1
SENIOR STUDENT GUIDE
2014 - 2015
EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH
&
UPWARD BOUND
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Senior Year To Do List
pg. 3
Senior Year Calendar
pg. 4
College Admissions Checklist
pg. 5
Choosing a College
pg. 6
Local College Information
pg. 9
Frequently Asked Questions
pg. 12
Federal Financial Aid Programs
pg. 14
Scholarship Information
pg. 16
Financial Aid & Scholarship Resources
pg. 17
Strategies for Succeeding in College
pg. 18
Letters of Recommendation
pg. 21
Personal Portfolio Contents
pg. 22
Example of Introductory Page
pg. 23
Worksheet for Introductory Page
pg. 24
Example of Educational Resume
pg. 25
Example of Job Resume
pg. 26
Finishing the Personal Portfolio
pg. 27
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SENIOR YEAR TO DO LIST
Fall
 Create a master calendar of deadlines. Include college applications, test registrations
and test dates, scholarship applications, housing and financial aid deadlines.
 Make sure you are on track for graduation. Meet with your school counselor to review
your credits and check that your transcript is up to date (especially if you are applying for
the Regents’ Scholarship).
 Consider taking college classes if your school offers them.
 Look for scholarships. Use sources such as your high school’s counseling center
website, utahfutures.org, fastweb.com and bigfuture.collegeboard.com.
 Take the ACT Test (or retake it if you aren’t satisfied with your score). See
actstudent.org for a list of test dates and registration deadlines, test preparation and
online registration. You are entitled to 2 ACT fee waivers as a UB/ETS participant!
 Attend college fairs and financial aid workshops. Most high schools will host a college
day for seniors where you can visit with representatives and pick up information. Watch
for information on college representatives visiting your school.
 Make college visits on your own.
 Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, employers and coaches.
 Write essays for college applications and scholarships. Make sure to ask a teacher or
your Trio Advisor to proofread your essays.
 Prepare your senior resume and eProfile.
 Create a professional email address if you don’t have one.
 Apply to colleges of your choice.
Winter
 Keep looking for scholarships. Most college scholarships are due by February 1.
Check with your high school counselor or scholarship advisor often.
 Keep working hard in school. Colleges do look at senior year transcripts!
 Ask your parents to file their taxes early this year so that you can begin your Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
 Gather tax information.
 Apply for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible after Jan. 1 at fafsa.gov.
 Apply for college housing if you have been accepted to the school of your choice.
Spring
 Review financial aid packages offered by colleges. Make sure you have submitted all
necessary paperwork.
 Decide on a college and notify the admissions office by May 1 of your decision. Notify
schools that you will not attend of your decision.
 Accept financial aid and/or scholarship offers from the college of your choice.
 Make sure you stay on top of information from your college. Many schools will set up a
college email address for you and communicate only through that address.
 Keep looking for scholarships. Many local scholarships become available in the spring,
so do not miss out on these. Even a small award can help you pay for books or housing.
 Look into graduating with honors. See your high school counselor or UB/ETS advisor
for information.
 Create a college budget to determine your needs for loans.
 Look for a summer job and start saving for college!
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SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR
AUGUST
____________________
JANUARY
____________________
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____________________
____________________
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SEPTEMBER
____________________
FEBRUARY
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
OCTOBER
____________________
MARCH
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
NOVEMBER
____________________
APRIL
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
DECEMBER
____________________
MAY
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
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COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
 Make sure you are on track for graduation and that your transcript is in order before
requesting one for a college application.
 Use the “Choosing a College” exercise in this booklet to explore what type of college is best
suited to your personality and needs. The most important factor in choosing a college is
finding a good fit!
 Choose which college(s) you will apply to and check the priority application deadlines.
Some can be as early as December 1! Remember that you have to pay an application fee
for each school you apply to, and you do not get it back if you decide not to go there. Some
colleges will waive the application fee if you make a campus visit or if their representative
visits your school. It never hurts to ask!
 Follow the directions on the college website to apply online. Make sure you follow all the
steps and submit your transcript and application fee.
 Watch for email confirmation that the college(s) has received your application and that you
have been accepted.
 If you did not have your ACT scores sent to the college(s) you are applying to, you will need
to request that they be sent through actstudent.org. There is a fee to have them sent.
 If you need to take or retake the ACT, register online at actstudent.org. The latest you can
take the test is in December if you wish to have your scores considered for admissions and
scholarships. ACT test dates for the 2013 – 14 year are below.
Test Date
September 13, 2014
October 25, 2014
December 13, 2014
February 7, 2015
April 18, 2015
June 13, 2015
Registration Deadline
August 8, 2014
September 19, 2014
November 7, 2014
January 9, 2015
March 13, 2015
May 8, 2015
 Once you have been accepted, you can apply for scholarships. Some colleges
