Scholarship and College Planning Information for Seniors

Scholarship and College Planning Information for Seniors
Sterling High School Counseling Department
2008-2009

Index

Getting Started

Career Information System

Outline for Writing Your Personal Profile

Questions to Ask College Reps

College Planning Timetable

Website Listing

Latino Scholarships

State Universities at a Glance/Admission Requirements

Writing an Application Essay

Return to the SHS Counseling Department Homepage

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1. Choose colleges/universities/tech schools that meet your needs.

Consider factors such as major, cost, geographic area, size, admissions requirements, activities/athletics, minority populations, types of housing, availability of financial assistance, and other items that are important to you.
Do a school search on the Career Information System on-line computer program. (Use the hot-link on this page.)
Read about and research the schools using reference books and school catalogs, many of which are available in the Counseling Office. You may also phone or write to schools to request catalogs or visit their websites.
Attend meetings held at SHS with college representatives.
Visit colleges during their recruiting programs
Attend the College Fair at Sauk Valley Community College on November 6, 2007 from 6:30-8:00 pm.

2. Apply and get accepted before pursuing financial assistance.

Gather applications forms – The Counseling Office will have applications for most of the State Universities in Illinois (N.I.U., W.I.U, I.S.U., E.I.U., U. of Ill., S.I.U.), as well as applications for Sauk Valley Community College and some private or out-of-state schools. Most colleges prefer that you apply online. Their websites may also allow you to download and print a paper application. Lastly, you can call, write, or e-mail for applications that are not otherwise available. Remember to notify the Counseling Office when you apply online so we can complete the other required paperwork and send your official transcript.
Complete at least three applications, including one “safe” school, preferably before November 15. (Some schools have earlier deadlines.) Type the applications whenever possible.
Submit all completed applications to the Counseling Office along with a check or money order for any required application fees (no cash). Your counselor will check for completeness.
Mrs. Hippen will attach your high school transcript (courses taken, semester grades, credits earned, class rank, and ACT and/or SAT scores) along with our school profile sheet.
The applications will be mailed from SHS and a record will be kept of each application and/or transcript, and the date that it was sent.
Schools will usually make an acceptance decision using the ACT or SAT scores reported on your transcript, however, if you did not send a score report to a school when you took the test, you may have to send an official score report later. Forms to request test score reports are available in the Counseling Office. For your convenience, you can also request an official ACT score report directly from ACT at: http://www.actstudent.org/scores/send/index.html

3. Search for sources of money to help finance your education.

Grants, loans and work- study programs are based upon family financial need. Complete an estimate of family financial need using computer programs on the Internet. Some colleges provide estimates at no cost.
Attend the Financial Aid information meetings at SHS in January to learn how to apply for State, Federal, and institutional monies, you may also visit http://www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information.
Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1^st and keep a copy for your records.
Some scholarships and contests are based upon your personal qualifications and/or achievements. Some places to look for these awards include a college’s financial aid office, SHS scholarship bulletin/website, scholarship searches on the Internet, scholarship reference books in the Counseling Office and libraries, and local clubs and organizations.
Consider military options offering educational benefits in exchange for your service (military academies, Reserve Office Training Corps, or ROTC, enlistment in any of the military branches, etc.)

4. Increase your chances of winning a scholarship or contest.

Apply early!! Applications will have due dates, but you need to be clear on whether the application needs to be postmarked by the given date or needs to arrive at the specified location by the given date.
Read and follow all directions. Do not waste time applying for scholarships for which you do not qualify.
Whenever possible, type your applications. Write or print only if the directions request you to do so. Remember to check your spelling, punctuation, grammar, and neatness.
Complete all parts of the application and mail all parts of the application together at one time unless the directions specify otherwise. Do NOT submit applications to the Counseling Office until ALL information is complete.
Secure letters of recommendation well in advance. Persons writing your recommendation should be given at least two weeks notice. Be sure to include a business-size envelope with the following information typed on the front: your name, the name of the scholarship, and the date you need the recommendation. If the person writing the recommendation is a teacher from SHS, it is appropriate to ask him/her to submit the letter to your counselor. If the writer is not a SHS employee, it is your responsibility to secure the letter and turn it in to the Counseling Office with your application.
Write essays well in advance. Many scholarships request an essay regarding your educational/career goals. Start writing now, explaining how you developed these goals and why. Ask your English instructor to proofread your essay.
Do not be modest about your accomplishments. Allow your pride to show through your writing, but avoid arrogance. Attach a copy of your personal profile. (Suggestions are given later in this article.)
Apply for everything for which you qualify, even if you feel you may not be the most qualified. The most qualified person may not apply. Keep applying even if several of your applications have not been successful.
Give your scholarship applications to your counselor at least two weeks before they are due. Your counselor will check the application for completeness. Mrs. Hippen will attach a transcript and school profile. Records of all transcripts, including to whom and the date they are sent, is kept in the Counseling Office.
Keep a complete copy of each scholarship application you submit.
If the scholarship or contest will involve an interview, ask your counselor or a teacher to help you practice by role playing an interview.

5. Beware of Scholarship Search Companies asking for a processing fee.

Recent search studies indicate such companies are usually ineffective, as sources are often incompatible with students’ eligibility characteristics or are not even valid sources in the first place.
Some companies provide information regarding federal and state programs for which the student would be considered through the regular financial aid need analysis process anyway. The guarantees that these companies advertise are not forthcoming due to loop holes and red tape.
Students and parents should be aware that our Counseling Office has numerous resources which students may use at no cost. Many other resources/books/Internet sites are also available at no cost.
A few scholarships will require a processing fee. These should be considered with skepticism.
The Federal Trade Commission cites five phrases within scholarship search offers which can warn student to avoid such offers:
1. “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
2. “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
3. “ We’ll do all the work”
4. “ The scholarship will cost some money”
5. “ May I have your credit card number to hold this scholarship?

