Welcome to Fatima’s
Financial Aid Seminar
Presented By
Penny Thomas
Missouri Department of Higher Education
Thursday, November 19, 2015
7:00 p.m. Fatima High School Library
Coordinated By
Fatima High School Guidance Department
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Welcome Parents & Students
It is a pleasure for me to set up this night filled with answers to the questions I
commonly hear about financial aid. I hope that we will be able to answer your
questions and take away some of the anxiety that comes with sending a child off
to college.
Please realize that you will get a lot of information tonight, and I know that after
you have left, some more questions might pop into your mind. If this should
happen, feel free to call me at (573) 455-2375 ext 118 or email me at
muellerd@fatimacomets.org. You can also let me know if you have any ideas
or suggestions for next year’s program.
Thanks for coming!
ACT Testing
2015-2016
Date
September 12, 2015
October 24, 2015
December 12, 2015
February 6, 2016
April 9, 2016
April 19
June 11, 2016
Regular
Registration
Postmark Deadline/
Regular Fees
Late Registration
Postmark Deadline
with Additional
Fees
Photo Upload
Deadline
August 7
September 18
November 6
January 8
March 4
All Juniors
May 6
August 8 - 21
Sept. 19-Oct. 2
November 7-20
January 9-15
March 5-18
Free ACT
May 7-20
September 4
October 16
December 4
January 29
April 1
June 3
When Should My Child Take The ACT?
Statistically children do best on the ACT at the end of their junior year. The belief
is that students do not have enough math, reading, and reasoning skills before
this time.
Some parents encourage their child to take an ACT in December of their junior
years so the child can get an idea of the design of the test and become familiar
with the testing procedures. This is an option, but if a child is well disciplined, he
or she can get a sample test from the counseling office and administer it to
himself. It is easy to grade and compute the scores from these tests. All the
students need is a clock (preferably with an alarm), a pencil, and a sample test.
Remember: all juniors will take the ACT in April. This one will be paid for by
the school.
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How Can My Child Prepare For The ACT?
There are many books and materials available at Fatima in the library. The
counselor also has many sample tests. Students can also go to
www.actstudent.org for preparation information and materials. There are many
other sites such as; www.4tests.com; www.number2.com;
www.march2success.com; and
www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter4section1.rhtml
Some businesses will try to sell parents ACT prep information. I do not
recommend spending money on this. The class we offer and the materials we
have will more than prepare a child to perform to their highest ability.
Should My Child Take The SAT?
All colleges in Missouri and most in the central United States region request and
ACT score. Colleges on the coast may require an SAT, although most will
accept the ACT score. So students need only take the SAT if they are going to a
college that only accepts the ACT, and these are rare.
Applying to Tech Schools and Colleges
When Should My Child Apply?
If your child is anticipating a scholarship from the school, he or she should apply
as soon as possible, since some scholarships are granted on a first-come firstserved basis. Some schools allow a child to register the summer between their
junior and senior years. Others only allow you to apply during the senior year.
Where Should My Child Apply?
A college should be chosen based upon many factors. See the college selection
materials that follow in this book. Basically a college should be chosen on the
quality of the program of study, the “fit” to the student (how well it matches the
desires of the student in size and climate), and finally the cost.
Don’t let the cost of the private schools keep a child from applying to them! Many
times these private colleges have many more grants and scholarships than some
public institutions. Therefore, the child may be able to attend the private school
for a cost that is less than our public colleges.
How Many Schools Should My Child Apply To?
Most experts recommend that your child narrow his choices to 3-5 schools and
apply to them. Then he can bargain on tuition based upon the scholarship, grant,
and loan program the school can generate for the child.
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Does Applying Qualify My Child For The Institutional Scholarships?
Some schools have one application for admissions and scholarships, so the one
form fulfills both purposes. Others have separate forms for admissions and for
institutional scholarships. Read the brochures carefully.
What Process Should I Go Through To Apply To A School
1. Pick up an application from the library or apply online at the website for
the school. Hint: Many schools waive the application fee if the child
applies online.
2. Pick up an Osage County R-III School District High School Transcript
Request form from Mueller’s office. Complete it and return to Mueller
at least two weeks before the deadline with the application.
3. Bring any required recommendations to your counselor, teacher, or
other school official at least two weeks before the deadline for them to
be submitted.
4. Bring completed application, application fee, any required
recommendations, and any other required forms to your counselor.
5. At the end of the school year, the counselor will ask all seniors the
places they would like their final transcripts to be sent. After
graduation the counselor will send the final transcript and immunization
records to the schools listed by the student. If plans change or
additional transcripts are needed, call the guidance office at (573) 4552375 ext. 118.
