Senior Planning Guide

2012-2013

Where to Begin

Take a realistic look at yourself. What type of person are you? What are your goals, strengths and weaknesses, and your interests? You may plan on going to college, going into the military, going to a career tech school, or entering the work force. All takes planning. To begin your search for information, be sure to check the internet. Most colleges, career technology centers, vocational schools, business colleges, military branches, etc, have web sites that contain a great deal of information about their programs, costs, financial aid, and requirements.

In the counseling office you can find additional college information and applications, and information on the military branches. Visit with your counselor. The counselors at Piedmont have many years of experience and will work with you on your post secondary plans. They are a valuable resource.

At the end of this guide are links to pertinent information that has been beneficial in the past. Please check them out. Also you will find a self assessment form to be filled out and given to your teacher or counselor. This allows us to write a letter of recommendation upon request. Please allow at least a week for the letter.

Hopefully this guide will help you with your search.

COLLEGE SEARCH

Research

Evaluate your personal college criteria. Do you want to be close to home? Are you looking for a large or small university? Do you want to be near a city, an ocean, or the mountains? Do you plan to live at home or at the college? How important are extracurricular activities? Do you want to play sports, act in plays, or be part of student government? You may have preconceived notions about the ideal college for you. You also have a financial budget within which your ideal college must fit. Write down elements you expect to find in your college, so that you will have intelligent questions to ask of college representatives. Remember that not every college will be right for you. Colleges that are right for your friends may not be right for you. Choosing a college is a personal decision. The most important thing is to choose a college where you can succeed. The following may help identify characteristics important to you when deciding on the college that is best for you: Majors and educational programs Type of school and degrees offered Location and size Accreditation Academic reputation Type of institution (private, public, or affiliation) Affordability (costs, financial aid, scholarships) Housing and facilities Athletics and recreation

Some sources of information could include Counseling center College catalogs and information bulletins College Fairs/College visits College web sites Parents, students, and alumni Professionals in the field College reps and admission counselors

After establishing your personal college criteria, research to find colleges that meet your criteria. Read as much as you can and call or email the school for answers to any questions. If you would like to meet a college representative, call the college or university and make an appointment. Also, you can check the counseling center bulletin board for dates and time when college representative will be at Piedmont. In addition, a helpful website is www.collegedata.com.

Send Information to the Colleges That Interest You

Be sure you are familiar with the school’s requirements for admission. Most schools require a completed application, official ACT and/or SAT score, and official transcripts from the high school. Some colleges require letters of recommendation, an essay, and/or an admission interview.

Visit the College

Remember that looking for a college is like looking for four very important years of your life. Reading or hearing about a college may be informative and exciting; however, you will receive a more accurate perception of the school and its atmosphere by visiting. It is courteous to call at least two weeks in advance for an appointment and arrange for a tour. It is helpful to do some research and learn as much as you can about the college before you arrive.

Preparing for Your Visit

Allow for at least a half day to visit the college. Sometimes an overnight visit is necessary. Many colleges can arrange for you to stay in a dorm. Check with the college admissions office to set up the visit and help make arrangements. Ask for a guided tour of the campus, a classroom visit and (if possible) a visit with a professor. Be sure to get necessary travel directions, a campus map, and a college catalogue. Also, they may be able to give you the names of students at their institution that are from your hometown. Be prepared for your visit by reading up on the college. That way you can ask more intelligent and relevant questions. Be on time.

Your tours should include some or all of the following: 1. Financial Aid Office 2. Library 3. Housing 4. Student Dining Areas 5. Information on religious organizations, clubs, extracurricular activities

Parents should actively participate in the visit to the financial aid office. Ask about typical financial aid packages, how they are awarded, and what percentage of students receive financial aid. Also, ask for the average amount of financial aid per student receiving aid. Always talk to the students. They can give you the good and the bad they see in the school. Approach students anywhere on campus and ask questions about the college’s academic strengths, social life, and what they like and don’t like. Try to visit with at least one faculty member, either by appointment or by stopping by an office and asking to see someone. They are very busy but may be willing to talk to you and your parents about the university and especially about their department.

Make a college visit check list that includes: Name of college Date and time of visit Address and travel instructions Contact person Admissions Office phone number Facilities Classes attended Faculty member name and information received Classes and social events Living quarters Student host

Number of students enrolled and average class size for freshmen

Investigate and Compare Colleges Prepare a college comparison checklist. Design a chart with your college criteria and your narrowed list of college choices. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages then begin the application process. Apply to more than one school. You should have at least three schools---a reach school, a realistic school, and a safety school. Many students apply to many schools especially if financial aid or athletics is a concern.

Questions you may ask yourself are: 1. Do I want to go out of state or in-state? 2. Do I want to live on campus, in an apartment or at home? 3. What part of the country appeals to me? 4. What size college do I want to attend? 5. Am I interested in sororities or fraternities? 6. Does the college allow for internships or studying abroad? 7. What extracurricular activities are available?

Be sure to weigh the answers to the questions with the amount of financial support that is available. Do you want to work or pay back college loans?

I have made my decision. What Next???

1. Pay your admission deposit and any other fees required at this time. 2. Send in admission acceptance forms, scholarship acceptance forms, health forms

and any other paperwork to confirm your intent to enroll. 3. Plan for payment of tuition and fees.

NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP!

Is Community College For You? ☐ You know where you want to be but need some training to get there ☐ You want to explore different choices before settling on a path ☐ You need to cut the cost of a four-year college degree ☐ You want to sharpen your study skills before enrolling at a university ☐ You want small classes and personal attention during your first college years ☐ You want to continue to work at your job while going to college ☐ You want to live at home

If you checked even one box on the quiz, you may want to check out a community college. You won’t be alone—45 percent of all first-year college students start at a community college.

These institutions offer two kinds of education: 1. If your goal is a four-year degree, you can earn a two-year (associate) degree at a

community college, then transfer to a four-year college as a junior. 2. You can earn an occupational degree or certificate in two years or less, then start

working immediately in a high-demand field.

Many community college students have jobs and family responsibilities. Scheduling classes may be a big challenge. So community colleges tend to offer courses during the day, in the evening, and on weekends. They have pioneered new teaching methods, too. Some offer courses online (distance learning), combine Internet and classroom learning, give interactive TV courses, condense semester courses into shorter time frames, and more. Interested? You don’t have to wait. Consider taking a community college course during high school. You will learn what college work is like, and rack up some college credits, too.

College Counseling Sourcebook, 4th Edition. c 2007 The College Board. All rights reserved. Permission granted to copy this for educational purposes.

Technical Schools

There are many outstanding vocational and career technology schools in the state of Oklahoma. These schools offer programs, work study, and placement services. It is important to visit them and talk with a counselor to be sure they have what you need to achieve your goal. You may want to consider the location, size, programs, internships, work study, cost, and financial aid.

Military Services

Several students will opt to join the military service or attend one of the military service academies. Service Branches in the US military include the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, including their respective Reserve and National Guard formations. Together, they offer full-time and part-time training and opportunities for thousands of different military jobs, and a great environment for developing the essential qualities for a successful life.

The Military Academies are highly competitive and most require a nomination from a congressman. These academies include the US Merchant Marine Academy, the US Coast Guard Academy, the US Military Academy, and the US Naval Academy. You are urged to apply to every nominating authority available to you (both US Senators, your local Congressman, and the Vice President). Contact with the admissions officer of the academy is imperative. The academy will make a file on you and forward general information and admission requirements to you.

If you would like to learn more about a career in the military or find answers to your questions visit the website www.todaysmilitary.com. You can find information about career options, college help, compensation, opportunities, ongoing training, military life, and benefits.

College Planning Information for SeniorsSeptember

Narrow your list of colleges to 5 to 10. Meet with a counselor about them and, if you’ve not yet done so, download college applications and financial aid forms if everything is not done online. Plan to visit as many of these colleges as possible.

Obtain ACT/SAT information and register on-line. The October ACT deadline is September 21st.

