Back to School Night
Senior Meeting
September 20, 2012
The Process Begins….
 Senior meetings will begin the first week
of October
 Finalize college selections (before Oct. 1st )
 Finish college applications
 Update or start an academic resume
 Continue looking at possible majors
 Go on college visits!
 Take the SAT/ACT
 Meet with college reps when they visit
College Applications
 Many applications are online
 Print Counselor Forms online to
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bring in
Fill out application NEATLY
Bring to Counselor Office to get
transcript, etc.
We cannot send in any money!
Keep a folder or file with all your info
in it
Keep a calendar of deadlines!
Ask teachers for recommendation
letters early
Where to Access Applications
Click on Counselor’s Corner
Click on College Applications
College Go! Week
 A great time to apply
 September 24-28, 2012
 Encourages students to
take practical steps in
preparation for college
 Certain colleges and
universities will waive
the application fee
during this week!
College Application
Do’s and Don’ts
 Keep it neat (legible)
 No nicknames (emails, etc)
 Write in pen – all in one color
 Complete everything
 Sign it!
 Include your money
 Apply online if possible
 Have them all done by Thanksgiving
Registering for SAT / ACT
 Register for SAT online at
www.collegeboard.org
 Register for ACT online at
www.actstudent.org
 Be sure to send scores to Whiting –
School Code is 153810
 Be sure to send scores to colleges
 See Mrs. Duncan about a fee waiver if
you qualify for free-reduced lunch
COLLEGE IS EXPENSIVE,
BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE!
 Average Community College
$3,000
 Average Public University
$16,000
 Average Private University
$28,000
 Elite Private College
$40,000 +
Financial Aid Information
 Attend Financial Aid Night at Whiting HS on
January 24, 2013
 Complete FAFSA online: the STUDENT and
PARENT both need a PIN
 PIN is the electronic signature
 Apply early for PIN numbers at
www.PIN.ed.gov
 www.FAFSA.ed.gov is the website to
complete the FAFSA online
College Quick Facts
 Many families qualify for financial aid
even though they think they make too
much money
 Colleges are in competition for students
 Colleges have empty seats to fill
 Colleges will pay for good students
 90% of students attending private
colleges receive financial aid
Additional Tips
 Follow up with college if you get a
rejection letter
 If test scores or grades are low, send in
application with a letter of explanation
and/or recommendation
 Apply to at least one private and one
public school
Scholarship Information
 Apply early and apply often
 There are many good scholarship search
engines online that are free:
 Scholarships.com helps you find money for
college as well as learn about the entire
financial aid process.
 Search Fastweb.com to find scholarships
and information on financial aid, job, and
internships
 The more information you have, the more
prepared you’ll be to plan for your future
Academic Scholarships
 Most commonly thought of scholarships
 Usually need a good GPA or standardized test
scores, such as SAT/ACT
 Often related to academic performance, but can
also be given to a candidate displaying artistic or
athletic excellence
 Example: National Merit Scholarship  qualify by
taking the PSAT and receiving a high student
score
 If you do not qualify for an academic scholarship,
don’t worry!
Student Specific Scholarships
 Chances are there is at least one scholarship
out there that you’re eligible for
 Make a list of what makes you special, and look
into the organizations, local groups, and private
corporations that may have funding set aside
for education
 Example: Scholarships for left-handed students,
students with a particular last name, tall
students and students who are vegetarians
 Best Buy runs a scholarship program for
incoming college students interested in
community service
Student Specific Scholarships
 The good thing about having a unique hobby is
that the awards for those hobbies may be less
competitive than needs-based or more highprofile scholarships
 Think about what makes you stand out, and
consider contacting local organizations that fit
those criteria
 If you’re going into a field that is unique, look to
your community for awards in that field of study
you’re pursuing
Community Scholarships
 Scholarship providers like
to see people from their
communities succeed
 They often offer local
scholarships available only
to residents of their
community
 The number of students
who qualify is based on
location, so chances of
winning local scholarships
are often better
 This can make local
scholarships an attractive
and easy option for
funding your education.
 Example: BP offers
scholarships to children of
its employees who achieve
academic excellence
 McDonalds offers
scholarships to employees
who are a high school
senior and show
commitment to school,
work, and volunteering in
their community
Other Ways to Find Local
Scholarships
 Local Scholarship Bulletin
 Morning announcements at school
 Scholarship Corner across from Mrs. Duncan’s
office
 The Counselor’s Corner website
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Go to Whiting High School website
Click on the “For Students” heading
Select the “The Counselor’s Corner” link
 Whiting High School online announcements
Counselor’s Corner
Updated Weekly!!
When to Apply
 Watch application deadlines
According to the National
Scholarship Database,
60% of scholarship
deadlines fall between
February and April
 Students should begin
applying at least a few
months prior to this,
preferably between
September and December
 Now is the time!
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Websites of Interest
 www.collegeboard.org
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Information about SAT, SAT practice tests, SAT sign-up,
links to college websites
www.act.org
Information about ACT, ACT practice tests, ACT sign-up
and more
www.learnmoreindiana.com
Indiana’s own website to research colleges and careers
www.scholarships.com
Free internet college scholarship search and financial aid
resource
www.fastweb.com
A great site for researching scholarships and getting
financial aid information
Websites of Interest
 www.knowhow2go.org
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Provides useful information by grade level to prepare for
college, apply to college, what to ask on a campus visit,
and much more!
www.triptocollege.org
Provides college planning timeline, figures and
information about preparing and paying for college, a
savings growth calculator, and information about Indiana
Colleges
www.Wachovia.com/CollegeReady
Offers products and services for parents and students
who need to fund a college education
www.ecampustours.com
Take a virtual tour of over 1200 college campuses! A
great place to start the college search process
www.indianacareerexplorer.com
Online system that helps students plan for a career
through exploration of majors, occupations, and interests