Resources and Handouts for Counselors

College BoardOpportunity Scholarships

Contents 4 Introduction

Lesson Plans 6 Overview: College Board Opportunity Scholarships

8 Step One: Build Your College List

10 Step Two: Practice for the SAT

12 Step Three: Improve Your Score

14 Step Four: Strengthen Your College List

16 Step Five: Complete the FAFSA

18 Step Six: Apply to Colleges

Handouts to Copy Overview: College Board Opportunity Scholarships 22 Counselors: A Clearer Path to College for All Students-

Program Overview for Educators 24 Students: Turn Your Efforts into Scholarships- Program Overview 25 Counselors: Educator Guide

Step One: Build Your College List28 Students: College Exploration Worksheet 29 Students: College Admissions Glossary

Step Two: Practice for the SAT 32 Students: Steps to Linking College Board and Khan Academy Accounts

Step Three: Improve Your Score 33 Family: Show Up Ready on Test Day. Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy

Step Four: Strengthen Your College List 34 Students: Finding Your College Fit Worksheet 35 Students: How to Strengthen Your College List

Step Five: Complete the FAFSA37 Students and Family: What You Should Know About FAFSA 39 Students: Senior Year Calendar for Students Applying for Financial Aid

Step Six: Apply to Colleges 41 Students: College Application Materials Checklist 42 Students: Recommendations—Student Self-Assessment 43 Counselors: Tips for Letters of Recommendation 47 Frequently Asked Questions

4

IntroductionThe College Board Opportunity Scholarships program rewards juniors and seniors with scholarships for simply completing the actions they need to take to apply to college. Students are not required to write an essay, fill out an application, or have a specific GPA or test score. Scholarships can be used at both 2- and 4-year colleges. College Board has committed $5 million per year to this scholarship program, with half of the scholarships designated for students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year.

THESE ARE THE SIX STEPSStep One: Build Your College List: $500 Build a college list with at least six schools on BigFuture™.

Step Two: Practice for the SAT®: $1,000 Use Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®, and practice for 6 hours, to get ready for test day.

Step Three: Improve Your Score: $2,000 Improve your score on the SAT by 100 points or more from PSAT™ 10 to SAT, PSAT/NMSQT® to SAT, or SAT to SAT, after practicing on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy for 6 hours.

Step Four: Strengthen Your College List: $500 Strengthen your college list on BigFuture with a minimum of one safety, two match, and three reach schools.

Step Five: Complete the FAFSA®: $1,000 Fill out the FAFSA® form to apply for financial aid.

Step Six: Apply to Colleges: $1,000 Apply to at least two colleges you want to attend.

Students who complete all six scholarship steps are eligible to earn a $40,000 Complete Your Journey scholarship. Scholarships are awarded—through monthly drawings—to students who complete each step. Find additional resources and scholarship details at cb.org/opportunity.

ELIGIBILITY The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program is open to juniors and seniors who attend a public, private, or home school located in the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, regardless of citizenship status. Students who are U.S. citizens and residents attending Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools abroad may also participate.

HOW TO JOINEligible students can opt in to the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program by creating a College Board account or signing into an existing College Board account at cb.org/opportunity.

ENCOURAGE YOUR COLLEAGUES TO TAKE THE PLEDGE No one knows more about helping students navigate the college planning process than a school counselor, which is why we’re encouraging counselors from across the nation to join a movement to support students to take advantage of these new scholarship opportunities. Our goal is to encourage as many counselors as possible to complete the pledge and make a commitment. If your colleagues have not yet pledged, encourage them to at cb.org/counselorpledge.

This booklet, along with a college advising pad and poster, are resources that will help you support your students and families through these important college planning steps, so your students can be eligible for all six scholarships and for the $40,000 Complete Your Journey scholarship. The following pages include seven lesson plans and resources labeled “Counselors,” “Students,” and “Family.”

You can find official rules at opportunity.collegeboard.org/about/official-rules.

5

LESSON PLAN

Overview: College Board Opportunity ScholarshipsThis lesson plan provides an overview of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships, a program that guides juniors and seniors through the college planning process and offers them a chance to earn money for college.

OBJECTIVES Counselors will outline:

1. Key features of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships.

2. Eligibility and the six key actions that support students as they prepare, plan, and pay for college.

LESSON PLAN STEPS

1 �

Share the 2-minute College Board Opportunity Scholarships video on the cb.org/opportunity website.

2 �

Highlight the online information and resources located here: cb.org/opportunity.

3 �

Share the purpose of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships: To help students navigate the college planning process and reward their efforts and actions with multiple chances to earn scholarships.

4 �

Guide students to sign up at cb.org/opportunity, using these instructions:

a. Click on the yellow button on the top of the homepage that says “Earn Scholarships.”

b. Enter the student’s College Board Username and Password and then click “Sign In.” If the student does not already have a College Board account, they should create one.

c. Review the Official Rules on the Opt In screen and click Agree.

d. Review My Action Plan to see progress and information on each of the six steps.

5 �

Refer to Educator Guide for details on how to guide your students though My Action Plan.

6 �

Inform your students about the following, and have them review related resources:

a. The more effort your students put in, the more chances they’ll have to earn scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000. Scholarships are awarded—through monthly drawings—to students who complete each step.

b. If your students complete all six steps related to the scholarship program, they’re eligible to earn a $40,000 scholarship. Also remind your juniors that they should opt-in and complete the first three scholarship steps prior to the end of their junior year to be eligible for the $40,000 scholarship.

Setting:Computer Lab

Time Allotted: 30–35 minutes

Student Audience: Juniors and Seniors

Handouts to Copy:

Counselors: A Clearer Path to College for All Students— Program Overview for Educators, Pg. 22

Students: Turn Your Efforts into Scholarships— Program Overview, Pg. 24

Counselors: Educator Guide, Pg. 25

ProTip: Educators of all experience levels can use the lesson plans and handouts to guide students through each of the six scholarship steps.

6

c. Students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year are eligible for increased chances for each scholarship. Half of all scholarships will be designated for these students.

THESE ARE THE SIX STEPS

1. Build Your College List: $500 Open December through July of junior year

Build a college list with at least six schools on BigFuture.

2. Practice for the SAT: $1,000 Open December junior year through October senior year �Use Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy, and practice

for 6 hours to get ready for test day.

3. Improve Your Score: $2,000 Open April junior year through January senior year Improve your score on the SAT by 100 points or more

from PSAT 10 to SAT, PSAT/NMSQT to SAT, or SAT to SAT, after practicing on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy for 6 hours.

4. Strengthen Your College List: $500 Open August through October senior year �Make sure your college list has at least one safety,

two match, and three reach colleges.

5. Complete the FAFSA: $1,000 Open October through February senior year Fill out the FAFSA form to apply for financial aid.

6. Apply to Colleges: $1,000 Open October through February senior year Apply to at least two colleges you want to attend.

Complete all six steps to be eligible for the Complete Your Journey Scholarship: $40,000.

7   Review eligibility requirements:

w The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program is open to juniors and seniors who attend a public, private, or home school located in the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, regardless of citizenship status. Students who are U.S. citizens and residents attending Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools abroad may also participate.

8   Encourage next steps:

w Remind all students that resources to help prepare, plan, and pay for college are available at cb.org/opportunity.

7

LESSON PLAN

Step One: Build Your College ListThis lesson plan is designed to help guide your students through the process of researching colleges that may be a good fit and to show them how to complete the first step in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

OBJECTIVES Counselors will outline:

1. The factors students should consider when researching colleges.

2. The first step in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

3. How to use the college search tool on BigFuture.

Before you begin, students will need:

§ Access to a computer or a device with internet access.

