RVHS Senior Workshop 2014

THE LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE CONTINUES.

Provided by:Robert Vela High School

Financial Aid Office

COLLEGE……WHERE DO

I START??????

?

Step #1: Start with a RESUME

1.A resume template can be found on:

http://edinburg.vela.schooldesk.net/

Robert Vela Home Page

How many applications is just right?4 to 5 or more

How do your ACT test waivers help you with college applications?

What makes up the application? Personal Info, Resume, Essays

When will I have time to do this?Do I have to do a college application?Who can help?

Step #2: Start with your COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Presented by:

Robert Vela High School

Admissions

Things to Consider:LocationCost of LivingCost of TuitionRange of Academic Majors OfferedExam and Admission RequirementsTypes of Financial AidScholarship OpportunitiesAmount of Personal Attention You Child Will ReceiveStudent Service for Tuition Dollars

Choosing a University

1. Applytexas.org: Start application ASAP

2. Application Fee: Application Fee Waivers Available

3. Essays: 2-3 Essays; Usually Topics A, B & C

4. Transcript: Must include Class Rank/GPA/ School Seal/ Expected Graduation under Program: Distinguished/Recommended

5. Highly Recommend: A Resume, College Transcript if (dual or concurrent enrollment courses taken); Residency Affidavit or Recommendations.

6. Additional Requirements: Copy of permanent resident card (for US permanent residents).

Note: Students may apply to most universities before they have received ACT/SAT test scores.

Admission Procedures Do not delay! Apply today!

Students must make sure to complete all admission application requirements for all schools F. A. S. T.!!!!

Fees (If applicable) Application Scores (ACT, SAT, THEA) Transcript (Obtained from your RVHS

registrar)

YOU MUST HAVE ALL OF THIS INFO IN THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICE ON OR BEFORE

THE DEADLINES – NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

Admissions Procedures

Free fee application waivers are available to qualifying students Blinn College Texas A&M University Texas A&M University Kingsville Texas State University Texas Tech University University of North Texas University of Texas at Austin University of Texas at San Antonio ANY OTHER TEXAS PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SOME TEXAS PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

ApplyTexas.org Application

www.applytexas.org

If a Texas student is ranked in the top 10 percentile of his/her graduation class, the student has automatic admission acceptance to any Texas public university, BUT must still submit an application on applytexas.org

Only UT-Austin has modified this rule to automatically accept only the top 7% this year and will vary every year.

State of Texas Top 10% Rule

Make sure they are registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse Organization!

NCAA Registration Process Web application at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Membership fee – can be waved for free with high

school counselor permission Submit two high school transcripts

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

Son/Daughter Planning on Playing College Sports?

College Entrance Exams

www.actstudent.org

www.collegeboard.org

www.thea.nesinc.com

Universities Use Testing Information for:

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

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

o Scholarship Criteria Does your score merit a scholarship award?

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

Why do you need to take college placement exams?

For ENHS, EHS, RVHS and JEHS test dates during school days: Register at the Financial Aid Office• Next ENHS THEA - November 6, 2012

Payment: $29 check or money order to NES

For Other Test Dates: UTPA Testing Office

665-7584• STC Testing Office

• 872-7617

No Waivers Available

NO MORE THEA / ACCUPLACER

TAKS – Exit Level Scores Exempt for MATH

2200 MATH Exempt for Reading and Writing

2200 ELA 3 on Essay

ACT Scores 23+ composite – With at least a 19+ math and 19+ English

SAT Scores 1070+ math and critical reading scores – With at least a 500 math and

500 critical reading

Check with your counselor if you are exempt from taking the THEA exam

Exemptions for THEA

THEA and Remedial Courses

Some colleges/universities do not accept the TAKS exemptions and may request higher scores on THEA to place you out

of remedial classes

State Passing

UTPA STC

Reading

230 240 230

Writing 220 220 220

Math 230 260 250

ACT = No Writing: $35.00

Plus Writing: $50.50 (Waivers available for free)

• Check to see if the schools you are applying to are requiring or recommending you to take the ACT with the writing portion!

• Register online at www.actstudent.org

SAT = $50.00 (Waivers available for free)• SAT is requiring that ALL students take the writing• Register online at www.collegeboard.org

National Placement Exams

You are only allowed two fee waivers for each exam even if you registered and did not

show up for an exam!!!!!!$21-$25 test date change

2 ACT Fee Registration Waivers2 SAT Fee Registration Waivers

Have You Already Used Your Test Fee Waivers?

