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TABLE OF CONTENTSA Message from the Counselors ……………………………………………………………………………………….2Junior Year College Planning Timeline ………………………………………………………………………………3Junior Year Planning Worksheet ……………………………………………………………………………………….6Senior Year Planning Timeline …………………………………………………………………………………………..8What Does It Take? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10Understanding the Use of Standardized Tests ………………………………………………………………….12The College Search …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..14Resources for the College Search Process ………………………………………………………………………..16The Different Types of Admission Plans and Deadlines …………………………………………………….20Step-by-Step Instructions for College Applications …………………………………………………………..23Developing a Greater Understanding of Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grants ……………..26NCAA Requirements for College-Bound Student Athletes ………………………………………………..29Other Options for After High School ………………………………………………………………………………..29Glossary …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..30Sample Resume …………………….…………………………………………………………………………………………32User Name & Password Keeper ……………………………………………………………………………………….33 A MESSAGE FROM THE COUNSELORSAs students come closer to the end of high school, they consider the various options open to them following graduation. The planning and steps taken while in high school will influence future options. The decisions surrounding these issues can seem overwhelming and confusing for students and parents alike. Much of the perceived pressure around college planning comes from not being certain of future career goals and from believing that, once a path is chosen, there is no turning back. It is very important to realize that changes in career goals are common, and that most people have changed career direction at least two or three times in their adult life.This guide is designed to help lead you through the process of selecting and applying to colleges and for financial aid, as well as next steps for those interested in the military or employment. Refer to this guidebook often during your junior and senior years to help keep you on target and to meet the necessary deadlines.Remember that your counselor is a valuable resource in providing information and helping to narrow choices. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your counselor as you begin college planning, and keep her/him advised throughout the process.Mrs. Katherine Ballard, CounselorMrs. Nicole Berardo-Nitsch, CounselorMr. David Carletta, CounselorMrs. Sara Giacalone, CounselorMrs. Millicent Lake, CounselorMrs. Sheryl Hugh, College and Career CoordinatorJUNIOR YEAR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINEYour 11th grade year in high school is an extremely important time in the college and career planning process. You will be taking college entrance exams, narrowing down your college choices, and learning more about financial aid. In addition, you will need to stay involved in your high school courses and activities. Please use this timeline as a way to stay organized and updated as you begin your journey to college and life after high school.FALL (August-November)Make sure you know your Naviance log in informationContinue to take challenging courses and maintain satisfactory gradesStart to think if you would like to attend a traditional 4-year college or university, a 2-year community or technical school, enter into the military or workforce.If you are interested in attending a military academy, get in touch with a military recruiterTake the PSAT (offered in October)Make a list of potential colleges that you are interested in. This list should include schools that meet your most important interests, criteria, and priorities. Consider the size of the school, location, cost, academic majors offered, and any special programs. The best way to gather information about colleges is to go to their website or speak with a college representative.Attend college fairs and do college campus visits. There are some mini-college fairs held each fall here at Athena. Colleges have open houses on weekends in the fall and again in the spring.Meet with college representatives in the College and Career Center. Check Naviance for a schedule of visits. Visits are also announced during morning and afternoon announcements.Attend the district financial aid night to learn about the financial aid process.Register for the NCAA if you plan to play sports at the college level.WINTER (December-February)Analyze PSAT scores (released in December)Meet with your counselor to schedule classes for senior year, and discuss post-high school plete the Junior Scholarship Application (found in Google Classroom)Continue to stay involved in extra-curricular activities and be sure to properly balance them with your course load. Taking on leadership roles and making a commitment to the same groups are more important than trying numerous activities each year. Colleges look for consistency and anize your college information. Set up a system to keep track of college correspondence, visit information, admissions representative names and phone numbers.Continue to research colleges. Begin narrowing down your choices. Check details such as entrance requirements, tuition cost, room and board costs, course offerings, student activities, financial aid, etc. Begin comparing the schools by the factors that are most important to you. Make sure to discuss with your family about the colleges you are interested and options for financing college.Prepare for SAT/ACT. Check to see what your colleges require for standardized testing. It is recommended that you take the tests in the Spring of your Junior year and Fall of your Senior year.SPRING (March-June)Attend the National College Fair at the Riverside Convention Center—announcements will be made for exact dates.Schedule campus visits and request an interview for Spring/Summer.Begin a scholarship search. Use online searches (, , , ) and Naviance to become aware of opportunities.Have a transcript release form signed by a parent and returned to the College and Career Center. This allows Athena to send your records to your colleges once you submit your applications.Contact teachers for letters of recommendation. Make sure to give teachers enough time to compose a quality letter before your deadline. Make sure you fill out the Brag Sheet in Naviance; print out a copy for each teacher you are asking. You will also need a Release form for each teacher you are asking for a letter. This allows them to write confidential information about you in their letter. Make sure you add them to Naviance so they can upload their letters to your account.Apply for a summer job, internship, or pre-college program. Pre-college programs