§ To sign in or create a College Board account.

§ To sign up for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program (if they haven’t done so already) at cb.org/opportunity.

LESSON PLAN STEPS

1 �

Review the purpose of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships: To help students navigate the college planning process and reward their efforts and actions with multiple chances to earn scholarships.

2 �

Share the link cb.org/opportunity with students so they can learn more and join the scholarship program.

3 �

Tell students the focus of this activity is to introduce them to the first of the six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program—Build Your College List. Share the following information:

a. This scholarship prompts students to get started by exploring colleges they’re interested in on BigFuture, the free College Board college planning website.

b. Students who create and save a college list on BigFuture with six or more colleges will earn a chance at a $500 scholarship. One hundred scholarships will be awarded each month from January–July of the 11th-grade year.

Setting:Computer Lab

Time Allotted: 40–45 minutes

Action Window: Open December through July of Junior year

Handouts to Copy:

Students: College Exploration Worksheet, Pg. 28

Students: College Admissions Glossary, Pg. 29

ProTip: Many students start their college research too late and don’t explore colleges broadly enough, missing out on schools that could be a great fit for them.

8

4 �

Start a group discussion about the factors students should consider throughout the college search. Here are some suggestions to get the conversation started: size, location, majors and classes, extracurricular activities, distance from home, financial aid, makeup of the student body, housing options, and campus atmosphere.

Possible discussion questions for your students:

a. Do you want to attend a 2- or 4-year college, a single-sex school, a technical or vocational school, a public or private college, a large university, a small liberal arts college, or a historically black or religiously affiliated college?

b. Where do you want to live?

c. How important is the cultural/ideological diversity of the student body?

5 �

Have students use their computer/device to sign up for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program at cb.org/opportunity (if they haven’t already).

6 �

Have students go to bigfuture.org and sign in with their College Board account.

7 �

If time permits, have students start their college search on BigFuture and begin to build a college list.

8 �

Before they leave, remind students of the following ways to earn a chance at a scholarship by building a college list:

a. Have students sign in to their College Board account to build and save a college list with at least six colleges on BigFuture.

b. As students continue to research colleges, they can update their lists and earn additional entries (make sure there are at least six colleges on their list).

c. Students can earn a maximum of one entry per month for updating their list from December–July. That’s seven possible chances at a $500 scholarship!

d. The My Action Plan progress tracker will be updated when students earn an entry. After the first drawing, earned entries will also be on their My Achievement page and Scholarship Card.

9

LESSON PLAN

Step Two: Practice for the SATThis lesson plan is designed to help counselors inform students about the opportunity to earn Practice for the SAT scholarship entries for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships using free Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy. By completing this action, students will complete the second of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

OBJECTIVES Counselor will outline:

1. The second of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program, Practice for the SAT.

2. The steps students need to take to link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts and to begin practicing.

Before you begin, students will need: § Access to a computer or device with internet access.

§ To sign in or create a College Board account.

§ To sign in or create a Khan Academy account and link it to their College Board account.

§ To sign up for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program (if they haven’t already) at cb.org/opportunity.

LESSON PLAN STEPS

1 �

Review the purpose of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships: To help students navigate the college planning process and reward their efforts and actions with multiple chances to earn scholarships.

2 �

Share the link cb.org/opportunity with students so that they can learn more and join the scholarship program.

3 �

Inform your students that the focus of this activity is to introduce them to the second of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program—Practice for the SAT.

4 �

Share the following information and have your students review related resources:

a. Practicing on Khan Academy can help your students improve their SAT scores—and could lead to college scholarships.

b. When it comes to improving scores, a little practice goes a long way. A study of 250,000 students from the class of 2017 showed that Official SAT Practice can help any student improve their scores—regardless of gender, race, income, or high school GPA.

Setting:Computer Lab

Time Allotted: 50–55 minutes

Action Window: Open December junior year through October senior year

Handouts to Copy:

Students: Steps to Linking College Board and Khan Academy Accounts, Pg. 32

ProTip: 6–8 hours of practice for the SAT on Khan Academy is associated with an average 90-point increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT.

10

c. When students link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts, they’ll receive personalized recommendations based on their PSAT-related test performance or diagnostic quizzes if they didn’t take the PSAT-related assessments.

d. There are video and text explanations of the skills covered on the test that show how the test is structured.

e. Be sure your students take some full-length practice exams without interruption so they’ll have a sense of what to expect on test day.

5 �

Provide guidance to students for linking their College Board and Khan Academy accounts using steps outlined in the flyer in the Handouts to Copy section of this booklet.

Have your students:

a. Go to satpractice.org à Create an account—or sign in to an existing account.

b. Link Accounts à When prompted, have your students agree to link their

Khan Academy and College Board accounts.

c. Send Scores à Have your students sign in to the College Board account and hit

Send to get a personalized practice plan.

6  �Before�they�leave,�remind�your�students�of�the�steps�to�earn�a�chance�at�the�Practice for the SAT scholarship:

a. Create a Khan Academy account on satpractice.org and have your students link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts. Next, have them click the prompt to agree to send their scores from College Board to Khan Academy to successfully link the accounts.

b. Students must link their accounts for their practice hours to count toward the $1,000 Practice for the SAT scholarship.

c. Students must practice for at least six hours on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy to earn the first entry.

d. Students can increase their chances of winning by practicing more hours. They earn one additional entry for each additional hour they practice, up to a total of 20 hours. That’s a total of 15 possible entries!

e. The My Action Plan progress tracker will update when students earn an entry. After the first drawing, earned entries will be on the My Achievements page and Scholarship Card.

11

LESSON PLAN

Step Three: Improve Your ScoreThis lesson plan is designed to help counselors inform students about the opportunity to earn Improve Your Score entries for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships using free Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy. By completing this action, students will complete the third of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

OBJECTIVES Counselor will outline:

1. How students complete the third of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program, Improve Your Score.

2. The importance of planning ahead and registering online for the SAT.

3. The importance of practicing for the SAT to get ready for test day.

Before you begin, students will need:

§ Access to a computer or device with internet access.

§ To sign in or create a College Board account.

§ To sign in or create a Khan Academy account and link it to their College Board account.

§ To sign up for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program (if they haven’t already) at cb.org/opportunity.

LESSON PLAN STEPS

1  �Review�the�purpose�of�the�College Board Opportunity Scholarships: To help students navigate the college planning process and reward their efforts and actions with multiple chances to earn scholarships.

2  �Share�the�link�cb.org/opportunity with students so they can learn more and join the scholarship program.

3  �Inform�your�students�that�the�focus�of�this�activity�is�to�introduce�them�to�the�third of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program—Improve Your Score.

4  �Share the following information and have students review related resources:

a. Practicing on Khan Academy can help your students improve their SAT scores—and could lead to college scholarships.

b. Practicing 6–8 hours on Khan Academy is associated with an average 90-point increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT.

Setting:Computer Lab

Time Allotted: 35–45 minutes

Action Window: Open April junior year through January senior year

Handouts to Copy:

Family: Show Up Ready on Test Day—Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy, Pg. 33

ProTip: Students who take the SAT more than once see improved scores, and an increase in their likelihood to enroll in a 2- or 4-year college significantly.

12

c. Students could earn $2,000 for practicing for 6 hours on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy and improving their score by 100 points from PSAT 10 to SAT, PSAT/NMSQT to SAT, or SAT to SAT. The baseline test score from which a student will need to achieve 100+ points of improvement is the highest of their PSAT 10 or PSAT/NMSQT score(s) or the lowest of their SAT scores. Students should review the Official Rules for more details.

d. The College Board will award 25 Improve Your Score scholarships after every SAT.

