BRUSHTON-MOIRA HIGH SCHOOL

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

Jacequelyn McNicholSchool Counselor

(518) 529-7324 x1112

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SO… You want to go to college?!

This can be an overwhelming process. This is a guide to help you understand the college application process. Many things are touched on in this guide. But, it’s just that- a guide. It doesn’t answer every single question on the college application process but it gives you a good idea of what is going to happen. Should you need more information, please make an appointment to see me. I can help you answer other questions.

TIME LINEFreshman Year

Get good grades! Join extracurricular activities Do community service activities

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Take the most challenging courses that you can handle Sophomore Year

Get good grades! Continue the extracurricular and community service activities Continue to take challenging courses

Junior Year Get good grades! Continue extracurricular/community activities- take on leadership roles Take the PSAT During spring break and summer- visit some colleges Research colleges and collect information

Summer Visit Colleges Keep a college calendar of all admission deadlines Register with the NCAA if you want to play Division I or II sports in college. Register for SAT I and II tests.

Senior YearSeptember/October

Get good grades! Continue extracurricular and community activities and leadership roles Visit colleges, talk to admissions representatives Ask teachers for recommendations If you want to apply Early Decision/Early Action start your applications right away.

Deadlines are usually in November. Take SATs

November Submit applications for ED/EA schools. If you are not applying ED/EA, start making a list of schools you would like to apply

to. Ask for applications and give yourself plenty of time to work on the essays. Begin working on essays. Know the deadlines for the applications.

December It would be great to submit applications by Thanksgiving so that you can relax during

Winter break. Otherwise continue to work on essays and applications during the break.

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Send applications early to schools with rolling deadlines. Continue to work hard and get good grades until graduation.

January Have your counselor send 1st semester grade reports to the colleges that want a mid-

year grade report. Continue to get good grades the rest of the year. Know the deadlines for the schools you haven’t submitted applications to yet and get

them done as soon as possible.April

Admission decisions are arriving. Make a final decision by the end of the month. Mail the enrollment form and deposit to the college of your choice before May 1st.

May Study for finals and regents exams if you have them!

June Ask your counselors to send your school your final transcript Send NCAA final transcript for athletes.

FINDING YOUR COLLEGE… Characteristics to Consider

Type 2 year vs. 4 year

Do you want a two year degree? Do you want to start a 4 year degree at a 2 year school to get the general education requirements out of the way? Do you want to do all 4 years at the same school and not worry about the transfer process?

Public vs. Private Is a public, state university the way to go? Or would you like a private school?

In state vs. out of stateDo you want to stay close to home? Do you want to go to another part of your state? Do you want to visit a totally different state, coast, or part of the nation?

Do you want a university, liberal arts college, fine arts college or technical school? Do you want a religious-centered affiliation?

Size Large vs. Small

What size school is going to make you feel most at home?Small = Less than 5,000 studentsMedium = 5,000 – 15,000 students

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Large = 15,000+This comes down to whether you want to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond. Small schools allow you to see the same faces in the dining hall, library, and in classes. The larger schools allow you to become a part of smaller communities on campus with common interests. There are a lot more socializing opportunities and you may need to learn how to balance socializing and school work.

Location Do you want to be in a big city, a suburban area, rural area, or small town? Do you want to be in an area with access to nature/the outdoors? Do you want to be on the east or west coast? Do you want to be in a particular state?

Academics/Majors Do you have a major in mind? If so, does your college offer it? What’s the reputation

of that major on campus? Are you undecided about a major? Pick a college that has a variety to choose from. Do you want to study abroad? Does your school allow for it? Is there an honors program?

Cost Can you afford this particular college? Do they give out scholarships for academics or athletics? Are there opportunities for work on campus to help offset the cost?

Campus Life What kinds of activities are offered for students on campus? Do they have clubs/activities on campus that interest you? Are there fraternities/sororities for you to join if you are interested?

Sports Do you want to play sports at the collegiate level? Is your sport offered at this

school? What NCAA Division is the school? Are there intramurals for people that just want to have some fun?

Housing Can I live on campus in a dorm? Can I live off campus freshman year? Can freshman have cars? Is housing guaranteed? What kind of set up is in the dorms- high rise, low rise, suites, co-ed, unisex, etc? Do you want to be a college where most students are in the dorms or where most

students commute?

Diversity Do I want a campus with a lot of ethnic, racial, and religious diversity? Do I want to go to a single-sex college?

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Do I want to go to a religious college?

Admissions Do they accept a large or small portion of applicants? Is there a minimum GPA? Are they flexible on the admissions criteria? Will I get credit for my college courses taken in high school?

A great website can help you match all these preferences with schools:

www.collegeboard.org

Click on “College Search” at the top of the page. Next, click “College Matchmaker.” This will ask you about all your preferences in a college. Keep hitting “submit and continue” at the bottom so that you go through all the pages with preferences. At the end, it will give you a list of colleges that match your preferences.

Resources for Finding a College

College Guides- these volumes contain one page about every college in the country. They provide info on location, important phone numbers, web address, number of students, admission requirements, deadlines, etc.

Viewbooks- These are published by each college. They are magazine like and give a snap shot of the college. They give overviews, pictures, and FAQs.

Catalogs- These are also published by the colleges. It gives important information on majors, course descriptions, campus policies, academic calendars, tuition/fees.

Videos- These allow you to see and get a feel for the college. Check websites for videos.

College Visits- Visiting a college and taking a tour provides a great opportunity to see the campus and ask questions.

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College Open House- These are like a college visit but are more planned out. They will have tours, students and faculty lined up to talk to, and you can attend brief information sessions. Check college websites for fall and spring open house dates.

