SENIOR

SENIORS: KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!

SENIORS: You will be getting newsletters during Panther Pause detailing all of the current college and scholarship information that I have received. I am encouraging you to READ these newsletters! If you are persistent and apply for scholarships for which you are eligible, YOU WILL GET $$$$$ !

YOU MUST BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES!!!!! KEEP THESE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!

To get a transcript or copy of ACT scores: Sign the clipboard hanging on the wall outside of my office. Please indicate exactly what you want on the clipboard. If you need information mailed to a college, please indicate that. Otherwise, your transcript/scores will be delivered to your homeroom within 2 days.

Newsletters. In addition to your hard copy of the Senior Newsletter, one will also be posted on the PHS website at www.parkwaypanthers.org .

To sign up for ACT. Pick up packet or online registration instructions from the bookcase outside of my office. THE NEXT ACT REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS SEPT 19; TEST IS OCT 25. IF YOU HAVE NOT YET TAKEN ACT, PLEASE SIGN UP ASAP!!! Use the TOPS office code of 1595 as one of your school choices to receive your scores.

To get a letter of recommendation. You must fill out a request form that you pick up from my office, indicating all of your activities, awards, etc., and what the letter is for. Be specific! I will try to have your letter to you within 48 hours.

NCAA Clearinghouse. If you plan to play a sport in college, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Access at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net and click on “Prospective Student-Athletes.” Don't forget to download the 2 releases and bring them to me so that I can send your transcripts to the clearinghouse. You must have your ACT scores sent directly to NCAA from ACT. Use code 9999.

FAFSA forms/Financial Aid forms. FAFSA forms (for Pell Grants and TOPS) cannot be filled out until January, 2009. Please do not ask me for a FAFSA form until I announce that I have received them. This will be in December or January. After you file the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Make sure you follow the directions on the SAR regarding corrections that need to be made.

TOPS. In order to qualify for TOPS, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA on core courses, make state average (20) on ACT, and file FAFSA by the deadline. Final deadline is July 1. The FAFSA form is sent to the federal government and then forwarded to the state. You will be notified by the LOSFA office in mid to late summer regarding whether you qualify for TOPS or not. You can also log onto their website at www.osfa.state.la.us to check your status.

Financial aid searches. Fundfinder, Fastweb, etc. I have a list of websites that you can pick up to run free financial aid searches. Searches are ALWAYS FREE!!! Be aware of scams.

DO NOT PAY ANYONE FOR A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

College applications. There are two filing cabinets at the end of the hall in the counselors' office. Applications are in the cabinet in alphabetical order by school name. Help yourself! If I do not have an application for the college you are looking for, look in the book 4-Year Colleges on the metal shelf beside the college file to get the address, Web Site, etc. so that you can get an application sent to your home. (New apps won't be in place until mid September.)

Resumes. If you are planning to apply to several colleges and also to apply for numerous scholarships, you need to compose a resume. I have samples in my office. This is a must if you plan to apply for multiple scholarships. It needs to be printed on nice paper on the front only with a cover sheet. START WORKING ON THIS IMMEDIATELY!

College visits . You have two excused days per year to visit colleges. You must pick up a college visitation form from me BEFORE you leave for your college visit. No college visits will be allowed if you are failing a class. No college visits the last 2 weeks of school.

College catalogs. Catalogs, CD's, and videos are available for check out in my office. Just fill out enclosed library card with your name and the date and leave the card on my desk.

When I announce a new scholarship, I will have multiple copies of the application available in my office unless the application is only available online. Come by and pick one up anytime.

COLLEGE DEADLINES ARE FAST APPROACHING. MOST ARE IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER! DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO APPLY OR TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED! ALSO, HOUSING APPLICATIONS ARE DUE VERY EARLY!!!

P-L-A-N A-H-E-A-D!!!!!

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET TAKEN ACT,
SIGN UP NOW !!!!