2023 Greenville County (SC) College Guide

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GreenvilleCountyCollegeFair.org | greenvillecountycollegefair@gmail.com | greenvillecountycollegefair 2023CollegeGuide GREENVILLE COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR @ GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Morning Session 9:00-11:30 am Evening Session 5:30-7:30 p.m. MONDAY SEMINAR The College Financial Aid Process from 7:15-8:00 p.m. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 From 9:00-11:30 am OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Evening Session

Endless possibility. Yours for the taking.

There are few things as life-changing and mind-blowing as the four years you’ll spend at Furman. The high-caliber academics. The dedicated mentors. The lifelong friendships. The stunning beauty. It’s all here. For you.

At Furman, you’ll find boundless opportunities to stretch your wings with undergraduate research, internships and study away. You’ll find small classes taught by professors and not TAs. You’ll find big school fun with Division I athletics and tons of student organizations while getting small school advantages of support and access.

We might be small, but you’ll be part of something big.

AT FURMAN, IT’S ALL HERE. FOR YOU. YOU’LL GET THE VALUE 98% students receive some form of financial aid Over $78 million awarded in financial assistance YOU’LL EXPERIENCE THE BEST #4 National Liberal Arts College in the Southeast –U.S. News & World Report YOU’LL DO COOL THINGS #4 Most Innovative Schools –U.S. News & World Report

A LETTER TO GREENVILLE COUNTY FAMILIES –

Welcome to the Greenville County College Fair! We are so fortunate to collaborate with the Greenville Journal to promote access to college for our local high school students. We work hard each year to bring this experience to the families of Greenville County and the Upstate. The planning committee is made up of volunteers; we are also parents, wives, husbands, college graduates, educators and community members who care about your future success. This planning committee is supported by the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers whose mission is to provide every prospective student in North and South Carolina the opportunity to attend an educational program.

This college fair is for you

There are several paths to consider taking after high school: work, college, and service. All three paths can be enhanced with an education. We know this generation of college bound students are having to make really hard, big decisions at the beginning of young adulthood. The benefits to a version of education after high school are important in this rapidly changing world. Finances, family support, and achievement are all factors to deciding if college is right for you. We have set the stage, inviting 100+ colleges and universities to join in this conversation with you. This College Guide will be a great resource for you. More than 100 college representatives await your arrival, so we want you to be prepared to make the most of this experience. After all, where else can you access this many colleges and universities from across the country for free? Inside this College Guide you will find preparation from tips for high school seniors who are starting the college application process this fall and for juniors who are honing in on their college search, to guidance for sophomores and freshmen who are starting their college search process. We encourage you to explore topics of interest and make plans to join us at the college fair! This is a two-day event: morning sessions are reserved for students to visit during the day with their high school and the evening session is open to the public. Ask your school counselor which day you will attend and definitely talk about this opportunity with your family!

We hope to see you there.

Together, Greenville County College Fair Planning Committee

Email: greenvillecountycollegefair@gmail.com

Website: www.greenvillecountycollegefair.org

Facebook and Instagram: greenvillecountycollegefair

GREENVILLE COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR PLANNING COMMITTEE

CHAIR: ALLYSON BROWN | Spartanburg Methodist College

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

JENN ALBRIGHT

St. Joseph’s Catholic School

BRANDI BABB

Legacy Early College

JUDY BENEDICT

Giraffe Web Development & Design

JAY BLANKENSHIP

Renewable Water Resources

TARSHA BROWN

Greenville Technical College

VANEASHA DANZY

JL Mann High School

LYNN EDWARDS

JL Mann High School

FRANK ESTRIDGE

North Greenville University

DYAMOND HENDERSON

Legacy Early College

ELIZABETH HOUSE Greenville County School District

KAREN ROGERS

Greenville Technical Charter High School

LINDA SCHULZ (College Guide Coordinator)

Christ Church Episcopal School

SARAH STEELE

Southside Christian School

Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023 | 3
Money to cover what scholarships don’t. SCSTUDENTLOAN.ORG/GUIDE When you need... Talk to a trusted adviser (800) 347-2752 Serving SC families for over 50 Years LMUnet.edu

WHAT’S INSIDE THE GUIDE:

COLLEGE FAIR DETAILS

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

9:00-11:30 am College Fair – Greenville County Public Schools

5:30-7:30 pm College Fair

7:15-8:00 pm Seminar: The College Financial Aid Process

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

9:00-11:30 am College Fair – Greenville County Public Schools

WHERE: Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr. Greenville, SC

FREE TO THE PUBLIC!

PRE-REGISTER FOR COLLEGE FAIR!

You are encouraged to register with StriveFair.com prior to the Greenville County College Fair to get a personalized barcode that you can share with colleges when you visit their booths. This is a free service that will save you time as you meet with college representatives.

Make the most of your College Fair experience

now!

