· Web view- Use Naviance to explore careers and research schools that will help you with the training you need to reach your career goals. - Create your resume using Naviance (Under

1

Brooke Point High SchoolJunior/Senior Handbook

2020-2021

“Be Proud”Presented by:

The Counseling Department

1

2

Table of ContentsIntroductions 2

Junior Year Tips & Tidbits 4

Senior Year Tips & Tidbits 5

The World of Work, Applying for a Job, Apprenticeships 6

Military Service Branches & Local Contacts 7-8

Vocational, Trade & Technical Schools 9

Community College Information 10-14

Four-Year College Information 15-17

SAT & ACT Testing Dates and Deadlines 18-19

Financial Aid 20-21

How to Use Naviance for the College Application Process 22-25

College-Bound Athletes 26

The clock is ticking….Before you know it,

You are graduating!

Throughout the remainder of this year and next, you will be making decisions that will affect the type of job/career that will be available to you.

Never forget your Counselors are here to help. We don’t know what you need help with until you ASK!

Don’t let the fear of what could happen make nothing happen!

Some suggestions:

- Speak with people in your life who have done things that interest you

- Access the school’s Counseling dept website

- Use Naviance to explore careers and research schools that will help you with the training you need to reach your career goals.

- Create your resume using Naviance (Under MY PLANNER) to include your activities, work experience, awards, community service, etc.

The Brooke Point High School Counseling DepartmentA-Car Ms. Simoniz

Cas-Fi Ms. Palyo

Fl-JI

Jo-Mil

Ms. Daniels

Mrs. Falk

Min-Ro Ms. Tuxbury

Ru-Va Mrs. Hassek

Ve-Z Ms. Wood, Director

3

Junior Year (Tips and Tidbits)

FALL/WINTER

□ Plan to attend financial aid and college nights in your community.

□ Investigate careers of interest. This can be done in Naviance

□ Take the PSAT/NMSQT test. This test will help you prepare to take the SAT in the Spring. It also establishes your eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

□ Talk to family friends, friends of friends, friends of teachers, etc. to learn about different careers. Research

□ Search for volunteer or internship opportunities – this is a great way to find out whether a career is for you!

□ Research colleges. Search for your programs of interest online. Both CollegeBoard and Naviance are great tools to use, in addition to college websites!

□ Make a list of important factors. What factors are the most important to you when considering your future college? Class size? Campus size? Campus location? Majors available?

□ Make a list of prospective colleges. You can use Naviance’s “Colleges I’m Thinking About” feature!

□ Attend college and/or career fairs.

□ Create a professional email address, i.e. [email protected]

□ Continue to be involved at school and in your community. You’ll build your resume and make connections. Keep track. You don’t want to forget important awards and leadership positions

SPRING

□ Review your transcript and course selections for senior year to ensure you will meet graduation requirements. You will do this with your counselor when pick courses.

4

□ Narrow your list of prospective colleges or careers.

□ Research how much college cost

□ Take the SAT or ACT (see page 19 for dates and deadlines).

□ If you’re planning on going to a 2-year or 4-year college, visit colleges.

□ If you’re planning on going into the military, talk to local military recruiters (page 9) and plan to take the ASVAB.

□ If you’re going into the workforce, start searching for jobs.

□ Research scholarship and grant opportunities.

□ Look for summer jobs to help with costs.

□ Start thinking about who you want to ask for letters of recommendation and references. You should ask teachers in April/May of your junior year to write you a letter of recommendation.

This will make it easier in the fall!

SUMMER

□ Begin researching scholarship opportunities.

□ Consider visiting colleges/universities during summer break.

□ Summer is a great time to get a job or an internship to help build your resume!

5

Senior Year (Tips and Tidbits)1.

Transcripts: Please refer to the Naviance instructions (page 21) to identify whether the college/university accepts electronic transcripts. If they need your transcript mailed contact

your counselor. You will send your transcript requests through your Naviance site.2.

