIONS OFFICES CONSIDER WHEN REVIEWING AN

APPLICATION?

Level of difficulty of course taken compared with what your school offers (did you take the most challenging course load that you could manage?) Please note: If you are considering any changes in your schedule, after you have submitted your application to a college or university, you must contact those colleges first to see if the change will be approved. Your request must include the proposed change and the reason for the request. If you have already been admitted or deferred, it is highly likely your application will be re-reviewed with a possible result in a change in the committee’s admission decision.

Grades (GPA both weighted & unweighted)

Class rank

SAT and/or ACT scores

Extracurricular activities

Recommendations from counselor, teacher(s) or other(s), if applicable

Essay (not required by all schools)

Interview (not required by all schools)

TIPS ON COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

Read all the instructions carefully before you put anything on your application and follow them exactly as given.

Know your deadlines (keep a calendar, etc.).

Fill out your own applications—colleges know if your parents fill it out, so do your own.

On-line applications are preferred, but some colleges still accept handwritten applications as long as they are neat—print legibly in black ink (NEVER in blue nor with a pencil).

If completing a paper application, make a “sloppy copy” on which you can practice first.

If your list of extracurricular activities exceeds the allotted space, list your top activities or those in which you’ve had a leadership or other significant roles.

Do the essay, even if it says it is optional. Essays should reveal more about who you are – not just list activities, etc. (See Essays Tips, page 16)

Ask a teacher to proof your essays.

Submit teacher recommendation, if applicable. If one is not required but you choose to have recommendations sent, send no more than three. Allow recommenders at least two weeks’ notice to write letters. Provide stamped, addressed envelopes to your recommender if none are provided by the college. (See Recommendations Tips, page 17)

If you’re applying to an arts school, include a copy of your portfolio, slides of your work, a tape (if you’re a dancer), or some other way to make your application stand out.

If you’re an athlete, send a highlights video to the athletics department.

After applying on-line, be sure to save/print out a copy of your submitted application (if possible). Don’t forget to print out the signature page and mail that in.

Request your transcript: from CFNC.org for any North Carolina college or university, or, for any out-of state college or university, from ScribOrder.com at least 2 weeks before your deadline.

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ESSAY-WRITING TIPS The essay is probably the only part of your application over which you have complete control. It gives you a chance to present a vivid and personal view of who you are, rounding out your application and helping you stand out from other applicants. Check out these tips: Be sure you address the essay prompt. Make sure your essay reveals something ABOUT you; it is not a list of your activities nor

is it just a description of something you’ve done. Make it personal and focused. Remember: you are using this essay to represent a 3-dimensional person. Develop and

prove your main idea with vivid, specific facts, events, quotations, examples and reasons. Avoid clichés and generic terms. Write using specific details. Don’t write what you think the reader wants to read. Be yourself. Proof your essay for grammar and spelling. DO NOT use spell-check. Have a teacher proof your essays to see if you are following the prompt and how well you

are expressing yourself. For more detailed information concerning writing college essays and for samples of

college essays with professional critiques of those essays, go to: www.collegeboard.com/student/applytocollege/collegeessays. Be sure also to click on “Related Articles” in the right column for more information.

TIPS ON SELECTING WHO TO WRITE YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS

The letters of recommendation can make a difference in the way the admissions committee perceives you; therefore, it is important to select teachers who not only like you, but more importantly, who can write a strong letter for you. Check out these tips: The recommender should be someone who can address and give specific examples of

your strengths and also give specific examples of your work and of whatever the prompt requests. Selecting a teacher you have had in 11th grade or this year is preferable.

When you decide who you would like to ask to write your letters, it is perfectly all right to first ask the teacher if he or she could write a strong recommendation in support of your admission application/scholarship application. If the teacher hesitates or seems reluctant, let him/her know that you’ll “understand if you are too busy.” This response allows the teacher to decline gracefully.

If the teacher agrees, provide him/her with the necessary information (student information sheet, colleges applying to, etc). Also, make sure that you have the CORRECT e-mail of the teacher/counselor or it will not get sent to them! If the recommendation is for a scholarship, provide the teacher with information on the scholarship so that he/she can address why you are a good candidate for this scholarship. For college admission, he/she will address why you are a good candidate for admission to that university.

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Provide the teacher with a complete list of your honors, awards, activities, and community service (student information sheet should cover all of this)

If the recommendation is being mailed in and not completed on-line, provide your recommender with an addressed and stamped envelope. (This is RARE)

Allow the recommender a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice to complete your recommendation by the deadline.

The recommender should keep in mind as he/she writes that this letter will be used to help the committee make a comparative decision among other candidates.

It is always a nice gesture to follow-up requests for recommendations with a note of thanks to your recommender.

College Admissions Options

EARLY ACTION is an admissions procedure to notify the applicant of early admissions to the college. Students are not obligated to accept the college’s offer of admission and may file applications at other universities. Note: early action candidates can be deferred (admissions decision is made later in the school year). EARLY DECISION is a plan under which you may submit your credentials early to one college, usually by October 15 or November 1 of your senior year. You are notified of your status by late December or mid-January. As part of an early decision plan, you are required to sign a statement agreeing to accept the college’s offer of admission. You must also withdraw your applications from other colleges if accepted under early decision. You may apply to only one college/university under Early Decision. REGULAR ADMISSION is the plan under which you submit your credentials, generally from September through February, depending on school deadlines. Check the deadlines for each individual school. ROLLING ADMISSION is the plan under which candidates submit credentials at their convenience up until a college’s final deadline which is usually later in the school year. They receive an offer of acceptance or denial usually within four to six weeks.

College Admissions Keywords OFFER OF CONDITIONAL ADMITTANCE is acceptance to a college, provided you maintain your academic performance throughout the year. A college can withdraw its offer if your grades fall significantly or you are involved in an activity that results in disciplinary action by the school or law enforcement. DENIAL is a final decision by the college to not offer admission. Students who are denied can apply again after completing at least a semester of college coursework at another institution. DEFERMENT is a delay of the admissions decision until a later time. Many competitive schools will defer some fall applications until the spring in order to receive additional grades and other information on these applicants. WAITLISTED occurs after the regular admissions process is complete. There is no guarantee a college will go to the waitlist, or where you will rank on the waitlist. Students on a waitlist for one college should plan to attend another college and then reconsider if later offered admission.

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PROCESS FOR REQUESTING TRANSCRIPTS

Wake County Public School System has implemented a procedure for requesting transcripts. This procedure includes transcripts needed for colleges/universities outside of NC, scholarship programs, employers, military service recruiting offices, and more. ***IMPORTANT*** The website that current students, former students, potential employers, etc., must use to requests transcripts is: www.wcpss.net/transcripts. (Please be sure to read the next few pages to see what the site looks like and to learn about important information you must include in your transcript requests.) Other important points about transcript requests: Current students will be provided their first three transcripts free of charge. After the first three, there is a charge of $5.00 per transcript Phone and/or fax requests are not accepted. This includes college athletic departments seeking official or unofficial copies of prospective athletes’ transcripts. Students who are “Apex Friendship High School-nominated” candidates for certain scholarships will not have to pay for those transcripts to be sent. Costs for other scholarship-related transcripts will be the student’s responsibility. ***For any college/university, in North Carolina or out of state, that also requires a counselor statement to be completed and sent to the college, students must provide to their counselor’s e-mail address on their application. Please make sure you are inputting your counselor’s CORRECT e-mail address.

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST PROCEDURE SPECIFICALLY FOR APPLICATIONS TO

COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES IN N.C.

If you apply to a N.C. college or university, you MUST request your transcript to be sent electronically through CFNC. There are two ways to have your transcript sent through CFNC. 1 – If you DO complete your college application using CFNC, follow these instructions: Create and/or login to your CFNC account. (www.cfnc.org)

A. At the CFNC Home page, click on the top link that says “My CFNC.” Click on the Profile and then on THIS IS ME.

B. Review THIS IS ME to make sure all information is correct. Then click “edit” in the top right-hand corner of that page. Enter your student ID number. Also make sure that your name in THIS IS ME matches EXACTLY the way your name is printed on your transcript. Failing to make sure all information is accurate will prevent your transcript from being sent. Be sure to save all information.

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C. Click on Apply tab at top of page; then click To College. Then click College Applications.

D. After you select the college you want to apply to, read and follow instructions for completing the application. Note: you have already completed the information for the “High School Transcripts” section of the application when you completed the THIS IS ME section in step C above.

E. As you complete the application, you will be asked if you would like your transcript to be sent. Click “Yes” and your transcript will be uploaded and sent electronically from Apex Friendship High School to your selected college.

2 – If you DO NOT complete your college application using CFNC, you will need to follow these instructions:

A. Create and/or login to your CFNC account. (www.cfnc.org)

B. Click on “Apply” and then “To College.”

C. Click on “Transcript Manager.”

D. Follow all steps of the instructions for requesting that your transcript be sent to your specific colleges. As you follow the instructions, be sure that all information in the THIS IS ME sections matches what is listed on your transcript. Also, in the THIS IS ME section, click on “edit” in the top right-hand corner and enter your student number. Make sure that your name entry matches EXACTLY the way your name is printed on your transcript. Failing to make sure all information is accurate will prevent your transcript from being sent. Be sure to save all information.

***Students can check the status of their transcript through their CFNC account. During busy seasons, it might take colleges several days to upload your transcript into their system.

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STANDARDIZED TEST INFORMATION

It’s important to check the college catalogs or websites of the schools to which you are applying to determine which standardized test(s) you need to take. The SAT, measures what you have learned in high school and what you need to succeed in college. Like other assessments, the SAT includes a Reading Test, Writing and Language Test, and a Math Test. SAT questions focus on skills that matter most for college readiness and success, according to the latest research. The *ACT, the American College Test, measures the knowledge, understanding, and skills that you have acquired throughout your education. The test contains multiple-choice tests in four areas: English, math, reading, and science. Each of these tests contains questions that offer either four or five answer choices from which you are to choose the correct or best answer. If you register for the optional ACT with writing, you will take the writing test after the four multiple-choice tests. Depending on your particular strengths and weaknesses, you may perform much better on one test than the other. Many students are now considering taking both the SAT and the ACT – to figure out which test provides a better showcase for their abilities. Most colleges and universities will accept either test for admission, but check to be sure. ***2017-18 Test fees: SAT Test fees: $46.00 SAT with Essay: $60. ACT Test fees: $46.00, ACT Plus Writing: $62.50. Students should take SAT and/or ACT tests at the end of the junior year and early in the fall of senior year. The ACT is offered with the Writing portion or without the Writing portion. Since all colleges in N.C. require the Writing portion, students registering for the ACT should select “ACT Plus Writing.” The SAT Subject Test measures performance in specific subjects. Some highly competitive colleges require SAT Subject Test tests for placement and/or admission; again, check each school to be certain. SAT Subject Test tests should be taken immediately upon completing the course, regardless of when the course was taken. NCSU and UNC-CH require the SAT Math Level 2 Subject Test, for placement, if no A.P. Calculus score can be provided before orientation. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an admissions test administered through the computer that focuses on listening, structure, reading, and writing. It is for students whose native language is not English. This includes ESL students and non-English speaking students who have been living in the United States for less than five years. *ACT VS. SAT – What’s the difference between the ACT and the SAT? Both the ACT and the SAT are nationally administered standardized tests that help colleges evaluate candidates. Most colleges and universities accept either test. So as you begin the think about college and creating the best application package possible, your admissions plan should begin with the question, “Which test should I take?” When weighing your options, keep in mind that there are differences in test structure and the type of content assessed. Use the chart below to see which test makes the most of your strengths to help you determine which test might be best for you.

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SAT Dates Registration Deadlines August 26, 2017 July 28, 2017 October 7, 2017 September 8, 2017 November 4, 2017 October 5, 2017 December 2, 2017 November 2, 2017 March 10, 2018 February 9, 2018 May 5, 2018 April 6, 2018 June 2, 2018 May 3, 2018 ACT Dates Registration Deadlines September 9, 2017 August 4, 2017 October 28, 2017 September 22, 2017 December 9, 2017 November 3, 2017 February 10, 2018 January 12, 2018 April 14, 2018 March 9, 2018 June 9, 2018 May 4, 2018

***SAT and ACT fee waivers are available for economically disadvantaged students. See your counselor or the College Board website for details and guidelines. Students using a fee waiver for the SAT or ACT may qualify for College Application Fee Waivers. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): The TOEFL is sometimes a college admissions requirement for non-native English speakers. If you have questions about whether you should take the TOEFL, please go to www.toefl.org or see your counselor. For more information and to register for SAT or SAT Subject Test go to: www.sat.collegeboard.org For more information and to register for ACT go to: www.actstudent.org

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FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION Each high school in Wake County has a financial aid advisor available to help parents and students with the financial aid forms and process. Apex Friendship’s Financial Aid Advisor is Bonnie Sykes. From October through April, she will be available on Mondays from 8:00 – 11:00. Students may schedule an appointment to meet with her by visiting the Student Services office; parents may schedule an appointment by calling the Student Services secretary at 919-694-0500 x 20018.

