College Handbook

Transcription

1 Lincoln High School College Handbook A guide for applying to college and post high school planning Lincoln High School 1600 SW Salmon St. Portland OR Fax SCHOOL CEEB CODE:

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3 Table of Contents Junior Calendar Senior Calendar Roadmap for LHS College Planning and Submission Process Naviance Online Tool Admissions Tests Information College Visits Applying to College Action Steps Teacher Recommendations Guidelines LHS Teacher Feedback Form The Blue Form College Application Checklist College Funding Options Information for Student Athletes Advice for Visual & Performing Arts Majors Local Community Colleges Useful websites/exploring options Glossary

4 Junior Calendar FALL Attend Beyond Lincoln information session Attend college representative visits at LHS during the fall months. College visits are posted at the Counseling Center and on Naviance. Start Athletic Search contact college coaches if you are an athlete Attend College Planning Night at LHS Attend NACAC Performing & Visual Arts College Fair at Portland Art Museum if interested Attend the NACAC Portland College Fair at the Oregon Convention Center Attend the LHS Financial Aid Night WINTER Compile a list of colleges that interest you. Use Naviance, college websites, Counseling Center resources, parent volunteers and guide books Consider the ACT and SAT. Figure out if you need to take both or just one Register and begin studying for the winter or spring SAT and ACT exams. Take the PTA sponsored practice SAT and/or practice ACT Start investigating private scholarships and other student aid programs Begin planning your visits to colleges during Spring Break Register for the May AP exams through the PPS TAG office to get college credit SPRING Take the SAT exam and/or take the ACT exam offered at Lincoln Register for and take SAT Subject Tests if the colleges that interest you require/recommend them Attend the junior interview with your counselor to discuss senior classes and post high school plans Register for and visit local colleges on their prospective student days. For example, U of O, PSU, and OSU have scheduled prospective student days (see their websites) Plan your summer: work, school, college visits (write or call ahead for interview appointments) Look over college applications and note deadlines and requirements Take AP tests Think about which teachers could best write recommendations for you Update your resume (in Naviance About Me tab) with activities and accomplishments SUMMER Visit colleges of interest Fine-tune your list of colleges Begin thinking about a subject for your college essay. Better yet, get started! If you are planning to apply Early Decision or Early Action to any colleges that require the Common Application, it s helpful to begin filling it out as soon as it s available in the summer 4

5 Senior Calendar SEPTEMBER Attend college representative visits at LHS in the fall months. College visits are posted at the Counseling Center and on Naviance. Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT I and/or SAT II Subject Tests if needed Attend senior group presentation with your counselor Review this College Handbook Decide on final set of colleges to apply to and KEEP A CHECKLIST! OCTOBER Parents attend Senior Parent Night at LHS cafeteria Parents and students attend College Planning Night at LHS Request Teacher and/or Counselor Letter of Recommendations if needed Apply for scholarships throughout the year Attend NACAC College Fair at Oregon Convention Center NOVEMBER Apply to colleges by their specified deadlines DECEMBER Parents and students attend Financial Aid Night at LHS JANUARY File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Jan 1 FEBRUARY Complete the Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC). ALL SENIORS should fill this out to be eligible for LHS scholarships) Midyear report/grades are automatically sent by LHS to all colleges applied by the student MARCH OSAC deadline APRIL Decide which college to attend Write thank you notes to teachers who wrote recommendations for you MAY Attend LHS Decision Day celebration Complete Senior Survey informing your counselor of college decision and post graduation plans JUNE Attend Senior Breakfast Attend Senior Assembly 5