offer students the chance to take courses that interest them while building a great portfolio.If you plan to apply early decision to any school, connect with your Counselor before you leave for summer! Junior College Planning WorksheetName: ____________________________________________________________________________________Phone#:___________________________ Email:___________________________________________________Current GPA: ______Total credits: ______ Credits needed: ________47131672533400On track for which diploma? (Please check)___ Regents___RAD___RADH Have you signed up to take the SAT and/or ACT? If yes, please check: SAT_____ Already taken? Date:________ACT_____ Already taken? Date: ________College plan: ___ 2-year ___2+2 ___ 4 year ___ ROTC (Military) ___ NCAA ___Vocational/Trade/Technical/Specialty schoolHave you visited any colleges? _______ If yes, please list which ones:1. ________________________________ 2. ________________________________3. ________________________________ 4. ________________________________Which colleges do you plan to apply to? (Top 3)________________________ 2. ________________________3. ________________________What majors in college do you wish to study? _____________________________ 2._______________________________ Who do you plan to ask for letters of recommendation? (Please give at least 2 weeks’ notice!)________________________ 2. ________________________3. ________________________433183928993200To Do List: What do you still need to do to prepare for college? 1._______________________________________________________________________2. _______________________________________________________________________3. _______________________________________________________________________4. _______________________________________________________________________What have you done in High School so far? (Check if you plan to participate in college as well)Name of club/activity:Years involved (please check)_____________________9____ 10_____ 11__________________________9____ 10_____ 11__________________________9____ 10_____ 11_____SportsYears involved (please check)_________________________9____ 10_____ 11______________________________9____ 10_____ 11______________________________9____ 10_____ 11_____*If you plan to play D1 in college, you NEED to register for the NCAA Clearinghouse. Work/VolunteerYears involved (please check)______________________________9____ 10_____ 11____________________________________9____ 10_____ 11_____*Start searching on college websites: (black scholars)168881623503800 SENIOR YEAR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINEFor high school seniors, you should continue setting goals and plans for after graduation. Working with your counselor, you can start the planning process early, making sure the road to a college, or university a bit easier and less stressful. Here are the basic deadlines and goals to follow.SEPTEMBER/OCTOBERMake sure you know how to log into your Naviance account and know how to use it.Attend college fairs: there are two (2) mini college fairs offered here at Athena as well as a College Night at Greece Ridge Mall.Meet with college admissions representatives in the College and Career Center. Visits are listed in Naviance; listen to morning and afternoon announcements for any upcoming visits as well as checking your email for notices from Mrs. Hugh.Meet with your counselor for your Senior Fall Conference. You will discuss future plans and go over your graduation requirements.Division I and II athletes need to complete the NCAA Eligibility registration.Begin to apply to colleges. Make sure you are paying attention to application deadlines. You will need to hand in your Gold Tracking Sheet 10 school days before your deadline to make sure all documents are submitted on time. If this is not done, there are no guarantees that things will be submitted on time. Make sure you know the type of application you are going to submit: Early Decision (binding), Early Action (non-binding), or Regular/Rolling Admission. Also, Common Application, SUNY Application, Coalition Application, or College Online.If you are applying for Early Decision, ask your English teacher for help in completing your essay on time.Attend the annual Financial Aid Night that the district offers to learn about the financial aid process. This is held in the fall-watch for announcements. The FAFSA opens October 1 each year. You and your parents both need to fill out the FAFSA online (fafsa.). You will be using prior, prior year’s tax information. If you plan on attending college in New York state, also fill out the TAP application. This information is gathered and sent to the colleges you are applying to. The colleges will then decide on the financial aid package to offer you.If you plan on taking the SAT/ACT in the Fall, make sure you take it as soon as possible so scores can get sent in a timely manner to your colleges.Make sure your Brag Sheet is done in Naviance; ask teachers for letters of recommendation if you haven’t already done so. If you need a Counselor Recommendation, you will also need to ask your counselor for a letter. NOVEMBERIt is recommended that you complete your college applications by Thanksgiving. Especially if you have an application deadline of December 31-January 15. Remember, the counseling staff needs 10 school days to process your application documents. Start looking for scholarships and applying.If you haven’t already done so, fill out the FAFSA and TAP application.DECEMBER-MARCHIf any of the colleges you applied to require mid-year grades, let Mrs. Hugh know. This is not done automatically.Continue working on college and scholarship applications.Check with your colleges to make sure they have received all necessary documents.Send thank you notes to teachers, counselors, and anyone else who have written a letter of recommendation for you.Attend Accepted Student Open Houses or Preview Days for schools you were accepted to and are still considering.APRILNarrow down your decision on which college you want to attend.Review financial aid award letters from each school.Notify all colleges that you were accepted to whether or not you plan to attend.Attend any open houses or preview days.Send your deposit to the college you will be attending. Note deadlines-most are May 1.Finalize housing requirements.MAYMake sure you complete the Senior Survey.Continue to look for scholarships.WHAT DOES IT TAKE?A LOOK AT WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR INPROSPECTIVE STUDENTSMost colleges are very clear when expressing their admission requirements. The following are generally considered in the admission decision:Cumulative GPA and rigor of high school coursesTest scores from the SAT and/or ACT and scores on Regents examsLetters of recommendation