ACT
 Can score a 1-36 (Average
of 4 sections—Math,
Science, Reading, English)
 No penalty for guessing
SAT I
 Can score 200-800 on each
of three sections (Critical
Reading, Math, and Writing)
 1 point is given for correct
answers. 1/3-1/5 point is
taken away for wrong
answers.
*Studies show that out of
the students who have
taken both the ACT and
SAT I, 1/3 of the
students score better on
the ACT, 1/3 score better
on the SAT, and the
other 1/3 score the
equivalent on both tests.
Ex. 24 ACT/1170 SAT
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Complete all applications online, if possible.
◦ Most students waive their right to view their letters of
recommendation or other information from those who
contribute to the application. It’s a good idea to do this,
because colleges will not view the recommendations with
validity if they know that the student has had or will have
access to that info.
◦ Gather letters of recommendation, resume, or any other
information the application asks for and submit separately if
applying online/together if applying on paper.
Send your transcript to the school. (Fill out the
transcript request in the guidance office)
Complete the scholarship application (if separate
and/or applicable).
College will mail you their decision, what to do next,
etc.
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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Very few students win a completely free ride
◦ Of students enrolled full-time at a 4-year college
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0.3% get enough grants to cover the full COA
1.0% get enough grants to cover 90% or more of the COA
3.4% get enough grants to cover 75% or more of the COA
14.3% get enough grants to cover 50% or more of the COA
◦ Of students winning scholarships, more than
two-thirds (69.1%) received less than $2,500
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More students at 4-year colleges win
scholarships
◦ 8.3% of students at 4-year colleges win scholarships
◦ 2.6% of students at 2-year colleges win scholarships
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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It’s a numbers game
◦ Even among talented students, who wins involves a
bit of luck, not just skill
◦ To win more scholarships, apply to more
scholarships, but only if you qualify
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You can’t win if you don’t apply
◦ One in four students never applies for financial aid
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It gets easier after your first 6 applications
◦ Essays can be reused and tailored to each new
application
Don’t miss deadlines
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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Prioritize your applications by deadline and the
expected value of the scholarship
 Use a calendar and checklist to get organized
 Create an accomplishments resume
 Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals
 Read and follow the instructions
 Make your application stand out from the crowd
 Ask to be nominated
 Practice on a copy of the application form
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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Ask the teacher whether she can write you a
great letter of recommendation
 The recommendation should be relevant to
the scholarship sponsor’s goal
 Provide the recommender with a copy of your
accomplishments resume
 Provide the recommender with a SASE and all
required forms
 Thank the recommender for writing the letter
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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Answer the essay question orally and
transcribe the recording
 Use an outline to organize your thoughts
 Give examples and be specific
 Personalize your essay and be passionate
 Write about something of interest to you
 Talk about your impact on other people
 Proofread a printed copy of the essay for
spelling and grammar errors
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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Use a professional email address, such as
firstname.lastname@gmail.com
 Clean up the content of your Facebook account,
removing inappropriate and immature material
 Google your name to see what shows up
 Make a photocopy of your application before
mailing it
 Send the application by certified mail, return
receipt requested or with delivery confirmation
 If rejected, ask for the reviewer comments
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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Scholarships in our own backyard vs.
nationwide scholarships
Service clubs—Rotary, Civitan, Kiwanis,
American Legion, etc.
Scholarships from religious organizations
Money from your worker’s union
Talk to your employer (student and parent)
Scholarships from extracurricular activities
(Boy Scouts, FBLA, Key Club, etc.)
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Your college financial aid office
Your department of study at the college you
choose.
Search the newspaper for past winners of
scholarships.
The internet (www.fastweb.com,
www.scholarships.com, etc.)
Big businesses
Professional associations
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Scholarship books
Use your ethnicity or a disability
Use your leadership and/or community service
Contests
Military
Job vs. Scholarship Searching
20 hour part-time job$160=$8/hour
20 hour scholarship search$1000 scholarship=$50/hour
Missing deadlines
 Failing to proofread the application
 Failing to follow directions (essay length, number
of recommendations)
 Omitting required information
 Applying for an award when you don’t qualify
 Failing to apply for an award for which you are
eligible
 Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor
 Writing a boring essay
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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Spout off on social media.
2.
Lie on your application.
3.
Neglect standardized test prep.
4.
