The College Search Packet

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The College Search Packet
CEEB CODE 300466

• Kearsarge Regional High School

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Table of Contents

• How to begin the process 3
• 20 Questions to ask your school counselor
• What type of school is best for you?
• Universities
• Colleges
• Four-year
• Two-year
• Private Colleges
• Public Colleges

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Kearsarge Regional High School

• Your Guidance Staff
• Dr. Paul Foster, Guidance Director
  pfoster_at_kearsarge.org
• Mr. Peter Angus, Guidance Counselor
  pangus_at_kearsarge.org
• Ms. Beth Stern, Guidance Counselor
  bstern_at_kearsarge.org
• Mrs. Harriet Messer, Administrative Assistant
  hmesser_at_keasarge.org
• Mrs. Cheryl Steese, Office Assistant,
  csteese_at_kearsarge.org

Phone [phone] Websitewww.kearsarge.org/11
122062815485913/site/default.asp
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How to begin the process?

• Meet with your school counselor (Look at 20
  questions to ask your school counselor)
• Do research about various colleges
• Calculate GPA
• Sign up for ACTs at www.actstudent.org or SATs at
  www.collegeboard.com
• Remember your CEEB code to ensure that your
  scores are sent to KRHS

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20 Questions to ask your School Counselor

• What are the required and recommended courses
  for graduation and for college prep
• What kinds of grades do different colleges
  require?
• How should I plan my schedule so Ill complete
  them?
• Are there any college fairs at this school, or
  nearby?
• Which elective courses do you recommend?
• Where do other kids from this school attend
  college?
• Which AP courses are available?
• What are the requirements or standards for the
  honor society?
• When is the PSAT/NMSQT going to be given here?
• Do you have any forms I need to apply for
  financial aid?
• Is this school a testing center for the SATs, or
  will I need to go somewhere nearby?
• What activities can I do at home and over the
  summer to get ready for college?
• Do you have any after-school or evening sessions
  available for college planning, or the SAT?
• Do you have any information to help me start
  exploring my interests and related careers?
• Can you put me in touch with recent grads who are
  going to the colleges on my wish list?
• Can I see my transcript as it stands now, to see
  if everything is as I think it should be?
• If my colleges need a recommendation from you,
  how can I help you know me better, so it can be
  more personal?
• How does our school compare to others, in terms
  of test scores and reputation?
• Are there any special scholarships or awards that
  I should know about now, so I can work toward
  them?

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SATS

• Get a booklet from the Guidance office
• Make sure you sign up for the SAT Reasoning Test
• Register early and check the deadlines

Test Day

• What to bring
• Admission ticket (you will not be
  allowed to take your test without it!)
• Acceptable photo identification, such as a
  drivers license, state-issued ID, school ID
  card, or valid passport
• Two Number 2 pencils and a soft eraser. No
  mechanical pencils or pens.
• Acceptable calculator
• Acceptable CD player (for Language Tests with
  Listening ONLY)

Check out Test Day on www.collegeboard.org for
more information.
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SAT
ACT

• 3 hours 45 minutes
• Score between 600-2400
• No science section
• Algebra II section
• Emphasis on vocabulary
• Includes non-multiple choice questions
• Penalty for guessing
• Questions go from easy to difficult
• Each section is scored on a scale of 200-800 with
  two writing subscores for multiple choice and the
  essay
• Cost 41.50

• 3 hours 45 minutes (w/writing)
• Score between 1-36
• Writing test optional (some colleges require)
• Science reasoning section
• Trigonometry questions
• Vocabulary less important
• English grammar
• Entirely multiple choice questions
• No penalty for guessing
• Easy and difficult questions are mixed
• Cost 29 without writing
• 43 with writing

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SAT/ACT Help Resources

• www.review.com
• www.kaptest.com
• www.collegeboard.com
• www.act.org
• www.fairtest.org
• www.number2.com

Additional prep courses are available on the Web
and throughout New Hampshire
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What type of school is best for you?
Universities

• Universities are usually larger institutions
  composed of a number of individual schools or
  colleges. They require four years of study to
  earn a Bachelors Degree (sometimes called
  Baccalaureate). Universities offer more diverse
  programs of study, with advanced degrees to the
  Masters and Doctoral level.

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Four-Year Colleges
Four-year colleges, including liberal arts
colleges, are less diversified in their programs
of study than universities. A typical four-year,
liberal arts curriculum aims to broaden an
individuals general fund of knowledge, in
addition to offering concentrated study in a
particular subject area. A Bachelors Degree is
awarded upon completion. There are private and
public colleges.
Two-year Colleges
Two-year colleges include Junior Colleges,
Vocational-Technical Colleges and Community
Colleges. Programs of study usually lead to
direct entry into a career and/or the opportunity
to transfer to a four-year institution. An
Associates Degree is offered upon completion of
study.
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Private vs. Public
Private Colleges

• Private colleges are supported by tuition,
  endowment, and donations from alumni and friends.
  Usually they are more expensive than public
  colleges, but it does depend on the particular
  school. Also, private colleges often offer the
  best financial aid. While attending a private
  school is reputed to translate into less red tape
  and more personal attention than you'll find at
  the public counterparts, it's important to look
  carefully at each individual college and to
  separate rumor from reality.

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Public Colleges
Public colleges are those that are largely
supported by state funds. If you attend a public
institution in your own state, you will get a
break on tuitions costs, and--as a state
resident--it's usually easier for you be
admitted, as well. However, if you attend a
public college in ANOTHER state, you will
probably not get those benefits (though some
state institutions do have reciprocal agreements
with other nearby states.)
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Specialized Colleges
Some colleges offer a concentrated offering in a
specific field, such as art, music, agriculture,
technical careers, religious studies, and
business. The course of study may be one, two,
or three years.
Training Schools
Training schools offer short-term certificates of
study in such areas as cosmetology,
tractor/trailer driving and diesel mechanics.
They are usually private, profit-making
institutions.
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Admissions Definitions

• Early Decision The early decision option is a
  binding application that gives students who have
  selected a specific institution as their first
  choice a chance to show their interest in the
  school and express their commitment. Binding
  applications require that students withdraw all
  other applications if admitted by the university.
  Notice of acceptance is usually received within a
  month of application.
• Early Action Early action is for students who do
  not want to commit to one specific university but
  still want to receive priority consideration and
  express their interest. This application
  deadline is usually around the same date as Early
  Decision.
• Regular Decision Regular decision applications
  do not provide an advantage for admission but
  allow for additional time for completion. The
  deadline is usually between January and March.
• Rolling Admission Colleges give admissions
  decisions to candidates as soon as possible after
  all materials have been received (usually within
  6 weeks).
• Deferred Entrance An accepted student may
  postpone entrance in order to travel, work, or
  study elsewhere for one year.

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Tips for choosing your best match
  How can you find colleges that match your
needs? First, identify your priorities. Next,
carefully research the characteristics of a range
of schools. Finally, match the two. Here are some
college characteristics you should consider.

• Size of the Student Body
• Location
• Academic Programs
• Retention Graduation Rates

• Diversity
• Campus Life
• Cost
• GPA/SAT

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Size of the Student Body
2,500
10,000
Size will affect many of your opportunities and
experiences, including

• Range of academic majors offered
• Extracurricular possibilities
• Amount of personal attention you'll receive
• Number of books in the library
• When considering size, be very sure to look
  beyond the raw number of students attending. For
  example, perhaps you're considering a small
  department within a large school. Investigate not
  just the number of faculty members, but also how
  accessible they are to students.

1,000
15,000
30,000
7,500
5,000
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Location

• Do you want to visit home frequently, or do you
  see this as a time to experience a new part of
  the country? Perhaps you like an urban
  environment with access to museums, ethnic food,
  or major league ball games. Or maybe you hope for
  easy access to the outdoors or the serenity of a
  small town.

