Paying for College
The types of financial aid are…
Grants and scholarships -- money that you don't have to pay back.
Federal work-study -- money you must work to earn.
Loans -- money that you can borrow but you must pay
Students who enroll in college earn an average of $12,900 more a year than high school dropouts.
FACT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006
The 4 types of colleges are…
Public- State University of New York (SUNY), City University of NY (CUNY)
Private colleges/universities
4-year colleges/universities
2-year colleges
What are the general components of the College Application?
-Application form
-Essay or Other Writing Sample
-Transcript
-School profile-> The profile paints a picture of your school for the admissions advisors and offers information about your school’s environment. Ask your high school guidance counselor for help with the profile.
-Test scores
-Recommendation forms
-List of activities (should include extra-curricular activities you participated in throughout high school)
-Fee or fee waiver form Check or money order for the application fee, or, if you are requesting a waiver, use the College Board Waiver Form or letter from your school.
*Optional sample of creative work
How many credits do you need to graduate high school?
All students in New York State must earn 44 credits and pass five Regents exams with a score of at least 65 to graduate.
What is the name of the form you need fill out in order to apply for any type of financial aid at any college in the United States?
You must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to calculate how much your family can afford to pay for college.
Students who graduate from a four-year college earn an average of $33,200 more a year than high school dropouts. Over a lifetime, that’s an extra $1.4 million in earnings!
FACT
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006
Where can you find information about colleges on your wish list?
*Research each college on your wish list
*Talk to your college adviser.
*Interview current college students.
*Participate in after-school college prep programs.
*Attend college fairs.
*Visit colleges that interest you.
What steps should you take to complete the college applications?
-Follow instructions exactly
-Proofread and finalize your own work Then ask your advisor, a teacher, or a trusted adult to look over your application to double-check for typos or errors.
-Make copies Photocopy your complete applications before you mail them out to the colleges.
-Common application Both the CUNY and the SUNY college and university systems have a common application of their own.
-Applying online Most colleges have websites so you can complete and submit your application online.
How many credits in each subject area should make up the 44 credits?
To graduate from high school, students need a total of at least 44 credits: 8 in English, 8 in social studies, 6 in math,6 in science, 2 in a foreign language, 4 in physical education,1 in health, 1 in art, 1 in music plus 7 electives. To be well-prepared for college, students should use their electives to earn additional credits in math, science and a foreign language.
Where can you get a copy of the FAFSA form?
The FAFSA is available from your high school guidance counselor or through www.fafsa.ed.gov.
College is too expensive for my family and me to afford
MYTH
There are many grants, scholarships and low-interest student loans available to help you pay for college.
How do you narrow the list of colleges you are going to apply to?
Hint: It can be separated into 3 categorizes
"Dream” colleges: Include one or two colleges whose admissions requirements are a real challenge but that you are really hopeful about.
“Probable” colleges: Include two or three colleges whose admissions requirements you mostly satisfy and where there is a good chance you will be accepted.
“Safety” colleges :Include two or three colleges whose admissions requirements you satisfy and where you know you are likely to be accepted.
What college entrance exams are required for admission into college?
Students will probably need to take at least one college entrance test such as the SAT or the ACT to gain admission into college.
What Regents exams must NYS students pass to graduate high school?
To earn a high school diploma, students must pass at least 5 of the state’s Regents exams: English, math, science, global history and geography, and U.S. history and government.
When should you submit the FAFSA Form during your senior year of high school?
During your senior year of high school you should plan to submit your FAFSA application as soon as possible after January 1.
My grades aren’t good enough to get into college.
There is a place for any student who wants to go to college.
What is a prerequisite?
A course that would be required as a condition before a student can take a desired course.
What parts of the college application package are you and your high school responsible for submitting?
Student sends:
• complete application forms
• application fee or fee waiver form • essay
• letters of recommendation from employers
• a writing sample/portfolio/audition CD if you do any creative work
Also, be sure you have arranged for the official copy of your standardized test scores to be sent to the college.
Your school sends:
• official copy of your transcript
• school profile (if they have one)
• letters of recommendation from your teachers
How many credits should you be earning by the end of 9th grade?
Students should earn 11 credits by the end of 9th grade.
What role do your parents play in completing the FAFSA form?
The FAFSA asks for information from your parents' tax returns. For you to submit the FAFSA form on time, your parents will need to complete their tax forms in January. If you cannot obtain your parents' tax information, follow the special instructions in the FAFSA application. If your parents cannot process their tax forms in January and their income has not changed significantly from the previous year, they can use the estimated tax information based on their previous year's forms.
I don't have anyone to help me figure out the college planning and application processes.
MYTH
Your high school guidance counselor is a great resource and can help you start planning for college as early as ninth grade.
What should you look for when visiting a college?
*Admission Requirements: What grades, test scores, and experiences does your college look for? Which tests are required? SAT, SAT subject test, ACT? Does the college have core requirements? English, math, science, language?
-Cost to Attend College/University: How much does it cost to go to this school? How much of student need is covered by financial aid?
*Academics: What is the size of the classes? What kind of support does the college have for students who face personal or academic challenges or students with learning or physical disabilities? What Library and resources (labs, gyms, music halls, computer labs, and access) are available to students?
-Student life: What kinds of activities are available to students on weekends? How diverse and tolerant is the student population?
*Dorm/campus living: Is on-campus housing available for all students? Where is it located? How far from NYC?
-Athletics: What sports teams are available? Is there a gym for students to use?
What resources are available to help you with the college application process?
-School guidance counselors
-Advisor or Crew leader (if your school has advisories and crews)
-After School College Prep program
-Parents/Family members/friends
-Internet
What is an advanced Regents diploma?
To earn an Advanced Regents diploma, students take additional credits in a foreign language, pass an additional Regents exam in science (at least one course should be in life science and one in physical science), and pass a second Regents exam in math. An advanced Regents Diploma with Honors may be issued to students who receive an average of 90 percent or more on all Regents exams. Adjustments are made for students taking a sequence in career and technical education or the arts.