automatically consider you for academic merit scholarships when you apply for admissions,
but some will have a separate application. See the Scholarship Information pages in this
booklet for more on applying for scholarships!
 Apply for housing if you plan to live on campus.
 Sign up for orientation and/or a meeting with an academic advisor before registering for
classes.
6
CHOOSING A COLLEGE
If you are like many college-bound students, you probably made the decision to continue your education
fairly early, even before you started high school. Looking back, you may find your reasons for making
that decision are no longer clear to you, or the reasons may have changed, just as you have changed in
the past few years.
Whether you have known you were going to college, or whether you are considering it now for the first
time, take this opportunity to think about your reasons. If you can state your objectives clearly at the
start, your college search will be much easier.
Make a list of your reasons for going to college, putting your most important reason at the top of your list.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Discuss your reasons for going to college with your parents, counselors, friends and anyone else who
can help you to focus on your long-term goals. Don't worry if your reasons are not the same as those of
your friends or advisors: you are an individual and your reasons have to make sense to you.
Ask yourself if the best way to achieve your objectives is by going to college. If you think it is, then you
are off to a good start.
What are you like? Knowing yourself-- your abilities, interests, attitudes and personality-- plays an
important role in the college decision process. What you know about yourself will help you to define what
you are looking for in a college. Try to get a clear picture of your strengths and weaknesses, your likes
and dislikes.
It is difficult to decide what's important to you in a college unless you have some guidelines. The
following is a list of characteristics which make one college different from another. Some of these factors
will be important to you-- others may not be as important. This list is designed to help you develop a
better definition of the kind of college you would like to attend.
Indicate in the first column which of these factors would be important if you were able to "design" your
own ideal college. Then fill in the names of three colleges you are considering. Check the characteristics
that fit that school. Compare your "ideal" school with each of the three, and count the number of
matching factors. If the school which is the closest match doesn't really seem like your favorite school-perhaps there are some factors, besides these, that you haven't identified, but that really are important to
you.
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Ideal
4-year College
4-year University with Graduate School
2-year Junior College
2-year Community College
Vocational/Technical College
Business College
Large size school
Medium size school
Small size school
Small classes
Large classes
Personal attention
Privacy/Anonymity
Opportunity for athletic participation
Opportunity for spectator sports
Good intramural sports program
Modern facilities
Older, "traditional" facilities
Close to home/family
Away from home/family
Go where my friends go
Go where someone in my family went
Chance to "break away" from high school crowd
Be with students like myself
Be with students different from me/my friends
Good academic reputation
Summer school available
International reputation
Study abroad programs
Good library
Research facilities
Staff/faculty with strong academic credentials
Staff/faculty who are friendly and helpful
"Classy" image
Good career counseling
Tutorial services
Good job placement rate
Active student government
Lots of student activities/clubs
Particular student activities/clubs
#1
#2
#3
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Ideal
Tuition cost per academic year
Cost per academic year:
$1500 - 3000
$3000 - 5000
$5000 - 8000
$8000 - 12000
$12000 & up
Availability of financial aid
Availability of scholarships
Availability of on/off campus work
Active social life on campus
Active social life in community
Location in large city
Location in medium-size/small city
Rural location
Warm climate
Cool climate
Recreational opportunities
Adequate on-campus housing
Adequate off-campus housing
Religious atmosphere
Easy to be admitted (open-door policy)
Hard to be admitted (selective enrollment)
Remedial coursework available
Personal counseling available
Honors program available
Good food in cafeteria
Primarily residential campus
Primarily commuter campus
State owned school
Private college
Other:
TOTAL
#1
#2
#3
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LOCAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY
INFORMATION
Prices are approximate and subject to change. See college websites for exact information.
Brigham Young University
byu.edu
LDS Business College
ldsbc.edu
Provo, Utah 84602
Admissions:
(801) 422-2507
Financial Aid:
(801) 422-4104
95 N 300 W
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Priority Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
LDS Tuition/Fees
Non-LDS Tuition/Fees
30,000
ACT or SAT
Dec. 1
Feb. 1
$35
Feb. 1
$3665 per semester
$2500 per semester
$5000 per semester
Brigham Young University-Idaho
byui.edu
525 S Center St
Rexburg, Idaho 83460
Admissions: (208) 496-1300
Financial Aid: (208) 496-1600
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Priority Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
LDS Tuition/Fees
Non-LDS Tuition/Fees
15,000
ACT or SAT
Dec. 1
Feb. 1
$35
April 1
$2400 per semester
$1975 per semester
$3750 per semester
Dixie College
dixie.edu
(801) 524-8100
(801) 524-8111
Approximate Enrollment
2,000
Tests Required
(for scholarships only) ACT
Application Deadline
Ten days prior to semester
Application Fee
$35
Scholarship Deadline
March 1
Room and Board
Varies (no on-campus housing)
LDS Tuition/Fees
$1530 per semester
Non-LDS Tuition/Fees
$3060 per semester
Salt Lake Community College
slcc.edu
4600 South Redwood Road
Salt Lake City, Utah 84123
Admissions:
(801) 957-7522
Financial Aid:
(801) 957-4410
Approximate Enrollment (13 campuses)
60,000
Tests Required
ACT or SAT
Application Deadline
August 15
Application Fee
$40
Scholarship Deadline
March 1
Room and Board
Varies (no on campus housing)
Tuition/Fees
$1734 per semester
Student Support Services
Gregory Roberts, Director
(801) 957-4334
gregory.roberts@slcc.edu
Snow College
snow.edu
225 South 700 East
St. George, Utah 84770
Admissions:
(435) 652-7777
Financial Aid:
(435) 652-7575
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
In-State Tuition/Fees
Student Support Services
Jonathan Morrell, Director
(435) 652-7656
morrell@dixie.edu
Admissions:
Financial Aid:
150 College Avenue
Ephraim, Utah 84627
Admissions:
(435) 283-7144
Financial Aid:
(435) 283-7131
10,000
ACT or SAT
Aug. 15
$35
March 1
$2449 per semester
$2145 per semester
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
In-State Tuition/Fees
Student Support Services
Mike Anderson
(435) 283-7393
mike.anderson@snow.edu
4,500
ACT or SAT
Open
$30
March 1
$1600 per semester
$1543 per semester
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Utah State University
usu.edu
Southern Utah University
suu.edu
Taggart Student Center
Logan, Utah 84322
Admissions:
(435) 797-1079
Financial Aid:
(435) 797-0173
351 West University Blvd
Cedar City, Utah 84720
Admissions:
(435) 586-7740
Financial Aid:
(435) 586-7735
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
In-State Tuition/Fees
Student Support Services
Lynne Brown
(435) 586-7771
Brown_lj@suu.edu
8,000
ACT or SAT
May 1
$50
December 1
$3215 per semester
$3069 per semester
451 East 400 North
Price, Utah 84501
Admissions:
(435) 613-5226
Financial Aid:
(435) 613-5323
201 Presidents Circle
Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
Admissions:
(801) 581-8761
Financial Aid:
(801) 581-6211
32,000
ACT or SAT
December 1
$45
December 1
$4440 per semester
$3938 per semester
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
In-State Tuition/Fees
2,500
ACT or SAT
Open
$40
March 1
$2099 per semester
$1686 per semester
Utah Valley University
uvu.edu
800 West University Parkway
Orem, Utah 84058
Admissions:
(801) 863-8466
Financial Aid:
(801) 863-8442
Utah College of Applied
Technology
ucat.edu
9 campuses statewide
Admissions:
(801) 955-2170
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
In-State Tuition/Fees
16,000
ACT or SAT
April 1
$40
December 1
$3045 per semester
$3192 per semester
Utah State University Eastern
eastern.usu.edu
University of Utah
utah.edu
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Priority Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
In-State Tuition/Fees
Student Support Services
Donna Jordan-Allen
(435) 581-7188
djallen@sa.utah.edu
Approximate Enrollment
Tests Required
Application Deadline
Application Fee
Scholarship Deadline
Room and Board
In-State Tuition/Fees
Student Support Services
Dr. Nazih Al-Rashid, Director
(435) 797-3371
nazih.alrashid@usu.edu
42,000
N/A
Year Round
$40
Year Round
Varies
$1.70 per hour
Approximate Enrollment
33,000
Tests Required
ACT or SAT
Application Deadline
August 1
Application Fee
$35
Scholarship Deadline
February 1
Room and Board
Varies (no on campus housing)
In-State Tuition/Fees
$2635 per semester
Student Support Services
Keith Jensen
(801) 863-8426
jensenke@uvu.edu
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Weber State University
weber.edu
1137 University Circle
Ogden, Utah 84408-1137
Admissions:
(801) 626-6743
Financial Aid:
(801) 626-7569
Approximate Enrollment
25,000
Tests Required
ACT or SAT
(for scholarships & placement only)
Application Deadline
Open
Application Fee
$30
Scholarship Deadline
Jan. 13
Room and Board
$3200 per semester
In-State Tuition/Fees
$2590 per semester
Student Support Services
Donalyn Sessions-Education Advisor
(801) 626-6867
dsessions@weber.edu
Westminster College
westminstercollege.edu
1840 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84105
Admissions:
(801) 832-2200
Approximate Enrollment
3,300
Tests Required
ACT or SAT
Application Deadline Rolling (suggest applying in Sept.)
Application Fee
$50
Scholarship Deadline
March 1
Room and Board
$3859 per semester
In-State Tuition/Fees
$15182 per semester
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Where do I get money for college?
Parents and students will always be expected to contribute to the cost of a college
education. Other sources of aid are scholarships, grants, loans, and college work-study.
Scholarships: money given for education, based on merit, need and/or talent, no need
for repayment.
Grants: money given to those who qualify based upon financial need, no need for
repayment.
Loans: money loaned at a favorable rate, must be repaid.
Work-Study: money paid to a qualified individual in exchange for work on campus.
NOTE: Private scholarships make up less than 1% of available student aid. Most scholarship
money comes directly from individual colleges-- this is why communication between students and
college representatives is so important. Parents and students will need to complete financial aid
forms to be eligible for funds from sources other than scholarships.
What forms must I complete to qualify for financial aid?
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the main source for qualifying for
financial aid. It is used to determine eligibility for federal Pell grants, as well as federally
subsidized loans, work-study and state and institutional aid. Many scholarships also require
that you fill out the FAFSA, which must be filled out every year you attend college. Every
student should fill out the FAFSA, even if you think your family will not qualify. It can be
filled out online at fafsa.gov after January 1 of your senior year, and as soon as your parents
(and you, if you work) fill out their income tax forms for the previous year. Much of the
financial aid is given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it is to your advantage to get
the FAFSA filed as soon as possible. See Federal Financial Aid Programs section for
more information.
How do my parents and I apply for a FAFSA PIN?
Your FAFSA PIN, or Personal Identification Number, can be used each year to electronically
apply for federal student aid and to access your federal student aid records online. Both you
and your parents will need to apply for a PIN before you can submit your FAFSA. Apply for
a PIN at pin.ed.gov.
Where do I find scholarships?
Start with the college you want to attend. Find the financial aid page on their website and
look for scholarships you may qualify for (some schools publish a scholarship/admissions
index, some don’t). Many colleges will consider you for academic scholarships when you
apply for admissions, others may have a separate application. There may also be
scholarships for those with special talents (music, sports, drama, etc.), leadership potential,
financial need, ethnic or cultural diversity and other characteristics.
Your high school’s counseling office is the next best source for scholarship information. If
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they have a website, get familiar with it. Check back often for new scholarships and
opportunities. Let the counselor know what school you want to go to, what your interests
are, and that you are looking for scholarships. Personal relationships with your counselor,
UB/ETS advisor, administrators and teachers can be a great benefit in finding scholarships.
Online sources can be a great way to look for scholarships, but keep in mind that many of
these are nationally advertised, and you will be competing with a huge pool of applicants.
Check first with utahfutures.org, where you can build a scholarship profile and receive
updates when scholarships that fit your profile become available. Other good sources are
fastweb.com and bigfuture.collegeboard.com. Never pay to apply for a scholarship. See
section on Scholarships for more information.
If I want to apply for an institutional (from the college itself) scholarship, must I apply for
admission at that school?
YES! In order to have your scholarship application accepted for consideration, you must
meet the admission requirements for that school.
How do I apply for Admission?
See page entitled College Admissions Checklist.
May I apply for more than one scholarship?
YES! You should apply for as many scholarships as you can. If the college has restrictions
on receiving more than one scholarship, they will let you know. The more scholarships you
apply for, the better chance you have of receiving one. Make sure to save a copy of your
applications, so that you can re-use pertinent materials.
What if I plan to serve a religious mission before attending college?
Most colleges in Utah will defer your admission and scholarships for religious or
humanitarian missions, illness or military service. It is imperative that you apply before you
leave, just as if you were planning to attend college the upcoming fall. Deferring your
admissions will allow you to hold any scholarships you may be awarded, get priority
registration upon your return, designate someone to register for your classes prior to your
return and access financial aid or veteran’s benefits.
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FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
Note: All of the following programs are accessed by filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid) at fafsa.gov. More detailed information can be found at studentaid.gov.
Federal Pell Grants
Largest of the grant programs, this federal entitlement program provides grants to those undergraduate
students who meet the eligibility and need criteria established by the U.S. Congress. The exact amount of a Pell
Grant depends on a student's need, cost of attendance and the money appropriated by Congress to fund the
program in any given year. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
These grants are available to a limited number of undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional
financial need. Only students who receive Federal Pell Grants and have the most financial need will receive
FSEOG’s.
The FSEOG program is administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school and is
therefore called “campus-based” aid. Not all schools participate. Check with your school's financial aid office to
find out if the school offers the FSEOG.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
A TEACH Grant can help you pay for college if you plan to become a teacher in a high-need field in a lowincome area. You’ll be required to teach for a certain length of time, so make sure you understand your
obligation. A Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is different from
other federal student grants because it requires you to take certain kinds of classes in order to get the grant,
and then do a certain kind of job to keep the grant from turning into a loan.
College Work-Study Program
Students who need a job to help pay for their higher education may be eligible for employment by their
institutions under the federally supported Work-Study Program. Eligible students must demonstrate financial
need by filling out the FAFSA.
Students may work part-time while enrolled in classes at least half-time; they may work full-time during the
summer or other vacation periods when they do not have classes (if funds are available at their school).
Loans
Education loans are different from scholarships and grants. Loans are borrowed money that you have to pay
back with interest. Interest is a fee you pay for borrowing the money. Interest can cost more than the amount of
the loan by the time you pay it back!
There are many different education loans, so it’s important to know as much as you can about each. Some
loans let you wait until you are done with school to start paying them back. Others require payments soon after
you receive the loan.
Most student loans make you pay more for your education in the long run. So why even take out loans? Many
students, and you might be one of them, can’t pay for school without borrowing money. The value of your
education will last a lifetime, long after your loans are repaid in full.
Perkins Loans
This student loan program is by far the simplest of them all. Its requirements are similar to the Pell Grant, but you have
to pay Perkins Loans back (which is a pretty big difference). To be eligible you must:

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Show financial need
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
Enroll full time or part time

Promise to start repaying the loan 9 months after graduation, and repay the loan within 10 years
Although schools offer Perkins loans to students, the money actually comes from the federal government. Each school
only receives a limited amount, so it is important to apply early! Maximum loan amounts and interest rates for new
borrowers may change each year.
Direct Loans (Stafford Loans)
Direct Loans are the main loans offered to students by the U.S. Department of Education. The terms of your Direct Loan
will depend on your financial need and whether your loan is subsidized or unsubsidized.
Subsidized means that the government will pay your interest while you are in school and for 6 months after you
graduate. If your loan is unsubsidized, the government does not pay any of your interest. You will owe interest as soon
as you receive the loan, although you may not have to pay it until after you graduate.
You may borrow with both subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Loans at the same time. Here are the terms:
All Direct Loans:

Apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

You must be enrolled at least half time

You cannot borrow more than the annual limits

Repayment begins 6 months after you graduate or drop below half time

There are fees in addition to your principal (that’s the amount loaned to you)

Sign a repayment promissory note
Direct Subsidized Loans:

Demonstrate financial need

Total amount of the loan cannot exceed your financial need

U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you are in school, for 6 months after you graduate,
and while you are in deferment

Interest rate is fixed at 3.86%
Direct Unsubsidized Loans:

Do not have to show financial need

Amount you are eligible for is determined after all of your other financial aid is considered

You must pay all of the interest yourself, but can wait to begin payments until after graduation