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Academic Programs

• If you know what you want to study, research
  reputations of academic departments by talking to
  people in the fields that interest you. If
  you're undecided, relax and pick an academically
  balanced institution that offers a range of
  majors and programs. Most colleges offer
  counseling to help you find a focus.

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Campus Life

• Consider what your college life will be like
  beyond the classroom.
• Aim for a balance between academics, activities,
  and social life.
• Before choosing a college, learn the answers to
  these questions
• What extracurricular activities, athletics, and
  special interest groups are available?
• Does the community around the college offer
  interesting outlets for students?
• Are students welcomed by the community?
• Is there an ethnic or religious group in which to
  take part?
• How do fraternities and sororities influence
  campus life?
• Is housing guaranteed?
• How are dorms assigned?

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Cost

• Today's college price tag makes cost an important
  consideration for most students. At the same
  time, virtually all colleges work to ensure that
  academically qualified students from every
  economic circumstance can find financial aid that
  allows them to attend. In considering cost, look
  beyond the price tag.

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Diversity

• Explore what you might gain from a diverse
  student body. Think about the geographic, ethnic,
  racial, and religious diversity of the students
  as a means of learning more about the world.
  Investigate what kinds of student organizations,
  or other groups with ethnic or religious
  foundations, are active and visible on campus.

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Retention Graduation Rates

• One of the best ways to measure a school's
  quality and the satisfaction of its students is
  to learn the percent of students who return after
  the first year and the percent of entering
  students who remain to graduate. Comparatively
  good retention and graduation rates are
  indicators that responsible academic, social, and
  financial support systems exist for most students.

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College Search Resources
Books
The Insiders Guide to the Colleges 2003 -
Students on Campus Tell you What you Really Want
to Know by Yale Daily News Campus Visits
College Interviews by Zola Dincin
Schneider The College Application Essay by
Sarah Myers McGinty College Handbook 2007 by
CollegeBoard The CollegeBoard Book of Majors
by CollegeBoard

• Selecting the Right College
• by Dr. Norman R. Smith
• Fiske Guide to Colleges 2007
• by Edward B. Fiske
• College Cost Financial Aid
• by CollegeBoard
• The Unofficial, Unbiased Insiders Guide to the
  320 Most Interesting Colleges by Trent Anderson
  Seppy Basili
• Cool Colleges by Donald Asher

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College Search Internet Sources

• www.collegeboard.com
• www.princetonreview.com
• www.careercruising.com username kearsarge
  password krhs
• www.collegeview.com
• www.campustours.com
• www.peterson.com
• www.usnews.com/college
• www.collegesearch.nces.ed.gov

Additional Resources
www.commonapp.org http//ope.ed.gov/security www.
xap.com www.askjoecollege.com www.princetonrevie
w.com/apply www.destinationcollege.org www.nh93.c
om
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College Application Requirements
Applications vary from college to college, but
most require some or all of the following parts

• Application Form
• Application Fee The average college application
  fee is around 25. (Some colleges charge up to
  60, while others don't have an application fee
  at all.)
• High School Transcript
• Admission Test Scores SAT, SAT Subject Test,
  or ACT test scores
• Letters of Recommendation
• Essay
• Interview
• Audition/Portfolio
• If you're applying for a program such as music,
  art, or design, you may have to document prior
  work by auditioning on campus or submitting an
  audiotape, slides, or some other sample of your
  work to demonstrate your ability.

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Letters of Recommendation
Helpful Tips

• Typically, you know your teachers well enough to
  know who can provide favorable reviews of your
  accomplishments. If in doubt, don't hesitate to
  ask if they feel comfortable writing a
  recommendation. In some cases, you may have no
  choice as to who to use, but when you do, make
  the best choice possible.
• Follow up with your recommendation writers a
  week or so prior to your first deadline, to
  ensure recommendations have been mailed or to see
  if they need additional information from you.
• Once you have decided which college to attend,
  write thank-you notes to everyone who provided a
  recommendation and tell them where you've decided
  to go to college. Be sure to do this before you
  leave high school.

