A Matriculation Guide for Future HBCU Alumni

A Matriculation Guide for future HBCU Alumni

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WHAT IS AN HBCU? The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines an HBCU as: being established prior to 1964 having a principal mission to educate Black Americans accredited by a national accrediting board ALABAMA Alabama A&M University | Alabama State University | Bishop State Community College | Concordia College | Gadsden State Community College | Miles College | Oakwood University | Selma University | Shelton State Community College | Stillman College | Talladega College | Tuskegee University ARKANSAS University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Arkansas Baptist College | Philander Smith College | Shorter College DELAWARE Delaware State University DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Howard University | Howard University School of Medicine | Howard University School of Law | University of the District of Columbia FLORIDA Bethune-Cookman University | Edward Waters College | Florida A&M University | Florida A&M University College of Law | Florida Memorial University GEORGIA Albany State University | Fort Valley State University | Savannah State University | Clark Atlanta University | Interdenominational Theological Center | Morehouse College | Morehouse School of Medicine | Morris Brown College | Paine College | Spelman College KENTUCKY Kentucky State University | Simmons College LOUISIANA Grambling State University | Southern University and A&M College | Southern University Law Center | Southern University at New Orleans | Southern University at Shreveport | Dillard University |Xavier University of Louisiana

MARYLAND Bowie State University | Coppin State University | Morgan State University | University of Maryland Eastern Shore MISSISSIPPI Alcorn State University | Jackson State University | Mississippi Valley State University | Coahoma Community College | Hinds Community College-Utica | Rust College | Tougaloo College MISSOURI Harris-Stowe University | Lincoln University of Missouri NORTH CAROLINA Elizabeth City State University | Fayetteville State University | North Carolina A&T State University | North Carolina Central University | North Carolina Central University School of Law | Winston-Salem State University | Barber-Scotia College | Bennett College | Johnson C. Smith University | Livingstone College | St. Augustine’s College | Shaw University OHIO Central State University | Wilberforce University OKLAHOMA Langston University PENNSYLVANIA Cheyney University | Lincoln University SOUTH CAROLINA South Carolina State University | Denmark Technical College | Allen University | Benedict College | Claflin University | Morris College | Voorhees College | Clinton Junior College TENNESSEE Tennessee State University | American Baptist College | Fisk University | Knoxville College | Lane College | LeMoyne-Owen College | Meharry Medical College TEXAS Prairie View A&M University | Texas Southern University | TSU – Thurgood Marshall School of Law | St. Philip’s College | Huston-Tillotson University | Jarvis Christian College | Paul Quinn College | Southwestern Christian College | Texas College | Wiley College U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS University of the Virgin Islands VIRGINIA Norfolk State University | Virginia State University | Hampton University | Virginia Union University | Virginia University of Lynchburg WEST VIRGINIA Bluefield State College | West Virginia State University

ROADMAP TO COLLEGE Whether you've been set on college since you were little, or you haven't really thought about it at all, it's never too early - or too late - to take steps in the direction of your future campus. Here's a guide to help get you going in the right direction.

MIDDLE SCHOOL Take challenging courses. Starting in 6th grade,

talk to your counselor about the classes your school offers. Try taking Pre-AP classes in your favorite subjects to challenge yourself. Taking Pre-AP classes in middle school puts you on the track to taking advanced classes in high school. And, as a bonus, if you take Algebra 1 and a foreign language before you finish middle school, you're ahead of the game going into high school.

Read, read, read! Get in the habit of reading a wide

variety of materials - books of all kinds are good, but also magazines, news articles, even the sports page are all helpful. Good writing is the foundation of your future success, and good writing skills are built through reading. Not only that, but reading exposes you to more vocabulary, which will be important when you go to take the SAT or ACT. Explore your interests and try new things. Now is

a great time to learn what you like. Try a theater class or a media class. Explore intro to engineering or other potential career classes. Try a new sport, like swimming or cheer, or join a club (or start your own!) around the things you like. Colleges like to see wellrounded students, and it is always obvious when students just started joining clubs senior year to pad their applications. Not only that, but sometimes your interests can help you decide which college will be the right fit for you - they may even lead to scholarships!

"Hold on to your dreams of a better life, and stay committed to striving to realize it."

- Earl G. Graves, Sr., Morgan State University class of 1958, and Founder of Black Enterprise

HIGH SCHOOL The classes you take in high school make a big difference in your college success. If you do not take enough of the right kind of math or science courses, for instance, you could find yourself having to make those up - for no credit - once you get to college. This will cost you extra money, and is a major barrier for students hoping to graduate on time. Conversely, if you choose AP or dual enrollment courses, you can earn college credit before even leaving high school, which will save you money - and maybe even let you graduate early!

Math: Do not skip any years of math, even if you have met the requirements for graduation before senior year. To be successful in college, you will need: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and/or Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus. If you have extra space in your schedule, consider a calculus or statistics class, too.

English: Take four years of English, especially classes that emphasize writing. Science: You need at least three years of laboratory science. Make sure you take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Social Studies: In Texas, students must take one credit of U.S. History, one-half credit of U.S. government, and one-half credit of economics. For the third social studies credit, students can choose between World History or World Geography. You might also consider a class like psychology or sociology or political science, too.

Foreign Language: Take at least three years, all in the same language.

OTHER KEY MILESTONES 9th grade: Continue to take challenging courses and select a few extracurriculars to focus on.

Consider free online programs like Khan Academy for early SAT prep.

10th grade: Take the PSAT. Make a list of colleges that interest you and look at their admissions requirements.

11th grade: Take the SAT and/or ACT. This gives you time to retake to improve your score. Go on an HBCU college tour to get a feel for what kind of campus environment you like 12th grade: Send out applications in the fall. Take the SAT and/or ACT again if needed, and fill out the FAFSA by January 1. Visit your top colleges, or set up virtual tours through the admissions office to help you narrow down your list.

PAYING FOR COLLEGE You should start talking about the cost of college and options to pay for it as early as possible. Public colleges in your home state will usually cost less than private colleges. And you might consider starting at a community college and transferring later. Did you know there are 11 HBCU community colleges, including St. Phillip's College and Southwestern Christian College here in Texas? And St. Phillips is the only college in the nation designated as both an historically Black college and a Hispanic serving institution (HSI).

It's also worth noting that a lot of scholarship opportunities are decided based on students' PSAT scores. If you are planning to take an SAT-prep course, it's worth considering taking it in 9th grade or Fall of 10th - before you take the PSAT in the Spring - so you can maximize those opportunities.

In addition to those opportunities, there are numerous scholarship databases available. You can almost do a google search for (anything) + "scholarships" "scholarships for Black girls in science" or "scholarships for Black theater students." Here are some scholarship opportunities specifically rserved for Black students: uncf.org/scholarships (check out https://uncf.org/thelatest/scholarships-for-june-at-uncf for last-minute opportunities for seniors!). https://www.tmcf.org/students-alumni/scholarships/ Gates Millenium Scholars Program: gmsp.org Jackie Robinson Foundation: JackieRobinson.org/apply Other databases to search: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/collegeresource-center/hbcu-scholarships/ https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/collegescholarships/scholarship-directory/race/africanamerican https://hbcuconnect.com/scholarships/ https://www.blackscholarships.org https://hbculifestyle.com/101-minority-scholarships/

OTHER RESOURCES COMMON BLACK COLLEGE APPLICATION Did you know you can apply to 55 HBCUs with one application? The Common Black College Application is a great way to save money on college application fees -for one $20 fee.

Visit commonblackcollegeapp.com for more information or to get started.

HBCU COLLEGE TOUR GROUPS Some churches and local fraternity and sorority chapters offer HBCU college tours. In addition to local groups, these groups also offer tours: http://www.gibbstravelagency.com/CollegeToursNew. html (originates in Houston and visits HBCUs in Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, North Caorlina, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.) http://campusvisitexperts.cetours.com/package/histo rically-black-college-university-tour-southwest/ (originates in Houston and visits HBCUs in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi) http://www.steppingintherightdirection.com/schedul es/ (visits HBCUs in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee)

BLACK PFLUGERVILLE'S STUDENT ADVOCATE COMMITTEE Need help with your college application, or just have questions about the road to college in general? We're here to help - for free! Visit blackpflugerville.us/studentadvocates to contact our team.

"You are where you are today because you stand on somebody's shoulders.

And wherever you are heading, you cannot get there by yourself. If you stand on the shoulders of others, you have a reciprocal responsibility to live your life so that others may stand on your shoulders. It's the quid pro quo of life. We exist temporarily through what we take, but we live forever through what we give."

- Vernon Jordan, Howard University School of Law class of 1960, civil rights leader and former executive director of the United Negro College Fund

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER AN HBCU Historically Black colleges and universities were established out of necessity in a time when Black students were barred from other institutions of learning in this country. Today, despite the fact that Black students are permitted by law to attend any college in the nation, HBCUs are still largely responsible for developing America's Black middle class In fact, data show Black HBCU alumni fare better than Back graduates of predominantly white institutions.

DID YOU KNOW...

Despite accounting for only 3% of all American colleges and universities, HBCUs enroll 9% of Black students and confer 22% of all bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students, including: 85% OF ALL BLACK DOCTORS 80% OF ALL BLACK FEDERAL JUDGES 75% OF ALL BLACK MILITARY OFFICERS 75% OF ALL BLACK PHD HOLDERS 75% OF ALL BLACK VETERINARIANS 70% OF ALL BLACK DENTISTS 50% OF ALL BLACK PHARMACISTS 46% OF ALL BLACK BUSINESS EXECUTIVES 40% OF ALL BLACK ENGINEERS 40% OF ALL BLACK MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Spelman College and Bennett College - the nation's only two HBCU women's colleges - graduate more than half of all Black women who go on to earn PhDs in STEM fields.

Howard University is the birthplace of five of the nine National Pan-Hellenic Letter Organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma.

Wilberforce University is the first HBCU owned and operated by Black people, for Black students.

Clark College was the nation's first Black liberal arts college, and Atlanta University was the first Black graduate institution. Those institutions merged in 1988 to form Clark Atlanta University.