5  �Encourage�students�to�plan�ahead�and�register�online�for�the�SAT�at�collegeboard.org.

a. Have your students sign in to their free College Board account; a parent or a counselor can’t register for them.

b. Provide full, legal name and other identifying information. The student should be sure it’s the exact name and information shown on their photo ID.

c. Have students decide if they want to answer other questions about themselves. This will take time, but if they want colleges and scholarship organizations to find them, it’s worth it. Help them learn why they should opt in to Student Search Service®.

d. Have students decide whether to sign up for the SAT with Essay and to check which colleges require or recommend the essay.

e. Upload a photo that meets very specific photo requirements.f. Check out and print the Admission Ticket.

g. Students may also need to: i. Enter the identification number on the fee waiver card if they’re using a

fee waiver.ii. Accept their fee waiver benefits if their school identified the student as

fee waiver eligible.iii. Enter the SSD number on their eligibility letter if they’ve been approved

by College Board to test with accommodations.

6  �Before�they�leave,�remind�students�of�the�steps�to�earn�a�chance�at�the�Improve Your Score scholarship:

a. Have the students create a Khan Academy account on satpractice.org and link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts. Then have them click the prompt to agree to send their scores from College Board to Khan Academy to successfully link accounts.

b. Students must link their accounts for their practice hours to count toward the $2,000 Improve Your Score scholarship.

c. Students could earn $2,000 for practicing for 6 hours on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy and improving their scores by 100 points from PSAT 10 to SAT, PSAT/NMSQT to SAT, or SAT to SAT.

d. Students can plan ahead and register for the SAT at collegeboard.org.

13

LESSON PLAN

Step Four: Strengthen Your College ListThis lesson plan is designed to help you guide students through the process of strengthening their college list to have a mix of reach, match, and safety colleges. By completing this action, students will complete the fourth of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

OBJECTIVES Counselor will outline:

1. How to build a well-balanced college list (reach, match, and safety schools) as students enter their senior year.

2. How to complete the fourth step in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

Before you begin, students will need:

§ Access to a computer or device with internet access.

§ To sign in or create a College Board account.

§ To sign up for the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program (if they haven’t already) at cb.org/opportunity.

LESSON PLAN STEPS

1  �Review�the�purpose�of�the�College Board Opportunity Scholarships: To help students navigate the college planning process and reward their efforts and actions with multiple chances to earn scholarships.

2  �Tell�students�that�the�focus�of�this�activity�is�to�introduce�them�to�the�fourth of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program—Strengthen Your College List. Share the following information:

a. Many students start their college research too late and don’t explore colleges broadly enough, missing out on schools that could be a great academic fit.

b. This scholarship prompts students to revisit their college list to make sure it is well-balanced with at least one safety, two match, and three reach colleges.

c. Students who strengthen their college list on BigFuture with at least one safety, two match, and three reach colleges will earn a chance at a $500 scholarship. It is important to remind students they will need to save their list.

Setting:Computer Lab

Time Allotted: 40–45 minutes

Action Window: Open August through October senior year

Handouts to Copy:

Students: Finding Your College Fit Worksheet, Pg. 34How to Strengthen Your College List, Pg. 35

ProTip: It’s important to build a balanced college list that reflects your students’ wants and needs while also keeping in mind what colleges can meet those needs and help them succeed.

14

3  �Review�with�students�the�definitions�of�safety,�match,�and�reach�colleges.�(Refer to the Finding Your College Fit Worksheet in the Handouts to Copy section.)

4  �Have�students�go�to�bigfuture.org and sign in to their account. (This is their College Board account.)

5  �Students�should�check�the�academic�fit�of�the�schools�on�their�list�based�on�the definitions provided in the handout. Students may add or remove colleges based on academic fit and other considerations. Remind them they must save their list of at least six schools and their list must include a minimum of one safety, two match, and three reach colleges. (Refer to How to Strengthen Your College List in the Handouts to Copy section.)

6  �Before�they�leave,�remind�students�of�the�following�ways�to�earn�a�chance�at�a�scholarship by strengthening their college list:

a. Sign in to their College Board account and strengthen their college list on BigFuture with at least six colleges that include a minimum of one safety, two match, and three reach colleges.

b. As students continue to research colleges, they can update their lists and earn an additional entry each month. Make sure their lists meet the minimum of six colleges.)

c. Students can earn a maximum of one entry per month for updating their list from August–October. That’s three possible chances at a $500 scholarship!

15

LESSON PLAN

Step Five: Complete the FAFSAThis lesson plan offers information to help your students and their families understand what they need to know to submit the FAFSA. By completing this action, students will complete the fifth of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

OBJECTIVES Counselors will outline:

1. The FAFSA scholarship eligibility requirements.

2. The key things students and families need to know:

a. Where do they go to complete the FAFSA form online?

b. Where do they find Federal Student Aid Resources?

3. The next steps after they have completed the FAFSA.

LESSON PLAN STEPS

1  �Review�the�purpose�of�the�College Board Opportunity Scholarships: To help students navigate the college planning process and reward their efforts and actions with multiple chances to earn scholarships.

2  �Tell�students�that�the�focus�of�this�activity�is�to�introduce�them�to�the�fifth of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program—Complete the FAFSA. Share the following information:

a. Students who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will earn a chance at a $1,000 scholarship.

b. It is important to fill out the FAFSA regardless of family income—it’s free and qualifies students for many types of financial aid.

c. Let students know that in 2018 an estimated 36% of seniors didn’t fill out the FAFSA, and they left billions of dollars of federal financial aid on the table.

d. Students who are ineligible to complete the FAFSA (e.g., undocumented students, international students attending school in the U.S.) can still earn an entry for the Complete the FAFSA scholarship step.

Setting:Classroom

Time Allotted: 20–25 minutes

Action Window: Open October through February senior year

Handouts to Copy:

Students and Family: What You Should Know About FAFSA, Pg. 37

Students: Senior Year Calendar for Students Applying for Financial Aid, Pg. 39

ProTip: Research shows that FAFSA completion drives students to receive more aid, enroll in college, complete their degrees, and increase their later earnings.

16

3  �The key things students need to know:

a. The FAFSA is the place to start and it’s free—to qualify for many types of aid, students will need to complete the FAFSA. This application gives them access to grants, scholarships, work-study jobs, and loans.

b. The FAFSA is not only for federal aid; many state governments and colleges also use this application to award their own aid.

c. Where do students go to complete the FAFSA form online? To complete the FAFSA form online, students should go to fafsa.gov. The form is available beginning October 1 of senior year.

d. Where do students find resources?

i. Review the Federal Student Aid Toolkit at financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov for more information about how you can assist students with federal financial aid and FAFSA completion.

ii. studentaid.gov provides detailed information for students and parents about the FAFSA, the FSA ID, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, student dependency status, reporting parent information, and what happens after the FAFSA is submitted.

iii. Students can access free, personalized FAFSA assistance from their College Board Opportunity Scholarships accounts. Penny, a texting chatbot, offers reminders and easy-to-understand help with questions about the FAFSA, including the FSA ID, reporting parent information, the Data Retrieval Tool, and much more.

4   Important Scholarship Information:

a. If selected for this scholarship, students will be required to provide a photo or printout of the FAFSA submission confirmation email to verify they submitted the FAFSA. If the student was ineligible to complete the FAFSA, no further steps will be required.

17

LESSON PLAN

Step Six: Apply to CollegesThis lesson plan is designed to help you guide your students through the process of applying to college. By completing this action, students will complete the last of six steps in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program.

