What’s ahead this evening :

Information to support our students in the final months of school application process Special consideration Scholarships , accommodation, financial support Exam prep

Guest Speakers: Ex student - Simon Harkness – some thoughts on VCE for

students and parents ▫ Taylia : SW TAFE ▫ Jenna : Deakin University ▫ Leanne : Timboon Youth worker – self care

• Key Dates / timelines Questions

VCE Parent / Student End of year information and processes

VTAC GUIDE 2015 (Late July) The main resource for information and application is through the VTAC website. The VTAC Guide is VTAC's major publication. It contains courses offered by institutions that participate in the VTAC system, information about these institutions, and general information about application procedures. The VTAC Guide will be available for purchase (2013 - $12) and online. We recommend purchasing a copy to support your course search. The VTAC Guide 2015 will be broken down into sections so you can download the sections relevant to you and your application.

TERTIARY APPLICATION

Other relevant VTAC publications

• ABC of Applying Can be downloaded from the VTAC website www.vtac.edu.au/publications Up dated versions available online – 7th July A companion to the Guide, ABC of Applying summarises (for parents of VCE students) all the vital information needed for the application process without all the course and institutional information contained in the Guide / online

Other relevant VTAC publications

• VICTER 2015

In VICTER, institutions outline the VCE study requirements needed for entry into their courses in two years time. Copies were available for Year 10 students in 2012

Can be downloaded from the VTAC website www.vtac.edu.au/publications

VTAC APPLICATIONS

• Application is online only – www.vtac.edu.au

• The program requires a JAVA platform installed and running

• 2014 /2015 site updated : 28th July

• Create a VTAC user account

▫ You need your VCAA student number

▫ You need to create a PIN number

▫ Need a credit card or PayPal account for payment(2013 - $27) when applying for course

VTAC application fees Guide

Course applications Dates fees

Timely 4/8/2014 – 30/9/2014 $27 (2013)

Late application 30/9/2014 – 7/11/2014 $91 (2013)

Very late 7/11/2014 – 5/12/2014 $116 (2013)

www.vtac.edu.au

Registration demo at www.vtac.edu.au/demos/rego/ Course application demo at www.vtac.edu.au/demos/app/ These were available in 2013, should be ready in late July

Research courses that interest you

• Become familiar with the VTAC guide and information available on line

• Use VTAC website Courselink to search for courses on line

• You can apply for up to 12 different courses ▫ don’t have to apply for 12 ▫ Only need to apply for 1 to activate your application

• List the preferences in the order you most want to

get into

Course Eligibility • Prerequisite subjects

▫ VCE studies or specific skills you must have

• Extra Requirements ▫ Examples

submitting an extra form Sitting a test Presenting a folio Attending interview / information session

VTAC guide indicates only indicates yes / no Details for the course are found for the Course using CourseSearch on the VTAC website

Course codes

• Courses ending in 1 are CSP ▫ Commonwealth supported places ▫ You only pay part of the costs

• Courses ending in 2 are DFP ▫ domestic full fee paying ▫ You pay full cost

• Courses ending in 3 are IFGP ▫ fee paying for overseas students

• Courses ending in 4 ▫ Fees are determined by the provider

Note: some courses may have more than one code • Offered at

different campuses

• Different fee structures

Direct Application

Some courses listed by VTAC have the comment

• ‘Apply : direct to institution’

• So contact the institution directly

▫ To check eligibility

▫ To check their application process

▫ Each institution may have different requirements and timelines

Placement offers for VTAC courses • First round offers 17th Jan 2014 • Second round offers 6th Feb 2014

• Can request Negotiated offers ( 20 Jan 2014)

▫ if you want to be considered For a course lower than you have received

For a course not listed on your application

• Supplementary offers

▫ If you have not received an offer ▫ Have given VTAC permission to release your

application to all courses with vacancies

Change of Preference

• You can add, remove or reorder your course selection up to closing date

• Then between 24th November – 22nd December

• If your ATAR is not what you need / or you have had a rethink

• Need to make sure you satisfy all requirements if you add a course

Scholarships through VTAC • University scholarships through VTAC fall into two

broad categories: ▫ Access and equity scholarships

▫ Institutional merit scholarships

Charles Sturt University Deakin University La Trobe University Monash University RMIT University Swinburne University Federation University The University of Melbourne Victoria University

