Off to College—Why, Where, When, and How to Apply
Why: What are God’s goals and plans for your life?
Are you academically able to attend a 4 year, 2 year and/or vocational tech school?
Is Graduate school for you?
What are your talents and skills?
What school subjects do you excel in?
Are you people oriented or task oriented?
Career, Ministry, Business Owner?
How much income do you and your future family plan on living on after graduation, marriage and children?
The answer to your “why” will help you reach your goals; Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Where: If a student is undecided on their post high school plans, then visit www.floridashines.org for information on career vocations, college majors, colleges in Florida and more. For college searches outside of Florida, visit: www.collegeboard.com and for Christian colleges, visit: www.christianconnector.com or www.christian collegeguide.net .
There are also many other resources to help students find a major, what school, what state, etc. SCF offers a career vocation class through dual enrollment. Find a person that is in the field that the student is interested in and ask them to lunch and ask questions about their career, business or vocation. Ask to shadow them for a time period to see if the student likes what they see, or realize that is not something for them to do.
When and How: Make a list of colleges the student is interested in, starting the 10th grade year. Look at their website, talk to an advisor and financial aid rep and gather information about the choices and opportunities at their school. Visit schools during the school year if possible to see how they operate. Talk to students there and ask them questions. For more information on making a school visit and the application process, go to www.collegeboard.com . Also, condsider reviewing the document "36 Questions to Ask on a College Visit" from US News and World Report. It is recommended that a student start the application process at the beginning of the senior year (some schools like PBA give extra scholarship monies for applying in the Junior year of school, so ask those questions); especially if the student plans on going away to school their freshmen year and/or they are pursuing sports or music where tryouts and/or auditions are required. Review the application process carefully and know what is required and the due dates.
Some schools require added information about the student that gives the school an idea about the type of person they are:
College Essay: This is an opportunity to tell a college about the student and about their writing capabilities, so be complete, genuine and have someone proofread the essay before it is sent in. For ideas, do a Goggle search for examples and tips.
Academic Resume: This is an opportunity to tell a college in resume form about a student’s goals, academic accomplishments, extra-curricular activities, special awards and honors during your 4 years of high school, work experience, community service, interests, goal, references, etc. A simple format on one page is recommended. For ideas, do a Goggle search for examples and tips.
CLEP Tests
Subject proficiency tests, CLEP college exams, are a good way to earn college credit. Motivated students who have a good grasp of a subject matter can pay a small fee and take a CLEP exam and receive credit instead of taking a full semester class. The exams are administered at locations around the country, and are owned and operated by College Board. CLEP exams are available for Algebra, American Government, Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, English Composition, Trigonometry, Western Civilization, and many World Languages. For more information, visit www.clep.collegeboard.org
Financial Aid for College
College is a huge financial investment for students and their families. Financial aid may be available to any student, regardless of their parent’s financial status. It is important to investigate and understand different types and sources of aid available, as early as the fall of the student’s junior year. A college workshop is held each spring at PCS for the 10th and 11th grade classes and parents. There are also other workshops in the community and at colleges to help with this process. For more information on scholarships and federal aid opportunities, visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
Do not waste money on advisors, agencies or scholarships; all the information is available for free. Competition for aid is fierce, so start early in the process by researching, knowing the deadlines and the resources that are needed to apply for funds. Do not wait until the senior year to investigate scholarships and grants; especially at the college the student is interested in. Many scholarships are available at the college the student plans on attending, so visit before the senior year and meet with financial aid and the department director of the major the student is seeking for help. 80% of financial aid is in the federal programs and all of it is available through the college financial aid officer. Visit several colleges to get an idea of what is offered and which college meets the student’s needs and desires. Remember, the sooner a student decides on a major and sticks to it, the less inclined a student will spend extra money and take extra classes that are not needed.
In January of the senior year, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application will need to be completed (check website for deadline dates—sometime in June) the application needs tax information, so it is helpful to get the parent & student’s taxes done early so that the family has the information needed.
Each student and parent will also need to apply for a pin number that acts as a signature for authorization. If your family qualifies for financial need, then the student may qualify for the Pell Grant. Some scholarships and work programs require families to sign up FAFSA. Male students may sign up for selective services at this time, which is required by the federal government. For more information about the FAFSA process, visit: https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Watch for deadlines; may be June 30th but check website!!
Colleges look for the student’s FAFSA score in February, so awards can be handed out in March. Acceptance letters with offers of scholarship awards are sent out in the March time frame, then classes and housing commence in April. If a student is going away to college, the fall semester of college can be set up before the student graduates!!! It is a very exciting time.
Bright Futures Scholarship Awards
In 1997, Florida Legislature created the Bright Futures Scholarship Program for all Florida “in-state” graduates. This lottery-funded scholarship rewards students for their academic achievements during high school by providing funding for postsecondary educational and career goals in Florida. Students must complete the standard academic status, as well as participate in credits of college preparatory or honors academic courses.
Financial aid is available to students who earn a standard or college preparatory diploma, described in the Bright Futures Law. www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/
There are 3 Award Levels: Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS)
Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS)
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV)
For current year award amounts visit: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/PDF/BFHandbookChapter2.pdf#page=5
GPA requirements for courses: FAS AWARD: 3.5 weighted GPA using the credits listed below
FMS AWARD: 3.0 weighted GPA using the credits listed below
GSV AWARD: 3.0*
GSC AWARD (Gold Seal Cape Program)
Students must complete the standard academic status, as well as participate in 15 credits of college preparatory or honors academic courses:
4 English; English I-IV, Classical and/or Contemporary Literature
4 Math; Algebra I and higher, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, College Algebra
3 Natural Science; 2 with labs, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry
3 Social Studies; World History, American History, Government, Economics
2 World Languages; in the same language
*GSV courses include (16 credits): 4 English, 4 Math, 3 Natural Science, 3 Social Studies,
1 Fine or Practical Art, 1 PE, plus a minimum of 3 vocational credits in 1 program in at least 2 years
*GSC must have a minimum of 5 postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications, 30 community service hours.
Test scores; FAS AWARD: SAT 1290 (critical reading and math combined) ACT 29 Composite
FMS AWARD: SAT 1170 (critical reading and math combined) ACT 26 Composite
GSV AWARD: SAT 440 in critical reading, SAT 440 Math or,
ACT English 17, Reading 18, Math 19, or
CPT: Reading 83, Sentence Skills 83, Algebra 72
Community Service: FAS AWARD: 100 hours (100 hrs are required by PCS for this purpose)
FMS AWARD: 75 hours
GSV AWARD: 30 hours
It is recommended to review qualifications and specifics online at: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/PDF/BFEligibilityAwardChart.pdf