OBJECTIVES Counselors will outline:

1. The appropriate number of colleges to apply to and how to be eligible for the Apply to Colleges scholarship.

2. The college application materials that students need to apply to college.

LESSON PLAN STEPS

1  �Review�the�purpose�of�the�College�Board�Opportunity�Scholarships:�To�help�students navigate the college planning process and reward their efforts and actions with multiple chances to earn scholarships.

2  �Tell�students�that�the�focus�of�this�activity�is�to�introduce�them�to�the�sixth step in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program—Apply to Colleges.

3  �Print�and�distribute�the�College�Application�Materials�Checklist�in�the�Handouts to Copy section of this booklet.

a. Discuss what is an appropriate number of universities to have on a college list.

b. Review the similarities and differences between types of universities (public, private, urban, and rural).

c. Review different types of universities and remind students of the importance of applying to a minimum of one safety, two match, and three reach colleges.

Setting:Classroom

Time Allotted: 35–40 minutes

Action Window: Open October through February senior year

Handouts to Copy:

Students: College Application Materials Checklist, Pg. 41

Students: Recommendations—Student Self-Assessment, Pg. 42

Counselors: Tips for Letters of Recommendation, Pg. 43

ProTip: Students frequently apply to only a college or two. Additional college applications increase students’ chances of enrolling in a four-year college.

18

4  �Remind�students�how�to�gather�and�submit�required�materials�in�a� timely manner.

a. Résumé

b. Transcript

c. Official test scores

d. Recommendation letters

e. Essay

5  �Demonstrate�how�students�can�log�in�and�create�accounts�in�Common�Application, Coalition Application, and/or a local university application.

6  �Review tips for a successful application submission.

a. Grammar/spelling

b. Ensure someone will review the student’s application

c. Remind students of deadlines

d. Fee waivers/payments

7  �Have�each�student�complete�the�self-assessment.�This�assessment�will�help teachers and counselors write letters of recommendation and also support students in building their résumés based on the questions offered in the assessment.

8  �Encourage�next�steps:

a. Students who wish to enter the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program should create a College Board account or link an existing College Board account at cb.org/opportunity.

b. Students will be required to provide a photo or printout of the confirmation page of at least two college applications if they’re selected for this scholarship.

19

20

Handouts to Copy

College Board is investing $5 million per year in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships, with half of the scholarships designated for students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year. Applying to college is a complicated process, so we’ve created a program that guides students through it and rewards their efforts. Your students are eligible to earn scholarships by taking the following actions during certain windows in their junior and senior years:

A Clearer Path to College for All Students

College BoardOpportunity Scholarships

The Scholarships The Actions Action Window

1. Build Your College List: $500

Build a college list with at least six schools on BigFuture™.

Junior Year: December–July

2. Practice for the SAT: $1,000

Use Official SAT® Practice on Khan Academy®, and practice for 6 hours to get�ready�for test day.

Junior�Year�Through�Fall�Senior�Year:� � December–October

3. Improve Your Score: $2,000

Improve your score on the SAT by 100 points or more either from PSAT™ 10 to SAT, PSAT/NMSQT® to SAT, or SAT to SAT, after practicing on Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy for 6 hours.

Spring Junior Year Through Winter Senior Year: April–January

4. Strengthen Your College List: $500

Strengthen your college list on BigFuture with a minimum of one safety, two match, and three reach schools.

Summer and Fall Senior Year: August–October

5. Complete the FAFSA: $1,000

Fill out the FAFSA form to apply for financial aid.

Fall and Winter Senior Year: October–February

6. Apply to Colleges: $1,000

Apply to at least two colleges you want to attend.

Fall and Winter Senior Year: October–February

Complete Your Journey: $40,000

Complete all six scholarship steps within the action windows.

Final Drawing: March of Senior Year

The more steps students take toward college, the more opportunities they have to earn a scholarship.Learn more about scholarship details and student eligibility at cb.org/opportunity.

Counselors

22

Counselors

Junior Year

Sen

ior Year

key action

decjan

febm

arapr

may

junjul

augsep

oct

nov

dec

janfeb

Bu

ild You

r C

ollege List: $500

100 winners every m

onth

Practice for

the S

AT

®: $1,000

150 winners every m

onth

Imp

rove You

r Score:

$2,000

juniors—get started

25 w

inners25

winners

25 w

inners25

winners

25 w

inners25

winners

Stren

gth

en

Your C

ollege List: $500

100 winners every m

onth

Com

plete

the FA

FS

A®:

$1,000200

winners

200 w

inners200

winners

100 w

inners100

winners

Ap

ply to

Colleges:

$1,000S

cholarship action window

s and drawings are

based on the college planning calendar.500

winners

Com

plete

Your

Journ

ey: $40,000

25 w

inners

Steps to help students prepare. Scholarships to help them pay.

The C

ollege Board O

pportunity Scholarships guide juniors and seniors through the college planning process and offers them

a chance to earn m

oney for college for each action they complete. S

cholarships ranging from $500 to $40,000 are aw

arded through m

onthly drawings during certain action w

indows. P

rogram eligibility begins in D

ecember of a student’s junior year and runs

through February of their senior year. The m

ore steps students take toward college, the m

ore opportunities they have to earn.

Additional Educator R

esources to Support StudentsV

isit cb.org/cou

nselorpledge and Take the P

ledge—join a national m

ovement to support students on their college journeys, and

encourage them to take advantage of the clear steps and benefits of the C

ollege Board O

pportunity Scholarships.

Check out cb.org

/opp

ortun

ityscholarsh

ipsresou

rces for Implem

entation Tools—dow

nloadable resources to support your entire school com

munity and drive student engagem

ent by guiding your students through these important college planning steps.

23

© 2020 College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.Khan�Academy�is�a�registered�trademark�in�the�United�States�and�other�jurisdictions.� �

The College Board Opportunity Scholarships guide you through the college planning process and offer you a chance to earn money for college for each action you complete. The more effort you put in, the more opportunities you’ll have to earn. It doesn’t require an essay or an application, and it doesn’t have a minimum GPA or test score requirement. Scholarships can be used at 2- and 4-year colleges.

Turn your efforts into scholarships

College BoardOpportunity Scholarships

1. Build Your College List: $500 Get started by exploring colleges you’re interested in on BigFuture™.

2. Practice for the SAT: $1,000 Use Official SAT® Practice on Khan Academy® to get ready for test day.

3. Improve Your Score: $2,000 Show how practice pays off by improving your SAT score from your PSAT™ 10, PSAT/NMSQT®, or a previous SAT score.

4. Strengthen Your College List: $500 Make sure your college list on BigFuture has a mix of safety, match, and reach schools.

5. Complete the FAFSA: $1,000 Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial aid.

6. Apply to Colleges: $1,000 Apply to colleges you want to attend.

Complete Your Journey: $40,000 Complete all six scholarship steps to be eligible for a $40,000 scholarship.

Students

Learn more and get started at cb.org/opportunity.

24

Use this guide to help your students earn scholarship opportunities through the College Board Opportunity Scholarships. Your students can get started by visiting cb.org/opportunity and joining the program.

How to Join College Board Opportunity Scholarships When students join the program from the homepage (cb.org/opportunity), they’ll see a notice to “Opt In” to review and accept the�program’s�official�rules.

If a student meets the eligibility criteria but is unable to opt in to the program, double-check their College Board account information. If it appears to be correct but they still can’t opt in, contact Customer Support at 844-298-3554 or opportunityscholarships@collegeboard.org.

NOTE: Students must scroll through the Official Rules before they can hit Agree.

