Now what?

Kettering Universitywww.admissions.kettering.edu/parents

a parent’s guide to college and financial aid planning

Kettering Universitythis place thinks like you think

Dear Parents,

Throughout my 10+ years in college admissions, I have counseled countless numbers of families through the college selection process. Although there are many emotions that go into choosing a college for your child, I often times remind families that fi nding the “right” college is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. You want the best for your child: top-ranked academic programs, inspirational professors, a support structure that can address your child’s needs and an experience that will help prepare your child for a successful future. Kettering University can provide all this and more.

As a top-ranked university with an outstanding cooperative education (co-op) component, our size can be a true asset to your son or daughter, allowing him or her to experience a world of resources and activities. Kettering students can jump-start their career as early as their freshman year, extending their learning experience from the classroom to the real world. (And the best part is that they get paid!) At the same time, our students are mentored by engaging and nuturing faculty to ensure the individual attention your child deserves.

I invite you to read through this magazine. In it, you will fi nd helpful information on the college search process, as well as some of the reasons why Kettering University is the “right” choice for your child.

I encourage you and your son or daughter to visit us online at www.admissions.kettering.edu. You can learn more about our academic programs, co-op, costs, fi nancial aid and you can also sign up for a campus visit. The more you know about us, the more you’ll realize that Kettering University can help your child achieve his or her dreams.

This is an exciting time for you and your child. Enjoy the experience and I hope there is a “match to be made” between Kettering University and your son or daughter.

Best wishes,

Barbara SosinBarbara SosinDirector of AdmissionsKettering University

contents????NOW WHAT?

TABLE OF CONTENTSHELPING YOUR TEEN CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLLEGE

YOUR COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION: WHAT

REALLY MATTERS?

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR TEEN

APPLIES?

THE BASICS OF FINANCIAL AID

WHY COMPLETE THE

FAFSA?

WHERE TO LOOK FOR

SCHOLARSHIPS

KETTERING’S

SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT

COLLEGE COSTS

COLLEGE PLANNING: AVOID

THE STRESS

ONLINE ALERT

3

4-5

6

7

8

9

1011

11

12

12

Do you look at a product, a process, or an idea and wonder, “Why can’t it be smarter? Simpler? Cleaner? Cooler?” Then you belong at Kettering. Whatever your interest— Engineering, Math, Science, Business — we have experts, labs, and programs that bring theory and practice together better than anywhere else. And because you can start in a paid co-op experience as early as freshman year, you’re never just a college student at Kettering. You’re making a name for yourself in the professional world.

think.kettering.edu flint, mi 800-955-4464 ext.

Kettering UniversityFinally, a college that thinks like you think.

Figuring out which college is right for your teen is a long, drawn out process that takes a lot of time and a lot of consideration. Make the best of your time by following these simple guidelines.

DO learn about the current admissions process.

The process for admissions has changed since you attended college. Many applications are now available instantly online, and they can save you time and money.DO make limitations known in advance. If distance or other factors must be considered, make sure your child is aware of these factors now, before he has his heart set on something that just isn’t feasible.DO remind your student of deadlines. Many scholarships and applications have deadlines. Keep a calendar handy to write down important dates, and leave it somewhere visible.DO ask questions! Contact colleges multiple times - it is their job, and they will be happy to help you with whatever you need.Do listen and then give advice.

Make sure to give your teen time to talk. Listen to what she has to say, and then give your opinion. This ultimately has to be her decision. Ask good questions and let her supply the answers. DO check out the surrounding community.

Take time to look at the community surrounding the campus. See what it off ers for entertainment, take in the sights and try to maintain a positive attitude. DO help your child stay organized.

Designate a place where anything college related has to go, like a bin or fi le folder. It will make things less stressful when it comes time to fi nd important information.DO try to enjoy the process!

DON’T limit college choices just because of cost.

There are many diff erent scholarships, loans, grants and other fi nancial aid plans available. So don’t decide on a school until you see what they can off er your student.DON’T make the decision for your child.

After all, he is the one who will be living with the decision!DON’T take a negative attitude based on one thing about a school.