Create a master list or calendar that includes: o tests you’ll take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines. o college application due dates. o financial aid application forms required and their deadlines. (Note: Aid

applications may be due before college applications.) o other materials you’ll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.)

** Please allow teachers, administrators, or your counselor at least one week to complete the letters. Feel free to ask teachers for letters of recommendation. It is always wise to have some ready in case of emergencies. Your counselor has a senior questionnaire that is helpful to those writing letters for you.

Try to finalize your college choices. Set up college visits. You may take two college visits your senior year that will

not count against your attendance. These must be scheduled with your counselor.

Prepare Early Decision, Early Action, or rolling admissions applications as soon as possible.

If you’re submitting essays, write first drafts and ask teachers and others to read them. If you’re applying for Early Decision, finish the essays for that application now.

If you are planning to play sports in college, be sure you have registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse. This should be submitted after the sophomore year. Register and get information online at http://www.eligibilitycenter.org.

If you have not had your test scores sent to the college to which you are applying, be sure to contact the College Board or ACT to have them sent.

Meet with college/tech school/military representatives as they visit school.October

Attend college planning and / or financial aid information nights and college fairs. Visit your top college choices. If possible, make appointments with faculty, staff

and students. Apply to colleges you choose. Be sure you apply for their scholarships and

housing. Work on admissions essays. WATCH ALL DEADLINES!

November November 1-15: For Early Decision admissions, colleges may require test scores

and applications between these dates. Counselors send transcripts to colleges. Give counselors the proper forms at

least two weeks before colleges require them. Seek sources for financial aid:

o College catalogueso Internet

o Parents’ employerso Professional organizationso Churches and religious organizationso Counselor pages on PHS websiteo Contests

Go on-line and get a PIN number. Apply at www.pin.ed.gov. To sign and complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid online, you and your parent must request a Personal Identification Number. If you have a pin, you can electronically sign your FAFSA (your parent will need to sign the FAFSA as well).

Listen to the announcements for visiting college reps. Apply for the December ACT if you need to. The December deadline is

November 2nd.December

As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies. If your college wants to see seventh-semester grades, be sure you request this

from your counselor by email Mail all applications for both admission and scholarships to the colleges you have

selected. REMEMBER: You must have applied for admission to a college to be able to apply for a scholarship from that college.

Compile all financial data.o Everyone should apply for financial aid. Parents sometimes feel that they

will not qualify and miss out on financial assistance. Many colleges offer merit based scholarships and often these students will be required to fill out a financial needs analysis as well. This allows colleges to make the best use of available funds.

o Ask your parents to gather all income tax information by the end of the month. It is vital to apply for federal funds as early as possible. Grant money sometimes runs out.

o Go to www.fafsa.org and check out the financial aid form. You can file it anytime after January 1st. DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

WATCH ALL DEADLINES!January

Check your schedule to be sure you do not need adjustments to meet graduation requirements.

Submit your completed FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as soon as possible. Estimates can be used and tax filings are still not due until April 15.

If you apply to colleges online, be sure to have your high school send a transcript.

Mail all applications for both admission and scholarships to the colleges you have selected. Most college scholarships have a February 1st or a March 1st deadline.

Keep copies of all documents you have submitted for application, financial aid, etc.

If you have not made a decision on a college, make campus visits. If you have not taken an ACT/SAT do so immediately. The February deadline is

January 11. Keep studying. Your college admission is contingent upon your final transcript.

This is not the time to take it easy. Continue to listen to announcements and check the Counselor section on the

PHS website for scholarships. Many business and service clubs and professional organizations’ scholarships come during the spring.

February No senioritis, please! Accepting colleges do look at second-semester senior

grades. Research AP (Advanced Placement) or CLEP (College Level Exam Program)

tests. Watch your email for notice indicating your SAR (Student Aid Report) is ready. Review SAR for errors and make corrections as indicated. Keep applying for scholarships and other forms of Financial Aid Use this month to review information from the previous months and catch up!