Educator Guide ELIGIBILITY FOR COLLEGE BOARD OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS

Students are eligible to join if they: § Are a junior or senior in high school § Attend school in the U.S., Puerto Rico,

U.S. territories, or are homeschooled § Are a U.S. citizen and resident attending

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools abroad

My Action PlanOn the My Action Plan page:

Progress Tracker: This displays each of the scholarships. It also indicates, using green and gray, which scholarships are available or unavailable.

Scholarships Card: Each scholarship connects to a card that gives students more information and details their progress.

Counselors

25

How to Start Earning Scholarship EntriesThe Get Started link in the progress tracker takes the student to the scholarship�card,�where�they�get�more�information�about�how�to�qualify for and get started on each scholarship.

If a student hasn’t completed an open scholarship, they’ll see a link to Get Started on the progress tracker and scholarship card.

How Students See Progress for Individual ScholarshipsOnce students join the program, they’re taken to their personalized My Action�Plan�page.�They�can�visit�it�at�any�time�to�see�their�progress and�keep�earning�credit�toward�scholarships.�

Under My Action Plan, students can see their progress toward qualifying for�an�entry�for�each�scholarship�both�in�the�progress�tracker and�in�the�scholarship�card.��

For example, from the Practice for the SAT® scholarship card, students can�click the�Get Started button to head to Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy®�and�practice for�the SAT.�Students�then�see�the�hours�they’ve�practiced�in the Practice�for�the SAT�scholarship�card.�

How Students See an Earned EntryUnder My Action Plan, students will see a banner alerting them that they’ve earned an entry and “1 completed action” toward the Complete�Your Journey�scholarship.�They’ll�also�see�an�earned�entry for the individual scholarship in the progress tracker and the scholarship card, indicated by a green check mark.

26

Earning Additional Entries by Taking Additional ActionsSome scholarships, like Build Your College List and Practice for the SAT, let students earn additional entries after they qualify for the scholarship for the first time. For example, students can earn additional entries for the Build Your College List scholarship by continuing to update their college list each month.

Students can earn entries for the Practice for the SAT scholarship for each additional hour they practice on�Official�SAT�Practice�(up to 20�hours).�

If a student has earned additional entries, they’ll see an alert banner under My Action Plan signifying they’ve earned an entry and “1 completed action” toward the Complete Your Journey scholarship, and an earned entry for the individual scholarship in the progress tracker and in the scholarship card.

Earning Additional Entries Based on Family IncomeHalf of all scholarships are designated for students from low- and middle-income families. To prequalify for these additional entries, a student must either:

§ Have an existing PSAT-related assessment or SAT fee waiver approved by their counselor and associated with their College Board account.

§ Attend a high school where the federal government has recognized the percentage of students receiving free and reduced-price lunch as greater than or equal to 75%.

If these two prequalifying criteria aren’t relevant for the student but their family earns less than $60,000 per year, the student can manually indicate their eligibility for these additional scholarship entries. Students can find the additional entries card (pictured here) below the progress tracker on their My Action Plan page.

© 2020 College Board. Khan Academy is a registered trademark in the United States and other jurisdictions.

27

Students

College Exploration WorksheetPurpose: To develop college research and assessment skills Materials: Computer lab or college information books

Name of College:________________________________________________________________________________________

Location of College:

Financial assistance (type of financial aid, average financial aid package, average student graduation indebtedness):

Type of College:

Size of the college:

Small town Urban/city

Suburban Rural

Other:_____________________

Two-year Four-year

Public Private

Benefits of the location (activities, etc.):

Special academic programs:

Special opportunities (internships, study abroad):

Academic support services:

TotalUndergraduate

Commuters

Graduate

Residential

Type of Classroom: Lecture

Small seminars

Independent study

Other:_____________________

Instructors: Full-time faculty

Part-time faculty

Graduate student teaching assistants

Why might you recommend this college to a friend?

Student body makeup:

Career services:

Residential housing:

Noteworthy alumni:

28

College Admissions Glossary What’s a transcript? What’s the difference between early action and early decision? When applying to college, you are bound to come across unfamiliar terms. This glossary can help you make sense of all the information you’re sorting through.

ACT® A standardized college admissions test that features four main sections: English, math, reading, and science—and an optional essay section.

Admissions Tests Also known as college admissions tests, these tests are designed to measure students’ skills and help colleges determine if students are ready for college-level work. The ACT and the College Board SAT are two standardized admissions tests used in the United States. The word “standardized” means that the test measures the same thing in the same way for everyone who takes it. Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/testing/which -college-admission-tests-do-i-need-to-take.

Articulation Agreement An agreement between two- and four-year colleges that makes it easier to transfer credits between them. It spells out which courses count for degree credit and the grades needed to get credit.

Candidates Reply Date Agreement (CRDA) An agreement many colleges follow gives applicants until May�1�to�accept�or�decline�offers�of�admission.�Before�deciding�on�an�offer,�this�agreement�gives�applicants�time�to receive responses from most of the colleges they have applied to.

Class Rank A measurement of how your academic achievement compares with that of other students in your grade. This number is usually determined by using a weighted GPA that takes�into�account�both�your�grades�and�the�difficulty�of�the�courses you’ve taken.

Coalition Application A standard application form accepted by members of the Coalition�for�Access,�Affordability,�and�Success.�You�can�use�this application to apply to any of the more than 90 colleges and universities that are members of the Coalition. For more information, visit coalitionforcollegeaccess.org.

College Application Essay An essay that a college requires students to write and submit as part of their applications. Some colleges require applicants�to�answer�specific�questions,�while�others� simply ask them to write about themselves. Colleges may refer to this as a “personal statement.” Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays.

College Credit What you earn when you successfully complete a college-level course. You need a certain number of credits to graduate with a degree. Colleges may also grant�credit�for�scores�on�exams,�such�as�those�offered�by the College Board AP® Program and CLEP®. Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/testing/learn -about-the-ap-program.

Common Application A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the Common Application association. You�can�fill�out�this�application�once�and�submit�it�to�any�one—or several—of the nearly 700 colleges that accept it. For more information, visit commonapp.org.

Deferred Admission Permission from a college that has accepted you to postpone enrolling in the college. The postponement is usually for up to one year.

Students

29

Early Action (EA) An option to submit your applications before the regular deadlines. When you apply early action, you get admissions decisions from colleges earlier than usual. Early action plans aren’t binding, which means that you don’t have to enroll in a college if you are accepted early action. Some colleges have an early action option called EA II, which has a later application deadline than their regular EA plan. Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101 /the-facts-about-applying-early-is-it-right-for-you.

Early Decision (ED) An�option�to�submit�an�application�to�your�first-choice�college before the regular deadline. When you apply early decision, you get an admissions decision earlier than usual. Early decision plans are binding. You agree to enroll in the college�immediately�if�admitted�and�offered�a�financial�aid package that meets your needs. Some colleges have an early decision option called ED II, which has a later application deadline than their regular ED plan. Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101 /the-facts-about-applying-early-is-it-right-for-you.

Financial Aid Money given or loaned to you to help pay for college. Financial aid can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations. Visit bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial -aid-101/financial-aid-can-help-you-afford-college.

Grade Point Average (GPA) A number that shows overall academic performance. It’s computed by assigning a point value to each grade you earn. See also Weighted Grade Point Average.

Legacy Applicant A college applicant with a relative (usually a parent or grandparent) who graduated from that college. Some colleges give preference to legacy applicants (also called “legacies”).

Need-Blind Admission A policy of making admission decisions without considering the�financial�circumstances�of�applicants.�Colleges�that�use�this�policy�may�not�offer�enough�financial�aid�to�meet�a�student’s full need.

