What You Should Know About Applying to College

What You Should Know About Applying to College 1

On behalf of the United States Hispanic Leadership InstituteI would like to welcome you to our 2008 Career & CollegeRecruitment Fair. We are glad you are here. Today could beone of the most important days in your life. It all dependson whether or not you do anything with what you will seeand hear. Most high school students in America will neverget to experience what you will be experiencing today, especially if you are Latino or AfricanAmerican. So please take advantage of this day.

Just six years from now, the 28 largest employers in America will require that every employeehave a college education. That’s how fast the job market is changing. And that’s how fast jobrequirements are changing. So plan accordingly. If you haven’t started making your plans foryour post-secondary education or training, start doing it now.

Remember, getting some kind of education or training is the key to your future. But that doesn’tmean that you have to go to a four-year college and earn a bachelor’s degree. While that wouldbe great, it is just as great for you to earn a degree from a one-year vocational school, or a two-year technical college, or consider the military. It all depends on what is best for you. You de-cide. The choice is yours. But choose wisely. It’s one of those choices that you will have to livewith the rest of your life.

Again, we are glad that you are here, along with the many teachers, counselors, recruiters, andothers who care very much about you and your future. We are especially glad they are here too.

So enjoy our speakers and presenters. Visit our recruiters. And get as much as you can out ofthis experience.

Be sure to thank someone today for your Career & College Recruitment Fair, whether it’s yourteacher, counselor, or a friend that encouraged you to come, and our sponsors.

Good luck and God bless you.

Dr. Juan Andrade Jr.

An Open Letter to Students

Introduction:

General Admission Procedures for

Vocational and Technical Schools

All vocational and technical schools will have a specific

registration form that is required in order to be considered

for admission, and the number and kind of additional doc-

uments required may also vary.

Students should contact whichever school they may be

interested in attending and request an admission form and

ask about any deadlines that may apply and any addi-

tional documents that may need to be submitted along

with the application form. Once the application has been

submitted, it is the applicant’s responsibility to promptly

report any changes to the information submitted, for

example, name, address, starting term, major or area of

concentration/specialization.

Depending on the category under which the applicant

qualifies for admission, some of the additional documents

required may include:

• For high school graduates, an official copy of high

• school transcript

• For college or university transfers, an official

• transcript from any institution attended

• For non-graduates, a copy of GED certificate or

• official score report

• For individual approval students, an individual

• approval form

• For exceptional admission students, requirements vary

• based on category:

1. For a student age 16 or older and currently

enrolled in high school without a diploma

or GED, an exceptional admission form is

required. This form must be signed by a parent

or guardian and high school representative.

Additionally, qualifying scores in writing

and/or reading and/or mathematics on

approved assessment instruments are required.

2. For a student age 16 or older and a graduate

of a home high school, or unaccredited

high school, an exceptional admission

form signed by a parent or guardian is required.

3. For a student age 16 and no longer attending

high school, or age 15 or younger, an exceptional

admission form signed by a parent or guardian

and a high school representative is required, in

addition to qualifying scores in writing, reading,

and mathematics. An information session with

a school official may also be required.

In addition, some programs may require applicants to:

• submit scores from a state-approved test

• take a placement test or other departmental test admin-

• istered by the school or provide appropriate documen-

• tation of a state-issued exemption/waiver

• take an assessment test administered by the school’s

• Counseling and Testing Office

• submit a physical standards statement assessing their

• physical capabilities

• submit letters of recommendation

• or submit other program-specific requirements

2 United States Hispanic Leadership Institute

International Students .

International student applicants who do not hold United

States citizenship or permanent resident status should re-

quest a packet for international admissions. International

student applicants should also consult with the Registrar’s

Office to identify their student status and to determine the

specific documents they may need to provide. The fol-

lowing documentation may be required:

• application for admission and student health services form

• college entrance testing, depending on major field

• of study

• immunization records

• English translations of all secondary and/or post-

• secondary transcripts

• official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign

• Language) score report showing a minimum score of

• 550 on a paper exam, or 213 on a computer-base exam

• (applies to applicants from countries in which English

• is not the primary language)

• current affidavit of financial support to indicate

• ability to pay fees and reside in the United States while

• attending school

• valid visa, passport, and I-20 (applies to applicants

• already in the U.S.)

Due to delays in international communications, interna-

tional applicants are encouraged to complete all admis-

sion requirements at least 90 days prior to the expected

entry date. When the required documents are received

and approved, the applicant is issued an acceptance letter

and I-20MN.

International students

must adhere strictly to

U.S. Immigration and

Naturalization laws.

Must Do’s!Adhering to U.S. Immigration and

Naturalization Laws

1. be enrolled as a full-time student and maintain

1. satisfac tory progress in their coursework

2. maintain a I-94 on file in the Registrar’s Office

3. carry medical and hospitalization insurance

4. obtain federal financial aid (except students

4. holding I-151 to I-551 visas) and comply with all

4. school regulations and laws of the United States


Continuing Education and/or Workforce

Development

Admission requirement for continuing education and

workforce training pro-

grams are different from

those previously de-

scribed. Students interested

in these programs should

contact their school’s Of-

fice of Continuing

Education and/or Work-

force Development for

more information.

Requirements for Receiving Financial Aid

Students requesting financial assistance must complete

the Federal Assistance for Student Aid (FAFSA) applica-

tion. Required documentation may include, but is not

limited to, applicant’s and spouse, if married, and parents’

tax return for the year requested on the FAFSA, verifica-

tion of dependency status, verification of citizenship sta-

tus, and proof of marital status. Students should consult

the Financial Aid Office regarding requirements.

Student Loans

Students must usually be en-

rolled in and attend a minimum

of six (6) credit hours each term

to qualify for student loans. Loan funds for students bor-

rowing for the first time are usually not available until 31

days after the first class day, as governed by the federal

Department of Education. Students are required to meet

all of the terms of the Financial Aid Standards of

Academic Progress for every term in which a student loan

is disbursed. Students should consult the Financial Aid

Office regarding requirements.

Other Types of Assistance

Sponsored Programs

Veteran’s Program

Veteran’s Checklist

General Scholarships

State/Federal Grants and Scholarships

Private Grants and Scholarships


1. Submit a Federal Assistance for Student Aid (FAFSA)/Pell

Grant application to obtain a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

2. Complete an application for financial aid.

3. Complete an application for admission.

4. Obtain a current driver’s license

Tipsfor Vocational and Technical Applicants














Start Now! A Four-YearPlan to Prepare You For College

9th Grade• Take the most challenging courses. They’re worth it.

• Start thinking about your future career. Collect

• information and save it.

• Talk to people with jobs that interest you.

• Talk to your high school counselor about college.

• Talk to your parents about saving for college. Talk

• to your high school counselor about financial aid, too.

• Go to career day and visit college fairs in your area.

• Find information on Tech-Prep courses you can earn

• college credit for classes you take in high school.

• Volunteer for community organizations and

• extracurricular activities.

• Take summer programs that focus on subject areas

• of interest, such as science or math.

• Make a study plan for your classes and keep your

• grades up.

10th Grade• Read as much as you can, but don’t forget to work on

• your writing skills.

• Watch the news, read the newspaper and keep up with

• the local, state, and national news.

• Keep your grades up.

• Keep in contact with your high school counselor let

• him/her know about your future plans.

• Explore your options for Tech-Prep courses.

• Take part in summer enrichment programs and special

• workshops that focus on a particular subject, such as

• science or math.

• Start compiling a resume to keep track of your

• involvement in community service projects, include

• recent accomplishments and awards.

Start Now! A Four-Year Plan to Prepare You For College


11th Grade• Ask your high school counselor for information on

• colleges and universities.

• Expand your extracurricular activities. Ask your

• counselor about internship opportunities and available

• in your area.

• Watch the news, read the newspaper, keep up with

• what is happening to student loans, grants, and

• scholarships.

• Attend college open houses, college fairs, and other

• similar events.

• Tell your parents about your colleges/university you

• are considering.

• Request information about admission requirements,

• applications, and financial aid information to 10

• schools of your interest online. It’s fast and easy!

• Research scholarships available for the 10 schools of

• your interest.

• Take Advanced Placement (AP), International Bac

• calaureate (IB), Dual or Concurrent Credit, and Tech-

• Prep courses to accumulate college credits.

• Take the required SAT I, SAT II, or ACT if you plan

• to attend a university.

12th Grade

• Review your class schedule with your counselor to

• ensure you meet all college-preparatory requirements.

• Continue attending different college open houses, •

• college fairs, and similar events.

• Check with your high school counselor as well as all

• college advisors about scholarship opportunities and

• fill out every scholarship application available for

• you (see scholarship list below). Scholarships are often

• listed on the university website as well.

