Is “Senioritis” a Myth?

Is “senioritis” a myth? Every year students across the country struggle with a change in attitude. Many have applied to college and may have been accepted. My recommendation is to beware of the “senior slide.”  High school seniors try to balance responsibilities including academics, extracurricular activities, a social life, college admission, and perhaps a part-time job. Somewhere along the way, homework begins to seem less important. Then they get accepted to college, and after that, high school seems even less important. The students’ grades begin to slide—and so does their motivation.

Read about the danger signs and symptoms of

What Post High School Program Makes Sense to You?

Most post-secondary schools can be described as public or private, two-year or four-year.

Public institutions are state supported. Private for-profit institutions are businesses. Private not-for-profit institutions are independent – for instance, the school might have been established by a church or through local community donations rather than by the state government.

Four-year institutions offer bachelor’s degrees, and some offer advanced degrees. Two-year institutions offer associate’s degrees. Less-than-two-year institutions offer training and award certificates of completion. For more information on detailed descriptions of programs, click here.

Tips for the Scholarship and College Interviews

If the college allows you to have an interview, take them up on that opportunity. It will show them demonstrated interest in their program.  I know you may be nervous, so practice your responses with family members, counselors, or friends before you meet.  Remember to turn off you cell phone before the interview starts.  Arrive on time, greet the admissions representative with a solid handshake and a smile. Remember to maintain eye contact through out your time together. Take a moment to think before you answer your questions, highlight your academic and extracurricular accomplishments, and place a positive focus on your past.  Do your research about the university, share information about your  visit  to their institution if had one, and prepare some questions for your interviewer to answer. Read more to learn more tips for the college interview.

Whom Do I Ask and Where Do I Look for College Information?

There are many resources available to find great information about colleges. Check out the following: Talk with your guidance counselor; review guidebooks like Fiske Guide, Peterson’s, Barron’s, or College Board. The Internet is a great source of information. You should also visit the individual websites of the colleges in which you are interested;  attend college fairs and meetings at your high school scheduled with admissions representatives; and thumb through college catalogs, videos, and brochures. Talking with friends, relatives, neighbors, coaches, teachers, etc. about college can be very helpful. Maybe one of them attended the college you would like to attend, or maybe they have some new ideas. Remember to stay organized by making files for those colleges.

Shopping for the Holiday? Build Your College Planning Library!

cb-2016-17-cvr-only-72dpiIt’s that time of year where students, parents, and educators stock their shelves with college planning tools. Dr. Christine Hand Gonzales has written several books you may find helpful to you in the college search and application process,  as well as the financial planning and scholarship search.

Top recommendations include College Bound: Proven Ways to Plan and Prepare For Getting Into the College Of Your Dreams,the companion workbook, My College Bound Plan, Your College Planning Survival Guide: Smart Tips From Students, Parents and Professionals Who Made It Through, and Paying for College Without Breaking the Bank: The Ultimate Students, Parent and Educator Guide to Over 500 Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources  (http://tinyurl.com/l7ofafs)- Read more about book choices – click here.

 “College Bound” and the companion workbook, “My College Bound Plan” guides you through the college planning timeline, the search and application process, and campus visits, with additional tips and resources. It will show ways to approach counselors, teachers, or moderators to request an effective letter of recommendation, give tips mcbp-2016-17-cvr-only-72dpion self-marketing through the college essay, provide suggestions for a top-notch resume of extracurricular activities, and offer advice for taking standardized tests. If you are a budding artist, a competitive athlete, or interested in a military career, or transitioning from being home-schooled to college, this book is for you. If you have special needs or a disability, this book is for you. If you are thinking about learning a trade or attending community college, this book is for you. Interested in understanding the “nuts and bolts” of financial aid and where to find scholarships? This book is for you. Looking for an extensive list of publications and internet resources that is beyond compare? “College Bound” is for you – giving you all these resources and more.Each book offers timelines, checklists, reliable internet resources and much more. See more books here!

Seniors, Remember to Complete the F.A.F.S.A.

Apply for Federal Student Aid — Fast track to FAFSA 

Introducing the FAFSA:  Let the Funds Begin

Getting financial aid starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.

By filling it out, you apply for the U.S. Department of Education’s federal student aid programs, the largest source of student aid in America. In many cases, you’re also automatically applying for funds from your state and your school as well.

Who It is for:  See If You Are Eligible

You might be eligible if all of these apply to you:

  • You are a U.S. citizen or eligible non citizen
  • You are a high school graduate or GED holder
  • You are working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program
  • You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money to the government related to other grants or loans

See if you are eligible by reading more 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.

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: