Welcome Class of 2016 Students & Parents! POSTGRADUATE PLANNING WORKSHOP
Agenda 6:30- Welcome Sarah Grobbel, Principal 6:40- Overview of College Application Process Cathy Binford, Dr. Molly Mugge-Cozza, Paul Eppard 7:20- Breakout Sessions I 8:00- Breakout Sessions II Applying to Public Colleges/Universities Bobby Browning, Colorado State University Band Room Using the Common Application and Applying to Highly Selective Schools Carlos Jimenez, Colorado College U307 and U308 Financing Your College Education With Scholarships and Loans Shawn Murphy, Sallie Mae Lower Auditorium Federal Financial Aid Process Mary Anne Hunter and Deborah Hoefler, CCA Library Classroom How to Write a Smashing College Essay! Ann Richards, Grandview High School Choir Room
Senior Year Junior year is often viewed as the most important year of high school, but Senior year is also critical. Colleges can change admissions decisions based upon performance during the senior year. Just say NO to SENIORITIS! Per CCSD Policy, ALL seniors must be enrolled in 4 core classes and 5 total credits each semester!
Graduation Requirements English 4.0 Social Studies 1.5 Government.5 US History 1.0 Math 3.0 Science 3.0 Practical Fine Arts 1.5 Physical Education 1.5 Health.5 Other 5.5 Total 22.0
College Admission Requirements High school graduation requirements VS. college entrance requirements! Colleges and universities may look for additional credits in certain core or elective areas. Performing or visual art credit World language Research college and university admissions requirements to determine which courses are mandatory.
The Timeline- September Counselors in English classes August 31-Sept. 3 Senior Seminar Register to retake ACT, SAT, or SAT Subject Tests ONLY if needed Finalize list of colleges and application deadlines Should include 3-7 schools Request teachers and/or counselor recommendations Only if needed Must complete Naviance form and talk with recommender face-to-face! Start working on application essay Only if needed Some colleges have specific questions to be answered Research scholarships Check specific school websites Naviance www.fastweb.com
The Timeline- October Attend college visits at Grandview See college visit schedule in Naviance CCSD College Fair @ Grandview HS October 8, 2015 6:00 pm 7:30 pm Greater Denver College Fair & Workshop @ Mountain Vista High School October 10, 2015 10:00 am 12:30 pm NACAC National College Fair @ Denver Mart October 11, 2015 1:00 pm 4:00 pm College Readiness Day October 21, 2015 Senior Activities TBA Polish Application Essay Process applications with November deadlines Be aware of implications for applying Early Action or Early Decision Plan to visit colleges over Fall Break Schedule a visit on the college s website Ask to meet with specific departments Concerned about paying for college? Schedule time with the Financial Aid office
The Timeline- November Process applications with December and January deadlines Don t forget about Thanksgiving Break & Winter Break! The Post Graduate Center requires at least 10 school days to process transcript requests! Teachers and counselors require at least 10 school days for writing letters of recommendation.
The Timeline- December Prepare to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov Log on prior to January 1, 2016 to get your FSA ID www.fsaid.ed.gov FAFSA not active until January 1, 2016 Priority deadlines vary among schools. Apply early!
The Timeline- January/February Complete FAFSA Attend FAFSA Workshop at Grandview if extra help is needed February 1, 2016 RSVP required Post Graduate Center will take reservations beginning January, 2016 Complete college/scholarship applications Be mindful of Winter/Spring deadlines
The Timeline-March and beyond Continue to check for admission decisions from colleges/universities Check online and follow up with schools, as needed Review financial aid packages Submit housing information/deposit to schools, as needed May 1: Deadline to notify colleges/universities of intent to enroll in Fall 2016
College Application Process Student Responsibility Request letters of recommendation ONLY if needed Complete application online (including essay, if needed) Send official test scores directly from ACT and/or College Board, as needed Pay application fee (varies) Complete and turn in Transcript Request Form to the Post Graduate Center** ($5/transcript) Post Graduate Center Responsibility Send transcript to requested schools Send letter(s) of recommendation to requested schools Send FINAL transcript to college of choice **The STUDENT is responsible for submitting materials/requests to teachers and the Post Graduate Center.
Be Aware of Deadlines! University of Colorado-Boulder Early Action = November 15 (Notified by February 1) Regular Decision = January 15 Colorado State University Early Action = December 1 (Notified by December 31) Regular Decision & Full Scholarship Consideration = February 1 University of Northern Colorado Priority Deadline & Scholarship Consideration = March 1 Colorado School of Mines Rolling deadline, but APPLY EARLY!
Requesting Transcripts Student must complete the Transcript Request Form Any additional forms for teachers to complete must be given to teachers directly Any additional forms for counselor to complete must be turned in to Post Graduate Center with Transcript Request Form Student must check Naviance to see if teacher recommendations have been completed before turning in Transcript Request Form Completed Transcript Request Forms can only be turned in to Mrs. Storgaard Do not give your counselor any of the forms Mrs. Storgaard will process your application with the counselor Do no leave forms on the desk! Student can check Naviance to see when transcript request was processed Please allow 4 weeks for colleges/universities to process your transcript!
Naviance Students and parents can log on: http://connections.naviance.com/grandview College Search Search for schools Compare schools College Visits Find out when schools are visiting GHS Students can sign up to attend these visits Scholarships & Financial Aid Look at/search for scholarships and access applications ACT Test Preparation Method Test Prep
Financial Aid Money that is: Given- grants/scholarships Borrowed- loans (student and/or parent) Earned- work study Sources include: Federal Government (FAFSA) State Government (FAFSA, College Opportunity Fund COF ) Institutional Aid (FAFSA and/or CSS Profile) Private businesses/organizations (Scholarship applications)
Financial Aid When applying to colleges, don t focus on the initial costs. All colleges will provide a financial aid notification with letter of acceptance. Student must be notified by April 1 st of admission status and financial aid to be received from each college. Student and parent will review each financial aid package and decide what is the best option. Student must accept admission to one school by May 1 st. Net Price Calculator Every college will have this on their website Estimate of what it will cost for student to attend
Free Application for Federal Student Aid General application to qualify for financial aid for ANY post-secondary school in the US Some scholarships use this information to determine need Complete FAFSA in January or early February File taxes early this year! Use www.fafsa.ed.gov Watch out for scams (www.fafsa.com)
Financial Aid Break-Out Sessions Financing Your College Education With Scholarships and Loans, Sean Murphy (Sallie Mae) in Lower Auditorium (Break-out sessions 1 & 2) Federal Financial Aid Process, Mary Anne Hunter and Deborah Hoefler (Community College of Aurora) in Library Classroom (Break-out sessions 1 & 2)
College Goal Sunday An opportunity for students and parents to get free help filling out the FAFSA www.collegegoalcolorado.org February 21, 2016 1:00-3:00 PM Locations TBD this fall (check the College Goal website) Don t forget about Grandview s FAFSA Evening Monday, February 1, 2016 RSVP required
NCAA Log on to www.eligibilitycenter.org NAIA Log on to www.playnaia.org College Athletics Both Require: Official transcript sent by school Official test scores must be sent from ACT and/or SAT. $65 application fee
In Summary. Begin the application process NOW! Write college essay ONLY if needed Be aware of topics specific to individual applications Have essay proofread by English teacher or someone else Request teacher/counselor recommendations ONLY if needed Must complete form(s) on Naviance and give to teacher/counselor face-to-face
Break Out Sessions I and II, 7:20 & 8:00 Applying to Public Colleges/Universities, Band Room Bobby Browning, Colorado State University Using the Common Application and Applying to Highly Selective Schools, U307 and U308 Carlos Jimenez, Colorado College Financing Your College Education with Scholarships and Loans, Lower Auditorium Shawn Murphy, Sallie Mae Federal Financial Aid Process, Library Classroom Mary Anne Hunter and Deborah Hoefler, Community College of Aurora Writing the College Essay, Choir Room Ann Richards, Grandview High School