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College Application ToolkitIf you plan to begin college in the fall of 2016, then you will be applying to college somewhere between October 2015 and February 2016, on average. Each college has their own unique application requirements and deadlines for their freshman class. It is critical that you please read the information enclosed in this toolkit the SUMMER before you begin your senior level courses. This will ensure you have the foundational knowledge and adequate time needed to identify which colleges you will be applying to, their requirements and deadlines. Please also complete the following survey to be identified as a college bound senior for this school year: luck!Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u A Message from Keystone’s Guidance Department PAGEREF _Toc423430332 \h 3Getting Started Checklist PAGEREF _Toc423430333 \h 4College Preparation and Testing PAGEREF _Toc423430334 \h 4Keystone’s Graduation Information and College-Bound Recommended Courses PAGEREF _Toc423430335 \h 4Graduation Requirements PAGEREF _Toc423430336 \h 4College Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT/PSAT) PAGEREF _Toc423430337 \h 5Junior/Senior Checklist PAGEREF _Toc423430338 \h 7College Searching PAGEREF _Toc423430339 \h 9Four-Year University vs. Community/Junior College in the United States PAGEREF _Toc423430340 \h 10The College Admissions Process PAGEREF _Toc423430341 \h 10Writing an Essay PAGEREF _Toc423430342 \h 12Admission Types PAGEREF _Toc423430343 \h 13How many college applications should I sent? PAGEREF _Toc423430344 \h 14Letters of Recommendation PAGEREF _Toc423430345 \h 14Keystone Specific Procedures PAGEREF _Toc423430346 \h 14Financial Aid PAGEREF _Toc423430347 \h 16Federal and State Financial Aid PAGEREF _Toc423430348 \h 16Scholarships PAGEREF _Toc423430349 \h 16Student Loans- Smart Borrowing PAGEREF _Toc423430350 \h 17Fee Waivers PAGEREF _Toc423430351 \h 17Following up PAGEREF _Toc423430352 \h 17Graduation Process PAGEREF _Toc423430353 \h 17Videos PAGEREF _Toc423430354 \h 18A Message from Keystone’s Guidance DepartmentDear Students and Parents,Congratulations on nearing the end of your high school career! You are entering a very exciting point of high school, the point in which you will begin your college search, applications, and finally deciding which college you will attend! While it is a very exciting point of high school, the number one comment we hear from parents is that they were not expecting the college application process to be as time consuming as it was. We hope the information enclosed in this toolkit helps to educate your family about the college application process to make it as smooth as possible. In line with Keystone’s independent-study model, it is expected that Keystone students will take the lead on their college applications. This means we expect our students to be aware of their deadlines, to request paperwork from Keystone with at least two-full weeks before the college deadline, to request letters of recommendation directly from the teachers, and also follow up with their prospective colleges to ask questions as needed.Keystone’s guidance department is here to help you along the way! We will continue to send you resources, general reminders, and we will be here to answer any question you have. Please take the following survey so we have your contact information to send you reminders and information: to use the following resources:Keystone’s Guidance Services Resource Center, which is located in your Blackboard Homeroom.Read Keystone’s monthly newsletter, The Key News, to stay informed.Regularly visit .Ensure that you have a working email address on file with Keystone and that you check it frequently- be sure to add guidance@ as a contact.Follow us on twitter! Keystone_GDNCE.Good luck in your college searching and applications!Sincerely,Cristena JennerGuidance CounselorThe Keystone SchoolGetting Started ChecklistBefore we dive into the specifics about the college search and application process, let’s take a step back to ensure you are prepared to apply to colleges and all the necessary ground work has been completed.You will be finishing all of your courses necessary to graduate by June 2016.You are aware of all of the credits you need to complete next year to earn a Keystone diploma (should be 6 or less credits).You have already taken the SAT or the ACT, or plan to take the SAT or ACT early in the fall (before November).You have researched the home schooling requirements, state financial aid requirements, and college admission requirements necessary for applying as a Keystone Student. Please visit the Guidance Services Resource Center, which is located in your Blackboard homeroom for more information. More information can be found on the left hand side section titled, “Home School Registration/State Requirements”.College Preparation and TestingCollege preparation truly begins in ninth grade with course selection. There are specific courses that college-bound students should take to optimize their college acceptances. Students also must take the SAT or the ACT and submit those scores as part of their college applications for most four-year universities. Community colleges usually don’t require SAT or ACT scores as part of the admissions process. Below you will find more information about Keystone’s graduation requirements, a junior/senior checklist to make sure you are on track through the end of high school, and lastly more information about Standardized test. Each section also has a video with the information, so please watch the videos in addition to reading the information!Keystone’s Graduation Information and College-Bound Recommended Courses Graduation RequirementsTo receive a Keystone High School diploma, students need to earn 21 units of credit in grades 9-12. Credits can be transferred in to Keystone as outlined in the Transfer Credit Policy, but students must take at least five credits with Keystone, one credit each in the areas of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and another credit in an area of choice.Once a student meets the graduation requirements, he or she is awarded a high school diploma from Keystone. The required graduation credits must be distributed as follows:Course TypeMinimum Credits forGraduationRecommended forCollege BoundHealth/PE (must include one planned course in Health)11Art and/or Humanities11Mathematics (at least one must be Algebra 1 or higher)34Science33 -4English44Social Studies44Electives54-5Total2121 - 23Though the minimum diploma requirement is twenty one (21) credits, we encourage students to develop a four year learning plan and take courses that will provide them the best foundation for college or career, even if that means earning more than 21 credits. College Bound students are encouraged to take at least two credits of the same world language as part of their electives.You can also watch this video to learn more about Keystone’s Graduation requirements and graduation process! Graduation Requirements: Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT/PSAT)The SAT and ACT are two standardized tests used in the college admissions process. Most universities will accept either one, but check specific university admissions requirements by going directly to their website. If you take the ACT, be sure to take the writing section as well.SAT IIs are one-hour, primarily multiple-choice tests in specific subjects. Students can take up to three tests in one sitting, matching the test choices to fit the college requirements. SAT (II) Subject Tests are sometimes required by the more selective colleges and universities. Even if they are not required, it is helpful to submit scores to support a student's applications and show proof of learning. You can check a college’s admissions webpage to see if they require the SAT IIs.PSAT stands for the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Examination Test. This test is taken by sophomores and juniors each October. The PSAT measures verbal and reasoning abilities and follows the same format as the SAT. Students and parents should not be overly concerned about PSAT results as they are not submitted to colleges. The very top scores of junior test takers are used to determine National Merit eligibility for U.S citizens and permanent residents. Please contact your local school district in June or early September before the October you wish to take the test to register for the exam.Keystone school code (CEEB) is 390363 which is necessary when registering for the PSAT, SAT and ACT. Registration can be done online. SAT: ACT: this video about College Entrance Exams to learn more! College Admission Testing: Keystone SAT/ACT Preparation ServiceKeystone utilizes a test prep program called testGear developed by Bridges in helping students to prepare for SAT or ACT. This program can lead to improving student performance by prescribing each student a personalized study plan based on a brief diagnostic test. Students will be guided through more than 50 hours of online instruction that strengthens skills with the subject matter, introduces test-taking strategies and builds confidence with many short practice tests and full-length exams. This course is best taken 2-3 months prior to taking the exam and can be accessed by following the link below.Students who are using testGear for the first time should do the following:Go to Click on testGear and create a new portfolioEnter the following Site ID: 1230012 and Password: keynatSelect testGear from Your Tool BoxGetting started: Take the BrainScan diagnostic to assess your strengths and weaknesses.Based on your diagnostic results, the Smart Curriculum will prescribe a customized study plan.If you choose not to follow the entire Smart Curriculum and want to focus on specific weaknesses, then refer to the Course Library.MicroCourses, Practorials and the Vocab Lab will help you build skills and provide useful strategies to help you ace the test you're preparing for.Take the Practice Tests to gauge your skills with test items that mirror the formats on the real test.Once you're ready, get a feeling for the real thing by taking the two full-length practice tests that mimic the final exam.Junior/Senior ChecklistThis checklist is meant to help college-bound students understand what to do during your Junior and Senior years. Click here to watch a video about this information! Preparing for College Applications: A Junior/Senior Timeline: covered in this checklist will be covered in more detail throughout this toolkit.JUNIORS / 11th GRADESeptemberGet in touch with student services to ensure you are on track to graduation by calling 1-800-255-4937 or emailing info@.Register for the October PSAT ASAP. Keystone students have to follow the homeschooling student process for finding a PSAT test location (directions here ) but will enter Keystone’s CEEB code (390363) when they actually sit to take the test.Monitor the Webinar section of the Guidance Services Resource Center to sign-up for relevant webinars. OctoberTake the PSAT. The PSAT is only offered every October. Registration cannot be done online. The PSAT