Open Admission A policy of accepting any high school graduate, no matter what their grades are, until all spaces in the incoming class are�filled.�Almost�all�two-year�community�colleges�have�an�open-admission policy. However, a college with a general open-admission policy may have admissions requirements for certain programs.

Placement Tests Tests that measure the academic skills needed for college-level work. These tests cover reading, writing, math, and sometimes other subjects. Placement test results help determine what courses you are ready for and whether you�would�benefit�from�remedial�classes.�Visit� bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/inside-the -classroom/get-college-ready-now.

Priority Date or Deadline The date your application—whether it’s for college admission,�student�housing,�or�financial�aid—must�be�received to be given the strongest consideration.

Registrar The�college�official�who�registers�students.�The�registrar�may also be responsible for keeping permanent records and�maintaining�your�student�file.

Rolling Admission An admissions policy of considering each application as soon as all required information (such as high school records and test scores) has been received, rather than setting an application deadline and reviewing applications in a batch. Colleges that use a rolling admissions policy usually notify applicants of admission decisions quickly.

SAT The College Board standardized college admissions test. It features three main sections: math, reading, and writing, including an optional written essay. For more information, visit sat.org.

SAT Subject Tests Hour-long, content-based college admissions tests that allow�you�to�showcase�achievement�in�specific�subject�areas: English, history, math, science, and languages. Some colleges use SAT Subject Tests™ to place students into the appropriate courses as well as to make admission decisions. Based on your performance on the test(s), you could�potentially�fulfill�basic�requirements�or�earn�credit�for introductory-level courses. For more information, visit satsubjecttests.org.

30

Sophomore Standing The status of a second-year student. A college may grant sophomore standing to an incoming freshman if they have earned college credits through courses, exams, or other programs.

Transcript The�official�record�of�your�coursework�at�a�school�or�college.�Your high school transcript is usually required for college admission�and�for�some�financial�aid�packages.

Transfer Student A student who enrolls in a college after having attended another college.

Undergraduate A college student who is working toward an associate or a bachelor’s degree.

Universal College Application A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are�Universal�College�Application�members.�You�can�fill�out�this application once and submit it to any one—or several—of the more than 3,044 colleges that accept it. For more information, visit universalcollegeapp.com.

Waitlist The list of applicants who may be admitted to a college if space becomes available. Colleges wait to hear if all the students they accepted decide to attend. If students don’t enroll and there are empty spots, a college may fill�them�with�students�who�are�on�the�waitlist.�Visit� bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/making-a-decision /what-to-do-if-youre-wait-listed.

Weighted Grade Point Average (GPA) A grade point average that’s calculated using a system that assigns a higher point value to grades in more difficult�classes.�For�example,�some�high�schools�assign�the value of 5.0 (instead of the standard 4.0) for an A earned in an AP class. Visit pages.collegeboard.org/how-to-convert-gpa-4.0-scale.

31

Get personalized practice recommendations based on your results from the SAT®, PSAT/NMSQT®, PSATTM 10, and PSATTM 8/9. Take these steps to connect your College Board and Khan Academy® accounts:

Go to satpractice.orgCreate an account on

Khan Academy, or sign into

your existing account.

1Link Your Accounts

When prompted, agree to

link your Khan Academy

and College Board accounts.

2Send Your Scores

Sign in to your College Board

account, and hit “Send” to get

a personalized practice plan.

3

Sign up. Link up. Get practicing. satpractice.org

Official SAT Practice

PREPARE FOR THE SAT WITH

© 2020 College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.Khan Academy is a registered trademark in the United States and other jurisdictions.

Students

32

Family

© 2020 College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation.Khan Academy is a registered trademark in the United States and other jurisdictions.

Official SAT® Practice on Khan Academy® is the best way to prepare for the SAT, and it’s free! It’s tailored for you, focusing on exactly what you need to practice most. Get started today.

Sign up for free today at satpractice.org.Are you an educator? Get tools to help spread the word about the benefits of Official SAT Practice at satpractice.org/k12.

Interactive Problems and Instant Feedback Get hints, explanations, and constant progress updates to know where you stand.

Video Lessons Watch easy-to-follow videos that explain problems step by step and give you tips for studying and test day.

Full-Length Practice Tests Check your progress with our eight official practice tests.

Personalized Study Plan Connect your College Board and Khan Academy accounts to create a personalized study plan based on your results on the PSAT/NMSQT® and other tests.

Big Results Students who used these tools saw improvement—6–8 hours of practice is associated with an average 90-point increase from the PSAT/NMSQT to the SAT.

Show Up Ready on Test Day

33

Reach: Your SAT® or ACT® score is higher than the average score range of last year’s freshman class.

Match: Your SAT or ACT score is solidly in the same score range as last year’s freshman class.

Safety: Your SAT or ACT score is lower than the average score range of last year’s freshman class. But don’t let that stop you! Colleges consider the whole package.

Test scores are important, but they aren’t the only factor. Your chances of admission depend on your GPA and your high school achievements, as well as how many students apply and how many students a college admits. You want to make sure to look at factors such as location, cost, size, and majors offered. You also want to determine what colleges are an overall good social, financial, and academic fit for you, so having a balanced list is important. Ultimately, your list should reflect your wants and needs while also keeping in mind what colleges can meet those needs and help you succeed.

Write your picks below. Take your list to meetings with your school counselor and others who may help you choose where to apply. Need help finding colleges? Visit bigfuture.org to search colleges and save your college list. Complete step four in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program by saving six colleges that meet the criteria in the chart below. You could earn a chance at a $500 scholarship!

Students

Finding Your College Fit WorksheetIt depends on how your SAT or ACT score compares to those of admitted students.

College Your Test SAT Score Is …Academic Fit Based on Your SAT Score

Above the average score range Reach

Above the average score range Reach

Above the average score range Reach

Within the average score range Match

Within the average score range Match

Below the average score range Safety

34

Before you start your applications, strengthen your list to include three reach colleges, two match colleges, and one safety college to ensure you apply to a balanced list of schools that match your academic abilities. Strengthen your list on bigfuture.org, and you can earn an entry for the $500 Strengthen scholarship.

How to Strengthen Your College List

As you finalize your application list, make sure to look at factors such as location, cost, size, and majors offered. These other factors can help you determine what colleges are a good overall social, financial, and academic fit for you.

Students

Use your SAT or ACT score to sort colleges on your list into these three categories:Reach college: Your SAT or ACT® score is lower than the average score range of last year’s freshman class.

Match college: Your SAT or ACT score is solidly in the same score range as last year’s freshman class.

Safety college: Your SAT or ACT score is higher than the average score range of last year’s freshman class.

SIGN IN TO YOUR ACCOUNTVisit bigfuture.org to sign in and view your list.

ENTER AN SAT OR ACT SCOREEnter your most recent SAT or ACT score—or estimate your score if you don’t have one—to update your list to categorize your colleges as reach, match, and safety. If we have your score, it will appear here.

1

2

35

VIEW YOUR LISTSee how your colleges fall within the reach, match, and safety categories. The Quick Facts and reach, match, and safety designation on the college cards can help you determine which colleges might be a good financial, academic, and personal fit for you. The tracker indicates your progress toward the Strengthen scholarship. Click on Keep Adding Colleges (or Add Colleges to Your List if you haven’t added any colleges) to add more to your list.

SEARCH COLLEGES

ADD COLLEGES TO YOUR LIST

Search for colleges based on what’s important to you. Find reach, match, and safety colleges, and filter based on type of school, location, or school size. You can also sort by cost and graduation rate or enter a college by name.

Click the Add to My List button to add a college to your list.

