PREPARING FOR SENIOR

YEAR
CLASS OF 2024
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURE
TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
GRADUATION

• It is up to students to meet with their School Counselor to

discuss options.

• High School Graduation Notification Agreements

MUST BE DIGITALLY SIGNED
BY PARENT and STUDENT
via Parent/StudentPortal
Senior Contract: How to Access

ParentPortal→Forms → “AACPS - High School Graduation Notification Agreement”

→ “Senior Transcript Release Form”

Instructions are accessible 24/7 via the Senior Documentation Portal (speaking of…)
SENIOR DOCUMENTATION PORTAL
• www.annapolishighschool.org
• https://Ahighcounseling.weebly.com
• https://ahighcounselingseniors.weebly.com/
SENIOR DOC PORTAL 24’ (CONT.)
Both Parent/Guardian and Student

Must Sign Both:

Senior Graduation Agreement
and
Senior Transcript Release
By September 29th
CHECK YOUR GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS

• 4 English
• .5 Global Community Citizenship
• 4 Math
• 1 Physical Education
▪ 3 Sciences • 1 Technology
(Biology + 2 lab sciences) • Program Completer

▪ 3 Social Studies
• College Completer
• Dual Completer
(US + WH + US Gov) • Total of at least 26 credits

▪ 1 Fine Arts • 75 Service Learning Hours

• Taken/Passed required state tests
▪ .5 Health
 NAVIANCE STUDENT

Please go to AHS website-

“Students” tab-Naviance

• Scholarship information
• View when College Reps will visit
Annapolis HS and sign up to
attend.
• Periodic emails & notifications

• Generate college matches based • Track transcript

requests/submissions
on your GPA & test scores
SOME THINGS WE HAVE DISCUSSED
WITH YOUR STUDENT

• Gather information to • Compared the SAT vs ACT

start making college
• Talked about
choices.
“determining the right
• Types of college fit”
colleges/post-secondary
• Updated your Naviance
options
college career goal and
• How to compare Colleges your profile. Start your
search
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY- PREPARE

•If I am taking a standardized test what do I need to take?

• SAT www.collegeboard.com
• ACT www.ACT.org
• Placement tests
• How do I prepare for these tests?
• Online resources
• Prep Books available: ex. 10 Best SAT Tests
• Khan Academy online prep course works with College Board
• Kaplan online prep course works with ACT
COLLEGE VISITS • Talk to students other than just the
tour guide

• When to Go • Look at facilities: dorms, food area,

• When college is in session
• Fall
• Schedule Tour
• Schedule time to talk to
admissions rep if possible
gym, etc.
• Research town/locality
• Look at any bulletin boards
• Pick up college newspaper or
journal
What to Look for During Your Visit…

• See if you can sit in on a class

• Check how much access you will have to
faculty

• How committed is the college to

engaging students?

• Will you have an opportunity to do an

internship or research?

• What is the campus like? Remember

you are evaluating your home for the
next four years.

• Does it feel right?

ASKING THE RIGHT
QUESTIONS
TO FIND THE BEST COLLEGE
FIT
Small or Weather?
Cost?
large?

Athletics
School with
Retention and and
specific major or
activities?
graduation school with lots
rate? of variety?

Urban,
Public or
suburban, Diversity?
Private?
rural?
1. Most important is finding a college
that is right for the student, “the right
fit”.

2. GPA and Test Scores should be in range

of what school is looking for. (if test
optional and not in high median don’t
send)

3. The goals and personality of the

student are well matched with the
college.

4. Students who think first about who

they are and what they want are
more likely to choose a college that
fits them well.
 HOW TO APPLY:
COMMON APPLICATION –
OVER 900 INSTITUTIONS
Pros CONS…

• Common App completely free to use. (Colleges • Because of multiple applications,

have application fees but platform free.) colleges relying more on
• Sends out system alerts when deadlines are demonstrated interest.
approaching to keep you on track.
• Some concern whether
• Keeps a requirement tracker for each application undocumented immigrants can
(including essays and when to submit your use.
FAFSA)

• Allows you to self-report test scores

• Comes as a mobile app, which can keep task lists

and give you alerts.

• Provides a virtual Counselor

• Offers services in Spanish

 HOW TO APPLY:
COMMON BLACK COLLEGE
APPLICATION – 67 SCHOOLS

ONE $20 APPLICATION FEE FOR ALL 65 MEMBER SCHOOLS

commonblackcollegeapp.com
WHAT INFORMATION GOES ON A
COLLEGE APPLICATION?