is only available to sophomore and juniors.The PSAT is also referred to as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying test (NMSQT).November-JanuaryBegin researching colleges that interest you.February-MarchRegister for the ACT or SAT, which ever test you elect to take. You will need a score on either the ACT or SAT to apply to four-year universities in the United States.ACT Dates and Registration: Dates and Registration: you are enrolled in any AP courses, register for the AP Exam. Information is available in the Guidance Services Resource Center. Set-up an account with TestGear, Keystone’s Free SAT/ACT test-preparation service. Direction for setting up an account can be found under the “SAT/ACT/PSAT Prep” section of the Guidance Services Resource Center.Begin studying for the SAT or ACT! The recommendation is to begin preparing two-to-three months before the test date.April-JuneStart your college visits. Call each college two weeks in advance to register for a tour.If needed, start researching scholarships. Helpful websites include or . Begin Compiling an “Activities Resume” of all of your extra-curricular accomplishmentsTake the ACT or the SAT.Ask teacher s for letters of recommendation for college applications. You typically need at least two letters. It is better to ask teachers in courses you are at least half-way finished with, so they can attest to you academic abilities. SENIORS / 12th GRADESeptember-OctoberSign-up and join a “College Application Process” webinar, or watch a recording.Check to make sure you have finished enough credits to apply to college. You need to have 15 credits completed, and be enrolled in your final courses to graduate by the time you submit your college applications.Finalize the list of colleges you plan to apply to! Make a list of all the colleges you plan to apply to along with the admission deadlines and required application components. Start getting everything together!Register for an October, November or (if there is time) December SAT or ACT. This is your last chance to take the tests to accommodate most college admission deadlines!Request letters of recommendations. You can find out if you need letters be checking the college’s admissions page or calling the admission department at the college directly. We suggest you request letters of recommendations at least a month before your college deadline. Visit the “College Guidance” Section of the Guidance Services Resource Center to learn more about the College Document Request Form and the Common Application. You must submit these to Keystone at least two weeks before you would like your Keystone College Documents sent out!November-DecemberSubmit all of your college applications.Collect information to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and PROFILE (nonfederal financial aid)JanuaryParents- file your income tax. The sooner you do this, the sooner you can submit your FAFSA. It is recommended to submit your FAFSA ASAP to maximize award eligibility.February-MayStudents who completed their FAFSA will start receiving Student Aid Reports (SAR). This will give an overview of the information completed on the FAFSA.Admission decision letters will start coming in, as well as financial aid award letters from each school outlining financial aid assistance.Decide which school you will attend! Also, notify the school you do not plan on attending. Follow directions to make a deposit and save your seat in the school you plan on attending.College SearchingWhat’s right for me? For many students, the most difficult place to start with college applications is deciding where to apply. Here are THREE steps to break it down for Keystone Students!STEP ONE: Gather To get started, gather the following information to begin building a college list:1. Your PSAT, SAT and/or ACT scores *if you don't have scores, sign up for an SAT/ACT ASAP! 2. Your GPA. Keystone only reports your GPA based off of completed Keystone courses.3. States you are interested in living in while attending college.4. Majors or careers you are interested in.5. A college budget (talk to your parents, if needed). STEP TWO: Familiarize yourself with college-search resourcesRecommended: Make an account with The College Board's Make a Plan: THREE: Start Your List!Use The College Board's "Search Colleges" feature to narrow down schools! TEST SCORES AND SELECTIVITY to enter in your SAT or ACT scores for schools that are in your range-Select LOCATION to enter in a state that you are interested in-Select MAJORS AND LEARNING environment to select majors you are interested in-Select PAYING to search by costYou can add a college to your college list by clicking blue "Add to My College List" in your College Bard account!**Each school has a profile where you can learn detailed information about the college. **Consider adding 10-12 colleges to your list, after exploring the school profiles. Work with your parents to refine the list to 5-7 schools.1-2 will be your "Safety" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA is above the average2-3 schools will be your "Target" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA scores are on target with the average, or equal to the average1-2 will be "Reach" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA is slightly below the average.Four-Year University vs. Community/Junior College in the United StatesThroughout this toolkit, when the phrase ‘applying to a college’ is used, it includes applying to a four-year university or a two-year university. Do you know the difference between the two? A four-year university is institution that awards a bachelor’s degree after you successfully complete all of the requirements. A community college or a junior college awards a student an associate’s degree, which is a two year degree. Many students who attend a community college or junior college then transfer into a four-year university to complete their bachelor’s degree. Many students opt to first attend a community or junior college to save money, or because they haven’t decided what they want to study yet. Typically, community colleges are very inexpensive compared to some four-year universities and can get students to the same end for half the price. While there are loans and state and federal financial aid programs to assist students in funding their higher education, it is always important to weigh the cost of obtaining your degree against the salary for your prospective career field post-graduation. More is discussed about this within the Financial Aid booklet of this toolkit.The College Admissions ProcessEach college has their own admission requirements. Student need to research the admission requirements for each of the schools they are applying to and compile a list of what each school needs, and how the items are delivered to the school. Below we will talk about the different components of a college application, ways in which the documents can be submitted, and the various admission types. Parts of a college applicationTypically, a college will require all or a portion of the following documents listed below:The Application FormOfficial Transcript Standardized Test ScoresSecondary School Report or Counselor Recommendation Form Mid-Year Report FormTeacher Recommendation Forms/Letters1. The Application FormThe application form is the college’s way to collect general information about you, which you self-report. The application form may ask you to cite:Personal and Education Data (Name, Address, residency, high school attended, college credits earned, parent information, senior year schedule, standardized test scores)Honors and AwardsExtracurricular, Personal, and Volunteer ActivitiesEmployment, Internships, and Summer Activities (Some colleges allow you to submit a résumé in addition to the activity section of their application)Essays, both short answer and a longer personal essayDisciplinary informationApplication Fee (many colleges will accept fee waivers which can be obtained from the guidance office)SignatureFor certain majors, students might be required to audition or asked to submit a portfolio of ?artistic work.2. Official TranscriptWhat is it? A sealed, signed or stamped transcript that comes directly from a High School you attendedThe student or parent must request this from the High SchoolSend an official transcript from each High School attended to the colleges.To request a transcript only from Keystone, email guidance@ with your full name, student ID number and the full mailing address of the college you are applying toIf you need multiple college documents sent in addition to the transcripts (letters of recommendation, for example), you must fill out a college document request form (Discussed later)3. Standardized Test ScoresOfficial scores on the ACT or SAT sent to each collegeHow to send:ACT: : DOES NOT send SAT/ACT scores4. Secondary School Report or Counselor Recommendation FormKeystone has its own Secondary School Report Student needs to sign the top portion, then Keystone Guidance fills out the bottomThe SSR profiles the student’s academic and extracurricular accomplishmentsStudents must fill out the Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire if the college requires the SSR. All forms are in the Guidance Services Resource Center.Some schools have a counselor recommendation form in lieu of or in addition to the secondary school report.Fill out of the college document request form if you need a secondary school report or counselor recommendation5. Mid-Year ReportThe mid-year report is due after your application has been submittedUsually January or February.It is a ‘check-up’ to see that you are still in good academic standingA snap-shot of your grades in your senior level coursesKeystone submits this automatically for any student who submitted an application either through the common application or submitted a college document request form.If you need a Mid-Year report sent to a college, email guidance@.The Keystone mid-year report is your current average grade in each of your active courses. It is the average in your courses the day the mid-year is requested or sent.6. Teacher Letters of RecommendationSome colleges require one or two letters of recommendationStudents must write to their Keystone teachers and ask if they would be willing to write them a letter of recommendationIf the teacher agrees, the student must send the teacher the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire (found in the GSRC)Request Letters at least one month before your application deadlineTeachers have 7-10 business days (two weeks) to write the letters, and we do not ask them to rushKeystone sends the letters out with your other application componentsFill out a college document request form after you request letters of recommendation.Writing an EssaySome college applications will require an essay. The essay may be open-ended, meaning there is no specific prompt, or there may be a couple of options for what you need to write about. Research the admissions webpage of any college you are interested in to learn more about the application components.?Tips for Writing a College Essay1. Get started by brainstormingStarting the essay can be the hardest part. Brainstorming about your personality traits and defining your strengths is a good place to begin.2. Let your first draft flowAfter you've gathered your notes, create an outline to organize your essay and decide where you want examples to appear. Now you're ready to write your first draft. Don't worry about making it perfect. Just get your ideas flowing and your thoughts down on paper. You'll fix mistakes and improve the writing in later drafts.3. Develop three essay partsIntroduction: One paragraph that introduces your essay.Body: Several paragraphs explaining the main idea with examples.Conclusion: One paragraph that summarizes and ends the essay.4. Be specificGive your essay focus by figuring out how the question relates to your personal qualities and then taking a specific angle. Make sure everything you write supports that viewpoint.5. Find a creative angleKatherine, a college freshman, had to describe why she would make a good Reed College student for that school's essay. "I am a huge fan of Beat Generation writers, and many of the West Coast Beat writers attended Reed," she says. "So I related my love for writing and the Beats to why I would be a great fit for the school.“6. Be honestThe essay question might ask you about your best quality, an experience that shaped you or the reason you want to attend a certain college. Don't be tempted to write what you think the admission officers want to hear; answer the question honestly.7. Get feedbackShow your draft to family, friends or teachers. Ask if it makes sense and sounds like you. Consider their feedback and make changes, but keep your voice. High school senior Dana warns, "Make sure the essay is in your own voice. If at some point you read over your essay and you hear your mother's voice, something is wrong.“8. Proofread and make correctionsRead your essay over carefully to check for typos and spelling and grammar errors. It's best to ask someone who hasn't seen it yet to take a look as well. They're likely to see mistakes you won't catch.Be sure to visit the Guidance Services Resource Center to learn more, including sample essays and videos from experts at The College Board! (Tips are taken from ) Admission TypesThere are four different admission types. Be sure to keep an eye out for which application type you are applying to. Admission types such as Early Decision come with stipulations and binding terms. Below we have compiled some general information about each admission type, but the specifics may vary from school to school. Always follow up with the prospective college to get more information!Early DecisionStudents are permitted to apply early to only one college or university. If accepted, the student is legally bound to attend that school and must withdraw applications from all other schools. Applications are due on or about November 1. The advantage of using this process is students are more likely to be accepted because colleges have higher admission rates for Early Decision applicants. The main disadvantage of Early Decision is students are under contract to attend the college even if they receive no financial aid. This process should only be used by students with superior grades and SAT/ACT scores and outstanding extracurricular activities. Early Action Applications are typically due November 1-15. Students are not required to commit to attending until May 1. Students receive a decision early (typically before the end of December) but still have time to compare financial aid options before committing to attend a particular school. Students are more likely to be accepted because colleges have higher admission rates for Early Action applicants. If students aren’t accepted under Early Action, they still have time to apply to schools using Regular or Rolling Admissions. The disadvantage of using Early Action is students will have a busy fall getting their documentation together in order to submit applications by November. Regular Admission These applications are typically due between January 15th and February 1st. The advantages of using Regular Admission are students have additional time to complete and submit applications and there is no restriction on the number of schools to which they can apply. Disadvantages are students are less likely to be accepted because colleges have lower admission rates for Regular Admission applicants than for Early Decision or Early Action applicants. Also, students will not find out if they have been accepted until late March or April. Note: For Any Jan 1st-5th Deadlines- students must submit all college document requests to Keystone Guidance no later than DECEMBER 15th. The office is not open on the weekends and will be closed for Christmas.Rolling AdmissionsThere are no application deadlines with Rolling Admissions. Colleges accept applications and admit students throughout the year. Decisions are made on a case by case basis and students usually receive a decision in 4 to 8 weeks. The advantage is students can apply anytime. The disadvantage is after colleges accept enough students, additional applications from Rolling Admission applicants won’t be considered. Students should remember the later they apply, the less likely they will be accepted or qualify for financial aid. Earlier is always better!How many college applications should I sent? Please review the section on College Search titled, “What’s Right for Me?” for more information. We recommend that students apply to a combination of Safety, Target and Reach schools. 1-2 will be your "Safety" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA is above the average2-3 schools will be your "Target" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA scores are on target with the average, or equal to the average1-2 will be "Reach" schools. This means your SAT/ACT/GPA is slightly below the average.Letters of RecommendationMany college applications will require letters of recommendation. They may require letters of recommendation from teachers and your school counselor. Colleges will require anywhere from one to three teacher letters of recommendation, and may or may not require a counselor letter of recommendation. At The Keystone School, it is the student’s responsibility to request the letter of recommendation from the teachers or the counselor. Students should request the letter from a teacher or counselor at least three weeks before the college deadline, but a month is optimal. This allows time for the teacher to write the letter of recommendation (teachers and counselor are given two weeks to completed the letters) and finally for the letter to be send wherever it needs to go. We recommend asking teachers for a letter for whose course you have completed at least 50%. This way, the teacher has a strong record of your academic abilities and is familiar with you.Keystone Specific ProceduresAfter you submit your portion of the applications to the colleges, you’ll then be prompted to collect and coordinate the sending of other supplemental documents to the college. These documents include letters of recommendations, transcripts and secondary school reports. The Keystone School handles college document requests through two channels: schools which subscribe to The Common Application are handled through one process, and schools that do not use The Common Application are handled through another process.Process 1: Applying through the Common Application () The Common Application is here to set you free as over 500 universities and colleges will accept the Common Application as their primary admissions application. Counselors and Teachers can submit your recommendation letters, school reports, and other documents all on one website. Guidance highly recommends that if your university subscribes to the Common Application, that you use this method to fill out your applications. It will make your life a whole lot easier! And some colleges will even waive the application fee if you apply this way. Directions for completing the Common Application 1. Register for an account by going to 2. Choose the colleges you wish to send an application to. 3. Under the Education tab, list The Keystone School (CEEB 390363) as your school of record. 4. Register Cristena Jenner as the counselor, email address guidance@, phone number 800-255-4937.5. Once you add a school, you will see a link within that school in the My Colleges Tab that says "assign recommender". Once you click that, you will also see a link to invite a counselor. 6. Register Cristena Jenner as the counselor, email address guidance@, a link will automatically be sent to Miss Jenner for our staff to complete the Secondary School Report, Mid-Year, and Final Report. We will attach your transcript, High School Profile and submit all three documents electronically to Common App. You must send a copy of the completed Counselor Recommendation Information sheet to guidance@ in order to have guidance complete the common application for you. The link to download this document is found below. 7. If you need a teacher recommendation on the Common Application, contact your teacher FIRST via email to see if they are willing to provide a recommendation for you. If they reply yes, register your teacher(s) using their email address. Send them the completed teacher recommendation questionnaire (link below). A link will automatically be sent to your teacher requesting them to complete the Teacher Recommendation form online. 8. Complete your section of the application, write the personal statement- and press submit. 9. Check back often to make sure letters of recommendation are being sent correctly. Counselor Recommendation Information Sheet: Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire: about Filling out the Common Application as a Keystone StudentThe Keystone GPA is on a 4.0 scale, is unweighted, and based on completed courses only.Keystone does not report a class rank.Our graduating class size is roughly 600. Below is a link for the help center of the common application. Here you will find videos and many, many questions answered. 2: Applying to a College NOT on the Common Application If you intend to apply to any other school outside of the common application, we have a slightly different process. You have to email guidance@ with the request. 1. Some colleges outside of the common application require a transcript only. Requesting this is simple. Just email guidance@ with your name, Keystone student ID and the full mailing address of the receiving party and we will send it out within 1 business day.2. If the college you are applying to outside of the common application requires multiple pieces of documentation (letters of recommendation, a secondary school report and transcripts) then we require the submission of the College Document Request Form per collegePlease watch this quick video on how to complete the College Document Request Form: is a link to download the college document request form: AidFederal and State Financial AidEach state has their own financial aid office which controls the distribution of federal financial aid to residents within their state. Be sure to contact your state’s financial aid