from counselor and teachersParticipation in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, music, community service)Application essay or personal statementGrades & Courses in High SchoolYour high school transcript will be one of the most important factors in whether or not you will be offered admission to a college or university. Strong grades in all of your courses throughout high school show that you are willing to work hard and have an interest in a variety of subjects.Colleges also consider the diversity and difficulty of the courses you have taken. Success in more rigorous courses (AP) suggests you will do well in college and strengthens your transcript. Most colleges prefer that students take four years of Math and Science and at least three years of LOTE.A poor grade or two in a high school class or on a Regents exam does not necessarily mean you will not be admitted to college. However, it may be something you are asked to explain in an interview or on your application.Many colleges request to see your grades during senior year, so it is important to continue to challenge yourself, work hard, and earn strong grades even while you’re a senior.Demonstrated InterestColleges look to accept students who want to attend their school. Many schools look for what is called “demonstrated interest.” This is when you show that you are interested in the college by attending open houses and informational sessions, calling or emailing, applying early or interacting with the college representatives when they are here at Athena meeting with students. Some admission representatives keep track of when they hear from a student; they also remember names and faces!Letters of RecommendationColleges differ when it comes to letters of recommendation. Most require a recommendation from your high school counselor and/or a teacher. Some also ask for references from an adult you know well, such as a member of the clergy, or an employer. It is important that these people know you well enough to provide valuable insights about you. We suggest that you have one or two teacher recommendations, in addition to your counselor. When thinking about which teacher(s) to ask, consider your major and career interests. For example, if you are going into a health related program, it would be a good idea to ask a science teacher. You don’t necessarily need to ask a teacher whose class you excelled in. Ask a teacher whose class you struggled in. That teacher can speak of the measures you took to succeed. When you ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation (in person), give them a copy of your Brag Sheet from Naviance along with the Request for Letter of Recommendation form. Once you ask the teacher, you will need to add them to your Naviance account.Extracurricular ActivitiesMost colleges look for a variety of students with diverse interests. Colleges notice students involved in theater, musical groups, clubs, student publications, athletics, or student government. Colleges also look for students who belong to academic groups, such as honor societies, language clubs, and science clubs. Leadership in said activities is highly regarded.College EssayMany colleges require an essay as part of the application. This can be intimidating. However, try to view it as your chance to express yourself. Admissions representatives are looking to find out more about you as an individual. The essay is a way to show a side of you that is not included in the transcript or test scores.UNDERSTANDING THE USE OF STANDARDIZED TESTSStandardized Tests (SAT/ACT)Standardized tests provide colleges with information to assist them in comparing students from different states, schools, and academic backgrounds. The tests are designed to measure a student’s ability to do college level work. College websites and admission materials often list the average test scores of students. Keep in mind that this is just an average, not a minimum. Some students may do better on one on the ACT or SAT, so it is a good idea to take both. Practice materials can be found in the College and Career Center. They can also be found on or academy. Testing accommodations must be approved prior to taking the test. Eligibility forms must be completed well before registration deadlines. See your counselor or program manager about the accommodations application.If test fees are a hardship for your family, see Mrs. Hugh in the College and Career Center for a fee waiver. The SATCreated by the College Board, the SAT is test most commonly discussed in New York when it comes to college entrance exams. The SAT is offered nationally several times a year. It measures skills in the areas of Math, Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and an optional essay. It is recommended that you check with the colleges you are applying to, to see if they require the essay. The Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing sections are scored on a 200-800 point scale. A perfect score is 1600.Students are encouraged to sit for the SAT at least once before the end of their junior year. Score reports are usually released 4-6 weeks after the test date. SAT Subject TestsSome colleges require applicants to take Subject Tests. While some colleges will specify which tests to take, others will let you choose from the twenty subjects offered (English, History, Languages, Math, and Science). Each Subject Test is one hour in length and is composed of multiple choice questions. You may take up to three subject tests on the same day. Not all Subject Tests are offered on every SAT test date. When registering, check for Subject Test availability. Taking the Subject Tests at the end of the Junior year is best. Be sure to check with the colleges to determine what is required.THE COLLEGE SEARCHASPECTS OF THE COLLEGE SEARCH TO CONSIDERSelecting a college is an important decision; one that requires a lot of time, effort, and investigation. The best way to approach the choice is to start your search as early as possible. Remember that there are probably many colleges where you can be happy and successful, so don’t limit your choices prematurely.What are you good at? What do you like?As you consider colleges, keep in mind the academic subjects and extracurricular activities that you do well in and enjoy. Your interest in them will most likely continue in college; remember that you will be able to try new subjects and activities as well.Kinds of CollegesFour-Year Colleges-programs lead to a Bachelor’s Degree in a specified subjectLiberal Arts College-emphasizes a program of broad undergraduate majors such as history, science, philosophy, English, humanities, preparing students for further study.University-composed of a number of “schools” such as arts and sciences, medicine, law, engineering, etc. In addition to Bachelor’s degrees, there are usually Master’s and Doctorate programs available.Engineering or Technical College-offer four-year education and training in the fields of engineering, technology, or physical sciences.Two-Year Colleges-offer programs leading to an Associate Degree. Students who benefit from two-year programs are those who wish to complete only a two-year program, those who wish to stay near home, save money and prepare for further education, those who are undecided about what major to choose, and those who need to improve their academic record before applying to a competitive four-year program. There are also vocational training programs available which train students for a particular career. There are also certificate programs leading to an apprenticeship.If you plan to transfer to a four-year program, be sure to check with your advisor and/or the four-year college to make sure you take the correct courses that will transfer credit. Technical, Vocational, and Trade Schools-career occupational programs intended to prepare students for immediate employment in a specific career area, generally a two-year program or less.What does a student consider in evaluating a college?Many factors may influence your choice of a college. Some of the most important ones are:Academic programs/majorsSizePublic vs PrivateLocationCostHousingCompetitivenessCampus FacilitiesExtracurricular ActivitiesAthletic ProgramsFinancial AidFacultyHow many colleges should I apply to?There is no magic answer to this question. Your goal is to find a good match between you and the college. Remember, applying can be an expensive process, so you should do some thorough research before you complete an application. Be sure to include a “reach,” “target,” and “safety” school.Target, Safety, and Reach SchoolsWe recommend that you apply to 3-6 colleges, and that your short-list includes target, safety, and reach institutions. Target Schools:At these colleges and universities:You meet most of the admissions criteria.You have a good chance of being admitted to these colleges, but there is also the possibility of denial.Safety Schools:When looking at the college and the entrance criteria you consider that:You should be admitted without any difficulty based upon your grades, test scores, etc. You believe you will get a good education and will also be happy. Reach Schools:These are colleges and universities where:Most of the applicants have better grades and test scores than you have.You only have a slight chance of being accepted, however, you may have some intangible quality that the college is looking for in its students.RESOURCES FOR THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESSStudents should take the opportunity to use and familiarize themselves with Naviance, college handbooks, college fair formats, and college admission representative visits to the College and Career Center.NAVIANCE:All students have a Naviance account. For help logging into Naviance, see Mrs. Hugh in the College and Career Center.COLLEGE FAIRS:We offer two (2) mini college fairs here at Athena in the fall-The Rochester Area College Fair and the SUNY schools College Fair. A SUNY school college fair is offered at MCC every fall-check the SUNY website for the exact date. College Fair at the Mall occurs every fall at Greece Ridge Mall and Marketplace Mall-check the malls websites for datesNACAC National College Fair-occurs every March at the Riverside Convention Center. This is offered as a field trip for juniors.There are numerous college fairs offered every year-watch for posters by the College and Career Center, radio announcements, etc.COLLEGE OPEN HOUSES:The admissions staff of the college host open houses. During the open house, you will meet with the admissions representatives about the admissions process, meet current students and faculty, learn about campus life, programs and majors offered by the college, and will be able to tour the school.COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVE VISITS TO ATHENA HIGH SCHOOL:Throughout the course of the school year, admissions representatives from colleges visit Athena in the College and Career Center. Listen to the announcements for upcoming college visits; visits are also posted outside the College and Career Center and emails sent weekly about upcoming visits.COLLEGE WEBSITES:Colleges’ websites are great areas to research schools. Students should explore the websites-both Admissions and General-to learn more about the school and get a feel for the campus.CAMPUS TOURS AND VISITS:Visiting prospective colleges is essential in selecting the college that will be right for you. The visit is valuable in providing a first-hand impression about the people, programs, and facilities and a preview of what life and classes would be like on a particular campus. College admissions representatives will notice if you register for a visit. They want to see that you are interested in their college and have made an effort to get on campus. This may be an important factor at more competitive colleges. Most campus visit will include an informational session with an admissions representative and a campus tour-the tour is usually lead by a current student. At many colleges, you can also arrange to:Attend a classMeet with a professorMeet with an admissions officerMeet with a financial aid officerAttend a club meeting or sports practice sessionEat in the dining hallSome colleges will offer a fee waiver to student who visit campus-make sure to ask!Many colleges offer an overnight visit that allows you to participate in activities and to see what goes on both inside and outside the classroom. Perhaps the most important part of the overnight visit is that it permits informal discussions with the undergraduates and provides insight into both the academic and social flavor of the campus. The Admissions Office will that can help you plan your visit.Preparing for the college visit:Obtain a copy of your high school transcript as well as any of your SAT/ACT test scores Prepare a list of facts about yourself that you would like the college to know about you (your interests, hobbies, jobs held, awards received, future plans, etc.) so that you will have them in mind as you talk to the admissions counselor.Prepare a list of questions you may haveDuring your visit:Take a tour to see the facilities, including the library, classrooms, and dormitories. Make a note of your preferred dormitory accommodations.Visit the Financial Aid Office.Talk to as many students on campus as you can.Visit a class; talk with a faculty member if possible, particularly from your area of interest.Have a meal on campus.Visit the coffee shop or snack bar in the student union as a place to meet students.Possible Questions to Ask on the Campus VisitWhat is the college looking for in its applicants for admission?What is the strength, size, and reputation of your intended major at this college?Is your major a selective one which restricts the number of students admitted or places conditions on acceptance into the program once you're accepted into the college?What kinds of courses are required by the college in general and by your specific major?What is the student to faculty ratio at the college? …in your intended major?What kind of financial aid may be available for you at this college?What types of living accommodations are available for students on and off campus?What sort of clubs, student government, and committee opportunities exist for students? Are there intercollegiate and/or intramural athletic programs? …in which sports?What types of student services are available on campus (counseling, placement office, health services, career center, etc.)Other matters of particular interest to you, such as whether or not cars are allowed.When you talk to students, ask:How many hours a week do you study? Is this typical of students here?Are campus jobs readily available?Are faculty members interested in students and accessible outside of class?Do students go home on weekends?How is the food?What do you enjoy most and least about this college?What activities are available for students?How easy is it to get the classes you want at registration?As you tour the campus, ask yourself:Are the older buildings in good repair?Are there new buildings as well as older ones?Is lab equipment up-to-date and plentiful?Are the rooms in residence halls pleasant? Quiet enough to study?Are common areas in the residence halls attractive? Are there laundry and kitchen facilities?What is the cafeteria like?What is the surrounding town or city like? Would I feel comfortable here?After your visit:Write down your impressions and any pertinent notes of the college when you leave the campus. Is this an environment where you would feel you could be successful?Did the campus itself impress you in any way?What do you feel about the academic demands and atmosphere?Would you like to spend more time there?Follow up with a thank you note to the counselor you met with, student tour guide and anyone else you interacted with on campus.THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADMISSION PLANS AND DEADLINES Regular Deadline AdmissionsThe student must submit an application before the college's deadline. The college normally waits until all applications are in before selecting students for admission from the entire pool of applicants.All applicants are notified of the college's decision within the same general time period.A student may be accepted unconditionally, accepted with conditions, rejected, or put on a waiting list until further notice. Rolling AdmissionsA college will review applications as the folders (the application form and all supporting data) are completed and will return decisions within a few weeks after completion.With Rolling Admission, the earlier the student applies, the better the chance of admission for well-qualified candidates. Early DecisionApplying under the Early Decision plan to a college means that this college is the student's first choice and the student is signing a contract to enter the college if offered admission.This is a binding decision. It may cost your family a lot of money to change your mind. There are special rules for Early Decision that vary from college to college. Check with the college’s website, the college catalog and/or the Admissions Office for clarification of these rules.If not accepted under Early Decision, a student might be reconsidered for regular admission later in the senior year. This varies among colleges. Please check this out with the Admissions Office.It is expected that if accepted, you will withdraw all other applications.Students who apply for Early Decision will be asked to submit an institutional financial aid form and/or the CSS Profile (go to for information) Early ActionEarly action applications have earlier deadlines than regular applications.This admissions option allows students to learn of the decision on their application earlier than Regular DecisionEarly action is distinguished from early decision in that it is not binding like Early Decision.MAKE SURE YOU PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO ALL DEADLINES!!THE APPLICATION PROCESSThe first step in the application process is to decide which type of application the college uses. These are the different types of applications:The Common Application:The Common Application, which is accepted by more than 750 schools, including some located outside the U.S., helps to streamline one part of the admissions process for students. Through the platform, students can?apply to multiple colleges?at one time. So students only have to fill out details that most schools require, like name, address, parental employment and education, and extracurricular activities, once. The Common App opens on Aug. 1 every year.To start, applicants can go to??and click on the "Get Started" button to get details about how to create an account and log in to work on an application through the platform. Students can download the Common App's mobile app to keep track of deadlines, invite recommenders and set reminders. The summer before senior year is a great time for students to?start on their applications; students don't have to submit their applications during the summer. But starting in August gives them the opportunity to review the requirements for schools they're considering, draft essays and get some of the tedious background information completed before they get bogged down with homework and activities. Starting early also allows students to get the help they need at the beginning of the school year.Many schools require letters of recommendation. We recommend that you ask your teachers for letters before the end of the school year. This allows the teachers to work on the letters during the summer. Senior who need letters should ask for letters early in the school year.You will be required to submit an essay with the Common App. There is a 650 word limit. Applicants can see the essay prompts on the Common App's?blog. The organization reviews the prompts every other year. It doesn't matter which prompt is chosen, as long as it's one that allows an applicant to provide insight into his or her identity in ways that aren't reflected in other parts of the application. Look beyond academics to think about what makes you special.Applicants who qualify for fee waivers will be able to make that known through the application.Once you fill out the main section of the application, you will need to add your colleges and answer any questions that those schools require. You will also need to fill out the FERPA waiver in order to submit your application and match your Common App with your Naviance account. DO NOT ASSIGN RECOMMENDERS THROUGH THE COMMON APP; THIS IS DONE IN NAVIANCE ONLY.SUNY Application:The SUNY application works in the same way as the Common App. It is one application for all SUNY campuses (do not use for Community Colleges-more details to follow).You should determine your?campus and curriculum selections?before starting your application. If you wish to view the questions and prepare your answers before beginning your online application, print the?Online Application Worksheet.?The first time you use?applySUNY, you will be required to create an account. You must supply a valid email address and password so that you can return to work on your application over several sessions. You will be presented with several pages of questions to complete. Complete the questions on each page.When you have completed your application and are ready to submit it, you can pay your application fees via a credit card, debit card, or you can mail a check or money order to the Application Services Center. There is a non-refundable application fee of $50 per campus selection. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you will need print out the Fee Waiver Request Form and fill it out. Give to Mrs. Hugh in the College and Career Center to process.You will receive confirmation of submission of your application by email. You can check back at?applySUNY in 48 hours to view your application status online.In addition to your online application, some campuses may require or recommend a?supplemental application, which may include an essay question. You will be directed to return to applySUNY to complete those supplemental applications.College Online:Most colleges offer their own application online. All of NY Community Colleges have their applications online; most are free to submit. Some colleges only use their online application. Make sure to check the college websites to see which application your colleges use.The Coalition Application:The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success?is a relatively new application option for college candidates. Launched in 2016, the Coalition App is a free platform, similar to the Common App, that schools can join to offer their applications on.The Coalition App covers many?top college and universities, but not as many schools as the Common App covers. Only 132 schools are Coalition members. All eight of the Ivy League colleges – Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, The University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and Yale University – are included in this application. Other prominent universities, including Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and Johns Hopkins University, are also included in the Coalition Application, and more schools join the Coalition each year.The main difference between the Common Application and the Coaltion Application is that, as its name suggests, the latter attempts to give lower-resourced and underrepresented students a little more help. The Coaliton will only accept colleges who prove that they provide substantial support (through financial aid, scholarships, or other means) to low-income or otherwise underrepresented students. Like the Common App, though, the Coalition App is free for students to use, but they must pay additional application fees for each school they apply to, per the schools’ application regulations Step-by-Step Instructions for College Applications*Make sure you have a signed records release form in the College/Career Center. Nothing can be sent to colleges from Athena without this form!! These instructions will be helpful for all college applications (not just Common Apps).***REMEMBER PLEASE: We need 10 SCHOOL DAYS to process the documentation for your applications. That means we need the gold tracking sheet 10 SCHOOL DAYS before your deadline.NAVIANCE1). From Home Page, hover over the “Our School” tab, click on the Library link. You will see a link for Naviance High School on that page. Or hover over the “Students” tab on the Athena Home page and click on College and Career Center link. You will find the Naviance link on the left hand side of the page.2). Log into your NAVIANCE account: a) Username__________________ b) Password___________________(If you have forgotten your username or password, see Mrs. Hugh in the College and Career Center).3). From the “About Me” tab, complete:Brag Sheet/Resume Building – this should be printed and given to the person(s) writing a recommendation letter for you.4). How to request that your records be sent to colleges:In NAVIANCE, click on “Colleges” tabClick on “Colleges I’m Applying To”Add your colleges by clicking on the large red circle with the “+” on the right hand side of the page. There is a box the says “Which college are you applying to?” You can type in the college name. Select the type of application (Regular Decision, Early Decision, etc). Under the “I’ll submit my application” box, indicate which application you are using to apply (ie. Common App, SUNY App or College Online). Click the box that says I have submitted my application. Click on the “Add and Request Transcript” button. The next step is indicate which type of transcript you are requesting and if you want the unofficial SAT/ACT scores sent. Make sure you check with your colleges to determine if they want “official” scores sent. This means you must go to or to have your scores sent directly from them to your college. If it doesn’t say they have to be official, they will accept them from your high school. Also, check to see if your colleges require a mid-year transcript. You can find all of this information on the college website on their Admissions page.5). Request Recommendation Letters:Ask your recommenders to write you a letter in person first. You must give them ten days prior to the due date. Provide them with your Brag Sheet and a Release Form (available in the College/Career Center). Make sure you tell them your deadline! Click on the Colleges tab at the top of the page; scroll down to the Apply to Colleges section and click on the Letters of Recommendation. You will be able to add your requests in this section. Please make sure to indicate if you want the teacher to write a letter for a specific college or if you would like to letter for all MON APPLICATION PROCESS1). Go to and create an account.2). Fill out the application. Be sure to complete all sections of the application. When each section is complete, you will see a green checkmark next to that section. If there is no green checkmark, go back into that section and look over all required elements (these are marked with a red*). You must complete the Education section in order to match your Common Application to NAVIANCE.In order to match your Common Application account to your NAVIANCE account (very important for all recommendations and transcripts to be sent to your colleges), complete the following:*Under “My Colleges” add the colleges you are applying to. *Go to “Assign Recommenders” and complete the FERPA waiver. (We recommend clicking “Yes, I waive my rights….” as this shows your recommendation letters are confidential). This step is very important to match the accounts. Once you have done this for one college, the waiver will be signed for all colleges (no need to repeat with each college). *Go back to your NAVIANCE account and MATCH your account.This step is not needed for applications that are not Common App.Students need to complete the Gold Tracking Sheet after they have submitted their applications. If you hand in a Gold Tracking Sheet to Mrs. Hugh and then decide to apply to more colleges, please submit another Gold sheet.REMEMBER: GOLD SHEETS FOR APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE A JANUARY 1ST – JANUARY 15TH DEADLINE ARE DUE NOVEMBER 20! FOR ALL OTHER DEADLINES, GOLD TRACKING SHEETS ARE DUE AT LEAST 10 SCHOOL DAYS BEFORE THE DEADLINE!DEVELOPING A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND GRANTSStudents and their parents should be aware that there are a variety of sources available for financial aid and should, therefore, not exclude certain colleges prematurely. In general, the very best place to get questions answered concerning financial aid is at the college itself. It is advisable to apply for financial aid even if you are not sure you will qualify.Types of Financial AidScholarshipsGifts (non-repayable)Usually competitive on the basis of such things as need, scholastic achievement, creative talents, extracurricular activities, community service, or qualities such as leadership or patriotism. Students with GPA and SAT/ACT scores in the top 20% are more likely to be awarded scholarship money; however, not every scholarship relies on this information.Need based scholarships are usually determined from the information provided on the FAFSA.Many scholarships awarded by colleges and universities are “automatic” based on GPA and SAT/ACT scores-these are called Merit Scholarships.Emails are sent to notify seniors of any new scholarship opportunities that come to the College and Career Center.Websites for scholarships: (local scholarships); , ; . Do a Google search to find more.GrantsNeed-based, non-repayable gifts.Awarded by the Federal Government (such as the Pell Grant), the New York State Government (such as the TAP or Tuition Assistance Program), or by private institutions.Usually sent directly to the college. Student Loans Obtainable by student or parents through the college (determined from FAFSA information), or directly from a lending institution.Subsidized Loans: the federal government will pay the interest on this student loan while enrolled in school. Repayment usually begins within 6 months of graduation or leaving school. Usually has the lowest interest rate.Unsubsidized Loans: The student is responsible for all accrued interest. Usually repayment does not begin until 6 months after graduation or leaving school.PLUS Loans: Allows parents to borrow in their names for their student’s education. Repayment begins immediately upon receipt of the loans. Employment OpportunitiesCollege Work-Study Programs – a student is employed part-time on campus with the earnings to be used for educational expenses. Students have to indicate they want to be considered for Work-Study on the FAFSA.Other on-campus and off-campus jobs MilitaryAcademies provide full tuition for military service career trainingROTC Scholarship NCAA Athletic ScholarshipsFinancial aid award letters from colleges are usually a combination of grant, loans, scholarships, and/or work-study. Financial aid is to be used in addition to what the family and student are able to provide. Rarely does financial aid cover the entire cost of undergraduate education.FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS:FAFSA. All students applying for financial aid are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to file online at fafsa.. The FAFSA application is available October 1 of each year. You and your parents will be using prior, prior year taxes to fill out the form. It is recommended that you fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible. Colleges have more money to give earlier! CSS PROFILE. This is a supplemental financial aid form required by a few selective colleges and universities. This available at cssprofile.. TAP. The New York State Tuition Assistance Program helps eligible New York residents pay tuition at approved schools in NY. TAP is a grant and does not need to be paid back. The TAP form should be completed after finishing the FAFSA.THE EXCELSIOR SCHOLARSHIP. The Excelsior Scholarship pays for tuition only. In order to apply, students must:Be residents of New York State Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year degree program Take 30 credits per year and make progress towards graduationMaintain good academic standing Be on track to graduate on time with an Associate’s Degree in two years or a Bachelor’s Degree in four yearsStudents must agree to stay in NY State after graduation for the same amount of years they received the scholarship. If they don’t stay in NY, the scholarship reverts to a 0% interest loan.Family must make less than $125,000/year.Applications are available in the Spring. For more information, go to hesc..The STEM Incentive Scholarship. The NYS STEM Incentive Program provides tuition awards to students who are New York State residents attending a public or private degree-granting college or university located in New York State. Recipients must be in the top 10 percent of students of their high school graduating class, pursue an approved,?two or four-year STEM?degree program and agree to live in NYS and work in a STEM field in NYS for five years after graduation. The application is available at hesc..How Does It Work?All colleges and universities require that students and their parents complete the FAFSA in order to determine need. The form is filled out once each year. Students must designate which colleges they wish to receive the resulting information.When the FAFSA is processed, an estimate of the family’s ability to pay for college expenses (EFC-expected family contribution) is calculated.Results of the analysis are sent to the student and to each college designated by thestudent. The colleges use the information to determine the size and composition of the student’s financial aid package.NCAA REQUIREMENTS FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENT ATHLETESThe National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) establishes the rules for students wishing to play sports in college in one of the three divisions. Division I and II institutions may offer scholarships. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, although they do have sports programs. All eligibility rules can be found on the NCAA website: wishing to play sports in college need to register through the NCAA Eligibility Center (web3.ecwr3/). When you register, you will need to pay a fee. If you qualified for a fee waiver for the SAT/ACT tests, you will qualify for a fee waiver for the NCAA. The Eligibility Center evaluates a student’s academic record to determine eligibility to participate at a Division I or II college as a freshman. Eligibility is based on core courses completed, GPA, and test scores. OTHER OPTIONS FOR AFTER HIGH SCHOOLMILITARY SERVICEIf you are thinking of the military as an option for after high school, you will need to:Arrange to speak with the recruiter for the branch of service you are interested in. It’s a good idea to have your parents present when you meet with a recruiter. Recruiters from each branch have a table set up during lunch throughout the year. Check in the College and Career Center for visit dates.Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocation Aptitude Battery) which is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command. This test is used to determine qualification for enlistment in the Armed Forces. Your recruiter can help you register for the exam and offer assistance in how to prepare for it.WORKIf it is your intention to join the work force upon graduation, there are number of things you need to do to prepare:Prepare a resumePractice interviewing skillsVisit the Occupational Outlook Handbook online at ooh/. This is a career resource offering information on hundreds of occupations. Each occupational profile describes the duties required by the occupation, the work environment, the typical education and training needed to enter the occupation, the median pay, and the job outlook into the next 10 years for that occupation.GLOSSARYAssociates Degree – awarded upon completion of a two-year college program, typically 62-66 credit hours.Bachelor’s Degree - awarded upon completion of a four- year college program, typically ranging from 120-150 credit hours.Brag Sheet – a summary completed by the student that lists accomplishments and participation in school organizations, sports, community service, employment history, and hobbies to give to teachers and counselors. They use the Brag Sheet to help them write their letters of recommendation.Certificate - shows that a vocational or career program has been satisfactorily completed--usually awarded at the end of a one-year program.College Mini-Fairs - events held at Athena in the fall when groups of college representatives visit to answer questions & provide information for students.College Fairs –events held at area malls or convention centers featuring a large number of colleges and universities, both local and from out of state. Students and parents are encouraged to attend to meet admissions representatives and learn more about college mon Application – a free on-line application used by more than 400 colleges. Students can complete this one application to be sent to multiple colleges or universities (). Matriculation – Admission to a college as a degree candidate usually formalized by payment of tuitionNaviance – This on-line system provides assessment, assessment, college, and career tools and information for students, schools, and parents. It is designed to assist students develop a portfolio during their high school years and expedite college and scholarship searches and applications.NCAA (National College Athletic Association) – organization that regulates athletic eligibility and athletic awards. At the end of the Junior year, student athletes should register with the NCAA Clearinghouse ().Transcript Release Form - permission form authorizing Athena to release a transcript, test scores, health records, etc. to colleges, armed forces or employers. If the student is under 18 years of age, the form must be signed by a parent. Copies are available in the College/Career Center.Financial Aid Terms:FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid – the federal form required by colleges to process a request for financial aid (usually filed on-line- ( fafsa.) TAP -(Tuition Assistance Program) – grant assistance from New York State for students who graduate from a NY high school and attend college in NY, based on financial need; TAP application should be completed after student has chosen to attend a NY collegePELL - a federal grant based on income. Students are automatically considered for the grant, based on information provided on the FAFSA.PIN – Personal Identification Number used when filing the FAFSA. This number serves as an electronic signature. There is a separate number for parent and student. Apply for the PIN through the US Department of Education (pin.) before completing the FAFSA. CSS PROFILE- College Scholarship Service - the name of the financial information service administered by the College Board used mainly by private colleges & universities. The (). EFC – Estimated Family Contribution is the amount of money the family is expected to pay toward a student’s college expenses. SAR – Student Aid Report: Report sent to the student and parent from the financial aid processor—to be checked and corrected as neededSample Resume[Your Name][Street Address] | [City, ST ZIP Code] | [phone] | [email]Objective[To replace tip text with your own, just select a line of text and start typing. For best results when selecting text to copy or replace, don’t include space to the right of the characters in your selection.]Education[School Name, City, State][Degree] | [Date of Graduation][Major][You might want to include your GPA here and a brief summary of relevant coursework, awards, and honors]Experience[Dates From] – [To][Job Title] | [Company Name] | [Location][This is the place for a brief summary of your key responsibilities and most stellar accomplishments.][Dates From] – [To][Job Title] | [Company Name] | [Location][This is the place for a brief summary of your key responsibilities and most stellar accomplishments.]Awards & Acknowledgements[Don’t be shy – list the acknowledgments you received for a job well done.]USERNAME & PASSWORD KEEPERFOR YOUR COLLEGE WEBSITESWhen it comes to colleges and financial aid, you'll notice nearly every site has a separate username and password. Use this page as your password keeper to keep it all straight.SiteUsernamePasswordNavianceCommon AppFAFSA ID - StudentFAFSA ID - ParentCollege:College:College:College:College: ................
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