• Don't be shy. Teachers and counselors are
  usually happy to help you, as long as you respect
  their time constraints.
• Include addressed and stamped envelopes for each
  school to which you're applying.
• Provide teachers and counselors with deadlines
  for each recommendation that you are requesting,
  especially noting the earliest deadline.
• On the application form, waive your right to
  view recommendation letters. This gives more
  credibility to the recommendation in the eyes of
  the college.

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How can I get the best possible recommendations?
Talk to your recommendation writers. For
teachers, it's important that they focus on your
academic talents and accomplishments within their
classroom, because that's what colleges are
looking for in teacher recommendations. Talk to
them about what you remember about their class
and your participation in it. Highlight a
particular incident, paper, or anything else that
might help them provide anecdotal information and
specific examples of your achievement, rather
than just vague praise.
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When should I ask?
Make sure to give your recommendation writers
plenty of timeat least one month before letters
are dueto complete and send your
recommendations, but as with anything, the
earlier the better. Many teachers like to have
the summer to write recommendations, so if you
asked last spring, you're doing great. If you
apply under early decision or early action plans,
you'll need to ask at the start of the school
year, if you didn't request one last spring.
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(Continued from page 27)
It's also important that you spend time talking
with your counselors and ensure they know about
your plans, accomplishments, and involvements.
You may want to provide them with a brief resume
of your activities and goals a resume can
provide the best overview of your high school
involvement and contributions. Also, if there is
some aspect of your transcript that needs
explainingperhaps low grades during sophomore
yearit's helpful to talk with your counselors to
explain why and how you've changed and improved.
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Whom should I ask?
Read the application carefully. Most college
applications request two or three recommendation
letters from people who know you in and out of
the classroom. Often colleges request letters of
recommendation from an academic teacher
(sometimes a specific discipline) and/or your
school counselor. If a non-specified academic
teacher is requested, your English or math
teachers usually make good candidates. Also, you
should use a teacher from junior year, or a
current teacher if they have known you long
enough to form an opinion. It is best not to go
back too far, as colleges want current
perspectives on their potential candidates. All
the better if you get a recommendation from a
teacher who's also been involved with you outside
the classroom, but unless a college specifically
requests it, don't use a coach or someone who
can't speak to your academic achievements and
potential.
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The Essay
Common Essay Questions

• Evaluate a significant experience, achievement,
  risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have
  faced and its impact on you.
• Discuss some issue of personal, local, national,
  or international concern and its importance to
  you.
• Indicate a person who has had a significant
  influence on you, and describe their influence.
• Describe a character in fiction, an historical
  figure, or a creative work (as in art, music,
  science, etc.) that has had an influence on you,
  and explain that influence.
• A range of academic interest, personal
  perspectives and life experiences adds much to
  the educational mix. Given your personal
  background, describe an experience that
  illustrates what you bring to the diversity in
  college community, or an encounter that
  demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
• Topic of your choice.

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College Application Essay Help

• When writing your essay
• Be creative colleges are more interested in
  learning about you than the actual topic
• Answer the question topics require you to
  think about a certain experience or achievement
• Dont choose a topic that might offend the
  reader in any way.
• Big words do not make a good essay.
• Advanced vocabulary is acceptable if its used
  correctly!

• www.essayedge.com
• www.statementofpurpose.com
• www.resumeedge.com
• Collegeplanning_at_nhheaf.org

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The College Interview
Things to Avoid during your College Interview
Don't ...

• Be late
• Memorize speechessound natural and
  conversational
• Ask questions covered by the college catalog
• Chew gum
• Wear lots of cologne or perfume
• Swear or use too much slang
• Be arrogantthere's a fine line between being
  confident and boasting
• Lieit will come back to haunt you
• Respond with only yes or no answers
• Tell the school it's your safety
• Be rude to the receptionist or any other staff
  you meet
• Bring a parent into the interview
• Refuse an interviewthis is usually noted

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Portfolios and Auditions
Audition Tips (for song and instrumental)

• Try to choose two pieces in contrasting styles
  with your primary instrument or voice. Make sure
  at least one piece is in English.
• Try not to take too long in your presentation.
  Eight to ten minutes is typically appropriate.
  The colleges may provide more specific direction.
• It is usually recommended that singers bring
  their own accompanist.
• Be careful about improvising. Youll only
  impress if you provide what they require.
  Understand the specific expectations of each
  audition.
• For instrumentalists, provide a portfolio of no
  more than five compositions. If you have
  recordings, include those as well.
• Provide a list of all songs and compositions.

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For Drama and Dance

• Present yourself as a serious actor/dancer with a
  serious commitment.
• The potential for growth is more vital that your
  present state of technical expertise.
• Keep an open mind sometimes auditions will
  involve multiple applicants performing together.
  Be prepared, but be flexible.
• Show yourself to be a hard-worker many
  applicants have talent let your energy,
  persistence and work ethic distinguish you.
• Try to present good basic technique.
• Keep an open mind about criticism. Constructive
  criticism provides an opportunity for
  improvement.

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Portfolio Presentation Tips

• Include only your best and most recent work.
• Include as many different styles and mediums as
  possible.
• Any cumbersome pieces (such as three dimensional
  works) should be placed in digital or slide
  format. Ask the school which format they prefer.
• Make sure to label every slide with your name,
  date and type of work.
• It is important to indicate the top of your work
  on any slide or photograph in order to make sure
  the person evaluating your work is viewing it
  correctly.
• Include an inventory of your work with the
  portfolio.
• Make two copies of everything just in case.

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• Schools will evaluate your work in the following
  areas, so try to be as broad as possible in
  preparing your portfolio
• Perceptual skills Ability to draw from direct
  observation
• Concept Use of formal art elements to convey you
  unique ideas
• Composition Interesting use of space
• Craft Technical skill and knowledge of media
  combined with presentation

National Portfolio Days These educational events
are free for artists looking for advice.
Experienced art college representatives will
review your portfolio and offer presentation
critique. Visit www.npda.org for a list of
campuses hosting the event.
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NCAA Student Athletes
Prospective student-athletes may register with
the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse
on-line.  Go to the Initial-Eligibility
Clearinghouse Web site at www.ncaaclearinghouse.ne
t .  By registering on-line, prospects will be
able to view their eligibility information and
any updates on-line.  On-line registration saves
time, and allows prospective student-athletes to
view their eligibility status up to six weeks
faster than through the paper registration
process.
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NCAA Requirements

• DIVISION I 2005-2007
• 14 Core Courses
• 4 years of English.
• 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of
  lab if offered by high school).
• 1 year of additional English, mathematics or
  natural/physical science.
• 2 years of social science.
• 3 years of additional courses (from any area
  above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/
  philosophy).

• DIVISION I 2008 and after
• 16 Core Courses
• 4 years of English.
• 3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1
  year of lab if offered by high school).
• 1 year of additional English, mathematics or
  natural/physical science.
• 2 years of social science.
• 4 years of additional courses (from any area
  above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/
  philosophy).

Division II Requirements
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DIVISION II

• 2005 and after
• 14 Core Courses
• 3 years of English.
• 2 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher).
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of
  lab if offered by high school).
• 2 years of additional English, mathematics or
  natural/physical science.
• 2 years of social science.
• 3 years of additional courses (from any area
  above, foreign language or nondoctrinal
  religion/philosophy).