How Do I Send My Dual Enrollment Or AP Transcripts?
Transcripts that indicate college credit earned through dual enrollment or through
Advanced Placement (AP) programs are not obtained or issued through Fatima.
They can be obtained as follows.
Lincoln University: Transcript request forms are available in the guidance office.
A student may also make a written request stating (1) the student’s name, (2) the
student’s social security number, (3) the name and address of the institution or
individual to which the transcript should be sent and (4) a $5.00 check or money
order for each copy. This should be sent to the following address:
Records Office
Lincoln University
P.O. Box 29
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029.
Phone (573) 681-5100
AP Test Scores: AP Grade Reports are available through the College Board and
will be sent to the institution requested on the student’s exam answer sheet. If
you want to change or delete that request, send in the form provided in the AP
Candidate Pack or call 888-CALL-4-AP or 609-771-7300. You can also go to
www.collegeboard.com. A fee applies.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
How Should My Child Prepare To Earn Scholarships?
Most scholarships are awarded based upon numerous factors in various
combinations. Some scholarships are completely based on academics, so a
high ACT score, GPA, and class rank are necessary. Therefore it is always
important for students to keep applying themselves academically.
Many scholarships are awarded based upon school and community service and
involvement. It is important for students to not just join an organization but also
to be able to list all of the activities he or she did to help the organization.
Please, please encourage your child to participate in community service
events and to document lots of volunteer hours. These can be completed for
school (tutoring elementary children, starting clubs for them or others) or for the
community (volunteering at the nursing home or a local hospital or the food bank
or the Samaritan Center or starting a fund-raising campaign etc.)
Some scholarships are not really based on anything. The recipient is just
randomly chosen. The most important thing is just to get your name in the pot.
Some scholarships do require an essay. Please realize that if the “essay” is 250
words or less, the students are not asked to write much. There are already 200
words in this section on Scholarships! Most scholarship grantors want to have to
deal with the fewest number of applicants as possible for the sake of time. They
have found that if they include the word “Essay,” many students will not complete
the application.
So encourage your child to apply for these scholarships with the essays. There
are usually less people who apply for them, so your chances of getting one are
much better!
Where Do I Find Scholarships?
1. Always watch the school bulletin. As scholarships come in the counselor will
post them in this publication.
Many scholarships are not being announced through the counselor since
scholarship boards really do not want tons of applicants. Therefore use the
following ideas
2. Make sure you check with every organization you belong to (Knights, Elks,
4-H, etc) as many of these also have scholarships.
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3. Check with any company you pay any money to (insurance companies,
credit unions, all bills) since many of these also have scholarships. Many do not
openly tell people they have them because they will have fewer applicants if they
do not tell everyone.
4. Use the Internet. Notice the many sights listed below that have scholarship
searches. But do not pay money for a scholarship search. There are plenty of
free ones that will find the same things you are paying money for.
Must See Websites
The following websites are filled with information regarding college search and
selection, financial aid, and employment.
http://www.missouriconnections.org - this website has an interest inventory and a
skills inventory to help the students find the career that best suites their
personality. There are also college searches for the entire United States with
links to the actual college website. Quick college comparisons of size, tuition,
programs of study, etc. can be completed. Also, students can keep a log of all
the volunteer hours, community service, clubs and organizations, and jobs that
they have completed, and then the information will be compiled automatically into
an updated resume if needed! Make sure you check out this sight.
http://www.fastweb.com/ - one of the best scholarship search sights. Students
can set up a private mailbox, and as the website is updated, new scholarships
that the students qualify for will be emailed to them. This is an extensive
database; it requires about one hour to answer all the questions and set up an
initial mailbox and search. There is also college information on this site.
http://www.collegeboard.org - a scholarship search, financial aid information, and
a financial aid calculator can all be found here. There are also links to searches
on careers and colleges. Students can also register for the SAT here.
http://act.org- everything you ever wanted to know about the ACT. Go here to
register for the ACT electronically.
http://finaid.org - a free, comprehensive, independent, and objective guide to
student financial aid and warnings about scholarships scams. There is a link to
other databases that students can search for free.
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http://www.sfa.umkc.edu/ - UMKC’s financial aid information, but students do not
have to go to UMKC to use the information. A free scholarship search and
access to an electronic FAFSA are available here.
http://www.dhe.mo.gov - operated by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher
Education with links to many more websites. great site!
http://www.gocollege.com - a site that searches for colleges and scholarships.