Letters of Recommendations. Check the college/university’s minimum and maximum number of letters of recommendation required. You can see this in NAVIANCE. If a

college says no more than one letter of recommendation, do not send more than one. Please give your teachers at least a two-week notice when asking for recommendation letters. All

recommendation letters can be submitted electronically through Naviance. 3.

Scholarship information is posted in Naviance. Check on a regular basis.4.

College Visits. Many colleges are signing up to do Virtual Visits. You can sign up in Naviance. There's a list of all colleges coming to visit if you click on "Colleges" on your

Naviance, and then "College Visits”. (Bottom of Page). There are also large virtual college fairs you can sign up for. These will be advertised on the Class of 2021 website5.

SOL test results can affect graduation status. Make sure you check with your Counselor and know if you have any left to take.

6. Be sure to email a copy of your college/military acceptance letter and scholarships awarded to Counseling when you have made your final decision. We will post your name on

our College Decision Board in Counseling in your honor and include this information in the graduation program and AWARDS NIGHT. We will also tweet out the good news!

7. Students who do not meet graduation requirements, for whatever reason, by the last day of school, will not be participating in the June graduation ceremony.

8. Senior dues are $40 and can be paid online.

9. Use a professional email address, i.e. [email protected], on your college applications, and be sure to check it often. Colleges will contact you if they are missing any important

documents, such as SAT scores.

10. Clean up any social media accounts- Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc. Colleges, the military, and potential employers can and do check your profiles, even if they are set

to private… Trust us!

6

The World of WorkIf you are planning to go directly into the workforce, the first thing to consider is if you will be satisfied with a “job” or if you want to work towards a “career”.Many jobs offer benefits, such as

health insurance and tuition reimbursement programs, which are worth exploring through the company’s human resources department. Career Job

About: A career is the pursuit of a A job is an activity through

lifelong ambition or the which an individual can earn

general course of progression money. It is a regular activity

towards lifelong goals. in exchange for payment.

Requires: Usually requires special Education or Special training

training may or may not be required.

Time: Long term Short term

Job Search Skills

Resume: You can build your Resume in your Naviance account. ABOUT ME, MY STUFF Tab

Here are some great tips and commons mistakes

High school job applicants experience a much different interview than seasoned professionals. You don’t have any work history. You don’t have any college experience. You haven’t even lived

very long. So the questions they can ask you are very limited. Click to see15 possible questions

Interview Tips:

Job Search Tips

Find the projected outcome of jobs in Virginia for the future

Check out top 20 jobs you can get without college degree.

Apprenticeship: Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work

experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. Through an apprenticeship program, you can obtain paid, relevant workplace experience while acquiring the

skills and credentials that employer’s value. 94% of apprentices who complete an apprenticeship retain employment, with an average annual salary of $70,000

Apprenticeship programs at Germanna

Military Requirements for Minimum ASVAB Score

Military Branch AFQT Score

Air Force - Protects American interests at home and abroad with a focus on air power. 36

Army - Protects the security of the United States and its resources. 31

Coast Guard - Protects America’s waterways and deploys with the Navy during wartime. 40

Marine Corps - First on the ground in combat situations. 32

Navy - Defends the right to travel and trade freely on the world’s oceans. 35

Local Military RecruitersSFC Kathy Hopkins Army National Guard Recruiter

1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy

7

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

(540) 899-4022 (Office)

(540) 899-4032 (Fax)

(434) 962-7253 (Cell)

kathleen.m.hopkins6@[email protected]

SSgt Matthew Davis U.S. Air Force Recruiting Office

14029 Crossing Place

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 497-5368 (Fax)

(703) 200-8148 (Cell)

[email protected]

Sgt. Robert Kilgore U.S. Army Recruiting Station

1515 Stafford Market Place Ste. 107

Stafford, VA 22556

(540) 720-7496 (Fax)

(540) 340-2352 (Cell)

Robert.J,[email protected]

SK1 Tiyre Clohessy U.S. Coast Guard Recruiter

USCG Potomac Mills

2721 Potomac Mills Circle

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 229-3079

(703) 490-5089 (Fax)

[email protected]

Staff Sargaent Armstead U.S. Marine Corps Recruiter

1515 Stafford Market Place Suite 107

Stafford, VA 22556

(540) 659-5452

(540) 659-0310 (Fax)

(540) 303-3818 (Cell)

[email protected]

AT1 Michael Willson U.S. Navy Recruiter

1515 Stafford Market Place, Ste. 107

Stafford, VA 22556

(540) 657-6778

(540) 657-1062 (Fax)

(571) 309-7461

[email protected]

8

Vocational, Trade, & Technical SchoolsVocational schools, trade schools, and technical schools are places that can help students train for jobs that require a particular educational experience or where they can learn specific

technical skills.

WHY CHOOSE A TRADE SCHOOL OVER COLLEGE?

Click here and here for some important questions to consider when thinking about going to a trade school.

Click here for an article from The Atlantic that explains why students would choose a trade or technical school.

WHAT ARE THE BEST TRADE SCHOOLS OUT THERE?

Click here for an article from Forbes outlining the top 25 trade schools.

HOW DO I FIND A GREAT TRADE SCHOOL THAT FITS MY NEEDS?

Click below for a comprehensive list of trade and technical schools by state and by area of interest:

Community Colleges also offer trade and technical courses and could save you a lot of money!

Thinking about going to a Community College after High School?What exactly is a Community College?

● Examples are Germanna Community College and NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College)

● Public college that’s close to home

● Offers 2-year associate’s degrees, certificate programs, and career training

● An economical (cheap!) way to begin a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with built-in transfer programs

● Has classes at all different times of the day and several locations

How much does it cost?

Tuition and fees for community colleges are based on the number of credits that you take. One class is typically 3-4 credits. If you figure in the cost of tuition, you can expect to pay about $5,000 per

year for either NOVA or Germanna if you attend full-time.

What programs are offered at Community College? Get out your magnifying glasses, there’s a lot!

Germanna Community College (this is just a partial list. Click here for list)

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA): www.nvcc.edu

How do I sign up to attend a Community College?Step 1 Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

anytime after October 1

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

● This is the form that determines if you qualify for financial aid

● You will need your parents/guardians’ help to complete all the information

● Complete the form ASAP! You can do it all online, and your information will be saved for next year.

Step 2 Apply Online! Click on Admissions from the homepage: April/May

Associate of Arts & Sciences Degrees:

(Easily transfer to a 4-year college)

-Administration of Justice

-Business Administration

-Education

-Education (K-8)

-General Studies

-General Studies Health and PE

-General Studies Pre-BSN

-General Studies Psychology

-Liberal Arts

-Science

Career Studies Certificates (Non-Degree):

-Accounting


-Allied Health Preparation

-American Sign Language

-Automotive Technician/Diagnostician

-Banking

-Business Core

-Cybersecurity

-Early Childhood Development

-E-Commerce

-Engineering Technology

-Entrepreneurship

-Expanded Functions Dental Assisting

-Healthcare Technician

-Indirect Restorative Techniques

-Industrial Maintenance Technology

-Legal Assistant

Associate in Applied Science Degrees:

-Business Management

-Dental Hygiene


-Engineering

-Fire Science Technology

-General Studies - Justice

-Information System Technology

-Licensed Practical Nurse

-Nursing

-Physical Therapist Assistant

-Police Science

-Technical Studies

-Veterinary Technology

Associate of Sciences Degrees:


-Engineering – Electrical

-Engineering - Mechanical

Certificates (Non-Degree):


-Dental Assisting


-Fine Arts

-General Education

-Graphic Communications

-Practical Nursing

-Health Information Management

Associate of Arts & Sciences Degrees:


-Business Administration

-Computer Science

-Criminology and Criminal Justice

-Engineering

-General Studies

-Information Technology

-Liberal Arts

-Music

-Science

-Social Sciences


-Accounting


-Air Condition/Refrigeration

-American Sign Language Interpretation

-Architecture Technology

-Automotive Technology

-Biotechnology


-Construction Management Technology

-Contract Management

-Cybersecurity

-Dental Hygiene



-Accounting


-Application Programming

-Automotive Maintenance

-Biotechnology Lab Technician

-Business Information Technology

-Clinical Data Coding

-Collision Repair

-Computer Aided Drafting and Design

-Construction Supervision

-Cybersecurity

-Database Specialist

-Data Center Operations



-Air Conditioning/Refrigeration

-Architectural Drafting

-Book Keeping


-Culinary Arts

-Dental Assisting


-General Education

-Meeting, Event and Exhibition Management

-Multimedia Design

-Professional Writing

-Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Counselor

Associate of Fine Arts Degrees:

-Cinema

-Visual Art

This is only an overview of the degree and certificate programs offered at Germanna and NOVA. Check out their websites for more information!

9

www.nvcc.edu Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)

www.germanna.edu Germanna Community College

● Be sure to also complete the application for in-state tuition rates.

● After you apply, the college will give you a Student Identification Number. Keep this handy!

When should I apply?

Plan to apply in the spring of your senior year, sometime in April or May. Leave time to be sure that you have completed all the necessary paperwork and placement testing!

Step 3 Make an Appointment with an Admissions Counselor April/May

● Just like your School Guidance Counselor in high school, College Admissions Counselors will help you figure out the best course of study for your future goals.

● Especially important if you plan to transfer to a 4-year College to be sure that your classes will transfer.

Step 4 Take the necessary Placement Tests May

● You may have to take placement tests in Reading, Writing, and Math

● If you have taken the SAT and scored high enough, you may not need to take the placement tests.

● These tests determine if you need a developmental course before you begin college classes.

Step 5 Request a Transcript from your High School to be sent to the Community College May/June

Step 6 Register for Classes for the following Fall semester Early June

● Check the colleges’ websites for the Registration dates!

● The earlier you register, the more likely you will be able to take the classes you want at the times and places that you want. If you snooze, you lose!

● Registration can be done online, in person, and sometimes over the telephone. Be sure to have your log-in information if you plan to register online.

Step 7 Settle your Bill June/July

● Finalize any financial aid paperwork

● Work out a payment plan with the College

How do I get there from here?Germanna Community College currently has 4 campuses: Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)

currently has 5 campuses and a Medical Center:

Fredericksburg Area Campus

(near the new Massaponax South Point shopping area) Woodbridge

Loudoun

Locust Grove Campus Annandale

(Rt. 3 West past Lake of the Woods Neighborhood) Manassas

Medical Center (Springfield)

Culpepper Center for Advanced Technology

(Rt. 3 West in Culpepper)

Stafford County Center

2761 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 107

www.germanna.edu www.nvcc.edu

(540) 891-3000 (703) 323-3000

Guaranteed Admission AgreementsMany 2-year colleges have partnerships with 4-year schools that allow students to transfer easily. The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) has guaranteed admission agreements with

both public and many private 4-year colleges in Virginia. Students must meet certain requirements set forth by the 4-year institution, such as maintaining a minimum GPA and be

enrolled in a transfer degree program. If the requirements are met, the student is guaranteed admission to the 4-year college. Germanna Community College and Northern Virginia

Community College (NOVA) offer transfer degree programs that can guarantee admission to specific colleges and universities. This is only a partial list of colleges/universities participating in

this program. For a full list visit:

Virginia’s Public Colleges and Universities:

● Christopher Newport University

● College of William and Mary

● George Mason University

● James Madison University


-Accounting


-Allied Health Preparation


-Automotive Technician/Diagnostician

-Banking

-Business Core

-Cybersecurity


-E-Commerce

-Engineering Technology

-Entrepreneurship

-Expanded Functions Dental Assisting

-Healthcare Technician

-Indirect Restorative Techniques

-Industrial Maintenance Technology

-Legal Assistant


-Accounting


-Air Condition/Refrigeration

-American Sign Language Interpretation

-Architecture Technology

-Automotive Technology

-Biotechnology


-Construction Management Technology


-Cybersecurity

-Dental Hygiene



-Accounting


-Application Programming

-Automotive Maintenance

-Biotechnology Lab Technician

-Business Information Technology

-Clinical Data Coding

-Collision Repair

-Computer Aided Drafting and Design

-Construction Supervision

-Cybersecurity

-Database Specialist

-Data Center Operations



-Air Conditioning/Refrigeration

-Architectural Drafting

-Book Keeping


-Culinary Arts

-Dental Assisting


-General Education

-Meeting, Event and Exhibition Management

-Multimedia Design

-Professional Writing

-Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Counselor

10

● Longwood University

● Norfolk State University

● Old Dominion University

● Radford University

o Radford – Nursing

● University of Mary Washington

● University of Virginia

o UVA – Engineering

o UVA – Nursing

● University of Virginia College at Wise

● Virginia Commonwealth University

o VCU - Nursing

o VCU – Engineering

● Virginia State University

● Virginia Tech

Virginia’s Private Colleges and Universities:

● Bluefield College

o Bluefield College – Nursing

● Emory and Henry College

● Ferrum College

● Hollins University

● Jefferson College of Health Sciences

● Liberty University

● Lynchburg College

o Lynchburg College – Nursing

● Mary Baldwin College

o Mary Baldwin College - Nursing

● Randolph College

● Randolph-Macon College

● Regent University

● Shenandoah University

● Sweet Briar College

● Virginia Union University

● Virginia Wesleyan College

11

Planning to Attend a Four-Year College or University?There is a lot of great information out there about what other students have done to help prepare themselves for success in the college application process. Check out some of these videos to

get started!

Going to college takes preparation and you need to do your research to find the right fit for you. For example, do you want a small or large school, greek life, or does the school have your

intended major? Check out the following amazing websites that help make it easy!

Naviance Student Colleges Find Your Fit SuperMatch🡪 🡪 🡪https://www.princetonreview.com/ www.collegeboard.org www.studentaid.ed.gov

www.mappingyourfuture.org

www.collegeinfo.com

Opportunities Workbook: The Opportunities booklet helps high school students choose the right college, understand admission requirements, identify types of financial aid and more. Click

here to see the latest booklet!

College visits are a great way to meet college admission representatives! Check the website for upcoming virtual visits.

College fairs help you gather information about schools and add your name to the school’s mailing list. Visit the National Association for College Admission Counseling website for a schedule

of NACAC-sponsored fairs.

What is the Common Application?The Common Application, or Common App, is the most widely filled out college application. It is also the most extensive college application, as it covers 774 colleges and universities in both

the U.S. and abroad.

The Common App allows students to apply to up to 20 colleges, but they cannot simply submit the same application for each school – most colleges do require students to submit supplemental

materials along with the mandatory materials of the common app.

The Common App is free to use, but some schools do require you to submit an additional fee to apply to them, ranging from $25 - $90.

Juniors can create their own Common App Account and complete the basic Common App. Sections. Information in the Common App Sections will carry over into your Senior year

(excluding essays).

What is the Coalition App? The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success is a relatively new application option for college candidates. Launched in 2016, the Coalition App is a free platform, similar to the Common

App, that schools can join to offer their applications on.

The Coalition App covers many top colleges and universities, but not as many schools as the Common App covers. Only 132 schools are Coalition members, as opposed to the almost 800

schools that are covered by the Common App. All eight of the Ivy League colleges – Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, The

University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Yale University – are included in this application. Other prominent universities, including Stanford University, the University of Chicago,

Duke University, and Johns Hopkins University, are also included in the Coalition Application, and more schools join the Coalition each year.

The main difference between the Common Application and the Coalition Application is that, as its name suggests, the latter attempts to give lower-resourced and underrepresented

students a little more help.

12

How do I know when I should apply?Early decision: If you have found your heart’s desire, you should consider applying Early Decision. Applications are due in early November or December of your senior year. You sign on

your application that this is the only college to which you are applying early decision and you agree to attend there if the school offers you admittance. This decision is binding by both parties

(college and applicant)!

By applying early decision, you will receive one of three possible responses: (1) accept, (2) defer (your application will be rolled over to regular decision and be considered again at that time) or

(3) deny (your application will not be reviewed again).