4 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023
and register
College Fair Schedule........................................................................................ 4 Pre-Register with StiveFair 4 2023 College Fair Participants 5 Prepare to Attend the College Fair 6 Definitions of Admissions: Options in Higher Education 7 College Types 8 State-Funded Scholarship & Grant Programs 9 Tips on Writing Your College Application Essay 10 The College Search: A Journey of Discovery for Young Adults 12 Getting Organized With Your College Application Process .14 Useful College Admission Terms 17 Scholarship Insider 20 Consider a Historically Black College or University 22 Helpful Websites to Support Your College Search 23 Navigating College Financial Aid 24
your campus visit experience at Winthrop University at www.winthrop.edu/admissions/visit
Schedule

2023 COLLEGE FAIR PARTICIPANTS

Anderson University

Appalachian State University

Arclabs Welding School

Auburn Univeristy

Barton College

Belmont Abbey College

Benedict College

Bob Jones University

Brevard College

Carson-Newman University

Catawba College

Charleston Southern University

Claflin University

Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University

Coker University

College of Charleston

College of Coastal Georgia

Columbia College

Columbia International University

Converse University

East Tennessee State University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Emory and Henry College

Erskine College

Fayetteville State University

Florida Southern College

Francis Marion University

Full Sail University

Furman University

Gardner-Webb University

George Mason University

Georgia State University

Greenville Technical College

Guilford College

Hampden-Sydney College

High Point University

Hollins University

Johnson & Wales University

Johnson C. Smith University

Kennesaw State University

Kent State University

Kettering University

Lander University

Lees-McRae College

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Limestone University

Lincoln Memorial University

Mars Hill University

Mercer University

Milligan University

Mississippi State University

Newberry College

North Carolina State University

North Greenville University

Nova Southeasern University

Oglethorpe University

Ohio University

Paul Mitchell The School

Pfeiffer University

Piedmont University

Presbyterian College

Queens University of Charlotte

Roanoke College

Salem College

Samford University

South Carolina Army National Guard

South Carolina State University

Southeastern Esthetics Institute

Southern Wesleyan University

Spartanburg Methodist College

St. Andrews University

The Citadel

The University North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of Alabama in Huntsville

The University of Mississippi

The University of Tennessee Knoxville

Universal Technical Institute

University of Mary Washington

University of Mount Olive

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina Aiken

University of South Carolina Beaufort

University of South Carolina Union

University of South Carolina Upstate

University of Toledo

Virginia Tech

Warren Wilson College

Washington College

Western Carolina University

Winston-Salem State University

Winthrop University

Wofford College

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Sat., Sep. 30, 2023

Sat., Oct. 28, 2023

Sat., Feb. 24, 2024

Sat., Mar. 23, 2024

TOUR CAMPUS, EXPLORE ACADEMICS AND STUDENT LIFE, AND LEARN ABOUT ADMISSION & FINANCIAL AID

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WEEKDAY VISITS

Monday – Friday, 10 AM & 2 PM

- WALKING TOUR OF CAMPUS & RESIDENCE HALLS

- INFO SESSION WITH AN ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR

Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023 | 5

BEFORE THE FAIR

Register online before the fair to receive a barcode for easy onsite access to college representatives. Print or take a screenshot on your phone of the barcode and bring it to the fair as your electronic ID. Online registration leaves more time for you to meet one-onone with admission representatives.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I want to attend a large, medium, or small school?

• What major do I wish to study?

• Do I want to attend an urban, suburban, or rural school?

• Do I want to attend a two-year, four-year, single-sex, or religiously-affiliated school?

• Do I want to participate in athletics, clubs, fraternities, sororities, or special programs such as study abroad or cooperative education?

Research colleges attending the fair to determine if they meet your search criteria and make sure to reference your College Matchmaking™ email to ensure you connect with your best fits! And, make a list of questions to ask college representatives.

Learn more about College Matchmaking at: nacacattend.org/fairs/college-matchmaking

AT THE FAIR

• Pick up a fair directory and bag for all of the materials you collect.

• Visit the schools on your College Matchmaking™ list that aligned best with your attributes that you provided at the time of registration or are the closest match to your search criteria.Be adventurous. Don’t just talk to the wellknown schools.

• Ask the college representative to scan your barcode. This will allow the representative to follow up with you directly—and quickly.

• Ask the same questions to each college representative you visit.

• Take notes. Write down what you find most interesting about each college.

• Attend an information session (if available) to learn more about the college search process, financial aid, and other topics.

AFTER THE FAIR

• Review college websites, catalogs, and viewbooks to gather more information to help narrow your choices.

• Send a thank you note/email to the college representatives you met. This simple gesture can show admission officials you’re serious about wanting to attend their college

WHAT IF MY PARENT(S) WANT TO COME TO A FAIR WITH ME?

• Bringing a wing person to make sure you can hit every table you’re interested in is always a good plan. We suggest printing your barcode out twice, so you guys can divide and conquer all you want.

• Another tip, set up an email account specifically for the college admissions process. You will be getting a lot of correspondence from these folks. You want to make sure to handle emails quickly and not miss anything. On the other hand,

what it means to Succeed

6 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023
PREPARE TO ATTEND THE COLLEGE FAIR Resource: NACAC, What You Need to Know for In-Person Fairs newberry.edu BACHELOR’S • MASTER’S • ONLINE
Boldly, here in the Midlands.
Redefining

DEFINITIONS OF ADMISSIONS:

Options in Higher Education

STUDENTS: WHICH COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESS BEST SUITS YOU ?

TYPE DEFINITION

Regular Decision Rolling Admission

Students submit an application by a specified date and receive a decision in a clearly stated period of time.

Institutions review applications as they are submitted and render admission decisions throughout the admission cycle.

Early Action (EA)

Students apply early and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date.

Early Decision (ED)

Students make a commitment to a firstchoice institution where, if admitted they definitely will enroll and withdraw all other applications. The application deadline and decision deadline occur early.

Restrictive Early Action (REA)

Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED or EA or REA to other institutions. If

COMMITMENT

NON-BINDING

NON-BINDING

NON-BINDING BINDING

Students are not restricted from applying to other institutions and have until May 1 to consider their options and confirm enrollment.

NON-BINDING

Students are responsible for determining and following restrictions.

Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling

The National Association for College Admission Counseling, founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 25,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students transitioning from secondary to postsecondary education. NACAC is dedicated to providing counseling and admission professionals with the expert advice and tools they need to better serve students and improve the college transition process.

We are Greenville County’s home college.

COLLEGE TYPES

Liberal arts colleges focus on the education of undergraduate students. Classes are generally taught by professors who see teaching as their primary responsibility. Students who attend liberal arts colleges are exposed to a broad sampling of classes. In addition, they select at least one area of in-depth study that is their college major. Many employers look for graduates of liberal arts programs because they are well-rounded.

Universities are generally larger and include a liberal arts college, as well as colleges focused on preparation for specific careers, like nursing or education. Universities offer a greater range of academic choices than liberal arts colleges, but often come with classes that are quite large. Research opportunities and other extracurricular options are readily available.

Technical institutes and professional schools enroll students who have made clear decisions about what they want to study and emphasize preparation for specific careers in music, fine arts, engineering, or technical sciences.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities originated at a time when AfricanAmerican students were systematically denied access to most other colleges and universities. Students at HBCUs have a unique opportunity to experience an educational community in which they are a part of the majority. They find committed faculty mentors who encourage their expectations of success.

Tribal colleges are similar to HBCUs, but they focus on the needs and education of American-Indian students.

Similarly, women’s colleges, with their larger numbers of female faculty and administrators, offer college women confidence-building role models, greater opportunities to serve in a full range of student leadership positions, and a heightened awareness of career possibilities for women. Women’s colleges graduate a high number of science majors, as well as students who continue on to graduate school and/or professional studies.

Did you know that Greenville Technical College graduates earn more than 40% higher annual incomes than those with just high school diplomas?*

Start today! Visit www.gvltec.edu.

*Source: GTC Economic Impact Report (www.gvltec.edu/roi/)

Religiously-affiliated colleges and universities were formed by religious groups and organizations. Although they are not limited in admission to members of that religious group, they often run in alignment with religious principles. To graduate, students may be required to take one or two religion classes (and sometimes more).

Community or junior colleges generally offer the first two years of a liberal arts education in addition to specialized occupational preparation. An associate degree is awarded at the end of a two-year program of studies. Many students continue their education at a four-year institution.

For-profit colleges operate under the demands of investors or stockholders. These private institutions exist, at least in part, to maximize profits for their owners. Not all for-profit schools are predatory. But countless instances of unscrupulous conduct by for-profit colleges have been revealed through investigations by the federal government, media, and state attorneys general.

Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling

8 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023
While no two are exactly alike, most colleges fit into one or more of the following categories:
With 100+ programs, we have something for you!

Palmetto Fellows

State-Funded Scholarship & Grant Programs

State-Funded Scholarship & Grant Programs

Continued Eligibility Criteria Qualifying Criteria

3.5 SC UGP GPA, 1200 SAT or 2 ACT, and Top 6% rank in Grade 10, 11, or 12 If class rank criteria not met...

4.0 SC UGP GPA, and 1400 SAT or 3 ACT

3.0 institutional GPA, and Earn 30 credit hours per academic year*

*cannot include hours earned from AP, IB, CLEP, or dual enrollment.

Can be received for a maximum of 8 terms.

Continued Eligibility Criteria

Attending a 2-Year Institution? 3.0 SC UGP GPA

Attending a 4-Year Institution? Meet 2 of following 3:

3.0 SC UGP GPA 1100 SAT or 2 ACT

Rank in top 30% of graduating

3.0 LIFE GPA, and Earn an average of 30 credit hours per academic year*

Qualifying Criteria LIFE

*includes hours earned from AP, IB, CLEP, or dual enrollment.

Can be received for a maximum of 8 terms.

Continued Eligibility Criteria Qualifying Criteria SC HOPE

4-Year Institutions Only 3.0 SC UGP GPA

3.0 LIFE GPA, and Earn an average 30 credit hours by end of first academic year (can include hours earned from AP, IB, CLEP, or dual enrollment).

If SC HOPE recipients have satisfied these criteria at the end of theirfirstacademicyear,they can be enrolled in the LIFE Scholarshipprogram.

Continued Eligibility Criteria Qualifying Criteria SC Need-Based Grant

Determined "in need" by completing the FAFSA.

2.0 GPA, Earn 24 credit hours, and Complete the FAFSA annually, so "in need" status can be confirmed.

Continued Eligibility Criteria

2-Year Institutions Only

Lottery Qualifying Criteria

Tuition Assistance

Complete FAFSA or FAFSA waiver, Enroll in at least six credit hours

Maintain satisfactory academic progress; After attempting 24 hours, earn a minimum 2.0 GPA; and Complete the FAFSA annually

StudentsarenoteligibletoreceiveLottery Tuition Assistance for morethanonecertificate,diploma,ordegreeearnedwithinany fiveyearperiodunlesstheadditionalcertificate,diploma,ordegree constitutesprogressinthesamefieldofstudy.

TIPS ON WRITING YOUR College Application Essay

As high school seniors are finalizing the college application lists and completing applications, most find the process fairly straightforward until it is time to write the essay or personal statement. For many students, the essay is the last hurdle and causes more procrastination and bewilderment even for the best writers. The essay is not designed to be a hurdle or block, but it is designed to give students the opportunity to “talk” to college admission counselors and provide more insight into the person beyond the numbers. In addition to getting to know you, the applicant, better, colleges are interested in how you communicate and how clearly you share your thoughts or highlight an accomplishment that is

Do’s

• Be yourself. Use words that are natural to you. Write in your own voice and style.

• Find a topic that excites you or that you have a keen interest in if you bring a genuine interest to your writing, then the admission counselors reading your essay will find it interesting.

• Write about something you know!

• Show your topic don’t just tell us about it but use vivid examples describe the scene, the person, use details.

• Use active verbs instead of passive verbs.

• Draft, edit, and rewrite. Once you write the final draft, read it aloud and ask yourself if it conveys the topic and message you are trying to convey. Ask a teacher, a parent or a friend to

Don’ts

• Don’t write what you think others want to read.

• Don’t wait until the last minute and send in your first draft.

• Don’t write about broad topics and generalizations.

• Don’t overwrite and pull out the thesaurus to use big words.

• Don’t neglect the technical parts grammar, spelling and structure.

• Don’t ramble. Say what you want to say, and conclude.

• Don’t confuse applying online with sending an email. It is important that your writing is clear and that you use correct grammar.

Don’t let careless flaws take away from your essay topic. We want to notice you, not the grammatical errors or misspelled words.

Remember that the essay is only one part of the application. While the essay is only one piece of the application process, it is important to know that colleges that require essays or personal statements read these essays. The essay is a great vehicle for showcasing something that is important to you or about you.

An essay won’t compensate for a weak academic record, but an essay may sway a decision in a close case. So, be yourself and select a topic that you are comfortable writing about and that is important to you. View the essay as an opportunity to tell us more about the person behind the application and the numbers.

Go anywhere from here

Clemson University empowers, encourages and educates every student by combining a small-town feel with large university resources. We create a unique experience on campus that will inspire you for the rest of your life.

•Ranked as a top public universi for 15 consecu ve years (U.S. News & World Report, 2023).

•Best Value College (The Princeton Review, 2023).

•No. 9 Their Students Love

These Colleges (The Princeton Review, 2023).

•R1 highest research ac vi designa on from the Carnegie Classifica on of Ins tu ons of Higher Educa on.

•No. 1 Best Career Services (The Princeton Review, 2023).

•No. 3 Most Trusted Universi es (public schools) (Morning Consult, 2022).

A campus visit will help you know us a little better. And we hope you find that the best is yet to come at Clemson. Plan your trip now at clemson.edu/visit.

Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023 | 11
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 23 Greenville County College Fair ad.PRINT.pdf 1 8/15/23 1:44 PM
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Wofford College is a “fantastic option for students seeking a ‘rigorous’ liberal arts experience.”
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of students receive some form of financial aid

THE COLLEGE SEARCH: A Journey of Discovery for Young Adults

Exhilarating, joyful, and celebratory. Overwhelming, isolating, and difficult. All words often used to describe the college search process. And if you find yourself feeling any such emotions, you are not alone! After conversations with hundreds, if not thousands, of college bound students and their loved ones over the years, there remains true several common choice sets that instill confidence in decision making and help students reflect on what is most important in their plans for college success.

1. STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS AT THE CENTER.

Maintaining a student-centered conversation in

your

the college search process will allow the student to create a very tailored list of colleges and universities that will fit their individual needs.

• In what type of classroom environment does the student excel?

• In what type of campus environment would the student thrive?

• Is there a preference for being closer, or further, to home?

This approach likely means that the intents, hopes, and wishes of parents, guardians, or supporters may not align with what the student envisions for themselves. By supporters letting the student lead this process, space is created for greater trust, collaboration, open communication throughout the college search.

2. THE COLLEGE SEARCH IS QUIET.

Many students note that talking about career aspirations and college goals every night of the week, or on holidays with extended family, is not the most awaited conversation. And in doing so, may unintentionally lead to increased insecurity and anxiety around the process. Students and loved ones who limit the scope of discussion, as well as the scope of involvement from others, are better able to maintain control of personal decisions and instill confidence in the student’s process.

• Who needs to know about, or play a role in, the college search and decision process?

• What resources will you determine as influential in your college search? And what sources may clutter your search?

North Greenville University exists to glorify God by cultivating graduates who are equipped to serve as transformational leaders for church and society. You’ll be challenged academically and spiritually by caring faculty and staff as you pursue your calling at NGU.

Take the path toward your true north at North Greenville University. We’ll help you uncover your aspirations, cultivate your values, and embrace the calling God has for your life!

Earn your degree from NGU regardless of where you are in life!

+ Onsite

+ Fully Online

+ 125 areas of study

Explore more at ngu.edu

12 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023
We’ll be your guide.
Find
true north.

discussion night?

In a world where we often consume and share personal information at the swipe of a finger, you are encouraged to choose wisely how far and wide

3. TOUGH CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN EARLY.

Identifying family factors at the start of the college

search process provides guardrails, cohesion, and trust between student and loved ones. Whether the parameters may be regarding financial fit, geographic location, or other, these conversations only get more difficult further into the application process. Having these types of discussions early in the college search allows for both the student and supporters to be aligned on these important decisions from the beginning.

All too often this college search process is heralded as a competition with a prize to be won, when it is rather a journey for each student to discover the college environment best suited for their individual needs and

Students and their supporters are encouraged to utilize the resources offered by school counseling offices, the National Association for College and Admission Counseling (www.nacacnet.org/student/) and for questions specific to certain colleges and universities, connect with an admissions representative, as additional tools in the college search process.

Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023 | 13
Who will prepare you to take on the future? WE WILL. Together. WE WILL admissions@converse.edu | 864.596.9040 converse.edu/apply be game-changers ConverseHalfPg_CACRAOFairAd_Aug2023.indd 1 8/8/23 10:38 AM

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH Your College Application Process

Throughout my 14 years of college recruiting experience, one reaction has remained constant: the overwhelming look of confusion on the faces of students (and parents) when the time comes to start applying to colleges for admission. Keeping up with all your college information can be a lot and the last thing colleges want is for prospective students to feel the heavy burden of remembering important dates and deadlines. Here is the advice I offer to many families as my best advice on staying organized during this exciting and stressful time of high school.

FOR THE TRADITIONALIST: Make a Calendar of Important Dates

Sounds simple and somewhat elementary but it is helpful. Buy (or print a template from Microsoft Word) a wall calendar and choose where in your house it will be displayed. In the kitchen and/or near the refrigerator is usually a central location for family members. As you add important dates to your calendar, there is an element of visibility and accountability for not only the student but parents/ guardians, too. Most colleges have different dates so get creative and add your dates with different colors or indicators to help keep track of the year. Your calendar might include the following:

1st layer of dates – College application deadlines

2nd layer of dates – Campus tours and/or open house events

3rd layer of dates – Meeting with school counselor on application materials

FOR THE MODERNIST: Make a List

Some people feel more productive by making a listing and checking off completed items. The same advice applies, keep this list in a safe place that you will revisit often. The benefits of a list gives an opportunity to

add more detailed items to stay on top of what is due when. Your list may look like this:

College #1 –

1) Meet with school counselor – August

• Request high school transcript

• Write college essay

• Ask recommender to write letter of recommendation

2) Visit campus for tour or Open House – September

3) Submit college application – October

4) Submit the FAFSA after December 1

FOR THE INNOVATOR: Take Your Plan on the Go

In today’s world of technology, there may be a preference to always have your list available digitally. Find a list maker app that is easy to navigate and set your to-do items that way. A KanBan app (or physical board) is great to have at your fingertips and feel productive in making progress as often as the detailed items are completed. Conceptually, a Kan Ban board is a

To-Do Lists Work in Progress

The idea is to find the best, most functional, way to stay and keep organized. Once the school year starts, your calendar will fill quickly with school assignments, athletic events, work obligations and family plans. Colleges try to help keep you organized too by sending reminders on what materials are due and upcoming visit opportunities so check your email often! Regardless of your preferred method, keep those college materials arriving in your mailbox in a folder for you and your family to review when

14 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023
Done Meet with school counselor Make college list Visit campus Submit applicationcollege Write college essay Ask for people to write letters of recommendation Do FAFSA

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COLLEGE ADMISSION TERMS

Articulation Agreement – Formal arrangements between two or more colleges and universities that specify how courses, a general education plan, and/or major requirements transfer from one institution of higher education to another. Articulation agreements are crucial for transfer students who need to understand how their credits will translate to other institutions.

Campus Interview – An optional component of the admission process where the student schedules a visit with an admission officer.

Campus Tour – An opportunity to observe campus culture, talk to current students, and visit the surrounding community.

Class Rank – A measure used to show how a student’s academic performance compares to that of their peers within the same high school class.

The Coalition Application – A college application accepted by more than 140 colleges and universities. The application platform also offers a set of free online college

College Essay – A common component of the admission process that allows students to showcase their individuality.

College Fair – A convenient way for students to meet representatives from many colleges and universities under one roof.

Common Application – A college application accepted by more than 1,000 colleges and universities.

Conditional Admission – An offer of admission contingent upon certain conditions, such as a mandated grade point average.

Deferred Admission – A response to early applications wherein the student is not admitted but retains eligibility in the regular admission pool.

Deferred Enrollment – A decision made by the student to postpone their admission to college, sometimes used to take a gap year.

Demonstrated Interest – Various ways in which a student shows their interest in

Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023 | 17
USEFUL
experience coastal coastal.edu/visit 800.277.7000 admissions@coastal.edu Conway, South Carolina coastal.edu/apply

of demonstrated interest vary from college to college, but can include taking a campus tour, contacting the admission office, registering for a overnight program on campus, and more.

Early Action – Students apply by an earlier deadline to receive a decision in advance of the college’s Regular Decision notification date. Students will not be asked to accept the college’s offer of admission or to submit a deposit prior to May 1.

other college applications. Colleges may offer ED I or II with different deadlines. This is the only application plan where students are required to accept a college’s offer of admission and submit a deposit prior to May 1.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – Required application for anyone filing for federal financial aid, including all federal loans.

Financial Aid – Monetary assistance applied toward postsecondary

First-Generation – College applicants who are the first in their families to apply and attend a postsecondary institution.

Gap Year – A student’s decision to postpone their acceptance to college, usually during the year between senior year of high school and freshman year of college.

Grade Point Average – A component on high school transcripts that averages all of a student’s grades, typically on a 4.0

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) –Postsecondary institutions established prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for the purposes of educating AfricanAmerican students.

Legacy – A student applicant with familial ties to the college or university to which they are applying.

Letter of Recommendation – Nonfamilial references submitted by students during the admission process.

Need-Blind – A policy of colleges and universities to extend admission offers regardless of a student’s financial status.

Open Admission – Non-selective admission policy.

Placement Test – A test given to students before they enroll in college, and usually after they are accepted, to align their educational needs with the appropriate coursework.

Private College – An academic institution financed primarily by tuition and endowments.

18 | Greenville County College Fair

endowments, and state or local taxes. Tuition for in-state students is reduced and programs and policies are stateregulated.

Regular Decision – A decision offered during the regular admission cycle. Students submit their applications by a specified deadline and are notified of a decision within a clearly stated period of time.