Sure, the dorm rooms may be the size of a closet, but chances are that she will be at the library studying, eating in the cafeteria and generally only sleeping in the room, so it doesn’t need to be massive. If your child feels that she can handle it, chances are that she can.DON’T ignore the mail.

Sure there may be a ton of it, but you don’t want to miss out on an important piece. Colleges are generally sending you mail for a reason.DON’T wait until the last minute.

The earlier your student starts, the better off he will be. Make sure that he reads all application instructions carefully and includes everything each college requires.

Helping Your Teen Choose the Right College

your collegeVisit colleges that interest your • teen. Starting now will give her the option to change her mind, should she decide on a diff erent major or location.

Open a savings and checking • account for your teen. Teach him how to manage it on his own.

Review your family’s fi nancial aid • options at the schools your teen is interested in.

Enroll your teen in a summer • program at a college to give her an early taste of campus life.

Save! Remind your • teen that he will be responsible for tuition and room and board - or at least

Junior Year books, supplies, entertainment and toiletries.

Attend college fairs with your • teen. Pick up literature from a variety of colleges so you know the options available.

Give your teen a interest • inventory or personality profi le to determine what jobs would be a good match.

Research the type of degree or • certifi cation necessary for the career your teen desires.

Have your teen research •

careers to get some ideas about what he’d like to study. Knowing potential majors will help him narrow his college choices.

Register your teen to take the • ACT and/or SAT. This will give her time to retake the exams if she isn’t satisfi ed with her scores.

Encourage your teen to enroll • in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses as a junior and senior. They can help your student earn college credit while still in high school - at a fraction of the price.

Require your teen to get • a summer job. If he has a

career in mind, support his search for an

internship in that fi eld,

even if its unpaid.

Senior YearYour teen should fi nish • researching colleges before applying for scholarships in the fall.

Register your student for the SAT • and/or ACT now if she hasn’t taken them already, or if she wants to retake them for a higher score.

Remind your teen to keep his • senior grades high. Colleges may request that applicants send their mid-year transcripts.

Work with your teen to budget • for college costs. Determine how much you’re willing to contribute to their degree.

Help your teen narrow down a • major.

Suggest that your teen consider • enrolling in a community college as a high school student to take classes that count toward both a high school and college degree.

Note the admissions deadlines of • the colleges your teen will apply to.

Remind your teen to give • the writers of their letters of recommendation at least three

use this timeline to make

sure your teen is on track

for college planning

weeks of notice, a pre-addressed, stamped envelope and the purpose of each letter.

Have your teen keep copies • of everything she sends to scholarship and admissions offi ces.

Request fi nancial aid • applications from the colleges to which your teen applies.

Fill out the Free Application for • Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as sonn as possible after January 1 of your child’s senior year. Access an online application at fafsa.ed.gov.

Correct any inaccuracies on • the Student Aid Report (SAR), a confi rmation of your FAFSA information, so your family will qualify for the right amount of fi nancial aid.

Be prepared for regular • admissions college decisions letters to arrive in February, March or April.

Review the fi nancial aid letters • that your teen receives.

Send • in tuition deposits by May 1 to reserve your teen’s spot in his college of choice.

Ask your teen to respond to • the other colleges to which she applied to let them know she won’t be attending.

Watch the mail for important • housing, orientation and registration materials.

Send in the housing deposit to • reserve a spot in the residence halls, if applicable.

Remind your teen that most • student loans are taken out in the student’s name, not a parent’s.

If required, have your teen send a • fi nal high school transcript to the college he has chosen.

Time for graduation! Relax, and • enjoy the time you have left with your child at home.

planning guide

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weeks of notice, a pre-addressed,stamped envelope and the pupurprpososee ofof e eacachh leletttterer..

Have your teen keep copies• of everything she sends to

h l hi d d i i

SeSendnd•• in tuitiondeposits by May 1 to reserve your teen’s spot in

the college application:WHAT REALLY MATTERS?Q: What do universities look for in an application?A: This is a common question for parents: how do colleges evaluate applications and decide which students to accept? It’s safe to say most colleges, including Kettering University, seek well-rounded individuals with a variety of extracurricular activities that supplement a strong academic profi le.

However, each college has its own set of admissions standards and educational philosophy, so no student will be the perfect fi t for every school just as no school is perfect for every student.

The role of the admissions counselor is to match up those applicants they believe are the best fi t for their institution.

ACADEMIC RECORD

At Kettering, the fi rst thing we look at when we evaluate an applicant is academic performance in grades 9 - 12. We note the student’s achievement in math, science and English, as well as the other types of courses. Did the student take Advanced Placement or Honors courses? Were their grades steady throughout school?

SAT OR ACT SCORES

A student’s SAT or ACT scores are also considered. A strong score can sometimes make up for a weakness in academic coursework. Or a high o v e r a l l average can off set a lower test score.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS

Recognizing that there is more to a student than what appears on a high school transcript, we encourage all applicants to help us get to know them better. At Kettering, we encourage students to tell us about their activities and experiences outside of the classroom on their application for admission. Knowing they are leaders in their school or community or have volunteered their time and talent to a particular activity or cause helps us to determine if they would be a good match for Kettering University.

OTHER FACTORS

Kettering University doesn’t require applicants to write an admissions essay. However, if a student would like the opportunity to further explain any circumstances that may have aff ected their grades in high school, or to describe an obstacle in their life that they have overcome, including an essay would be appropriate. We also read letters of reference, if supplied. These letters can off er insight. All of these factors are taken into consideration when evaluating an applicant for

admission to Kettering!

ADMISSIONS.KETTERING.EDU

Your source for more information on the

application process, important dates and

deadlines and much, much more! While

there, your student can also submit an application for admission to Kettering for free! Or call us at 800-955-4464, ext. 7865 for answers to any questions

that you might have or to set up

a campus visit!

what happens

after your teen

applies?Some students think colleges review applications alphabetically. Others believe they are in direct competition with their high school classmates who apply to the same college. But what really happens after your teen applies?

1. Your student is assigned to an admissions representative. Admissions offi cers are assigned to a geographic territory, in which they visit high schools and review admissions applications. The representative who visits your child’s school will most likely be the one reading her application. Most schools have a second reader consider applications, as well. Borderline applications may face a committee for review.

2. Admissions collects the application’s pieces. Your student’s application goes into a fi le as materials arrive. If he’s missing a transcript or recommendation, he or his high school

counselor may receive a follow-up phone call or email reminder.

3. Admissions reviews the application. Some colleges emphasize SAT or ACT scores and GPA cut-off s as the fi rst line of an admissions decision. Others place more emphasis on components such as an essay or interview. Only 7.5 percent of colleges consider extracurricular activities to be of “considerable importance” in the application process, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

In the same survey, extracurricular activities ranked behind grades, test scores, class rank, essay, counselor recommendation,

teacher recommendation or interview.

Instead, admissions offi cers are looking for students who form a well-rounded freshman class.

4. The applicant waits. Then, the waiting game begins. Wait several weeks for confi rmation from the school

that all materials were received. If your teen doesn’t receive a response after that time, encourage her

to call the admissions offi ce or to send a polite email to ask if her

materials were received.

5. Admissions makes a decision. Because the college admissions process is subjective, students

shouldn’t take rejections personally. Consider a rejection as a sign that the college wasn’t the student’s best match and move on to fi nd the perfect fi t!

Here’s what really happens to

a college application after it’s

received.

the basics of

fi nancial aid

Once your teen decides which colleges to apply to, have a talk about how to foot

the bill. Prepare your family for college costs by following these four tips.

1. Make a list of costs

Sit down with your child and make a list of college costs. The obvious costs are tuition, room and board, fees and textbooks. You may also want to include car payments, phone bills, car insurance and any other monthly payments your child will be responsible for while attending college.

Once you have a list of expenses, decide who will pay for what. Do not let your child leave for college without putting a plan into place.

2. Know your fi nancial aid options

Savings and job earnings - Using money already saved will help eliminate or reduce the amount of debt your child will incur. At Kettering, our co-op program provides substantial job earnings that may be saved to cover costs.

