Making A Difference Through College Counseling

1.An introduction to understanding college admissions and the resources to help you and your students along the wa y Dave Shafron, Guidance Counselor Lincoln Park High School

Application and Admission Processes

Financial Aid Overview

Professional Associations

Raffle and Prizes!

According to recent data, if 100 students started a four year bachelors degree, how many would finish in six years?

If 10 students start at a community college, how many of them will have an associates degree within three years?

Where does America rank when examining the number of adults with a college degree?

In the state of Illinois, how many adults, ages 24-35 have received a college degree?

www.completecollege.org

Inadequate academic preparation

Poorly designed and delivered remediation

Broken credit transfer policies

Confusing financial aid programs

A culture that rewards enrollment instead of completion

A system too often out of touch with the needs of the todays college student.

www.completecollege.org

Regular Decision Submit an application by the Universities stated deadline.Student may apply to more than one school under Regular Decision (i.e. Illinois State)

Rolling Admission Accepts applications throughout the year (i.e. Elmhurst College, Lewis University)

Open Enrollment Accepts applications throughout the year and will allow entry with minimal requirements

(i.e. Moraine Valley Community College)

In deciding whether or not to apply Early, a student should ask themselves a simple question: can I submit my best application in October of my senior year?www.admissions.nd.edu

Anon-bindingprogram allowing the student to apply to more than one school

The college will inform them of the decision in early to mid January and the student has until May 1 to decide

Similar procedures and guidelines as Early Action

Student may apply to onlyone schoolunder this plan

Student may apply to other schools throughRegular Admission

Student still has until May 1 to make decision

Example: Stanford University and Yale University

Abindingagreement where the student agrees to attend that school if offered admission and an adequate financial aid package.

Student may only apply toone collegeunder Early Decision, but is free to apply to other colleges under Regular Decision.

High School agrees to send transcripts for only one Early Decision application

Decisions are given around the middle part of December.If accepted, the student agrees to enroll and withdraw all other offers of admission

Financial aid is determined through the College Scholarship Service profile to provide their best estimated financial aid package

"Should a student who applies for financial aid not be offered an award that makes attendance possible, the student may decline the offer of admission and be released from the Early Decision commitment" (from NACAC'sStatement of Principles ).

Single application used for 425+ colleges and universities across the United States

Does not provide any advantage or disadvantages, but schools may ask for additional application supplements

Counselors may submit supplemental resources online (i.e. teacher recommendation, profile, etc.)

College may join if they require a letter of recommendation, an untimed essay, and consideration of broader campus diversity

Admits fewer than 5 - 20% of applicants

ACT ranges 29-35

4 years of English, Math and Foreign Language, 3-4 years of Lab Sciences and honors and AP courses recommended

Admits between 20-30% of applications

ACT ranges 27-29

4 years of English and Math, 3-4 years of Lab Science, Social Science and Foreign Language

Recommended courses in Honors and/or AP

Fewer than 150 colleges admitting no more than 35% of their applicants

25-27 ACT range

Similar course recommendations as previous category

1,000+colleges admitting between 50-70% of applicants

ACT ranges 20-25

4 years of English, 3 years of Math and Science, 2 years Social Science

Admits70-80% of applications

Minimum ACT ranges 18-22

4 years of English, 3 years of Math, 2 years of Science and Social Science

By attending 1-2 years,somecolleges will review admission strictly using community college scores

In District tuition rate around $93 - 130/credit hour

$93 x 30 hours = $2,790 + books = 3,500/year

Financial aid is still available at community college level

Counselors and students can utilize the Illinois Articulation Initiative to ensure the transferability of general education courses to Illinois colleges.

Priority Application Deadline of November 1

Regular Application Deadline of January 1

Application requires 2 written essays, application fee, official transcripts, ACT with writing or SAT I

Accuracy Counts!

University of Illinois received 20,000 applications and about 60% were accepted.

Middle 50% range of ACT in 2009 ranged 27 32

Rank 87 93%

Early Decision Deadline: November 1,

Regular Decision Deadline: January 1

Required Materials: Common App, NU supplemental essays, secondary school report, teacher evaluation and College Scholarship Service profile (CSS Profile)

25,013 Applicants in Fall 2010

6,552 Admission Offers (26%)

Average ACT 30-34

Early Decision candidates may be deferred

to regular admission

Rolling Admission

Requires application, official transcripts and official ACT or SAT scores

Decisions are made as applications are completed

Lewis University received 2,800 applications and accepted 2,100 (75%)

Average ACT ranged 20-25

Average GPA 3.2

Open Enrollment

Requires Application, High School Transcripts or GED and ACT Compass Test

Students begin work on general education classes for transfer to four year school or completion of Associates Degree

Tuition costs: $93/credit hour

24 credit hours and abovemayeliminate consideration of secondary grades and/or ACT for transfer admission

Helpyour students understand the profiles and requirements

Stay up to date with application changes and college updates

Know your college representatives

Keep learning options and help students understand that there are more options than most will believe

Utilize the Illinois Articulation Initiative to familiarize yourself with transfer options

Parents and student complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.gov)

With completion of the FAFSA, a family is provided with their Expected Family Contribution, also known asEFC . The EFC is used against the Cost of Attendance.

Colleges and Universities use the EFC to determine Need which results in eligibility for grant and loan assistance.

Cost of Attendance(tuition, room, board, books, supplies, estimated travel expenses)

-Expected Family Contribution

=Financial Need

Government assesses the families ability to pay for college based on the following:

A familys financial strength

Measuresavailablefinancial resources that help contribute

Factors which determine EFC include: Number in household, number in college, age of parent, taxed and untaxed income, Assets and investments(not 401K or 403B)

44 and 46 year old married parents

Single income family, parents did not attend college

5 people in family

2 children in college for 2011 - 2012

Income 2011:$63,423

Assets 2011: $55,000

FICA 4,820

Fed Income Tax $5,734

Use the information to the left.

Leave student section BLANK.

Expected Family Contribution remains constant

Amount of financial aid is determined by cost of institution

Grants and Loans are based on the Expected Family Contribution

Only 18% of colleges and universities will meet 100% of the University Need. (e.g. Northwestern, U of Chicago)

Federal Grants (i.e. Pell, Supplemental Educational Opportunity)

State Grants (Monetary Award Program)

Institutional Grants (Lewis University Grant)

Merit Scholarships (Academic, Athletic, Talent)

Loan Programs (Stafford, Perkins, PLUS)

Work Study

Private Sources (Community, Businesses, Interests Groups)

State of Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP grant) is awarded to families with EFC of

$8,999 or less

The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to families with an EFC of

$4,617 or less

Institutional Grants help fill remaining need but vary for each institution

Case #1 Alexs mom and dad are divorced and Alex currently lives with his mom.His dad, however, has agreed to pay all college expenses.What parent is responsible for filing the FAFSA?

The student files under the parent with which they reside, regardless of who claims as a dependent or who is paying for the education

Case #2 Ambers parents are divorced and her mom remarried in 2001.Amber currently lives with her mom and stepdad.Who will file her FAFSA?

Ambers mom and stepdad are responsible for filing the FAFSA, resulting in a joint income EFC calculation

Case #3 Jorges parents are divorced, but they have joint custody and he spends an equal amount of time at both residences. Who should file the FAFSA?

When it is equal there is still one parent that spends at least one extra day. The parent with which the child spends the most time is responsible for filing the FAFSA.

Case #4 Kimberly enters your office and says that her parents refuse to help pay for her college tuition.You suggest filing the FAFSA, but its already been determined they make too much money to qualify for assistance.What options does she have filing her FAFSA?

Unfortunately, none.Regardless of her parents decisions to support their child, Kimberly can only file the FAFSA using both parents information.

Case #5 Elizabeth had a baby in February of her senior year, but she is unmarried and still lives with her biological parents.Who is responsible for filing her FAFSA?

You are at least 24 years old on the day you file your FAFSA

You are married on the day you file your FAFSA

You have a child who receives more than half of their support from you between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

You have dependents other than your spouse who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply

Both your parents are deceased (or were until age 18) a ward of dependent of the court

You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training

Youre a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

You were a foster child after the age of 13.

You are an emancipated child as determined by a court judge.

You are homeless or at risk of homelessness as determined by the director of a HUD approved homeless shelter, transitional program, or high school liaison.

Although she has a child she is still living with her parents and further investigation will need to be conducted to determine who is providing more than 50% of the support. Having a baby alone does not automatically make a student independent.

Awarded based on need and the amount given to the institution

Only awarded to students and you must complete the FAFSA to qualify

Maximum award of $4,000 with a capped interest rate of 5%

10 year pay back starts 9 months after graduation

No additional fees

Student loan provided from the federal government

Two kinds: subsidized and unsubsidized

2010-2011 interest rate at 4.50% for subsidized and 6.8% for unsubsidized

Small lender fee of about 1%

Repayment begins 6 months after graduation with 10 years to repay

P arentL oan forU ndergraduateS tudent

Interest rate fixed at 8.5%

Parent begins repayment 60 days after disbursement

Allows parents to borrow the remaining balance plus additional for books and miscellaneous costs

Credit check required

Dont let your students or families assume they wont qualify

Honor deadlines

Practice filling out the forms yourself and continuously relearn

Help simplify the process

National Association for College Admission Counseling

Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Only organization in the state that brings together secondary and post secondary members who are dedicated to servicing students in their high school to college transition

Membership consists of more than 1,500 individuals from high schools, colleges, financial aid offices, and independent counselors

Coordinates college fairs, monitors counseling practices, promotes statewide college readiness programs, and provides dozens of professional development services for CPDU credits.

Access to Email list serve

Name and institution listed in Membership Directory

Access to Illinois College Exposition Calendar for full listings of statewide college fairs

Quarterly publication of IACAC Newsbrief

Formal mentorship program

Opportunity to serve on committees and meet and network with other counseling professionals

Discounted rates to dozens of professional development opportunities

www.iacac.org

Created in 1957 to ensure that financial considerations did not prevent the students of Illinois from realizing their post secondary potential

An all inclusive financial aid resource for the state of Illinois, along with general information on college admission

Website features ready to use power point presentations, need analysis forms, EFC calculations and updated costs on all state institutions

Outreach staff conducts financial aid presentations across the state for high schools, colleges and communities

An organization made up of over 11,000 members of secondary and post secondary members dedicated to serving students

Primary mission is to support and advance the work of counseling and enrollment professionals as they help students realize their full educational potential

Acts as a filter, monitoring the information which exists and promotes constitutional change by providing action alerts to state and federal governments to bring positive change within college admissions and college counseling

Discounted rate to Annual Conference featuring 4,000 participants, 100 different sessions, several private workshops and dozens of evening social gatherings (Baltimore 2009, St. Louis 2010 and Denver 2011)

Access to Knowledge Center, where you can find hundreds of resources on a variety of topics

Journal of College Admission , a quarterly publication featuring articles and commentary on issues related to college counseling

NACAC News Bulletin , a semi monthly e-newsletters with updates on current news and pressing issues

Job and Career Center to see job announcements at high school and college level

www.nacacnet.org

IACAC Annual Conference

Summer Bus and Plane Tour

Financial Aid Workshops

Academy of College Admission Counseling

Scheduled May 2-4, 2012 in Itasca, IL

Over 40 sessions covering topics in diversity, financial aid, career counseling, counseling ethics, social media and dozens more

Nationally recognized keynote speakers along with multiple opportunities to network with colleagues

Social gatherings, entertainment, exhibitors,service project, elections, awards, raffles and lots of fun!

College tours by way of bus or plane

Costs range $475 800

2011 Bus Tour visited schools in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri

2012 Plane tour scheduled to visit schools in the city of New York.

20 separate FREE workshops across the state sponsored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and held annually

Topics includeFAFSA Made Easier, Guide to Conducting a Financial Aid Presentation in English and Spanish, Economics of Higher Education, and FAFSA Expert Workshop

Philosophy of College Counseling (ethics and principles)

How to choose a college: a student-focused model

Financial Aid and College Financing

The college application process - how colleges admit students, processing applications and writing for college

Publicizing your program to parents and the community

Knowing your high school

College admission testing

Using computers and the internet in college counseling

www.counseloracademy.org

Dont just become a memberbecome a contributing member!