6 Roadmap for LHS College Planning and Submission Process START: Junior Year If needed, complete the Common Application form If needed, ask teachers for recommendation (give at least 30 days to complete) If needed, turn in materials for counselor recommendation (30 days needed to complete) Attend Beyond Lincoln session and create your Naviance account Determine which colleges require counselor or teacher input, common app, and transcripts Bring college list & materials to Counseling Office to complete blue form Determine if college is right for you Read Applying to College: Action Steps for Seniors in this college handbook Complete the Applying to College: Action Steps for Seniors Gather information about yourself and input into Naviance Review all college application requirements and deadlines Contact the college board and/or ACT to request test scores be sent to your colleges Use Naviance to gather college and scholarship information Login to Naviance to start year (password help available at counseling office) Apply for scholarships and turn in financial aid forms by required deadlines Take practice admissions tests (PSAT, ACT) and determine when to take final tests START: Senior Year Choose among college acceptances! Turn in college enrollment materials. Visit colleges and determine which colleges need interviews Review special resources for athletes and visual or performing arts Consider noncollege options if desired 6 Finish! Your new adventure begins!

7 Naviance Online Tool Naviance is a computer program designed to aid the college planning and application process. Use Naviance to organize college information, research options, compare colleges, access college acceptance data of past Lincoln students, view scholarship information, and keep track of your applications. To begin using Naviance: If you haven t already logged on to Naviance previously, pick up your personal registration code from the Counseling Center parent volunteers Log on at or access Naviance through the LHS website under Counseling Center, Naviance. Use an appropriate address (i.e.: john.doe@gmail.com) that you will not change throughout your high school years. Important information will be sent to this address from your counselor! Your address will be your Naviance username. Click on About Me > My Profile and enter your information. Check out Resume, Game Plan, My colleges, etc. Explore the site. If you have questions, ask the volunteers at the Counseling Center. Seniors should go to Colleges>My Colleges>Colleges I m Applying to. Read the Privacy Notice for College Application, and answer the required questions. The counselors recommend that students waive their rights and not request to see the recommendations. This is required for electronic transmissions of forms to the Common Application. Juniors should attend Beyond Lincoln sessions to learn to use Naviance. Counseling Center volunteers can help those who missed their session. Admissions Test Information Lincoln recommends you sample both SAT and ACT tests. Colleges use the SAT and the ACT to evaluate prospective students. SAT TEST The SAT works well if you have an aptitude for solving problems. It is a multiple-choice and essay test for verbal and mathematical aptitude as well as writing skill, resulting in three scores of up to 800 each (2400 total). The test focuses on test-taking strategies, critical thinking, and the ability to analyze and solve problems. The math portion assesses skills up to and including 9th grade Geometry and Algebra 3/4. It is similar in style to the PSAT (which is intended to be a practice for the SAT and is to be taken in fall of the junior year). You will need to sign yourself up for the SAT and SAT Subject tests. Register for the SAT here: SAT SUBJECT TESTS SAT Subject Tests are one-hour tests measuring knowledge in specific subjects. Not all colleges require these tests for admission decisions. It is your responsibility to find out how many and which SAT Subject Tests are required by the colleges to which you are applying. Subject tests should be taken at the end of a one year course, such as biology, and as late as possible in continuing courses, such as foreign languages. Note: Most foreign language with listening tests are offered only in the fall of each year. Many immersion students score better on a listening format test. 7

8 Admissions Test Information (continued) ACT TEST The ACT is a multiple-choice test with an essay option. In general the ACT is more curriculum-based and tests academic preparedness, factual knowledge, and specific skills from subjects studied in high school. There are four required sections (English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning) and an optional writing section. Students receive a separate score for each of its four sections, plus an overall average score, with a maximum score of 36. The ACT plus writing is offered at Lincoln High School for all juniors. Juniors will have the opportunity to register in English class. Those students choosing to take it on a different day, need to register on their website ( SAT AND ACT SCORES REPORTING Both the SAT and ACT can be taken multiple times to improve scores. Most commonly students take one or both tests during the spring of their junior year so that desired retakes can occur during the fall of the senior year. Students can choose (at registration or later) where to send their scores and can choose which test sitting s scores to send. If you choose to send scores from a particular sitting, all the scores from that sitting will be sent. You cannot choose to send math scores from one sitting and reading scores from another. Some colleges encourage you to send all your scores from one test (either the SAT or ACT) and they will pull the best score from each test. For detailed information about score reporting, check with individual colleges and go to: (ACT) or (SAT) PREPARING FOR THE SAT AND ACT Take a practice test offered at LHS. Sign up through the Counseling Center. Obtain a book of hints and practice tests, and study. Books are available in the counseling office or from local bookstores. Sign up on-line for A Word A Day at ( Visit the ACT Prep web site ( Visit the SAT Prep web site ( Take an SAT/ACT prep class, offered through PCC, Kaplan, Saturday Academy, or private tutor (a list of tutors is available on the LHS Counseling Center website). Register at Oregon Career Information System ( to use their free online test prep INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) EXAMS College policies differ when granting credits for IB exams. Oregon universities recognize IB achievement by awarding credit to students who score 5 or above on higher level IB exams. Credit may also be earned in some areas for standard level IB exams. Oregon universities also grant additional benefits such as Sophomore Standing for students who complete the full IB diploma with a score of 30 or higher. Check with your colleges of interest to find out what is needed to score in order for your credits to be granted. ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) EXAMS AP exams are for completed college level work in high school. Specific subject area exams determine whether a student may gain advanced credit or placement in college. The test results for seniors have no bearing on college admission because scores are not reported to students or colleges until July. College policies in granting credits differ. AP Exams are offered in May through the TAG office. 8

9 College Visits A visit to any college you are considering is highly recommended. A first-hand look can give you insight into campus life and what kinds of students attend. We recommend that you visit a local college before traveling to others as a good way to explore different options and give you a point of comparison. Use the college s website to find information you need regarding tours and information. Be sure to check if registration is required prior to your visit. Financial aid may be available in order to travel to visit colleges call the college admissions office or see your counselor. During your visit to the campus: Meet with an admissions officer. Personal contact with the admissions office demonstrates your interest to them. While in admissions, be sure to: o Attend any information sessions that are held for prospective students. o Discuss how you and the school might fit each other. o Ask questions about academic requirements/offerings. o Ask about the placement record for graduates in the field you might study. o Ask about financial aid opportunities, as well as deadlines, forms required, etc. o Ask about college credit or advanced placement for AP, IB, or other tests. Tour the campus and take a guided tour if available. (Be sure to check out the dorms, dining hall, library, etc.) If your tour is student-led, remember not to judge the entire student body on the basis of that one student. Take pictures to help you remember the campus. Meet with faculty in the academic area of interest to you. Attend a class or two to get an idea of typical size, teaching style, and academic atmosphere. Talk to students about the general academic environment, campus life, and social activities. Some colleges will arrange for you to spend the night with a student in a dorm. Meet with the college coach, if you are hoping to play a college sport. Pick up a student newspaper. It will give you an insight into important student issues and campus activities. Take notes during sessions and write down your impressions (pro and con) as soon as possible. If you are visiting several campuses you may find that the information begins to blend together and your notes will help with future decision-making. While it s acceptable for parents to ask a few questions, YOU should be asking the most and be sure to sign yourself in and introduce yourself to the admissions office 9

10 APPLYING TO COLLEGE: ACTION STEPS FOR SENIORS 1. COLLEGE RESEARCH: Know What You Need Review the application instructions for all of the schools to which you are applying. Whether you use the Common Application or an application specific to the school, you need to understand the directions and deadlines. 2. MAKE A LIST: Use this red College Handbook See sample of the THE BLUE FORM in this handbook for you to use as your master list. List your colleges and note if you need a transcript or counselor recommendation. Note if you want to meet the Early Action, Early Decision or Regular Decision deadline. Remember that you can only apply to one school via the Early Decision protocol and you are committing to attend that school if admitted. Don t know your deadlines? Go back to Step 1. Bring your sample Blue Form (completed!) with you to the Counseling Center. 3. GO TO NAVIANCE Log in to your Naviance account at In the colleges tab, use the colleges I m applying to link to develop your list. For Common App users only: complete the aqua-colored box in the colleges I m applying to section and type in your commonapp.org user name and password. 4. Need a counselor or teacher recommendation? The Common Application Imagine filling out just one application and submitting it to multiple colleges! That is the time-saving idea behind the Common Application. More than 400 selective colleges accept the Common Application. Naviance & the Common App unite to make your life easier. In the colleges I m applying to link in the colleges tab, you can unite your Common App account with your Naviance account. Look for the big aqua-colored box that says Important Privacy Notice for Common App and fill it out completely. IF YES Turn the page and go to Step 5. Staff needs 30 days notice. Plan to finish Step 7 on time. IF NO You re almost done! Jump to Step 7 and visit the volunteer desk to fill out the blue form. 10

11 5. NEED YOUR COUNSELOR S RECOMMENDATION? On many college applications, including the Common Application, this is referred to as the Secondary School Report (SSR) or School Report. Counselors require that you complete a questionnaire to help them prepare a great recommendation. Go to the about me tab in Naviance and look for surveys to take. Open the request for counselor letter of recommendation survey and complete it. Make copies of the Teacher Feedback Form available in this College Handbook and distribute to five or six teachers who know you well. Ask one parent to complete the Parent Brag Sheet. It is available both as a paper form and online parent survey in Naviance. Forms and parent Naviance registration codes are at the Volunteer Desk in Counseling. Use either the Naviance résumé tool (in the about me tab) to document your school and community activities, accomplishments and awards or attach a paper version of your activities list/resume IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Counselors need a minimum of one month (not including holidays) to write a thoughtful letter of recommendation. For example, if your application deadline is November 1, materials are due to the Counseling Center no later than October TEACHER LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Teachers are not required to write recommendations for you, so recognize that you are asking for a favor. It is polite to ask for this favor in person. Most teacher recommendations are submitted electronically via Naviance, but the college or teacher may prefer that it be sent by mail. Ask your recommenders if they would like you to provide them with an addressed, stamped envelope. See Teacher Recommendation Guidelines in the red College Handbook for additional advice. Ask for your recommendation in person. Provide any information the teacher requests (list of colleges, résumé, envelope, etc.) If you are submitting your application online (via the commonapp.org or the school s website), file a Naviance Teacher Recommendation Request in the colleges I m applying to link so your teacher can easily upload and submit his or her letter electronically. Follow up with a sincere thank you note. 7. THE FINAL STEP: Complete the Blue Form Go to the Counseling Center s Volunteer Desk to fill out the Blue Form. This is the paperwork that lets your counselor and the secretary know that you need a transcript and/or recommendation form sent. Transfer your list from Step 2 onto the actual blue form. Attach any required forms (Parent Brag Sheet and/or resume/activity list, if not completed in Naviance). Important Notes: Counselors do not write letters of recommendation until they receive your blue form. Every college to which you are applying must be listed on the Blue Form. Colleges may be added at a later date using additional Blue Forms. 11

12 Teacher Recommendations - Guidelines If required, ask teachers for a letter of recommendation Recognize that writing a teacher recommendation letter is a favor your teacher grants you. Be considerate and give at least 30 days notice before the letter is due. You will need to: Contact a teacher with your request in writing or electronically using Naviance per this suggested protocol: Dear, I will need a teacher letter of recommendation for my college applications. I would appreciate if you would write one for me. Please let me know if any additional information would be helpful. Thank you, Provide the teacher with additional information if required Most teacher recommendations are sent via Naviance (check with your teacher). If a college or teacher requests that the letter be sent by traditional mail, provide the teacher with a stamped addressed envelope with Lincoln High School return address as shown below. Write a thank you note Lincoln High School 1600 SW Salmon St. Portland, OR Stamp The University Name Attn: If Needed Here Street Address City, State Zip 12

13 Teacher Feedback Form For LHS Counselor Recommendation Student: Make 5-6 copies and give to current or former teachers you feel know you best and can provide valuable information for your counselor regarding your academic qualities. Put teachers names on the forms. STUDENT: COUNSELOR: DATE: EVALUATING TEACHER: SUBJECT: Teacher: Please return this form to my counselor as soon as possible. Thank you for taking the time to complete it. You provide valuable insight about my academic performance, personal development and potential. Are you also writing a recommendation for student? * YES * NO Evaluation: Academic Creativity Academic Growth Potential Academic Motivation Academic Self-discipline Integrity Leadership Originality Personal Initiative Concern for Others Emotional Maturity Reaction to Criticism Reaction to Setbacks Self-confidence Sense of Humor Warmth of Personality Respected by Classmates Respected by Faculty No Basis for Judgment Below Average Average Above Average Very Commendable Excellent (Top 10%) Outstanding (Top 2-3%) Among best I ve known List 3 adjectives that best describe this student: Please comment on this student and share any information you feel is important: Please note that your comments are kept confidential and will not be shared with the student 13

14 Lincoln High School College Application Report (also known as the blue form ) Complete your College Application Report with a Counseling Center Volunteer. Every college to which you are applying must be recorded on a blue form. Colleges may be added at a later date using additional forms. There is no charge for the first five official and unofficial transcripts you request during all four years of high school. The charge of $1 per transcript for each additional request shall be paid at Senior Checkout. Student Name: Name of College, University or Program (Include City and State) Applying with Common App? Counselor Barrar Gibson Holloway Morris Request Transcript Request Counselor Recommendation (Sec. School Report) Date of Earliest Deadline Circle One EA = Early Action (nonbinding) ED = Early Decision (Binding) RD = Regular Decision EA ED RD EA ED RD EA ED RD EA ED RD EA ED RD EA ED RD EA ED RD EA ED RD EA ED RD More schools listed on the back. I am using the online Common Application Form for all or some of my applications, so I have: logged on to Naviance and shared my CommonApp.org username/password and authorized consent for release of information (Naviance > college tab > colleges I am applying to). The colleges I am applying to require a Counselor Recommendation or Secondary School Report, so I have: completed the Request for Counselor Letter of Recommendation survey in Naviance (about me tab >surveys to complete) completed Parent Brag Sheet o Form attached o Parent completed in Naviance (one parent needs a Naviance account > about me tab > surveys) created a résumé or activity list o Paper version attached o Résumé completed in Naviance I have given Teacher Feedback Forms to the following teachers: This is not my first blue form. I have turned in these forms previously. I authorize LHS to release all requested records to colleges/programs listed above. (initial here) 14

15 College Application Checklist For student's personal use -- create one form per college College/University Early Action/Early Decision/Regular Decision Due Student Application Needed Done/sent Common Application Common Application Supplement Application Fee: $ College Specific Application (ie: U of O, OSU, UW, UC schools) Counselor Recommendation (Common App Secondary School Report/Secondary School Report) Official School Transcript Teacher Recommendations: # required (Common App Teacher Evaluation/Teacher Evaluation) SAT Test and/or ACT test scores SAT Subject Tests: # required Midyear Report (automatically sent by LHS if listed on Blue Form) (other) Financial Aid Application Needed Done/sent Due College specific financial aid application FAFSA CSS Profile IDOC OSAC (other) 15