Be frivolous about grades.
5.
Don’t devote time to your application essay.
6.
Don’t take the admissions interview seriously.
7.
Sit on your couch and do nothing.
8.
Skate through your senior year after applying.
9.
Use a tasteless email address.
10. Ignore deadlines.
Suzanne Schaffer,
http://www.parentscountdowntocollegecoach.com/201
3/11/21/top-10-ways-ruin-college-admissionschances/
1.
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http://hartselle.hcs.schoolinsites.com/ --Click on
Guidance for information on scholarships and on
links and calendar for more information and
reminders.
www.alcareerinfo.org Career Planning,
Scholarships/Financial Aid, and other info for
students and parents.
Saving for college (PACT, ESA’s, and 529 Plans)
North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence—
256-350-6478
Stay organized and motivated!
If you have to pay money to get money, it is
probably a scam
 Never invest more than a postage stamp to get
information about scholarships or to apply for a
scholarship
 Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a
scholarship
 Do not give out personal information like bank
account numbers, credit card numbers or Social
Security numbers
 Beware of the unclaimed aid myth
-Mark Kantrowitz, FastWeb
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College Characteristics
 Academics
 Size
 Atmosphere
 Cost
 Location
 Student Body Type
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Seniors could have started applying Sept
2014
100% online
Will accept a weighted GPA
1st round of acceptance letters will be mailed
Oct. 15.
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Last year the regular decision minimums in the
fall were around a 24 ACT/1170 SAT and a
3.25 GPA.
Some admission decisions will be deferred—
this is not a denial of admission. All deferred
admissions will get a final answer by Feb. 15.
Writing portion of the ACT is required.
Will take the highest ACT regardless of when
the writing portion was taken.
ACT scores must be sent from ACT and will not
be accepted off of the back of the transcript.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
December 1st deadline—Application for
admission serves as scholarship
application--not separate
Spirit of Auburn Scholarships
Presidential—32-36 ACT (1400-1600 SAT) score and a 3.5
GPA—covers tuition for four years and a $1000 technology
stipend.
Founders—30-31 ACT (1330-1390 SAT) score and a 3.5
GPA—covers tuition for four years
University—28-29 ACT (1250-1320 SAT) score and a 3.5
GPA --$3,000 per year for 4 years
Auburn Spirit Foundation/Legacy Scholarships—26
ACT/1170 SAT and 3.5 GPA for students who are first
generation college students or have a parent who is an
Alumni of Auburn--$6000 over 4 years
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Could have started applying August
Apply online or pdf version is available
Writing portion of the ACT is required.
Will take the highest ACT regardless of when
the writing portion was taken. ACT score must
be sent through ACT.
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Last year a 3.0 GPA and 21 ACT/1000 SAT
score was generally accepted for admission
Will accept a weighted GPA if printed on the
transcript
Some admission letters are being sent out as
soon as the application is complete
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Capstone Scholar—3.5 GPA and a 27 ACT/1210
SAT--$3500/year for 4 years
Collegiate Scholar—3.5 GPA and a 28
ACT/1250-1320 SAT--$4000/year for 4 years
Foundation in Excellence—3.5 GPA and a 29
ACT/1290 SAT--$4913 or half-tuition for 4 yrs
Presidential Scholar—3.5 GPA and a 30-36
ACT/1330-1600 SAT—In-state tuition for 4
years
Academic Elite—Member of Univ. Fellows, 3.8
GPA and a 32-36/1400-1600 SAT—Tuition for
4 years, $8500 per year for 4 years and Ipad
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Generally speaking, UAB admits students with at
least a 20 ACT/950 SAT and a 2.25 GPA.
Presidential Scholarships, Presidential Recognition
Awards, and Endowed Scholarships
From $7,000 to full tuition (up to 15 credit hours per term),
required fees, and on-campus housing
Based on academic achievement (33-36 ACT and at least 3.0
GPA) and submission of the supplemental scholarship
application sent to you if you were admitted to UAB by
December 1. (Mailing begins on a rolling basis in midOctober.) These scholarships are highly competitive and
limited in number.