Interest rate is fixed at 6.8%
Plus Loans
The Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is offered to parents of students who need to borrow
more money than the unsubsidized Direct Loan allows. For parents who want to help their students pay for
school, the federal PLUS loan is usually the best option.
You can borrow money with a PLUS loan if your student is your dependent (according to the FAFSA) and
enrolled at least half time at an eligible school. The main difference to keep in mind is that you, the parent,
are responsible for repaying it.
16
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Scholarships are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain due to competition, but this should not discourage you from
applying. You certainly won’t get any if you don’t apply! Eligibility for scholarships can be based on a variety of factors,
including high school GPA, ACT scores, talent, leadership, ethnic background, financial need, service resume and the
types of classes taken in high school (especially Advanced Placement and Concurrent Enrollment).
Colleges offer many different kinds of scholarships: Honors at Entrance, Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships, Talent
and Departmental Awards (often given after completing the freshman year), and Leadership Awards (based on
leadership positions held in high school and willingness to serve in college).
When to Apply for Institutional Scholarships
Apply as soon as you are accepted at a college or university. Many colleges use the admissions application as
the scholarship application for merit based awards, but there may be a separate application, especially for other
types of scholarships. You will not be considered for a scholarship until you are accepted for admission.
Scholarships are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must apply before the deadline, which is
February 1 for many colleges.
When Applying For Scholarships
1.
Apply to colleges or institutions of your choice before the admissions deadline. You may be the most qualified
applicant, but if you miss the deadline you will miss out on the money! Many admissions and scholarship
applications are combined. You must be admitted to a school to be considered for a scholarship at that
institution.
2.
Be accurate, neat, and informative when filling out scholarship applications.
3.
Complete your senior resume or eProfile and use it to fill out applications. Make sure to include activities and
accomplishments from ninth grade on. Don't be modest-- remember you are competing against other qualified
applicants. See your Trio Advisor for more information on how to complete the eProfile.
4.
If you are applying for Departmental and Leadership Scholarships enclose not more than three letters of
recommendation from people who could verify your ability or talent in the area for which you are applying. Make
arrangements for an audition if necessary.
5.
The earlier you apply for a specific scholarship, the better. Some schools award scholarships as eligible
students apply-- until all the money is used.
6.
Apply for several scholarships at the same time, and re-use materials that may be pertinent for more than one
award.
7.
Consider applying to more than one school, and consider the best offer. Remember, to be considered for
scholarships, you must be accepted for admission. Keep in mind that most colleges require an admission fee.
8.
To be considered for an Academic Scholarship, you will need to have a high GPA and ACT/SAT score.
9.
Keep checking your high school website or scholarship bulletin board for new scholarships.
10.
You may use both private and school scholarship offerings in the same school year.
**For additional scholarship information contact your UB/ETS and high school counselors**
17
FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
For updated information on scholarships, please contact your high school counseling/career centers, or use
the Internet addresses provided below.
Utah Futures
Use the “Financial Aid Sort” tool found under “Education” on the Utah Futures website. You will build a
scholarship profile and be given links to specific scholarships that you qualify for.
utahfutures.org
Regents’ Scholarship
Information on the state scholarship awarded to those students who take the Utah Scholar’s Core Course of
Study
higheredutah.org/regentsscholarship/
New Century Scholarship
Information on the state scholarship awarded to those students who complete an Associate’s Degree while in
high school
higheredutah.org/newcenturyscholarship/
Federal Department of Education
Find detailed information on all forms of federal aid, including Pell Grants, work-study and loans.
studentaid.gov
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Get access to grants, loans and work-study
fafsa.gov
fastWEB
Financial Aid Search Through the Web, one of the best-know scholarship search pages
fastweb.com
FinAid
The Financial Aid Information Page, a comprehensive source of student financial aid information
finaid.org
College Board
Check out their college search tool if you are still undecided, or use the scholarship search to find awards that
you qualify for
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Daniels Fund Scholarship
Four-year scholarships awarded to students with financial need who demonstrate character, leadership and
service
danielsfund.org/scholarships
The Gates Millennium Scholar Program
Four-year scholarships for ethnic minorities who demonstrate leadership and community service
gmsp.org
Dell Scholars Program
Scholarships for students enrolled in an approved college readiness program (such as Upward Bound)
dellscholars.org
18
STRATEGIES FOR SUCCEEDING IN COLLEGE
You’ve prepared, you’ve made the decision, you’ve been accepted into college. Now what? Your
UB/ETS advisors don’t just want you to go to college, we want you to finish college. Unfortunately, the
statistics are not in your favor. For every 100 students in Utah who enrolled in a public college in 2010,
71 chose a 2-year college, 45 enrolling full-time and 26 part-time; after four years, only 14 of the full-time
students and one of the part-time students graduated. Of the 29 who started at a four-year college, only
13 got their degree within 8 years. So how can you beat the odds? Persistence! Learn how to navigate
the system, use the resources that are available and don’t give up! Here are some realities to consider,
and a few common-sense ways to help you handle them.
College Work is Harder
The material covered in college courses
is more complex than that taught in high
school classes, and it’s presented at a
faster pace. Also, professors assign
more reading, writing and problem sets
than you may be used to.
Your Strategy
Give yourself an opportunity to adjust
gradually to the new academic demands.
Choose a course load that includes
some challenging classes and others that
are less intense. Remember this rule:
For every credit hour you take, you
should plan to study 3 hours outside of
class (i.e., 3 credit class = 9 hours of
outside study).
You Make the Schedule
Your Strategy
You are responsible for managing your
Use a calendar and note when and
time in college. It’s your responsibility to
where your classes meet, when
get to your classes on time, do all your
assignments are due, and when tests
assignments and be prepared for exams. take place. Create reminders for
deadlines and important dates. When
