The College Process Puzzle Handouts - TFA Workshop

8/2/2019 The College Process Puzzle Handouts - TFA Workshop

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-college-process-puzzle-handouts-tfa-workshop 1/19Presented by Tevera Stith

–

Director of KIPP Through College for KIPP DC Page 1

The College Process Puzzle

Knowing Yourself

Doing Research

Visiting and Interviewing

Meeting Deadlines and Completing Applications

Courses/Curriculum GradesSAT/ACT

RecommendationsEssayActivities

Applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-college-process-puzzle-handouts-tfa-workshop 2/19

Presented by Tevera Stith–


Knowing Yourself

It is impossible to begin the college admissions process without first knowing yourself and understanding whatyou want in a college. So, before you start looking at specific schools you need to first ask yourself some

questions.

How do you (not your parents) define success?

What kind of person do you want to become?

Is there anything you secretly want to become?

What events or experiences have shaped your growth and way of thinking?

What are your goals and values?

How do you learn best?

How do you respond to pressure, competition or challenge?

What is your social style? Are you a party animal?

Which areas interest you academically?

What major do you envision pursuing?

What activities occupy your time outside of the classroom?

How do you like to spend your free time?

Do you feel more comfortable in a large group where few people know you or a small group where manypeople know you?

Do you get excited by snow or dread its arrival?

Do you prefer a rural or city environment?

How often do you shop?

Do you feel most comfortable around people from your own background?





Doing ResearchResearch is an important part of the college admissions process. Sometimes we can get lost before we start

with all of the terms and admissions speak. Below are a few terms you might need to know.

Admissions Committee – The Admissions Committee refers to the group of admission counselors and some combination of faculty members and administrators who review each candidate’s application and make decisions regarding admissions.

Candidates’ Reply Date – May 1 has been established by the College Board as the earliest date by which a member institution may require an accepted applicant to reply to an offer of admission. In order to secure a student’s place in an entering class, she is usually asked to confirm enrollment with a non-refundable deposit. The average deposit is $500 and can be reduced or waived for students whoreceive significant financial aid from the college.

Defer – A student who applies under an Early Action or Early Decision plan may receive one of three decisions: admit, deny or defer. When a student’s application is deferred, it means that the application will be reviewed again during the Regular Action or R egularDecision cycle for a final decision. No further action by the student is necessary, but a deferred student should consult with his or her

college counselor about how to follow up with the college.

Deferred Admission or Enrollment – This option, initiated at the student’s request, allows the student to postpone enrollment at a college where he or she has been admitted for one year. The student may take the year to travel, work or pursue other project s beforeattending college. Granting the deferral is at the discretion or the dean of admissions at the college.

Early Action - Early Action is a non-binding, “early” notification program. If a college offers an Early Action program, students may

apply by the published EA deadline (usually November 1) and will be notified of their admission decisions in mid-December. Admittedstudents still have the May 1 Candidates Reply Date to respond to the offer of admission and may file additional applications in theinterim.

Early Decision – Early Decision is a binding , “early” notification program. Under the Early Decision agreement (which is to be signed bythe student, her parent and her counselor), a student can apply to one ED program and if admitted under this plan, must enroll at that institution and withdraw all other pending applications. A student who applies Early Decision to a college should apply for financial aidsimultaneously. The “loophole” in the ED contract is if the financial aid package awarded does not meet the family’s needs, t hat student can withdraw from the ED agreement, but he or she is not eligible to reapply. Early Decision, Round II – Several of the small privateliberal arts colleges have initiated a second “round” of Early Decision, with deadlines in early winter. The commitment is the same, but students applying under an ED II plan also file Regular Decision applications as well.

Educational Testing Service (ETS) – ETS is the testing agency of the College Board, which administers the SAT I and SAT II tests,among others.

Rolling Admissions - Some schools, usually large, state-supported institutions, use Rolling Admissions, a plan under which a student isnotified of her admission decision two to four weeks after the application is received.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) – ROTC programs combine military education with a baccalaureate degree in designatedfields. Students can apply for ROTC scholarships that provide significant financial support towards a student’s education wit h the

obligation that the student commit herself to a career in the armed forces for a predetermined length of time following graduation.

