Solving the Puzzle: College,
Career and Financial Aid Options
2013
Presented by: Susan Wales
Athens High School
Jr./Sr. Counselor
The Options
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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
Career Research
• 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 N3683443QRW.
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook
(www.bls.gov) offers insight into thousands
of different careers.
Career Research Websites
• 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.”
Thinking About Four Year
Schools
Thinking About Two Year
Schools
Technical or Professional
Schools
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Culinary Schools
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.
Calhoun’s Programs
• www.calhoun.edu, Programs of Study,
Division of Business/CIS/Technology and
Workforce Development
• Aerospace Technology, HVAC,
Automation/Robotics,
Barbering/Cosmetology, Design Drafting,
• Electrical Technology, Industrial
Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology,
• Process Technology, Renewable Energy
Calhoun’s Health Care Programs:
• Nursing, Clinical Lab Technology, Dental
Assisting, EMS, Physical Therapy
Assistant, Practical Nursing, Surgical
Technology
• Some of these programs have specialized
requirements for admission.
Things to Consider in Choosing a
College or University:
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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
Choosing a College
• 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.
Suggestions for College Visits:
• 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
College Visit Days:
• 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.
• 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.
What are Universities Looking
For?
• 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
Academic Record for
Universities
• 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)
Testing Scores
• 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.
• Seniors planning to attend Calhoun may take the
COMPASS test for free.
• All juniors will take the ACT with Writing in
April 2014 as part of state testing requirements.
• PREPARE BEFORE YOU TAKE IT!
Testing Scores
• 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).
For Juniors
• PSAT (Preliminary to the SAT) is the National
Merit Scholarship qualifying test.
• Test will be given on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013.
• Cost is $15.
• Sign up in the Guidance Dept. by Sept. 30.
• Prep material available on www.collegeboard.org
• Big benefit of PSAT – My College QuickStart
program
Great Website for College
Planning and Information
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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
Admission Requirements for
Some Local Colleges:
What It Takes To Get In
Calhoun Community College
• Admission: Rolling Admission, Must have
HS diploma
• Entrance Exam: ACT is not required.
• You may take a free placement test
(COMPASS) at Calhoun to determine
English and math placement in classes.
University of North Alabama
• 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)
University of Alabama in
Huntsville
• 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.
• Avg. GPA-3.86, Avg. ACT (Middle 50%)- 22-29
University of Alabama in
Birmingham
• 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.
University of Alabama
• 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.
Auburn University
• 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 3.81.
• Average ACT is 27.
Troy University
• Admission: ACT 20, 2.0 GPA
• Scholarships – 27 ACT, 3.5 GPA = Full
Tuition; 31 ACT, 3.7 GPA = Tuition plus
Room and Board; Leadership scholarships
start with 22 ACT, 3.0 GPA
University of Montevallo
• 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.
Mississippi State University
• 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.
• 16 ACT, 2.5 GPA on Core Classes
University of Mississippi
• 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
• Must have 2.5 GPA on Core and 16 ACT or
2.0 GPA on Core and 18 ACT
University of South Alabama
• Admission: 20 ACT and 2.0 GPA, 16 core
units or 19 ACT and 2.5 GPA, 16 core units
• Scholarships start with 23 ACT and 3.0
GPA = $2,500/year
Student Athletes:
• To play at a Division I or Division II
school, athletes must meet requirements set
forth by the NCAA.
• 2.0 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.
ACT Testing Dates
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Sept. 21, 2013 – Register by Aug. 23
Oct. 26, 2013 – Register by Sept. 27
Dec. 14, 2013 – Register by Nov. 8
February 8, 2014 – Register by Jan. 10
April 12, 2014 – Register by Mar. 7
June 14, 2014 – Register by May 9
How Will You Pay for College?
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Grants
Scholarships
Loans
Work-Study
Types of Financial Aid:
 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 parttime basis.
 Loans – These are lower interest loans by the federal
government – PLUS, Stafford, Perkins.
More on Grants:
• 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 low-income families
• Iraq or Afghanistan Grant – Based on your
family’s income and a parent killed in
service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11
More on Loans:
• 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 6.8%, depends on need, no interest while
in college
• Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan – govt. is
lender, interest 6.8%, interest charged while in
college
More on Loans:
• Direct Plus Loans for Parents – borrower is
responsible for all interest, 7.9% 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.
Financial Information
• 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.
FAFSA Forms:
 For Seniors, it is based on family income for
2013.
 A pin number must be obtained at
www.pin.ed.gov.
 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.
FAFSA Information
• 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.
• You must fill out FAFSA before you can
receive scholarship money from schools.
FREE Help with FAFSA:
• 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.
SOME EXAMPLES OF
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:
Academic Scholarships:
 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.
 You must meet the deadlines!
UAH Academic Scholarships:
• UAH – 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.
UNA Academic Scholarships:
• Deadline is Dec. 2.
• Scholarships start with 3.0 on Core Curriculum and 25
ACT.
• 25 ACT = $3,500/year
• 26 ACT= $4,500/year
• 27 ACT = $5,000/year
• 28 ACT = $5,500/year
• 29 ACT = $6,500/year
• 30-36 ACT = $6,500-$8,000/year
• Limited Provost Scholarships – 24 ACT, $2,000 Requires
a resume
University of Alabama
• New 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 = $4,725/year
• 30-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition
• First Generation Scholarships
Auburn University
 Spirit of Auburn Scholarships
 Deadline is Dec. 1.
 28-29 ACT and 3.5 or higher GPA = $3,000/year
 30-31 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition
 32-36 ACT and 3.5 GPA = Full Tuition, $1,000
technology allowance, invitation to University
Honors College
 Foundation, Legacy and Achievement – 26
ACT and 3.5 GPA (competitive – based on
funding)
UAB Scholarships:
• Deadline: Dec. 1, but they will consider the Dec.
test scores
• 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
Mississippi State Scholarships:
• Scholarship Deadline is Dec. 1, but they
will consider Dec. test scores.
• Scholarships start with 26 ACT and 3.0
GPA
• Non-resident Tuition Scholarships – 24
ACT and 3.0 GPA = 50% Non-resident
Tuition, 26 ACT and 3.0 GPA = 100%
Non-resident Tuition
Ole Miss Scholarships:
• Separate Scholarship Application
• Deadlines vary
• 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 = $6,000.
• See website for more details.
University of South Alabama:
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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
Jacksonville State University
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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 and go up as test scores
go up.
• Leadership scholarships start with 20 ACT
and 2.5 GPA (separate app)
Troy University
• 27 ACT, 3.5 GPA – Full Tuition
• 31 ACT, 3.7 GPA (60 awarded) – Full
Tuition, Room and Board
• Leadership Scholarships start with 22 ACT,
3.0 GPA – send resume
• Separate scholarship application
• Deadlines vary with different scholarships.
• See website for more details.
Academic Scholarships:
 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.
ROTC Scholarships
• 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.
Leadership Scholarships
• 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.
Athletic/Fine Arts Scholarships:
• 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.
Calhoun Community College
Scholarships:
• 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 and
Fees
Wallace State Community
College Scholarships:
• You may take the COMPASS placement
test instead of the ACT to attend Wallace
State.
• Separate scholarship application – Feb. 15
Deadline
• Academic Scholarships are based on ACT
(21+) scores, GPA (3.0+), Essays and
Letters of Recommendation.
Local Scholarships
• 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.
More Information:
• 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.
The Last Word
• 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