Presented by: Susan Wales
Athens High School Jr./Sr. Counselor
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Post-Secondary Education
Four-year Colleges and Universities
Two-year Colleges (Community)
Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines,
National Guard, Coast Guard)
Work Force
Apprenticeships
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Kuder Navigator is a site that students can
access to take assessments to determine
interests, skills and values. They will need to
set up an account at www.kudernavigator.com.
The batch code is N3843772GZQ.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook
(www.bls.gov) offers insight into thousands of
different careers.
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www.alcareerinfo.org – Alabama’s Hot 40
Jobs, information on preparing for college,
and financial aid
www.mynextmove.org – Has different ways
to search for careers
www.alstudentaid.com – Check out these
publications – “Affording Higher
Education,” “Getting In,” “Planning Your
Future.”
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Culinary Schools
Lincoln Tech (Nashville Auto-Diesel College)
The Art Institutes
Virginia College
ITT Tech
Trade Schools – There are also certificate
programs available at community colleges in
various trades.
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www.calhoun.edu, Programs of Study,
Division of Business/CIS/Technology and
Workforce Development
Aerospace Technology, HVAC,
Automation/Robotics, Welding
Barbering/Cosmetology, Design Drafting,
Electrical Technology, Industrial
Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology,
Process Technology, Renewable Energy
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Nursing, Clinical Lab Technology, Dental
Assisting, EMS, Physical Therapy Assistant,
Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology
Some of these programs have specialized
requirements for admission.
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Cost
Academics – Major? Class size?
Size
Location – Rural/Urban, In State/Out of
State
Campus
Social Activities/Sports
Special Programs – Honors, Co-op, Study
Abroad, Internships
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Be Realistic
Narrow Your List
VISIT the Schools You are Interested in
Attending
Make Sure You Meet the Deadlines – for
applications, scholarships, housing! For
universities, apply in the fall of your senior
year.
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Research before you go – Check out their
website thoroughly, register online for a visit
Talk with students on campus
Tour the dorms
Eat in one of the dining halls
Ask about class sizes, activities, safety
Talk to professors in the discipline you are
interested in majoring in
Talk to people in Financial Aid
Follow up with a thank-you note
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Juniors are allowed 1 day, seniors are allowed 2
days (before March 31st). You can also visit on
weekends sometimes or days we are out of
school.
Also remember – E-learning Days
Forms are available in the Attendance Office.
You must have the College Visit Form filled out
by your teachers 5 days in advance of your visit
and turned back in to the Attendance Office.
You must bring signed verification back from
the college showing that you were there and
turn it in to the Attendance Office at AHS.
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Academic Record – Difficulty of Classes, GPA,
Class Rank
Testing Scores – ACT or SAT
Extracurricular Activities, Community Service,
Awards/Honors, Employment
Sometimes – Letters of Recommendation,
Essays, Interviews
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Rigor of Curriculum – “College Prep” classes
such as English, Math, Science, Social Studies,
Foreign Language. Advanced classes are better
preparation!
GPA
Quality Points (4.0 Scale)
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ACT and SAT are college entrance exams
designed to test readiness for college.
Advanced classes provide better
preparation.
Please see me before you register for the
ACT.
All juniors will take the ACT with Writing
in April 2016 as part of state testing
requirements.
PREPARE BEFORE YOU TAKE IT!
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Some colleges require that ACT and SAT test
scores be sent directly from the testing agency.
If you need test scores sent directly, go online
to request score reports: www.actstudent.org
for ACT and www.collegeboard.org for SAT
(and AP).
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PSAT (Preliminary to the SAT) is the
National Merit Scholarship qualifying test.
Test will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 28,
2015. Cost is $15.
Sign up in the Guidance Dept. by Oct. 9.
Prep material available on
www.collegeboard.org
Big benefit of PSAT – My Big Future and
specialized help with SAT
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www.collegeboard.org
Click on Students
Click on Big Future
Or go to https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Has information on scholarship searches,
college visits, financial aid, choosing a
college, and more
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Accelerated High School Student Program –
through Calhoun – must have “B” average,
classes count only for college credit
Dual Enrollment – through Calhoun –
classes count for both high school and
college credit
University of Alabama Early College
Program – online classes
What It Takes To Get In
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Admission: Rolling Admission, Must have HS
diploma
Calhoun will use your ACT score to determine
your placement in math and English classes.