Waiting List – In addition to accepting and denying applications for admission, colleges sometimes offer a student a position on their“waiting list.” If spaces in the class are available after the May 1 reply date, colleges may offer admission to limited number of wait listedstudents.





Now that you know some terms here are a few things to consider as you do your research and start choosingcolleges to which you will apply.

Self/College Matching Characteristics:

Location

Cost

Type

Athletics

Size

Social Life

Environment

Calendar

Campus Environment

Religious Environment

Student Activities

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Programs Offered

Housing

Special Programs

Caliber of students

Traps to Avoid

“I’m going to college X because all of my friends are going there.”

“There’s only one right college for me.”

“All colleges are the same, so why bother with all this work.”

“I’m going to college X because my father/mother/sister/brother went there.”

“I’m not applying there because I’ll be rejected !



Presented by Tevera Stith – Director of KIPP Through College for KIPP DC Page 5

College Information Sheet

General Information:

College Name:

Location: Size:

SAT Range: ACT Range:

SAT II Requirements and Ranges:

Most Popular Majors:

Athletic Divisions:

Visual and Performing Arts Offerings:

Social Life:

Residence Life:

Application Process:

Common Application: Yes or No Electronic Applications: Yes or NoCommon Application Supplement: Yes or NoApplying Options: ED I EDII EA Rolling Regular

What are they looking for?

Financial Aid Process:

What forms to they require? FAFSA CSS Profile Institutional Form What are the financial aid deadlines? Feb 1st Feb 15th March 1st Is the college need-blind? Yes or NoDo they meet 100% of designated need? Yes or No – What percentage do they meet?What is their tuition?What are the room and board costs?

Scholarship Process:

Is there a general scholarship deadline?How do you apply for scholarships? Automatically with application or Separate Form

Scholarships:




Visiting and InterviewingVisiting can be a great way to get to know a college and get a glimpse of what it has to offer. Below are some

things you might do on campus to make the best of your visit.

Try to visit before you apply. This will help you decide if the college should stay on your list and willpotentially boost your chances if the school is sensitive to your level of interest in it.

Plan your visit and set up appointments as far in advance as you can.

Read up on the school before you go and/or visit its website.

Having parents included in the process can be helpful to share notes and impressions; however the

admissions officer should remember the student, not the parents.

Take a tour – remember the tour guide is only one member of the community.

Have an interview if offered and PREPARE FOR IT.

Eat a meal – to learn about the culture of the community.

Meet with faculty and coaches, if appropriate. Call in advance to arrange.

Attend an admissions information session, if offered.

Stay overnight in a dormitory, if possible.

Attend a few classes.

Read the college newspaper.

Check out the bulletin boards on campus.

Take notes and, if possible, bring a video camera.




Preparing For the Interview

Plan AheadFind out what interviewing policies the schools on your list offer. The opportunity to meet with an admissions

representative will range from one-on-one evaluative interview to group question and answer session. If on-

campus interviews are offered, find out if they are required. If so, plan far enough in advance to be able to arrange

for the meeting, keeping in mind that Mondays and Fridays during summers and holidays are the most often

requested interview slots. If interviews are available, but not required, think about whether or not you would liketo have one. If you are uncomfortable talking with a stranger about yourself, especially an adult in a decision-

making position, then it is probably in your best interest to avoid interviewing when you don’t have to. If,

however, you feel like the admissions office needs to know you as more than just a paper version of yourself, take

advantage of the opportunity to interview, either on campus or locally with an alumni representative.

Call AheadIf there are general tours and information sessions available, try to schedule your interview for after those

programs as they are likely to generate questions to go over with the admissions officer during the interview.

Make sure to get directions to the office you will be visiting. If it is your first visit to the college, be sure to leave

an extra half hour for getting lost and finding a parking spot.

Do Your HomeworkEach interview is different, but every single interview will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions about

the college and its admission process. When the admissions officer asks you, ―Do you have any questions?,‖ the

only wrong answer is ―No.‖ This is your opportunity to speak with someone who serves on the admissions

committee, so here is your chance to address whatever concerns you have. Was there a drop in your grades

sophomore year when you got mono? Now is the time to explain it. Are you concerned that your SAT scores are

significantly lower than those of the typical admitted student? Now is the time to ask about the role of testing in

the admissions process. You can also use your interview as a way to learn more about the opportunities at the

school.

―I am really involved in the Key Club at my high schools and I feel a strong commitment toservice. In your view book, it says that over half of the students are involved in service here. Canyou tell me a little bit more about how easy it is to get involved in service and what kinds of opportunities exist?‖

―I run on the Varsity Cross Country team at my high school and while I am captain next year, Iwas elected more for my enthusiasm than for my talent. I know I won’t be able to run on thevarsity team here – I read that you won your conference last year – but I can’t imagine not havingrunning as a part of my life. Are there opportunities for non-athletes to get involved in sportshere?‖

You want to ask questions that reveal something personal about yourself (as they will serve as an off-

shoot for further conversation) and the research you have done on the school before you got there (as it

will serve to impress upon the admissions officer how interested you are in the school). Never visit a

school without trying to read as much as you can before you get there. Check out the resources at your

college counselor’s office, the school’s website or at least read the introductory brochure in the lobby

before the interview.

Don’t Forget to Smile! Dress nicely, but comfortably. Offer your interviewer a firm handshake and a ready smile. Introduce your parents or other

traveling companions. Maintain eye contact and interest throughout the interview. Ask questions. Come prepared with

what YOU want to talk about.




Possible Interview Questions

What are you plans for the summer? Are you in the midst of visiting a number of colleges?

What criteria are you using to establish your list of colleges? What helps you imagine spendingfour years at the school you are visiting versus knowing you don’t want to spend five moreminutes there?

What are you looking forward to the most about your senior year? Are there classes you areparticularly excited to be taking? Are there leadership roles you will be stepping into next year?

If you were going to college next year rather than back to high school, how would you constructyour schedule? What classes would you want to take? What kinds of activities would you wantto get involved in?

What have been your most important activities in high school? What have you gained from yourinvolvement with that group?

If the principle of your school called on you to serve in his or her absence, what would you dowhile you were in charge? What would you change about your high school if you could? Whatwould you never want to see changed at the institution?

Do you enjoy reading? Are there any books you have read – for a class or for pleasure – whichyou found spoke to you directly? With which character you have met in literature can youidentify the most? Why? If I have you a $300 shopping spree to Barnes & Nobles, what sorts of books would you choose?

Do you have a favorite teacher, a mentor, a ―hero‖ or a role model? What do you admire mostabout that person?

If you had an opportunity to meet with President Obama for one hour, what would you want todiscuss?

Who is your favorite person in the world? Who do you think knows you best? How would thatperson describe you?

Have you ever failed at anything you tried?

Is there a question you wishedor expected I would ask that I

haven’t that you would like toanswer now?




Meeting DeadlinesMeeting deadlines is a very important part of this process, so make sure you make good list of what needs to

be done when, where it needs to be sent, and how you will get it completed on time. The following work sheet

may keep you on track.

College Name Application Info Essay Questions Deadlines

Gettysburg College ED EA Roll Reg Common Application Long Why Gettysburg – 250 words

2/1

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg

ED EA Roll Reg




Completing ApplicationThe actual college application has many parts and pieces and one can be just as important as the next, althoughthe first two are probably the most important. Below are a few questions that might help you understand eachpart.

Part One – Courses, Curriculum, and GradesWhat kinds of courses are colleges looking for? The best possible courses you can take at your school

What kinds of grades do you to have to get into college? Different colleges are looking for a variety of

different GPAs

What is your GPA? What is your rank?

Take a look at your school profile.

Part Two – Standardized Test

What is the SAT? The Scholastic Assessment Test (formerly the Scholastic Achievement Test) is a three-hour test that measures verbal and quantitative reasoning skills. Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200

to 800, with 2400 being the highest possible combined score. Colleges will use the student’s higher verbal, mathand writing scores, even if they are from different test administrations.