Early action: Applications are due early as well. If the college offers you admittance, however, it is bound to take you, BUT you are not bound to attend there. You can apply to several early

action schools and then decide which one you would like to attend. Applying early action is often the best way to be considered for scholarships awarded by the college/university.

Regular decision: Students apply by a date that is determined by the college. Your application and all supplementary materials (i.e. transcript, teacher recommendation letters, essay, etc.) must

be submitted by that date. The school’s decision will be sent to you several months later.

OR

Rolling admissions: Students may apply at any time (as long as it is prior to the school’s deadline). Decisions will then be made by the college on a first-come, first-serve basis and sent to

applicants within several weeks. Often in these cases scholarship funds are also first come first serve, so early is better.

________________________________________________________________________

Additional notes:

You may only apply to one school “early decision.” However, you can apply to more than one school as “early action.”

A school that has “open admissions” will accept virtually any student who applies.

A student that is placed on a “waiting list” by a college may be offered acceptance after May 1st

when the school knows how many students are actually planning to enroll.

13

SAT - Click here for up to date testing information

ACT- Click here for up to date testing information

● Many colleges will be test optional for the Class of 2021. Check the college you are applying to for more information. Also, this

website has more information. However, some scholarships may still require them.

♦ Some colleges require a student to take SAT Subject tests for placement into college courses or for college admission.

♦ Students can take both exams. See the chart below for how they differ in format. Some students find that they do better on one than the other.

♦ Ask the colleges that you are applying to if they will combine scores from different test dates to come up with a highest possible composite score. Some schools will take your highest math, critical

reading, and writing scores from several test attempts. You are always expected to take all sections when you test.Keep in mind that people tend to have a “ceiling” as far as how high they can score on the SAT

or ACT. You are not likely to see a dramatic increase in your score after taking the test 2-3 times.

♦ Students with disabilities can apply for testing accommodations. This process tends to be lengthy, and requires approval from the SAT or ACT. Receiving accommodations for tests in high school

does NOT automatically make you eligible for accommodations during the SAT/ACT.

SAT ACT

Test structure

Two-section exam + optional essay: Reading/Grammar,

and Math.

An Experimental section is masked to look like a regular

section.

Four-section exam + optional essay: English, Math,

Reading, and Science Reasoning.

An Experimental section is added to tests on certain dates

only, and is clearly experimental.

Test content

Math: Algebra, Data Analysis, Geometry, Trigonometry,

Algebra II; formulas provided

Science: none.

Reading: Reading, comprehension, words in context,

evidence-based, grammar and word choice

Math: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry; no

formulas provided.

Science: Analysis, interpretation, evaluation, problem solving

Reading: Reading & comprehension

English: Stresses grammar

Essay Optional Optional

Penalty for wrong answers? No No

How is the test scored?

Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing are each

scored on a scale of 200-800. Composite SAT score is the

sum of the two section scores and ranged from 400-1600;

1600 is the highest possible score.

English, Math, Reading, and Science scores will each range

between 1-36. Composite ACT score is the average of your

scores on the four sections; 36 is the highest possible

composite score.

Score choice?

Yes. You can choose which set(s) of SAT scores to submit to

colleges.

Yes. You can choose which set(s) of ACT scores to submit to

colleges.

There are excellent study sites available on the internet. They include: http://www.freerice.com; http://www.sat.collegeboard.org/practice; http://www.prepfactory.com,

http://www.princetonreview.com,https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/free-resources/sat

14

,https://www.chegg.com/test-prep/free-resources/act freeteach4teachers.com and http://www.varsitytutors.com.

Click here for information on how to link your college board account to Khan Academy.

Financial aid is money to help pay for college or career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college or

career school affordable. Financial aid can come from federal, state, school, and private sources to help you pay for college or career school.

Besides financial aid, you should also think about what you can do to lower your costs when you go to college.

“Types of Federal Student Aid” Video Check out this video to learn about federal grants, loans, and work-study jobs and how they can help fund your education.

Grants: A grant is a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund, or you receive a TEACH Grant and don’t

complete your service obligation). A variety of federal grants are available, including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Teacher Education

Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.

Scholarships: Many nonprofit and private organizations offer scholarships to help students pay for college or career school. This type of free money, which is sometimes based on

academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study, can make a real difference in helping you manage your education expenses. You can also access scholarships through your NAVIANCE

ACCOUNT and some local scholarships will be posted on the COUNSELING SCHOLARSHIP WEBPAGE. Some websites such as GoMerry and FastWeb set an account for you.

Work-Study Jobs: The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to earn money to pay for school by working part-time. You must qualify for this through your FAFSA.

Loans: When you receive a student loan, you are borrowing money to attend a college or career school. You must repay the loan as well as interest that accrues. It is important to understand

your repayment options so you can successfully repay your loan.

Aid for Military Families: There are special aid programs or additional aid eligibility for serving in the military or for being the spouse or child of a veteran.

Compare Virginia College Cost

15

FAFSA. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) What is it and how to apply.WHAT is federal student aid? Federal student aid comes from the federal government— specifically, the U.S. Department of Education. It’s money that helps a student pay for higher

education expenses (i.e., college, career school, or graduate school expenses). Federal student aid covers such expenses as tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and

transportation.

HOW do you apply for federal student aid? 1. To apply for federal student aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The FAFSA® form is

available every Oct. 1 for the next school year. If you plan to attend college from July 1, 2020–June 30, 2021, submit a 2020–21 FAFSA® form. Fill it out as soon as possible to meet school and

state deadlines. Schools and states often use FAFSA® information to award nonfederal aid, but their deadlines vary. Check with the schools that you’re interested in for their deadlines, and find

state and federal FAFSA® deadlines

First step: create an FSA ID, a username and password combination that allows you to sign your FAFSA® form electronically. Your FSA ID also can be used to access the myStudentAid app,

sign loan contracts, and access certain information online. While you can get your FSA ID as you’re completing the FAFSA form online, getting it ahead of time and using it to begin your

FAFSA form on or on the myStudentAid mobile app cuts down on errors and delays.

Understanding the FAFSA and the steps. Several resources.

Virginia Opportunity Book

FAFSA

Video of what you will need

SAR (Student Aid Report): When you have completed the FAFSA you will be emailed a SAR (Student Aid Report). Make sure you read this!

Making the Decision on schools: Because your financial aid package is created for you and is based on the cost of attending a particular school, your aid amounts will vary from school to

school. See how aid is calculated.

16

How to Use Naviance for the College Application ProcessHow to Log-In to Naviance: Naviance has changed the way they have students sign in. You now sign in on your gmail waffle

How to Request a Transcript

1. Add your schools to Naviance, under “Colleges I’m Applying To.” Watch video

*For Non-Common App Schools, log into your Naviance account and go to the Colleges tab on the top right of the screen. Then select “Colleges I’m Applying To” from that menu. Click the

big pink plus sign to add a school.

*For Common App Schools, you will need to match your Common App account in Naviance. To do this you would click the Match Accounts button seen above.

On Common App, be sure to enter your high school information and add your Colleges (under “Common App” and then the “Education” tab). Next, you then need to sign the FERPA Release

Authorization under “My Colleges.”

Once you’ve signed the FERPA Release, go back to your Naviance account, under the “Colleges I’m Applying To” tab and enter the email address you used for your Common App (see below).

17

You will need to know whether your school will accept transcripts electronically, or if your transcript needs to be mailed. Here is how to tell if you need a paper copy or an electronic copy of

your transcript sent to your college/university:

You will send all electronic transcripts through Naviance. If your college requires a transcript mailed, please contact your counselor.How to Request a Teacher Letter of Recommendation. Video

1. Under the colleges tab in the top right, select applying to colleges, and then letters of recommendation.

2. Click “Add Request” and search for the teacher. It is polite to ask the teacher in person before requesting the letter through Naviance. *Be sure to ask your teacher at least TWO

weeks prior to the deadline and ask in person before requesting them in Naviance.