Financial Aid$$$

HOW AM I GOING TO PAY FOR COLLEGE?

Scholarships

• Scholarship Criteria:▫ Merit Based-grades in school▫ Need based (based on family income)▫ Based on Athletic ability▫ Writing Skills▫ Test Scores

• Most Scholarships require:▫ Community Service Hours▫ Active in school, church, or community▫ ACT/SAT scores▫ above average G.P.A.

Types of Scholarships State and National Scholarships- 1st Semester

Amounts range from $1,000 to $25,000

Local Scholarships-2nd Semester Amounts range from $100 to $2,500

University Scholarships-1st Semester Amounts range from $500 to $250,000

The big scholarships are awarded by the universities!

University ScholarshipsWhat do they look for?

Noncompetitive/Minimally Difficult/Moderately Difficult Schools  Look at above average ACT scores and rank May also consider essays and letters of

recommendation May also consider your ethnic background

Very Difficult/Most Difficult Once admitted they look at families income to

award you university funds

University Scholarships UT-Austin Recommended Oct. 15

Final December 1st must begin on admissions application

before submitting scholarship application

Texas State University Recommended Nov. 1 Final December 15th Must be admitted before submitting

application

Texas A&M University Recommended Oct. 15 Final December 1st

UTPA Scholarships Priority EHS Deadline November 1st

For all other schools please visit their website to learn when their scholarships are due.

Most private schools use the admissions application to award scholarships.

Popular ScholarshipsCurrent Scholarships EHS

Deadline Horatio Alger Due

October Hispanic Scholarship Fund Due

December Gates Millennium Due

December Texas Student Housing Scholarship Due

December Program Coca-Cola Scholars Due October

Popular Scholarships Phillip’s 66 Boy’s and Girl’s Club December Hispanic College Fund April STARS February VAMOS March Magic Valley Electric December University Scholars Various

Deadlines

UTPA University Scholars

UTPA University Scholars

Scholarship Application Cover Page

Make your Scholarship Stand Out!

Include a Cover Page

Federal & State Grants

Work Study Student & Parent

Loans Scholarships

Financial Aid Umbrella

Federal Aid

•Pell Grant•Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)•Federal Work Study

State Aid

•Towards Excellence, Access and Success Grant (Texas Grant)•Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)•Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)•Top 10% Scholarship Program•*Students who are non-residents may be eligible for state aid

Loans

•Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans•Parent Plus Loans•Be On Time Loans•Emergency Loans•Perkins Loan

Scholarships

•Merit Based•Need Based•National•Local•Institutional (e.g. EHS Scholarship)Apply using

the FAFSA

www.fafsa.ed.gov

Free online government application can be used for universities and colleges nation wide

Used to apply for Grants, Work Study and Loans

Funds are awarded to HS graduates upon registration of courses

Seniors 2013 will complete FAFSA in the spring 2013

FAFSA Free Application For Federal Student Aid

FAFSA Documents 2013 Federal Income Tax

Forms2012 W-2 FormsChild Support paid or receivedSocial Security/Alien

Registration NumbersDates of Birth for parentsMarital Status Dates (Divorce,

Widowed, etc.) Balance of cash, checking,

and savings accountsOther financial documents

• EFC Estimated Family Contribution is calculated by all the information provided on the FAFSA.

Cost of attendance $14,000

-EFC 3,000Financial Need $11,000

Estimated Family Contribution

• File your income tax AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! You can apply as soon after January 1st.

• Early filing will allow you to use the IRS Data Retrieval System (2 week processing time).

• Make sure all information provided on the FAFSA is current and accurate; mistakes can cause major delays in processing

• Priority Deadline is MARCH 1: all verification documents must be submitted by this date!

Important financial aid tips to remember:

Review your Student Aid Report SAR

Submit Verification Worksheets, if requested by university. Follow up ONE week later.

If no Verification Worksheet is required, an award letter will be sent to you. Review this letter and follow up with your university to accept or deny award.

After you apply…

Additional Financial Aid Document used by selective schools to award students

Application online at http://profileonline.collegeboard.com

Recommended priority deadline: February 1, 2011 unless otherwise stated by university

CSS Profile

Thank you and Good Luck

Seniors 2013!!!

Questions?