College Fairs- This is where hundreds of colleges send representatives to give information about their specific schools. You can talk to the representative, be put on mailing lists, and be provided with viewbooks, catalogs, and other free information.

College Websites- The admissions page of each college gives a lot of information about the application process to that school. Websites also provide information on majors, faculty, athletics, cost and financial aid. Many schools will have a virtual tour of the campus and you can watch a video about the campus. This will give you a good idea of what the campus is like and you are able to see if you want to go visit the school in person.

Planning a College Visit

Going to visit a campus? Things to consider:(1) Start visiting colleges in April of your junior year. In the fall, you can

return to those colleges that you are interested in. (2) We recommend that you visit no more than 2 campuses a day. You

won’t be rushed and you can really get a feel for what the campus is like.

(3) Call the admissions office to schedule your college visit. Let them know your coming.

(4) Be sure to explore the college as well as the surrounding area. (5) It is best to visit a college when college is in session. Being able to see

and talk to students/professors will be very helpful.

When you visit a school, pick up:(1) Map of the campus(2) Catalogue and application(3) School newspaper(4) Campus tour schedule

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(5) Information session timetableThese will give you a good idea of what the campus is like. You can refer to them later when you have to decide what school to choose.

Ask Current Students Questions On Topics Such As:Their Likes/Dislikes about the College Campus SecurityQuality of Professors Social LifeExtra-curricular Activities Dorm LifeAcademic Pressure Food/Dining Halls

Things to See on the Tour:Dorm Library Health OfficeDining Hall Academic Building Campus CenterComputer Lab School Book Store Fitness Center

APPLYING!The number of schools that you apply to is up to you. It is recommended that you apply to 3-5. Some students may want less, others more.

You want to apply to a couple “safety schools.” These are schools that you know that you will be to get into without a doubt. Your SATs and GPA are a lot higher than what they are asking for.

Then, you should apply to some “Probable schools.” These are schools where your chances of getting in are around 75%. These are schools that are likely to accept you and close to what you’re looking for.

Finally, apply to a couple “Reach schools.” These are schools where your chances of getting in are less than 50% but well worth the try.

Remember, with each application that you send you must send money. Applying to 10, 12 schools will be pricey.

Parts to the Application:

(1) The student’s part: This includes: name, address, phone numbers, email, and other demographic information. Most colleges are going to want you to write a personal statement either on a topic of your choice or a topic that they assign to you.

(2) The teacher’s part: This is the teacher recommendation. Colleges require different number of these. Check the application. Submit the exact number that they want- no more, no less.

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(3) The counselor’s part: This is the school report form. Your counselor will take care of this. But, this is basically sending all your grades, SAT scores, and transcript information. You do need to tell your counselor where to send the information- what schools are you applying to?

The Common/SUNY Applications

Filling out the same information on different applications can be quite tedious. So, you can fill out the common application online and choose which schools you want to send it to. Not all schools accept it, but many do (approximately 400). Check the list of schools that accept it.

There is a common SUNY application as well. This is only for SUNY schools. You can apply for 4 schools on this application. Some of the SUNY schools will also have a PART II portion for you to fill out once they have received you initial application. This is usually a personal statement and/or teacher recommendations. The SUNY preferred deadline is December 1st.

~SIX THINGS THAT DETERMINE COLLEGE ADMISSION1. Academic Performance

This is probably the most important factor in the college admission process. Yes, athletics and special talents are important but colleges want to see that you are going to have academic success. After all, if you get kicked off the basketball team because of grades, your talent on the basketball court doesn’t matter anymore.

To assess your academic performance, colleges look at your transcript and school profile to answer some questions:*Did you take accelerated courses, honors, AP or IB courses if they were offered? *Did you take rigorous courses in your senior year?*If you have a particular major in mind, did you take courses that are relevant to that field? *Are there any trends in your grades? Did you get a B- in English 9 and then in English 10 receive a B+? This shows that you are working hard and have the ability to improve your performance. *They look at your high school. This gives colleges the overall picture of you in a larger context. Ranking 50th in a high school of 75 students is different than being 50th in a class of 350.

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2. Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT)The standardized test results also influence the decision that some colleges will give you. Standardized test results may help distinguish one student from another. The degree these scores influence ultimate decisions depends on how competitive the school is.

3. The EssayThe essay has a couple different purposes. It allows colleges to see how unique you are as a person and allows them to see some of your values and experiences. It also allows them to see your writing ability. Be sure to proof your essay before you send it in.

4. RecommendationsCounselor, teacher, employer recommendations and references also help delineate you as a person.

If you submit too many of these, the college may just glance at each page and not focus on your strongest points. It’s always good to follow the application instructions- this shows your ability to follow directions and shows respect for the reader.

5. The Personal InterviewIf you have the opportunity to interview, the impression you make may further enhance the college’s picture of you. Colleges that require the interview probably will weigh its importance more than one who says it is optional.

6. Your activitiesYour background, talents and extracurricular activities are looked at. Demonstrating what makes you special is important! This is not a time to be overly modest. Let them know what you will bring to their college. Are you a talented musician and want to play in the school band? Do you want to be the center of the basketball team? Are you an Eagle Scout with many leadership abilities that you can bring to campus?

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The SATs: What are They?SAT IThe SAT I measures verbal and math reasoning abilities. These abilities develop over time through school work and on your own. The SAT I scores help colleges better understand how you compare with other students preparing for college.

Verbal questions test our ability to: Math questions test your ability to:*Understand and analyze what you read *Solve arithmetic problems*Recognize relationships between parts *Solve algebra problemsof a sentence *Solve geometry problems*Establish relationships between pairs of words

What does the look like?It is a 3 hour test made up of 7 sections:Three verbal sections: two 30 min sections and one 15 minute sectionThree math sections: two 30 minute sections and one 15 minute sectionOne 30 minute equating section, verbal and math.These 7 sections are in different, random orders.