Scholarships and grants - Your child should meet with a high school counselor at the beginning of senior year to fi nd out what local scholarships are available. Small local scholarships are just as important as substantial merits scholarships. Every dollar helps! A good source for outside scholarships is: www.fastweb.com. To be

considered for federal and state grants, your student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

3. Apply

Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1 of your child’s senior year. If your taxes aren’t completed, you can report “estimated” income and update the income section of the FAFSA after your taxes have been submitted. Encourage your teen to apply or all scholarships for which she’s qualifi ed.

4. Communicate

Call the fi nancial aid offi ces of your student’s potential colleges if you have questions along the way. Kettering University sends out a fi nancial aid package after a student’s FAFSA application is received. We have experienced Financial Aid Offi cers available to assist you in understanding the fi nancial aid process and how to make Kettering an aff ordable college choice.

The Free

Application

for Federal

Student Aid (FAFSA)

is the gateway to qualifying for student loans, grants and

institutional aid. The information you report is used by the federal government

to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC determines the fi nancial aid your

student will be awarded from the federal government and your home state, based on government regulations.

The FAFSA is available from guidance counselors, fi nancial aid offi ces or at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It takes about 20 minutes to complete once you gather all the correct documents. Plan on completing it every year you have students in college, even if you think you won’t qualify for aid.

What will you get?

After the FAFSA is processed, your student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) to double-check for accuracy. This will determine your EFC. Financial need varies depending on the school’s cost of attendance.

Grants • - The federal government awards grants such as the Pell Grant and SEOG to lower income families. These grants are awarded based on the student’s EFC.

Staff ord Loans - • These are guaranteed student loans off ered by the federal government. All students, regardless of year in college and credit rating, can receive a Staff ord Loan after completion of required documentation. The amount is determined by the student’s year in college with a maximum of $7,500 as a senior in college. Whether the Staff ord Loan is subsidized (interest free while in school) or unsubsidized (interest charged while in school) is determined by your EFC and the college’s cost of attendance.

Federal Work-Study - • This is fi nancial aid that students earn by working on campus. Sample jobs include administrative work, working as a tutor, or as a grader for a professor. The majority of schools are looking for students that qualify for FWS because the government pays 75% of the student’s wages. Students are paid every two weeks and can earn up to the amount of the FWS listed on their fi nancial aid award letter.

Kettering University Grant (KUOG) - • The KUOG is an award specifi c to Kettering that is based on the student’s EFC.

What if your family needs more money?

If your family needs more money for college, consider these tips.

Research private loan options for loans with a • favorable interest rate. Contact our Financial Aid Offi ce and someone will be happy to discuss your options and explain how the process works.

Consider a PLUS loan, which allows parents • to borrow up to the total cost of a student’s education.

Encourage your child to schedule time each • week to search for outside scholarships. Many scholarships require the student to submit an essay which can be time-consuming. Your child’s senior year is always a busy one, but searching for scholarships should be a priority.

Encourage your teen to get a job at college.•

Remember, there are many options to pay for • child’s education - a choice that will benefi t your child for years to come.

why complete the

FAFSA?

Where to look for

SCHOLARSHIPS 1. Your Child’s High School Guidance Counselor

Counselors are aware of numerous local and national scholarships. Even small scholarships help!

2. College Financial Aid Offi ces

Speak with fi nancial aid offi cers at the schools your child is considering. Mention any special circumstances about your family’s fi nancial situation.

3. Community Organizations

Don’t limit your search to only organizations to which you belong. Community groups often sponsor scholarships open to all students in a community. For example, local Rotary and Lions Clubs often off er scholarships for outstanding students, whether or not their parents are members.

4. Your Employer

Companies often award scholarships to the children of their employees. Speak with someone in your

human resources department about scholarships and other educational programs off ered by the company.

5. Your Union

Some unions sponsor scholarships for the children of their members. Speak with your union offi cer about programs sponsored by the union.

6. Your Church or Religious Organization

Religious organizations may provide scholarships for members. Check with the leaders to see if a scholarship is off ered.