Financing further education

Scholarships through VTAC

• 4 August – 17 October • Application through VTAC user account

• Start now

▫ Need to provide documentary evidence of eligibility Statement of support Proof of Centrelink benefits Cover sheet Impact statement

Can use the same statement of support used in SEAS – easy if submitted online (more about SEAS later)

Other scholarships not through VTAC

• Most institutions offer scholarships

▫ Refer to each institutional website for details

▫ Also www.vtac.edu.au/coursesandinstitutions

• Other scholarships

▫ www.myfuture.edu.au

70 Undergraduate scholarships listed for Barwon Southwest region alone Details of eligibility and links to relevant websites / institutions

Student Accommodation

• Many institutions offer ‘on campus’ accommodation • This should be applied for at the same time as applying

for courses – may be too late if you wait for an offer

• You need to apply directly to each institution for application process and forms

• A non refundable application fee • (eg 2013 Deakin was $50) • References required

▫ Personal and academic ▫ Through the school – coordinators / principal class

• Be sure of closing dates

Accommodation

• Details in VTAC guide

▫ www.vtac.edu.au/courses-inst/institutions/accommodation.html

SEAS Special Entry Access Schemes www.vtac.edu.au/publications

An umbrella program run by most institutions for applicants who have experienced “long term” educational

disadvantage. 5 categories of disadvantage

1. Personal information and location (all Timboon Students)

2. Difficult circumstances 3. Disadvantaged financial background 4. Disability or medical condition 5. LaTrobe Uni (SALT), Federation University

(REEP), Victoria University (PPP)

• Is designed for applicants who wish to be considered for circumstances based upon information they provide when registering and/or applying for courses.

• Applying for Category 1 is as simple as ticking a box giving VTAC permission for those circumstances to be considered.

• All applicants should apply for this category.

Category 1 – Personal Information and

Location

Timboon & SEAS

Category 1 ; Personal information and location • Criteria relevant to all Timboon

▫ Uses the living and or school postcode to identify applicants from a rural or isolated area who will have to move to undertake further study.

▫ Recognises your school to identify if the school is an under-represented school identified by institutions under this category.

▫ Gender – to identify if you are applying for a course in a male or female under-represented discipline.

▫ For example Females – engineering Males - nursing

• Applies to applicants whose education has been affected by family or other life circumstances.

• Impact statements and statements of support are a requirement of this category.

• In their impact statement applicants should include information on how the circumstances have had an adverse impact on:

▫ Their ability to study and perform assessment tasks

▫ Accessing educational resources

▫ Attendance in school/tuition

Category 2 – Difficult Circumstances

• This category applies to applicants whose education has been impacted by a disadvantaged financial background - ▫ Individual or family poverty ▫ Excessive financial obligations ▫ Economic hardship.

• The category isn’t limited to applicants in receipt of

Centrelink benefits. ▫ Applicants who aren’t in receipt of Centrelink benefits must

submit an impact statement and a statement of support.

Category 3 – Disadvantaged financial

background

• Applies to applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage as a result of a disability or medical condition.

• Applicants who have experienced a medical condition, must provide a statement of support from the treating health care professional that details the condition, its duration and impact.

• Important to start making appointments now and preparing impact statements and statements of support.

Category 4 – Disability or medical condition

• This category applies to current Year 12 students who attend schools that are explicitly nominated ▫ Federation University – Regional Education Entry Program

(REEP) ▫ La Trobe University – Schools Access La Trobe (SALT) ▫ Victoria University – Portfolio Partnerships Program (PPP)

• Applications for under-represented programs at other

institutions are through Category 1.

• Under-represented schools are decided by institutions who should have a list of under-represented schools on their website.

Category 5- Schools schemes

Applying for SEAS

• Monday 4 August – Tuesday 7 October • Need to have applied for courses through VTAC • Once SEAS application made, can be edited or

withdrawn before 5:00 pm 7 October

• Start now ▫ Need to provide documentary evidence of eligibility (except

for Category 1) Statement of support - Proof of centrelink benefits Cover sheet Impact statement – a personal statement that

explicitly describes how the circumstances effected education

If ‘stuff happens’ prior to exams

• SEAS applications close by 7th October

• VCAA Special Provision procedures are designed to cover the case of a student who performs below expectations due to adverse circumstances (eg illness, accident, personal trauma)

• Tell us and we can support students to apply for a Derived Examination Score

• Students should attend every examination session if at all possible and not miss an examination because they do not feel able to do their best.

Derived exam score

• A Derived Examination Scores is an estimate of the student's likely examination performance, based on evidence available ▫ SAC scores ▫ teacher's indicative grades ▫ the student's GAT scores.

• If a student’s application for a DES is granted and ▫ the evidence shows they achieved a lower mark ▫ that they were disadvantaged by their illness or trauma

the Derived Examination Score becomes the new examination score.

Government Support For up to date information, visit the Study Assist website http://studyassist.gov.au/sites/studyassist

Centrelink allowances • There are a range of benefits available to students,

depending on their circumstances.

• Visit the Centrelink website to check your eligibility http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/dhs/centrelink

Help !!! Some things we will do for you What you can do for yourself

• VCE team

• Key Information – during Form Assemblies, Newsletters, Careers News, Website

• Individual interviews

• Individual help with applying online

• Individual help with SEAS impact statements

• Individual help with applications for consideration if ‘stuff happens’ just prior to exam

• Courselink • Research courses widely • Check special requirements /

course eligibility • Look into range of scholarships

/ benefits • OPEN DAYS • Start collecting evidence for

SEAS 1. Difficult circumstances 2. Disadvantaged financial

background 3. Disability or medical condition

• Keep stress to a healthy level, start preparing for exams NOW

• Apply for at least one course

Preparing for exams The suggested number of hours to study per week during the year varies due to

• after school commitments (part time work, sport, etc)

• long term personal goals

• Some suggest that the minimum number of study /

homework hours per week should be equal to the year level.

• Others suggest : approx. 5 hours per subject per week

Homework V Study Study camp session in February • highlighted the difference between homework and study • stressed that effective study involved having clear goals and

suggested some strategies to help students with key skill.

HOMEWORK: • the work a teacher sets every student in their class to meet

course requirements and to prepare them for assessment

STUDY • what a student works out they need to do themselves to

improve their understanding and skills

• Understanding = what I need to know • Skill = what I need to be able to do • Recall = what I need to be able to remember

• If you are not used to studying, then take SMALL STEPS – and start now

• One hour per night is better than none!

• The important thing is develop a plan of study that suits you and learn to study effectively.

• Use a planner to help use your time effectively

• Prioritise (how many weeks to go???)

Leanne : Timboon Youth Worker

School Leaver’s Manual

• An official record of school achievements and involvements ▫ Information needs to be submitted for official

documentation ▫ school reference – this needs to be arranged (staff

need specifics to include in your written reference) ▫ Work experience details need to be checked

• UPDATE YOUR RESUME TO INCLUDE IN THE

LEAVERS MANUAL : VITAL ▫ Identify skills demonstrated ▫

School Leaver’s Manual

▫ Collect the template this evening

▫ Hand in to Raelene before 25th August –

▫ information and details can be added / updated after that

So what’s next • Start working on Information for school references,

leavers manuals • Open Days – info in ABC of applying, VTAC guide,

school website, Careers Newsletters • Post School Career Action Plan interviews to

commence in term 3 • VTAC applications start 4th August – timely

applications close 30th September. ▫ We are happy to assist with your online application at

school (you’ll need credit card / Paypal details with you)

• Term 3 finishes with Parent Teacher Student interviews – 19th September

So what’s next

• Start collecting supporting evidence / practice writing impact statement for SEAS now: applications close 7th October

• VTAC scholarship applications close 17th October • Last day of formal school – Friday 24th October

- activities to be confirmed • Written exams start 29 th October • Formal – 14th November : Golf club – to be

confirmed • Results – 15th December • Awards Afternoon – 17th December

14th July – 19th September Term 3

Late July VTAC 2015 Guide available

4th August VTAC applications open (including SEAS, some scholarship applications)

25th August Leavers Manual Information Due in

4th August – 25th October 24th November –22nd December

Change of Preference

6th October Term 4 commences

24th Oct Year 12 Final Assembly and last day

29th October - 14th Nov Timboon students written VCE Examinations

14th Nov Year 12 Formal

17th Dec 7/12 Awards Afternoon

15th Dec Results available

22nd Dec Change of preference closes

19th Jan First round offers – online