UnMazed Magazine: Teen's Guide to the End of the Year

April

UnMazed

9

Magazine

Teen's Guide to End of the Year

VOLUNTEERING INTERNSHIPS COLLEGE APPEAL SUMMER PLANS

C O N T E N T SÂ Teen's Guide to the End of the Year April 2019 Featured:

8 Ask the Expert: Internships, What You Need to Know 10 The Importance of Summer Plans for Teens 12 Why Volunteering Matters More Than Just Hours 13 Florida Southern College- 6 Tips for a Great Campus Visit 15 Why so Many Students Struggle with ACT/SAT & Why so Many Parents are Surprised

16 Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month 18 Infographic: How to Appeal College Aid 20 Finalizing the School Year: What to do Next

Subscribe today GET YOUR FREE MONTHLY MAGAZINE DELIVERED TO YOUR EMAIL 30 30

www.unmaze.me

4 UNMAZED MAGAZINE: EDITOR LETTER

Letter from the Editor

SCH

OO

LS O

UT

By: Dr. Amanda Sterk, Senior Editor and Founder of UnMazed Magazine asterk@unmaze.me

April is always a busy time for parents and students. Not

this is an overlooked area for parents, and they are often

only is everyone focusing on finishing the school year

afraid to ask the questions. Often between application,

strong, but also how to start looking at the summer as

acceptance, and decision day, things happen (divorce,

opportunities to partake in career exploration through

illness, loss of jobs, or just making the final decision). Budp

volunteering, internships, and summer programs.

provided parents the essential steps in asking for a financial/ scholarship appeal.

This edition asked experts to weigh in on some of their top tips in what families should be focusing on this time of year.

Jenny Murphy is a state advocate of student safety and

The results were very informative.

always provides expert advice on how to keep students safe. Her article on Sexual Assault & Awareness is

Whether students start looking at their summer plans,

important for all parents and students to hear, because

which

unfortunately 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually

includes

summer

programs,

internships,

and

volunteering, Rob Hicks, Ashley McNaughton, and Dave

assaulted in their lifetimes.

Smith all included some great tips on how to navigate that process. As well, Florida Southern College sent out a great

Now is a great time for parents to sit down with their

way to start engaging colleges and universities as college

students, talk about the next few months and come up with

visits are underway over the summer months.

a plan that considers both short and long term goals. Make a plan and work together to make it happen!

I enjoyed Bud Jenkins article about student appeal letters for more financial aid, in the form of institutional aid. I think

APRIL 2019, ISSUE 12, UNMAZED MAGAZINE

Magazine articles and more can be found at www.unmaze.me Where Florida experts meet for teen success.

Contact us: We enjoy hearing from from parents, students, and educators throughout the state. Send us your photos, letters, or comments to asterk@unmaze.me. Or visit us online: www.unmaze.me Do you want to collaborate? This magazine is designed for educators across the state to share their expertise on a variety of topics. We welcome those who would like to participate in creating this resource.

5

UnMazed Where Experts Meet for Teen Success

Editor SENIOR EDITOR

Amanda Sterk, Ed.D., is author of College UnMazed: Your Guide Through the Florida College & University System. She currently works at Florida SouthWestern State College as Director of Accelerated Programs.. Dr. Sterk has been an educator for 20 years as a teacher, school counselor, and administrator. She is founder of the Florida teen resource, www.unmaze.me.Â

www.unmaze.me

Contributing Writers 8

10

12

15

16

18

Rob Hicks, M.Ed.,has worked in public schools for 16 years. He is a school counselor at Fernandina Beach High School and the Ogburn School. He maintains the "Getting My Guide On" blog about all things school counselor at guidey.blogspot.com and writes about local history.

Ashley McNaughton is an independent college counselor and founder of ACM College Consulting, LLC. She has her BS in Business from Bucknell,, and Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA. Alongside her consulting work, she volunteers with ScholarMatch, a nonprofit helping high achieving, low income students get to college. www.acmcollegeconsulting.com.

Dave Smith is Chief Executive Officer; Founder of the SAFE Steps™ and author of College Without Student Loans. He has helped over 1,400 families to obtain college education in a timely manner with zero or minimal debt.

Website: www.thesafesteps.com

Cammie McKenzie is an education specialist and the owner of Learning in Motion Tutoring, which offers private, one-on- one SAT/ ACT review session throughout the year. She can be reached at 239- 415-0029 or at learninginmotiontutoring.com.

Jennifer Murphy, MS, AS, has been working with Sex Crimes victims/Survivors for over 30 years. She if founder of Fabulous Faithful Freedom Fighters, Inc.

Bud Jenkins, Owner of Floridian College Planning Resources, LLC., Bud, is passionate about students achieving their higher education goals, He specializes in College/Career Selection, Aptitude Analysis, Shore-Up Wealth Leakage, Reallocate Assets, Protect Retirement, Optimize Cash Flow, Academic, Athletic & Arts Merit Considerations. www.floridiancpr.com

Do you have a passion for teen success?

Would you like to write for an innovative magazine written by educators across the state?

Connect with us today! http://www.unmaze.me/collaborators-3/

UNMAZED MAGAZINE: ASK THE EXPERT

8

Dear Ask the Expert: I heard I should look some internships. Where do I start?

As teens start to narrow in on career choices, very few of

the mundane aspects all jobs can have. Since these tasks

them undertake a process that can be most meaningful in

often comprise the most time spent in a career, it’s

their career research. That is job shadowing. Through this, a

important for them to see these things in action and the

young person can have the opportunity to see and

best way to do that is through job shadowing.

experience what happens on a day to day basis within a given career path and use that information to help determine if this

So, how do you set up a job shadowing experience? There

is

are apprenticeships offered by some organizations like

something they want to do every day for most of the rest of

trade unions out there, but it doesn’t need to be that

their lives.

formal. Students simply need to approach people they

might know that work in a career field and ask if they can

The fact is few of our jobs are all that exciting. Let’s take fire

hang out with them for a day. I believe that people

fighting for example. It sounds thrilling, right? There’s an

intrinsically like talking about themselves. In many ways,

apartment building on fire, and you get to rush in with all

our careers are what define us, or at least a significant part

your equipment and extract a young family and save their

of us, so the opportunity to talk about what we do is

lives. Now, I’m not a firefighter, but something tells me that’s

something most people relish. You just have to ask. I

not an everyday occurrence. Instead, I think firefighters

circumstances are such that a young person is unable to

spend a lot of time at the station where they might work to

really shadow and follow someone around, at least find a

maintain equipment, complete paperwork, or educate the

way to have a conversation with a person in a career you

community on fire safety. When they do get a call, it’s

are interested in. In this case, I think it’s still important to

probably much more likely to be a small car crash or some

ask questions that lead you to an understanding of what the

minor medical emergency. In fact, most firefighters are also

day to day version of a job looks like, not the Hollywood

EMTs and it’s not unusual for 70% of their emergency calls to

version. A career is something you’ll spend most of your life

be medically related rather than fire related. My point here is

doing. It’s a big decision and before it is made, a person

that the “romantic” or stereo-typed version of what we

would do well to know what they are getting into. Teens

believe happens within in career is usually on a tiny piece or

need to do research and have some experience in what

represents a fraction of the time really spent on a job.

really happens in a job and doing so can make all their days

Young people are especially less likely to be aware of

just a little bit better.

ROB HICKS, GUIDEY.BLOGSPOT.COM

Your Support Matters

Feeding the bodies, minds and souls of Nicaragua's children https://pureheartchildren.org/ Average price per cup

9

10

UNMAZED MAGAZINE: FEATURED

The Importance of Summer Plans for Teens

ASHLEY MCNAUGHTON, ACM COLLEGE CONSULTING It may have taken some hard work convincing my students to attend a camp, job shadow or take a class over the summer, but all of them were thankful they did in the end. Why do I ask them to trade in their sleep for 'work'? The simple answer is DISCOVERY. At a time when students feel pressured to pick their career/course of study even before their senior year, exploration and self-discovery opportunities are important. Although they may not come out of summer with an exact plan, the students will at least have a clearer picture of what they want.

Students often come to me having a long list of occupations they are interested in pursuing and they feel lost. I am not talking about a list of jobs all in the same field, I am talking about things all over the board (think dog trainer/accountant/doctor all at once)! Where do they start? How can they possibly figure out what they want to do at the young age of 16 or 17? The answer is not simple, in fact there isn’t that ONE thing they can do to help them make their decision. However, there are many ways they can develop it further.

Summer camps, particularly those offered at college campuses, give students the opportunity to explore a subject they are interested in as well as experience a bit of campus life. They often get to sleep in dorms, eat in the cafeterias, use the campus labs and classrooms and meet professors. They get the chance to explore a subject they may not have had in high school or at least not enough of to make a decision on college majors. Enjoying their one year of HS biology is hardly enough to bet their future on! Whether or not they loved what they did at camp, at least the student will be one step closer to knowing what they want or do not want to do in the future. They will also have generated more ideas about what qualities they want in their future college. Better food, modern labs, single dorms, residential campus, small classes, urban location…?

These are all things that could be discovered at a summer program on campus.

If not a camp, a job shadow could easily be done. For nearly any occupation a student may be interested in, their parents, neighbors or friends probably have a connection in that field. Reach out and ask about the possibility of a day or even a week of shadowing.

The worst they can do is say no. This is the student's chance to get a glimpse behind the scenes and see the good, bad and ugly of the job. They thought they wanted to be a nurse but got squeamish seeing blood? They thought they wanted to work in accounting, but got tired of crunching numbers and staring at excel? They thought they wanted to be a teacher, but it turns out they don’t even like kids?

These are all things they could discover through job shadowing or interning somewhere and are all things we should strive to help them discover before they spend 4 years studying.

Volunteering for local organizations is another way to help students explore their interests. Not only do they get to see what these organizations do, they get the chance to give back to the community and boost their application. I have heard many stories from students who have gone on volunteer trips or spent time with a non profit and come out knowing exactly what they want to do. Of course this is not going to happen for everyone, but at least they are doing something good along the way.

If students are thinking of doing these things solely for resume padding, they are missing the much bigger, more important picture. They should do it because it is a chance for them to explore their options and discover an interest they may not have known they had. Do it because if not now, when?

Even if they already think they know what they want to do, there is no reason not to explore it further. In this case, they are demonstrating their passion to their future college too. The schools love to see someone who actually knows what they want!

Don’t let the expenses and loss of summer break freedom sway you or your teen, these opportunities may indeed prove to be priceless. They should use their summer wisely and they won’t regret it. Make those plans now before your summer schedule gets full!

11

12

UNMAZED MAGAZINE: RESOURCES

Local Volunteer Opportunities Lee County Parks & Rec United Way- Lee County Shy Wolf Sanctuary Lee Health Naples Zoo & Botanical Gardens

State Volunteer Opportunities Habitat for Humanity American Red Cross Volunteer Florida Florida State Parks Florida State Fair Florida Juvenile Justice Florida Department of Children & Families Florida Fish & Wildlife Conversation Commission

Why Volunteering Matters More than Just Hours Psychological benefits –Volunteering increases overall life satisfaction and helps students feel good about themselves because they are helping others. It has also been shown to help decrease stress and ease depression.

Social benefits – Volunteering engages students with the community, creates special bonds with the people being served, and increases social awareness, responsibility, accountability, and impacts their work ethic.

Cognitive benefits – Volunteering helps students enhance their personal knowledge, grow from new experiences, and develop better interpersonal communication skills.

Participating in community service not only makes a difference to the people being served, but also makes a difference to every student’s career prospects.

Service is a great networking tool, can help build relationships with local businesses, and offers exposure to potential employers. Students are able to build their resumes with work-related skills prior to their graduation.

We know that community service and volunteerism are a good thing, so here are four (4) tips to pass along to students to help them maximize their service efforts: 1. Whenever possible align your service to issues, people, and causes that you care about. It’s only natural that you will care about some things more than others, and that’s OK. Service is not simply a matter of choosing the right thing, but also choosing what’s right for you.

2. Serve groups, organizations, or causes with transparent aims and results. It will feel better and create better outcomes when you can see that what you are accomplishing and that the aim of the cause is making a difference.

3. Find ways to integrate your interests and skills with the needs of others. It’s important for you to ensure that while you are helping others they are improving their own skills, enhancing their resume, and creating connections that will ultimately help you.

4. When possible, you should involve friends or family members in your service.

An experience shared is doubly enjoyed. Whether a task is “fun” or not, serving alongside family or friends makes for a better time.

So, we know that service to others is important on several different levels, and that it has benefits to those being served as well as to the server. The benefits far outweigh the efforts involved but there are ways to take better control of the entire process. In short, serving others is truly a win-win activity that every student should be involved with!

DAVE SMITH, SAFE STEPS

Checking out colleges is always a great idea. Visiting multiple campuses will give you a better sense of what you're looking for in a college experience. Here are six suggestions for planning your visit and getting the most out of it.

Do your homework.

You need to have some background knowledge before visiting a school. Surf a school's website, download publications, and read their blogs. Following their social accounts can also keep you up-todate on news and what may be going on around campus during the time of your visit.

Schedule your visit.

Call the Admissions office to schedule a tour or go online and register for an open house event. With a little bit of notice, your admissions counselor can also arrange for you to sit in on a class, meet with a professor, and attend a club meeting or sporting event.

Ask questions.

If something is important to you, ask about it. College is a huge investment in time and money, so you want to make sure you're getting everything you want and need. Faculty, admissions counselors, and students are happy to answer ALL of your questions.

Linger for a bit.

A visit isn't only about seeing the sights; it's seeing if you feel like you'd fit in. After the official tour ends, hang around a while longer. Revisit the library. Have lunch in the dining hall. You'll be able to see how members of the community interact with one another and get a better sense of what life on campus is like.

Venture out on your own.

No matter how amazing the college you attend is, you will need to get off campus once in a while. Is the neighborhood safe? Does it have what you need? The local community will also be your home for the next four years, so you want to make sure it's a place you'd enjoy.

Take notes.

What did you see that excited you? Would you be comfortable living in the residence halls? Can you picture yourself as part of the community? Take photos and notes during your visit so that you can look back when you're trying to make your decision about where to apply or attend.

13

CAMMIE MCKENZIE, LEARNING IN MOTION

WHY SO MANY STUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH ACT/ SAT AND WHY SO MANY PARENTS ARE SURPRISED

It is common knowledge that students who wish to go on to college must take the ACT or SAT entrance exam. Parents and students alike are usually aware of this step in the college application process and make plans accordingly.

Many assume this step is an easy one.

For some students, it is. For most students, it is not!

The fact is that many students who expect to do well on these exams, are shocked to discover how unprepared they really are for the SAT and ACT. Students with high GPA’s are perplexed to receive scores that are, at best, mediocre. Students who consider themselves to be strong in reading and writing cannot understand why their essay does not score a 12 or why the English section on the ACT seems so difficult. Others cannot begin to accept that they would run out of time during the exam.

Parents are equally as shocked when the scores do not seem to reflect the “caliber” of student their child has proven to be in school.

Technically, these students have learned usage and mechanics in grammar and generally most do know what a rhetorical question is. But, few understand how these are presented on the English section of the ACT exam. Similarly, most students know how to read material and are able to answer critical reading questions but few understand that both the SAT and

the ACT have a unique “style” and “expectation”. In other words, when preparing for the SAT, students must think the SAT way. And the same can be said when preparing for the ACT. The dilemma might be best summed up this way.

Imagine being fully capable of finding your way around town, completing tasks, and accomplishing goals. In other words, you are someone who has good ownership of your every day life, just as your child has good ownership of his or her school material. Then, without warning, you are lifted into air and dropped in a foreign land where, despite your many skills, you are at a loss as to how to proceed given the expectations, rules, and language of this new world. Your failure to do well has little to do with your skill level but much to do with your understanding of “how things get done” in this new place.

Some might argue that these exams are a waste of time and do not represent a student’s academic readiness.

They might be right. That, however, is not the issue at hand.

The issue at hand is that most students will have to take the SAT or ACT exam and most will not be equipped to do the best they can unless they are prepared!

15

16

UNMAZED MAGAZINE: FEATURED

Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month On April 2nd we wear teal. Teal is the color of the Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month.

Knowledge is power so we want to shine a light into the darkness of sexual violence. While we are making great progress. Sexual assault rates have fallen 63% since 1993. However, we still have a long way to go. We speak up and raise awareness for all the victims who could not find their voice.

The most important thing to remember if you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault IT WAS NOT YOUR FAULT!! The only thing that causes sexual assault/rape is a rapist.

EVERY 98 SECONDS, SEXUALLY ASSAULTED

AN

AMERICAN

IS

Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity or contact that you do not consent to. Defined by the Department of Justice (DOJ) & FBI “sexual assault” means any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, Tribal, or State Laws including when the victim lacks the capacity to consent.

Sexual assault is also called sexual violence or abuse. Legal definitions of sexual assault and other crimes of sexual violence can vary slightly from state to state. There are several major types of sex assault related crimes that include:

Indecency with a Child /Molestation Rape/Aggravated Sexual Assault (completed and attempted rape) Statutory Rape (Age of consent & State or Federal Law).com.

Sexual Assault of a Child (child sex abuse/child sexual exploitation/child sex trafficking)

Possession or Production of Child Pornography Internet Sex Crimes Sexual assault can also be verbal, visual, or noncontact. It is anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual activities or attention. Other examples can include: Fondling, sexual harassment, voyeurism or exhibitionism also qualify as unwanted consensual sexual contact. In this digital age we can add sending someone unwanted texts or “sexts” (texting sexual photos or messages).

What makes these behaviors a crime is the issue of consent.

So, what is consent? Consent is a clear “yes” to sexual activity. Not saying “no” does not mean you have given consent. Sexual contact without consent is sexual assault or rape.

Your consent means: You are of legal age to give consent. Most states the legal age for sexual activity is between 16-18.

Federal age of consent is 18.

JENNY MURPHY, FABULOUS FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Women and men commit sexual assault, but more than 90% of people who commit sexual violence against women are men.

Four of every five women who are raped are raped before age 25.

About 40% of women who have been raped, or two in every five, were assaulted before age 18.

Nearly 50% of female rape victims were raped by a current or former partner.

You are not unconscious, blacked out, asleep, underage, or have an intellectual disability.

You are aware that you are giving consent (and are not impaired by alcohol or drugs).

Keep in mind: Consent is an ongoing process, not a one-time question. If you consent to sexual activity, you can change your mind and choose to stop at any time, even after sexual activity has started.

Past consent does not mean future consent.

Saying “yes” to a sexual activity is not consent for all types of sexual activity.

Silence. Just because someone does not say “no” doesn’t mean she is saying “yes.”

Having consented before. Just because someone said “yes” in the past does not mean she is saying “yes” now. Consent must be part of every sexual activity, every time.

Being in a relationship.

Being drunk or high.

Not fighting back. Not putting up a physical fight does not mean that there is consent.

The only person that commits rape is a rapist!

What do you do if you are assaulted?

Get to a safe place. Call 911! The most important thing after a rape is your safety.

Don’t wash or clean your body.

Get medical care. Call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room. You do not have to decide whether to press charges while at the hospital. You do not need to press charges in order to have evidence collected with a rape kit.

Report assault to Law enforcement.

Reach out for help. National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673).

Your SWFL advocate: Fabulous Faithful Freedom Fighters, Inc. They have an extensive list of services and resources available for sexual assault victims. They have over 30 years of experience addressing the very specific needs of sex crimes victims in SWFL & beyond. They have an incredible team of empathetic staff & volunteer specialists. They have office hours or in- home services available.

Phone or Text: 239.601.4389 (24/7) Email: swflfreedomfighters@gmail.com.

Website: fabulousfaithfulfreedomfighter.com.

17

18

UNMAZED MAGAZINE: FEATURED

How to Appeal College Aid Know Colleges Compete

KNOWLEDGE

1

INTERESTS

2

Appeal to College Interests

SPECIAL CIRUMSTANCE

3

Special Circumstances

APPEAL FORM

4

COMPARE

APPEAL LETTER

5 6

College offers are usually 80-90% of what they can ultimately be. Colleges often compete for student academic abilities (valedictorian, NMS-finalist, etc) and student talents (music, speech, language, arts and sciences, STEM, leadership, religious). Always ask for an appeal!

Both public and private are looking for top students. They will often match or exceed other offers to fill empty seats. Some specific college interests include wealthy parents, underrepresented minority students, geographically diverse, international students, and legacies.

Sometimes a student has a story that needs to be told in the financial equation.

The appeals process is a non-formulaic review. A student can explain a one time, unusual issue, extraordinary expense (storm damage, medical bills, loss of job, etc), student challenges (talent expense), independent student (legally emancipated), and unusual family circumstance.

Appeal Form

Describe the reason (loss of income, unexpected life event, divorce, error on form and correction, high medical expenses, etc) and show documentation such as pay stubs, termination notice, second home expenses, etc.

Compare Awards

Breakdown all awards in a streamlined spreadsheet, including college sticker prices, scholarships, parent contribution, loans, work study, and then net costs.

Writing Appeal Letter

Start off explaining you are grateful for the acceptance and excited to attend.

Bring in unique set of attributes, explain offer from other schools. Ask- "Is there a way to meet or exceed this offer?" State, "We are 100% committed to attend", and address letter to the Admissions office, CC appropriate stakeholders.

BUD JENKINS, FLORIDIAN COLLEGE PLANNING

What We Do...

Educate Through our FREE Workshop and our one hour FREE consultation, you will learn about: 1. Financial Aid Process 2. Critical Aid Calculation 3. Cost of Attendance vs. Sticker Price 4. Expected Family Contribution

Evaluate We will analyzed your current income, expenses, assets, liabilities, taxes and cash flow to suggest improvements to positively affect your Financial Aid Calculation.

Execute Design and implement an integrated plan custom designed for you.

19

20 UNMAZED MAGAZINE: FEATURED

Finalizing the School Year: What to do Next

This is the time of year that a lot of big decisions are being made on behalf of students. High school administrators are beginning to look at our master schedule for our teachers and students. We are looking at our incoming 9th graders wondering what type of new students we will have to grow into young adults, as well as simultaneous seeing off our wonderful seniors who have been with us for four years. We become family as we go from the “Freshmen Drama” to “College Decision Day.” It’s a bittersweet time of transition for many students and parents as they navigate the “What is Next" phase?

The end of the year is always a good time to take stock of how the academic year went and to start planning what next year entails. I have met with many families in the last few weeks who are deciding what's next for them. As parents, this is a time to be actively involved and to encourage some positive changes.

APPEAL LETTER As a rising ninth grader: Do you know all of the academic programs and classes your high school offers?

What are some of the after school activities offered and when do they start?

What type of student is my child, and how can I best help them navigate high school?

As a rising tenth grader: How did your freshman year go?

Do you have to retake any courses? In what areas were you strong or weak?

How could you develop a schedule that meets your needs, whether it be more rigorous courses or backing off of all the activities?

What were some of the things (like classes or activities) that really got them excited? And how can we encapsulate that passion for next year?

As a rising eleventh grader: This is a time a lot of programs open up and you need specific grade point averages, standardized tests, and school forms and applications to complete.

Have you found those forms and begun working on those applications?

Are there any summer volunteer or internships that could get help your college application?

Did you develop a high school schedule that showcases your strengths? For example, if you are going into the medical field, do you have plenty of science and math courses?

As a reminder- Junior Year is the last year college admissions can see your growth and passion. It is a critical year to be sure you are lining up everything for when you start applying to colleges.

DR. AMANDA STERK, COLLEGE UNMAZED

Did you know that students who are currently enrolled in a state college are guaranteed admission into a state university if they meet certain requirements? Through Florida’s 2+2 Program, students who successfully earn an Associate in Arts degree within a 2+2 program at a Florida college, can then transfer to a four-year institution. If your students are currently enrolled in a state college, they can find out what courses and requirements they need for a four-year baccalaureate program.

To learn more about the 2+2 Program requirements visit us online at FloridaShines.org.

As a rising twelfth grader: This is time to begin the college process. You should be: Taking the ACT/ SAT Going on college visits Volunteering Researching your “fit” college.

Know the requirements for each college/ program you want.

As we all want to start slacking off with summer right around the corner, now is the time to do the opposite! Finish strong and reassess your goals for next year. Using this school year as a learning opportunity for next year is monumental and extremely beneficial.

To Parents: Meet with the School Counselor This is a critical time to have your student assess the school year and begin to look at what next year can do for them. Schedule a time with your student's school counselor to ensure that their class schedule is what is necessary for your student's short term and long term goals. This includes the correct courses, academic programs, and volunteering opportunities.

Unfortunately, by not having this conversation students are often misplaced in wrong courses and have little recourse in fixing issues. School counselors are instrumental in helping your student succeed, but it is you, as the parent, who has to start the conversationdo not expect it to happen on its own.

21

Federal Student Aid Link

This infographic is from Federal Student Aid

49%

98,442 Florida students filed their FAFSA Florida students earned an estimated $195,141,041 in Pell Grants!

42%

of Charlotte

53% of Collier

48% of Glades

of Florida students filed their FAFSA.

48% of Hendry

44% of Lee

Florida College Admissions Made Easy

Online, selfpaced course.

Includes complimentary College UnMazed Workbook

This online course walks families stepby-step the entire college admissions process for Florida students.

Topics include: Building a resume, Admission criteria, Applying, Scholarships, and More!

Apply with ease and confidence with this master course!

REGISTER ONLINE: Florida Center for Educational Planning

Explore FAU 2019 Saturday, April 13th

You're invited to Explore FAU! Registration is now open for students and families • Attend a special presentation for the college of your

major • Explore our Boca Raton campus, including first-year residence halls • Connect with FAU departments about academic and student resources • Meet current FAU Owls from our many student organizations REGISTER HERE