• Personal Information:
• Email (make one just for college • Honors & Awards

info--professional) • Extracurricular, Personal, & Volunteer

• Citizenship & residency info
• High schools you have attended
• Parental info
Activities
• Employment, Internships, Summer
Activities-some colleges allow a
resume.
• Essays-both short and your personal
statement
• Disciplinary Information

• Senior year schedule • Application Fee

• Signature
• Standardized test scores
 APPLICATION • Official Transcript
CONT’D: WHAT
IS SUBMITTED • Secondary School Report – which
FROM OTHER includes Counselor Recommendation
SOURCES
• Mid-Year Report- not required by all
colleges, so need to request in January.

• Standardized Test Scores- student must

request from Collegeboard-SAT or
ACT.org for ACT to be sent.

• Teacher Letters
• Teacher Recommendation Form
 EARLY DECISION (Binding) GUIDELINES

Should Consider if:

Reconsider if

1. You have visited & have very good
knowledge of a number of
colleges
2. Have narrowed choices to one-if
admitted will attend
3. Your cumulative GPA & SAT/ACT
scores are competitive for college
4. Course work meets rigor
suggested
5. You can afford college
• You are counting on October SAT
• You haven’t taken any SAT-II tests
that college requires
• You suspect your record is not yet
good enough
• If you feel like you are just now
going to step up academically
• Or if you’re really not sure where
you want to go.
SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
• Grants & Scholarships- called
“gift aid” does not need to be
repaid. Scholarships are most
often awarded for strong
academic achievement, a
special talent or ability,
ethnicity, or community
service.
• Work-study: is option given
students for part time
employment on campus to
help meet their financial need.
• Loans- Offered to students or parents and
must be repaid, usually sponsored by
federal government. Interest on
“subsidized” loans are paid by the federal
gov’t for students with most need.
Repayment does not begin until 6 months
after completion of the college program
and could be deferred under special
circumstances.
• Unsubsidized loans- interest starts
accruing immediately.
 UNDERSTANDING SCHOLARSHIPS – WHILE A
SMALL SUBSET OF COLLEGES ARE ABLE TO MEET 100% OF A FAMILY’S FINANCIAL NEED, THERE
ARE MANY SCHOOLS THAT CANNOT. THESE SCHOOLS TYPICALLY USE A COMBINATION OF
NEED-BASED AID AND MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTRACT STUDENTS BASED ON SCHOOLS
FINANCIAL AID BUDGET AND INSTITUTIONAL GOALS.

• Scholarships refer to funds, a • Scholarships are often used to attract students

student receives to attend school, who will be “swayed” by an academic honor or a
perceived deal.
that do not need to be repaid. It is a
catch-all term and generally not
based on need but on achievement, • Selective colleges are less likely to use these
talent, or affiliation. Usually they incentives.
are financial awards for intellectual
excellence and academic success
but they also represent
accomplishments in areas such as
art, music, athletics, leadership or
community service.
 UNPACKING SCHOLARSHIPS
• Merit Scholarships - signifies
scholarships based on exceptional
ability in academics, art, or some
other attribute colleges value.
• Usually do not require a special application.
• Names vary.. Dean’s, Presidential, Trustees Scholarship
• Amounts range from $2500 to full cost of attendance.
• Local Scholarships – often local Rotary, Elks, or
Lions clubs sponsor scholarships, as do men’s or
women’s leagues. Fire depts., hospitals, and
churches another source of scholarships.
• Usually range between $500 -$2,000 and require
an application and an essay and/ or
recommendation.
• Parent’s company another source.
• Local scholarships are found in Counseling
resource such as Naviance.
 SCHOLARSHIPS CONT’D
• National Scholarships – offered
as public service or marketing
are offered to reward
exceptional people. Some are
directed at first generation or at
diverse backgrounds.
• Example – Coca-Cola, GE-Reagan
Foundation, Comcast Leaders &
Achievers, Prudential.
• National Merit Scholarship
• Endowed/Institution Specific Scholarships –
Many colleges and universities have
endowed scholarships that a student needs a
nomination to apply.
• Examples – Jefferson Scholarship at The
University of Virginia, the Morehead-Cain
Scholarship at The University of North
Carolina, The John Montgomery Belk
Scholarship at Davidson College and The
Danforth Scholars Program at Washington
University in St. Louis.
• These are extremely competitive but usually
cover full cost of attendance.
 SCHOLARSHIPS CONT’D
• Foundation Scholarships –
generally available from
philanthropic family foundations.
Eligibility may be limited to
students from specific
backgrounds or geography and
have priorities attached such as
specific majors.
• Example in Maryland would be
the Casey Foundation Scholarship.
• Athletic Scholarships – according to
NCAA fewer than 2% of high school
athletes will receive a scholarship to
play in college. Only Division I or II will
be offered scholarships and depending
on sport budget varies.
• Scholarship Contests – There are many
scholarship contests out there Spelling
Bees to Beauty Pageants. They have
writing and art contests. Typically
limited in dollar amount.
 LASTLY SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
• Things to Remember-
• First students should make sure
they are above the profile of • Scholarships are heavily weighed on
the colleges they are applying SAT or ACT scores in some colleges.
to. • Some colleges have stopped giving
merit aid and just give Need Aid
• Also need to pay attention to
details and deadlines. • It takes work to obtain scholarships

• Look at Scholarship search • Full-ride scholarships opportunities are

highly selective.
engines:
• Best way is to:
• US Department of
Education’s Federal Student • apply to appropriate colleges
Aid site. • research colleges to find those
• College Greenlight that give out scholarships but
remember given to students in
top quarter of colleges academic
profile.
 SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SITES
• https://www.raise.me/ - new way to get micro scholarships

• www.scholarshipfly.com – new for scholarships

• www.myintuition.org – new to help parents understand cost of different schools

• www.cappex.com – beside college searches also has scholarships

• www.ScholarshipExperts.com – has easy to navigate scholarship website

• www.SuperCollege.com – another scholarship site also has guides to help apply

• www.ScholarshipMonkey.com – another scholarship site

• www.CollegeNet.com – scholarship site but offers a discussion blog

• www.Scholarship360.com – offers a different scholarship every day of the year

• www.FindTuition.com – scholarships

• www.College-Scholarships.com – compilation of scholarship websites, also offers helpful articles, student

loan repayment calculator, info on colleges

• www.collegegreenlight.com – also offers scholarships and college search

 WHERE SHOULD YOU GO TO GET AN
ESTIMATE?
• FAFSA4caster -will help you understand your options for paying
for college.

• Provide some basic information and they'll estimate your eligibility for federal student aid. Your estimate will
be shown in the "College Cost Worksheet" where you can also provide estimated amounts of other student aid
and savings that can go towards your college education.

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate

• Net Price Calculators- Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s
website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like
them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.

https://collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx
 MORE
• CollegeScoreCard – to ensure that students and families have the most up-to-date,
comprehensive, and reliable information available on colleges, all in an easy-to-understand format. The site allows
visitors to sort and filter their search results to easily compare schools and decide which college makes the most
sense when considering the typical costs, average student loan amount, students’ ability to repay their loans, and
their future earnings.

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

College Navigator - College Affordability and Transparency Center

Browse lists of institutions with the highest and lowest tuition & fees and net price. You can also do college searches
on site.

https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
 WHAT A STUDENT CAN CONTROL:

• GPA
• Standardized Test Scores
• Rigor
• Community Involvement
• School Activities
• Volunteering for the betterment of humanity
 EVERYONE SHOULD FILL OUT THE
FAFSA

• Even if your family does not believe • Scholarships

they will qualify should fill out FAFSA.
• Many sites to choose from
• Some universities require it to be on
file before releasing merit awards
• Counseling Office lists all
scholarships on Naviance
• Filing may trigger non-need based
state financial aid.
• Should set goal for how much you
want/need to get or how many
• FAFSA opens up loan options applications you will fill out.

• Federal loans with fixed interest • Remember applications that require

rates and deferment till finish an essay or something else will have
college. less people applying.
 WHEN YOU SUBMIT THE FAFSA

• We…don’t know yet, exactly…

• But, it should open up around December 1
• complete it by March 1
• set a Calendar event for before March 1
SOME THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Sign up in Naviance for fall College Visits at AHS.

• Naviance→Colleges→ Research Colleges→College Visits

2. Fall Financial Aid Information Night

3. Please send in copies of all acceptance letters and

Scholarships offered whether attending or not
 ADVICE FOR PARENTS
• Take a look at your financial
situation-have honest
discussion • Make sure your child is
already looking into
• Talk to your child about scholarships.
goals & priorities in the
• Ask your employer whether
process
scholarships are available
• Attend college fairs, listen for employees children.
while your child does the • Find out how the federal
talking. student aid application
• Take your child on college process works.
visits, preferably when class
is in session.