Welcome to Welcome to Information NightInformation Night

Class of 2012 & 2013 Class of 2012 & 2013

School Counselor School Counselor

Mrs. Karen Blair Mrs. Karen Blair (810) 794-4911 ext 1282(810) 794-4911 ext 1282

kblair@acsk12.us kblair@acsk12.us

www.algonac.k12.mi.us

Use the ACS WebsiteUse the ACS Website

It’s a great resource!!It’s a great resource!!

www.algonac.k12.mi.us www.algonac.k12.mi.us

                                                                                                       

College ApplicationsCollege Applications

Apply Online! Apply NOW!!Complete all required steps for applying.Go to the AHS Website and click on

DOCUFIDE Request that your transcript be sent

electronically through that secure website.

It’s FREE!

Average application fees - $35 - $40 Community College applications are FREE!Early Decision/Action – a guaranteed

answer by a set deadline when you meet the early decision/action deadline.

Check university websites.U of M – Nov 1 (Decision by 12/23/11) U of M uses the Common Application MSU – Oct 7 (Decision by 11/11/11Make it your deadline to get college

applications in by October 31, 2011.

Retake the ACT!Retake the ACT!Every student should take the ACT more than once. Studies show each time a student retakes the ACT, his or her

score increases by at least one point. A one point difference can mean better chance of

admittance to college and scholarship money. Do some test prep! Sign up for the ACT Workshops being

held at SC4 in the up coming weeks. The national test dates will be on the next slide. National

test dates are on Saturdays (8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)We are NOT a national test center. Most students test at

Cardinal Mooney or St. Clair County Community College (SC4).

Register to take the ACT at www.actstudent.org $34.00

ACT Dates 2011/12ACT Dates 2011/12Test Date Registration Deadline w/Late Fee

September 10, 2011 August 12, 2011 Aug 13 – 26, 2011

October 22, 2011 Sept 16, 2011 Sept 17–20, 2011

December 10, 2011 Nov 4, 2011 Nov 5-18, 2011

February 11, 2012 Jan 13, 2012 Jan 14-20, 2012

April 14, 2012 March 9, 2012 March 10 –23,2012

June 9, 2012 May 4, 2012 May 5-18, 2012

Register online at www.actstudent.org

ACT Fees ACT Fees Basic Fee (No Writing) $34.00ACT (Plus Writing) $49.50Late Fee $21.00 Additional colleges $10.00 eachTest date change $21Test center change $21Standby testing $42Viewing Scores Online Free

ACT Prep Workshops ACT Prep Workshops Improve Your ACT Score Workshop Offered at SC4Four (4) Saturdays September 24 October 1 October 8October 15Cost -- $25 per session Call Jennifer Evans (810) 455-4261 or email her

evans.jennifer@sccresa.org – Flyer in office.

ACT Admissions Standards ACT Admissions Standards OPEN – All high school graduates are accepted until the school’s enrollment capacity is reached.

LIBERAL – Some freshmen who are accepted are in the lower half of their high school graduating class.

TRADITIONAL – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 50 percent of their high school graduating class.

SELECTIVE – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class.

HIGHLY SELECTIVE – The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class.

16 – 21

17 – 22

18 – 24

21 – 26

25 – 30

The SATThe SATOut of State, Highly Selective and Private Colleges sometimes prefer the SAT over the ACT.Visit the website of the school you are interested in to determine which admission test is preferred.

Register to take the SAT at www.collegeboard.com

2011/12 DatesOctober 1, 2011November 5, 2011December 3, 2011January 28, 2012March 10, 2012May 5, 2012June 2, 2012

Juniors (Class of 2013)Juniors (Class of 2013)Take the PSATTake the PSAT

When taken in the junior year, the PSAT is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (MNSQT)Cost is $14.00 – Make check payable to ACS, Mrs. Donaldson is taking registrations.Test is at AHS (1st, 2nd & 3rd hrs) Wednesday, October, 12, 2011,Lecture HallDeadline to register Friday, 9/23/11Visit College Board for more info

Seniors are encouraged to visit college campuses.