Do your best on the test to try and avoid
remediation courses. You must pay for them
but you don’t get college credit for them.
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Admission: For Unconditional Admission,
students need ACT of 18, 2.0 GPA on Core
Classes (4 English, 2 Math, 2 Science, 3 Social
Studies, 2 Additional)
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Admission: Based on test scores, GPA, rigor of
coursework, trend of high school grades,
achievements in leadership and scholarship.
Advanced diploma is strongly recommended.
Must have 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II,
Geometry), 3 Science, 4 Social Studies, 6
Electives.
ACT – 20, Minimum GPA – 2.9
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Admissions: ACT 20
Minimum 2.25 GPA in Academic Core Classes
Including: 4 English, 3 Science, 3 Social
Studies, 3 Math (Alg. I and higher), 1 Foreign
Language, 3 Additional Academic Courses.
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Admission: Evaluated Based on ACT (must
include Writing), GPA, and High School
Course Load. ACT 21 and GPA 3.0
Mentioned in Literature.
Require: 4 English, 4 Social Sciences, 3 Math
(Alg. I, Alg. II and Geometry), 1 Foreign
Language, 3 Science, 5 Additional Units.
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Base Admissions on ACT (with Writing), GPA
and Classes Taken, Essays
Must have: 4 English, 3 Social Studies, 3 Math
(Alg. I, Alg. II, Geometry), 2 Science.
Recommended: Additional Science, Social
Studies and Foreign Language.
Average GPA is 3.74.
Average ACT is 24-30.
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Admission: ACT 20, 2.0 GPA
Scholarships – 28 ACT, 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition;
32 ACT, 3.7 GPA = Tuition plus Room and
Board; Leadership scholarships start with 22
ACT, 3.0 GPA
Troy also has scholarships available in other
areas like – Band, Foundation, Alumni, Girls
State, Athletic and Theatre
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Admission: 20 ACT, 2.5 GPA
Scholarships start with 24 ACT, 3.0 GPA
Deadlines vary but start with Dec. 1. See
website for complete details.
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Admission: 4 English, 3 Math (Alg. I, Alg. II,
Geometry), 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 2
Advanced Electives (Foreign Language,
Science or Math), ½ Computer, 1 Art
16 ACT, 2.5 GPA on Core Classes
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Admission: 4 English, 3 Math (Alg I, Alg II,
Geometry at a minimum), 3 Science, 3 Social
Studies, 2 Advanced Electives (Foreign
language or Core), ½ Computer, 1 Art
Must have 2.75 on Core and 22 ACT
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Admission: 19 ACT and 2.5 GPA, 16 core units
Scholarships start with 23 ACT and 3.0 GPA =
$2,500/year
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To play at a Division I or Division II school,
athletes must meet requirements set forth by
the NCAA.
2.3 GPA in 16 core academic courses plus the
required ACT or SAT score
Students must register with NCAA
Clearinghouse. Online form at
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
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Oct. 24, 2015– Register by Sept. 18
Dec. 12, 2015– Register by Nov. 6
February 6, 2016– Register by Jan. 8
April 9, 2016– Register by Mar. 4
June 11, 2016– Register by May 6
Cost of the test is $39.50 for ACT and $56.50 for
ACT with Writing
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Grants
Scholarships
Loans
Work-Study
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Grants – These are typically need-based and do not have
to be repaid. Examples: Pell, FSEOG, TEACH,
Iraq/Afghanistan Service.
Scholarships – These are typically based on merit and do
not have to be repaid. Examples: Academic, Athletic,
Leadership.
Work-Study – Students work for the university on a
part-time basis.
Loans – These are lower interest loans by the federal
government – PLUS, Stafford, Perkins.
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PELL and FSEOG Grants – Based on your
family’s income
TEACH Grant – For students who plan to teach
in public schools who serve students from lowincome families
Iraq or Afghanistan Grant – Based on your
family’s income and a parent killed in service
in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11
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Federal Student Loans offer borrowers lower
interest rates and have more flexible repayment
terms and options.
Federal Perkins Loan – college is lender, interest
5%, depends on need
Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender,
interest 4.66%, depends on need, no interest while
in college
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is lender,
interest 4.66%, interest charged while in college
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Direct Plus Loans for Parents – borrower is
responsible for all interest, 7.21% interest, no
negative credit history, govt. is the lender,
repayment begins within 60 days after the 2nd
loan disbursement.
A fact sheet on loans is available in the College
and Career Room.
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For more information, go online to:
www.studentaid.ed.gov
This is an excellent website with lots of
information on financing your college
education.
Do Not Pay for Scholarship
Search Information.
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For Seniors, it is based on family income for 2015.
A Student Aid Report showing Expected Family
Contribution to College will be sent to you. A
report will also be sent to the colleges you choose.
To receive any type of financial aid, students must
fill out the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA). This may be filled out online at
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
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Grant money is distributed according to need
and is given out on a “first come, first serve”
basis.
It is important to fill out your FAFSA forms
before March 1st for many schools. If your
parents don’t fill out taxes early in the year,
you may use last year’s tax information, but
you must go back and update it later.
You must fill out FAFSA before you can receive
scholarship money from schools.
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Counselors with the North Alabama Center for
Educational Excellence are available to help
parents with FAFSA forms.
The office is located in the QuadPlex (corner of
Hobbs St. and Thomas St.)
The number is (256) 233-1220.
There is no cost for this service.
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Different schools have different requirements. It pays
to do your research online and check out the websites
of the schools you are interested in applying to.
Always fill out the scholarship application. You might
meet the requirements for endowed scholarships even
if you don’t meet the academic scholarship
requirements. Check to see if they have separate
scholarship applications.
You must meet the deadlines! You may have to be
admitted before you can fill out scholarship
applications. It takes time to process applications so
don’t delay!
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UAH – Departmental Deadline is Dec. 1.
Separate Scholarship Application.
UAH will allow students to continue taking
the ACT in the spring to try and increase their
score.
UAH scholarships start with 25 ACT and 3.0
GPA. As scores go up, the amount of the
scholarships go up.
ACT
25-27
28-29
30-33
34-36
4.0 +
50%
67%
100%
100%
3.5-3.99
40%
45%
100%
100%
3.0-3.49
35%
35%
45%
50%
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Deadline is February 1, 2016.
Scholarships start with 2.75 on Core Curriculum and 20
ACT – Vanguard Scholarship = $1,000.
25 ACT + 3.0 Core GPA = $4,500/year
25 ACT + 3.5 Core GPA= $6,000/year
27 ACT + 3.0 Core GPA = $5,500/year
27 ACT + 3.5 Core GPA = $7,000/year
30 ACT + 3.5 Core GPA = $8,000/year
ACT + 4.0 Core GPA = $500 more per year
Leadership and Presidential Mentors Academy also
available
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Scholarship Deadline – Feb. 1, 2016
Leadership Scholarships start with ACT 18 and
2.75 Core GPA plus resume
Presidential Mentors Academy – ACT 18, 2.75
Core GPA (Diversity Scholarship)
ACT
20-21
22-24
25-26
27-29
30-36
2.752.99
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
$5,000
3.0-3.49
$1,500
$3,000
$4,500
$5,500
$6,500
3.5-3.99
$2,000
$4,000
$6,000
$7,000
$8,000
4.0+
$2,500
$4,500
$6,500
$7,500
$8,500
Core
GPA
Deadline – Dec. 15, will accept Dec. ACT test scores.
 Must fill out scholarship application in MyBama
(http://mybama.ua.edu).
 Scholarships start with 27 ACT and 3.5 GPA =
$3,500/year
 28 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $4,000/year
 29 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $4,913/year
 30-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition
 Also – check out Alumni Association Scholarships
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Spirit of Auburn Scholarships
Priority Deadline is Jan. 15.
Deadline is Feb 10. Apply through AUSOM.
Presidential – 33-36 ACT + 3.5 GPA= Full Tuition
Founders – 30-32 ACT + 3.5 GPA = $8,000/year
University – 28-29 ACT + 3.5 GPA = $4,000/year
Achievement – 26 ACT + 3.5 GPA (competitive, based on
funding)
Ever to Conquer – 22 ACT + 3.0 GPA, Pell Grant
eligibility
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Deadline: Dec. 1, but they will consider the
Dec. test scores. Must be admitted before then!
Scholarships start with 24-29 ACT and 3.0 GPA
= $2,000/year, 30-36 ACT and 3.0 GPA =
$5,500/year
20-23 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $2,000/year
24-26 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $3,000/year
27-29 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $5,500/year
30-32 ACT and 3.5 GPA = $7,500/year
33-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Tuition + Fees
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Scholarship Deadline is Dec. 1, but they will
consider Dec. test scores.
ACT
3.0 GPA
3.5 GPA
20-21
$1,000
$1,500
22-25
$6,500-$7,000
$7,500-$8,000
26-29
$9,000-$10,000
$12,500
30-32
$12,500-$13,000
$13,500-$14,000
33-36
$15,500-$17,000
$16,500-$18,000
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Separate Scholarship Application is available.
January 5 is Priority Deadline Date.
Scholarships for out-of-state students start with
24 ACT and 3.0 = $1,000, but as test scores go
up, money goes up. Example – 28 ACT and 3.0
= $6,500.
See website for more details. Books with
complete details are available in the Guidance
Department.
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23 ACT, 3.0 GPA = $2,500/year
24-27 ACT, 3.0 GPA = $3,500/year
28-29 ACT, 3.5 GPA = $5,000/year
30-31 ACT, 3.5 GPA = $8,000/year
32 ACT, 3.5 GPA = $9,000/year
33+ ACT, 3.5 GPA = $11,000/year
Dec. 1 - Deadline
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Deadline is March 1st.
Apply for academic scholarships online.
Check website for full details.
Academic scholarships start with 22 ACT = 6
hours of tuition per semester and go up as test
scores go up.
Leadership scholarships start with 20 ACT
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Elite – 30 ACT = 16 hours tuition per semester,
Housing and Meals
Faculty – 26-29 ACT = 16 hours tuition per
semester
Gamecock – 24-25 ACT = 9 hours tuition per
semester
Gem – 22-23 ACT = 6 hours tuition per
semester
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28 ACT, 3.5 GPA – Full Tuition
32 ACT, 3.7 GPA– Full Tuition, Room and
Board
Leadership Scholarships start with 3.0 GPA –
send resume
Separate scholarship application
Deadlines vary with different scholarships.
See website for more details.
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Don’t forget to consider some of the smaller
schools. They often offer good scholarships as
well.
Some schools have you fill out separate
scholarship applications.
Some departments give out scholarships and
you must fill out separate applications.
Talk to College Financial Aid advisors.
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If you are interested in an ROTC scholarship,
several colleges offer programs. These are very
competitive scholarships with Jan. 1 deadlines.
See me this fall for contact persons.
The Military offers financial assistance for college
including programs such as the Army National
Guard Tuition Assistance Program and the
Montgomery G.I. Bill.
If you are interested, please see Mrs. Wales for
your local recruiter’s contact information.
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If you have developed a resume with lots of
leadership and community service, remember
to apply for leadership scholarships.
Sometimes, the ACT requirement for these
scholarships is a bit lower. We also have a
couple of community scholarships in the spring
based on community service. For example –
Optimist Club chooses a student in Octagon
Club with 100 documented hours during senior
year.
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Check with coaches on athletic scholarships.
For fine arts scholarships, you will need to
audition. Talk to the band director at the
college to set it up. For theatre or dance,
contact the department at the college.
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Offer a variety of scholarships – STEM,
Foundation, Athletic, Fine Arts, Leadership
Academic Scholarships at Calhoun – 3.0 GPA (do
not require ACT)
Deadline is March 1.
Separate Scholarship Application (online).
Must fill out FAFSA by March 1.
ACT Scholarship – 27 ACT = l yr. Tuition
To audition for Fine Arts (Art/Graphics, Chorale,
Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Band, Theatre) – call 256306-2699 to set up an appointment.
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Separate scholarship application – Feb. 15
Deadline – All require scholarship application and
essay in addition to admission
Presidential – ACT + GPA = 30, 16 credit hours per
semester
Academic – ACT + GPA = 27, $1,250 per semester
Leadership – ACT + GPA = 24, $1,100 per semester
Also have other scholarships in performing arts,
healthcare and career tech
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Local scholarship information is typically
sent out in the spring.
Watch the newsletter, school bulletin
boards, newspaper and website for details
of local scholarships being offered.
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Reference Books in College and Career Room
Come and see me if you need help exploring
college websites.
Check out the newsletters at Athens High
School’s website.
Keep a check on your grades through STI.
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I am enjoying working with you at Athens
High School. Please feel free to drop by and
see me. I have an open door policy. The only
time my door is closed is if I am in a meeting
with someone. You are my priority. I will be
glad to help you prepare for your future in any
way I can.
Mrs. Wales