There is also information about student loans and access to ACT and SAT
practice.
http://www.collegeispossible.org - tons of information about the college process
including ten steps for parents, recommended books and websites, etc.
http://www.ed.gov/students - federal site that deals with the FAFSA and has the
electronic applications. Also has website links to two and four year colleges and
universities with links to the individual college web pages.
http://www.ncaa.org - explains the application process students need to complete
if they desire to be eligible for certain athletic programs at the college level.
http://www.number2.com - free test prep for ACT, Sat, and GRE and vocabulary
builder.
http://stats.bls.gov/oco/home.htm - an Internet version of the Occupational
Outlook Handbook by the US Dept of Labor. Lists all the major jobs in the US,
duties, salary, outlook, education needed, etc.
http://www.offtocollege.com - good for all ages planning to attend college.
Financial aid information, application information, preparing for college, etc.
http://www.search4careercolleges.com - a nationwide database to search for
college options for those occupations that require going to career school.
http://www.collegenet.com - online applications for colleges, college search
functions, and scholarship database
http://www.nces.ed.gov - college Opportunities On-Line (COOL) with directory of
colleges and university with costs
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov - complete the free FAFSA online
http://studentaid.ed.gov/fye- information about funding your educations
http://www.mappingyourfuture.org - college, career and financial aid information
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www.petersons.com - education and career information
www.nasfaa.org - The Nationals Assoc for Student Financial Aid Administrators
website for parents & students preparing for college
www.ed.gov/thinkcollege - college prep information for students
www.studentaid.ed.gov - info on college prep and applying for financial aid.
What To Do When
9th & 10th Grades
This is the year to get to know yourself and figure out what you like and don’t like,
so career choices can be considered. Exploration is a major part of this.
_____Go to Missouri Connections and take the Career Clusters Inventory (and
maybe the Interest Inventory). Use the results to research job opportunities and
to determine your own interests.
_____Look at the other inventories on Missouri Connections and consider taking
them also.
______Don’t limit yourself. Maybe you always dreamed of becoming a nurse.
Do you realize there are over 100 different jobs in one average hospital? Maybe
something else in the medical field would be an even better fit for you!
_____Join clubs and organizations. You only have 3 years to build your resume
for scholarships. Don’t just join the club, but be actively involved in it. Include
school and community events.
______Keep track of all your clubs and organizations and volunteer activities on
your Missouri Connections resume. It will be hard to remember all of this in three
years!
______Consider attending a leadership camp or careers camp or other event this
summer that will help build your resume and research your interests.
11th Grade
This year the college search process begins in earnest. Exploration and testing
should help you and your child to start developing a list of target schools by
spring. Continue in earnest with involvement in school and community activities.
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August/September
_____Make sure your classes are rigorous enough to prepare you properly for
success in college
_____ Register for the PSAT/NMSQT if you believe you might qualify for the
National Merit Scholarship. Only ½ of 1% of the students do, but why not give it
a shot? The test is not expensive, and it will give you valuable test taking
practice.
_____Go to www.missouriconnections.org and update any information on
volunteer work and activities completed over the summer.
_____Set up an email address just for college stuff, maybe one that you and your
parents both have access to. Make sure the name is appropriate and acceptable
for college applications.
October/November
_____Evaluate your grades in your classes. Determine what you need to do to
make sure your GPA is where it needs to be. See the counselor if you need
help.
_____Start preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT by going to www.collegeboard.org
and by checking out the practice tests in the pamphlets.
_____Go to http://stats.bls.gov/oco/home.htm to check out possible careers.
_____Go to www.missouriconnections.org to complete an interest inventory and
see what careers are recommended. Also look at the colleges that offer these
career programs.
_____Attend the college fairs and find out about the available colleges. Use the
comparison sheet to determine which ones you are most interested in attending.
December
_____Schedule campus visits during the Christmas break. Our goal is that you
have narrowed your college selection to 2-3 best bets by the end of the year.
_____Take advantage of college students home from vacation. Ask them about
their college and the best ways to prepare.
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January
_____Evaluate academic progress. Are grades where they need to be? If they
are not, see the counselor for test taking or organizational skills.
_____Watch the bulletin for summer enrichment opportunities. These really look
great on scholarship applications. Apply now! And also be thinking about
volunteer hours. There is really nothing exciting happening in January anyway.
So do some volunteer work!
_____Start getting books and going to internet sights to prepare for the ACT.
_____Visit the many websites listed above. Do some careers work and try to
determine an area of study you are most interested in pursuing.
_____Visit college websites and take virtual tours. Request information as
needed.
February
_____Make some scheduled college visits. Seeing the college when it is really in
session will give you a better idea of what it is really like.
_____Prepare for the ACT.
_____Set aside an area for college propaganda. You are probably going to get
lots of it if you have hit any of the websites. Invest in folders and organize.