March Keep active in school. If you are wait-listed, the college will want to know what

you have accomplished between the time you applied and learned of its decision. Check application deadlines. If you have decided where you plan to attend, notify any other schools of your

decision. Apply for housing, if you have not already done so. Check with your college’s financial aid office to ensure paperwork is complete. If you have not already filled out and submitted a FAFSA, do it NOW! Remember to mark your calendar with all important dates. Continue to check the website for scholarships. Many business groups and civic

organizations post scholarships in March. April

You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. If you’ve not done so yet, visit your final college before accepting. As soon as you decide, notify your counselor of your choice.

If you have questions about housing offers, talk to your counselor or call the college.

Turn in the names and amounts of all scholarships you have been offered, whether you are accepting them or not, to your counselor.

May May 1: Colleges cannot require a deposit or commitment to attend before May 1.

By that postmarked date, you must inform every college of your acceptance or rejection of the offer of admission and/or financial aid.

Send your deposit to one college only. Wait-listed by a college? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admissions director

your intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Need financial aid? Ask whether funds will be available if you’re accepted.

Turn in all scholarship offers to your counselor and continue to update them. Work hard these last few weeks. It can improve your grades or go the other way.

BE PREPARED FOR FINALS. You can pick up your diploma, transcript and cumulative folder in mid- June.

Dos and Don’ts on Writing the College Application Essay A great application essay will present a vivid, personal, and compelling view of you to the admissions staff. It will round out the rest of your application and help you stand out from other applicants. The essay is one of the only parts of your application over which you have complete control, so take the time to do a good job on it. Check out these tips before you begin.

Dos Keep your focus narrow and personal Your essay must prove a single point or thesis. The reader should be able to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Ask someone to read just your introduction to see what he or she thinks your essay is about. Essays that attempt to be too comprehensive end up sounding watered down. Remember, it’s not about telling the committee members what you’ve done—they can pick that up from your list of activities—but about showing them who you are.

Prove it Develop your main idea with vivid, specific facts, events, quotations, examples, and reasons. There’s a big difference between simply stating a point of view and letting an idea unfold in the details: ■ Okay: I like to be surrounded by people with a variety of backgrounds and interests. ■ Better: During that night, I sang the theme song from Casablanca with a baseball coach who thinks he’s Bogie, discussed Marxism with a little old lady, and heard more than I ever wanted to know about some woman’s gallbladder operation.

Be specific To avoid cliched, generic, and predictable writing, use vivid, specific details. ■ Okay: I want to help people. I have gotten so much out of life through the love and guidance of my family, I feel that many individuals have not been as fortunate; therefore, I would like to expand the lives of others. ■ Better: My mom and dad stood on plenty of sidelines until their shoes filled with water or their fingers started to freeze or somebody’s golden retriever signed its name on their coats in mud. I think that kind of commitment is what I’d like to bring to working with fourth graders.

DON’Ts Don’t tell your readers what you think they want to hear Most admissions officers read plenty of essays about the charms of their university, the evils of terrorism, and the personal commitment involved in being a doctor. Bring something new to the table, not just what you think they want to hear.

Don’t write a résumé Don’t include information that is found elsewhere in the application. Your essay will end up sounding like an autobiography, travelogue, or laundry list. Yawn. ■ Overloaded: During my junior year, I played first singles on the tennis team, served on the student council, maintained a B+ average, traveled to France, and worked at a cheese factory.

Don’t use 50 words when 5 will do Eliminate unnecessary words. ■ Okay: Over the years, it has been pointed out to me by my parents, friends, and teachers—and I have even noticed this about myself, as well—that I am not the neatest person in the world. ■ Better: I’m a slob.

Don’t forget to proofread Typos and spelling or grammatical errors can be interpreted as carelessness or just bad writing. Don’t rely on your computer’s spell-checker. It can miss spelling errors like the ones below. ■ After I graduate form high school, I plan to work for a nonprofit organization during the summer. ■ From that day on, Daniel was my best fried.

Name_________________________________

Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire(You may use the back if needed)

It is important to have insight into students when someone writes a letter of recommendation. Please write a brief paragraph on each of the following statements, Address your response to comments other than academic areas. Turn this form into the person you are asking to write a letter for you.

1. What three adjectives best describe you .

2. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?

