GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT NEWS

SAT versus ACT

Students and parents often ask what the difference is between the SAT and ACT standardized tests.   We have listed some differences below.  Please feel free to contact your guidance counselor for more information.  Sign up for the SAT on www.collegeboard.com

and the ACT on www.act.org or request a registration booklet from your guidance counselor.

Taken from Kaplan online 10/12/04

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GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT NEWS

SENIOR SLUMP!!

Seniors be aware that all of senior year is important, even once you have been accepted by a college.  You may feel that you can coast through your senior year, especially once you have been admitted to college, however, that is not true.  Colleges have been known to withdraw offers of admission when they see that students’ grades have dropped during the senior year (Key, Fall 2007).  Some colleges write letters of concern similar to the one from a New Hampshire college:

 “I am writing to express our concern about your final grade report.   I refer specifically to your final grades of C- in Advanced Math Topics, C- in Chemistry, F in Sociology, and D in Spanish.  We are not suspending your admission, but we are suggesting that you should seriously reconsider your plans to enroll at ______________ University.  It is well documented that students with downward grade trends do not have successful academic experiences at ______________.”

So, seniors study hard and keep up your grades throughout this academic year.

Dear Counselor

Q:   Dear Guidance Counselor, 

    HELP!!!!  I’ve done nothing about the college process!  Some of my friends are finishing their essays!  I have no clue as to what to do!  Is it too late?     Frantic Freida

 A:   Dear Frantic,

 It’s never too late to start the college process!   I’d suggest you meet with your guidance counselor, think about what strengths and interests you have and what’s important to you in life.   You might take an on-line survey to find career fields that interest you and programs and colleges to help prepare you for education and employment in those areas.   Once you get a list of colleges, check them out on line and make arrangements to take a tour of the school.   Some colleges give individual interviews, allow students to observe in a classroom (enough time, sometimes 2 weeks is needed to arrange this), permit students to stay overnight in the dorms, and give tickets for a meal in the cafeteria.  There are also Open Houses at colleges where students and parents can learn about the admissions process and important things like majors, programs and financial aid.   Many Open Houses request advanced registration; you can usually sign up on line at the college’s website or call the college’s admissions office.

As you explore colleges, you’ll learn what’s important for you in a school!   Your guidance counselor can help you clarify those things with you and find colleges that seem to fit your needs.

Funding College

Financial Aid Forms

Find out what financial forms are required by the colleges to which your student is applying.  The major form is the federal government’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All financial aid applicants should complete the FAFSA which is required by most colleges and universities.  The FAFSA cannot be filed until January.  You register anytime to get a pin number at pin.ed.gov/. The web address for the FAFSA form is www.fafsa.ed.gov

Some colleges require the College Board’s Financial Aid Form, CSS Profile, which has a fee.  There are approximately 300 schools requiring the CSS Profile are listed on the web site at collegeboard.com. The CSS Profile may be filed as soon as the student decides to which school he or she is applying.

Who Should Apply for Financial Aid?

In general, almost all families of college-bound students should apply for financial aid. The financial aid application process is a prerequisite to receive need-based grants and to participate in many student loan programs. In addition, many colleges will not offer their own private sources of financial aid unless the student has already applied for federal student assistance.

What Are the Sources of Financial Aid?

The following federal government programs are sources for the college-bound student:

Federal Pell Grants  Pell Grants are determined by a standard formula prepared by the U.S. Department of Education based on the estimated family contribution and the cost of the college tuition. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

(FSEOGs)–The federal government gives each college a certain amount for this grant. Colleges may distribute based on exceptional need as determined by FAFSA.

Federal Perkins Loan   This is a low interest loan for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional need. The federal government gives the college a certain amount of money for this loan. This loan has to be paid back to the college following the student’s graduation.

Federal Stafford Loans   The two types of Federal Stafford Loans are subsidized and unsubsidized. Under the subsidized federal loan, the student does not begin paying interest until after graduation. Under unsubsidized loans interest payments begin immediately. Both programs have variable interest rates.

Federal Work Study   This program provides jobs to students while they are on campus. Students earn at least minimum wage to help pay off their educational expenses.

Web Connections

The Colleges and Universities Page: College and university admissions office e-mail addresses, and links to college home pages and online applications www.collegescholarships.com

FastWEB: Bills itself as the internet’s largest free scholarship search. www.fastweb.com

Wired Scholar: Free scholarship search and college planning site from Sallie Mae. www.wiredscholar.com/

The Financial Aid Page: Comprehensive information on scholarships and financial aid, with lots of links. www.finaid.org

Nashua High South Guidance Information, please visit http://www.nashua.edu/south-common/guidance/homepage.htm this information is updated on a regular basis.

Hints on Applying for Financial Aid

• Check with individual colleges to determine what forms they require and their deadlines.

• Submit the FAFSA form as soon as possible after January 1st. www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Review the Student Aid Report (SAR) that will be sent to you three to four weeks after you file the FAFSA. Correct any information that is needed on Part 2 of the SAR.

• Be aware that you must reapply for financial aid each year.

• If you have special circumstances relating to your financial situation, talk to the financial aid counselor at each college.

For more information about the financial aid process and college planning contact the New Hampshire Higher Education Association Foundation www.nhheaf.org or 225-6125