We cant do it alone - Reach out and utilize the network of colleagues and the abundance of resources

College Admission Counselors want to be your friend!

Surround yourself with dedicated professionals, a connected counselor is an effective counselor

Undocumented students

LGBTQ College Counseling

Letters of Recommendation

NCAA Student-Athletes

College Counseling for Students with LD

Standardized Testing

Personal Statement

School Profile

Making the choice

Scholarships

Gap Year

College Counseling Ethics

Office Environment

Performing Arts

Follows 6 core values:

Professionalism Collaboration Trust Education

Fairness and Equity Social Responsibility

Comprised of three sections:

Mandatory All members agree to follow these rules

Interpretation of Mandatory Practices, which clarify Mandatory through context and example

Best Practices Represents preferred recruitment, admission and counseling methods

Counsel students to abide by all application requirements and restrictions (I. B. 9)

Providecolleges and universities with a description of the schools marking system that, if available, will provide some indication of grade distribution that may include rank and/or grade point average (III. B. 1)

Sign only one pending Early Decision or Restricted Early Action agreement, when applicable, for any student. (III. B. 3)

Not reveal, unless authorized, candidates college or university preferences(III. B. 5)

Provide a program of counseling that introduces a broad range of postsecondary opportunities

Encourage students and families to take the initiative in learning about colleges and universities

Provide information about opportunities and requirements for financial aid

Counsel students to withdraw offers of admission when final decision is reached

Inform students about the tests needed for admission, where students take them and how to interpret results

Refrain from encouraging students to apply to certain schools to enhance the reputation of the high school

Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling has an Admission Practices Committee that monitors reports of violations

Most violations are the result of being unaware of the rules and guidelines

All submissions are anonymous made through the IACAC website

Fabricate or exaggerate activities and accomplishments

Have someone else write or substantially rewrite their essays

Fail to disclose disciplinary infractions if asked directly about them on an application form (colleges and universities will generally give applicants a chance to explain infractions)

Tell more than one college that it's their first choice

Mislead a college about their intended major just because they think it might help them get in

Fail to notify the other colleges that have accepted them when they accept an admission offer

www.collegeboard.com

To buy time to decide on a school when the student has been accepted by more than one college. The usual decision deadline is May 1; by double depositing, a student can delay deciding until fall.

To continue negotiating financial aid offers with more than one college past the May 1 decision deadline.

Because the student is on a waiting list at one college and wants to ensure that she is enrolled somewhere in case she is turned down by the waiting-list school. This scenario is the only one in which NACAC considers double depositing acceptable.

It's deceitful.From theNew York Timesarticle: "'It's fundamentally dishonest to say to more than one college that that's where you're going to be in the fall,' said Dan Rosenfield, dean of enrollment management at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 'and it's not a victimless crime.'"

It's unfair to the college.If the practice continues, colleges will become frustrated when they find they can't predict the size of the incoming class with any accuracy, and may take actions such as enlarging the waiting list or increasing deposit amounts (both of which will impact future applicants).

It's unfair to other applicants.The double depositor is taking up a spot that could go to another student, who will instead be wait-listed or turned down.

Tell students not to submit deposits to more than one college, unless they arewait-listed at their first choice and accepted at another.

Consider instituting a policy of sending each student's final transcript toonly one college .

Warn students that some colleges reserve the right torescind an offer of admissionif they discover that a student has made a double deposit.

This document is in place to best serve the students and to uphold the integrity of your institution

From your chair, this document should be within an arms reach

If a student shares questionable information with you about a college, please utilize the admission practice committee to best investigate the concern

College counseling is complex and many students have the wrong impression of the information which exists

Financial aid is there to help, help your families see past the burden and help them realize the opportunity.But, continue to learn about other unique funding options

Be active members, contribute to the association and take advantage of the opportunities to develop professionally

An ethical counselor is an effective counselor

Thank You!!

Dave Shafron Guidance Counselor Lincoln Park High School

2001 Orchard Lane

Chicago, IL 60614

773-534-8132

[email_address]

www.facebook.com/daveshafron

Call, write, friend, email, text, skype, (need to set it up but I will!) wave hello, high five, etc.

Making A Difference Through College Counseling

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