SAT IIThe SAT II is a specific subject area test. Each one is an hour long. Not all colleges require the SAT II. About 5% of colleges require the SAT II tests. Usually, it is the most selective schools in terms of admissions standards that require the SAT II. These are schools like the Ivy League Schools.

How many SAT II tests are necessary and which subjects are required?No college requires more than 3 tests. The tests that are required vary from different colleges and in different programs within a college. Writing is the most frequent required test. Math is also commonly required. Some college programs

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may require a science or a foreign language, and others will leave the selection up to you. Each college’s admission materials outline specific testing requirements.How Do I register?The registration process is the same for the SAT I. You complete the registration form or register with the College Board online.

When’s the best time for taking the SAT II?The best dates are in May or June. These dates are when you are finishing up your courses. It’s best to have most of the course completed before you take the test.

How many tests can I take in one day?You may take up to 3 tests on one day; however, you may not take the SAT I and SAT II in the same day.

Can I take the SAT II tests as a senior?Yes, May or June of your Junior year is best for taking the test the first time. Then, if you need an opportunity to retake them, you can use October and November of Senior year.

THE A.C.T.

What is the ACT?The ACTs are a national college admission exam.

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What subjects does it test?It consists of tests in English, Math, Reading, and Science. Many students choose to take the ACT instead of the SAT.

How long does it take to complete?

English75 question

s45 minute

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Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills including: punctuation, grammar, sentence structure. Strategy, organization, and

style are rhetorical skills that are tested.

Mathematics60 question

s60 minute

sMeasures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in

courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.

Reading40 question

s35 minute

sMeasures reading comprehension.

Science40 question

s35 minute

sMeasures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and

problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.

Optional Writing Test

1 prompt30

minutesMeasures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and

in entry-level college composition courses.

Taken from: www. act.org

Whats the difference between the ACT and SAT?

1. The ACT- is an achievement test. That means it measures what a student has already learned in school.The SAT- is more an aptitude test. That means it is used to predict how a student will do in the future (in college).

2. The ACT has 5 components: English, Math, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing.

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The SAT has 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Math, and the Writing which is required.

3. The ACT- is scored based on the number of correct answers without any penalty for guessing. The SAT- has a correction for guessing. They take off for wrong answers.

4. The ACT- is only $34 if you don’t take the writing section. It’s $49.50 with the writing.The SAT- is $49.

5. The ACT- let’s you choose which scores are sent to colleges. If you take it more than once, you can choose which test date scores will be sent.The SAT- sends all the scores from all test dates to the colleges.

Personal EssayThe Essay’s Purpose:

1. The college gets to learn about you as a person, beyond grades and SAT/ACT scores. They can get to see what makes you- you. It conveys your attitudes, feelings, personal qualities, imagination, and creativity. It helps distinguish one person from another.

2. It shows your ability to communicate. They can see the clarity of writing and your ability to convey your thoughts and opinions.

Essay Types:Personal essays can fit into three categories.

(1) “The You” – In this essay, they want you to talk about yourself. Sample Essays of this type are: Complete a one page personal essay and send it in with your application. Describe yourself as a human being. What qualities do you like best? What would you

change?

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(2) “The Why Us”- In this essay, they want you to talk about why you picked a certain major or school. They are looking to see how committed you are to their school. Sample topics:

Why is (blank) school a good college choice for you? Please tell us about your career goals.

(3) “The Creative”- In this essay, they want you to talk about a national issue, famous person, etc.

They want to see how creative you are. Sample topics: Talk about a person who has an impact on your life and describe that impact. In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge that your generation will face? How will

you deal with this challenge?

Dos and Don’ts of Essay Writing

DOs Make sure all capitalization, grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. Make sure your essay is on topic and focused. Remember, your essay topic reveals a lot about you. It’s personal. Prove it. If you make a point, give details. Read the directions. Do tell the truth. Speak positively. Negatives turn people off.

DONTs Use clichés. Write generically. Do give specifics about you so they can see who you are. Write your resume. Do talk about you not what you have done. Be wordy. Talk about a lot of different things. Do focus on one topic/issue. Exaggerate, go to extremes, or excuse your shortcomings.

3 STEPS TO WRITING A GREAT ESSAYChoosing the Topic

Some colleges will give you a topic to write about or present several rather specific topics from which you must choose. Other colleges may simply suggest broad general topics or give you total freedom to write about something that interests you or concerns you.

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Hints to approaching a topic:- Narrow the topic and try to be as specific and illustrative as

possible.- The easiest topic to write about is yourself. Self revelation is

important. Don’t be shy or modest but don’t exaggerate either. - Do not be afraid to write about something you think is a little

different. A unique topic or approach is often refreshing to read and shows your creativity.

Preparing to WriteOrganize your thoughts – Develop an outline.Remember- your purpose, what you want to convey, and the tone are

all important.

Writing the EssayThe first draft should focus on content and communicating your

thoughts. Then, set it aside for a day or two. Re-read it and make changes. Remember to look at organization, style, grammar, spelling, and tone. Give it to people to look at. Your family, friends, school counselor, and English teacher are all great people to try it out on. The voice should be yours but they may be able to help you with technical or other improvements.

Recommendations

Who should you ask for a letter of recommendation?

Pick someone who knows you well. Your track coach of 4 years knows you

better than the boss of your part-time job that you have held for 6 months.

Pick someone who writes well.

Pick someone who can speak highly of you and can give specific examples

of things you have done that back up their claims.

Who should you NOT ask for a letter of recommendation?

Someone who hasn’t known you for a long time.

