College admissions & scholarship book
Download 1.69 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR WRITING AN ASSIGNED ESSAY
- Read all directions first. Write to the topic listed and follow the instructions carefully. The most common mistake made is to skim the instructions or to rely on information received from others.
- Things you should not do…
- SAMPLE QUESTIONS COMMONLY USED IN AN INTERVIEW
- APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
- WHAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA
- WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SEND THE FAFSA
- AWARD LETTER – list of aid that the school is offering to you. You are not required to accept all aid.
- AID FROM YOUR COLLEGE
- BEFORE TAKING OUT ANY LOAN, BE SURE TO ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS
- TEN TACTICS FOR MAXIMIZING YOUR FAMILY’S ELIGIBILITY FOR STUDENT AID
- WAYS TO CUT COLLEGE COSTS
TEST TAKING TIPSBring acceptable identification to the test site. Bring several sharpened soft-lead (No. 2) pencils with good erasers. They will be used on all tests, including the writing portion. Bring your test center admission ticket! Bring a calculator for the math section. Know which kinds of calculators ACT allows. (Permitted calculators are listed in the ACT instruction guide or on the inter-net.) You are not required to use a calculator. If you regularly use a calculator in your math work, use one you’re familiar with. Familiarize yourself with the test and answer sheets. Your first step in preparing for the ACT should be learning the instructions for all four Subject Tests. On the actual test, the Subject Test instructions are time-consuming obstacles, which you can remove by learning them in advance. You can also benefit from them while you study because they contain valuable information about ACT questions and how to answer them. Best strategy is to answer the easy questions and skip the questions you find difficult. Don’t get bogged down by a hard question. Don’t spend more than a minute or two on any question. The English, Reading and Science Reasoning Tests on the ACT ask for the “best” answer. The Math test asks for the “correct” answer. Pace yourself. Do not spend too much time on one passage. Go on to other questions and come back if there is time. After answering all of the easy questions, go back and answer the more difficult questions. When you return to the more difficult questions, try to use logic to eliminate incorrect answers to a question. Compare the answer choices to each other and note how they differ. Such differences may provide clues as to what the question requires. Eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, then make an educated guess from the remaining answers. Read all the answer choices before selecting one. An announcement will be made when there are five minutes remaining on the test, go through and fill in all of the blanks. Remember, there is no penalty for a wrong answer on the ACT test, only a penalty for questions left blank. Erase completely if you want to change your answer. The answer sheet is machine scored and the machine can’t tell an answer from a scribble. Get plenty of rest the night before the test. Eat a well - balanced breakfast. Arrive early. Locate bathrooms and drinking fountains. Dress comfortably. Be sure to bring a sweater or jacket in case the room is cold. Wear a wrist watch so that you can pace yourself. Do not bring a watch that has an alarm function. If you would like to take the ACT test and did not register on time, you can test as a “standby” examinee. You need to show up with a completed packet and a stand-by fee (fee list is in the packet). After all of the examinees have been seated, if there are leftover packets and seats, then you may test. How will you do on a retest? 55% increased their composite score. 23% percent decreased their composite score. 22% had no change in their composite score. If you are disciplined and take the time to practice, your standardized test scores will likely improve. STRATEGIES FOR TAKING TESTS The list is long but the advice is GOOD! ENGLISH TEST STRATEGIES The five passages cover a variety of topics and are written in a variety of styles. The correct answer choice will be the one that works best with the writing style used. Consider the elements of writing that are included in each underlined part of the passage. Some questions will ask you to base your decision on some specific element of writing. Be aware of questions with no underlined portions-that means you will be asked some questions about a section of the passage or about the passage as a whole. Examine each answer choice and determine how it differs from the others. Determine the best answer. Be careful not to select an answer that corrects one error but causes a different error. Reread the sentence, using your selected answer. If you don’t know whether an idea is redundant, verbose, or relevant, it probably is, so take it out. Before you start working the questions, skim the paragraph. When you have a general sense of the context, you’ll find it easier to correct the underlined portions. You can do this either paragraph by paragraph or passage by passage. Try both ways to find out which one works better for you. When you approach each question ask: Does this belong here? Does this make sense? (Check logic) Does this sound like proper English? (Check grammar). Usually the word or phrase that contains an error will sound wrong. On average, one question needs 36 seconds. Occasionally check your progress through the test. MATHEMATICS TEST STRATEGIES Read each question carefully to make sure you understand the type of answer required. 24 questions in Pre-Algebra/Elementary Algebra, 18 questions in Intermediate Algebra/Coordinate Geometry; 18 questions in Plane Geometry/Trigonometry. If you use a calculator, be sure it is working on test day and has reliable batteries. Marking up diagrams or sketching simple drawings can help you “see” the answers. Answer all the questions that are easy for you and then go back to the hard ones. Pace yourself. 