College Search Process
Where does your student begin?
Step 1:
Students set-up online accounts by registering at the
following websites:
Family Connections:
http://connection.naviance.com/stjohnsbury
College Board:
www.collegeboard.com
(switching to .org)
Once your student has a College Board account,
register for the SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests OR ACT.
Step 2:
www.collegeboard.com
www.act.org
Test Date
May 7
Reg. Deadline
April 8
Test Date
April 9
Reg. Deadline
March 5
June 4
May 6
June 11
May 6
* The ACT test is NOT offered at the Academy.
SEARCH PROCESS – for this semester
• NAVIANCE – Family Connections
• MEET WITH GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
• NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE REGISTRATION – if your
student plans on playing Division I or II sports.
• ATTEND SPRING COLLEGE FAIRS
• Lyndon State College Fair – April 4
• Colby Sawyer College Fair – April 28
• SCHEDULE SPRING AND/OR SUMMER COLLEGE
CAMPUS VISITS
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NOV 1
NOV 15
DEC 1
DEC 15
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JAN 1
JAN 15
FEB 1
FEB 15
What does all of this mean to your student?
By September:
• Your student should have finalized his/her college list.
• List should be prioritized by application deadline.
• Summertime is a GREAT time to start college essays, as well as
applications.
• Your student should have asked teachers for recommendations.
He/she should ask 2 teachers this spring, and follow-up with them in
September.
• Final SAT preparations should be made and make sure your student has
arranged to have his/her scores sent to all schools. THIS IS YOUR
STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILTY - we do not send scores.
• If your student is applying to a major that requires a portfolio, make
sure that he/she knows what is required and when it’s required, and
begin pulling everything together.
• If your student wants to meet with a College, he/she
must get permission from his/her teacher at least the day
before (as a common courtesy).
• Students should be sure to sign up for the visits in the
Guidance Office.
• College Visits will be listed on Family Connections. So
students should check on-line daily.
• The schedule of college visits are also posted on the
bulletin board outside of the Guidance Office on 1st floor
Colby.
• It is your student’s responsibility to talk to
teachers about recommendations.
• Most schools require 2 teacher
recommendations, please do not request
more than 2 – most schools will only read
what they require.
• Make sure your student reads what each
college requires for recommendations. Some
schools require letters from specific subject
areas.
FINANCIAL AID
INFORMATION THAT
YOU NEED TO KNOW .
FINANCIAL AID
• Your Role
The primary responsibility for
paying for college lies with the
family. Financial aid is designed to
supplement a family’s contribution
to college expenses, not replace it.
TYPE OF FINANCIAL AID
• GRANTS – money generally awarded based on a
family’s level of financial need
• SCHOLARSHIPS – money students search for
individually and compete against other students
to win.
• WORK-STUDY – jobs arranged by colleges to
provide students with income up to a specific
dollar amount each semester.
• EDUCATION LOANS- money borrowed by
students and or parents to pay for school.
How Does my student get
Financial Aid?
1. The first step is to fill out the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
– The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal grants,
federal loans, and work-study programs. College and state
agencies will require the FAFSA to determine eligibility for
their own financial aid (a.k.a. institutional aid).
2. You and your student will need a PIN number
to complete the FAFSA.
(the PIN will be your signature at the end of your form.)
What’s the FAFSA Deadline?
• February 15 is the ABSOLUTE LATEST to
submit on-line.
• Aim for February 1
• This online application needs to be
completed by both your student and you.
It’s a FAMILY project.
What Else Do I Need To Do?
• Some schools require the CSS Profile (found on
www.collegeboard.com). If your school requires this
online form it needs to be completed and submitted by
the school-specific deadline.
• PLEASE NOTE* -
Some schools require additional
paperwork for financial aid. Check on each of your schools’
financial aid web site page for more information. While
you’re there – check for any INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS or
SCHOLARSHIPS you may be eligible for.
• If you have ANY questions about financial aid and/or
scholarships– CALL your college/university’s financial
aid office.
Other Financial Aid Applications
Vermont Residents
•
Fill out the Vermont Incentive grant application
• The Vermont Incentive grant, distributed by VSAC, is a needbased grant available to VT residents who are obtaining their
first Bachelor’s degree and are enrolled full time or part time in
a degree program.
• Fill out the VSAC Unified Scholarship Application
• This application can be found in VSAC’s scholarship booklet.
Also found at www.vsac.org
• Scholarship Search Engines
www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
www.finaid.org