Someone who only has an important name/title.

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Someone who doesn’t have good writing ability.

Tips:

Ask in person. Do not send an email.

Tell the reader what the letter is for (admission into college)

Give the person a list of accomplishments, extra-curricular activities, and

other things you might want included. Stop by the guidance office for an

outline.

Keep a copy. You may need it again in the future.

Don’t wait until last minute! Giving at least a two week notice is ideal.

Don’t forge signatures.

Ask for more recommendations than you need. This is good for a couple

reasons. You can pick the best ones. You will also have a backup in case

someone forgets to do it.

Don’t forget your manners- Please and Thank You are important!

The InterviewEvery college has its own interview procedure and it varies from school to school. Interviews could be

with a college representative, an alumnus, in a group, or maybe no interview may be required.

Preparing for the interview

Be punctual. Know the time and place. Arrive early.

Write down any questions that you want to ask.

Think about your strengths and weaknesses.

You may want to bring a copy of your transcript and activities resume to the interview.

If there are special circumstances that affected your academic record, you may want to bring them up in

an interview. If you missed a great deal of school for being in the hospital you might want to explain

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that. Make sure that you aren’t making excuses for yourself but helping them to understand who you

are.

What to Wear

Dress neatly and comfortable, while being yourself. A jacket and tie for guys and skirts/dresses for the

girls. Sweater and pants are nice, too. But no- jeans, caps, sweats, sneakers, shorts!

DOs: DONTs:

Establish eye-contact Chew gum

Show enthusiasm Complain or make excuses

Use natural conversational style Use a negative attitude

Show interest, listen attentively Give one word answers

Have a positive attitude Twitch, fidget, slump in your seat

Be open and honest Pretend to be someone you’re not

Ask questions Ask irrelevant questions

Be specific and give concise answers Swear

Be Yourself! Discuss other colleges/make

comparisons

Typical Interview Question Topics:

Your high school experience

Family background, personal traits, relationships with others

Interests/Hobbies outside of the classroom

Values/Goals

Your impressions of the college you are visiting

Special circumstances that have affected your grades

Answering your questions

Possible Interview Questions:

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Tell me about your high school. How long have you attended? What are the students like? Do you like your high school? What would you preserve or change about it?

Which courses have you liked most? Which have you liked least? Which have been the most challenging?

How well do you think your school has prepared you for your future study?

How would you describe yourself as a student?

Do you know what you want to major in? Why?

What has been your most stimulating intellectual experience?

What extracurricular activity have you been involved in most? How much time do you devote to it?

Early Decision vs. Early Action

What is Early Decision? Early decision allows you to apply early, deadline usually early-to-mid November, and get an admission decision from the college by mid-December. However, early decision is binding, meaning, if you are accepted, you must attend that college.

What is Early Action? Early action is similar to early decision in terms of application and decision time frames; however, it is not binding. This means that you do not have to commit to attend if you are accepted. You can apply to other schools and make a decision in the spring. Be sure to read the school’s guidelines before applying. Some may not allow you to apply to other schools. Some may want you to decide before the spring whether you will attend.

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Can I apply to other schools if I apply for early decision? Yes. Although, you can apply to one school under early decision, you may apply to other colleges under regular admission. If you are accepted to your ED college, you must withdraw all other applications and attend the early decision school.

How do I know if I should apply early? A college will offer either early decision or early action but not both. You should only apply early decision if you are very sure that you want to go to that school. Early decision makes sense if one college is your clear preference and your profile closely matches that of students at that school. Although early action is not binding, you are letting that school know that you have a very strong interest in that school.

You should not apply early decision if you plan to weigh offer and financial aid packages from several colleges. Also, if you need to boost your application by demonstrating improved senior year grades, you may want to apply regular admission instead of early. This way, colleges will look at your senior year grades before they make a decision.

What are the advantages of applying early?(1) You get to know right away with early decision. You don’t have the anxiety of waiting

until the spring to know.(2) Early action has it the best. They know early where they stand with their preferred

school and then still can apply to other schools. They can wait until they get all notifications from schools before they make a decision.

What are the disadvantages?(1) About 50% of early decision/early action applicants are accepted. This means the other

half are deferred or rejected. This can be upsetting to students right before the holidays. The good news is, if you are not accepted, you will have time to prepare back up applications in time for other schools regular decision deadlines.

(2) Early acceptances can sometimes lead into a case of senioritis. Sometimes colleges will rescind admission offers to students who did not maintain their grades throughout senior year.

What is deferral? Students whose applications are neither accepted nor rejected are deferred for a second review in the spring. This means that your application will be placed with the regular decision pool. Some students will be accepted from the pool, others will not.

How does this affect financial aid? Early applicants generally do not receive as generous a financial aid package as regular applicants. Since early action is not binding, students can compare financial packages of several schools before making a decision. In early decision, the student must attend the school upon acceptance, leaving less incentive for the college to offer more money. However, if the aid package offered by the college or university is insufficient for the family to afford the school, the student is not obligated to attend the school.

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TWO YEAR vs. FOUR YEAR COLLEGE

Two Year Pros

1. It keeps cost down for the two years.2. Experience college first, independence later.3. Student can work while going to college to pay for later years.4. Experiment with different subjects if you are unsure of a major.

Two Year Cons

1. Lack of competitiveness in the classroom2. Admission standards are lower.

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3. Cost may be equivalent to a four year college for some families.4. Can be like high school… same kids, same fun time, same trouble

Four Year Pros

1. Offer on and off campus learning opportunities that you can’t find elsewhere. 2. You will graduate with degrees that can be used for a wide spectrum of jobs in the real world.3. You will land jobs with higher salaries.4. Campus has a lot to offer- performances, cultural events, lectures, honors, study abroad,

internships, field trips, service learning projects5. Life experience!

Four Year Cons

1. It will take you double the time of a two year school. Can you handle a four year commitment?2. It costs about three times the tuition since you are there longer.

FINANCIAL AID

How are you going to pay for college? It’s a big expense and there are so many terms flying around…. What exactly is a grant? What is a subsidized loan or a Perkins Loan? Let’s take a look at the types of aid and how to pay for college. Ultimately, you have to decide which option is the best for you.

FEDERAL GRANTS

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These are for students enrolled in undergraduate programs. These grants do not have to be repaid. Special provisions are required to receive these grants. Students must fill out the FAFSA to be eligible. The grants are awarded based on need.

There are 5 Types of Federal Grants

(1) FEDERAL PELL GRANT- This is for up to $5,500 annually. Students may receive up to 2 consecutive maximum awards in a year if attending school year-round.

(2) FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT (FSEOG)- Students can qualify for $100 to $4,000 each academic year.

(3) ACADEMIC COMPETITIVENESS GRANT (ACG)- up to $750 for first year students; up to $1,300 for second year students

(4) National SMART Grant- up to $4,000 for each of the 3rd and 4th years.(5) TEACH GRANT- up to $4,000 each academic year. Cannot exceed $16,000 for

undergraduate degree(6) IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN SERVICE GRANT- up to $5,500 annually for those who have

served

WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS

Students will work a set number of hours for the school or approved public-service related company. Money is earned and it does not have to be repaid. Students must be paid at least minimum wage. There is no minimum or maximum. However, the amount cannot exceed your total work-study award. The jobs can be on campus or off campus. To qualify, students must file the FAFSA. The school disburses earned funds to students. You must submit your application for work study through your school.

LOANS

Loans must be repaid. There are many different kinds of loans and qualifications, amounts, and criteria that go with the loan.

FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN

These are low interest rate loans (5%) that are available to students with exceptional financial need. There are no origination fees. This is for $5,500 for undergraduate students up

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to a maximum of $27,500. Students must file the FAFSA. Your school becomes the lender using funds shared by the federal government. You must repay this loan to your school. Submit the Perkins Loans through your school.

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOANS

There are two types of Federal Stafford Loans: (1)Subsidized Loans: the Federal Government pays interest while the student is in school and during grade and deferment periods. (2)Unsubsidized Loans: The borrower is responsible for interest during the life of the loan.

Things to know:

(1) Loan funds will be sent to the school and disbursed in at least two installments. The funds will first be applied to pay tuition, fees, room and board, and other school charges. Any remaining funds must be used for paying education-related expenses.

(2) $5,500 to $12,500 annually depending on grade level and status.(3) You must file the FAFSA. (4) The loan is restricted to education-related expenses.(5) Student must be enrolled at least half time in a degree or certificate program at an

approved school.(6) The federal government provides funds to schools.

PRIVATE STUDENT LOANS

These loans are used to make up the difference between the total cost of school and any financial aid received. These loans are not guaranteed so the interest rate and origination fees may be higher. Most private loan programs have higher borrowing limits than federal loan programs. Funds can be used for any education-related expenses, including a new personal computer for school use.

Things to Know:

(1) It can be from $1000 up to the full cost of the education as certified by your school.(2) You must have at least 21 months credit experience and a satisfactory credit history.(3) You must meet the requirements for employment and residency. Otherwise you need

someone to co-sign for the loan.(4) Undergrads must be enrolled for at least half time in a degree or certificate program at

an approved school.(5) Funds are certified through the school.

HOME EQUITY FINANCING

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This is a private loan program where the lender opens a credit line on your behalf (or your parent) which credit line is secured by the equity value of your or your parent’s home. You will use equity line checks or online transfer capabilities to pay for education and other expenses. The line of credit can be used at any time for any expense up to your approved credit line balance.

Things to know:

(1) There are no limit restrictions. Your amount is subject to your approved equity line balance.

(2) You must have equity value in your home. (3) You must meet the lenders credit criteria and credit check.(4) There are no limitations or restrictions on the use of the funds.

INVESTMENT FINANCING OPTIONS

STATE 529 PLANS

Qualified investment plans established and managed by individual states that can be used to pay education expenses. Contributions are after-tax, but earnings in the fund are tax exempt. Funds are available to any named beneficiary. The beneficiary can be the contributor. There are two types of plans:

(1) Prepaid Tuition Plans(2) College Savings Plan

EDUCATION IRAs

IRA plans that can be set up for education. Contributions are after-tax but earnings in the fund are tax exempt. The IRA can be used to pay for higher education and K-12 education expenses.

Things to know about 529 and IRAs:

(1) Plan must be set up in the name of the beneficiary.(2) Withdrawals are tax exempt if the funds are used to pay for education-related expenses. (3) Penalties may apply for payment of non-education expenses.(4) Limitations subject to the available amount in the plan.

OTHER OPTIONS

OTHER IRA PLANS

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You can make withdrawals from your IRAs for qualified higher education expenses without having to pay the 10% penalty tax. Limitations subject to the available amount in the plan. You will owe income tax on the amount withdrawn from the plan.

MILITARY ROTC

This is a federal-merit scholarship program that will pay for college and provide a monthly allowance. You must meet specific fitness requirements to join. You will be required to complete a period of military service after you graduate. Limitations subject to the cost of college attendance.

ELIGIABLE TAX CREDITS

The IRS allows students and parents who file and owe taxes to claim one of two educational credits. Tax credits reduce your overall taxes paid dollar-for-dollar.

Hope Tax Credit: up to $1,800 per year

Lifetime Learning Tax Credit: up to a max of $2,000 per year

Things to Know: (1) Credit can only be taken for expenses covering tuition, fees, and books minus any scholarships and grants received. (2) Room and board, personal expenses, and transportation are NOT eligible expenses. Check with a tax advisor for more information.

OTHERS

Loan forgiveness programs, VA benefits, Americorps, US public health and job training programs provide help for limited circumstances. You must view program for limitations.

(Taken from: www.offtocollege.com)

SCHOLARSHIPS

Look at scholarships as free money! Essentially that is what they are. Scholarships are available from private and educational institutions. Common forms of scholarships include: athletic and academic. However, there are scholarships offered for other achievements. Here are some great sites for scholarships:

Books:

Scholarship Handbook

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This book contains 2,100 worth of scholarships, loans, and internships. More than 2.8 Billion is awarded to 1.7 million students annually.

Websites:

College Board: www.collegeboard.com Go to “College Search” at the top of the page. Go to “Pay for College” tab. Select “ScholarshipSearch” on left. You then submit information about yourself and it will give you all the scholarships you qualify for instead of having to scroll through many. You then read the information about how to apply for them.

Fast Web: www.fastweb.com

Sallie Mae: http://go.salliemae.com/scholarships

Google: You can just google (www.google.com) scholarships for ________. The blank would be a characteristic about yourself (African American, single mom, athlete, ADHD, business majors, etc)

Booklet:

Come to the guidance office for a list of the local scholarships.

HELPFUL WEBSITES

www.petersons.com Peterson’s free online service to all students. A great site!

www.collegeboard.org Lots of useful information about college visits, interviews, SATs, scholarships, and other parts of the college search process.

www.usnews.com College rankings, a comprehensive college search engine, advice from high school counselors and financial aid experts, and lots of college links!

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www.fastweb.com Free scholarship search, tons of financial aid and scholarship information.

www.finaid.org The most complete financial aid site available.

www.collegenet.com contains a searchable database of schools, links to colleges. You can search variables including state, region, majors, and tuition.

www.collegeview.com Search colleges for diversity, majors, religious affiliations, athletics, special programs, and services for disabled students.

www.collegeXpress.com Ask the Expert, info on tons of schools, and advice on the transition to college.

www.kaplan.com – Links to colleges and universities, advice on the admission process.

www.princetonreview.com a search engine with several variables including location, academics, sports, student life and housing.

GLOSSARY

ADMIT- A student is offered admission/accepted into a college or university he or she applied to.

ADMIT/DENY- A student is offered admission to an institution, but denied financial aid.

ACCELERATED STUDY- A college program of study that is completed in less time than is usually required, most often by attending classes in the summer and/or by taking extra classes during the academic period. Example: Completing a bachelor’s degree in 3 years instead of 4.

ACCREDITATION- Recognition by an organization or agency that a college meets certain acceptable standards in its educational programs, services, and facilities.

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ADVANCE PLACEMENT (AP) PROGRAM- A service of the College Board that provided high schools with course descriptions in college subjects and AP Exams in these subjects. High schools implement and administer the exams to interested students, who are then eligible for advanced placement, college credit or both on the basis of earning satisfactory scores.

AMERICAN COLLEGE TESTING PROGRAM ASSESSMENT (ACT)- The ACT includes tests in English, Math, Reading, and Science. The ACT composite score referred to in some colleges’ descriptions is the average of the students’ scores on these four tests.

ASSOCIATE DEGREE- A degree granted by a college or university after the satisfactory completion of a two year full time program of study or its part time equivalent. In general, the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree is granted after students complete a program of study similar to the first two years of a four year college curriculum. The associate in applied science (AAS) is awarded by many colleges upon completion of technological or vocational programs of study.

BACHELOR’S OR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE- A degree received after the satisfactory completion of a four or five year, full time program of study (or its part time equivalent) at a college or university. The Bachelor of Art (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) are the most common baccalaureates.

BRANCH CAMPUS- A small campus connected to or part of a large institution. A branch campus provided students with a smaller and more personal environment, which can help the student mature personally and academically before moving to a larger atmosphere.

CANDIDATES REPLY DATE AGREEMENT (CRDA)- A college subscribing to this agreement will not require any applicants offered admission as freshman to notify the college of their decision to attend (or accept to an offer of financial aid) before May 1 of the year the applicant applies. The purpose of this agreement is to give applicants time to hear from all of the colleges to which they have applied before having to make a commitment to any of them.

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)- A program of examinations in undergraduate college courses that provides students and adults the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement. Colleges award credit to entering freshmen and adults completing their education use the examinations. Business, industry, government, and professional groups to satisfy educational requirements for advancement, licensing, and admission to training programs.

COLLEGE PREPARATORY SUBJECTS- A term used to describe subjects required for admission to or recommended as preparation for college. It is usually understood to mean subjects from the fields of English, History, Social Studies, Foreign Languages, Math, Science, and the Arts.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE (CSS)- A service of the College Board that assists postsecondary institutions, state scholarship programs and other organizations in the equitable distribution of student financial aid funds by measuring a family’s financial strength and analyzing its ability to contribute to college costs. CSS provides the Profile Form, which students may use to apply for nonfederal aid at some private colleges.

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COMBINED BACHELORS/GRADUATE DEGREE- A program to which students are accepted for study at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The programs usually can be completed in less time than two individual programs.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION- A college program in which a student alternates between periods of full-time study and full-time employment in a related field. Students are paid for their work at the prevailing rate. Typically, five years are required to complete a bachelor’s degree under the cooperative plan, but graduates have the advantage of about one year’s practical work experience in addition to their studies. Some colleges refer to this sort of program as work-study, but it should not be confused with the federally sponsored Work-Study Program.

COURSE LOAD- The number of course credit hours a student is enrolled in each semester. Twelve credit hours is a minimum to be considered a full-time student. The average course load per semester is fifteen credit hours.

COURSE HOURS- The number of hours per week that a course meets is counted as equivalent credits for financial aid and to determine a student’s status as full-time or part-time. Upon successful completion of a course, credit hours are applied to graduation requirements.

CROSS REGISTRATION- The practice, through agreements between colleges, of permitting students enrolled at one college or university to enroll in courses at another institution without formally applying for admission to the second institution.

CUMULATIVE GRADE POINT AVERAGE- A grade point average that is based on all previously completed work (see Grade Point Average).

DEFERRED ADMISSION- The practice of postponing enrollment for one year after acceptance to the college.

DOUBLE MAJOR- Any program of study in which a student completes the requirements of two majors concurrently.

EARLY ACTION- A student applies to an institution early in the senior year and requests an early notification of his/her admission to the institution. If the student is accepted, he/she is not obligated to attend that institution.

EARLY ADMISSION- The practice of admitting certain students who have not completing high school, usually students of exceptional ability who have completed their junior year to attend college. These students are enrolled full-time at the college, and eliminate the senior year of high school. Colleges usually award a high school diploma to the early admitted students after they have completed a certain number of college level courses.

EARLY DECISION PLAN- A student applies to an institution early in the senior year of high school and requests an early notification of his/her admission status. It is a contract between the student and the institution. If the student is accepted, he/she is obligated to attend that institution.

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS- Limited proficient students who speak English as a second language and who wish to take college-level courses needed to demonstrate proficiency in English. TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) exam is commonly used test to determine the level of English language.

EXTERNAL DEGREE PROGRAM- A system of study whereby a student earns credit toward a degree through independent study, college courses, proficiency examinations, and personal experience. External degree colleges generally have no classroom facilities or campus. Many are referred to as a “college without walls.”

FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM- A federally sponsored and administered program that provides grants based on need to undergraduate students. Congress annually sets the dollar range.

FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM- (Formerly called the National Direct Student Loan Program or NDSL) A federally funded program based on need, and administered by colleges, that provides low-interest loans of up to $3,000 per year during undergraduate study and up to $15,000 for the total undergraduate study and $30,000 for the graduate program of study. Repayment need not begin until completion of the students’ education or after limited periods of service in the military, Peace Corps, or attendance at an approved comparable program.

FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN- A federal program based on need allows students to borrow money for educational expenses directly from banks and other lending institutions (sometimes from the colleges themselves). The amounts that may be borrowed depend on the student’s year in school.

FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY GRANT PROGRAM (FSEOG)- A federal program administered by colleges that provides grants of up to $4,000 a year for undergraduate students on the basis of need.

FEDERAL WORK STUDY PROGRAM- An arrangement by which a student combines employment and college study. The employment may be an integral part of the academic program (as in cooperative education of internships) or simply a means of paying for college.

FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FASFA)- All students must file the federally sponsored Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for the federal financial aid programs. For many colleges, this may be the only analysis form students will need to file. For other schools, particularly private colleges and some state schools, the PROFILE may also be required. To apply for state financial aid programs, the FAFSA may be all that is needed, but students should check with the state agency to learn if any other application forms need to be submitted. The forms that are most commonly required are the following:

- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) of the US Department of Education- Financial Aid Form (FAF) of the College Scholarship Service- PHEAA Aid Information Request (PAIR) of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

(PA applicants only)

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GAPPING- The difference between a student’s financial aid needs and the amount of the financial aid package offered by the institution.

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE- A system used by many schools for evaluating the overall scholastic performance of students. It is found by first determining the number of grade points a student has earned in each course completed and then dividing the sum of all grade points by the number of hours of course work carried. Grade points are found by multiplying the number of hours given for a course by the student’s grade in the course. The most common system for numerical values for grades is A = 4, B= 3, C = 2, and E/F = 0.

GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS- General terms that describes the outright gift of a sum of money to a student. The financial aid office at the institution controls most grants or scholarships. While they are generally based on need, many institutions reserve some funds to award to students based on academic, leadership, or athletic excellence. The availability of these funds varies from college to college.

GREEK LIFE- The influence of sororities and fraternities on the campus life of an institution.

HEOP/EOP- The Higher Educational Opportunity Program is for students who need academic and financial support in order to compete successfully in college. These programs provide counseling, remedial instruction, tutorial services and a financial aid stipend for educational expenses.

HONORS PROGRAM- Any special program for very able students that offer the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration or some combination of these characteristics.

INDEPENDENT STUDY- An arrangement that allows students to complete some of their college programs by studying independently and completing group assignments instead of attending scheduled classes. Typically students plan programs of study in consultation with a faculty advisor or committee, to whom they may report periodically and submit a final report for evaluation and/or a grade.

INTERDISCIPLINARY- Programs or courses that use the knowledge from a number of academic disciplines, such as a combination of biology and physical science, or of engineering and business.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)- A comprehensive and rigorous two year curriculum (usually taken junior and senior years in high school) that is similar to the final year of secondary school in Europe. More than 100 high schools in the US have an IB program. Some colleges award credit or advance placement to students who have completed an IB program.

INTERNSHIPS- Short-term supervised work experiences, usually related to a student’s major field for which the student earns academic credit. The work can be full or time part time, on or off campus, paid or unpaid. Student teaching and apprenticeships are examples of internships.

MAJOR- Determined by the number, concentration, or credit hours in a particular subject area.

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MATRICULATION- A point in college admission when a student is formally admitted into a curriculum under standard procedures. A student must be matriculated in order to apply for financial aid and/or try out for intercollegiate athletic programs.

MERIT AWARD OR MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS-Money awarded to students based on academic performance, SAT tests, and other designated criteria. These scholarships are not based on financial need and do not have to be repaid. The money must be used to cover college costs.

NEED AWARD- Financial aid requested by a student is considered when making an admission decision.

NEED BLIND- Admission decisions are made regardless of a student’s financial aid request. Actually financial need is not considered (or even known) when making an admission decision.

NON-MATRICULATED- a student has either not been formally admitted into a curriculum or has been academically dismissed. The classification excludes a student from financial aid and/or intercollegiate athletics.

OPEN ADMISSIONS- The college admissions policy of admitting high school graduates and other adults without regard to conventional academic qualifications such as high school subjects, grades, and admission test scores. Virtually all applicants with high school diplomas or their equivalent are accepted when an institution adheres to the open admissions policy.

QUARTER- This is an academic calendar period of about 11 weeks. Four quarters make up an academic year at colleges using the quarter system. Students make normal academic progress by attending 3 quarters each year. In some colleges, students can accelerate their programs by attending all four quarter in one or more years and completing a college program early.

RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)- Programs conducted by certain colleges in cooperation with the US Air Force, Army, and Navy. Local recruiting offices of the military themselves can supply detailed information about these programs, as can participating colleges.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS- Most colleges and universities require that a student spend a minimum number of terms taking courses on campus (as opposed to independent study or transfer credits from other colleges) to be eligible for graduation. Also residency requirements can refer to the minimum amount of time a student is required to have lived in a state to be eligible for in-state tuition at a public (state controlled) college or university.

RETENTION RATE- The number and percentage of returning students at a given college.

ROLLING ADMISSIONS- An admissions procedure by which the college considers each students’ application as soon as all required credentials such as school records and test scores have been received. The college usually notifies applicants of its decision without delay.

SAT PROGRAM- A program of the College Board that provides college entrance tests and services for students planning to go to college. Included are the SAT I: reasoning Test and SAT II: Subject Tests.

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SAT I: REASONING TEST- The College Board’s test of developed verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities given on specific dates throughout the year at test centers in the US and other countries.

SAT II: Subject Tests- Formerly called Achievement Tests. The College Board tests students’ knowledge in specific secondary school subjects, given at test centers in the US and other countries on specified dates throughout the year. SAT II tests are used by colleges not only to help with decisions about admission but also in course placement and exemption of enrolled freshman from taking certain subjects, or permitting them to take advanced courses.

SCORE CHOICE- An option in SAT II whereby a student may review his/her scores before reporting them to a college. A student may also choose which SAT II test score to release; all, some, or none.

SEMESTER- A period of about 17 or 18 weeks that makes up half of the usual academic year in colleges using this type of calendar.

STAFFORD LOAN (UNSUBSIZED)- A low interest loan that is available to all students regardless of need. Interest on loans is payable while the student is attending college. All other features are the same as for the Stafford Loan- Subsidized.

STAFFORD LOAN (SUBSIDIZED)- A federally subsidized, low interest loan made by a bank, credit union or savings and loan institution with a maximum amount of $2,625 the first year. Borrowers must show need through the FAFSA and/or FAF. Repayment starts 6 months after graduation or upon leaving college (dropping out).

STUDENT DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE (SQD)- A questionnaire that can be completed by students when they register for the SAT I: Reasoning Test or SAT II Subject Tests. It gives students an opportunity to provide information about academic experience in high school, education objectives, and extracurricular activities.

STUDENT DESIGNED MAJOR- An academic program that allows a student to construct a major field of study not formally offered by the college. Often non-traditional and interdisciplinary in nature, the major is developed by the student with the approval of a designated college officer or committee.

STUDY ABROAD- Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying abroad in another country. A college may operate a campus abroad, or it may have a cooperative agreement with some other US college or an institution in another country.

SUITCASE COLLEGE- a term used by students to describe a college whose resident students frequently go home on weekends; thereby creating less active student life on campus during weekends.

TAP- Tuition Assistance Program of NYS. It is a financial aid program based on an established formula.

TEACHER PREPARATION- a college program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary and secondary schools.

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TERMINAL PROGRAM- an education in a two-year (or a 4 year college that offers associate degrees) primarily for students who plan to continue their studies in a four year college or university. Students do not have to earn an associate degree to qualify for transfer.

TRANSFER STUDENT- a student who attended another college for any period, which may be defined at various colleges as any time from a single term up to three years. A transfer student may receive credit for all or some of the courses successfully completed before the transfer.

TRIMESTER- an academic calendar of about 15 weeks. Three trimesters make up one year. Students normally progress by attending two of the three trimesters each year, and in some colleges can accelerate their programs by attending all three trimesters in one or more years and thus is able to graduate early.

TWO-YEAR UPPER DIVISION COLLEGE- a college offering bachelor’s degree programs that begin with junior year. Entering students must have completed the freshman and sophomore years at other colleges.

UPPER DIVISION- The junior and senior years of study. Some colleges offer only upper-division study. Students must have completed the freshman and sophomore (lower division) at other institutions before entering the upper-division to earn their bachelor’s degrees.

VISITING/EXCHANGE STUDENT PROGRAM- any arrangement between a student and a college that permits study for a semester or more at another college.

WAIT LIST- a student is not offered admission but is placed on a waiting list should an opening occur. If an opening becomes available the student is admitted. After a certain time, if an opening is not available, the student receives a rejection notice.

WORK STUDY- an arrangement by which a student combines employment and college study. The employment may be an integral part of the academic program (as in cooperative education and internships) or simply a means of paying for college (as in Federal Work Study Program).

YEILD- the percentage of accepted students who will actually matriculate at an institution.

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