60 questions, 60 minutes allows you an average of 1 minute per problem. Answer all questions even if you have no idea how to solve them. Solve the problem using scratch paper before looking at the answer choices. If no answers match your answer, redo the problem. The questions focus much more on reasoning than on calculation. If you find yourself doing complicated calculations, you’re probably on the wrong track. Make sure you answer the question. Frequently, questions include answer choices that are based on incomplete solutions. Check if your answer makes sense. Watch out for the answer choice “cannot be determined.” When you see it, it’s very likely wrong. It’s almost always wrong in a question that comes with a diagram or for which you can draw one. Plug in the answer choices. Sometimes you can find the correct answer by working backwards. Check your work. READING TEST STRATEGIES Is the subject of the passage interesting to you or something you know about? If yes, read the passage carefully and critically before you read the questions. If no, read the questions before you read the passage to get a sense of what to look for. Try both methods and see what works for you. Use the 3 stage method (previewing, reading, reviewing) to get the most out of each passage. Don’t even think of answering a question before reading the passage from start to finish. Do the easy passages first. Concentrate on paragraph opening and closing. Answer general questions before detail questions. All the answers come from the passage. Throw away your prior knowledge about the subject. Mark the passages or make short notes. Focus and underline the main idea. Don’t get lost in the details. Look for connections among ideas in the passages. An answer choice can be true but be wrong. The correct choice is the one that best answers the question. Eliminate choices. Pace yourself. Jump around within a set of questions to find the ones you can answer quickly, but don’t jump from -passage to passage. SCIENCE REASONING TEST STRATEGIES Start by scanning the passage. This should take no more than 20 seconds. Read the passage again. Underline key words. Make notes. Cross out irrelevant information. Don’t be overly concerned with any technical terminology. Examine any tables, graphs, or figures. Consider the experimental design. Become familiar with data representation such as graph reading, interpretation of scatter plots and interpretation of information presented in tables. Answer the first question in the group. If you cannot answer it, go back to the passage. If you still can’t answer the first question, skip the passage, go on to another one, and come back to the passage. Skip the hard questions. Do not initially spend more than 30 seconds on any question. Read all answer choices. Eliminate the incorrect answers, rather than selecting the right one. Pace yourself. You have just 5 minutes for each passage. Note different viewpoints in passages. WRITING TEST STRATEGIES Read newspapers and magazines, listen to news analyses and participate in discussions about issues and problems. Become familiar with current issues, with different perspectives on issues, and with strategies that skilled writers and speakers use to present their point of view. Practice writing: essays, stories, poems, plays, editorials, reports, letters to the editor, a personal journal. Practice writing within a time limit. Share your writing with others and get feedback. Learn to see writing as a process – brainstorming, planning, writing and then editing. Carefully consider the prompt and make sure you understand it – reread it if you aren’t sure. Spend part of the time planning, most of the time writing, remaining time reviewing to make corrections and small revisions. Use the standard 4 to 5 paragraph essay format: Introduction, supporting paragraphs, conclusion. Decide how you want to answer the questions in the prompt. Make a list of ideas, reasons, and examples that you will use to explain your point of view on the issue. At the beginning of your essay, make sure readers will see that you understand the issue. Explain your point of view in a clear and logical way. Address what others might say to refute your point of view and present a counter argument. Use specific examples. Vary the structure of your sentences, and use varied and precise word choices. Make logical relationships clear by using transitional words and phrases. Do not wander off the topic. End with a strong conclusion that summarizes or reinforces your position. Do a final check of the essay. Correct any mistakes in grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling. Make any corrections and revisions neatly, between the lines (but not in the margins.)
Before you begin writing, think carefully about how you have chosen to spend your time. Think about what you have accomplished and about what you have gained through these accomplishments. Choose an essay topic that effectively addresses one of your special personal characteristics. Speak in your own voice and personalize your essay. Brainstorm for ideas that support your thesis statement. Give concrete examples. Give special attention to creating a strong introduction, supporting data, and an appropriate conclusion to ensure you end up with a well-ordered essay. Keep it fresh and interesting. Organize your ideas into an outline. Begin a rough draft. Make sure that every sentence is directly related to your assigned topic. Now ask yourself the following questions: Is my essay unified? Do all parts contribute to the main idea? Have I supported the generalizations that I made? Does my conclusion give a sense of finality or completion? Have I removed all slang, jargon and unnecessary clichés from my diction? Is my vocabulary sophisticated and vibrant? Is my essay logically sound? Proofread your final version before you send it out. COMMON ESSAY QUESTIONSExplain the importance of (your major) in today’s society. How will your study of contribute to your immediate or long range career plans? What do you think the industry of will be like in the next 10 years? What are the most important issues your major is facing today? What do you see as the greatest threat to our society today? If you had the authority to change your school in a positive way, what changes would you make? Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school. Discuss a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart. Describe your most meaningful achievements - how they relate to your field of study and future goals. Who in your life has been the biggest influence and why? How has your family background affected the way you see the world? How has your education contributed to the person you are today? What is the most challenging event you’ve experienced? How has it influenced you? Is there a social cause that you hold near and dear? What do you see as the greatest threat to the environment today?