you plan your schedule, give yourself
plenty of time to study and write papers;
that way, you can avoid pulling an allnighter at the last minute.
More Independence – and
Your Strategy
Make smart decisions. For example,
Responsibility
It’s time for you to take control of your life. when it comes to your money, stick to a
budget and use credit cards wisely.
That means you have to handle your
When it comes to your health, get
finances, manage daily life, and keep
yourself healthy and focused. Of course, enough sleep, eat well, and pay attention
your college has support systems to help to what your body tells you. You need
energy to enjoy all that college has to
you with these things, but now they’re
offer and succeed in getting a good
your responsibility.
education.
A New Social Scene
Your Strategy
Social opportunities abound in college.
Remember that new friendships can be
You may have the chance to meet
exhilarating, but true friendships are
different people, join a new crowd and
formed slowly. When participating in
even remake your image if you want to.
social events and activities, consider your
choices carefully. Talk to parents, trusted
friends from high school and college
counselors about how to make good
choices.
19
REACH OUT TO RESOURCES
College is full of resources. Help and advice are available, but it’s up to you to seek them out.
Look for campus services like these to help you succeed.
Academic Assistance
Take advantage of the academic resources your college offers to help you in your studies. Try
these strategies:
 Meet with your professors during office hours to ask any questions you have about
assignments and course topics.
 Get to know the TA (Teaching Assistant) assigned to your class to get help when the
professor is unavailable.
 If you have a problem with a professor, speak with the chair of the department or with a
dean.
 Get help with basic composition techniques in the writing center.
 Find out if tutors and guided study groups are available through the campus learning
center or a particular department.
 Join or start study groups with other students in your courses for informal support.
 Seek out the Student Support Services or Trio office if your college has one. As an
Upward Bound or ETS student in high school, you may be entitled to get academic
support services from them.
Academic Advising
You’ll be assigned to an academic advisor who will help you choose your classes and your major.
Your advisor provides information on the academic requirements for completing your degree.
Residential Services
Dorms and other campus housing options usually have resident advisors (RA’s) who can talk to you
about issues not related to your classes. If necessary, your RA can direct you to other campus
services that can provide more specialized assistance.
Commuter Services
Your college may have services for students who don’t live on campus. These can include student
lounges, services to help commuting students find off-campus housing, commuter parking and
transit passes and clubs for older students.
Counseling
Transitioning to a college environment is challenging for most students. If you’re having a tough
time coping with stress, pressures from home, or problems in relationships, mental health
counselors are a great resource. They can also help if you feel isolated or depressed, or have
other personal issues that you want to work through. Counseling is usually free and confidential.
Health Centers
The doctors and nurses at college health centers provide confidential medical services and
education. Services can include treatment of illness and injury, immunizations and diagnostic
testing. Counseling and health centers work together with the goal of maintain students’ overall
wellness.
20
Religious Centers
Most colleges have clergy members with whom you can talk, as well as religious organizations that
hold services and sponsor activities.
Financial Aid Office
The financial aid office can explain your college financing and loan options. Financial aid forms can
be daunting, but college financial aid officers know all the options and can introduce you to
strategies you may not have previously considered.
Information Technology Support
As a college student, you’ll rely heavily on computers, Wi-Fi and other educational technologies.
There are staff members available to help you with your internet connection and network access to
keep you online and on track.
Career Centers
The career center is a good spot to learn about the types of jobs available to graduates in your
field. May colleges have offices dedicated to helping you find your first job once you graduate, or
an internship while you’re still in school. The centers offer techniques for creating resumes and
practicing interviews. They usually maintain a job board and other employment resources.
21
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Many scholarship applications require letters of recommendation. The letters should come from a
variety of sources that support different facets of yourself. Possible sources are: counselors,
teachers, advisors of extracurricular activities, employers, supervisors of volunteer work, community
leaders, church activity leaders, etc. According to representatives of colleges and scholarship
selection committees, one of the most important and valuable recommendations is that of your
school counselor. The recommendation should summarize your overall academic progress,
extracurricular activities, and leadership skills.
A letter should include 1) a general statement of the relationship of the student and the writer of the
letter; 2) the writer's evaluation of the student's performance and participation; 3) the writer's
perception of the student's attitude, motivation, commitment, and reliability; 4) a statement on the
student's character strengths; and 5) the writer should make a summary statement about the
uniqueness of the student.
Students can help the writer of the letter of recommendation by following these steps:
1)
Give the individual sufficient time to write the letter. Two weeks is a reasonable
time.
2)
Discuss with the writer the reason for the letter and what information it should
cover.
3)
Supply the writer with a list of details (or your senior resume), such as: activities
you participated in at school and in the community, leadership position, grades,
etc.
4)
Request that the letter be typed on letterhead.
5)
Set the date you will pick up the letter or that it should be mailed. Remind them a
week before you want the letter.
6)
Send the letter(s) with the application early. Do not wait until the last minute.
7)
Write a thank you note to those who have written your letters of recommendation .
8)
If the letter is to be submitted online, make sure you provide the writer with the
correct website and instructions for submitting it.
22
PERSONAL PORTFOLIO CONTENTS
The personal portfolio is an important activity to complete your senior year. When your portfolio is finished, it can be
used for job interviews and for scholarship applications. It will also be a source of great personal pride in your high
school achievements. The following suggestions will assist you in preparing your portfolio. You may also complete a
College Bound eProfile your senior year, which will take you through all of the steps of creating a portfolio online, as
well as enable you to connect directly with colleges. See your UB/ETS counselor for information on how to access the