Restrictive Early Action –Students apply to an institution of preference and receive a decision early. They may be restricted from applying ED, EA, or REA to other institutions. If offered enrollment, they have until May 1 to confirm.

Retention Rate – The percentage of first-year students who continue at that college or university for a second year of studies.

Rolling Admission – Students apply at any time after a college begins accepting applications until a final closing date, which may be as late as the start of the term for which they

Selectivity – Institutional statistic that compares the number of students who apply to those who are accepted.

Standardized Test – A national college admission exam with subject areas in English, math, reading, and science with an optional writing component. The ACT and SAT are the two most popular versions in the US.

Summer Melt – A trend describing students who apply and are accepted to college, but ultimately do not attend.

Transcript – A student’s academic history, usually curated by a high school counseling department, submitted as part of the college application.

Wait List – Wait lists give students who were not initially admitted another opportunity to be considered for admission, and they help colleges manage their enrollments. By placing a student on the wait list, a college does not initially offer or deny admission but extends to the candidate the possibility of admission no later than Aug. 1 should space become available.

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SCHOLARSHIP INSIDER

Scholarships take work and research. Knowing where you want to go and your potential major is key. As you live in the state of South Carolina, you may qualify for state scholarships and grants. Check out South Carolina’s Commission on Higher Education’s website for more details. (See link below.)

Beyond the state scholarships, where do students look?

Start with the College/University you wish to attend. Each school will have a link on their website regarding financial aid and scholarships. See if the school gives meritbased scholarships. Many schools review students for merit-based scholarships at the time of acceptance, so no separate application is required. Some colleges require a separate scholarship application, so research carefully. But, pay close attention to the school’s deadline for merit-based scholarships. The cut-off for applying often precedes the colleges’ regular decision deadlines.

For information on state scholarships

visit South Carolina Commission on Higher Education at www.che.sc.gov.

Use your resources to narrow your search down

to scholarships that fit your talents and academic successes. Take the time to write thought-provoking essays and make sure to get recommendations ahead of time. Most scholarship programs will ask for a transcript, recommendations, and essay.

Volunteering and Work

If you volunteer or work, ask the organization that you are working with if they have a scholarship for graduating students. Check with your local religious affiliations and your home church.

School Counseling Department

Visit your school counseling department and find out how they distribute scholarships to students. Most high schools use a college and career readiness software for sending transcripts and often they have a tab for scholarships as well, such as Naviance. If local companies reach out to high schools, often they are added to their scholarship bulletin and made accessible to their students.

Popular Search Engines

Most search engines allow students to create a profile to filter scholarships that fit their listed criteria: family income, grades, volunteer activity, test scores, race, etc. These sites are FREE! You should never pay for a scholarship search. A few reliable sources include:

fastweb.com

goingmerry.com

bigfuture.collegeboard.org

salliemae.com/scholarshipsearch

unigo.com

cappex.com

An additional great resource for undocumented students: getschooled.com/article/4334-financialaid-faq-for-undocumented-students/

20 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023
Don’t delay! Start your scholarship search today.
Beyond merit-based scholarships there are several sites and local scholarships just waiting for students to apply. How do you find those scholarships?
P:

CONSIDER A HISTORICALLY Black College or University

MY H.B.C.U. EXPERIENCE

Class of 89

One may ask, “What is a Historically Black College and University (H.B.C.U.)?”

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are institutions that were established prior to 1964 with the principal mission of educating Black Americans. Although HBCUs were originally founded to educate Black students, the composition of HBCUs has changed over time.

In 2021, non-Black students made up 25 percent of enrollment at HBCUs. As of last year, there are 99 HBCUs located in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Of the 99 HBCUs, 50 were public institutions and 49 were private nonprofit institutions.

The HBCU community in South Carolina is home to eight institutions of higher education. The eight (8) colleges and Universities are South Carolina State University, Claflin University, Benedict College, Allen University, Voorhees University, Clinton College, Morris College, and Denmark Technical College. South Carolina State University is the only state supported HBCU in South Carolina. There are many notable HBCU graduates that have played vital roles in South Carolina from athletics, workforce, education to government.

Over the past century, HBCUs have helped to narrow racial wage gaps and reduce race and income inequality. Much remains to be done in both areas, but HBCUs have carved out an important place in U.S. higher education.

As of 2022, HBCUs enrolled 10% of Black undergraduates and awarded 20% of baccalaureate degrees earned by Black college students. HBCU graduates also rank high when it comes to the number of graduates who go on to pursue professional training. A shining example is Benedict College, which is the home of only two (2) ABET certified Environment Engineering undergraduate programs in South Carolina.

The years that I spent enrolled as an undergraduate student as a marketing major at South Carolina State University provided me with the opportunity to learn my history, build self-confidence, and create a desire to strive for excellence in all my life pursuits. The life experiences and knowledge that I gained as a student provided me with the foundational pillars needed

for positions of leadership as a business owner and in various roles in the community, higher education, government and in the corporate world.

The intentional strategies that I use today and how to think critically were processes that I was taught at South Carolina State University. Understanding the importance of having a sphere of influence were also strategies that I learned as a marketing major that I use daily in business, working relationships, and community engagements.

HBCU graduates have a true bond like no other, and it’s instilled in HBCU graduates, regardless of the institution, to make a difference in the lives of others, to be leaders in their communities, and to be great examples of a public servant. The lessons I learned at SCSU are on display regularly and have provided me with a platform to serve in many leadership capacities from serving as a former At-Large School Board Trustee, former President of Phi Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, to my position today as the Director of Workforce Engagement at Renewable Water Resource (ReWa), where I lead efforts to build relationships, collaborations and partnerships that stretch beyond Greenville and the state.