TYPES OF AID Grants – “gift” money that is given to the student; does not have to be repaid Loans – money that must be paid back with interest College Work Study – money that the student earns through a campus job Scholarships – money that is awarded because a student is outstanding in some area

APPLYING FOR AID The Federal government mandated the creation and use of one form (FAFSA) to apply for federal financial aid. However, individual states and colleges may also require the completion of supplemental forms. Every college will specify which forms they require. Three forms are described below:

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The FAFSA form is available October 1st of the student’s senior year. All students applying for any federal financial aid must file this form; you are encouraged to file the form as soon after October 1st as possible. The FAFSA is the only application students must complete to be considered for all federal financial aid including: Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Work-Study, PLUS loans, and other federal financial aid programs. Students will not be charged a fee when filing this form. When completing the FAFSA a student can send data to six colleges. If you wish, you can have the data sent to additional institutions, which can be accomplished by following instructions on the Student Aid Report (SAR). Aid applicants should expect to receive the SAR within 2 to 6 weeks following application. The SAR will inform you of your EFC (estimated family contribution). Electronic submission of the FAFSA is preferred. You can access this form online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. To complete the FAFSA online, you will need to acquire a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at this site: http://www.pin.ed.gov/. Remember: the official (and free) website for the FAFSA is www.fafsa.ed.gov. Other websites using the word (fafsa) will probably have a fee.

PROFILE The CSS Profile is a needs analysis required by some colleges/universities, and there is a processing fee. The 5 NC Schools that require the CSS Profile are: Davidson, Duke, Elon, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest. The Profile may be completed electronically; that website is www.cssprofile.collegeboard.org. Colleges requiring completion of the Profile are listed on the Profile registration form. PROFILE forms may be submitted in the fall of the senior year; the CSS Profile is available on October 1st, as with the FAFSA.

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Institutional Forms In addition to the FAFSA many colleges will request information on their own institutional form. This information is used to award grants and scholarships that the college controls. Your prospective colleges’ admission and financial aid materials should be able to inform you of specific institutional requirements. If the cost of the college is more than your EFC, you have a financial need and should be eligible for financial aid. Most students will find that notification of financial aid will come in an “award letter” directly from each college and that your aid generally comes in the form of a “package.” A package is a combination of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. Packages are awarded through the financial aid office and will vary from college to college. Do not look at just the total amount of the award from each college; compare how each college is awarding you the aid and see which one leaves your family the least to pay out of pocket and which awards the least amount in loans. Also, should your family’s financial situation change during the year, notify your college financial aid office for a possible adjustment in the amount awarded to you. EVEN IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY NEED-BASED AID BECAUSE OF YOUR INCOME, YOU SHOULD STILL COMPLETE THE FAFSA. Colleges and organizations often want to verify that students are not eligible for need-based aid before they award non-need-based aid. Know your deadlines and meet them. Simply failing to meet a deadline could cost you aid that would have automatically been awarded otherwise.

When thinking about paying and budgeting for college, it is important to consider direct and indirect costs of a college education: Direct Indirect Tuition Books and supplies; Computer; Fees Transportation; Personal Expenses; On-campus room and board Off-campus room and board; Special Circumstances; Other costs

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

Detailed information on financial aid and resources available through the United States Department of Education is available at: www.ed.gov/offices/USFAP. The FAFSA must be completed in order to be considered for the following types of aid. Stafford Loan: Stafford Loans are available to undergraduates on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Freshmen may borrow up to $5500. Sophomores may borrow up to $6500 while juniors and seniors may borrow up to $7500 each of their last two years (Based off of the Maximum Subsidized plus Unsubsidized totals). Interest rates continue to be favorable and interest is paid by the federal government for the first six months after graduation. The “Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan Program” is available to undergraduates who do not