6. When you are notified that you have been awarded a scholarship/ grant

Please let your counselor know!
Students who have been awarded scholarships/grants will be recognized at the Honors Program in May.

7. Students’ rights and responsibilities in the College Admission Process

Rights

Receiving full information from colleges and universities about their admissions, financial aid, and scholarship policies
Not responding to an offer of admission and/or financial aid until you have heard from all colleges and universities to which you have applied or by May 1^st, whichever comes earlier. (It may be necessary to request an extension in writing.)

Responsibilities

Making sure you understand the admissions, financial aid, and scholarship policies of the colleges and universities where you plan to apply. This includes being aware of deadlines, restrictions, etc.
Completing and submitting all required materials for application and meeting all deadlines.
Notifying each college or university that admits you whether you are accepting or declining their offer. You should make these notifications as soon as you have heard from all the colleges where you applied or by May 1^st, whichever is earlier.

Career Information System

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1. Log on to ONE SOURCE: Workforce and Career Information at:

http://www.ilworkinfo.com/

2. Click the center oval: Career Resources

3. Click the Left Box that looks like this:

4. Sign in Page: Select Option #2 and use the following username and passwords.

**Note: Use all lower-case letters.

Username: illinois
Password: careers

Additional features found on CIS include:

ACT/SAT information including test preparation

Compare colleges side by side

Tips for writing your college application essay

Getting the most from campus visits

Lists occupations that are new to the CIS site

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Outline for writing your personal profile

Name

Address
Phone
e-mail
GPA/Class Rank/ Test Scores

School Activities

examples--

Basketball (4 years)
Key Club (2 years)
Student Council (3 years)
Choir (4 years)
Fall Play

Non-School Activities/Community Service

--examples—

Church involvement
4-H Club membership
Scouts
Youth Group volunteer

Elected Positions/Awards and Honors

--examples—

Student of the Month
Honor Roll (4 years)
IMEA awards
IHSA Recognition
President, Key Club (grade 12)
Class Officer Sophomore Year
All Conference Basketball Team (2 years)
Homecoming Court (grade 11)

Work Experience

--examples—

Arthur’s Garden Deli (3 years)
Pioneer Seed Company detasseling (2 years)

Questions to ask college reps when they visit the high school

or when you visit various campuses

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Does the school offer the major I want?

What are the entrance requirements and what does the admission committee specifically look for in their selection of students?

What is the total cost – tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation costs, personal expenses, etc.? What opportunities are available for financial assistance? How and when do I make application for financial assistance?

Are there housing regulations? Where do the majority of the students live? What are the housing options (co-ed, dorms, quiet floors)? What meal plans are available?

Are there Saturday classes? What do most students do on weekends?

What are the opportunities for proficiency credit?

What grade average is required to remain in college?

Are freshmen and sophomores taught by full professors or by graduate students?

What is the teacher-to-student ratio?

What is the accessibility of computers on campus for student use?

Are there opportunities for off-campus and on-campus jobs?

Do certain departments (colleges) within the institution have higher or specific entrance requirements?

What high school prerequisites does the institution require in general or for my major area of study?

Does the institution have a counseling service to assist students with course selection, vocational plans, school difficulties, and/or personal problems?

What distinguishes this institution from other schools of the same size and reputation?

College Planning Timetable for Seniors

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EVERY MONTH

Remember that your overall grade-point-average, class rank, ACT or SAT scores, extra-curricular activities, and recommendations are important factors in a college's decision to admit you and/or award scholarships.
Watch for scholarships in the SHS Scholarship Listing and apply for all for which you are qualified.
Attend college representative meetings at SHS.
Keep an eye on deadline dates.
See your counselor regarding any questions you may have.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

See your counselor for credit check and college planning.
Register for September or October ACT or SAT tests if necessary.
Finalize the list of colleges to which you want to apply.
Write to or phone the colleges for applications for admission and financial aid/scholarships, or check their websites.
Complete scholarship searches on the Internet and by using reference books from the Counseling Office or library.
Visit the schools, especially on campus preview/open house dates.
Begin filing applications through your counselor.

NOVEMBER

Finish filing admission applications.
Attend College Night at Sauk Valley College.
Register for December ACT or SAT tests if necessary.

DECEMBER - JANUARY - FEBRUARY

ACT and SAT tests offered.
Attend financial aid meeting at SHS.
Prepare parent and student tax returns as soon as possible.
Complete FAFSA financial aid form and any special financial aid forms required by your college(s). File as soon as possible.
Check with your counselor and teachers to see that transcripts and letters of recommendation have been sent.
Begin to arrange college housing.

MARCH - APRIL - MAY

Start looking for a summer job.
Make a decision on accepting a financial aid package.
Notify all schools of your final decision.
Finalize housing.
Complete the SHS Counseling Office's form regarding your future plans.
Notify your counselor of any scholarships you have received so they can be announced at the Honors Program.

JUNE

Have the Counseling Office forward your final transcript.
Save as much as you can from your summer job.
Attend college orientation and placement test sessions.
Notify your college's financial aid office of any scholarships you have received.

Writing Your Application Essay

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Here are some key points to consider when writing your application essays:

Good writing is writing that is easily understood.
Avoid the overuse of adjectives, adverbs, big words (don't abuse the thesaurus!), the word 'however', and exclamation points!
Buy and read The Elements of Style, by Strunk & White. It will serve you well not only as you write your essays, but throughout college and beyond.
Have one good writer critique your essay and another proofread it.
Stick to the length that is specified in the application.

The following are some guidelines to help you zero in on a good topic, or if the topic is assigned, help you find an effective way to get your point across: