TODAY’S PREPARATION IS TOMORROW’S ACHIEVEMENT!

College & Career Fair

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 6-8PM FHS Gymnasium

Representatives from over 60 colleges, universities, military, and employers will be on hand to answer your questions!

AND…

College Application Process &

Financial Aid/FAFSA Information Session

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 7-8PM FHS Auditorium

FHS School Counselors will present to seniors how to navigate the college application process, Family Connection, and the Common Application

Brenda Dayhoff, Executive Director of Financial Aid at Frederick Community College, will present information that every 2- and 4-year college-bound FHS seniors and their parents need to know! Need cash for college? You need to attend! The FAFSA is an important document you need to file beginning October 1 – the earlier you apply, the better! This session will pertain to every senior, regardless of the post-secondary institution they plan to attend!

8th ANNUAL

FHS SENIOR PACKET Class of 2017 CALENDAR FOR COLLEGE BOUND

SAT/ACT Test Registration Dates and Deadlines:

Monthly Calendar To-Do List:

September

Research 4-8 colleges and fill out application forms. Use the Common Application when available.

Attend Senior Meeting with School Counselor

Wednesday, September 28, 6-8pm: FHS 8th Annual College & Career Fair, Gymnasium

Wednesday, September 28, 7-8pm Auditorium: College Application Process & Financial Aid/FAFSA Information Session, Auditorium

Meet deadline dates above

Register for SAT or ACT by deadline dates at collegeboard.org. Our school code/CEEB is 210533

Apply for a US Dept of Education FSA ID online at StudentAid.gov/fsaid in order to file your FAFSA

electronically in October; gather 2015 Federal tax documents

Begin to look for and apply for scholarships October

Saturday, October 1: file your FAFSA electronically at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Wednesday, October 5, 6:30-8:30pm: Attend FCC College Night at FCC Athletics Center

Note Early Decision/Early Action Deadlines for college applications; many are as early as Oct 15 or Nov 1

Take the SAT or ACT

Check with counseling office if ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery- measures career aptitudes) test will be offered. Register.

Register for November or December SAT/ACT, or Subject Area Tests (if required by your colleges)

Continue to visit colleges, open houses, college fairs, and college representatives

Continue to look for and apply for scholarships; see Naviance Family Connection as one source

SAT TEST DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINE ACT TEST DATE REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Register online at ……….. collegeboard.org Register online at………… act.org

November 5 October 7 October 22 September 16

December 3 November 3 December 10 November 4

January 21 December 21 February 11 January 13

Submit Transcript Release & Request Form to Counselor AND Recommendation Requests via Naviance to Teachers by dates below to

meet College Application Deadlines Dates of: Form & Requests due date to FHS: To meet College Application Deadline of: September 26 ------------------ October 15 October 10 ------------------------- November 1-14 October 24 ----------------------- November 15-30 November 7 ---------------------- December 1-14 November 14 -------------------- December 15-31 December 1 ---------------------- January 1-14 December 12 -------------------- January 15-31 January 9 ------------------------ February 1-29 February 6 ---------------------- March 1

PLEASE NOTE: Counselors do

not process requests during

weekends, Thanksgiving Break,

Winter Break, or other school

holidays. YOU are responsible

to meet FHS deadline

requirements listed here:

November

Retake SAT in November if necessary

December

DEADLINE: Thursday, December 1 For college applications with a deadline of January 1-14, you must Submit Transcript Release & Request Form to Counselor AND Recommendation Requests via Naviance to Teachers by December 1 in order for them to be processed in time. Nothing is processed at FHS during weekends, Winter Break or other school holidays.

Look for your SAR (Student Aid Report) from FAFSA in the mail with your federal financial information; Submit tax forms to the college financial aid office if requested; Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center if you have not received your SAR after 4 weeks 1-800-433-3243 www.fafsa.ed.gov

Last chance to retake SAT, SAT II (Subject Tests), or ACT, if appropriate

Continue to apply for scholarships

January

Check out Frederick Community Foundation Scholarship application online at www.cffredco.org for dates when application window opens. This is a great source of local scholarships with ONE applicaiton

Take the SAT Subject Tests if appropriate

Continue to search and apply for scholarships for the remainder of the school year

March

Continue to apply for scholarships – check Scholarship Directory on Naviance Family Connection

Ask for a decision extension from the colleges that have accepted you if you are working on financial aid packages with the colleges

Schedule appointment to take FCC Placement Tests (March-August)

Register in Front Office to take AP exams, test dates in May TBA

Avoid senioritis: an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as evidenced by tardiness, absences, and lower grades; is likely to do more harm than good.

April

Decisions on admissions are usually mailed to you by April 15th from colleges

Inform colleges of your decisions so they know whether or not you accept (deadline May 1st) May

College Decision Day, May 1 Plan to pay a deposit to your college choice by this Common Reply Date

Study hard for final exams – colleges have the right to withdraw acceptances to students who do not finish with good grades. Take AP Exams - Test dates in May TBA

Clear all financial obligations before graduation; return books and calculators!

Complete Senior Survey on Naviance Family Connection. This is where you indicate the one college you will attend so FHS can mail your final transcript.

College Application Checklist

Task Timeframe Where

☐

Complete the 2017 Senior Brag Sheet This gives a complete picture of your activities - both in and out of school, your honors and awards, and other information that helps your teachers and counselor write a comprehensive letter of recommendation. The more information you provide, the more personalized the letter. This should be completed before asking teachers and counselors to write a letter of recommendation.

Complete by Oct 1

“about me” tab; tasks

☐

Add Colleges to the Colleges I Am Thinking About List Log on to your Naviance account and add colleges to Colleges I Am Thinking About list. You can list as many colleges as you would like, but remember to include the colleges that you plan to apply to on this list. If colleges on this list come to visit FHS, you will receive an email notifying you of the date and time they are visiting so you can talk with an admissions counselor.

September- April

☐

Apply for FAFSA FSA ID Go to StudentAid.gov/fsaid and apply for a US Department of Education FSA ID number in order to file your FAFSA electronically in October 1- www.fafsa.ed.gov . Both you and your parents need to have separate FSA ID numbers.

September www.fafsa.ed.gov

☐

Complete Colleges I’m Applying To Transcript Release and Request Form This form can be picked up in the counseling office. On the form be sure to list the college name, how you are applying (Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, Rolling Admission, etc.), when the application is due, and what method you are using to submit your application (Common App, College’s own website, or mail). Please keep in mind the difference of Early Action and Early Decision when selecting how you are applying to the college. Early Decision plans are binding where a student who is accepted as an ED applicant must attend the college. Early Action plans are non-binding where the students receive an early response to their application but do not have to commit to the college until the normal reply date of May 1.

September- April

Counseling Office

☐

Submit FAFSA online Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete your FAFSA. Be sure to list the colleges you are applying to in order for your financial information to be shared with those colleges directly. Also, make sure that you have your FSA ID number handy when completing this form. Check with www.fafsa.ed.gov and your college for deadline to file.

October 1 www.fafsa.ed.gov

☐

Submit Transcript Release and Request Form prior to FHS deadlines Once form is completed, turn it in to Mrs. Carter in the Counseling Office. Be sure to look at the deadline to submit these forms to your counselor in order to ensure your transcript and letter of recommendations are submitted to the colleges by their app deadline. A list of deadlines can be found in your Junior packet. If any changes need to be made after the initial form has been submitted, you must see your counselor.

Ongoing

Counseling Office

☐

Talk to your teachers You need to have a conversation with your teachers before requesting recommendations from them in Naviance Family Connection. Don’t forget to write a thank you note for each teacher who writes a letter of recommendation for you.

