Senior Year:Planning for After High School

Parent & Student Presentation

September 9, 2019

Agenda

•Senior class information– Bridgett Hubbard, Senior Class Advisor

•Post-secondary options – process & timeline•Short break & Q&A•Financial aid information•Q&A

financialaid@smumn.edu

Bridgett Hubbard Senior Class Advisor

• Local scholarships– Jan. 24 meeting in school– Feb. 20 deadline 3pm

• SS website for scholarship opportunities• Senior year timeline

– Graduation practice – May 20 AM– Senior Awards Night – May 20 PM– Graduation – May 23 1pm

• Senior expectations

Options for the Future• Work

– Apprenticeship • Military

– ROTC • Higher education

– 2 yr. technical college– 2 yr. freshman/sophomore college– 4 yr. college/university– Trade school

Work and Military Process• Work*

– Prepare a resume & cover letter– Practice interviewing skills– Consider your professional image– Network

• Military*– Take the ASVAB (March 31 at OHS…or sooner!)– Talk to a recruiter

*Academics are just as important because employers need highly skilled and knowledgeable employees!

Work and Military Resources• STAR Conference folder from junior year• Xello (Career Cruising) (assessments, occupations)

– Access through PowerSchool• High school Student Services Office & website• Assessments (ACT, ASVAB, Accuplacer, etc.)• Job/program shadow, mentorship, etc.• Military recruiters during lunch in Commons• Local job & college fairs

College Application Process• Steps to a complete application

– Apply online (A)• Apply early• Consider your professional image• Is your school on the Common Application?

– Payment (A)• Online preferred• UW $50 (UW-M $60), Western $30 (non-refundable)• See counselor for help with fees

– High school transcript (A) OR self-reported grades• Request in person in Student Services ($1.00) OR give your

counselor’s email address if requested electronically (free)• Self-reported within application

A = All schools4 – 4 yr schools* = varies by school

Self-Reporting Grades onCommon App

• UW Madison, U of MN, other 4 year campuses

pre-AP

- Accl

– Test scores (A)• ACT/SAT• Accuplacer

– Personal statements/essays (4)• Be aware of cutting & pasting essays• Many are used for scholarships also

– Letters of recommendation (*)• If needed/required • Pink profile sheet• UW-Madison requires one• Contact your school counselor/teacher if an electronic

recommendation is needed

College Appl Process cont.A = All schools4 – 4 yr schools* = varies by school

Higher Education Resources• STAR Conference folder from junior year• Xello [Career Cruising] (assessments, occupations, education)

– Access through PowerSchool• OHS Student Services office & website• Assessments (ACT, ASVAB, Accuplacer, etc.)

– UW System pre-tests (math &/or Eng)– October 16-17 during Resource

• Job/program shadow, mentorship, etc.• College reps during lunch in Commons• Local college fairs• College campus visits• College websites & viewbooks

• Western TC Career Coaching– Once EVERY month at OHS (Sept. 17 first one)– Career Coach will be here to meet/plan with students

individually!– Sign up in Student Services

• Western TC Accuplacer test– November 12, 2019 & April 14, 2020– $25 for initial assessment, $15 for retake with permission– Sign up in Student Services

• Western TC Open House– October 2 between 4-7pm– Apply to Western for FREE!

Resources cont.

• Senior class information• Post-high school options

– “I don’t know what to do!”• Info, process & resources

– Work– Military– Technical college– 2 & 4-year college

• Financial aid

Want more info? Watch online!

Questions?

Financial Aid Overview

• Paying for college• Finding financial aid• FAFSA info• Questions

Paying for College• Live simply

– What you eat, drive, wear, purchase…

• Be careful with credit cards– They will need to be paid back with interest!

• Work or work study – Be careful not to work too much

• “College arms race” – Keep your goal in mind– Block out what does not relate to your goals

Reality Store• Financial simulation where students have a

career, family, and "fate" then have to budget for everyday expenses

• All seniors will attend• October 10 during the school day• Hosted by Holmen HS

Finding Financial Aid• Scholarships

– Local OHS scholarships • See earlier slide with dates

– Community/local scholarships – College scholarships

• Your college application & essay may be your scholarship application too!

– National scholarship searches• Deadlines range from Dec.-March so contact

your college for specific dates

FAFSA AssistanceFree Application for Federal Student Aid

• College Goal Wisconsin– Oct. 17, 2019 from 6-8pm at OHS

• FAFSA Completion Workshop– Nov. 13 during Resource at OHS