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Welcome To Senior Parent Night

Welcome To Senior Parent Night. Tonight’s Agenda. I. Taking College Entrance Exams II. Applying to Colleges or Universities III. Financial Aid. College Entrance Tests. SAT Reasoning Test (Scholastic Assessment Test) ACT (American College Test)

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Welcome To Senior Parent Night

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  1. Welcome To Senior Parent Night

  2. Tonight’s Agenda • I. Taking College Entrance Exams • II. Applying to Colleges or Universities • III. Financial Aid

  3. College Entrance Tests • SAT Reasoning Test (Scholastic Assessment Test) • ACT (American College Test) • SAT Subject Tests (Only required by some colleges) • THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment)-Students must pass all sections of the exit-level TAKS test before taking this test. San Jacinto College offers a computerized alternative to THEA (COMPASS) that they also use for placement purposes. • THEA Exemption Criteria: • ACT- composite score of 23 with a minimum of 19 on both English and Math parts • SAT I- combined score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 on both critical reading and math • TAKS-2200 on the TAKS ELA and Math tests, and have at least a “3” on the Essay

  4. ACT/ SAT/THEA Preparation Classes • Students receive a preparation booklet from the counseling office when they pick up registration materials or you can go to www.collegeboard.com to access free SAT practice tests. • If you took the PSAT last year, go to www.collegeboard.com and set up an account to gain free access to your own personalized study plan for the SAT and more! • If you took an SAT last year but want to take it again, you can go to www.collegeboard.com to review your results, get suggestions and even print your essay.

  5. Admissions Application Now Available for Applying To Texas Public Universities www.applytexas.org

  6. College and University Admission • 2 Year College Admission • Submit an application and transcript • Take the THEA test or an approved alternative • 4 Year College Admission • Submit an application for admission and housing ( if living on campus). • Submit score reports of the proper entrance test such as the SAT, ACT, and SAT Subject Tests (if required). • Submit a transcript. • Provide letters of recommendation (if required). • Compose the student essays (if required). • Provide family financial information when applying for financial aid.

  7. Top 10% Automatically Admitted To Texas Public Universities • Any student who graduates in the top 10% of his/her class on the State Recommended Plan has automatic admission to any Texas Public 4 year college or university. Currently, SHHS seniors who are ranked between number 1 and 45 meet this criteria. This rank is based on the freshman through junior years. Students will not be ranked again until the completed first semester courses are finalized. • Even though students in this category are guaranteed admission to the university, they are still not guaranteed admission to the particular school (i.e. school of Business) They must still complete all of the admissions process and meet all corresponding deadlines.

  8. University of Houston • Top 20% automatically admitted to U of H as long as all admissions applications and SAT/ACT scores are submitted by the admissions deadline. • Top 50 % admitted with a minimum SAT score of 1000 or ACT score of 21. • www.uh.edu/admissions for more information. • Cougar Promise for students with family incomes at or below $30,000.

  9. Transcript Requests • Transcripts are requested from the registrar, Mrs. DeLeon. • The first 3 transcripts ordered are free. Each additional transcript is $1. • Final transcripts are generated in June upon the successful completion of all graduation requirements. • Order Early! Transcripts require a 48-hour turnaround; requests must be made by 10am to be postmarked in two days. • Scholarship deadlines have to be enforced!!!!

  10. Financial Aid For College • Grants/Scholarships- funds that do not have to be repaid. You can search for these yourself for free, look for them in the Senior Bulletin, and apply for them from the government beginning in January. • Work/Study programs- students work part time on campus or in a local community to earn money for college. • Educational Loans- low interest loans with flexible payment options • Military Services- The US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines all have programs that allow you to earn money for college in exchange for enlisting in a branch of the military.

  11. FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) • Available in Counselors’ Office in late December. • Obtain a PIN# at www.pin.ed.gov for students and parents. You can do this part now! • Go to www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and do a practice worksheet to get an early estimate of what you might expect from the government. When you are ready to apply for aid in January, you will be able to easily transition into the FAFSA from the 4caster. • Submit your application as soon after January 1, 2008 as possible at www.fafsa.ed.gov. • College cost -- minus EFC (Expected Family Contribution) will determine your student’s eligibility for aid. • Award Letter—amount and type of aid is called the SAR (Student Aid Report).

  12. Financial Aid Continued • If you find that you do not qualify for aid through the federal government because of citizenship issues, you can still qualify for state aid through the TASFAA. • You may visit www.tasfaa.org if this applies to you. • The Pasadena Independent School District will have a financial aid night in February.

  13. Scholarship Sources • College or University • Counselors’ Office—published in Senior Bulletin This publication is distributed to seniors in homeroom about once a month and contains important information. These are also published on the www.pasadenaisd.org webpage for SHHS. • Internet—Many scholarships are listed at no cost to students on published websites. www.collegeboard.com, www.fastweb.com, www.finaid.org, and www.collegefortexans.com are good examples.

  14. Scholarship Program for Early High School Graduates • If you are a student who has a plan on file with your counselor to graduate in three years instead of four years, you could be eligible for a $2,000 exemption from the payment of tuition from the state of Texas. • The state of Texas reserves the right to alter the requirements of this program each year.

  15. Surfing The Net The internet can be a great source of information concerning college and financial aid. However, you should not be charged a fee for scholarship searches since information is available online for free.

  16. Financial Aid Information Night for Parents February 3rd 7:00-9:00 SHHS

  17. Senior Parents Night Important Events October 17 –Report Cards October21-24 -TAKS Testing for re-testers October 31-Senior Bike Ride @ 5:45am November 18 -Academic Excellence 8:30 am January 27-28 – Cap & Gown Orders February 3 – Financial Aid Night 7:00 pm Reinartz (tentative) March 3-6TAKS Testing for re-testers March 10-11 – Prom ticket sales (tentative) 3 to 5 pm April 28-30, May 1-TAKS Testing for re-testers May 2- Senior Prom Hobby Airport Marriott May 26 -Baccalaureate Program June 1-3 – Final Exams (tentative) June 4-Senior Day (tentative) June 6 – Graduation 9:00 am @ Hofheinz Pavilion at U of H

  18. Taking the Next Step Step 1: Take a college entrance exam (See your counselor for a fee waiver if you are currently participating in the free or reduced lunch program. Step 2: Calendar the deadlines for scholarships and admissions for your top college choices Step 3: Finalize your college choices and visit the college campuses Step 4: Make contact with the college admissions representative for SHHS students Step 5: Visit www.applytexas.org and complete at least one college application by Thanksgiving. Be sure to make a copy of all paperwork submitted to a college.

  19. Taking the Next Step Continued: • Step 6: Once you have applied to a college, plan a meeting with the financial aid office at that college. • Step 7: Go to www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov to plan ahead for the January FAFSA application. • Step 8: Continue to apply for scholarships throughout the year. Remember: Senior Bulletin, the colleges themselves, the internet, and the federal government can all provide opportunities. • Step 9: Complete your FAFSA early! Money is awarded beginning in March • Step 10: You should begin receiving acceptance letters and financial aid offers by April. You MUST let the college and the government know that you accept their offer by their deadlines or you could lose the offer. • Step 11: Take the THEA, unless you qualify for exemption.

  20. Contact Information: Mary Beth Alsdorf, Counselor malsdorf@pasadenaisd.org Kimberly Steele, San Jacinto Shared Counselor ksteele@pasadenaisd.org Teresa Ferguson, Senior Activities Coordinator tferguson@pasadenaisd.org Neitzy Retta, GEAR UP coordinator nretta@pasadenaisd.org

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