January 18 - 22, 2010

This week

• Feature — Ten steps to financial aid
• Your turn — You can enhance your scholarship chances
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Ten steps to financial aid

1. Get a bird's eye view of your yearly expenses by building a budget. The admissions department or financial aid office at the college you plan to attend can help you estimate the cost of attendance, and budget worksheets are available from Adventures In Education.
2. It's common for students to have questions about paying for college. Talk with your family about your college-funding options early in the process and ask your counselor about your scholarship eligibility. If not starting college for several years, search the Web for tuition savings programs that may help you save for your upcoming expenses.
3. Contact school admissions or financial aid offices to request information and forms related to financial aid or assistance. Complete the forms quickly if your graduation date is close. If not, these can help you get an idea of what you will need once your graduation date gets closer.
4. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can also ask your counselor or a financial aid administrator at a local college or university for direction and assistance.
5. If you're preparing to graduate, consider finishing the FAFSA as soon as possible. Students in lower grades and their families can take some time to become familiar with the information required and practice filling out the form. Call the financial aid information center at (888) 311-8881 or contact the financial aid office of a local college or university if you have questions.
6. Do research on the purpose of the Student Aid Report (SAR). This is the form that is sent to you after you have completed and sent in your FAFSA. It includes information you provided on the FAFSA as well as your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).
7. Request a sample award letter from a financial aid office at a college or. This is the type of letter that a school will send you if you have applied for financial aid. It includes information on what aid you have been awarded as well as instructions on accepting the aid.
8. Learn the differences between grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. Information about types of aid is available from Adventures In Education.
9. Your family may play an important role in your decisions. Talk to them about the types of aid available and help them understand what you have learned about each option.
10. Remember — completing the FAFSA is not a one-time activity. You will need to re-apply every year. Be prepared to resubmit the form each winter holiday break while you are in school.

Source: Know Before You Go™

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Your turn

You can enhance your scholarship chances

You can enhance your chances of receiving a scholarship by:

• Applying early;
• Submitting an easy to read, well organized, and complete application;
• Avoiding redundancy in your essay;
• Following established application instructions; and
• Recognizing the differences in the criteria schools and scholarship programs use for consideration.

Most scholarship committees typically look for neatness, achievement, consistency or improvement, ethics, values, morals, high standards, determination, individuality, and independence in students.

Source: Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (www.tasfaa.org)

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen

Here are some factors to consider as you make your course choices for your sophomore year:

• Select classes that are both challenging and appropriate. You want to choose the most difficult class you can handle, but you also want to do well. Your teachers and your counselor can assist you.
• Find elective courses that will allow you to further your interests.
• If you already have some colleges in mind, review the list of courses that the colleges say are required for a student to be considered for admission.
• Talk to older students about the classes that they have found beneficial.

For sophomores

As the month comes to a close, it is time to start considering what courses you will choose for next year. Consider these factors as you choose your classes:

• Challenge yourself. You want to choose the most difficult classes you can handle, but you also want to do well. Your teachers and counselor can assist you.
• Take additional academic classes. Courses in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages look good on a college application.
• Find elective courses that will allow you to further your interests.
• If you already have some colleges in mind, review the list of courses that the colleges say are required for a student to be considered for admission.
• Talk to older students about the classes that they have found beneficial.

For juniors

It is time to start considering what courses you will choose for your senior year. Consider these factors as you choose your classes:

• Review your list of prospective colleges. What courses are listed as "required" for admissions purposes?
• Choose solid academic classes. These include English, math, science, social studies, and foreign languages.
• Colleges look closely at the list of the courses taken during the senior year. Admissions representatives look for students who are taking strong academic classes in preparation for college.

For seniors

Here are a few hints about college interviews:

• Dress in clean, pressed casual clothes. Avoid jeans. There is no need to wear a suit.
• Be prepared. Take a transcript and resume with you.
• This is the opportunity to share information that was not covered in your application.
• Be yourself. Don't try to be what you "think" the college wants.
• Follow up the interview with a thank you note.

For parents

Parental involvement in the course selection process is vital. Here are some hints for you:

• Carefully read all literature sent home by the high school regarding the procedure for course selection.
• Find a time to meet with your teenager to review all the materials together. Encourage your child to take challenging courses.
• Be aware of course prerequisites.
• If you have a sophomore or junior, investigate any Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses that would be appropriate for your child's abilities.
• Seek advice from your teen's teachers. They know your child's abilities, work ethic, and study habits.
• Research college admission requirements.
• Provide all parent signatures required by the high school on course registration materials.
• If you will have a senior next year, you might want to request a conference with their counselor to make sure they have met all graduation requirements.

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Take notice

Important dates

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web site (www.collegeboard.com) or call (866) 756-7346.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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