16 College Funding Options Most colleges include financial aid information in their application packets that describe the process and due dates for obtaining financial aid, scholarships and loans. There are also a number of private scholarships available. Most scholarship funds are provided directly by the colleges and are based on information provided on the federal FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Scholarships are free. It could be a scam if you are asked to pay for a scholarship application. Steps to Supporting College Costs: 1. Attend Financial Aid Night at Lincoln. Information will be provided about applying for financial aid, including a close-up look at the FAFSA 2. Complete the FAFSA form required for most scholarships. The FAFSA should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1 st. Forms are available on the web at 3. Apply for a Lincoln scholarship through OSAC (Oregon Student Access Commission). Most Lincoln-specific scholarships are available In November only to students who complete an OSAC application at Applications are due March 1 st. 4. Complete the CSS/Profile form when applying to a private school requiring one. The form is available at and should be completed in early fall of senior year. Check the list of participating institutions and priority filing dates. 5. Apply for institutional scholarships from colleges to which you are applying. Many colleges require their own scholarship and aid applications. Double-check your colleges of interest for forms and due dates. 6. Do a scholarship search. For a customized search of scholarship opportunities, use a website such as or Also investigate scholarships that come to Lincoln through Naviance. 16

17 Information for Student Athletes Talk to your coach about your interests and see how they might be able to guide you. Recruitment often means videotaping your game play and skill sets along with preparing an athletic resume for submission to coaches. For most sports, coaches may not contact you until July 1 after your junior year. However, you may contact them via and they may respond to inquiries. The National College Athletic Association site ( lists the rules and procedures for recruitment and playing a Division I, I-A, II, II-A or III sport in college. Find the colleges, conferences, and coaches that offer your sport at each level of participation and the direct links to their websites. NCAA rules are extremely specific and must be followed by both coaches and prospective athletes. The Guide for the College- Bound Student-Athlete may be a useful resource. Order a free copy by calling or by downloading it at Other helpful resources: for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes for the National Junior College Athletic Association - pod1602 for student athlete information posted on on the LHS Counseling Center website Guidebook available through publishers: A Student Athlete s Guide to College, by Hilary S. Abramson Advice for Visual / Performing Arts Majors Various degree options are available for art-related subjects. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in arts can be earned at many traditional four-year colleges. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) for artists/performers or Bachelor of Music (BM) for musicians are commonly earned at a conservatory or standalone art school. At a large university, visual and performing arts departments sometimes offer both BA and BFA/BM options. Students in the visual or performing arts should expect to prepare a portfolio or audition in addition to submitting the usual application for admission. This process can determine your admission to a BFA/BM granting school. At a traditional college, auditions and portfolios may be linked to talent scholarships rather than admission to the major. Some schools hold on-campus auditions on specific dates and others will allow you to submit a digital video. Sponsored by an association of arts schools and art departments at universities, National Portfolio Day is a great opportunity for juniors and seniors interested in the visual arts. Art professors are on hand to review your artwork, discuss their programs and answer questions about professional careers in the arts. For more information talk to your art teachers and visit For additional advice about applying to a visual or performing arts program, visit: 17

18 Local Community Colleges Four year residential colleges are not for everyone. A community college may be an excellent option for you: No minimum GPA and admissions are rolling (ongoing) Cost is less per credit than a four year university Earn a 2 year Associates degree and transfer your credits to a 4 year University Enroll in certification programs Most offer evening and weekend courses PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE PCC Southeast Center: 2305 SE 82nd and Division Portland, OR (503) Students can complete the first year of a college transfer degree. Coursework includes computer applications, office systems, trade management/supervisory development, industrial occupations PCC Cascade Campus: 705 N Killingsworth St. Portland, OR (503) Trades and industry, computer technology, business administration, public service education including police, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and 911 telecommunications PCC Rock Creek Campus: NW Springville Rd. Portland, OR (503) Veterinary technology, landscape technology and biology programs, diesel service technology, agricultural mechanics, auto collision repair, building construction technology, biotechnology PCC Sylvania Campus: SW 49th Ave. Portland, OR (503) Nursing, dental, early childhood education, radiology, fitness technology, graphic design, sign language interpretation, engineering technology, computer technologies, automotive technology, drafting machine technology MT. HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE SE Stark St. Gresham, OR (503) / Admissions: (503) CLACKAMAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE Look into the CCC/PSU co-admit program which provides the first two years at CCC and finish at PSU Oregon City Campus: South Molalla Ave. Oregon City, OR (503) Harmony Campus: 7616 S.E. Harmony Rd. Milwaukie, OR (503) x3146 Wilsonville Campus: Town Center Loop E Wilsonville, OR (503) x4609 LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE East 30th Ave. Eugene, OR (541) / Enrollment Services: (541)