Personal Achievements. Talk about specific interactions you may have had with others. How did you influence their lives? How did it reflect your values? Judges want to see how your achievements impact you personally. Academic Plans and Possible Major. Discuss a specific assignment or project. Discuss specific values or ideas you want to develop once you get to college. Don’t focus on the classes you hope to take in college. Focus on your degree and future goals and why they are important to you. Background and Influences. Focus on specific qualities or actions of a person who has inspired you. Pick specific people, incidents and learning experiences to write about that will let your personality come through. When writing about others, be sure to focus on how this person has inspired you and shaped your life. Current Events and Social Issues. Think about current issues that you feel strongly about. Summarize the issue briefly. Share your perspective, offer constructive criticism and address all sides of the issue, not just your own. Additional Essay Advice Things you should do…Read all directions first. Write to the topic listed and follow the instructions carefully. The most common mistake made is to skim the instructions or to rely on information received from others.Go beyond the facts. Go beyond the “what” and dig into the “how” and “why”. Start early. It takes time to generate ideas for an essay, write several drafts, find someone to critique your essay, and proof the final version. Read the essay aloud to find awkward sentences or problems. Leave time for rewriting. Look for weak or dull spots and spelling and grammatical errors. Never let your first draft be your final draft. Ask people for input. Whether it’s a teacher, counselor, friend or parent, ask someone you respect for some candid feedback. Is it confusing? Boring? Make sure you answer the question being asked. Be honest and true to yourself as you write the essay. Be yourself. Show off a side of yourself that your application does not: don’t simply write what you think an admissions office wants to hear. Show, don’t tell. Don’t simply tell them that you are an excellent leader. Describe an actual experience that showed leadership abilities. What affect did it have on your life or the lives of others? Be specific. What duties did you perform? Don’t be afraid to talk about yourself. You’ve worked hard to reach your goals. The committee wants to know details about how you achieved them. Accentuate the positive. When writing about a personal experience, emphasize how the experience changed you for the better. Captivate your audience. Make your essay engaging and memorable. Include a quick, enticing intro: give a reason to finish reading it. Demonstrate originality and creativity. Know your audience. Keep in mind the unique interests and philosophy of the school or organization offering scholarships. You are applying to be the representative for that particular organization. Proofread your essay carefully. Check for spelling and grammar errors, and ask someone else to proofread it as well. Make sure your essay is neatly typed, double-spaced, with margins of one to one-and-a-half inches on all sides – in other words, easy to read. Stick to the length that is specified. If no maximum has been specified, write about 500 words. Write about something you really care about. Characterize yourself as someone special or unique. Set yourself apart from other applicants. Convey interests in the college’s academic programs. Make sure the essay is logically sound. Summarize the issue briefly. Share your perspective and address all sides of the issue. Pursue perfection. Pay attention to details. Have someone else look it over. Quadruple-check the spelling. Type your essay carefully. Turn in a professional looking essay. Things you should not do…Don’t discuss your relationship with your girlfriend or boyfriend. Don’t discuss your religious beliefs. Your political views. Drugs, sex, or alcohol The importance of a college education. Don’t focus on the class you want to take in college. Focus on your degree and future goals and why they’re important to you. Hot-button issues like abortion or current events. How much you love yourself. Your SAT/ACT scores. Big ideas, like making the world’s nations live together in peace. “The Best Game of My Life” or anything else written in glib style. Don’t try to be hilariously funny or uniquely creative. Don’t “recycle” essays. An essay that sounds like it’s been used before will blend with everyone else’s. Don’t experiment with varied fonts and formats. Don’t overextend. Your essay isn’t a term paper. Stay focused on your topic. Don’t make a list of accomplishments for an essay. Your trip abroad, unless truly noteworthy. Avoid generalities, clichés or trite expressions. Don’t repeat information from other parts of your application. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Surprisingly enough, one of the most important parts of your college application isn’t written by you: The letter of recommendation. Follow these tips to get great letters of recommendation. TIMING IS EVERYTHINGStart early. Give your recommenders enough time to write thoughtful and articulate letters. Late fall is a good time to start identifying the people you want to recommend you. Set up appointments as soon as possible to speak with them about your application. Give at least three weeks advance notice. Do not assume the letter will be completed if you leave the request in their mailbox; make sure you make a personal contact. WHO TO ASKChoose adults who know you well. Teachers are great for providing insight into your academic achievements. Don’t pick a teacher just because you got an A in his or her class. It’s important that the teacher or counselor knows you personally. Consider people who can write about your other talents and abilities: employers, coaches, clergy and community leaders. Don’t ask family members, their comments won’t be as credible. If your recommender seems hesitant or too busy, ask someone else. Pick someone who can address the award’s special criteria or particular interests. For example, the director of the homeless shelter you volunteer at would be a great reference for an award sponsored by a community service group.
