Graduation to Matriculation

Collaboration Session

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Start Smart: Beginning College on the Right Foot

Transitions to College: An Advising Curriculum for High School Seniors

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Graduation to Matriculation
Sound familiar?Ive decided where Im going to college, and Im so happy Im done with this process!

Not so fast. Summertimes full of deadlines!

Were here to help with:Understanding financial aid.School requirements due over the summer.Who to ask for help when you have questions.Connecting you to available resources.How to ask the right questions.Starting college feeling prepared.

Provided by Success Boston Peer Mentor at UMass Boston.

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Tuition deposit Due May 1 Payment required to hold place in class/dorms once youve been accepted.Dont send your deposit before receiving your financial aid award letter.

1st bill arrives July If your financial aid doesnt cover the full cost of attendance, youll receive a bill for 1st semester. There are many ways to pay this bill. Ask uAspire or your Financial Aid office for help.

Set up tuition payment plan July A way to pay your remaining tuition bill over time (3-12 months). Visit your schools Financial Aid or Student Accounts office to set this up.


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Sign MPN and Complete Loan Counseling July

MPN is the application for the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.

Loan Counseling is a short workshop to help you understand the loans youre borrowing.

It takes 30 minutes to complete both. Contact your college to find out where theyd like you to complete these.

You must complete both of these to receive your federal student loans.
Sign MPN and Complete Loan Counseling July

MPN is the application for the Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.

Loan Counseling is a short workshop to help you understand the loans youre borrowing.

It takes 30 minutes to complete both. Contact your college to find out where theyd like you to complete these.

You must complete both of these to receive your federal student loans.

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Pay your 1st tuition bill Early AugustBill must be paid just one month after you get it, so plan ahead.Not paying your bill could mean no housing or classes being dropped. If youre worried about how to pay, talk to your Financial Aid office about options.

Understand your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy AugustPolicy assures youre moving toward your diploma.Fall below a certain grade point average (GPA) and you can be ineligible for aid.Know your schools policy!
EXAMPLE: UMass Boston SAP policy Credits Received Minimum GPA Required1-15 credits... .1.516-30 credits 1.65

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Meet your Financial Aid officer August, before school begins

First friends on campus.Helpful with payment plans, finding work study opportunities, informing you about the SAP policy, and more.On campus advocates are essential.Simply say hello.

Find a work study position August, before school begins

If awarded work study, you must earn it.On-campus job, flexible hours, variety of types.Find jobs with your schools Financial Aid or Career office: apply interview get hired

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Buy textbooks September, right after school begins

Books can be expensive; purchase them early for the best deal.Buy used books to save money on websites like: www.amazon.comwww.half.ebay.comwww.campusbooks.comwww.affordabook.com

Buy T pass/parking permit September, right after school begins

The earlier the better:Most schools have discounted semester subway passes if purchased in the first 2 weeks of school. Check out MBTA.com for more information.Parking permits can run out, too.

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Start Smart


There are many steps and requirements for you to complete between the time youre accepted to college and the time you start in September.

Be proactive, NOT reactive.

Seek help if you have questions. Its natural to have questions. College is a new experience for all of you.

There are many resources within reach that want to help you succeed.

Start early. Summer isnt that long.

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Start Smart


Can you find your school below?

If so, you have a Financial Aid Liaison:A great resource to answer any questions you have.Someone wholl help you navigate your college campus.Will help you reach out to student services, academic support, etc.

Babson CollegeBrandeis UniversityLasell CollegeNewbury CollegeSuffolk UniversityWheelockCollegeBentley UniversityBHCCLesley UniversityPine ManorUMass AmherstBoston CollegeEmerson CollegeMass Bay CCRCCUMass BostonBoston UniversityEmmanuel CollegeMass College of ArtSalem State Wentworth Institute of Tech

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Start Smart


Know your resources and who can help:Financial Aid LiaisonWill help you review your financial aid award.Will help you understand your schools SAP policy.Will help direct you to and connect you with resources on your campus.