SAT IIs – SAT II Subject Tests measure knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in specific subject

areas. Colleges use subject tests results for admission and course placement. It is recommended that students

take SAT IIs after a student has completed corresponding high school courses.

What is the ACT? ACT – Short for “American College Test,” the ACT is a standardized test designed toassess high schools’ general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The tests

cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. A student’s ACT Composite Score

(which ranges from a low of 1 to a high of 36) is the average of his or her scores in each of these areas.

How many times can you take the test? You should try to take the test at least three times

What is the difference between the tests?

• CONTENTACT: English 25%, Mathematics 25%, Reading 25%, Science Reasoning 25%SAT: Verbal 33%, Mathematics 33%, Writing 33%

• SCORING

ACT: scores based on number of correct answers; no penalty for guessingSAT: scores adjusted for guessing; penalty for most incorrect responses

• SCORE SCALESACT: 1-36 for each of four sections; Composite: 1-36 (average of four)SAT: 200-800 on each of three areas; Total: 600-2400 (sum of three)




Part Three – Recommendation LettersHow can a recommendation letter help? Recommendations allow for other people to speak to your strengths

and what you might bring to a college community. But don’t get more than three or four – you don’t want them

to think you are hiding something.

What teachers should write recommendation letters? You should have teachers from at least two core

academic subjects write for you.

Part Four – EssaysWhy do colleges have you write essays? They first want to get to sense of your writing ability and then they

want to get to know your personality and learn something about your life experiences.

What is a good essay topic? The best topics are ones that allow you to share something you are passionate

about or a life changing experiences. But be careful not to over share and stay aware from topics that may be

seen as controversial.

How long should my essay be? Your essay should be at least a page or the number of words and characters

the college specifies. Many of the electronic applications will not let you write more or try to show and not tell

and be concise.

10 Helpful Hints for a Great College Essay

Be Authentic! Essays are sometimes the only place in the application to share your voice.

▪ Be Creative! But not too creative - sometimes your wonderful idea will not read as well to a stranger.

▪ This is not ―Show and Tell.‖ Always remember to show me rather than tell me – give examples and also bedescriptive.

▪ Be Careful! While it is good to show you have an opinion you don’t know the reader. So if you are going totackle a tough topic like abortion, the death penalty, or politics be careful.

▪ Stay in the lines! Some of us have the gift of gab, but your essay should be concisely written. If it says 150 wordstry not to exceed the limit and if you must only by a few words.

▪ If it is broke – sometimes it cannot be fixed! If you have been laboring over an essay topic for some time and it is just not working then perhaps you need to move on.

▪ Tell the truth! While wonderful tales of woe can move a reader’s heart you should not embellish a story for anessay. Most colleges have honor code statements at the end of their applications.

▪ Not everyone is a comedian! If you are not funny your college essay is no place to start. Leave the jokes to theprofessionals.

▪ Type-it-out! While I am sure you hand writing is lovely it is better to just take the time to type your essay out tomake sure the reader can read it. Remember many colleges are scanning applications so your handwriting may beharder to read on a computer screen

▪ Proofread. Then have someone else proofread. Then you proofread what they proofread. Not every teacher orfriend is the best proofreader so be picky in your choosing.




Part Five – Activities

How do activities help your application? Colleges want to make sure you are staying busy and that you will

bring more than just your academic talents to the school.

What is the difference between quantity and quality? So many students think they have to do a lot, but

schools are more impressed with the activities you have stuck with and now perhaps even hold a leadership

position.

How can a resume help? Resumes give you an opportunity to share your best qualities and space to provide

explanations as some applications don’t give the proper space for you to share all of your interest and talents.

Some things you might want to include on your resume

Birth date:

High School:

Graduation Date:

Class Rank: Grade Point Average:

Test Information: SAT I:SAT II:ACT:AP:

Senior Year Curriculum:

Honors and Awards:

Leadership:

High School Activities:

Athletics:

Arts:

Employment:

Other Activities:

Community Service:

Hobbies:




Things you should know or havebefore you start your application!