March
_____Plan spring college visits
_____ Prepare for the ACT
_____Plan the classes you need to take next year to best prepare your for
success in college.
April/May
_____Finalize summer plans that will best accentuate your applications.
_____go to www.missouriconnections.org to update your information
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Summer
_____Visit the scholarship web pages and start enrolling. Remember: don’t pay
for anything. You can find many free scholarship search services.
_____ Complete volunteer hours and attend programs to beef up your
scholarship applications
_____Go on college visits
_____Prepare for the ACT – consider taking a speed reading class
_____Go to the websites listed in this booklet and mark as favorite the ones that
are most helpful to you.
_____Narrow your college choices to 3-5.
_____Start writing general essays about “Why do you deserve this scholarship”
and “Why do you want to attend this college” and a general essay that explains
who you are. You will be able to use these later!!!!
12th Grade
We are really headed for the home stretch now! The first few months are filled
with applications and decisions. Good luck!
August
_____Plan a special evening with the college bound child and the parent, while
all of you are still sane. Discuss plans and goals for the months ahead and the
pros and cons of target schools.
_____Buy a calendar just for the senior. Have them place all dates of
importance on this calendar, including scholarship deadlines and ACT tests etc.
_____Ask the counselor about the dates for college fairs and financial aid
seminars in your area. Place these dates on your calendar.
_____Schedule visits to the colleges you most prefer. Make sure you take a list
of questions to ask the representative when you visit. Include campus
overnights, when possible. This will give you a real feel for campus life.
_____Realize that many schools have free online applications. Apply to these!
Maybe you will get an even better deal at a school you really had not given
enough credit to.
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_____Look ahead to the ACT registration deadline and put the dates for
registration and tests on the calendar
September
_____Go to all the websites and start applying for scholarships. Put scholarship
deadlines in your calendar so you make sure you don’t miss any.
_____Sign up for the October ACT if needed
_____Oversee the start of applications. Note the essays needed for each
applications and look for overlap to reduce the workload.
_____Set up one Saturday or early out day just to work on applications.
October
_____By the beginning of this month you should have applications in to at least
three colleges.
_____Attend college fairs just to get more information and verify choices. You
want to make sure you aren’t missing a great opportunity. It’s not too late to add
another possibility to your list of colleges.
_____It’s time to laugh about the college admissions process. Don’t go crazy.
Instead, plan an evening of fun. Rent the movies “Orange County” or “Risky
Business” to break the tension.
_____Sign up for the December ACT if needed.
_____Check those scholarship deadlines and get back online to find more!
November
_____Plan a Thanksgiving break that includes a college visit, if needed. Or if
you have kept up with this calendar, plan a Thanksgiving break where the word
“college” is never said!
_____Make sure all applications are submitted. Check on the status of them.
_____Keep looking in ALL the places for scholarships.
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December
_____Plan a last minute look at the last few colleges. Christmas break is a good
time to make some contacts.
_____Parents might want to get their taxes estimated at this time. Your
accountant might have plans to help your FAFSA look better.
_____Keep applying for scholarships.
_____Apply for the February ACT if needed.
January
_____Prepare to complete your taxes as soon as possible. Then get ready to
complete the FAFSA form also. The sooner these are filed, the better!
_____ Apply for a PIN for you the parent and student at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
_____ Check on the status of any applications.
February
_____If confirmations have not been received, contact colleges by phone or
email to verify completion of applications. Record the names of contacts.
_____ WAIT for verification
_____Check for any new scholarships.
March/April
_____Your wait is nearly over. You should be receiving confirmation letters by
now.
_____Compare the financial aid package that each school is offering. If a school
is not offering as large of a package as you would desire, set up a visit with the
financial aid counselors of the school and bring documentation of the awards
received to other colleges. Ask the desired school if they can come close to
making the same award as the other school. This is bargain shopping. Don’t be
afraid to ask for more!
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April/May
_____Take AP Exams, if appropriate
_____Make sure you have sent transcripts from the colleges where you have
earned dual credit.
_____Write thank-you notes to anyone who has been helpful in the application
process. This is a great “in” with the financial counselors and/or admissions
counselors of the school. Don’t forget the people who wrote recommendations
for you.
_____Fill in all forms for the school you will attend. Watch for housing options
and information about freshman orientation. Know when college registration will
occur.
_____Make sure you fill out a form so the counselor can send a final transcript to
the college you have chosen.
Summer
_____Organize a file to keep track of college. Have a file for housing, grades,
financial aid, registration, and one for each class you will take. Do not throw
away anything from a class until you have a grade in hand!
_____ENJOY! You’ve made it! Congratulations! Now sit back and enjoy your
summer.
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