7. Local Government

Some cities and counties provide scholarships specifi cally designated for local students. Often, local city council members and state representatives have scholarship funds. Call their offi ces and ask if they off er a scholarship.

8. Local Businesses

Local business owners who want to see students in their community succeed often set up scholarships as a way to thank their customers. Contact your local chamber of commerce.

9. Internet

Online scholarship directories give you up-to-date information on scholarships.

Name In State Out of State GPA SAT ACT

Presidential $15,000 annual value$67,500 total value

$17,000 annual value$76,500 total value

4.03.6-3.9

1360-16001460-1600

31-3633-36

Trustee $13,000 annual value$58,500 total value

$15,000 annual value$67,500 total value

4.03.6-3.93.2-3.5

1090-13501280-14501280-1600

24-3029-3229-36

Provost $10,000 annual value$45,000 total value

$12,000 annual value$54,000 total value

3.2-3.93.0+

1090-12701090-1600

24-2824-36

Kettering University Merit Scholarships

KETTERING UNIVERSITY’SScholarship SupportExcellent students are the heart of any great university. That’s why Kettering maintains a strong commitment to supporting exceptional academic talent. Our merit scholarships are renewable for four and a half years, and there’s no need to fi ll out a special application. Eligible students are automatically awarded based on their high school records and standardized test scores.

This grid illustrates how scholarships were awarded for students entering Kettering in 2008. The 2009 Kettering

Merit Scholarship Program will be announced in the Fall of 2008. Visit www.admissions.kettering.edu for more information on Kettering University’s scholarship programs.

COLLEGE COSTSCOSTS YOUR GUESS ACTUAL COST

Tuition

Room & Board

Textbooks

Student Fees

Campus Parking Fee

Dorm Furnishings

Sorority/Fraternity Fees

Car Payment

Car Insurance

Health Insurance

Toiletries

Food & Entertainment

Travel Home

TOTAL

COLLEGE PLANNING:

avoid the stressBefore you know it, you’ll be up to your ears in college planning materials. When the

countdown to college begins, the pressure can strain even the best family relationships.

Watch out for these potential confl ict areas.

College Choice Clashes

You and your teen may have very diff erent ideas about which college and major he should pursue. Keep an open mind, you might be able to help your student see other factors when choosing a college, and he might convince you of a college or major’s worthiness.Remind your student that it’s not where he goes, but what he does with his education that matters most.Getting into college is the easy part, it’s getting out with a degree that’s most important. If your student is excited about his coursework and campus, there is a greater chance he’ll succeed.

Money Misunderstandings

Prevent blowups about money by talking about how much your family can aff ord and whose responsibility it will be to pay for tuition, room and board, etc... Make sure you also outline any caveats: grades she must uphold, or a timeline in which she must complete her degree. Don’t wait until the fi rst bill is due to share your expectations about paying for college.Help your teen fi nd a job and open a banking account in her name. Encourage her to get a part-time job while in college and teach her how to use credit wisely so she doesn’t impact her ability to get loans later on.

Deadline Diffi culties

Don’t let missing a deadline keep your family from receiving fi nancial aid, or your student from getting into the college of his choice. As a parent, one of the most helpful things you can do is to keep deadlines in mind. Your teen has a ton of work to do, help lighten the load. Even simple things like making copies and pulling information from a few websites demonstrates your support. College is just around the corner, and the clock is already ticking. Make plans now so that a college education can become your teen’s reality. There are people and resources available to help you every step of the way.

online alertAttention parents of soccergurl16, mustangdude and seniorhottie09: it’s time for your teen to get a new email address.

A professional email address - ideally their fi rst and last name or fi rst initial and last name - is a must when communicating with colleges.

Also, remind your student to keep his MySpace and Facebook accounts appropriate. It’s not unheard of for an admissions representative to rethink an applicant based on their online persona. This is also true when your teen begins searching for a job - many employers now search for applicants online, and may choose to not off er an interview or position based on what they fi nd.

Make sure your teen doesn’t miss out on opportunities simply because their email address or online persona doesn’t project the proper image!