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demonstrate financial need. Students must file the FAFSA for the regular Stafford first, and, if it is determined they are not eligible, they will automatically be considered for the unsubsidized program. Although borrowing limits and interest rates are identical to the regular Stafford Loan, interest will not be subsidized while the undergraduate is attending college. Students have the option of either paying interest as it accrues on the loan or capitalizing the interest and paying it off along with the principle following graduation. Even though the government does not pay interest, this option is attractive because of the very favorable interest rate as low as 4.45%. Pell Grants and Supplemental Educational Grants: Pell Grants and SEOG’s are distributed to students based solely on need as determined by the FAFSA. The maximum amount one can receive from a Pell Grant changes per given year. Currently the 2017-18 maximum Federal pell Grant award is $5,920. The college financial aid office determines the amount received through a SEOG. Work-Study: Work-Study is a federally funded program that allows students to work on campus to help defray the costs of education. This program is organized by the school’s financial aid office. Perkins Loan: The Perkins Loan provides funds for students who demonstrate the most need as determined by the FAFSA. Colleges have a restricted amount of funds available for Perkins Loans and allocate it accordingly. Currently the interest rate is 5% and repayment begins six months after graduation. Parents Loan For Undergraduate Students (PLUS): Through this program parents may borrow the entire cost of their students’ education, less financial aid. You must not have an adverse credit history. The U.S. Department of Education is your lender. Repayment of PLUS loans must begin within 60 days of disbursement. Bank approval of a PLUS loan hinges on examination of the family’s credit history. The low interest rates on PLUS loans make these an attractive option for families who plan to finance educational costs.

FINANCIAL AID WEBSITES:

www.finaid.org - Comprehensive financial aid site with links to free scholarship search programs

www.collegeboard.com - Gives expected family contribution estimator. Free on-line scholarship search service. www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/fsa/index.html - Financial aid information from the federal government – includes links to publications, the FAFSA form, and new tax cuts for higher education www.collegequest.com - Peterson’s guide to financial aid and scholarships

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THE SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS

There are a number of scholarship opportunities—the trick is finding which ones are applicable to your individual situation. Scholarship bulletins are available on the Wake County Public School System website. Scholarships are also posted regularly on the Apex Friendship High School website-under the Student Services tab, through the Patriot Post, Student Services Twitter, and sent to seniors/parents who join the AFHS Senior Remind link. These bulletins are by no means an exhaustive list; websites are listed at the end of this planning guide to assist with other scholarship searches. Be forewarned—the application process for scholarships is often as detailed as applying for college and sometimes the rewards are not large. Keep applying for scholarships all year. The most important thing to remember is to never pay for a scholarship or for scholarship information. Individual colleges and universities also offer merit-based scholarship programs; check with your college for specific information. Search Tips: 1. Start early. 2. Utilize Student Services office at your high school. 3. Contact the college financial aid/scholarship office. 4. Network: parents’ employers; your church; local sororities/fraternities; parents’ professional

associations; local civic clubs 5. Utilize printed and on-line sources. 6. Be organized. 7. Be patient and persistent.

Examples of Scholarship Criteria:

Academic merit or good grades

Leadership activities

Community service

Extracurricular activities

Work experience

Honors and achievements

Financial need

Personal Statement Examples of Scholarship Essays: Describe a person or event that has had a significant impact on you. Describe a social problem of interest to you. What are your plans after graduation? Explain what motivates you to volunteer in your community. Explain why you need this scholarship. Write a statement giving your interests, life goals, ambitions and hopes.

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Scholarship Websites: www.scholarshipplus.com/wake - Wake County Public School System on-line scholarship

guide www.fastweb.com - A free scholarship search engine www.finaid.org - Comprehensive financial aid site with links to free scholarship search

programs www.goodcall.com- Their mission is to give you tools and tips you need to make good calls

when it comes to three key components of a person’s life: Education, Right Home, & the future.

www.collegeboard.com - Free on-line scholarship search service. Gives expected family contribution estimator

www.ncsu.edu - North Carolina State University scholarship search program www.collegenet.com - Scholarship search www.cfnc.org - Access to scholarships and college information www.ncseaa.edu - North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority Scholarship and

grant programs in N.C. www.scholarshipcoach.com - Scholarship opportunities www.collegequest.com - Peterson’s guide to financial aid and scholarships www.uncf.org – United Negro College Fund plays a critical role in enabling more than 65,000

students each year to attend college. www.naacp.org – Scholarships provided to outstanding individuals www.scholarships.com/ - Search “minority scholarships” www.hsf.net – Provides financial support for Latinos going to college and educates students

and parents about resources available for paying for college.

A Special Word to Minority Students In an effort to diversify views and experiences, to respond to the social and economic disadvantages of certain groups of Americans, and to reflect the globalization of our economy and communications network, recruitment of special groups is a task that all college and universities take seriously. In fact, most colleges and universities have at least one member of the admissions staff who specializes in the recruitment of minorities. Minority students should check with the colleges and universities they are interested in to connect with minority affairs offices and student groups. Under “scholarship websites” above, please note several sites specifically designated for minorities. ** See the next page for a sample worksheet to help you determine college costs and affordability.

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CAN YOU AFFORD YOUR COLLEGE CHOICES?

Compare the cost of colleges along with your expected contributions to arrive at what’s called your Unmet Need or Financial Gap. You can get Cost of Attendance factors for your college choices on Cappex.com. College 1 College 2 College 3

College Details

College Name

In State/Out of State

Cost of Attendance

Tuition & Fees +

Room & Board +

Books & Supplies +

Travel to and from College +

A Total Cost of Attendance =

Expected Family Contribution (Calculate your estimated EFC using the FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/)

B Expected Family Contribution =

Scholarships

Projected Need-based Aid +

Projected Merit Aid Scholarships +

Private Scholarships +

C Total Scholarships =

Federal Student Loans

D Federal Student Loans =

Work Study (Financial aid given in exchange for working on campus)

E Work Study =

Your Financial Gap: (To calculate this, subtract line B,C,D, and E from line A)

Unmet need or Gap = To make up this gap, you would either need to contribute more or take out a private loan.

Cappex Fit Fact: Know that 63 percent of all students receive some form of financial aid, be it grants, loans, scholarships or federal aid. For more tips on paying for college and to discover merit aid scholarships, go to www.Cappex.com.

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COLLEGE FOUNDATION OF NORTH CAROLINA Resources

www.cfnc.org

“CFNC: Helping you plan, apply, and pay for college.”

“College Foundation of North Carolina is a non-profit partnership between Pathways of North Carolina, College Foundation Inc., and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. These organizations have broad expertise in helping students to prepare successfully for college and to find the best financial aid alternatives. Together, they provide a complete and comprehensive source of information - and real solutions - for students and their families.”

Log onto this website and you will find links to help you plan, explore colleges, explore careers, apply to colleges, send transcripts, search for financial aid, and more.

CFNC also provides free SAT/ACT Test Prep which allows students to prepare and practice for college entrance exams. The College Redirection Pool opens in April of each year. Students who participate will have their name added to a “pool” from which N.C. colleges and universities with open admission slots can contact those students. See the next page for various links on CFNC to help you as you plan, explore, and apply.

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HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR COLLEGE PLANNING Comprehensive Guides

The College Board www.collegeboard.com Contains information on College Board testing, admissions, financial aid, and scholarships. US News College Center College rankings and admissions and financial aid information.

www.usnews.com/sections/education/index.html

Mapping Your Future www.mappingyourfuture.org Links to career assessments, college info, and scholarships Peterson’s www.petersons.com Search colleges by GPA, tuition, sports and more.

Interest Inventories www.CFNC.org Match your interests/skills with vocational choices. (link to Career Center and to Career Key)

The Bridges Interest Inventory is accessible through CFNC.org

www.nccareers.org

College Search Sites

The Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com College View www.collegeview.com Information on colleges, scholarships, and careers. FAFSA on the Web www.fafsa.ed.gov Application for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FastWEB www.fastweb.com A free, searchable scholarship database. College Foundation of North Carolina www.cfnc.org General information on the financial aid process. Apply directly to UNC-system schools; keep track of extracurricular activities; and much more NCAA www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org Information for student athletes who plan to play in college. www.cappex.com www.collegeapps.com www.collegenet.com www.xap.com

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WEBSITES FOR NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Central website for the UNC system: www.ga.unc.edu

Appalachian State University www.appstate.edu East Carolina University www.ecu.edu Elizabeth City State University www.ecsu.edu Fayetteville State University www.uncfsu.edu NC A & T University www.ncat.edu NC Central University www.nccu.edu NC School of the Arts www.uncsa.edu NC State University www.ncsu.edu UNC Asheville www.unca.edu UNC Chapel Hill www.unc.edu UNC Charlotte www.uncc.edu UNC Greensboro www.uncg.edu UNC Pembroke www.uncp.edu UNC Wilmington www.uncw.edu Western Carolina University www.wcu.edu Winston-Salem State University www.wssu.edu