In-State
Scholarships
for 2014-2015
Annual Amount
Required
Test Score
Presidential
Recognition,
Presidential, and
Endowed
Tuition and fees
Scholarships
(supplemental
application required)
33-36 ACT
Golden Excellence
$7,500
30-32 ACT
Collegiate Honors
$5,500
27-29 ACT
UAB Breakthrough
$3,000
24-26 ACT
UAB Academic
Achievement
$2,000
20-23 ACT
Collegiate Honors
$5,500
30-36 ACT
UAB Academic
Achievement
Required GPA
3.5 GPA or higher
3.0-3.49 GPA
$2,000
24-29 ACT
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Generally speaking, UAH admits students with at least a 20
ACT/970 SAT and a 2.9 GPA. However, they have a sliding scale
for GPA as the ACT score goes up.
Scholarships
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In general, admission standards are an 18 ACT score (or
ranked in the top 50% of the senior class) and a 2.0 in core
subject areas.
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Full admission starts at a 20 ACT
Students with a 22 ACT are automatically
qualified for scholarships.
Students with a 26 ACT are automatically
qualified for a full-tuition scholarship and
book stipendfor up to four years.
Students with a 30 ACT are automatically
qualified for a full-tuition, room and board
scholarship for four years.
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Require you to have graduated from high school for admission.
An ACT score is not required for admission—However, if you score a 20
on the Math/English portions, you will not be required to take the
COMPASS placement test to determine which Math/English class where
you start in the fall of your Freshman year.
Last year, a 27 ACT score and a 3.0 GPA was a full-tuition scholarship at
Calhoun and Wallace State
Many other scholarship opportunities exist at the community college
level with lower ACT requirements than at 4-year colleges.
Tuition rates at community colleges are cheaper than 4-year
universities.
Once students complete a couple of years of community college (usually
around 48 hours), four-year schools offer admission and scholarships
based on the GPA at the community college and not your high school
GPA/ACT score.
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65% of the projected jobs of the future will require a
two-year technical education. 20% will require a
four-year degree. 15% will require no formal
training at a post-secondary school.
However—65% of graduates pursue four-year
degrees and 20% pursue two-year technical degrees.
Healthcare Careers
Process Technology
Machine Tool Technology
Welding
Industrial Maintenance
HVAC
Aerospace/AviationTechnology Design/Drafting
Automation/Electrical Tech
Robotics
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Agriculture Production/Horticulture
Auto Body Repair
Auto Mechanics
Automotive Manufacturing Technology
Aviation Flight Technology
Commercial Foods
Commercial Sewing
Diesel Mechanics
Drafting and Design Technology
Electronic Technology
Heating and Air Conditioning
Precision Machining/CNC/Tool and Die/Plastics
Upholstery/Interior Refinishing
Welding
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Auburn University—$29,000
Univ. of Alabama—$26,000
UAB—$23,000
UAH—$24,000
UNA—$19,000
Troy University—$22,000
Jacksonville State—$20,000
Calhoun Community College—$8,000
Wallace State Community College--$8,000
Go to a school you can afford.
2. Search for scholarships like crazy and take
advantage of financial aid and grants if
possible.
3. Generate income—Studies show that an average
college student working 20 hours/week can pay
for an in-state public school education.
4. Save like crazy before school and while working
in the summers during school.
5. Live frugally—Sacrifice for 4 years so that you
can live the next 40 uncommonly.
-Rachel Cruze, @rachelcruze
1.
Financial Aid
A:
The first step in the financial aid
process is to complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov.
A: FAFSA completion starts the application
process for Federal Pell Grants, Federal
Student Loans, Federal Parent PLUS
Loans, Federal Work Study, Supplemental
Grants and some scholarships depending
on the organization.
- Even if you know you won’t qualify for a
grant, you never know when you might
need extra help.
A: The FAFSA becomes available for
the upcoming school year in January.
- File as soon as your
(student)/parents taxes are
completed. The earlier you complete
the FAFSA the more likely you are to
receive additional funding that may be
available.
A: The earlier you complete the FAFSA
the more likely you are to receive
additional funding that may be
available.
- Some schools receive additional
federal, state and/or institutional
grants that have very limited funding.
These grants may be given to students
on a first come, first serve basis for
those who qualify.
A:
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You and your parent must have the following information:
Social Security Number (can be found on your Social Security
card)
Driver's license (if any)
2013 Federal Income Tax Returns (if you haven't completed
returns for 2013, bring 2012 federal tax returns, W-2 forms,
and records of other money earned during the year):
 IRS PIN Number(s)
 IRS Form 1040,
 1040A,
 1040EZ,
 1040Telefile,
 foreign tax return, or
 tax return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of
Micronesia.
