How to Go to CollegeSupporting your student 9-12th grade

Who we are and what do we do . . .

Hazen’s High School Guidance Counselors:A-E: Christi LeickF-Li: Brenda DayLo-Ri: Brian CreeleyRo-Z: Rita Silva-Ponds

Career Center Specialist: Denise Anderson

How do we help your student get to college/achieve their goals?

Purpose of our workshop today

Today we’ll be discussing:• Steps that can be taken 9th – 12th grades to

support your student’s goal of college• Preparing students to be a strong applicant• How to choose the right college/finding a

“fit”• How to pay for college

Steps to support your student 9 -12th grade:Help your student become college ready

Suggestions for every year:1. Help your student explore colleges they

might want to attend in the future2. Review the high school graduation

requirements3. Research college entrance requirements4. Tell teachers your student is going to

college5. Talk to your School Counselor regularly

High School vs. College RequirementsHigh School Courses

2014-2015H.S. Graduation

2016-2017H.S. Graduation

4-year college admissions/minimum

Language Arts 3 years 4 years 4 years

Social Studies 3 years 3 years 3 years

Math 3 years 3 years 4 years (Algebra 3-4 min)

Science 2 years 2 years 3+ years (lab science)

Occupational Ed.

1.5 year 1 year 1 year

Fine Arts 1 year 1 year 1 year

Physical Education

2 years 1.5 years 2 years/1.5 years

Health 0.5 year 0.5 year 0.5 year

World Language not required but can be elective credits

2 years

Electives 6 credits focus on college/ career goals

Help your child become “college ready”

What does “College Ready” mean?

What do Colleges want from a College-Ready High School Graduate?• Course rigor/Honors & AP, Running Start• High School Transcript, class rank, and GPA• Test Scores (SAT or ACT)• Community involvement/service• Extra-Curricular Activities (sports, clubs)• Work experience• Personal essays and letters of

recommendation

Reaching High: Help your student become “college ready”You can encourage your student to:• Ask for help from teachers, counselors,

coaches, etc.• Read to learn more• Utilize effective study skills• Manage multiple demands on their time• Choose rigorous coursework: Honors

classes, Advanced Placement classes, Running Start

• When it’s hard, talk to your student about how persevering is part of the process!

College Fit – There are so many options!

Opportunities to learn more about colleges: • Local College Fairs•Go visit a campus, drop in or take a tour• Special programs for 1st generation, diverse backgrounds, etc. on campuses •Admissions Representatives at Hazen High School

Considerations:•Academic AND personal goals/needs• Location, career goals, diversity, size, support •Help your student make realistic choices•Community college first, verses 4-year university

What you do in college, is more important than where you go!

Yes – You can afford college• What is Financial Aid?•Grants- you don’t pay back, determined by your family’s financial need•Loans- you pay the government back with interest•Scholarships- Students apply for on their own• Private scholarships: www.washboard.org, Hazen Career Center support• College scholarships: Be sure to meet the college financial aid deadlines for the most opportunity

You won’t know the true cost of college until your get the financial aid offer back from the college.

Financial AidThe FAFSA stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” – the critical first step in applying for any financial aid and scholarship eligibility (College Bound Scholarship, and others!)!

Senior Year:1. Apply for a pin (ID) number in December (

www.pin.ed.gov): One PIN for parents, one PIN for student.

2. Parent and student: Complete a FAFSA form (www.fafsa.gov) after January 1st – the sooner the better! Goal is to be done by Feb. 1st. • Never pay for financial aid or

scholarship help!

Financial Aid Help at Hazen

1. Financial Aid Night/Money Maze: Tuesday, Dec. 10th, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Hazen Auditorium

2. FAFSA Completion Event at Hazen: Thursday, January 16th, 2:30 – 6:30 p.m., Hazen Library

3. Contact your school counselor

4. Call FAFSA Directly: (800) 433-3243

A Checklist for 9th & 10th graders

11th grade – To Do

12th grade -To Do

Additional Resources

• College Board: www.CollegeBoard.org • Financial Aid Help:

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/help.htm • First in the Family:

www.FirstInTheFamily.org • Know How 2 Go:

http://knowhow2go.acenet.edu/ • Washington Student Achievement Council:

http://www.wsac.wa.gov/• Info for undocumented students:

http://www.washington.edu/dreamproject/students/undocumented/

Questions and Answers

Feel free to write a question on the notecard provided; we want to answer all of your questions!