If you dont have a Financial Aid Liaison, dont worry:Financial Aid OfficeWill answer all financial aid questions specific to your school.Will help you understand important deadlines and requirements at your school.Will keep you informed about the status of your account at school.uAspireWill help you look for scholarshipsWill help you understand your financial aid and tuition billWill help connect you with resources to make college more affordable

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What Would You Do?

Hello! My name is Carlos, and I just graduated from high school. In the fall, Im heading to UMass Boston.
Its the middle of July, and I just received my first semester tuition bill thats due August 14, 2013 for $3000. Im not sure how Im going to pay this bill
What would you do?

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Start Smart


Steps You Could Take: 1st TUITION BILL

Act immediately. Youll get this bill in July. Dont wait until the week before its due.

Contact your FAO or Financial Aid Liaison (if applicable) to discuss ways to pay.

Visit your Financial Aid office to set up a tuition payment plan.

Contact uAspire for help searching for scholarships and ways to pay your bill.

Use the money you saved from working during the year and the summer months to pay this bill.

Develop a plan with your parent or guardian about how youll make this payment.

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What Would You Do?

There are several different items included on my 1st semester tuition bill. Whats all this stuff?
Health insurance is included on my tuition bill. Its going to cost me $1500! I know I need insurance, but are there any other options?
What would you do?

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Start Smart


Steps You Could Take: HEALTH INSURANCE

Ask your parent(s) or guardian(s) what current provider and plan youre using for health insurance.

Make sure you arent double paying for your familys health insurance and the schools health insurance.

If youre currently covered under MASS Health and are 19 years old or younger, you can get the college health insurance waived.

Call the Student Accounts office at your school to find out how to waive the schools health insurance.

Check your online student account to check the status of your health insurance.

Call your Financial Aid office, Financial Aid Liaison, or uAspire if you need help.

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What Would You Do?

I was accepted at UMass Boston and received a good financial aid package. There are a bunch of next steps, though
I received my award letter 6 weeks before graduation. It says I have to complete something called the MPN and loan counseling. Ive never heard of either of these
What would you do?

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Start Smart


Steps You Could Take: MPN/LOAN COUNSELING

Contact your Financial Aid office to find out how they want you to complete these requirements.

Contact your FAO, Financial Aid Liaison, or uAspire if you need some guiding steps.

Dont wait to get started with these requirements. Take care of them early before the weather becomes nice.

They take 30 minutes to complete.

Dont rush through either the MPN or Loan Counseling.

The MPN is a legally binding agreement, so make sure you understand the information. Dont be afraid to ask for help!

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What Would You Do?

What would you do?
A lot of my friends have been getting stuff from their collegesroommate information, tuition bills, and other things.
I havent received any of this information, and Im not sure why. Maybe the school forgot about me? Or maybe I just dont owe them any money?

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Start Smart


Steps You Could Take: STUDENT ACCOUNT SETUP

Contact any staff member at your college campusadmissions representative, financial aid officer, housing, and beyond. Check with them to see what you may be missing.

Check all your mail and emaildepending on the email address you used on your applications.

Set up an online account with your college. Most schools use their own intranets to send important information to students. The sooner you set it up, the more likely you are to get necessary information.

Dont stop therecheck it regularly. You dont want to miss out!

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Start Smart


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Start Smart

School starts in a week. Im getting pretty excited. The only thing I really need to do is find a job.
I do remember something on my financial aid award letter about work something, but I cant remember what it was exactly
What would you do?

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Final Thoughts


Remember to ask questions. Start early. Summers too short! There are plenty of people who want to help. There are several resources available to help. Contact your Financial Aid office and Financial Aid Liaison for help.

31 St James Avenue, Suite 520Boston, MA 02116617-778-7195

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Handout: Earning potential for educational attainmentHandout: Suggestions before starting \ Dos and Donts
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Documents

Graduation to Matriculation