The Road to The Road to CollegeCollege

Welcome to Senior Welcome to Senior Year!Year!

TopicsTopics

Graduation Requirements and NH Graduation Requirements and NH ScholarsScholars

TimelinesTimelines Types of DeadlinesTypes of Deadlines College Search ProcessCollege Search Process

– Types of schoolsTypes of schools NavianceNaviance Standardized TestingStandardized Testing Financial Aid OverviewFinancial Aid Overview

AHS Graduation AHS Graduation RequirementsRequirements4 credits of English4 credits of English

3 credits of Social Studies3 credits of Social Studies

√ √ World History (1)World History (1) √ Economics(.5)√ Economics(.5)

√ √ US History (1)US History (1) √ American Government (.5)√ American Government (.5)

3 credits of Math 3 credits of Math

√ √ Each Student must complete an Algebra 1 experienceEach Student must complete an Algebra 1 experience

3 credits of Science3 credits of Science

√ √ Physical SciencePhysical Science √ Biological Science√ Biological Science √ Other √ Other

½ credit Fine Arts½ credit Fine Arts

1 credit Information Computer Technology (ICT)1 credit Information Computer Technology (ICT)

½ credit of Health½ credit of Health

1 credit Physical Education 1 credit Physical Education

4.5 credits in Open Electives4.5 credits in Open Electives

Total credits for AHS Graduation:Total credits for AHS Graduation: 20.520.5

NH Scholars ProgramNH Scholars Program

The NH State Scholars initiative (SSI) is a multi-state The NH State Scholars initiative (SSI) is a multi-state business/education partnership effort focused in increasing business/education partnership effort focused in increasing the number of high school students who take a rigorous the number of high school students who take a rigorous secondary-level curriculum designed to strengthen the secondary-level curriculum designed to strengthen the chances for success in college and the workplace.chances for success in college and the workplace.

To be designated a NH Scholar through the Hudson School To be designated a NH Scholar through the Hudson School District students must complete a minimum of:District students must complete a minimum of:

English English 4.0 credits4.0 credits Math Math 3.0 credits through Algebra II3.0 credits through Algebra II Lab ScienceLab Science 3.0 credits3.0 credits Social StudiesSocial Studies 3.5 credits3.5 credits Foreign LanguageForeign Language 2.0 credits2.0 credits GPA of a 2.7 or aboveGPA of a 2.7 or above

Finalize list of colleges and continue to visit campuses Finalize list of colleges and continue to visit campuses

*2 + 2 + 2 (Safety – Probable – Reach)*2 + 2 + 2 (Safety – Probable – Reach) Attend Local College Fairs (SNHU and UNH)Attend Local College Fairs (SNHU and UNH) Request letters of Recommendation and complete Senior Request letters of Recommendation and complete Senior

Resume – Available on Naviance!Resume – Available on Naviance! Take college entrance exams (SAT/ACT) againTake college entrance exams (SAT/ACT) again Sign up to meet with college reps in the Counseling Sign up to meet with college reps in the Counseling

Department.Department. Create a Common Application Account for appropriate Create a Common Application Account for appropriate

schools and complete FERPA form on Naviance.schools and complete FERPA form on Naviance. Complete college essays and review them.Complete college essays and review them. Remember all application materials must be submitted to Remember all application materials must be submitted to

your counselor 2 weeks prior to the deadline!your counselor 2 weeks prior to the deadline!

What should I be doing now?Fall Timeline

Types of DeadlinesTypes of Deadlines

Early Action (Non-Binding)Early Action (Non-Binding)– Typically Oct 15, Nov 1, Nov 15Typically Oct 15, Nov 1, Nov 15

Early Decision (Binding)Early Decision (Binding)– Typically Oct 15, Nov 1, Nov 15Typically Oct 15, Nov 1, Nov 15

Regular DecisionRegular Decision– Varies…as early as December 1 and as late as April 1Varies…as early as December 1 and as late as April 1

Rolling AdmissionRolling Admission– Applications are processed upon arrival. Acceptance/denial Applications are processed upon arrival. Acceptance/denial

letters received in about 6-8 weeksletters received in about 6-8 weeks

Open EnrollmentOpen Enrollment– Admittance is dependent upon graduation from high schoolAdmittance is dependent upon graduation from high school

Submit applications Submit applications – Deadlines are typically around January 1, but Deadlines are typically around January 1, but

check with each school.check with each school. Complete the necessary financial aid forms, Complete the necessary financial aid forms,

including the FAFSA (after January 1including the FAFSA (after January 1stst). ). Attend the Financial Aid Workshop TBA at Attend the Financial Aid Workshop TBA at

AHSAHS Continue to apply to outside scholarships. Continue to apply to outside scholarships. Ask your counselor to complete any Ask your counselor to complete any

necessary Mid-Year School Reports. They necessary Mid-Year School Reports. They are typically due in February.are typically due in February.

