Hi-Tech Gadgets!

Have you been thinking about what you want or need to make high school or life at college easier? Here are a few ideas of hi-tech gadgets that will make others jealous.

An iPad, a desktop or a laptop? Without a doubt, most students will choose one of these options. You may need to think about what computer capabilities you will need to get the job done.  Do you need special programs?  Be sure your computer needs meet the appropriateness of your choice of studies. How much memory is important to you? Does your school require a laptop? Will you need a docking station in your dorm room? What size monitor do you need? Read more about hi-tech gadgets by clicking here.

Need-based versus Merit-Based Financial Aid

It is important to understand how to get the most money from the colleges a student is applying to, as aid can be need-based or merit-based.

Need-Based Aid is based on the family’s financial need. A family can figure this amount to be the Cost of Attendance (COA) form the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Points to understand about Need-Based Aid:

Information from the Free Application for Federal School Aid (FAFSA) is needed. Other colleges may require completion of the CSS Financial Profile; Grants do not need to be repaid; Loans will need to be paid with interest; Other types of Need-Based Aid include Work-Study Programs, Perkins Loan and Subsidize Stafford Loan, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG). Learn more about Merit-Based financial aid.

Please Explain Score Choice

Score Choice allows the student to forward the scores they choose to the colleges or universities they are applying to.  So what does a student need to know about this policy?

Here are some items to think about: SAT Reasoning and Subject test scores can be submitted by test date. If a student does not choose Score Choice, all scores will be sent to the college. Score Choice is optional. Students should follow the score-reporting requirements of the colleges they are applying to. Colleges will only receive the scores that the student sends to them. Individual sections of a specific test date cannot be selected—only the entire test of the particular SAT will be sent. It does not cost more to send one or multiple copies or all test scores to a college. Scores can be sent by paper, CD, or Electronic Score Reports.  If the student requests a second report to a college, the report will only include the unique set of scores chosen by the student, which may or may not include previous test scores.

For more information, check with the College Board.

Admissions Representative Visit with Students

College admissions representatives begin their fall visits in August and conclude sometime in November. Your high school counselor is probably busy scheduling these visits right now. The representatives share information with prospective applicants and allow students time to ask pertinent questions about the search and application process.  This is a great time for seniors and juniors, who are interested in gathering data, to meet the representatives face-to-face.  The admissions officer may be the one who will eventually read your college application.

Here’s a list of places you may be able to meet with admissions representatives:

It’s College Application Time – Begin by Getting Organized!

Seniors – it’s that time of year. Summer has come and gone and you are about to embark the college application process. So where do you begin?  First of all, start early! Give yourself plenty of time to produce a stellar final product. You want a winning application, not one that looks hurried and rushed. Remember, there are plenty of people who can help you with the process including your parents, your school counselors, mentors, and teachers.

Have the following pieces of information on hand before you start to fill out your application. It’s not a bad idea to save this information on a card or in a computer file.  This information will be used over and over again in each application you complete. Click here to read list of items.

Important Financial Aid Forms for College Bound Students

How do colleges calculate financial aid awards for students who have applied to their institution?  Each college has its own set of requirements so the student should be sure to check with the financial aid offices of the schools.  Along with forms that may be required, there are important deadlines to follow too.  Paying For College CoverRemember to apply for additional financial aid from your state government and outside scholarships.
Here are financial aid applications you may have to complete:

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – a federal financial aid application form required by all colleges for federal financial aid including grants, loans, and work/study. In addition, some colleges use the FAFSA to award money from its own endowment funds and others require additional forms.

Verification Worksheet is to be completed if a student’s FAFSA was selected for review by the college.

State – Visit your state’s department of education site for information on state-sponsor on state financial aid programs for state residents.

Institutional – Email colleges on your list for additional institutional forms that the school may require before awarding money from its own endowment funds for financial aid.. Click here to read more!

How to Email a College Admissions Counselor

Check Your Email Address First!

Yes, you were given a formal name at birth and you may be a creative individual who wants to express yourself with a unique email address, but suddenly you realize [email protected] might not be the most appropriate email address to use. Who is your audience? What impression will you leave on the admissions officer?  Every bit of information you reveal tells the college admissions office something about you. I often ask students to think about how their grandparents might react to the address. It may be safer and more appropriate to use your school email address or create one that will be used for all your college correspondence. Read more on clues on emailing your the college admissions counselor.