3. List your school activities and tell how you have benefited or what you have gained from these activities.

4. Describe your leadership experiences or community service and how you have influenced others, or made this a better place.

5. List any special awards or recognition you have received.

6. List any special interests, hobbies or talents and describe how you develop them.

7. Describe your future goals. ( include career and post secondary education).

Financial Aid

With the rising cost of colleges for both 2 year schools and 4 year schools, financial aid has become a big issue. Searching for financial aid can be a long and tedious process. Student financial aid is any financial support provided specifically to help meet the cost of post secondary education. Financial aid can come from a variety of sources; the federal government, the state government, private organizations, colleges, and lending agencies all have funds for college. Financial aid us usually in the form of grants, scholarships, work study, or loans.

Most colleges will require that you file a Free Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. You need to go online and get a pin number at www.pin.ed.gov. To fill out the application, go to the web site www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can file it anytime after January 1st. Federal financial aid is based on the cost of your education, your family size and income, and the number of family members presently in college. Additional information is located at the end of this guide. Also the following web sites may be helpful:

http://profileonline.chbreston.org www.collegeboard.com www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/students www.fafsa.ed.gov www.finaid.org www.nasfaa.org

Twelve Myths About Paying For College

Billions of dollars in financial aid are available to those who need help paying for college. Yet a lot of misinformation clouds the facts about what type of aid is available and who is eligible. Here are some myths dispelled for those confronting the process of securing financial aid.

College is just too expensive for our family ■ Despite the media hype, a college education is more affordable than most people think, especially when you consider that college graduates earn an average of $1 million more over the span of their careers than high school graduates. The average yearly tuition at a four-year public college in 2006–2007 was just $5,836. There are some expensive schools, but high tuition is not a requirement for a good education.

There’s less aid available than there used to be ■ In fact, student financial aid in 2006–2007 rose to a record level of $135 billion. Most students receive some form of aid. Less of this aid now comes in the form of grants, however; most aid is awarded through low-interest loans or institutional and other grants. You should carefully consider the financing packages you’ve been offered by each college to determine which makes the most financial sense.

My family’s income is too high to qualify for aid ■ Aid is intended to make a college education available for students of families in many financial situations. College financial aid administrators often take into account not only income but also other family members in college, home mortgage costs, and other factors. Aid is awarded to many families with incomes they thought would disqualify them.

My parents saved for college, so we won’t qualify for aid ■ Saving for college is always a good idea. Since most financial aid comes in the form of loans, the aid you are likely to receive will need to be repaid. Tucking away money could mean that you have fewer loans to repay, and it won’t make you ineligible for aid if you need it. A family’s share of college costs is based mostly on income, not assets such as savings.

I’m not a straight-A student, so I won’t get aid ■ It’s true that many scholarships reward merit, but most federal aid is based on financial need and does not even consider grades.

If I apply for a loan, I have to take it ■ Families are not obligated to accept a low-interest loan if it is awarded to them. One financial aid administrator recommends applying for aid and comparing the loan awards with other debt instruments and assets to determine the best financial deal. 17

Working will hurt my academic success ■ Students who attempt to juggle full-time work and full-time studies do struggle. But research shows that students who work a moderate amount often do better academically. Securing an on-campus job related to career goals is a good way for you to help pay college costs, get experience, and create ties with the university.

Millions of dollars in scholarships go unused every year ■ Professional scholarship search services often tout this statistic. In fact, most unclaimed money is slated for a few eligible candidates, such as employees of a specific corporation or members of a certain organization. Most financial aid comes from the federal government, although it is a good idea to research nonfederal sources of aid.

My folks will have to sell their house to pay for college ■ Home value is not considered in calculations for federal aid. Colleges may take home equity into account when determining how much you are expected to contribute to college costs, but income is a far greater factor in this determination. No college will expect your parents to sell their house to pay for your education.

I should live at home to cut costs ■ It’s wise to study every avenue for reducing college costs, but living at home may not be the best way. Be sure to consider commuting and parking costs when you do this calculation. Living on campus may create more opportunities for work and other benefits.