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Core Courses required by NCAA
English
Social Science
20TH CENT AMERICAN NOVEL/CP 142 20TH CENTURY
POETRY 137 ACADEMIC LITERACY 1307 ACTING AND
DIRECTING 189 ADV COMP RESEARCH/CP 164 ADV
MEDIA STUDIES 177 AFRICAN AMERICAN LIT/CP 116 AM
STUD I 1808 AM STUD II 1809 APPLIED
COMMUNICATIONS 3.31.00 BRITISH LIT I/CP
138 BRITISH LIT II/CP 139 BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
3.31.00 CHILDREN'S LITERATURE 122 CHILDREN'S
THEATER 3.31.00 CLASSICAL WORLD LIT/CP
106 COMPOSITION CRITIQUE 152 CREAT WRIT/CP
162 DRAMA AS LIT 147 ENGLISH 9 100 ENGLISH/AP FILM
STUDIES/CP 191 INDEPENDENT READING
3.31.00 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS
JOURNALISM 166 LIT/COMP/CRITIQUE/CP 154 MASS
MEDIA 176 MDRN POETRY/CP 137 MODERN WORLD LIT/CP
105 MYTHOLOGY/CB 107 OUTDOOR LITERATURE
115 PERSPECTIVES ON DYING 128 PHILOSOPHY/CP
132 PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS/CP 170 RESEAR TECH/CP
164 SCIENCE FICTION LIT/CP 126 SHAKESPEARE/CB
134 SHORT FICTION 135 STAGECRAFT
190 STEINBECK/HEMING/CP 108 WESTERN LIT 113 WRIT
SELF EXP 158
Continued on next page
IMPORTANT NOTE Computer science courses cannot
be used to fulfill core course requirements for
student-athletes first entering a collegiate
institution on or after August 1, 2005.
42
Natural/Physical Science
Additional Courses
LAB ADV CHEMISTRY
432 X ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY/CP 412
X ASTRONOMY/CP 450 X BIO/CP/H X BIOLOGY 402
X BIOLOGY/CB 401 X CHEMISTRY 430
X CHEMISTRY 431 X CHEMISTRY/CP 430
X DIGITAL ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
DESIGN/INTRO HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(HSPS) 420 X INTRO PHYS SCI/CP 420 X INVERT
ZOOLOGY X MICROBIOLOGY BIOTECH 410
X OCEANOGRAPHY/GEOLOGY/CP 452 X PHYSICS 441
X PHYSICS/ADV/CB 442 X PHYSICS/AP
PHYSICS/CB 440 X PRIN OF TECH
II/CP/1803(SCI) X PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING
SCIENTIST AS HUMANIST SCIENCE TERRESTRIAL
ECOLOGY X VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 416 X
Mathematics
CHINESE I/CP 546 CLASS GREEK/CP 531 FRENCH I/CP
501 FRENCH II/CP 502 FRENCH III/CP 503 FRENCH
IV/CP 504 FRENCH V/CP 505 LATIN I/CP 521 LATIN
II/CP 522 LATIN III/CP 523 LATIN IV/CP
524 SPANISH I/CP 541 SPANISH II/CP 542 SPANISH
III/CP 543 SPANISH IV/CP 544 SPANISH V/CP
545 SPANISH/AP
ALG IB/ADV/CP 360 ALG II/ADV/CP 375 ALG II/CP
340 ALGEBRA 1/CB 360 CALCULUS AB/CB
390 GEOM/ADV/CP 370 GEOMETRY/CP
331 PRE-CALULUS/CP 380 PRIN OF TECH II/CP 1803
(MATH) PRIN OF TECHNOLOGY 1/CP 335 PROBABILITY
AND STATS/CP 385 SENIOR MATH/CP
350 TRIGONOMETRY/CP 350
Make sure your classes are on this list if you
intend to play NCAA sports in college
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DIVISION I
CORE GRADE-POINT AVERAGE/TEXT-SCORE SLIDING SCALE
(GPA/SAT/ACT)
3.000/620/52 2.975/630/52 2.950/640/53 2.925/650/5
3 2.900/660/54 2.875/670/55 2.850/680/56 2.825/690
/56 2.800/700/57 2.775/710/58
3.550 above/400/37 3.525/410/38 3.500/420/39 3.4
75/430/40 3.450/440/41 3.425/450/41 3.400/460/42 3
.375/470/42 3.350/480/43 3.325/490/44 3.300/500/44
3.275/510/45
2.475/830/69 2.450/840-850/70 2.425/860/70 2.400/8
60/71 2.375/870/72 2.350/880/73 2.325/890/74 2.300
/900/75 2.275/910/76
3.250/520/46 3.225/530/46 3.200/540/47 3.175/550/4
7 3.150/560/48 3.125/570/49 3.100/580/49 3.075/590
/50 3.050/600/50 3.025/610/51
2.750/720/59 2.725/730/59 2.700/730/60 2.675/740-7
50/61 2.650/760/62 2.625/770/63 2.600/780/64 2.575
/790/65 2.550/800/66 2.525/810/67 2.500/820/68
2.250/920/77 2.225/930/78 2.200/940/79 2.175/950/8
0 2.150/960/80 2.125/960/81 2.100/970/82 2.075/980
/83 2.050/990/84 2.025/1000/85 2.000/1010/86
In Division II, there is no sliding scale. The
minimum core grade-point average is 2.000. The
minimum SAT score is 820 (Verbal and Math
sections only) and the minimum ACT sum score is
68.
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Financial Aid

