Prepare For College
1. SENIOR OVERVIEW TIMELINE
2. SAT - ACT
3. APPLY TO COLLEGE
4. FAFSA
5. SCHOLARSHIPS
Senior Overview TimeLine
SAT - ACT
Process For Applying To College
1. Fill out the application online
2. Request letters of recommendation
3. Request transcripts
4. Request application fee waiver
5. Write your application essay
6. Double-check everything and submit it!
7. Receive confirmation letter or e-mail
8. Hear back and make a decision
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
1. Apply for a FAFSA PIN at www.pin.ed.gov - student + parents
2. Discuss family finances and gather important documents and info:
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Your Social Security number or Permanent Resident card
Your Driver License number
Your W-2 forms
Your family’s income tax returns (1040 or 1040EZ, etc.)
Your income tax returns
Untaxed income records
Current bank statements for you and your family
Business and investment records for your family
3. Begin to fill out the FAFSA beginning January 1st
4. Submit it!
Apply for Scholarships
1. Find a scholarship that fits you
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Oregonstudentaid.gov
Fastweb.com
Talk to counselors
Use Google!
2. Make a list of the different pieces
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Letters of recommendation
Transcript required
Financial Information
3. Fill out the application
4. Write your essay
5. Submit before the deadline
Common Scholarship Questions
 Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet
these goals.
 Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a
better place to live. Please provide specific examples.
 Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you
used to achieve it.
 Describe a significant change or experience that has occurred in your
life. How did you respond and what did you learn about yourself?
Scholarship Application Tips
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Start searching for scholarships as soon as possible.
Apply only if you are eligible
Read and follow all instructions
Meet all the application deadlines
Gather application materials early
Don’t ignore small awards
Request letter of recommendation early
Write great essay
Be yourself, honest
Don’t repeat information
Make it sounds interesting
Ask for help if you need it
Read profiles of past winners
Proofread the essay before you submit it
Try, try again and keep try again!
Ace Your Scholarship Interview
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Prepare beforehand
Review your application
Dress for success
Be on time
Smile, shake hands
Stay confident and relaxed
Honest and be yourself
Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting
Be a good listener as well as a good communicator
Look the interviewer in the eye while speaking
Show enthusiasm
Don't answer with a simple "yes" or "no.” Explain
Explain clear your goals
Ask question
Follow up
College Resource & Scholarship Websites
 OSAC – www.oregonstudentaid.gov
 FastWeb – www.fastweb.com
 College Board – www.collegeboard.com
 GatesMillennium – www.gmsp.org
 Oregon University System – www.ous.edu
 APIASF - www.apiasf.org
 US Dept of Education – www.studentaid.edu.gov
Questions?
Hai Dao
daoh@onid.orst.edu
haidao_o@yahoo.com
Thank you!