About Kettering UniversityThe University

Founded in 1919, Kettering is a private university specializing in cooperative education. The school enrolls about 2,000 undergraduate students and off ers a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. In fact, most of our classes have less than 20 students and are taught by PhD-level professors, not teaching assistants. This combination of small class sizes and highly qualifi ed teaching staff ensures students a much more personalized learning experience.

Cooperative Education

Kettering’s cooperative education program pairs hands-on education with real world experience: all undergraduate students alternate between on-campus study terms with full-time terms of cooperative employment. This system of education prepares students to be technology innovators – professionals with cutting edge skills who are ready to compete in tomorrow’s business environment.

Campus Life

Kettering University off ers some of the best facilities, labs and educational resources in the world, and students start using them as early as their freshman year – no waiting until graduate school here! Our Crash Safety Center, for example, is the only one of its kind in the nation used in an undergraduate program. We also off er labs in areas such as Fuel Cell Research, Polymer Optimization, Machining, and Acoustics – just to name a few. Kettering students bring a wide range of skills and interests to campus. To make sure that they get a life along with an education, Kettering off ers more than 50 student organizations, including 14 fraternities and six sororities, an active student government, a state-of-the-art recreation and fi tness facility and some mighty competitive intramural sports.

Admissions Process

Apply online at www.admissions.kettering.edu or print an application and send it by mail. Call 1-800-955-4464, ext. 7865, for assistance. Once accepted, students receive information on our programs and the professional co-op program. They will need to complete a co-op registration (resume) online and pay a $300 tuition deposit. This deposit ensures your student’s place in the entering class and makes them eligible to begin the co-op employment search process.

Our Community - Flint, MI

Don’t let others fool you - Flint is rich in history, entertainment and culture, Flint is a city full of opportunities. Flint may be a big city (the metro-area boasts a population of approximately100,000), but it still has 11,000 acres of woods, water and trails to off er – all part of Michigan’s largest county park system. Go golfi ng, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling – and so much more all right here!If you’d rather just kick back, relax and watch sports, Flint is just the ticket for you. Enjoy the Buick Open, cheer on the Flint Generals hockey team, the Flint Phantoms indoor football team or the Genesee County Patriots minor league football team.If sports aren’t your thing, consider visiting the Flint Cultural Center - home to the Sloan Museum, The Whiting Auditorium, the Longway Planetarium and more! Take in the arts at the Flint Institute of Music (home to the Flint Symphony Orchestra) or the Flint Institute of Art - the second largest art museum in Michigan. And you can enjoy more than just classical music – the nearby DTE Energy Music Center is one of the nation’s top amphitheaters, and hosts over 70 events each summer.For shoppers, there is the Genessee Valley Centre and the Courtland Center, and is a short drive to Prime Outlets at Birch Run and Great Lakes Crossing. Flint is also centrally located - it’s just a short drive to destinations such as Detroit, Lake Huron, beautiful Northern Michigan, or even Canada. Whatever your interests, chances are you can fi nd them right here in Flint. Entertain yourself! Find time for Flint!

Get to know Kettering UniversityVisit us Online: admissions.kettering.edu

Everything you need to know about Kettering University: getting in, academic programs, campus life and more! . While you’re there, make sure to sign up for Kettering E-Notes, to keep in the know of what is happening on campus, what deadlines are approaching, and important info that parents really want to know, but kids forget to share.

College Fairs

If you can’t make it to campus, come see us at a college fair. Visit our website to fi nd out when we we’ll be in your area.

Visit Kettering’s Campus

The best way to learn about Kettering University is to see it for yourself. Explore our labs and classrooms, and meet our faculty, staff and students. See our recreation center and visit our residence hall.

Campus tours are off ered Monday through Friday at 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM. Sit in on a class, stay overnight, meet a professor and learn all Kettering has to off er! Or, plan to attend our Discover Kettering Open House - off ered twice each year.

Contact InformationOffi ce of AdmissionsKettering University1700 W. Third Ave. ( Now University Ave.)Flint, MI 48504

Toll-Free: (800) 955-4464, ext. 7865Phone: (810) 762-7865Fax: (810) 762-9807

admissions@kettering.educo-op@kettering.edufi naid@kettering.edu