WHAT THEY NEEDYour correct contact information (your full name as it appears on the application, address, email and phone number). Two copies of any forms they need to fill out (for a ‘rough draft’ and a ‘final draft’). Detailed instructions on how the letter should be handled, along with the correct name and address of the college or university or scholarship sponsoring organization, deadline information and a copy of your completed application and essay. If you’re asking for letters for more than one organization, be sure to provide each organization’s information. Information about your achievements such as your transcripts, a list of extracurricular activities and reminders of your past work with the recommender (e.g. a description of coursework, a copy of an essay or class project, etc.) Include stamped and addressed envelopes.
BE APPRECIATIVEYour recommenders are doing you a favor. Show them you appreciate their time and efforts by being polite. Be considerate of their time. Give them plenty of time to write the letter and let them know about the deadline in advance. If you think your recommender might have forgotten about your letter, prompt their memory by asking if they need more information. Once your letter is submitted, follow up by sending your recommender a thank-you note. Letter of Recommendation Form Please give the letter writer 2-3 weeks to respond. Please take the time to fill out all sections thoughtfully and completely. The letter writer needs to be able to know enough about you so that they can write a recommendation that will make you stand out from every other student applying to for the same scholarship or college as you. Name: What are your strengths (Please provide an example for each one)? Name one weakness that you have and what you are doing to work on it. Describe some of the activities (extracurricular, hobbies, sports, church, etc.) you’ve been involved in over the past three years, and why they’ve been important to you. What are your personal and academic goals? What do you plan to study in college, and why? What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now? If you asked your friends and family to describe you in just three words, what would they be? Describe yourself to your future college roommate. Are there any obstacles that you have had to overcome (i.e. parent divorce, death of a loved one, refugee, ESL, disability, first to graduate from high school, low income, etc…) and how have you overcome the difficulty? What community service projects have you completed or organized? How many hours were involved in each? Please list anything else that someone needs to know to write a letter that separates you from everyone else. INTERVIEW TIPS A good interview is vital to your college or scholarship application. It’s an opportunity to supplement your credentials with the kind of impression that can’t be put on paper. Remember: It’s a conversation, not a test. BE PREPAREDKnow the basics. Learn as much about the institution as possible before you go for the interview. Review your application materials. They might be used to strike up a conversation with you. Be prepared to discuss: your background, educational history, employment experiences, family background, academic achievements, class-ranking, GPA, awards won, future plans, hobbies and interests, extracurricular activities, financial profile and needs and your personal value structure. Practice answering questions. Prepare some questions to ask. Don’t ask questions that can be answered by reading a brochure. INTERVIEW BASICSBe punctual. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Dress appropriately. Select conservative, understated, semi-formal wear: slacks and a jacket or a dress shirt for men; dresses, skirts or pantsuits for women. NEVER WEAR JEANS OR T-SHIRTS TO AN INTERVIEW. Use a minimum amount of accessories, make-up, jewelry or cologne. Make a good first impression. When you meet the interviewers, introduce yourself, make eye contact, use a firm handshake and don’t forget to smile. Maintain eye contact. It tells the interviewer that you are sure of yourself, you’re interested in what he or she has to say, and you’re serious about the interview. Pay attention to what is being said. Listen and clarify. Be brief and honest with your answers. Avoid extreme answers (never, always, etc.) Provide more than a yes or no answer. Keep your answers as conversational as possible. Be spontaneous. Answer honestly and naturally. Don’t memorize your answers, or you’ll sound like you’re reading from a script. Be positive. Highlight the good things from your academic past and put a positive spin on your background. Remember that problems can be viewed as challenges. Promote yourself. Discuss things you’re good at. You can talk about your talents without bragging. Act naturally. Be yourself. Admissions people know when you use words you’re not comfortable with or when you are trying to be something you aren’t. Let them see the real you. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” or ask questions. It’s better to ask for clarification than to miss an opportunity to produce an insightful answer. Don’t chew gum, bite nails, smoke, yawn, stretch or slouch. Show your appreciation. Thank the interviewers for their time. Send a thank-you note. SAMPLE QUESTIONS COMMONLY USED IN AN INTERVIEWWhy are you interested in College (Scholarship?) What are you interested in studying? What can you tell me about yourself? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What’s your biggest accomplishment? Your biggest regret? What do you do in your spare time? What kinds of work experiences have you had? Who is your favorite author and why? What do you imagine doing ten years from now? What is the most significant contribution you have made to your school? What are your career goals? How did you first hear about this college? How familiar are you with this college? How would you describe your high school? What extra-curricular activities have you participated in? In what ways have you served your community? Discuss an obstacle you encountered and how you overcame it. Discuss a mistake you made and what you learned from it. Have you ever had to work with someone you didn’t like? How did you deal with the situation? That was an unoriginal/stupid answer. Don’t you have any better ideas? (Yes, sometimes you will be asked aggressive questions intended to throw you off.) If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? FINANCIAL AID Apply for financial aid, no matter what. There is no income cut-off to qualify for aid. Many factors besides income – from the size of your family to the age of your older parent – are considered. When you fill out the FAFSA, you’re also automatically applying for funds from your state, and possibly from your school as well. Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll get – fill out the application and find out. Use the right forms, and always file the FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov).High tuition colleges will probably require the CSS PROFILE and/or the college’s own aid application. Apply as early as possible. Early in your senior year, find financial aid deadlines at the colleges you will be applying to. Colleges tend to run out of campus based aid rather quickly. Check your school for their deadlines. Forms are available after January 1. Be accurate when filling out forms. Errors cause delays and can result in an inaccurate assessment of your situation. By the time you correct the information, the money may have run out. If you are a male student, you must register for the draft. Keep a copy of every form you complete. Record the dates on which you submitted forms and the names of everyone with whom you’ve spoken to. Visit www.fafsa4caster - a financial aid estimator. Receive an estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by filling out a simplified version of the FAFSA. APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AIDYou must fill out the FAFSA on-line. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. Most people fill out the FAFSA on the Web worksheet and then begin the FAFSA. You are required to submit this application to be considered for federal aid and for most state-funded aid. Apply for the personal identification number needed to sign the online FAFSA at www.pin.ed.gov. When you type in your PIN at these sites, you are saying,“Please accept my PIN as my electronic signature on this online form.” What else do I need to know about my PIN? Keep your PIN in a safe place or memorize it. Never tell anyone else your PIN, even if they are helping you fill out the FAFSA. If you need to provide information about your parents on the FAFSA, one of your parents will also need to apply for a PIN. Your PIN (and your parent’s PIN) will not expire at the end of the school year, and you can continue to use it in the future to renew your FAFSA, sign loan contracts, etc. If your parent has more than one child in college, that parent can use the same PIN to sign FAFSAs for every child. What information will I need to apply for a PIN? Your Social Security number Your full and correct last name Your full and correct first name Your middle initial Your date of birth Your street address Your e-mail address When you fill out the FAFSA on the web will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in approximately 2-3 days. It will include your Expected Family Contribution and any eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant. Your college financial aid office will use this information to construct you Financial Aid Package. Most colleges send an Award Letter to tell the students the kinds and amounts of aid they may receive. If scholarships and grants are not sufficient to cover your expenses, a loan may fill your remaining financial need. WHAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THE FAFSAYour Social Security number and driver’s license. Your Federal Income Tax Return, W-2 forms and 1099 forms for the previous year. If you are married, you will also need your spouse’s documents. If you are unable to complete tax forms early, estimate amounts as accurately as possible and fill out the FAFSA accordingly, correcting information with actual amounts once the tax forms are complete. Your parents’ Federal Income Tax Returns, W-2 forms, and 1099 forms for the previous year (if you are a dependent). Your parents’ social security numbers if you are providing parent information (and if they have one.) Records of other untaxed income received such as welfare benefits, social security benefits, TANF, veteran’s benefits, or military or clergy allowances. Current bank statements and records of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and other investments. Documentation of non-taxable income (i.e. welfare, Social Security, AFDC and Veteran Benefits.) Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records. Your alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen). Records relating to any unusual family financial circumstances, such as medical and dental expenses not covered by health insurance, tuition expenses at elementary or secondary schools, unusually high child care costs, death, divorce, and loss of employment. Title IV Institution Codes for each school you are applying to. You can get this code from the school, high school counselor or the FAFSA web site. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SEND THE FAFSA?After answering all the questions, you send the FAFSA from your computer to what is called the application processor. A central computer reviews, analyzes and calculates your EFC. The higher the EFC – the more the family can contribute – the less the student’s need. The results of the analysis generate the Student Aid Report (SAR). Results are sent to you, to the schools where you are applying, the state agency in the student’s state of legal residence and state agencies for the schools that you’ve listed. The EFC remains the same no matter what school it is sent to. The more expensive the school, the more financial aid the student may be able to get. You will receive your SAR by e-mail within 3-5 days after your FAFSA has been processed, if you provided and e-mail address when you applied. This e-mail will contain a secure link so you can access your SAR online. Within 72 hours after the CPS receives a completed application and signature, schools listed on the student’s FAFSA have access to the student’s information. Your school will send you a letter or notice that tells you the types and amounts of aid you are eligible for. The types and amounts vary from school to school, depending on availability of funds and the number of applicants. Schools may ask you to formally accept or decline your award by a specific date. Any financial aid you are eligible to receive will be paid to you through your school. Aid will first be used to pay for tuition, fees and room and board. Any remaining aid is paid to you for your other expenses. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCESThe financial aid administrator has the authority to adjust your cost of attendance or some of the information that is used to calculate your EFC. This change can be made if you have unusual circumstances that affect your family’s ability to contribute money to the cost of your education. If your family has any unusual circumstances (i.e. high medical expenses or reduced income due to a recent job loss), contact the financial aid administrator at the school you plan to attend. He or she will decide whether an adjustment is necessary, and that decision cannot be appealed to the US Department of Education. Most students entering a postsecondary school straight from high school are considered financially dependent on their parents. This means their parents must provide information on the FAFSA. In unusual circumstances, a student who would normally be considered independent can be considered independent. The financial aid administrator at a school can make a special determination of independence and override the student’s dependency status on the FAFSA. Students who believe that they have compelling and unique reasons to be considered independent should contact the financial aid office at the school they are planning to attend. DEFINITIONS AWARD LETTER – list of aid that the school is offering to you. You are not required to accept all aid.COST OF ATTENDANCE (COA) – Each institution determines its own cost of attendance or budgets. This includes both direct educational costs (such as tuition, fees, books and supplies) as well as living costs (room and board, transportation, rental or purchase of a personal computer, and personal expenses). Financial aid can be applied toward direct educational costs as well as living costs. DEPENDENT STUDENT – Students who depend on their parents for support. EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION – (EFC) is the result of need analysis. If filing electronically, you’ll receive an estimated EFC immediately. If paper application, it will be on the SAR. FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid FEDERAL AID – Aid that comes from the US government. FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE – The total financial aid a student is offered, including scholarships, grants, work-study and loans. FINANCIAL NEED – The difference between a student’s education coasts and the EFC (Expected Family Contribution : amount a student’s family is expected to pay.) GIFT AID – Financial aid that does not need to be paid back: Grants: Typically based on financial need. Scholarships: Typically based on achievement or talent. GRANT AWARDS – Are gift aid; they do not have to be repaid, nor do they have to be earned. INDEPENDENT STUDENT – Students who do not depend on their parents for support. Only their own income and assets, and those of a spouse are evaluated to determine EFC. You are an independent student if you are 24 years of age by January 1 of the academic year in which aid is sought, a graduate or a professional student, married, have legal dependents other than a spouse, are an orphan or a ward of the court, or were a ward of the court until age eighteen, or are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. LOANS – Financial assistance that must be repaid. However, need-based student loans do not have to be repaid until you leave school and they carry lower interest rates than most other kinds of loans. This is because the government pays the interest for you while you are enrolled in school. NEED ANALYSIS – The official income/asset evaluation that determines how much a family must contribute to the cost of college. NEED-BASED AID – When students do not have sufficient financial resources to pay for their education beyond high school, they are generally considered to have “financial need.” NET WORTH – Includes cash, savings and checking accounts, non-home real estate/investment equity and net worth of business. NON NEED-BASED AID – Often referred to as merit-based aid and is frequently awarded to students in recognition of special skills, talents, or academic abilities. PRIVATE AID – Financial aid that comes from sources that are non-government related. SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS – financial assistance that does not require repayment or employment and is usually made to students who demonstrate or show potential for distinction, usually in academic performance. STANDARDIZED ALLOWANCES – Federal income tax paid, Social Security payments, state and other taxes, and income protection allowance based on number of members in a household or in college. STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR) – Proof that your FAFSA was received. Received 1 – 3 days if signed with a PIN. Paper signature requires 2 –3 weeks. TOTAL INCOME – Includes income from tax form, IRA/KEOGH payments, Social Security benefits, AFDC/ADC and other untaxed income. AID FROM YOUR COLLEGEFEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY GRANTS (FSEOG) – For undergraduate students without baccalaureate or professional degrees. First priority given to Federal Pell Grant recipients with exceptional need. Because FSEOG funds are allocated to schools for making awards to students, the amount of a student’s FSEOG award may vary from school to school. Up to $4,000 per year, depending on your need, the availability of SEOG funds at your school and the amount of other aid you receive. INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS – Offered by colleges from their own funds PELL GRANT – For undergraduate students who have not yet completed their first baccalaureate and who have not already obtained a graduate or professional degree. Does not have to be repaid. Awards range from $400 to $5,550 per year. When a family fills out the FAFSA, they automatically apply for a Pell Grant. PERKINS LOAN – A low-interest loan (5 %) for undergraduate and graduate students that is awarded by the institution. Repayment and interest begins to accrue nine months after you graduate, leave school or drop below half-time status. Some deferments of the loan are available. Loans may be up to $4000. FEDERAL STAFFORD LOANS – A low interest loan made to help you pay for your education after high school. The interest rate is fixed but may vary from year to year. There are two kinds of Stafford Loans. The Subsidized is based on need, and the government pays the interest while you are in school. The Unsubsidized is not need-based, so it is available to students regardless of financial need. Students must pay the interest or “capitalize” it ( i.e. add it to the principal) while they are in school. Most students will begin repayment six months after leaving college or when dropping below half-time status. FEDERAL PLUS LOANS – For parents of dependent undergraduates with a good credit history. Not based on financial need. These loans are made regardless of income level. Interest is variable but has a cap set by the government. PLUS repayment starts 30-60- days after disbursement. Apply for the above two loans after your college determines the amount of financial aid. STATE GRANTS – All states have grants to help pay for college. To qualify, students must usually be a resident and attend a post-secondary institution within that state. TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT (TEACH GRANT) – For undergraduate, post baccalaureate, and graduate students who are taking course work necessary to become an elementary or secondary teacher. Grant does not have to be repaid unless you fail to teach full time in a designated teacher shortage area for 4 complete years (within eight years of completing academic program). Up to $4000 per year. WORK-STUDY – This program provides jobs – usually in colleges/universities – for undergraduate and graduate students who need financial aid. Pay will be at least the federal minimum wage, but it may also relate to the type and difficulty of the work you do. Most students work 10 – 20 hours per week. The income from work-study will be reported on your next year’s tax returns, but not on next year’s FAFSA. BEFORE TAKING OUT ANY LOAN, BE SURE TO ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONSWhat are the exact provisions of the loan? What is the interest rate? Exactly how much has to be paid in interest? What will the monthly payments be? When will the monthly payments begin? How long will the monthly payments last? What happens if you miss one of the monthly payments? Is there a grace period for paying back the loan? Is there a Loan Forgiveness program? (Ex: Teach in a low-income public school.)
If your application for admission has been accepted, and you have taken all the steps to apply for financial aid, and your family demonstrates financial need, you are likely to receive a financial aid award. Now what? Below is a sample of an award package that students may receive once their admission application is accepted. Interpreting the award letter can take time, and this sample may help you and your family interpret your aid award letter once you receive it. Be sure to ask all questions you have and get the answers before the acceptance deadline.
In this award, the college is covering more than half of the demonstrated financial need with a grant. That certainly helps! But it would be important to ask the financial aid staff whether this level of grant can be expected in future years. (Unfortunately, some colleges do make large initial grants to encourage students to enroll, and may reduce or remove grants after the first year.) You'll also want to ask about the continued availability of the state grant. If the grants look to be stable over the time you'd be enrolled, you can estimate the total student loan indebtedness you would have after four years — in this case, around $10,000 if college costs remain the same. That's about the average level of indebtedness for students graduating nationwide. You'll also want to look at the Federal Work-Study figure. Are you willing to work on campus to earn these funds? If not, you will be expected to come up with the $2,000 in some other way (either extra work beyond the summer earnings expectation, a gift from a relative, a loan, etc.). TEN TACTICS FOR MAXIMIZING YOUR FAMILY’S ELIGIBILITY FOR STUDENT AID:Save money in the parent’s names, not the child’s name Pay off consumer debt, such as credit card and auto loan balances. Spend down the student’s assets first, before touching the parents’ money – it’s counted at a higher rate when calculating the EFC. Accelerate necessary expenses to reduce available cash. For example, if you need a new car or computer, buy it before you file the FAFSA. Minimize capital gains. Maximize contributions to your retirement fund. (The current year’s contributions get added back in as untaxed income on the worksheets, but are not counted as assets.) Do not withdraw money from your retirement fund to pay for school, as distributions count as taxable income, reducing next year’s financial aid eligibility. If you must use money from your retirement funds, borrow the money from the retirement fund instead of getting a distribution. Prepay your mortgage. Use section 529 College Savings Plans, Prepaid Tuition Plans, or Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. A plan owned by a parent has minimal impact on financial aid, and one owned by a grandparent has no impact at all. Choose the date to submit the FAFSA carefully, as assets and marital status are specified as of the application. Applicant marital status cannot be updated. WAYS TO CUT COLLEGE COSTSSpend less time in college. Take Advanced Placement courses in high school. It is possible for a student to earn more than a semester’s worth of credit by taking AP courses. Take Concurrent enrollment courses while in high school. Earn both high school and college credit. Finish school in less than four years by taking more than the normal course load and/or go to summer school. Take one or two additional classes per semester. Some colleges have the same tuition rate for 12 –18 credits. You can get up to 6 credit hours per semester free. Live at home and commute. Living on campus in a dorm can add a significant amount of money to the cost of college education. Get rewarded for you service. Don't let your good deeds go unrewarded. Americorps, the Peace Corps and Teach for America all offer educational service awards to students seeking cash and a way to make a difference in the world. The best part? Unlike other scholarships and grants, these service awards won't affect your federal financial aid eligibility whatsoever. Organizations including the National Health Service Corps, the Army National Guard and the National Institutes of Health all sponsor loan forgiveness programs that turn borrowed cash into free dough in exchange for post-graduate service. Attend a community college for one or two years. It costs about half as much to go to a community college as it does to go to a public four-year College. Let an employer pay the bill. Students who combine coursework with employment often find that this is an excellent way to cut college costs while acquiring valuable work experience. Apply for a co-op program. Many colleges have co-op programs in which students alternate coursework with employment. While they are usually 5 year programs, students often make enough during the periods they work to cover college expenses. Take advantage of tuition assistance programs. Many businesses offer tuition assistance plans for their employees in which they pay the tuition costs for job related courses. Avoid gift tax liability. Money from grandparents should be paid in your student’s name directly to the school. SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS What about scholarship search services? Many private scholarship search services provide sources of financial assistance. We do not evaluate those services. If you decide to use a search service, check its reputation by contacting the Better Business Bureau or your state attorney general’s office. You can search for scholarships for free on our Web site at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov. How can I tell if these search services are scams? Be careful when searching for information on student financial aid. Estimates show that families lose millions of dollars every year to scholarship fraud. The College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act protects against fraud in student financial assistance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cautions students to look for these telltale lines:
"The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back." "You can’t get this information anywhere else." "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship." "You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship." "You’re a finalist" in a contest you never entered. TOP TIPS FOR WINNING SCHOLARSHIPS APPLY ONLY IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE. Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully and make sure that you are eligible before you send in your application. UNDERSTAND THE SCHOLARSHIP’S MISSION. Know why they’re giving out the money. REMEMBER WHO YOUR AUDIENCE IS. Think about who the judges are likely to be. SHOW HOW YOU FIT WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP’S MISSION. BE PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. Don’t be afraid to brag. Judges want to see how your achievements impact you personally. FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS. MAKE YOUR APPLICATION STAND OUT. Set yours apart with unique accomplishments. START EARLY. Take time to read the stories and essays of previous years’ winners. COMPLETE THE APPLICATION IN FULL. If a question doesn’t apply, note that on the application. Don’t just leave a blank. PAY ATTENTION TO DETAILS. Get every required signature. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. Provide everything that is required. But don’t supply things that aren’t requested – you could be disqualified. Be accurate. NEATNESS COUNTS. Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms you receive. Use working drafts as you develop your application packet. Always type the application. WRITE AN ESSAY THAT MAKES A STRONG IMPRESSION. A strong essay is personal and specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘where’ and ‘when’ of your topic. The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected. Keep the essay relevant. WATCH ALL DEADLINES. Impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use a calendar to keep track of all deadlines. TAKE STEPS TO MAKE SURE YOUR APPLICATION GETS WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO. Make a copy of the entire packet and keep it on file. If your application goes astray, you can always reproduce it quickly. Make sure your name (and social security number, if applicable) appears on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified. GIVE IT A FINAL ‘ONCE-OVER’. Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher, or parent to proofread it as well. ASK FOR HELP IF YOU NEED IT. If you have problems with the application, do not hesitate to call the funding organization. REMEMBER – YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REPRESENTS YOU! Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on you. It’s your face to the sponsor. Play to your strengths. Take pride in yourself by submitting the best application you can. Directory: uploads uploads -> 587 Return function, r i(X) r i(0) r i(1) r i(2) r i(3) 1 0 2 4 6 Thermal Station, I 2 0 1 5 6 3 0 3 5 6 10 uploads -> Department of science and humanities department of mathematics part-a questions and answers uploads -> The Case Against the nypd’s Quota-Driven ‘Broken Windows’ Policing What Is It? uploads -> For want of a nail uploads -> Ownership Models There are two different types of ownership models uploads -> Police Militarization uploads -> City of rising star regular meting thursday, july 14, 2016 uploads -> Township of winfield uploads -> Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act of 2014 uploads -> The Black Panther Party’s Ten-Point Program What We Want Now! Download 1.69 Mb. Share with your friends:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||