Information Needed Brief Explanation

Formal Name: So many students use nicknames make sure the name youuse at school is the same one you use to register for theSAT I or ACT Test and on each of you applications.

Permanent Address: This is the address that schools will use to base yourresidency. Even if you use a PO Box for mail, you willneed list a permanent address.

Mailing Address: This is the address where colleges will send any mailcorrespondence. If you think you will move during theprocess, you may want to select a mailing address that willnot change

Citizenship: If you are not a US Citizen you will need to have officialcitizenship information for your applications.

Birth Place: This question is typically only used for informationalpurposes and to measure how international the collegecommunity may be.

Race: This question is always optional and it never hurts astudent, but rather provides demographics information forthe college.

First Language:

OR Primary Language Spoken at Home:

This question is used to better understand other portions of the application. Could the language you speak at homeexplain your SAT or ACT Scores? This question alsoprovides demographic information.

Social Security Number: Any student who is applying for financial aid will have tosubmit a social security number. For safety’s sake someschools have also given students a specific college IDnumber. If you get one of these as you complete yourapplication – don’t lose it!

E-mail Address: Colleges communicate all the time via e-mail Please makesure that you give an address that you will check often.Also, don’t be too creative with the title as you don’t wantto send a bad message just with your e-mail address.

Term Entering: This is usually Fall, Summer, or Spring. Please note forsome state universities the term you are applying maymake admission more or less competitive.

Decision Plan: This is the plan you want your application reviewed under.The options are usually:Early Decision I and IIEarly Action I and IIRegular DecisionPriority Decision




Restricted Early ActionRolling AdmissionPlease note for some schools the decision plan for whichyou are applying may make admission more or lesscompetitive. Also some of the decision plans are binding.

Family Information:

(Includes Legal Guardians)

Parent’s Names: Parent’s Addresses: Parent’s Occupations: Parent’s Phone Numbers (Work and Cell): Parent’s Academic Experiences: Parent’s Graduation Year:

Sibling’s Information:

Before you start your application there is data you shouldcollect form your parents. Colleges use this informationto understand something about your current lifeexperiences and sometimes to contact your parents. Oneof the most important questions in this section is your

parent’s educational experiences. This allows colleges toknow if you are first generation student and if you maycount for some legacy consideration.For some of the same reasons colleges also ask aboutsibling information. This may be especially important forfinancial reasons in determining number of people inhousehold.

High School Code:

High School Address Information:

This is the six digit number that the SAT, ACT, and allcolleges use to identify you with your high school. Youwill need to know this number for every school you have

attended only since 9th grade.High School Counselor: It is important that you have the correct spelling and

contact information for your specific counselor. If colleges have questions about your transcript or academicperformance, this is the person they will call first.

Standardized Test information: You will need to have the date you tested and your scoresfor each test. Please note most colleges require you sendyour scores directly from the testing SAT or ACT.

Honors Information: Please list all honors and awards. It is better to list morethan to leave something out. Remember colleges arelooking for information from your high school careeronly.

Activities: You may want to think about what you do inside andoutside of school. Most colleges want to measure howyou will contribute to their school outside of theclassroom. You should think about how many hours aweek you are part of these activities. This includes clubs,community service, athletics, and the arts. Again these areactivities from high school only.

Work Experience: Colleges are also interested in how you may help yourfamily financially or ways outside of school that you showresponsibility. Please list any and all work experience youhave had from babysitting to mowing lawns.

Signature: Please realize when you sign your application you arepledging your honor. For many colleges that signature isyour first real commitment to that school. So, make sureyou are never shading the truth, and that you arerepresenting yourself honestly.