eProfile webpage.
Suggested Contents
1. Introductory page
2. Educational Resume
3. Job Resume
4. Academic records:
·Grade transcript or a list of achievement classes
·ACT/SAT scores
·List of academic skills
·List of academic certificates/awards/recognitions
·Academic certificates (Four to six certificates
should be sufficient.)
5. Letters of recommendation:
·Employers, school personnel, community
acquaintances are good sources to ask.
6. Extra-curricular activities:
·List of activities
·List of certificates/awards/recognitions
·Certificates of achievement (Four to six
certificates should be sufficient.)
7. Leadership positions:
·List of organizations/positions/responsibilities
·List of certificates/awards/recognitions
·Certificates of achievement (Four to six
certificates should be sufficient.)
8. Newspaper clippings/photographs
of school activities and projects
As you work with the suggestions contained in this section of the book, you will probably add some of your ideas and
make revisions in some of the worksheets. Wonderful! It's your portfolio, and you will want it to reflect your style. Keep
in mind its purpose and your reader. Impressive and professional- these are excellent guidelines.
23
EXAMPLE OF INTRODUCTORY PAGE
The introduction is a summary of your outstanding high school achievements and activities. It
should demonstrate your writing skills: sentence structure, paragraphing, punctuation, and spelling.
Introduction
My career goal is to become involved in a business profession. I plan to continue my education at
UNLV, pursuing a BA degree in accounting and business management.
High school achievement classes consisted of accounting, data and word processing, office
procedures, business law, Algebra I, II, Geometry, Trigonometry, AP English, AP History, computer,
and Science.
My ACT scores are: English- 24; Mathematics- 25; Reading- 23; and Science Reasoning- 31. I
have maintained a GPA of 3.8.
Some of my high school achievement activities have been Business Student of the Year Award;
Certificates of High Achievement in accounting, mathematics, science; FBLA member for three
years; International Science and Engineering Fair-Third Place Award in Environmental Science;
Drug Free Council member; basketball and track team member.
Leadership positions were FBLA Vice President, Freshmen Class Officer, Student Body Activity
Director, Yearbook Photographer, Forensics Club Historian.
In conclusion, these experiences have also taught me thinking skills, time management,
communication skills, and job performance responsibilities. I have enjoyed my high school
experiences and have tried to use the time in preparing for future education and responsibilities.
24
Worksheet for Introductory Page
The following worksheet will help you get started on an introduction. Add your ideas; delete
whatever you do not wish to use.
Introduction
My career goal is
I plan to continue my education at
after which I would like to
My high school achievement classes consisted of
ACT scores are:
English _____, Mathematics _____, Reading _____, Science Reasoning _____. I have
maintained a GPA of _____.
Achievement activities have been
Leadership positions were
In conclusion,
25
EXAMPLE OF EDUCATIONAL RESUME
The educational resume can be used for scholarship applications and interviews.
Educational Resume for
John Doe
3556 Lawnwood Drive
Phoenix, AZ 90250
(602) 555-5789
jdoe@yahooz.com
Career Objective:
Accounting and Business Management
Achievement Courses:
Accounting
Business Law
Data and Word
Processing
Algebra I, II
Computer
A
AA
A
A-
Academic Job Skills:
Accounting
10-key Calculator
Word Processing - 65 wpm
Mathematical skills
Computer programming
Geometry
Trigonometry
AP English
AP History
Science
Office Procedures
AB+
B+
B+
AB+
Persuasive Communication
Excellent writing skills
Research skills
Photography
Business Student of the Year Award
Achievement and Awards:
Certificates for Outstanding Achievement:
·Accounting
·Mathematics
·Computers
·Science
International Science and Engineering Fair:
·Third Place Award in Environmental Science
Most Improved Basketball Team Player Award
Region Track Meet-Second Place Shot Put and Discus
Leadership Positions:
Drug Free Council Member
Forensics Club Historian
Ski Club Treasurer
FBLA Vice President
Freshmen Class Officer
Yearbook Photographer
Extra-curricular Activities:
Lettermen Club Member
Upward Bound Participant
Ski Club Member
March of Dimes Walkathon Participant
Educational Talent Search Participant
Vocational College Course: Auto Body
26
EXAMPLE OF JOB RESUME
RESUME
John Doe
3556 Lawnwood Drive
Phoenix, AZ 90250
Telephone: (602) 555-5789
jdoe@yahooz.com
EDUCATION
2003 to 2007
Emerson High School
1234 W. Emerson Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 90250
·
General education curriculum with business
emphasis
·
High School Diploma
WORK EXPERIENCE
2006 to 2007
Harvey Department Store
8574 Blanding Ave., Phoenix, AZ
·
Position: Sales-Men's Dept.
·
Responsibilities: Selling of men's clothing;
maintaining accurate inventory records, assisting
the buyer; designing window and in-store displays
·
Supervisor: Mr. Bill Jones
2003 to 2005
Cardy Quick Market
548 S. 18th St., Phoenix, AZ
·
Position: Cashier and shelf-stocker
·
Supervisor: Mrs. Jill Belford
WORK SKILLS
Accounting
10-key Calculator
Word Processing-65 wpm
Mathematical skills
Organizational, on-task skills
Persuasive Communication
Excellent writing skills
Research skills
Photography
Confidentiality
ACHIEVEMENTS/EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Business Student of the Year Award
FBLA Vice President
Certificates of Achievement:
Freshmen Class Officer
·Accounting ·Mathematics
Forensics Club Historian
·Computers ·Science
Ski Club Treasurer
International Science and Engineering Fair-Third Place Winner
27
FINISHING THE PERSONAL PORTFOLIO
The final step:
Everything has been typed and proofread. You have gathered the other items needed for your
portfolio as listed on the "Suggested Contents" page. The final step will be to place the typed
pages, certificates, letters of recommendation, photos, newspaper clippings, etc. inside plastic
protective sheets. Use the style which allows you to slip your papers into the protective sheets
without punching holes in the papers. Select a durable, attractive cover, and you now have a very
professional bound portfolio--easy to use, attractive to view-- and very impressive!
##
Your Personal Portfolio activities have come to an end. But, this is only the beginning. Use your
personal portfolio to "open doors" for you. Use it at job interviews and college scholarship
interviews. Before mailing your completed scholarship applications to colleges, copy sections of
the portfolio and attach to your applications. Use it when you are having a "down" day in order to
focus in on the achiever that you have become.
As the years pass, you will want to keep your records and portfolio updated. Entrance into
promising careers will come with preparation and proof of your accomplishments. Don't hesitate to
revise your portfolio so that it will suit your particular career opportunity needs.
Self-esteem is a wonderful feeling and a tremendous accomplishment! Use your personal portfolio
to help you feel proud of your many achievements. The world is waiting for achievers! And
because of you, it will be a better place.
Best wishes for a wonderful, satisfying future.