office to find out if there are any special requirements you need to complete in order to qualify for financial aid as a Keystone Students. Most times it is having handy information about our accreditation. However, there are instances where you may be required to take a test or submit further documentation.If you are interested in seeing how much federal financial aid you may qualify for, use the federal financial aid forecaster. ? You can see how much federal aid you may be eligible for by visiting this website: Federal financial aid cannot be applied for until the year the student intends to go to college, but the award forecaster will let you know about how much federal financial aid you are eligible for based on your income and other factors.The guidance department also hosts a financial aid webinar every year in January. Please monitor the Guidance Services Resource Center to sign up for the live presentation. Or, click here to review last year’s recording: are a wonderful way to pay for college. In order for students to find scholarships it takes quite a bit of researching. There are two helpful website that catalog available scholarships and students can see if they are eligible to apply. They are and also . These are private scholarships.??Colleges also have their own scholarships and grants that may be available to students. You can call the college’s financial aid office and inquire what opportunities they have for future students in terms of scholarships.?Questbridge: Opportunity for College Admission and Full Four-Year Scholarships through QuestBridgeThe QuestBridge National College Match helps outstanding low-income high school seniors to gain admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation s leading colleges. If you are a student who has achieved academic excellence in the face of economic challenges, we encourage you to apply at .QuestBridge works with selective colleges that are actively seeking high-achieving students regardless of family income. You may be concerned about tuition costs, but top-ranked colleges offer generous financial aid packages that cover 100% of demonstrated financial need, making them very affordable for students from low-income backgrounds.Last year, more than 1,000 QuestBridge applicants were admitted to our partner colleges with generous financial aid worth over $100 million. 268 of these students received College Match scholarships covering the following costs: Full cost of tuition (up to $40,000 per year) Full cost of room and board (up to $15,000 per year)Most QuestBridge partner colleges also include the cost of books and travel in their scholarship packages and automatically renew the scholarship for all four years of college. All College Match scholarships are loan-free.Student Loans- Smart BorrowingClick this link to download a PDF about Smart Borrowing for Student Loans: *This document is for student in Oklahoma, but contains a lot of great tips and resources for all US Citizens about smart student loan borrowing.Fee WaiversCollege Application Fee Waivers:If you are applying through schools on the common application, we can approve a college application fee waiver for you via the common application once you apply and if you send along proof of eligibility. We follow the SAT’s guidelines for approving fee waiver via the common application. Please read this link to understand the eligibility requirements, and to learn more about the what kind of supporting document you can submit to us, via email, to receive the college application fee waiver through the common application: . Documents proving fee waiver eligible income or being on a public assistance program are often use as proof of eligibility.If you are applying to any schools outside of the common application, you must download and fill out the NACAC request for admission application fee waiver form, found here: *Please note that not all college accepts fee waivers. The NACAC fee waiver can be used for up to four schools.SAT I/ACT/SAT II Fee WaiversIf you also qualify for an SAT or ACT fee waiver, and are interested in taking the tests and need a fee waiver, please let us know. Once proof of eligibility is received, we can send you either fee waiver.Following upAs you start to hear news about college acceptances, scholarships, and decide where you will be attending, be sure to email guidance@ to keep up posted on your plans!Graduation ProcessAfter you complete all of the credits required to graduate, have met your four or eight week minimums (see the student handbook for more information), and have paid off your balance, please call or email Student Services at 1-800-255-4937 or email info@ so we can be sure your file is pulled for a final graduation eligibility review. We’ll have to wait until all of your assignments are graded and you successfully pass all courses before we can pull your file for review. Once your file is pulled for review, you will be contacted for information we need to process your diploma. It will take about two weeks for your receive your diploma once we contact you if you live inside of the United States, and about a month for students who live outside of the United States.VideosThe videos listed below have been incorporated into this toolkit, but for quick access here is a listing of the guidance related videos and their titles.Building a Keystone National High School Course Plan: Admission Testing: Application Process: Document Request Form: Requirements: for College Applications: A Junior/Senior Timeline: ................
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