• Apply Early! 
• Summer Before Senior Year
• Request college applications and financial aid
  information
• Organize college materials into separate folders
  by college
• Create a calendar to keep track of deadlines
• Research scholarships online
• September
• Meet with your counselor to talk about college
  applications and financial aid
• Complete the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)
  calculator to help you determine your eligibility
  for both federal and non-federal financial aid
  programs
• CHECK OUT COLLEGEBOARD.ORG  

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Financial Aid
How it works

• Students and their families are expected to
  contribute to the cost of college to the extent
  that they are able
• If a family is unable to contribute the entire
  cost, financial aid is available to bridge the
  gap
• Loans, scholarships, grants, and workstudy are
  available as forms of financial aid.

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• October 
• Applying Early Decision or Early Action? Fill
  out supplemental aid application if you are
  applying for financial aid
• Some colleges require early submission for merit
  or need based scholarships THIS MAY MEAN YOU
  MUST APPLY EARLY!
• Ask your counselor about state and local
  scholarships
• The CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE online is available
  OCTOBER 1st
• Male students who will be 18 at the time they
  complete the FAFSA are required to register with
  Selective Service to be eligible for federal and
  state aid. Students can register for Selective
  Service at the post office or through the FAFSA
  form. Call them a [phone]

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• November
• Apply for scholarships in time to meet
  application deadlines 
• You and your parents should request a Department
  of Education PIN number. The PIN serves as an
  electronic signature for FAFSA on the web 
• You can apply for the PROFILE before JANUARY 1st
• December
• Apply for scholarships in time to meet
  application deadlines
• Get a FAFSA form from guidance before winter
  vacation
• Start gathering documents necessary to complete
  the FAFSA
• Early Decision and Early Action responses should
  arrive this month!
• Read the award letter carefully!!! Some may
  require a written acceptance letter. Contact
  Financial Aid office with questions

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• January 
• Income and asset figures from your tax return
  are needed to complete the FAFSA
• It is not necessary to file your taxes prior to
  submitting the FAFSA
• Fill out the PROFILE if required by your college
• After January 1st you may file the FAFSA
  remember to sign your documents!
• The FAFSA can be completed online with a PIN

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• February
• Participate in activities such as financial
  information nights, scheduled by your high school
  or colleges
• Make sure your PROFILE is received - Deadline is
  early to middle February
• Student Aid Reports should arrive two to four
  weeks after FAFSA submission
• March
• Some admissions decisions and financial aid
  award letter arrive this month
• Start looking for summer jobs or internships

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• April
• If full need has not been met, or if your
  familys financial circumstances have changed,
  consider appealing the aid award
• Make a final decision and mail the enrollment
  form and deposit check to your final-choice
  college before May 1st
• Start studying for AP exams - your scores will
  determine how much credit you receive
• May
• Take AP exams make sure your scores are mailed
  to your college
• Take a look at parent loans or private loans to
  close the financial gap
• You will need to complete and sign a Master
  Promissory Note (MPN) in order to receive
  Stafford or Direct Loan funds

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• Summer Before College
• The fall semester bill will arrive over the
  summer. Be sure to return it with proper
  payment as quickly as possible
• If all forms have been completed correctly and
  all deadlines have been met, financial aid funds
  should be credited to your student account
  before the beginning of the semester
• Work to help cover your first-year college
  expenses
• Make travel plans. Book early for the best
  prices
• Finalize your housing plans
• Set up a bank account near campus and talk to
  your parents about how to credit cards
  responsibly

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Student Loans
Perkins Loans are need-based loans and are
awarded by the financial aid office to students
with the highest need. The interest rate is very
low 5 - and you dont have to make any loan
payments while in school. Subsidized Stafford
Loans are need-based loans with interest rates
in the 4-6 range. The federal government pays
the yearly interest while youre in school.
Continue
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Unsubsidized Stafford Loans - arent based on
financial need and can be used to help pay the
family share of costs. Youre responsible for
paying interest on the loan while in school. You
may choose to capitalize the interest. The
advantage of doing this is that no interest
payments are required. The disadvantage is that
the interest is added to the loan, meaning that
you will repay more money to the lender. Private
student loans A number of lenders and other
financial institutions offer private education
loans to students. These loans are not
subsidized and usually carry a higher interest
rate than the federal need-based loans
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Parent Loans
Federal PLUS loans Parents can borrow up to the
full cost of attendance minus any aid received,
and repayment starts 60 days after money is paid
to college Private parent loans A number of
lenders and other financial institutions offer
private education loans for parents. These
loans usually carry a higher interest rate than
PLUS loans. College-sponsored loans A small
number of colleges offer their own parent loans,
usually at a better rate than PLUS. Check each
colleges aid materials to see if such loans are
available.
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Financial Aid Web Resources

• www.fafsa.ed.gov (FAFSA)
• www.collegeboard.com (PROFILE)
• www.finaid.com
• www.mapping-your-future.org
• www.nhheaf.org

Budgeting and Saving
Scholarships/Grants
www.fool.com www.nhjumpstart.org www.youngmoney.co
m www.practicalmoneyskills.com www.youngbiz.com
www.nhcf.org www.fastweb.com www.state.nh.us/posts
econdary
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Senioritis
Senioritis (n.) A less than moderate interest in
school-related activities, especially academics,
that students usually acquire around the last
semester of their senior year symptoms include
having a reduced attention to studies and
extracurricular activities, making up excuses not
to attend classes, sleeping during class, and
suffering from a severe fixation with partying. 
If you have yet to experience these symptoms,
be careful because this disease is contagious. It
is easily spread among high school seniors
everywhere. Here are just a couple of the dangers
of contracting this disease.  
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Did you know?

• Colleges can revoke their offer of admission if
  your grades slip during senior year!
• Senioritis can negatively affect your college
  performance, causing you to require remedial help
  during your first year of college.

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How to Prevent Senioritis

• Challenge yourself. Take the most rigorous
  courses available at your school. During class
  discussions, bring up new ideas. When studying,
  dont just memorize think outside the
  box. Continue to set academic goals that you want
  to reach, such as making an A on that research
  paper.
• Make schoolwork more interesting. Form study
  groups with your friends. Invent academic games
  to make studying more fun and easier. Ask your
  teacher(s) to organize class field trips.
• Stay involved. If you stay active in sports,
  volunteer work, and other extracurricular
  activities, you will be more likely to remain
  focused throughout your senior year. 
• Take a college course. What better way to avoid
  an academic slump than to take a college
  course? If you excel in high school classes, you
  should consider taking one evening class at a
  local college. This will not only introduce you
  to the rigors of college work, but you will also
  receive college credit.

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This information has been provided for you as a
reference guide to colleges for the Kearsarge
Regional High School Guidance Dept. This
information has been compiled from the NHHEAF
Network Organizations