They may use two (2) school business “off campus” days for that purpose.

Student must provide written documentation of visit to the attendance secretary.

Student arranges college visit through college/university website or by calling college/university.

College Visits (Off Campus)

The counseling center hosts visits from many colleges.Representatives from the respective college will set up

a time during our school day to visit with any prospective applicant.

Seniors are allowed four (4) on-campus college visits. The absence will be marked as school business.

College visits are publicized in the daily announcements. Students can sign up in the Student Services.

College Visitation (On-Campus)

College Visits On CampusCentral Michigan University Sept 12Northern Michigan University Sept 20Michigan State UniversitySept 23Michigan Technological University Sept 26Olivet College Sept 28Oakland UniversityOct 5Western Michigan University Oct 18University of Detroit – Mercy Oct 19University of Michigan Oct 19Albion College Oct 20Kettering University Oct 24Adrian College Nov 8Wayne State University Nov 9

On Campus -- Fall Open HousesOn Campus -- Fall Open HousesNearly all colleges host a fall “Open House” on

their campusAt these events students are able to take a tour,

meet students, listen to presentations, go to a football game, even spend the night in the dorms!

Many have on-site admissions as well.Visit the website of the college you are interested

in or look at the showcase in the senior hall. Student arranges the visit.

St. Clair County Community College St. Clair County Community College (SC4) (SC4) College Night College Night Tuesday, October 18, 20116:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center Corner of Erie Street & Glenwood AvenueOver 40 institutions will be represented. ALSO --- INFORMATION SESSIONS ON SC4

First session – 6:45 to 7:15 p.m.Second session – 7:30 to 8 p.m.

Jennifer Evans– Jennifer Evans– College Access Counselor College Access Counselor

Higher Education Consultant at St. Clair County RESA (810) 455- 4261

Evans.jennifer@sccresa.org She will be hosting seminars for parents at AHS

in the up-coming monthsInformation will be in the Daily

Announcements and we will send home information

Financial Aid BasicsFinancial Aid BasicsScholarships(free money) – does not have to be

paid back TWO KINDS Merit Based – based on grades, involvement in

school and community, character Need Based – based on parents financial situation

(income, assets, debts)Grants (free money) – does not have to be paid

back (based on income) FAFSA Loan – must be paid back (may be subsidized

(borrower does not pay interest) or unsubsidized (borrower does pay interest)

What is the FAFSA?What is the FAFSA?The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as Pell grant, student loans, and college work-study.

In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid.

www.fafsa.ed.govBegin application January of the graduating year.Priority deadline March 1st College Goal Sunday @ SC4 – Sunday, Feb 12, 2012

(2-4)Ms. Burns will be helping students w/FAFSA in Core V

Other Forms of Financial AidOther Forms of Financial Aid Check out your college’s financial aid

websiteCheck out the Student Services link on

the AHS Website – www.algonac.k12.mi.us

You can also check out these resources: www.studentaid.ed.govwww.studentaid.ed.govhttp://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid www.students.govwww.students.govwww.stclairfoundation.org Check out your affiliations – employers, unions,

religious affiliations, etc for scholarships available

Tuition Incentive Program - TIPTuition Incentive Program - TIPTo be eligible a student must have (or have had)

Medicaid Coverage for 24 months within a 36 consecutive month period. Students are identified as TIP eligible as early as sixth grade, typically age 12 or after, so you may have received a letter from the OSG when your student was in middle school.

It is a state of Michigan program that pays college tuition and mandatory fees in two phases. Phase I pays for a certificate program (one year) or for an associate’s degree (two-year degree) from Michigan colleges. Phase II at public universities covers $2,000 for the junior and senior year in college.

If you don’t have the letter with the acceptance form, call this number – 1-888-447-2687 and ask to speak to someone about TIP. Tell them you need the TIP acceptance form. It will be mailed to you, fill it out and send it back.