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CENTRAL WEBSITE FOR NORTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES www.ncicu.org

Barber-Scotia College www.b-sc.edu Barton College www.barton.edu Bennett College www.bennett.edu Belmont-Abbey College www.belmontabbeycollege.edu Brevard College www.brevard.edu Campbell University www.campbell.edu Catawba College www.catawba.edu Chowan College www.chowan.edu Davidson College www.davidson.edu Duke University www.duke.edu Elon University www.elon.edu Gardner-Webb University www.gardner-webb.edu Greensboro College www.greensborocollege.edu Guilford College www.guilford.edu High Point University www.highpoint.edu Johnson C. Smith University www.jcsu.edu Lees-McRae College www.lmc.edu Lenior-Rhyne College www.lr.edu Livingstone College www.livingstone.edu Louisburg College www.louisburg,edu Mars Hill College www.mhc.edu Meredith College www.meredith.edu Methodist College www.methodist.edu Montreat College www.montreat.edu Mount Olive College www.moc.edu N.C. Wesleyan College www.ncwc.edu Peace College www.peace.edu Pfeiffer University www.pfeiffer.edu Queens College www.queens.edu St. Andrews Presbyterian College www.sapc.edu St. Augustine’s College www.st-aug.edu Salem College www.salem.edu Shaw University www.shawuniversity.edu Wake Forest University www.wfu.edu Warren Wilson College www.warren-wilson.edu Wingate University www.wingate.edu

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COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS N.C. Community College System www. ncccs.cc.nc.us A four-year college education is not for everyone. In fact, students can often best prepare for many of today’s high growth career fields by attending a community college or a technical school. Students attending one of these schools will not be required to complete all of the recommended college preparatory courses in high school. These students generally will not be required to take the SAT or the ACT. Students who prefer to study courses that relate directly to their career goals and/or students who enjoy a more hands-on approach to education might consider a community college or technical school as a post-secondary option. Students may also begin their education at a two-year college and later transfer to a four-year college to complete their bachelor’s degree, provided they take courses that will transfer.

WAKE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE ADMISSION INFORMATION Wake Tech Community College www.waketech.edu

Wake Technical Community College and all North Carolina Community Colleges have an Open Door Policy. This policy provides for the admission of any person who has reached the age of 18 or has graduated from high school. They offer programs to all educational levels. There are Certificate Programs, Diploma Programs, and the Associate Degree Programs.

COLLEGE TRANSFER PROGRAM Five degrees are offered: Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.), Associate in

Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate in Science (A.S.), and Associate in Engineering (A.E.)

By enrolling in this program, you may complete course work equivalent to the general education requirements (freshman and sophomore years) for the bachelor's degree at a four-year school. Any course deficiencies MUST be made up at Wake Tech prior to transferring to the senior institution. The Associate Degree is awarded upon successful completion of 60 semester credit hours, including the minimum in each of the areas indicated on the specific curriculum outlines. Earning the A.A. or A.S. degree automatically fulfills the M.A.R. – Minimum Admissions Requirements for a public 4-year university in North Carolina.

*Each senior institution will have additional transfer requirements besides the M.A.R. Check with the senior institutions in which you are interested in order to prepare for your transfer. * High school students planning to begin their Bachelor’s degree at the community college before transferring to four-year college should take college preparatory classes in high school, if possible. * Wake Tech also offers the Associate’s Plus Program for College Transfer Students. This program allows College Transfer Students pursuing Associate’s degrees to also learn additional workplace skills by earning technical certificates; these certificates open doors to rewarding jobs and allow students to gain valuable work experience while going to college.

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Wake Technical College The Northern Wake Campus also provides an Honors Program. The Honors Program will be open only to students seeking an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree in the College Transfer Program. *UNC Chapel Hill has a partnership with 3 local community colleges including Wake Tech and Durham Tech. The “C-STEP” program guarantees junior transfer admission to Carolina to students who successfully earn an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree and successfully complete the college transfer program. C-STEP focuses on high school seniors or community college students whose household incomes fall at or below 300 percent of the 2016 federal poverty guidelines as indexed by family size. For more information, go to www.admissions.unc.edu/CSTEP. Or, go to the community college website, or speak with your high school counselor.

CHOOSING A CAREER PATH

Career Inventories – Taking a career inventory can be a good way to begin exploring careers.