REVIEW YOUR LISTMake sure you’ve included at least six colleges—three reach, two match, and one safety—to meet the Strengthen requirements. Once you have all six, the tracker will indicate that you’ve earned an entry in the scholarship drawing. Return to opportunity.collegeboard.org to see your earned entry.

Don’t forget to share your list with your parent/guardian, school counselor and/or teacher to ask for their feedback.

6

5

4

3

36

What You Should Know About FAFSA®:THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID

WHAT IS FEDERAL STUDENT AID?Federal�student�aid�comes�from�the�federal�government—specifically,�the�U.S.�Department�of�Education.�It’s�money that helps a student pay for higher education expenses (i.e., college, career school, or graduate school expenses). Federal student aid covers expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. There are three main categories of federal student aid: grants, work-study, and loans.

WHO GETS FEDERAL STUDENT AID?Every student who meets certain eligibility requirements can get some type of federal student aid, regardless of age or family income. Some of the most basic eligibility requirements are that you must:

o Learn more, visit studentaid.gov/how-calculated

o Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen

o Have a valid Social Security number

o Register (if you haven’t already) with Selective Service if you’re a male between the ages of 18 and 25

o Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school

o Show�you’re�qualified�to�obtain�a�college�or�career�school�education�by

• Having�a�high�school�diploma�or�a�General�Educational�Development�(GED)�certificate�or�a state-recognized equivalent; or

• Completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law; or

• Enrolling in an eligible career pathways program.

Find more details about eligibility requirements at studentaid.gov/eligibility.

STEP 1

Create an FSA ID. Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access U.S. Department of Education

websites.�Your�FSA�ID�is�used�to�confirm�your�identity�and�electronically sign your federal student aid documents. To create a FSA ID, visit studentaid.gov/fsaid.

STEP 2

Collect the documents needed to apply, including income tax returns and W-2 forms (and other records of income). A full list is available at fafsa.gov.

StudentsFamily

37

STEP 3

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. The FAFSA is available from Oct. 1–June�30.�But�you�need�to�apply�as�soon�as�you�can!� Colleges and states often use FAFSA information to award

nonfederal aid, and their deadlines are usually earlier in�the�year.�You�can�find�state�deadlines�at�fafsa.gov. Also check with the colleges you’re interested in for their deadlines.

STEP 4

If you’re eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), we strongly urge you to use the tool. It’s the easiest way to provide your tax data and the best way of being sure that your FAFSA has accurate tax information. The IRS

DRT lets students and parents get the IRS tax return information they need to complete the FAFSA, and to transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS website.

STEP 5

Review your Student Aid Report. After you apply, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report, or SAR. Your SAR has the information reported on your FAFSA and usually includes your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is a

number (not a dollar amount) used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. Review your SAR information to make sure it’s correct. The school(s) you list on your FAFSA will get your SAR data electronically.

STEP 6

If�you’re�selected�for�verification,�your�school’s�financial�aid�office�will�ask�you�to�submit�tax�transcripts�and�other�documents, as appropriate. Be sure to meet the school’s deadline, or you will not be able to receive federal

student�aid.�Whether�you’re�selected�for�verification�or�not,�make�sure�the�financial�aid�office�at�the�school�has�all the information they need to determine your eligibility.

STEP 7

Contact�the�financial�aid�office�if�you�have�any�questions�about�the�aid�being�offered.�Review�award�packages�from schools to compare amounts and types of aid being�offered.�Decide�which�school�to�attend�based�on�a�combination of (a) how well the school suits your needs, and�(b)�its�affordability�after�all�aid�is�taken�into�account.

Note: You also might be able to get financial aid from your state government, your school, or a private scholarship. Research nonfederal aid early (ideally, start in the spring of your junior year of high school). Be sure to meet all application deadlines!

Source: Department of Education

38

Senior Year Calendar for Students Applying for Financial Aid

SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR

o Research scholarship opportunities for which you might be eligible. An early start will give you time to meet deadlines and to prepare a competitive application.

o Create the FSA ID and password for yourself and at least one parent at studentaid.gov/fsaid.

SEPTEMBER

o Ask your school counselor about local scholarships offered�by�community�groups,�civic�associations,�and�businesses in your area.

o Start gathering what you need to complete the FAFSA®. Visit FAFSA online at fafsa.gov for a list of required documents.

o If you’re going to apply Early Decision to a college, and financial�aid�is�an�important�part�of�your�decision�to�attend,�review application deadlines and requirements carefully.

o Use the online financial aid calculator on collegeboard.org to estimate your family’s expected family contribution (EFC).

o Complete the Net Price Calculator on the college website. The Net Price Calculator is a tool that students can use to get an early indication of how much and what types of financial�aid�they�might�receive.�

OCTOBER

o Find out if there’s a family financial aid night at your high school or in your area.

o If�you�need�to�fill�out�the�CSS Profile™, visit cssprofile.org. The application becomes available Oct. 1.

o If any scholarship applications need recommendations, request them now, or at least four weeks before the deadline.

o If a college you’re applying to has an early financial aid priority date, submit your FAFSA as soon as you can. Be sure you have completed any supplemental applications required by the college.

o File the FAFSA and other aid forms now. Remember: Some�funds�may�be�awarded�on�a�first-come,�first-served�basis. Apply early to ensure you meet deadlines and maximize your aid award.

NOVEMBER

o Check each college’s financial aid section of their website for deadlines and the required forms.

Students

39

DECEMBER

o Check�the�status�of�your�admission�and�financial�aid�applications. If any outstanding items are required by your college, ensure you respond by required deadlines. Many colleges provide online resources where you can check the status of your application.

JANUARY

o If needed, correct or update your Student Aid Report (SAR) that follows the FAFSA. Contact the college financial�aid�office�for�additional�guidance.�

o If�you�submitted�the�CSS�Profile�and�you�haven’t�received�a�communication�from�your�college’s�financial�aid�office,�check to see if the review of your application is on track.

MARCH

o Submit�any�final,�outstanding�information�or�documentation�that may be required to process your aid award.

APRIL

o Most�admission�decisions�and�financial�aid�award�letters�arrive this month. Carefully compare financial aid award letters from the colleges that accept you.

o Contact the colleges if you have any questions about the financial aid packages�they’ve�offered�you.�Make�sure�you understand all terms and conditions.

o If you didn’t get enough aid to be able to attend a particular college, explore other alternatives to cover the cost. Additional options might include federal loans, such as the Parent Loan to Undergraduate Students (PLUS), which may not have been included in your initial award.

If�your�family’s�financial�circumstances�have�changed� or you have special circumstances that may impact your�eligibility,�contact�your�financial�aid�office�to� discuss your options.

o Make�a�final�decision,�accept the aid package, and mail a deposit check to the college you select before May 1 (the acceptance deadline for most schools).

o On the waiting list�at�your�first-choice�college?�Don’t�let�being waitlisted jeopardize your aid at another college that has accepted you. Accept that award in case you don’t�make�it�off�the�waiting�list.

MAY

o Thank everyone who wrote you recommendations or helped with your scholarship applications.

JUNE

o Think about your summer job options. The more money�you�make,�the�easier�it�will�be�to�finance�college—and have some fun during the school year.

40

College Application Materials ChecklistUse this checklist to keep track of the application forms and materials required by each college you’re applying to.

FORMSRequires secondary school report

Requires midyear school report

TEST SCORESRequires entrance exam

Requires test scores be sent from testing agency

Requires SAT Subject Tests™

Requires other state test scores

RECOMMENDATION LETTERSRequires teacher letter of recommendation

Requires�counselor�(or�other�school�official) letter of recommendation

ESSAYS/INTERVIEWSRequires essays

Requires interview

Recommends interview

FINANCIAL AID FORMSRequires FAFSA®

Requires�CSS�Profile™

Requires supplemental institutional form

Requires state form

College 1 College 3College 2 College 4

Students

41

Recommendations— Student Self-AssessmentThis form assists your college counselor in writing your recommendation. The more specific details you give, the more thorough your college recommendation will be. This form will also help you with the entire college application process, especially in preparing for interviews and writing admission essays. Enter your responses online or use a separate sheet of paper.

