September 26, 2014

Senior Class Meeting

Senior Timeline - FallContinue Your Education! Trade School Community College University Military

Why Go to College?

Whether you are uncertain about going to college or you just need some reassurance you're on the right track, here are a few reasons to go to continue your education:

Why Go to College?

Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than it was for your parents' generation.

Today most good jobs require more than a high school diploma.

Why Go to College?

Every bit of education you get after high school increases the chances you'll earn good pay. Most college graduates earn

more money during their working years than people who stop their education at high school earn.

Why Go to College? The more education you get the

more likely it is you will always have a job. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them.

Why Go to College?

Businesses want to hire people who know how to think and solve problems.

Education beyond high school gives you a lot of other benefits, including meeting new people, taking part in new opportunities to explore your interests, and experiencing success.

Apply! Now is the time to apply for Early

Admission For a Texas School, go to

www.applytexas.org

Click on “Create your account now” and fill out your profile information.

Be sure to save your USERNAME and write down the PASSWORD that you chose.PASSWORD that you chose.

You have successfully saved Your myApplyTexas profile.

Your Username is: dunl123 You will need your username each time

you log on to ApplyTexas so save it in your phone or take a screen shot.

You may now go to My Applications and create a new application.

Put it in your phone!

My Applications

Choose either “Create a new 4 year university admissions application” or “Create a new 2 year college admissions application”

If the 2 year college you want to go to says “coming soon” then go directly to that school’s website and apply there. You will find a link for either “future students” or “perspective students” then a button for “admissions” or “apply on line”

If you want a private university that isn’t listed or an out of state university, follow the directions above.

My Applications

We have assigned an application ID number to this application. Please make note of it, as it is required for all further communication concerning this application and may be needed to retrieve your application password.

Your application ID is 1081234

If you want to apply to more than one school, you can

COPY and submit your application to another

university.

Transcript

After submitting your application, you will need to request an official transcript

The form is on the counter in the Counseling Office

Mrs. Iltis is the one who actually sends out the high school transcripts to the college.

If you took dual credit courses, you will need to request an official transcript from the college

Mrs. Austin

Paying for College

ScholarshipsGrantsWorking and SavingsLoans

Scholarships College Scholarships – There are 3 main reasons

to apply early :

It indicates to the college that they are your first choice and that you are serious about attending there.

Each school will have a scholarship application that you will be able to fill out. Most have a link on ApplyTexas. However, sometimes you must go to the specific school website and click on their link for scholarships. It is very important to know the priority deadline for

scholarship applications. Texas A&M’s deadline is December 1, Tarleton State’s is Feb. 15…

Priority Housing – early admission students get first choice of housing.

Early admission also helps with housing priority…

Scholarships Local Scholarships – You can apply for Graham

scholarships by going to www.grahamisd.com High School Counseling GHS Scholarship Application and filling out the Common Application form. The due date is around March 15 Fill out one application and then print as many copies

as you need The applications are either mailed to the benefactors

or turned in to the counseling department. The Local Scholarship book comes out in December. Mrs. Holub is in charge of the Local Scholarship

program

Scholarships

State and National Scholarships – Another means of finding state and national scholarships available is to use a search engine like those found on the counseling web under the link “Financial Aid and Scholarships.” www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com

Scholarships

Ask employers, clubs, associations, or other local groups if they offer scholarships.

Military Scholarships

The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) offers a variety of scholarships – from full-tuition to additional funding for room and board to allowances for books and fees – that are awarded based on merit and not financial need.

The Montgomery G.I. Bill

As a Soldier, you can take advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill

Depending on how long you enlist and the job you choose, you can get up to $72,900 to help pay for college.

Grants The Pell Grant, Texas Grants, Academic

Competitiveness Grants, etc. are all obtained by filling out the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov The form for the fall of 2015 will not be available until

after January 1 You will need to have your and your parents’ income

tax return completed before you begin your application. You will also need a pin or electronic signature before

you begin. You can apply for one at www.pin.ed.gov If you are curious about how much you might qualify

for, you can fill out a FAFSA forecaster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

Most schools will not consider scholarships until you have filled out your FAFSA.

Working and Savings

Work-study Work-study programs are funded

by the federal government and some states, and are included in many students’ financial aid package.

Loans

There are three types of loans: Student loans: Interest begins when

you get the money, but you don't have to repay the loan until you graduate.

Parent loans: Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) allows your parents to pay for your education.

Alternative loans: If student or parent loans do not cover the complete cost, private lenders may offer loans to cover the rest.

Mr. Iles

Testing for College

There are 2 types of tests 1. College Entrance Exams – ACT or SAT

tests are required for admission to a 4 year university.

Each university sets the score for automatic admission to their campus

Colleges will accept either test – ACT or SAT 2. Texas Success Initiative Exams

Open Enrollment

Junior colleges, community colleges and trade schools are OPEN ENROLLMENT

That means you do NOT have to take a college entrance exam (ACT or SAT)

All you need is a High School Diploma and a check book! $$$

Texas Success Initiative Exams

Students attending Texas public institutions of higher education must be in compliance with the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)

The law requires all entering college students to be assessed for college readiness in reading, mathematics and writing unless the student qualifies for an exemption.

Each student who fails to meet the minimum passing standard of the exam offered by the institution must be placed in a developmental education program designed to help the student achieve college readiness.

Texas Success Initiative Exemptions

ACT - Composite score of 23 or higher with at least a 19 on both English and math sections

SAT - Combined verbal and math score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both the verbal test and math test

Senior Timeline - Fall

Dual Credit Students Official Drop Date November 6

Spring Scholarship form due Oct. 15

College TranscriptsStay with you FOREVER

In-School ACT

Tuesday, Sept. 30

If you have not pre-registered, go see Mrs. Holub in the counseling office NOW

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”

Albert Einstein