• Get a free application for Federal Student Aid

• (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or by phone at

• 1-800-4-FED-AID.

• Complete and submit the FAFSA form as soon as

• possible after the year of your graduation starts. The

• sooner you

• submit it, the

• better your

• chances for

• getting a good

• financial aid

• package.

• Write to the college you have chosen to let them know

• you plan to attend.

• See an academic advisor at college or university you

• will b e attending, then register early.

• Finalize college-housing arrangements, if you plan to

• live on campus.

• Take part in summer orientation programs for

• incoming freshman.









RESOURCES

www.fafsa.ed.gov www.kaplan.com

www.aessuccess.org/(Financial aid information) www.educacionsuperior.org/ (Información en Español)

www.chci.org/chciyouth/index.htm www.collegeview.com

www.maldef.org www.adelantefund.org

www.aausports.org www.automotivehalloffame.org www.grandmothersforpeace.org

www.beanactuary.org www.gm.com/company/careers/student/stu_scholar.html

www.cawg.org www.chicanalatina.org

www.youthdevelopment.coca-cola.com/ach_ccs.html www.eliewieselfoundation.org

www.executivewomen.org/ScriptContent/scholarships/scholarship.cfm www.gmsp.org www.gfoa.org

www.scholarship.hacu.net www.hispanicfund.org

www.henaac.org www.hispanicheritageawards.org

www.hsf.net www.jackierobinson.org

www.spie.org www.linc-usa.org/nr/press_062100.html

www.foundation.launidadlatina.org www.lnesc.org www.lulac.org

www.hermana.org/programs/scholarship.htm www.migrant.net www.maga.org www.nahj.org

www.nationalsculpture.org www.wagingpeace.org

www.pflag.org www.poetry.com

www.collegeboard.com www.prudential.com

www.radcliffe.edu/murray/grants/index.htm www.salef.org

www.shpefoundation.org www.spsnational.org

www.ual.org/scholarship.htm www.uncf.org/scholarships/index.asp

www.cga.edu www.hitachi.org

www.usc.edu/student-affairs/MAAA-Web www.xerox.com

** www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org ** www.scholarshiphunter.com

** www.scholarsite.com ** www.YesICan.gov ** www.maldef.org


RESOURCES

Scholarship Deadline Website Adelante! – Miller Brewing & UPS

May 31 http://www.adelantefund.org/

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

April 16 http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarship.htm

Fondo Futuro Scholarship Varies http://www.fondofuturo.com/ff-application.html Gates Millennium Scholarship TBD http://www.hsf.net/Scholarships.aspx/id=426

Hewlett Packard Scholar Program March 15 http://www.hp.com/scholars/

Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities

New Deadlines Pending

https://scholarships.hacu.net/applications/applicants/

Hispanic College Fund - MUST (NASA) - Hilton Family Diversity

Scholarship - Marriot Scholars - Sallie Mae Fund - ALPFA - Google - Kaiser Permanente College To

Caring Program - Pharmacy Scholar Program - Lockheed Martin - Sodexho - Manuel Candamo Memorial

Scholarship Program - Ford Mi Fuerza Program - Denny's Scholarship Program - MasterCard Scholarship

Program

March 15 March 1 April 15 May 15

http://www.hispanicfund.org/scholarships.php

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) - Ford Motor Company - General Motors - IDT Hope High School

Scholarship Program (New York)

- Toyota High School Scholarship (Select Universities)

March 15 TBD TBD

http://www.hsf.net/Scholarships.aspx/id=426

Jackie Robinson Foundation March 31 http://www.jackierobinson.org/apply/index.php LULAC National Scholarship Fund

March 31 http://www.lnesc.org/

National Association of Hispanic Journalists

March 31 http://www.nahj.org/educationalprograms/currentscholarships.shml

The Sallie Mae Fund - First in My Family - Unmet Need

April 15 May 31

http://www.thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/scholarship/index.html

Salvadoran American Leadership & Education Fund (California)

June 30th http://www.salef.org/

La Unidad Latina Foundation Feb.15 & Oct. 15

http://foundation.launidadlatina.org/Apply.htm

Veterans of Foreign Wars - Voice of Democracy Scholarship

November 1 http://www.vfw.org (Programs Menu)

Xerox September 30 http://www.xerox.com (Click Careers link)

Documents

What You Should Know About Applying to College