Name: ___________________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________

1  �School�activities:�List�the�activities�that�you�have�participated�in,�the�number�of�years�and�the�amount�of time per week you spent, and what you learned from each activity. Consider artistic, athletic, literary, community service, and leadership positions.

2  �Which�activity�was�the�most�important�to�you?�Why?

3  �What�do�you�consider�your�most�important�activities�outside�of�school?�List�paid�or�voluntary�jobs, religious activities, hobbies, travel, music, art, and drama. Include the number of years of your involvement and the amount of time you spent weekly on the activity and explain why this activity was significant to you.

4  �In�or�out�of�school,�which�awards�and�honors�have�you�received?�Which�elected�offices�have�you�held?

5  �What�book(s)�have�had�the�greatest�impact�on�you?�Why?

6  �Describe�the�academic�accomplishment�(major�paper,�science�experiment,�and/or�artistic�project)� you are the most proud of and explain why you take pride in it.

7  �What�kind�of�learner�are�you?�Which�academic�setting�or�assignments�make�you�thrive?� What interests you?

8  �List�your�three�most�distinguishing�or�most�admirable�qualities.�Explain�each�in�several�sentences.

9  �What�do�you�hope�to�accomplish�in�college�and�after�college?�Consider�your�career�goals�and�your�broader goals.

Students

42

Tips for Letters of RecommendationA strong letter of recommendation from a counselor , coach, teacher and/or administrator can be—and often is—the differentiator that will get a student a closer look in the admissions process.

SUGGESTIONSGather information: Develop a method of obtaining information from your students through questionnaires, one-on-one meetings, or other techniques.

Personalize: Use the information to write an individualized and accurate letter. It should provide a picture of the student that can’t be found in any other part of the application.

Contextualize: Place the student in the context of their class or the school. Help the college understand your caseload and how well you know the student. Explain any unusual circumstances that may have affected the student’s performance (within your rights given confidentiality constraints).

Share key attributes: Address attitude/character as well as academic ability. Relate observed characteristics such as leadership, passion, interests, and special talents.

Provide examples: Support your points with stories and details that highlight the student. Address growth if you have known the student over a significant period of time.

Stay honest: Be candid and comprehensive and include negatives if you are comfortable doing so.

Contribute to campus: Describe why you feel the student is a good fit for the campus and how the student can add to the community based on what you know about the college and its students.

Stick to one page: A specific, short letter is preferable to a general, long one.

Send it in: Share your letter with the college along with other forms like the counselor evaluation form. If you’re sending a copy of a letter, be sure it is a clear photocopy. Keep a copy for yourself and don’t hesitate to call the college if there is additional information you’d prefer to relay via phone.

THINGS TO AVOID

§ Listing information that’s available on the application

§ Paraphrasing others who are writing recommendations

§ Using the same language for multiple student recommendations

§ Commenting on the student’s appearance

§ Having typos and grammatical mistakes

§ Assuming that high grades are sufficient for selective colleges to admit a student

§ Underestimating the impact a compelling letter can have on a student’s application

Counselors

43

NOTES

44

NOTES

45

NOTES

46

Frequently Asked QuestionsCan students receive more than one scholarship? Yes, students can receive multiple scholarships by earning two or more different scholarships and/or by earning the same scholarship in different months.

Can these scholarships be used at two- and four-year institutions? Yes, College Board Opportunity Scholarships can be used at any Title IV accredited institution.

How will students get their scholarships? College Board will follow up with scholarship recipients in the spring of their senior year regarding disbursement of the scholarship funds. Our program will use similar approaches to other scholarship programs and our member leaders, including financial aid officers, have advised us as we create our disbursement process.

Are these scholarships only for tuition?College Board Opportunity Scholarships can be applied to tuition, books, fees, and other relevant educational expenses.

What if a student is ineligible to complete the FAFSA? Students who are ineligible to complete the FAFSA (i.e., undocumented students, international students attending school in the U.S.) can still earn an entry for the Complete the FAFSA scholarship by going to their My Action Plan page.

How will you verify that a student has taken the scholarship actions? The College Board Opportunity Scholarships platform will verify actions students take on other College Board–associated platforms (e.g., BigFuture, Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy), but for the actions that students take outside of College Board–associated properties, verification will be required from students who are selected for those scholarships.

How will students be identified as having family income of less than $60,000 in order to earn additional chances at the scholarships? Students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year will earn additional chances at scholarships if they receive fee waivers from College Board, if the school they attend has 75%+ free and reduced-price lunch students, and/or if the student self-reports their family income.

What is College Board commitment to protecting student data? College Board is committed to protecting students’ privacy. Learn more about College Board data privacy overview, privacy statement, and program specific privacy policies at https://about.collegeboard.org/privacy-policy/data-privacy-overview.

47

© 2020 College Board. College Board, AP, CLEP, SAT, Student Search Service, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of College Board. BigFuture, CSS Profile, PSAT, and SAT Subject Tests are trademarks owned by College Board. PSAT/NMSQT is a registered trademark of College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Visit College Board on the web: collegeboard.org.Khan�Academy�is�a�registered�trademark�in�the�United�States�and�other�jurisdictions. 017499-099

Resources

cb.org/opportunityGet your students to start here! Find information on the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program, including eligibility, official rules, FAQ, resources for parents and educators, and more. Downloadable resources for students, parents, and educators on this website include the following:

FOR STUDENTS/PARENTSHandout: Providing an Overview of the College Board Opportunity Scholarships

Flyer: Telling Students About the College Board Opportunity Scholarships

PowerPoint: Guiding Your Students Through the Program

FOR COUNSELORS/EDUCATORSPosters: Sharing with your community

Handout: Helping Your Students with the Scholarship Steps

Additional implementation support materials can be found at cb.org/opportunityscholarshipsresources

bigfuture.orgStudents and parents are given detailed postsecondary planning information on this website. Topics range from the college search process to applying for financial aid. Videos from students and counseling professionals are available.

collegereadiness.collegeboard.orgThis website provides information regarding the SAT Suite of Assessments, including descriptions of the assessments, important dates, practice questions, and much more.

satpractice.orgGet started here with Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy. See what’s available for students. To watch a walk-through video, along with SAT tips and strategies, go to the Tips and Strategies tab.

youtube.com/collegeboardWatch helpful videos on linking College Board and Khan Academy accounts, understanding SAT scores, and more.

counselors.collegeboard.orgLearn more about our free, CEU-eligible counselor professional learning events offered all year. Events include in-person workshops and webinars on topics from college advising to financial aid. E-learning minimodules, overviews of College Board programs, and downloadable presentations and handouts are also available.

fafsa.govThe federal government website for everything to do with federal student aid. This is where students go to fill out the FAFSA. Helpful announcements are posted on the homepage.

studentaid.govThis is for students and parents. It provides detailed information about the FAFSA, the FSA ID, the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, student dependency status, reporting parent information, and what happens after the FAFSA is submitted.

financialaidtoolkit.ed.govPacked with resources, this website provides fact sheets, videos, infographics, PowerPoint presentations, sample tweets, etc., to help counselors advise students about financial aid.

collegeaccess.orgThis website provides helpful tools to help students apply for aid—including a FAFSA Completion Tracker, How to Fill Out the FAFSA guide, and more.