Many of the friendships that have been built in my life are with individuals who were my friends and classmates during my years as an undergraduate. In fact, I met my wife as an undergraduate at SCSU. The HBCU Experience is real and lives on with many traditions from the classroom and on the yard experiences, to battle of the bands, football classics and homecoming.

Put an HBCU on your list of college choices, I did, and it was the best choice I made to further my education.

22 | Greenville County College Fair

HELPFUL WEBSITES TO SUPPORT YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH

www.commonapp.org and www.mycoalition.org

Apply to college online! Over 1000 colleges and universities accept the Common Application, helping students streamline the application process. The Coalition Application is accepted by 150 institutions

www.sccango.org

Link to SC college and university websites and explore admission requirements, financial aid and scholarship opportunities, majors offered, student life, and much more.

www.che.sc.gov

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education; a great resource for state scholarship program information.

www.collegeboard.org

Register for the SAT, send scores to colleges and link to free test preparation; complete the CSS Profile (financial aid document required by some colleges), search for scholarships.

www.act.org

Register for the ACT, send scores to colleges, and link to free test preparation.

www.fairtest.org

Organization dedicated to making the testing process for college admission fair and equitable. A listing of test optional colleges and universities is available on this site.

nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator

National Center for Education Statistics (valuable, unbiased data)

www.ncaa.org

Home page for the National Collegiate Athletic Association; students planning to compete in collegiate athletics at the Division I or II level must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023 | 23 99% OF STUDENTS EARN MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS STUDY ABROAD COUNTRIES MORE THAN OPTIONS IN 29 INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC TEAMS GET INVOLVED WITH MORE THAN 85 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND INTERNSHIPS PROVISIONAL MEMBER CONNECT WITH 800.848.5493 • admission@ehc.edu • www.ehc.edu/applynow You’re Invited to Schedule a Visit: www.ehc.edu/visitnow 100 45 GET THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO SUCCEED Excellent Student Support: Career & Student Success Centers More than 90 Academic Options: Business, Nursing, Arts, Health Sciences & More JOIN US AS WE MOVE TO UNIVERSITY STATUS IN FALL 2024! We’re Committed to Affordabilty!

NAVIGATING COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID

Navigating the world of college financial aid can be a daunting and intimidating task. It seems at times that there are more questions than answers, and the answers you do receive are filled with new vocabulary words, acronyms, and ambiguous data that is challenging to discern. It can all be a bit overwhelming. This article is meant to help you navigate the tumultuous waters of financial aid ahead. We sought out experts in the field from various colleges and types of institutions and asked them to provide their most pertinent advice and information about this process. We hope it helps you journey the changing tides of college financial aid.

Shelby Maguire, Director of Financial Aid and Financial Wellness at Lafayette College begins by sharing, “One of the keys to the financial aid process is knowing where to start. Any and every college where you are seeking to apply for financial aid will require the FAFSA. So, this is a great starting point!”

Carolyn Sparks, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Financial Aid at Wofford College adds, “The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the center of all federal need-based financial aid, state need-based financial aid and maybe even institutional need-based financial aid. The FAFSA covers grants, federal work-study and student and parent loans. I encourage completing the FAFSA at least the first year to establish a baseline for need. It only takes a little time to share your income and asset information, and the government has made this process easier over time. Your Student Aid Index (SAI) will be calculated and used to determine your financial need based on the Cost of Attendance (COA).

The FAFSA usually becomes available October 1st of each year for the following academic year, but it has been delayed for 2024-25 based on some legislative changes. It is anticipated to be released in mid- to late-December. So, by the end of the year, the 2024-25 FAFSA will be released (for students entering college in the fall of 2024). Use the income information for 2022 to complete this application.”

Maguire shares, “The first part of completing the FAFSA is to create an FSA username and password. It is very important to do this step carefully, taking care to use a different email address for each person and creating individual IDs. You do not need to wait until the FAFSA is released to create your username and password. You

can visit https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/createaccount/launch to get started. The student and one parent (in some cases, both parents) will need to create a username and password to sign the completed FAFSA. Remember that two people cannot use the same email address or cell phone number to set up their FSA ID.”

She goes on to indicate what information and documents you will need:

• Your Social Security number

• Your parents’ Social Security numbers if you are a dependent student

• Your driver’s license number if you have one

Your Alien Registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen

You will access your federal tax information from the IRS while you are completing the FAFSA, but in some cases, you will need your and your parents’ federal income tax returns and W-2 forms Records of child support received

• Information on cash; savings and checking account balances; investments, including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you live); and business and farm assets for you and for your parents if you are a dependent student

What if my parents are separated or divorced?

It does not matter which parent claims you as a dependent on their taxes; use the information of the parent who provided the most support in the past 12 months. If the parent for whom you provide information is remarried, then you must also provide your stepparent’s information.

Who are your legal parents?

Reyonna Parrish, Financial Aid Program Manager for Outreach at Florida State University shares, “If you are considered a dependent student for Free Application

to provide information about your legal parent(s) on the application. A legal parent is your biological or adoptive parent, or your legal parent as determined by the state (for example, if the parent is listed on your birth certificate). If you have a stepparent currently married to your legal parent, generally, you must also provide information about your stepparent. Unless otherwise noted, “parent” means your legal (biological and/or adoptive) parent or your stepparent. Grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, older brothers or sisters, widowed stepparents, and aunts and uncles aren’t considered parents unless they’ve legally adopted you.”

What if I have unusual circumstances?