19 Useful Website/Exploring Options Information on specific colleges: College websites Review resource books such as Fiske, Insider s Guide, Barron s, etc & catalogues in the counseling center an LHS alum who is attending the college College Fairs (see list at Common Application Website: Finding a good college match for you: connection.naviance.com/lincolnhs Naviance for the Western University Exchange (reduced tuition exchange program) Talk to your counselor or volunteers College visits at Lincoln: Scholarships: connection.naviance.com/lincolnhs - Naviance Posters & daily list in hall outside counseling center Daily bulletin Beyond Lincoln Scholarships page on Facebook Naviance current list of scholarships at LHS at connection.naviance.com/fc/lincolnhs federal financial aid form Testing dates, registration information, score reports: Gap Year options Playing sports in college:

20 Glossary of Terms CEEB - A six-digit number assigned by the College Entrance Examination Board to every high school. Lincoln s is (CSS Profile) College Scholarship Service Profile A financial aid form from the College Board required by many private colleges to determine eligibility for non-federal financial aid EARLY ACTION - An application process early in the senior year which allows a student to receive an early response from one or more colleges. Candidate is not committed to enroll at that point. EARLY DECISION - An application process early in the senior year which allows a student to receive an early response from one college only. A student who applies for early decision is obligated to attend that school and retract all other college applications. (EFC) Expected Family Contribution - An amount of money that the federal government specifies as the responsibility of a family to contribute toward a student's college education. The EFC is calculated from a formula that the government applies to the information on the FAFSA. (FAFSA) Free Application for Federal Student Aid Application filed by all students wishing to be considered for federal financial aid for college. Filed as soon as possible after January 1st of the student's senior year. FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE - The total amount of financial aid a student receives. The college can combine federal and nonfederal aid for grants, loans, and work-study into a "package" to help meet the student s needs. FINANCIAL NEED - The difference between the total cost of the school (tuition, room and board, and expenses) and the family's ability to pay (the EFC). GRANT - Awards to a student based on financial need that do not have to be repaid. (IDOC) Institutional Documentation Service A College Board service that collects families federal tax returns and other documents for participating colleges. LOAN - A type of financial aid available to students and their parents that must be repaid. Payments do not usually start until after graduation. The interest can sometimes be paid by the federal government while the student is in school. (OSAC) Oregon Student Access Commission - The state student financial aid agency for Oregon PELL GRANT - Federal money awarded on the basis of need. Grants do not have to be repaid. Apply using FAFSA. ROLLING ADMISSION - Applicants are accepted for admission in the order their applications are received. A response is usually received in 2-4 weeks. ROTC - Reserve Officers Training Corps, a scholarship program in which the military covers college costs plus a monthly allowance in exchange for a service commitment after graduation. SCHOLARSHIP - Money given by colleges, state/federal government, private individuals or organizations that does not have to be repaid. (SAR) STUDENT AID REPORT - The information you will receive approximately 3-6 weeks after your FAFSA has been processed. Your SAR will report your EFC. TRANSCRIPT - A list of all the courses a student has taken in high school or college and generally required as part of the application process. WAIT LIST - If a college puts you on a wait list, you are a strong candidate but admission is uncertain. Colleges may offer admission to wait list candidates if space becomes available. WORK STUDY PROGRAMS - Students are awarded on-campus jobs as part of their financial aid packages. The money is earned and does not have to be repaid. 20