Winter Timeline

You are almost done! You will typically You are almost done! You will typically receive notification letters at the beginning receive notification letters at the beginning of April. of April.

Discuss with your parents the financial aid Discuss with your parents the financial aid offers and contact the schools if they are offers and contact the schools if they are seriously insufficient.seriously insufficient.

Take part in “Pre-Frosh” events and Take part in “Pre-Frosh” events and visitations.visitations.

Notify the schools of your decision and Notify the schools of your decision and send in the postcard and deposit to your send in the postcard and deposit to your new college (May 1new college (May 1stst).).

Spring Timeline

How much training & education How much training & education am I willing to get to achieve my am I willing to get to achieve my

career & life goals?career & life goals?

2-year Technical School 2-year Technical School oror

Community CollegeCommunity College4-year University or 4-year University or

CollegeCollege

What are the options What are the options for college?for college?

2-Year Technical & 2-Year Technical & Community CollegesCommunity Colleges

AffordableAffordable– Community College costs between $6,000 and $8,000 per Community College costs between $6,000 and $8,000 per

yearyear Stepping StoneStepping Stone

– One or two successful years at a community college can One or two successful years at a community college can help you get in as a transfer student to your dream school help you get in as a transfer student to your dream school and help you develop the characteristics (such as and help you develop the characteristics (such as independence, ambition and maturity) necessary to independence, ambition and maturity) necessary to become a successful college student.become a successful college student.

– The The Connections Program Connections Program at the community colleges at the community colleges allows a student to seamlessly transition to Plymouth, allows a student to seamlessly transition to Plymouth, Keene, or UNH upon completion of 2 years at the Keene, or UNH upon completion of 2 years at the community college level.community college level.

Licensure/CertificationLicensure/Certification– These schools offer hundreds of Associate Degree and These schools offer hundreds of Associate Degree and

Certificate Programs that lead to licensure in the career Certificate Programs that lead to licensure in the career field of your choice. field of your choice.

2-Year Admissions 2-Year Admissions RequirementsRequirements

High School DiplomaHigh School Diploma Completion of the Accu-placerCompletion of the Accu-placer

Exam administered by the college that evaluates Exam administered by the college that evaluates English and Math proficiency. These scores English and Math proficiency. These scores determine which math and English classes are determine which math and English classes are appropriate for your 1appropriate for your 1stst semester of college semester of college

Local 2-year Community Local 2-year Community CollegesCollegesNH Community Colleges share a

commitment to provide students with opportunities not only for an excellent education but also a well-rounded college experience.

Student clubs and activities, events, performances, and community service opportunities are among the many options. Many colleges have intercollegiate or club athletic teams, and each has a student government that facilitates student involvement in the life of the campus and provides opportunities for leadership.

Only one of the CCSNH Colleges, NHTI in Concord, currently includes residence halls, although other campuses may be able to assist you in finding local housing if that is what you need.

Closest to home are Nashua Community College and Manchester Community College.

4-Year Colleges and 4-Year Colleges and UniversitiesUniversities

There are over 2,000 4-year There are over 2,000 4-year colleges and universities in the colleges and universities in the country.country. Decide the factors that Decide the factors that

are important to you to help are important to you to help narrow down a list of schools narrow down a list of schools

that are a good match for you. that are a good match for you.

Factors to ConsiderFactors to ConsiderLocation, Location,

Location!How far are you willing

to go?

Size and EnrollmentSize and EnrollmentHave you dreamed of attending a

huge university or do you prefer a medium-sized college?

Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money!!The investment of college is expensive. When finalizing your

list of colleges; be sure to include schools which are “financially safe” such as state schools and

community college

Programs of StudyPrograms of StudyNot all schools have all academic

majors. If you have not yet chosen a major, be sure to look at

schools that have all of your academic areas of interest..

Selectivity/Admission Selectivity/Admission RequirementsRequirements

GPA & quality of courses GPA & quality of courses Standardized Test Scores Standardized Test Scores Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities Letters of RecommendationLetters of Recommendation Essay Essay InterviewInterview

These are all factors admissions counselors will use to These are all factors admissions counselors will use to

decide if you are a good match for theirdecide if you are a good match for their school. The more school. The more competitive the school, the harder they will scrutinize the competitive the school, the harder they will scrutinize the quality of your admissions file.quality of your admissions file.

Articulation Agreements with 4-Articulation Agreements with 4-year Schools year Schools

NavianceNaviance

Manage and track all aspects of the admissions process.Manage and track all aspects of the admissions process. Delivers all of the supporting documents for college applications to Delivers all of the supporting documents for college applications to

approximately 1,000 colleges.approximately 1,000 colleges. Provides valuable insight into the college admissions process with college Provides valuable insight into the college admissions process with college

search, scatter grams, scholarship information and college application statistics search, scatter grams, scholarship information and college application statistics So much more!So much more!