Ongoing

☐

Invite teachers to complete the letter of recommendation in Naviance- Can only be done after colleges are added by your counselor!! Click on “Letters of Recommendation” under the Colleges tab. Click on “add request.” Select the teacher you would like to write a recommendation from the drop down menu. Select which schools you’d like the teacher to write letters for. Add a personal note. Hit save. Do not add counselor as a teacher recommendation. Click the Update Requests button.

After you submit the Transcript

Form to Counseling

Office

Task Timeframe Where

☐

If you are applying to colleges using the Common Application, log on to the Common Application website and add the colleges listed on your Transcript Request Form. You also must complete the FERPA Release Authorization. Do not add any teachers or your counselor directly on Common Application for recommendations - this is all done through Naviance Family Connections. Watch this video to get more detailed instructions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-dTI2wJ_JA.

Once you have added colleges

to your Common App

☐

If you are applying to colleges using the Common Application, view the video on your Naviance Homepage and complete the Common Application match Watch this video by accessing the links section (left side) of your Naviance homepage – Com App Match Video. This is critical for your counselors and teachers to be able to submit documents on your behalf. Also, go into “Colleges I’m Applying to” and click on “Unknown” under “Applying via Common App?” to let them know that you intend to apply with the Common Application.

Once you have added colleges

to your Common App

☐

Request Test Scores Be Sent To Colleges Colleges want your ACT and SAT scores sent directly from ACT or The College Board. Log on to your account at www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.com and follow the instructions to have your scores sent to your list of colleges.

As soon as you finish testing

☐

Submit applications by the deadline dates posted by the college Log in to Naviance, click on College tab, “Colleges I’m Applying To”. Under the column My App, click on the button that says “Have you Applied?” For each college click the box that says “I have submitted my application”. Scroll all the way to the bottom and click update applications.

varies College Websites

☐

Apply for Scholarships Naviance has a list of both local and national scholarships you might be eligible for. You can apply for as many as you would like. A popular scholarship for the Frederick area is called Community Foundation scholarship- www.cffredco.org . Check their website for the application period. You can also search the internet for more opportunities!

September-May

☐

UPDATE college results in Naviance Once you start getting replies from colleges, you need to indicate the results for each college in Naviance. Log in to Naviance, under Colleges I’m Applying To tab. Click on the pencil icon under the Edit column. Next to result, use the drop down box to indicate our result from the college. Once you have indicated the result, scroll to the bottom of the page and click update applications.

Once you hear back from the

colleges

☐

Complete Senior Survey on Naviance Family Connection so the registrar can send out a final transcript to your college This survey will be completed just before graduation in May. Please fill out completely and accurately. Congratulations!!!! You are now officially finished with the college application process.

May 2017

Visit one of the

University System of Maryland’s

Website for Naviance Family Connections: http://connection.naviance.com/frederickhi

Username: Your Student ID #

Password: Your Student ID #

Transcript Release Form & Recommendation Requests for

Scholarships

Frederick High School 650 Carroll Parkway Frederick, MD 21701 240-236-7087 1. No transcripts will be sent by fax 2. Transcripts for scholarships will be available for pickup from Mrs. Carter the following day after turning in this form 3. You must complete your Senior Profile on Naviance if your need a Counselor Recommendation 4. Counselor Recommendations will be available for pickup from Mrs. Carter, 2 weeks from the day this form was submitted 5. Teacher Recommendations are not a part of this request. You must personally request and obtain these from your

teacher(s) if needed.

Student Name (Please print) Student ID Number

Student e-mail address

I will pick up my transcript from Mrs. Carter the following day and recommendations 2 weeks later.

Student Signature:_____________________________________________

1. _________________________________________________________________ ___________________________

Scholarship Name Scholarship Deadline mm/dd/yy

I need a copy of: Transcript electronic copy Transcript hardcopy Counselor Letter of Recommendation

2. _________________________________________________________________ ___________________________

Scholarship Name Scholarship Deadline mm/dd/yy

I need a copy of: Transcript electronic copy Transcript hardcopy Counselor Letter of Recommendation

3. _________________________________________________________________ ___________________________

Scholarship Name Scholarship Deadline mm/dd/yy

I need a copy of: Transcript electronic copy Transcript hardcopy Counselor Letter of Recommendation

4. _________________________________________________________________ ___________________________

Scholarship Name Scholarship Deadline mm/dd/yy

I need a copy of: Transcript electronic copy Transcript hardcopy Counselor Letter of Recommendation

5._________________________________________________________________ ___________________________

Scholarship Name Scholarship Deadline mm/dd/yy

I need a copy of: Transcript electronic copy Transcript hardcopy Counselor Letter of Recommendation

COUNSELOR USE ONLY: Date received ____

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Internet Resources

Scholarships Naviance Family Connection Scholarship List (in the “college” tab): There are a lot of scholarships listed here. That’s great! It means there’s money available for YOU to go to college! So, now what?! Well, here are some easy steps to help you apply for the scholarships that you qualify for. Applying for scholarships takes time and some effort, but in the end, you might get some money

for school. http://connection.naviance.com/frederickhi

1. Look through the entire Scholarship Directory on Naviance Family Connection. 2. Look at the requirements and pay attention to all scholarships that you’re interested in. 3. Click on the links to the Web Address 4. Check the requirements of the scholarship application. Make sure you still qualify. 5. Check the deadline on the Scholarship website and write it down somewhere to remind yourself later. (This is a good chance to write it in your planner or calendar in your cell phone.) 6. Gather all of the items you need to apply for this scholarship:

Scholarship essay

Personal statement

Letters of recommendation &/or Transcripts- Please notify Guidance Counselors/Teachers two (2) weeks before deadline using request form in this packet. Additional copies available in Guidance.

Resume 7. Complete application requirements and SAVE all of your written work on your computer. You might need it later for another application. Pick up any transcripts and recommendations you requested from Mrs. Carter in Guidance. 8. Review your essays, statements, and all written work BEFORE submitting. Send it to someone else so they can revise it with you. The scholarship committee is going to read your work so it has to look good! 9. Submit your application and write down the date when you should be contacted about your application. 10. Check the Scholarship Directory regularly to see updated list and see if there are other scholarships you qualify. 11. Update Naviance with scholarships you’ve applied for and for which funds have been awarded to you. 12. Also, use scholarship search sites listed below to look for additional scholarships. DO NOT PAY for any search services – that is unethical and there are many free sites available!

Financial Aid Information and Additional Scholarships www.fafsa.gov FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required by all colleges and universities for any student who wants to seek any type of financial assistance whether it be a scholarship, grant, loan, or work study program. Must be filed beginning October 1. Submit the FAFSA electronically; corrections can always be made later. First step is to apply for id at StudentAid.gov/fsaid

www.mhec.state.md.us Maryland Higher Education Commission website has information regarding all state funding and scholarships. This is a very valuable resource for MD students because it administers over $80 million in financial aid annually. Log onto to get information or contact MHEC at 410-260-4565 or 1-800-974-1024

www.cffredco.org/receive/scholarships Since 1986, the Community Foundation has been the go-to resource for scholarship funding in Frederick County. Generous donors make these scholarships possible because they believe in the future of Frederick County and want to ensure that students achieve their educational goals. Many of the scholarship funds are memorial funds that honour the legacy of deceased loved ones, honour people who have given, or continue to give time and talent in a particular field, or are created by people who wish to support training and education in specific fields of study. For the 2013-14 academic year, more than $504,000 was awarded to over 247 scholars. This represents scholarships from 267 funds. Only one application is required. Application period opens in January 2017.

www.finaid.org This award-winning site includes a comprehensive database of scholarships, student financial aid information, advice and tools.

bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search Scholarship search site. Find scholarships, other financial aid and internships from more that 2,200 programs, totaling nearly $6 billion. Enter as much information as possible to find the most matches. Scholarship information is based on the College Board’s Annual Survey of Financial Aid Programs

pg. 1

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www.fastweb.com A searchable database of millions of scholarships worth billions of dollars www.studentaid.ed.gov FSA – Federal Student Aid – A comprehensive website for “preparing, choosing, applying, funding, attending, and paying for college. “The Student Guide” explains student financial aid programs administered by the US Dept. of Education and how to apply for them. The most comprehensive resource on grants, loans, and work-study to help attend college. Approximately two-thirds of all student financial aid comes from these federal programs.