Inventories often ask you questions about your interests, preferences, and values. They may also

ask about your abilities and talents, and perhaps even attempt to measure some of your skills.

The PLAN tab at CFNC.org allows you to learn about yourself and to explore careers.

Informational Interviews – You may be interested in several careers. One of the challenges of

exploring careers is that the descriptions you read on the internet or the impression you have in

your mind might not match what that career is like in real life. Consider scheduling some

interviews with people who have jobs that you find interesting.

Job Shadowing – Another helpful way to see what certain jobs are really like is to job shadow

someone. As the term implies, you simply find a person who would be willing to let you follow

along while he or she works – typically for half-day or full day. Make an appointment with our

Career Development Coordinator, Ms. Tomey to discover more information about this.

Volunteering – Maybe an organization or business is not able to offer you a paid job.

Volunteering may help you gain experience that you would otherwise not be able to get.

Make an appointment to see the Career Development Coordinator, Mrs. Tomey, in the

Career Center; the Career Center is located directly next to the Media Center.

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EMPLOYMENT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

Entering the Work Force If you have decided to get a job immediately after high school, it is suggested that you:

Utilize the internet to access state and national job listings.

Utilize community resources like Joblink for help in job searching, completing applications, interviewing, etc.

Take a career interest and work values survey. The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is an aptitude test to assess an individual’s natural abilities and skills. In turn, it may assist you in making an informed career choice. This test is open to any junior or senior at Apex Friendship. See Ms. Tomey in the Career Center for more information.

Contact military recruiters.

Visit your career center and library. Also, contact the N.C. Employment Security Commission located at 700 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, 27611.

Talk with people who are employed in the fields you are interested. Ask about their education/training, what they like/dislike about their job, what the opportunities are for advancement, etc.

SELECTIVE SERVICE http://www.sss.gov

Registering with Selective Service is possible via the Internet. All young men in the U.S., with very few exceptions, are required to register with Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. Registration is Federal law. Registering with Selective Service is also required in order to remain eligible for many Federal and State benefits, including student financial aid, job training, and jobs in the Executive Branch of the Federal government, such as jobs with the U.S. Postal Service. Failure to register is a felony.

With access to the Internet, any young man can register for Selective Service by clicking on the

“Register On-line Now” Icon at the Selective Service web site www.sss.gov. After entering some basic information, a Selective Service number will be generated. Registration forms are also available at any U.S. Post Office.

MILITARY SERVICES Different branches of the military visit Apex Friendship several times during the year. These visits are scheduled through the Career Center and Student Services. Check on line for currently scheduled visits.

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an aptitude test to assess an individual’s natural abilities and skills. The military branches require the ASVAB for entrance into the military. The Military Entrance Processing Service Center offers the ASVAB on a weekly basis. Contact your military recruiter to schedule an appointment. The ASVAB is an excellent tool to help determine your own natural abilities, which will in turn assist you in making an informed career choice.

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At other times the Military Representatives may be reached in their Raleigh Offices. Air Force 380-7242 www.airforce.com Army 873-0797 www.army.com Army National Guard 800-621-4136 www.nationalguard.com Coast Guard 878-4008 www.uscg.mil Marines 872-9955 www.marines.com Navy 873-1284 www.navy.com

INFORMATION FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS

1. Meet with an immigration attorney to discuss a pathway to citizenship.

2. Acquire an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (IRS Form W-7) to begin paying taxes.

3. Admission to the UNC system public universities is available to undocumented students

with limitations. Undocumented students must pay out-of-state tuition and are considered out-of-state when their applications for admission are reviewed. (www.northcarolina.edu and type “undocumented” in the search box).

4. Private colleges are independent of the UNC system. Each individual private or

independent college or university in N.C. makes its own decision regarding admission of undocumented students.

5. Community Colleges vary regarding the policy for admitting undocumented students.

Check with each individual community college. 6. Only documented students are eligible to receive federal financial aid through the FAFSA

form. 7. Private scholarships and other sources of money may be available to undocumented

students. Read the residency requirements.

8. Resources for additional information:

a – Latin American Resource Center – (919) 839-7200 b – N.C. Society of Hispanic Professionals – (919) 467-8424 c – Univision 40 – (919) 872-9339

d – WCPSS Sr. Administrator for Latino Outreach and Prevention Services – (919) 858-3227

e – Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund: www.maldef.org f – Hispanic Scholarship Fund: www.hsf.net

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