Private schools are out of reach for my family ■ Experts recommend deferring cost considerations until late in the college selection process. Your most important consideration is to find a school that meets your academic, career, and personal needs. In fact, you might have a better chance of receiving aid from a private school. Private colleges often offer more financial aid to attract students from every income level. Higher college expenses also mean a better chance of demonstrating financial need.

We can negotiate a better deal ■ Many colleges will be sensitive to a family’s specific financial situation, especially if certain nondiscretionary costs, such as unusually high medical bills, have been overlooked. But most colleges adhere to specific financial aid award guidelines and will not adjust an award for a family that feels it got a better deal at another school. 18

Applying for Scholarships

Even though most applications will not be filled out until senior year, it is important to begin thinking about scholarships long before then. There are some scholarships for which you apply during your Junior year, including National Merit Scholarships and U.S. Service Academies (West Point, etc). There are also scholarships you can win through academic contests, FFA, and other organizations, science fairs, essay and poster contests, summer academies, and other programs which are open to students in grade 9-12.

The choices you make and the activities you choose will have great impact on your scholarship opportunities. Colleges are interested in more than just grades and test scores. They look for students who are involved in school clubs and activities, and who make a contribution to their school and community in some way. If you plan to go to college, seek out organizations to join and consider running for office. While building a better resume or application, you may find others with interests similar to yours, and probably have more fun while you are finishing high school.

In addition to scholarships, there are some very important sources of funding that every student should check into:

Pell Grants

Pell Grants are the most common form of federal aid. The grants are need based. The money is provided by the federal government, and the grants are awarded by schools. The Federal Pell Grant program awards money to eligible students based on the results of the student's FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Unlike a loan, a Pell Grant doesn't have to be repaid. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree or a professional degree. (A professional degree is more advanced than a bachelor's degree. A student might earn a professional degree in fields such as dentistry, pharmacy, medicine, or law.) In some cases, you might receive a Pell Grant for attending a post baccalaureate teacher certification program. To determine if you're eligible financially, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information you report when you submit your FAFSA. The formula produces an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number. Your Student Aid Report (SAR) tells you your EFC, and it will also tell you if you're financially eligible to receive a Pell Grant award. For the 2006-2007 school year, students had to have an EFC of 3850 or less to be eligible for a Pell Grant award. You'll receive your SAR by e-mail if you list an e-mail address on your FAFSA. If you do not list an e-mail address, a paper copy will be sent to you by mail. If you submit your FAFSA online and provide an e-mail address, you should receive your SAR within 2-3 weeks. If you submit a paper FAFSA and do not provide an e-mail address, it may take 6 weeks to receive your SAR by mail. 19

OTAG (Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant)

Application is made through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available through high school counselors, the financial aid office at the college you are planning to attend, or at http://www.fafsa.gov/. For best consideration, you should complete and submit the FAFSA to the federal student aid application system as soon as possible after Jan. 1. IT IS IMPORTANT TO APPLY EARLY. Typically, OTAG receives more eligible applications than can be awarded with available funds, and how early a student applies can be the deciding factor in whether that student is offered an OTAG award.

Oklahoma’s Promise-OHLAP (Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program

Is a scholarship program administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. You must sign up by the end of 10th Grade and meet certain GPA, course, and family income requirements to qualify. You must also avoid alcohol and drugs, attendance problems, and behavior problems during high school. See your counselor or go to www.OKPromise.org For more scholarships please visit the Piedmont Counselor’s Corner website at: www.piedmontschools.org/schools/piedmont-high-school/high-school-staff/counselor-s-corner/

Myths About Financial Aid

“I’m not going to bother filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid because …”

“… my parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid.” Reality: There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors besides income— from the size of your family to the age of your older parent—are taken into account. Your eligibility is determined by a mathematical formula, not by your parents’ income alone. And remember: when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM), you’re also automatically applying for funds from your state, and possibly from your school as well. In fact, some schools won’t even consider you for any of their scholarships (including academic scholarships) until you’ve submitted a FAFSA. Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll get—fill out the application and find out.

“… only students with good grades get financial aid.” Reality: While a high grade point average will help a student get into a good school and may help with academic scholarships, most of the federal student aid programs do not take a student’s grades into consideration. Provided a student maintains satisfactory academic progress in his or her program of study, federal student aid will help a student with an average academic record complete his or her education.

“… you have to be a minority to get financial aid.” Reality: Funds from federal student aid programs are awarded on the basis of financial need, not on the basis of race. The FAFSA doesn’t even collect this kind of information about an applicant.

“… the form is too hard to fill out.” Reality: The FAFSA is easier than ever, especially if you fill it out online at www.fafsa.gov. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. If you need help, you can access real-time, private online chat with a customer service representative. If you’re filling out the paper FAFSA, you can get help from a high school counselor, from the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, or from our toll-free number: 1-800-4-FED-AID. And remember, the FAFSA and all these sources of advice are FREE.

So what do I do now? Go to www.fafsa.gov, fill out the application, and see what you get! For more information about federal student aid, see www.studentaid.ed.gov or contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) TTY: 1-800-730-8913 For inquirers without access to the toll-free number: 319-337-5665

E-mail: studentaid@ed.gov

Facts about the ACT

The ACT is a national college admission and placement examination.

What percentage of 2011 high school graduates met all four of ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks?

25%

How does that compare to past years? It is the same as last year, which was up by one point for the third

straight year. What was the national average ACT composite score for 2011?

21.1

How does that compare to past years? It is unchanged from 2011.

What is the source of the 2011 ACT national average?

The scores of all ACT-tested 2012 high school graduates (more than

1.6 million students)What is the highest possible ACT score? 36What percentage of 2011 graduates who took the ACT scored 36?

Less than one-tenth of 1 percent

What subject areas do the ACT questions cover? English, mathematics, reading, science, and writing (optional)

How many questions are asked? English: 75 Mathematics: 60

Reading: 40 Science: 40

Total: 215

When was the ACT first administered? Fall 1959 In how many states is the ACT administered? 50

Since when has the ACT been a 50-state exam? 1960

In how many states do more than 50 percent of high school graduates take the ACT?

27

At what U.S. colleges and universities are ACT scores accepted?

All of them

Can students with disabilities take the ACT? YesCan students take the ACT outside the 50 United States?

Yes

Other Frequently Asked Questions about the ACT How much does it cost to take the ACT? The 2011–2012 basic registration fee is $35.00, which includes score reports for up to four college choices. The basic registration fee for the ACT Plus Writing is $50.50. How long does the test take? Just over 4 hours for the ACT without the Writing Test, including administration instructions and breaks. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes, broken down as follows:

English: 45 minutesMath: 60 minutes Reading: 35 minutes Science: 35 minutes The ACT Writing Test adds 30 minutes to the testing time.

When are the test dates? In the U.S., U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, and Canada, the ACT is administered on six national test dates: in September, October, December, February, April, and June. Internationally, the ACT is administered on all test dates except September. How do students benefit from taking the ACT?

The ACT is universally accepted for college admission. The ACT is curriculum-based. The ACT is not an aptitude or an IQ test. Instead, the

questions on the ACT are directly related to what students have learned in high school courses in English, mathematics, and science. Because the ACT tests are based on what is taught in the high school curriculum, students are generally more comfortable with the ACT than they are with traditional aptitude tests or tests with narrower content.

The ACT is more than a test. The ACT also provides test takers with a unique interest inventory that provides valuable information for career and educational planning and a student profile section that provides a comprehensive profile of a student's work in high school and his or her future plans.

The ACT is a good value. As a private, not-for-profit organization governed by educators, ACT is committed to providing services at the lowest possible cost. Accordingly, the ACT provides a comprehensive package of educational assessment and career planning services for college-bound students at a fee that is lower than the fee for the competing admission test.

How often can students take the ACT? A student may take the ACT no more than twelve (12) times total and only once per national test date. Many students take the test twice, once as a junior and again as a senior. Does it help to take the ACT more than once? ACT research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once:

57% increased their composite score on the retest 21% had no change in their composite score on the retest 22% decreased their composite score on the retest

2011-2012 ACT Test Dates Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee Required September 8, 2012 August 17, 2012 August 18 – 24, 2012October 27, 2012 September 21, 2012 September 22 – October 5, 2012December 8, 2012 November 2, 2012 November 3 – 16, 2012February 9, 2013* January 11, 2013 January 12 – 18, 2013April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 March 9 – 22, 2013June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013 May 4 – 17, 2013

SAT® About the SAT

Get ready to take the SAT!

Nearly every college in America accepts the SAT or Subject Tests as a part of its admissions process. That's why more than two million students take the SAT every year.

Learn more about the SAT Reasoning test and SAT Subject Tests, register online, and view and send your SAT scores.

The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you learned in school that you'll need in college. Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800 with two writing subscores for multiple-choice and the essay. It is administered 7 times a year in the U.S. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.

Register Online for the SAT. Online registration requires Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express.

View and Send Scores To view or send your scores on the Web, click the View and Send Scores button and sign in to visit your SAT Registration and Scores page. You must have a user name and password to use this feature.

SAT Question Types The SAT includes a Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing section, with a specific number of questions related to content.

Test Order The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting next to each other in the same testing session may have test books with entirely different sections.

The Unscored Section In addition, there is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating section. This unscored section may be either a critical reading, mathematics, or writing multiple-choice section. This unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test.

Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200—800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice and the essay. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S. For online sample questions and preparation materials, visit the SAT Preparation Center.

The Writing Section

OverviewTime Content Item Types Score60 min.

Grammar, usage, and word choice

Multiple choice questions (35 min.) and student-written essay (25 min.)

200-800

The writing section includes both multiple-choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay.

Short Essay

The short essay measures your ability to: Organize and express ideas clearly ,develop and support the main idea, and use appropriate word choice and sentence structure

You'll be asked to develop a point of a view on an issue, using reasoning and evidence — based on your own experiences, readings, or observations — to support your ideas.

The essay will be scored by trained high school and college teachers. Each reader will give the essay a score from 1 to 6 (6 is the highest score) based on the overall quality of the essay and your demonstration of writing competence.

Get more information about the essay: Sample Essay Question Essay Scoring Guide

Multiple-Choice The multiple-choice writing questions measure your ability to: Improve sentences and paragraphs, and identify errors (such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness)

Try multiple-choice questions

The Mathematics SectionOverview

Time Content Item Types Score

70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section)

Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis

Five-choice multiple-choice questions and student-produced responses

200-800

The SAT includes mathematics topics from up through a third-year college preparatory course, such as exponential growth, absolute value, and functional notation. It also places emphasis on such topics as linear functions, manipulations with exponents, and properties of tangent lines. Important skills such as estimation and number sense are measured through the multiple-choice and student response (grid-in) questions (formerly measured in the quantitative comparison format).Can I use a calculator? Yes. Students can use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. The College Board recommends that students use a calculator at least at the scientific level for the SAT, although it's still possible to solve every question without a calculator. The Math Section has two types of questions: Multiple Choice Student-Produced Response Questions

The Critical Reading SectionOverview

Time Content Item Types Score

70 min. (two 25-min. sections and one 20-min. section)

Critical reading and sentence-level reading

Reading comprehension, sentence completions, and paragraph-length critical reading

200-800

The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, includes short reading passages along with the existing long reading passages. Analogies have been eliminated, but sentence-completion questions and passage-based reading questions remain. The Critical Reading Section measures: Sentence completions and passage-based reading

Test Dates Tests Regular Deadline Late Fee Deadline October 6, 2012 SAT & Subject Tests September 7, 2012 September 21, 2012November 3, 2012 SAT & Subject Tests October 4, 2012 October 19, 2012December 1, 2012 SAT & Subject Tests November 1, 2012 November 16, 2012January 26, 2013 SAT & Subject Tests December 28, 2012 January 11, 2013March 9, 2013 SAT only February 8, 2013 February 22, 2013May 4, 2013 SAT & Subject Tests April 5, 2013 April 19, 2013June 1, 2013 SAT & Subject Tests May 2, 2013 May 17, 2013