An important tool for your teacher and counselor to use while writing your recommendation is the BRAG SHEET. You can find the BRAG SHEET in your Naviance account on your task list.

The more detailed and interesting the brag sheet, the more detailed and interesting the letter of recommendation will be. Please also include how COVID-19 has affected you and your family.

You need to select how it should be sent

Electronic through Commonapp = Freee

18

Additional Tools Available in NavianceCollege Supermatch● Go to College tab at top of Naviance homepage and select find your fit and then select Supermatch

● Great tool for students who want to pursue a degree and they aren’t sure about what schools they want to apply to. Also useful to students who want to compare schools they are

interested in.o

Using the tabs on the menu across the top, students can select what areas are of importance to them when thinking of a college/university.o

Supermatch takes all of their selections and shows which schools fit that criteria.

▪ If the school doesn’t match the student’s selections 100%, it will show what areas it does/doesn’t match according to the student’s criteria.o

Students can save/pin the colleges they are interested in & add them to colleges they are thinking about.o

Other tools in Colleges tab

▪ College lookup: Look up colleges by state or country

▪ College Search: Another way to look up colleges by certain criteria

▪ College Resources: Offers a plethora of websites for various information (Financial Aid, SAT/ACT, Military)

▪ College Maps: Shows schools based on geographical location

Careers● Explore Career and Clusters: Student can search various career fields, look up credentials for those careers, related majors and related careers.

● Career Interest Profiler: Students answer 180 questions based on work activities for various careers. The focus of the student should be if they would or wouldn’t like the work

activities they are being asked.

● Roadtrip Nation Interview Archive: Allows students to view interviews with numerous people (famous & non-famous) about their career paths, struggles, triumphs, etc. in their

profession. Can watch videos based on themes, interests, and leaders.

About Me and My Planner● This section is a culmination of the Colleges and Careers tabs, but it also offers new features, such as Goals & To-Do lists.

● Goals (in My Planner tab): Students can compile and list short or long term goals they have set for themselves.

● To-Do (in My Planner tab): Able to list tasks that need to be completed and set due dates for those tasks.

● Resume: It’s not too early to begin working on a resume, especially since these students may begin asking for letter of recommendations at the end of the school year. This free

resume builder can help guide students in what information should be listed in their professional resume.

19

Information for

Potential College-Bound Student-Athletes

Click here for information about planning your schedule to make sure you are eligible for college athletics. Also check in with your school counselor.

Grade 11

∙Speak to your counselor and coaches to make sure you are on track to complete the correct amount of NCAA approved courses to be eligible. For more information on approved courses go to

eligibitliycenter.org/courselist.

∙Student registers with the NCAA Eligibility Center and completes both the academic information and the amateurism questionnaire. Register at: www.eligibilitycenter.org. If you qualify for a fee waiver for

the SAT or ACT, you also qualify for a fee waiver for the clearinghouse. See your counselor before registering.

∙Student registers for the SAT and/or ACT in the spring, making sure to use code 9999 at the time of registration. Using code 9999 will ensure the score is reported directly to the Eligibility Center.

∙At the end of the student’s junior year, if the student has completed a transcript request form and registered with the Eligibility Center, the school counselor sends the student’s transcript to the Eligibility Center.

Grade 12

∙Check in with your counselor and coaches to make sure you are enrolled in all of the classes you need for graduation and athletic eligibility. Also ask about how your GPA and SAT/ACT scores right now

compare to eligibility criteria.

∙Student registers for additional ACT/SAT tests if necessary, making sure to use code 9999 at the time of registration. If you have not already registered with the eligibility center, register at:

www.eligibilitycenter.org.

∙On or after April 1 of the senior year, the student goes back into their Eligibility Center account to update their academic and amateurism information and request final amateurism certification.

∙After graduation, if we have sent it before or if a request is made by the student, the school counselor sends the student’s final transcript to the Eligibility Center.

Documents

· Web view- Use Naviance to explore careers and research schools that will help you with the training you need to reach your career goals. - Create your resume using Naviance (Under