SENIOR EVENTS
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A copy from the PHHS Guidance Department Seniors can begin working on their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in January 2010 by logging on to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
The FAFSA must be submitted by the student and/or parent. Online submission is preferred, between January 1 and March 2. The Piedmont Hills Guidance Department will complete the additional steps in the Cal Grant process as long as they have the student’s social security number on file. Private colleges often request additional information. To be on the safe side, visit every private college’s financial aid websites so that you are aware of any additional steps and their deadlines. |
I’M FINALLY A SENIOR, NOW WHAT? Information from the Guidance Department of PHHS
NAME – Now is the time to make sure that your name is the same on your Social Security Card, your school record, and all applications for college and financial aid. If there are discrepancies in these documents, your admission and financial aid may be delayed or cancelled. Check with the PHHS Registrar’s Office regarding your school record or with the Social Security Administration; APPLICATIONS – Here are some guidelines for filling out college, financial aid and scholarship applications: § Read and follow all directions carefully. § Answer all questions unless they are marked optional. In most cases it will be to your advantage to answer the optional questions as well. § Make a copy of the application for you records. § Apply online if at all possible. Most schools prefer and some require electronic applications. § When applying online, make sure to select a username and password that you will remember, or better yet, write it down and file it where you will be able to find it again! § If you apply online, don’t wait until the last minute because you may not be able to connect when there is high volume usage. § Many schools are now using e-mail to notify students of decisions or to request additional information. Therefore, check your e-mail frequently and make sure your mailbox does not get too full to accept new mail. It is a good idea to establish an e-mail account that is used only for applications, financial aid, etc. If your computer has a spam blocker, make sure to put the colleges and financial aid websites on your safe list. Remember to choose an appropriate/professional title when creating a new email address. § When filling out paper applications use whatever kind of pen or pencil is asked for; if the type of pen or pencil is not mentioned, use black or dark blue ink (save the glitter pens for notes to your friends!). § Print legibly. § Don’t forget to sign the application. § Mail the application no later than the postmark deadline, preferably earlier. § Purchase a Certificate of Mailing from the Post Office for $ 1.15. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these resources before submitting their applications. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES - The preferred application period is October 1 – November 30. The California State Universities are encouraging students to apply online at www.csumentor.edu. There will be a CSU Workshop held at EPT & ELM – All entering undergraduate students to California State Universities must also take the English Placement Test (EPT) and/or Entry Level Mathematics Test (ELM) unless they are exempt due to their test scores on the SAT Critical Reading and Math Tests, or on the ACT, or on the Early Assessment of Readiness for College English and the Early Assessment of Readiness for College Mathematics taken in conjunction with the 11th grade California Standards Test. Information about these exemptions and about taking the tests is available at www.ets.org/csu. Please visit the following websites for additional information and support: www.csumathsuccess.org and www.csuenglishsuccess.org. PRIVATE COLLEGES – Application deadlines vary. Check with specific schools for information. Students must contact the schools directly for applications. Also, be sure to check financial aid deadlines—some are as early as February 1st. SAT & ACT - Almost all 4-year colleges & universities require the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT. The Be sure to have your scores sent to colleges directly from the College Board. If you send your scores to all the schools to which you are applying the last time you take the test, the schools will receive the scores from every SAT Reasoning & Subject Test that you have taken. ACT, however, only sends scores from the specific test date that you request. Don’t worry about the schools seeing low scores; they will always use the highest scores that you have received when considering you for admission. Tip: If you plan to apply to more than one COMMUNITY COLLEGES - There is no defined application period for community colleges. However, it is best for students who intend to enroll for Fall 2010 to complete community college applications and required placement tests in the spring so that they will be able to register for classes as early as possible. Community college application information and schedules of classes for schools in our area are available online (visit the campus website). FINANCIAL AID - All students should file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). FAFSA forms will be available in the Guidance Office after Thanksgiving. The filing period begins January 1st, and the deadline is March 2nd to be considered for state aid. (Note: many private schools and even some public schools have earlier deadlines.) If possible, students are encouraged to file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Filing electronically prevents errors that might delay your financial aid and speeds the processing time of the application. In order to file electronically, both the student and the parent must obtain a PIN (Personal Identification Number) at www.pin.ed.gov. You should apply for your PIN now so that you will have it when you are ready to file your FAFSA. For “everything you ever wanted to know about financial aid,” go to www.finaid.org. If you wish to get an early estimate of the amount of aid your family will be required to contribute to your education (EFC= Expected Family Contribution), please visit www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov. The information you submit when completing the FAFSA4caster will also transition to your online FAFSA application. Also, encourage parents to file their tax return as early as possible. Financial Aid Night (all the information you need to complete your FAFSA) will be held on the evening of January 28th located at the Piedmont Hills library. CSS PROFILE – Many private colleges require the CSS Profile as well as the FAFSA in order to determine eligibility for non-governmental financial aid. You can complete the CSS PROFILE online at www.collegeboard.com. You may obtain a Registration Guide at the Guidance Office (will arrive beginning of November). Registration for the Profile costs approximately (based on last year’s information) $5 plus $18 for each school or scholarship program to which you want information sent. A limited number of fee waivers are granted to applicants from families with very low incomes and few assets. Fee waivers are awarded automatically online based on family financial information. SCHOLARSHIPS – Scholarships are one aspect of financial aid. They are offered by businesses, community organizations, churches, as well as individual colleges & universities. Scholarship opportunities that are mailed directly to Piedmont Hills are listed in the Senior Scholarship Newsletter which will be available this year on the PHHS website (check occasionally, not yet up and running). Scholarship information may also be obtained at www.fastweb.com or www.tuitionfundingsources.com and other web sites. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION – Recommendation letters are not needed for the CSU system, UC system, or for community colleges. If you require a letter of recommendation from a counselor, you must attend the mandatory meeting on Friday, September 11th during lunch in the Theater and you must follow all of the necessary steps (or else your request will be denied). Remember -- no one is required to write you a letter of recommendation so ask nicely and give the person from whom you are requesting a recommendation a minimum of 10 business days. COLLEGE NIGHT - Be sure to attend College Night which will be held at Independence High School on Thursday, October 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Representatives from over 100 Colleges, Universities, Community Colleges, and |