Applying for FA and Scholarships

The financial aid process at each college is unique. The forms that may apply to one school may not apply to

another. There are two forms that are central to the financial aid process at most colleges and universities. The

first is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the FAFSA form. This form is required to receive any

federal loans and thus is required by nearly all colleges and universities. The form requires your most recent tax

information and so it cannot be filled out until after Jan 1. Copies of the FAFSA are usually available in our

office after Thanksgiving. However, we suggest that you complete the form on-line. The on-line version is easier

to understand and usually reaches financial aid offices in a matter of days versus weeks. The other financial

aid form most schools use is the CSS Profile. This form has two parts; first you must register with CSS profile

and then fill out the actual form, which will be sent to colleges. You can register and complete the CSS Profile

right now since it requires only estimates of tax information for this year. Many schools will use this form to

give tentative financial aid packages to students admitted under an early plan. The best way to complete this

form is online, but unlike the FAFSA the CSS Profile does require a processing fee.

Here are some other terms that are also important for Financial Aid

Demonstrated Need – A family’s demonstrated need is the difference between the cost of a total year at the institution

(tuition, room & board, and personal expenses) and the expected family contribution.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – Colleges will not consider students for institutional aid until they

have applied for federal funding using the FAFSA. The FAFSA cannot be filed until after January 1 of a student’s senior

year, but the forms are usually available online in late fall.

Fee Waivers – If the fees associated with the college admission process – application fees, SAT registration fees, etc. –

pose a financial burden on a student’s family, she can apply to have these fees waived by the administering institution.

Financial Aid Package – The Financial Aid Package is the total amount of financial aid (federal and non-federal) a

student receives from a college to which she has applied. The package is generally a combination of ―self -help‖ (loans and

work-study) and grant money (which is not repaid).

Gapping – When a school provides a financial aid package that does not meet a family’s full, demonstrated financial need

it is known as ―gapping.‖

Need Aware Admissions - Schools that practice need-aware admissions take a student’s ability to pay for the total cost of

the education into consideration in the admissions process.

Need Blind Admissions - Schools that admit students without regard to their financial need and are not repaid.

Pell Grant – Pell Grants are federal grants awarded to undergraduate students based on financial need and are not repaid.

PROFILE – The CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE form and service used by many private colleges, universities, and private

scholarship programs to award their own financial aid funds. Students pay a fee to register for the PROFILE and for each

school or program to receive it. PROFILE forms are available online at collegeboard.com.




Scholarships – Generally speaking, the term scholarship is reserved for a financial award that does not have to be repaid

and is awarded based on special achievement in academics, athletics and/or extracurricular activities.

Stafford & Perkins Loans – Low-interest federally subsidized loans that may be a part of the ―self -help‖ portion of a

student’s financial aid package.

TOEFL – Colleges often require that non-native speakers of English submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language in

addition to the SAT I or ACT. For official results, students must take a computer-based version of the exam at a local

Sylvan Learning Center.

Waiting List – In addition to accepting and denying applications for admission, colleges sometimes offer a student a

position on their ―waiting list.‖ If spaces in the class are available after the May 1 reply date, colleges may offer admission

to limited number of wait listed students.

Work Study Program – A work study program allows students to earn money to cover part of their college expenses.

Student usually work 8-12 hours per week on campus as a part of this subsidized program.

Financial Information Web Sites

Student Aid on the Web – www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov

Free Help Completing the FAFSA – www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/completefafsa

William D. Ford Direct Loan Program – www.ed.gov.DirectLoan

Fastweb Scholarship Service – www.fastweb.com

Finaid – www.finaid.org

Think College – www.ed.gov/thinkcollege

FAFSA on the Web – www.fafsa.ed.gov

College is Possible – www.collegeispossible.org

Sallie Mae Education Investment Planner - http://go.salliemae.com/plan/?dtd_cell=SEEIGP

Information on Financial Literacy - https://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/financialliteracy.jsp

MyMoney.gov (http://www.mymoney.gov/ ) is the U.S. government’s Web site dedicated to teaching you the basics about

financial education. You will find valuable information on such topics as - budgeting, credit management, saving and

investing, financial planning, paying for education beyond high school and managing loan obligations. The free ―My Money‖

Tool Kit package covers publications on saving, investing, protecting and getting the most for your money.