When you receive your TIP Eligibility Letter, put it in a safe place! If you need a copy of this letter contact the OSG at

1-888-447-2687. Your student will take this letter to his or her financial aid office of the college or university they will attend; the financial aid office will take it from there!

Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, 2012! TIP eligible students may be eligible for other federal and state financial aid programs that will cover other education expenses like room & board, books, supplies and transportation. Complete your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Local ScholarshipsLocal ScholarshipsLocal Scholarship Applications for the 2011/12 school

year will be available via the web beginning in January 2012.

Deadline will be March 2, 2012. Local scholarships are available to AHS seniors only.Merit and need based scholarshipsMany award students for community serviceNeed two letters of recommendation Over $43,000 in scholarship money given awayAll are listed at the Student Services portion of the

AHS Website.

Senior Awards AssemblySenior Awards Assembly

•All seniors and their parents should plan to attend the annual senior awards assembly Friday, June 8, 2012.•Begins at 8:00 AM•Ends approximately 11:00 AM•Local Scholarships are presented as well as many other awards, including those from St. Clair TEC.

Timelines for the senior Timelines for the senior yearyear

September 2011All seniors will attend a presentation in the counseling center. If

your student has additional questions, he or she should meet with the counselor.

The student should get started on applications right away especially if they plan to apply through an Early Decision or Early Action programs. Deadlines for early applications tend to fall in October or November.

Students should start working on college essays. They should write essays that focus on experiences and make them stand out from the crowd.

Student should update their "resume" -- list accomplishments, involvements, and work experiences -- with the senior year activities. The resume will help the student complete the applications and essays.

Retake the ACT!

October 2011October 2011

Gather letters of recommendation. Student should ask counselor, teachers, and coaches, or employers for letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of time to meet the deadlines and be sure to give them a list of your activities & accomplishments.

Take ACT/SAT tests. If you are applying under an Early Decision or Early Action

program, be sure to get all forms in as soon as possible. Applying online might be the right option for you.

Look for scholarships – Student Services Website, with search engines like Fast Web, through community and parental involvement.

November 2011November 2011

Student should submit early decision and early action applications on time.

Student should work hard at completing college essays. Proofreading them rigorously for mistakes.

Mail applications as early as possible for colleges with "rolling" deadlines (admission decisions are made as applications are received).

Take /ACTSAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges.

Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships.

December 2011December 2011

Students should try to wrap up college applications before Christmas break. Make copies of each application before they are sent.

Take ACT/SAT tests. Make sure your scores are sent to each one of your colleges.

Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month.

Continue to look for and submit applications for scholarships.

January 2012January 2012

Early Decision and Early Application responses arrive this month.

Some colleges include first-semester grades as part of your application folder. This is called the mid-year grade report. Student should have the counselor send grades to colleges that require them.

Complete FAFSA – www.fafsa.ed.gov

February/March 2012February/March 2012

Student should contact colleges to confirm that all necessary application materials have been received.

Encourage students not to get senioritis! Colleges want to see strong second half grades.

Some admissions decisions arrive this month. Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on the student and parent’s part.

Attend FAFSA workshop if you need help completing the FAFSA at SC4 on Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 (2-4 PM)

April 2012April 2012Most admissions decisions and financial aid award

letters arrive this month Read everything carefully, as some of it may require action on your part.

Make a final decision, and mail the enrollment form and deposit check to the school the student selects before May 1 (the enrollment deadline for most schools).

Notify each of the schools to which student was accepted that he or she will not be attending in writing so that the spot can be freed up for another student.

On the waiting list? Contact the admissions office and let them know of continued interest in the college and update them on spring semester grades and activities.

May & June 2012May & June 2012

May 2012 -- Finalize housing plans.Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday – June 4, 5 & 6, 2012

Senior ExamsThursday, June 7, 2012 Graduation Practice (1:00 PM)Friday, June 8, 2012 – Senior Awards Assembly –

beginning at 8:00 a.m. AHS Gymnasium Friday, June 8,2012- Graduation 6:00 p.m. Truman Pippel Stadium (weather permitting)