Elizabeth Milam, Director of Student Financial Aid at Clemson University, advises, “If you have unusual circumstances that you think might affect your dependency status or whom you should count in your household, you should talk to the financial aid office at your prospective college. They can help you understand what the college will need to document

24 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023

your unusual circumstances, such as homelessness or having a legal guardian. Your financial aid administrator has dealt with all types of situations and will handle your questions with compassion.”

Some tips and points to remember regarding the FAFSA:

• If you need help completing the FAFSA, check with your college, universities, or technical institutions in the area. Financial aid representatives can assist you for free. (Parrish, FSU)

• The FAFSA needs to be completed each year if you’re receiving grants, loans, and institutional grants. (Parrish, FSU)

• The FAFSA only collects financial information from the previous tax year. If your family experiences a significant change in income and/or has unusual expenses, contact the Office of Financial Aid for further guidance. If warranted, you will be asked to provide documentation of the situation. The end result could be additional aid for you to attend the college of your choice. (Sparks, Wofford)

• Time is of the essence as free funding (grants)

are awarded first-come, first-serve based on eligibility as determined by the FAFSA and availability of funding at the school at the time you applied. Your eligibility will differ from institution to institution as determined by the FAFSA. (Parrish, FSU)

Experts share some other general tips to get you started:

When visiting a college or university, ask if you may have the opportunity to speak with someone in the financial aid office. Prepare a list of general questions as well as school-specific ones. Ask if the school requires additional financial aid forms for financial aid and scholarship consideration.

(Sparks, Wofford)

• Set up a workspace, calendar, and designated weekly time to work on college forms and scholarship applications. You will be less likely to put off tasks or miss deadlines if you have a designated time to work on items. Parents or mentors can act as timekeepers and proofreaders, but students should do the work.

(Milam, Clemson)

• Consider your college choices and APPLY! Each school has different criteria for awarding financial aid,

so your financial aid will vary from school to school. (Sparks, Wofford)

• Be willing to invest your time. Application and essays take time, but if you work for an hour and earn a $500 scholarship, that is a great payoff! You can often rework essays from homework assignments or reuse pieces for multiple applications. That is perfectly ethical as long as it is your work. (Milam, Clemson)

• Financial aid ranges from grants, scholarships, workstudy opportunities to student and parent loans. When you receive your financial aid offer each year, be sure to review the terms and conditions of your awards. You may decline any awards you are offered. For example, you may be offered a loan and decide to decline it. That’s okay. (Sparks, Wofford)

Colleges may require additional financial aid applications in addition to the FAFSA. For example, the CSS Profile is an online application used by some colleges and scholarship programs to award institutional aid. It is important to see what each college is requesting and keep track of each individual institution’s deadlines. (Maguire, Lafayette)

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• Make sure you regularly check your emails and/or texts for announcements and notifications from both the admission office and the financial aid office. (Sparks, Wofford)

• Avoid scams and fees. Scholarship searches such as FASTWEB.com are available for free. Do not pay search fees, application fees, or processing fees. Most of these offers are scams; even if they eventually give away a small scholarship, they are making money. (Milam, Clemson)

• Use all available resources, pay attention to school announcements, and attend college planning functions. Look for information from your school, church, employers, clubs, and civic organizations (yours, your parents’, and your grandparents’). (Milam, Clemson)

• Keep records of your financial aid documentation. If you are asked to submit federal tax records to the financial aid office, keep a copy for your records. For that matter, maintain copies of anything submitted because you never know when you may need those documents again. (Sparks, Wofford)

Let your guidance office help you! If your school offers a financial aid/college night, GO! You will gain a great

deal of knowledge on the entire process and have a better understanding of the different sources of financial aid. (Sparks, Wofford)

• Finally, do not be afraid to ask questions. You have a wealth of resources available at your disposal – use them. (Parrish, FSU)

Sparks wanted to leave this final piece of advice, “Prepare for the future! It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of college planning, but it’s really important to remember that the cost of college usually increases each year. You and your family need to plan and prepare for that possibility.” Maguire concludes by stating, “Applying for financial aid can be a stressful and overwhelming process. We hope this article helps demystify the financial aid process and helps you understand ‘it’s really not that bad.’”

For more information about the FAFSA, visit: studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out

CONTRIBUTORS:

Shelby (Smith) Maguire

Director of Financial Aid, Director of Financial Wellness, Lafayette College

Elizabeth Milam

Director of Financial Aid, Clemson University

Reyonna Parrish, MA

Program Manager, Outreach, Florida State University

Carolyn B. Sparks

Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Financial Aid, Wofford College

26 | Greenville County College Fair Fall 2023
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Gardner-Webb IS ALL ABOUT YOU

A university education has never been more important. The New York Times just counted GWU among the top universities in America for economic mobility for our graduates. Gardner-Webb is committed to making your degree affordable. We grant millions of dollars in student aid every year, for students like you.

GARDNER-WEBB IS:

• One of the leading private Carnegie Doctoral Universities in North Carolina, with Duke and Wake Forest.

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• A beautiful rural campus in the foothills of North Carolina.

• Home to students from 91 N.C. counties, 45 U.S. states and 46 foreign countries.

Gardner-Webb University is the Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education.

HOME TO

• Six professional schools

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• More than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, online and seated

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Our goal is to educate the whole student, which means we want our graduates to be equipped with both intellectual breadth and professional readiness. Faculty here have worked hard to shape, and then reshape, a curriculum that attracts, engages, and prepares students for society’s diverse and dynamic needs. It’s wonderful to see their efforts externally validated and to have our University come out on top.”

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