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Records of untaxed income:
 Social Security
 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families ,
Food Stamps
 Welfare
 Veterans' benefits
Current bank statements
Current business and investment mortgage
information, business and farm records, stock,
bond, and other investment records
Documentation that you are a U.S. permanent
resident or other eligible noncitizen
A: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Student Loans, Federal
Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal
Work Study and Supplemental Grants.
- Federal Pell Grants, Federal Subsidized Student Loans,
Federal Perkins Loans, Supplemental Grants and
Federal Work Study aid are need based aid.
- Federal Unsubsidized Student Loans and Parent PLUS
Loans and are not need based aid.
- Please note that all students are not eligible for need
based aid.
A: A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not
have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded
usually only to undergraduate students who
have not earned a bachelor's or a professional
degree. (In some cases, however, a student
enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher
certification program might receive a Pell
Grant.) Pell Grants are considered a
foundation of federal financial aid, to which
aid from other federal and nonfederal sources
might be added.
A:
A federal student loan allows students and their parents to
borrow money to help pay for college through loan programs
supported by the federal government. Student loans, unlike grants
and work-study, are borrowed money that must be repaid, with
interest, just like car loans and home mortgages. You cannot have
these loans canceled because you didn't like the education you
received, didn't get a job in your field of study or because you're
having financial difficulty. Loans are legal obligations, so before
you take out a student loan, think about the amount you'll have to
repay over the years. They usually have low interest rates and
offer attractive repayment terms, benefits and options. Generally,
repayment of a federal loan does not begin until after the student
leaves school. Federal student loans can be used to pay school
expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books,
supplies and transportation.
A:
Federal Stafford Subsidized Loans provide low interest rates
and are available to students who demonstrate financial need
based on income and other information provided on the FAFSA. A
credit check is not required to receive these loans. The federal
government pays the interest on these loans until six months
after the student is no longer enrolled in school at least half time.
- Federal Stafford Unsubsidized Loans provide low interest rates
and are available to all students regardless of financial need
(although the FAFSA still must be filed). A credit check is not
required to receive these loans. The student is responsible for the
interest, which may be paid while the student is in school or
accrued and then added to the principal balance when the
student enters repayment, which occurs six months after the
student is no longer enrolled in school at least half time.
A: Federal Perkins Loans are made through
participating schools to undergraduate,
graduate and professional degree students.
- Offered to students who demonstrate
financial need.
- Made to students enrolled full-time or parttime.
- Repaid to your school.
A: Federal Parent PLUS Loans are low interest
loans that parents can obtain to help pay the
cost of education for their children. These
loans are available for parents on behalf of
the student once the FAFSA has been
completed and the financial aid file
completed. PLUS loans require a credit check
and, in some instances, an eligible cosigner.
Repayment of PLUS loans begins following
the final disbursement for the year.
Additional paperwork may be required.
A: The federal work study program is federally
funded and is available to qualified students
who demonstrate financial need. Students are
employed on campus approximately 15 hours
per week at minimum wage and are paid
monthly. Funds for this program are limited
and a limited number of FWSP community
service opportunities are available through
our office.
A:
The FAFSA doesn’t pay for anything, your
financial aid package/award shows what funds
have been offered to you.
- In most cases, no, your financial aid package
will not cover all of your expenses. Federal
Student Aid is not designed to pay for
everything. It is a supplement to help
you/your parents with educational costs.
A: You and your parent must each have a PIN
number that will be used every year that you
file a FAFSA.
- It will also be used to sign your Master
Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling if
you accept a loan.
- The PIN site is www.pin.ed.gov.
A: Electronically, but you must list your
school’s code on the FAFSA.
- If you do not know the code, there is a drop
down box for you to search for and choose
your school to be added to your FAFSA.
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www.fsapubs.org
www.fafsa.gov
www.pin.ed.gov
www.nslds.ed.gov
www.dlservicer.ed.gov
www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov
www.nasfaa.org
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.ucsb.edu/FAFSASimplification/index.ht
ml
www.studentaid.ed.gov
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Kenny Lopez
◦ Kenneth.lopez@hcs.k12.al.us
◦ 256-751-5616