FDIC Consumer News (www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/) provides articles on how to become a smarter, safer user

of financial services that will protect and stretch your earnings.

http://www.mymoney.gov/

http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/

http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/

http://www.mymoney.gov/




Sample Award Package (from -studentaid2.ed.gov/getmoney/pay_for_college/award.html)

If your application for admission has been accepted, and you have taken all the steps to apply for financial aid, and yourfamily demonstrates financial need, you are likely to receive a financial aid award. Now what?

Below is a sample of an award package that students may receive once their admission application is accepted.Interpreting the award letter can take time, and this sample may help you and your families interpret your aid award letteronce you receive it. Be sure to ask all questions you have and get the answers before the acceptance deadline.

Sample Financial Aid Award PackageTotal Cost of Attendance $20,000

Expected Family Contribution $5,000

Outside Scholarship $1,000

Financial Need $14,000

Federal Pell Grant $0

State Scholarship Grant $1,500

Institutional Grant $7,500

Federal Perkins Loan $1,500

Federal Direct Loan $1,500

Federal Work-Study $2,000Total Award $14,000

In this award, the college is covering more than half of the demonstrated financial need with a grant. That certainly helps!But it would be important to ask the financial aid staff whether this level of grant can be expected in future years.(Unfortunately, some colleges do make large initial grants to encourage students to enroll, and may reduce or removegrants after the first year.)

You'll also want to ask about the continued availability of the state grant.

If the grants look to be stable over the time you'd be enrolled, you can estimate the total student loan indebtedness youwould have after four years — in this case, around $12,000 if college costs remain the same. That's about the averagelevel of indebtedness for students graduating nationwide.

You'll also want to look at the Federal Work-Study figure. Are you willing to work on campus to earn these funds? If not,you will be expected to come up with the $2,000 in some other way (either extra work beyond the summer earningsexpectation, a gift from a relative, a loan, etc.).

Maximum Loan Allowances

The Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 increases Federal Stafford Loans awarded.

Maximum Annual Loan Limits for Stafford LoansDisbursed On or After July 1, 2008

YearDependent

UndergraduateIndependent

Undergraduate**GraduateStudent

First Year$5,500(maximum $3,500 in subsidizedStafford Loans)

$9,500(maximum $3,500 in subsidizedStafford Loans)


Second Year$6,500(maximum $4,500 in subsidizedStafford Loans)


Third – FifthYear



You can receive both

subsidized and

unsubsidized loans, as

long as the amountyou borrow does not

exceed the annual

loan limits.




**If you’re a dependent student whose parents but were not approved for, a Federal PLUS Loan (parent loan), you can borrow at the independent undergraduate level.

Cost Calculator - Tuition Comparison

WorksheetLet’s first assume….

Outside Scholarship of – 1,000State Grant – 850 (at Instate School Only)Student is not eligible for Pell Grant Money

University A – State College (Meets 70% of need) University B – Private College (Meets 100%of needTuition 8,005 Tuition 35,900

Room 5,402 Room 7,055Board 3,707 Board 4,037Fees – incidental 4,049 Fees – incidental 1,000Total Cost 21,163 Total Cost 47,992

University A – State College (Meets 70% of need) University B – Private College (Meets 100%of needEFC 8,000 EFC 10,000ESC 1,500 ESC 4,000

Stafford Loan 3,500 Stafford Loan 3,500 2,500Outside Scholarship 1,000 Outside Scholarship 1,000

Institution Grant 5,714 Institution Grant 30,492IG - Outside Scholarship 4,714 IG - Outside Scholarship 34,992State Grant 850 State Grant Not applicableWork Study 1,000 Work Study 1,000Total Award 20,564 Total Award 47,992

University A – State College (Meets 70% of need) University B – Private College (Meets 100%of needTotal Cost 21,163 Total Cost 47,992Total Award 20,564 Total Award 48,992Gap (if any) - 599 Gap (if any) +1,000

Some questions we might ask from looking at this work sheet…

Why are fees so much more at University A?Why is Board so much more at University B?Why are both the EFC and ESC at University B more?How do both schools treat outside grant money?How or where will I work to earn the work study funds?What other cost might I expect?




Which package is really better?

Documents

The College Process Puzzle Handouts - TFA Workshop