www.college-scholarships.com this website is designed to offer easy access to information on free college scholarships, financial aid searches, SAT/ACT prep tips and info on colleges and universities throughout the US. If you are looking for scholarships, this site has over 40 different search sites!

www.schoolsoup.com free search of over 32 billion dollars in scholarships and college information

www.scholarshipsaz.org for all students regardless of citizenship status, even undocumented students. The nice thing is the scholarships are arranged by due dates starting with January. They should read carefully and select most appropriate to match their qualifications

www.careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/ScholarshipCategory more than 5,000 scholarships, fellowships, loans, and other financial aid opportunities. Select Category Search or Keyword Search. Choose selections from at least one category below. www.careersandcolleges.com Search more than 1.8 million scholarships worth $7 billion

www.go.salliemae.com/scholarship An award database that contains more than 2.9 million scholarships worth more than $16 billion, and is expanded and updated daily; view up-to-date scholarship matches

www.cappex.com/scholarships find scholarship matches from thousands of national and local organizations, with new scholarships added daily.

Career Assessment, Interests and Information See Naviance Family Connection online at http://connection.naviance.com/frederickhi

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FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID FAFSA.ED.GOV

What is the FAFSA?

Why fill out a FAFSA? The FAFSA (the Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the first step in the financial aid process.

You use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as grants, loans, and work-study. In addition, most states and schools use information from the FAFSA to award non-federal aid.

Why all the questions? We enter your responses to the FAFSA questions into a formula from the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

The result is your Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The EFC measures your family’s financial strength. It is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid.

Your state, and the schools you list, may also use some of your responses. They will determine if you may be eligible for school or state aid, in addition to federal aid.

How do I find out what my EFC is? We will send you a report, called a Student Aid Report, or SAR, through the mail or the Internet. The SAR lists the

information you reported on your FAFSA, and will tell you your EFC.

It is important to review your SAR when you receive it. Make sure all of your information is correct. Make any necessary changes or provide additional information.

How much aid do I get? Cost of attendance – EFC = Financial Need Your EFC, along with the rest of your FAFSA information, is made available to all the schools you list in Step Six of the

FAFSA. The schools use your EFC to prepare a financial aid package to help you meet your financial need. Financial need is the difference between your EFC and your school’s cost of attendance (which can include living expenses) as determined by the school.

If you or your families have special circumstances that should be taken into account, contact your school’s financial aid office. Some examples of special circumstances are: unusual medical or dental expenses, or a large change in income from last year to this year.

When do I get the aid? Any financial aid you are eligible to receive will be paid to you through your school. Typically, your school will first use the

aid to pay tuition, fees, and room and board (if provided by the school). Any remaining aid is paid to you for your other expenses.

If you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you may receive it for only one school for the same period of enrollment.

Where can I get more information on student aid? The best place for information about student financial aid is the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend. The

financial aid administrator can tell you about student aid available from your state, the school itself, and other sources.

You can also check out these resources:

www.studentaid.ed.gov

www.students.gov

The Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID

(1-800-433-3243). TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913

Your high school counselor’s office

Your local library’s reference section

There may be information available from foundations, religious organization,

community organizations, and civic groups, as well as organizations related to

your field of interest, such as the American Medical Association or American Bar

Association. Check with your parent’s’ employers or unions to see if they award

scholarships or have tuition payment plans.

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out

Warning!

Be wary of organizations that charge a fee to submit your

application, or find you money for school. Some are

legitimate, and some are scams. Generally, any help you pay for, you can get for free from your school or the

U.S. Department of Education.

For additional information on the FSA ID and to create your FSA ID, go to

StudentAid.gov/fsaid

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