Perform a College SearchPerform a College SearchChoose the criteria you are looking for in your dream schoolChoose the criteria you are looking for in your dream school

Research SchoolsResearch Schools

Keep Track of Schools You Are Keep Track of Schools You Are ConsideringConsidering

Track Submitted Track Submitted ApplicationsApplications

Standardized TestsStandardized Tests SAT I – Reasoning TestSAT I – Reasoning Test

– Three-hours 45 minutes Three-hours 45 minutes – Primarily multiple-choice test that measures critical reading, math, and writing Primarily multiple-choice test that measures critical reading, math, and writing

abilities that develop over time. abilities that develop over time. – Many colleges require SAT scores for admission. Many colleges require SAT scores for admission.

SAT II – Subject TestsSAT II – Subject Tests – One-hourOne-hour– Primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular Primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular

subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. – More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests More selective colleges may require or recommend one or more Subject Tests

for admission or placement.for admission or placement.

ACT – Assessment TestACT – Assessment Test – Three-hours 25 minutesThree-hours 25 minutes– Measures educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and Measures educational development in English, mathematics, reading, and

science reasoning.science reasoning.– It is recommended students choose to take the optional writing section of the It is recommended students choose to take the optional writing section of the

test.test.

The SAT will be offered at Alvirne High School as well as other local schools! Register at:

www.collegeboard.org

The ACT will be offered at Alvirne High School! Register at:

www.actstudent.org

Financial AidFinancial Aid

The financial aid process may seem The financial aid process may seem complicated, but in its simplest form complicated, but in its simplest form it comes down to understanding five it comes down to understanding five easy steps: easy steps: 

FAFSAFAFSA

You must complete the Free Application You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) soon for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) soon after January 1 of the year you intend to after January 1 of the year you intend to enroll in school.  Check with each of the enroll in school.  Check with each of the colleges to which you apply for specific colleges to which you apply for specific deadlines. Be certain to ask if any other deadlines. Be certain to ask if any other supplemental forms (such as the CSS supplemental forms (such as the CSS Profile Form or institutional financial aid Profile Form or institutional financial aid form) are required. form) are required. 

E.F. What?E.F. What?

After completing the FAFSA, your information After completing the FAFSA, your information is submitted to the U.S. Department of is submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. The DOE calculates, your ability to Education. The DOE calculates, your ability to pay for the cost of attendance for one pay for the cost of attendance for one academic year.  Your ability to pay is called academic year.  Your ability to pay is called the the EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC). (EFC).

EFC=EFC= amt. of the money student and parent amt. of the money student and parent are expected to contribute to the student's are expected to contribute to the student's education for one academic year. education for one academic year.

Financial Aid Night Tuesday December 1Financial Aid Night Tuesday December 1stst..

C.O. Who?C.O. Who?

The Department of Education sends The Department of Education sends the FAFSA information, including the the FAFSA information, including the EFC, to every school you listed on the EFC, to every school you listed on the FAFSA. The financial aid officers FAFSA. The financial aid officers subtract your EFC from the subtract your EFC from the COST OF COST OF ATTENDANCE (COA)ATTENDANCE (COA) to determine  to determine your eligibility for financial aid.  your eligibility for financial aid.  

Gap…like at the mall?Gap…like at the mall?

The financial aid officer calculates, The financial aid officer calculates, based on the campus’ available based on the campus’ available resources, the amount of financial aid resources, the amount of financial aid the institution is able to offer the the institution is able to offer the student. BE AWARE: Because a student student. BE AWARE: Because a student is eligible for a certain amount of is eligible for a certain amount of financial aid does not mean the student financial aid does not mean the student is guaranteed to receive that amount. is guaranteed to receive that amount. The unmet need is called theThe unmet need is called the GAP GAP..

If it’s an Award Letter why If it’s an Award Letter why don’t I feel like a winner?don’t I feel like a winner?

The financial aid officer sends the The financial aid officer sends the student an student an AWARD LETTER AWARD LETTER that that details the amount of financial aid details the amount of financial aid the college is able to offer the the college is able to offer the student. The aid is broken into student. The aid is broken into categories of loans, grants, categories of loans, grants, scholarships and work-study.scholarships and work-study.

Financial Aid ResourcesFinancial Aid Resources

New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF)Foundation (NHHEAF)– www.nhheaf.com www.iamcollegebound.org

FinAidFinAid– www.finaid.org

FAFSAFAFSA– www.fafsa.ed.gov

Fast WebFast Web– www.fastweb.com

Make an Appointment With Make an Appointment With Your Counselor!Your Counselor!

The sooner you start talking to your The sooner you start talking to your guidance counselor, the less guidance counselor, the less

daunting this process will seem…daunting this process will seem…don’t wait until the last minute!don’t wait until the last minute!

Q&AQ&AOne who asks a question is a fool for One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; one who does not ask a five minutes; one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.question remains a fool forever.

--Chinese Proverb--Chinese Proverb