2019 COLLEGE GUIDE
GREENVILLE COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
GREENVILLE COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR • GREENVILLE CONVENTION CENTER MONDAY, September 16 | 9:00-11:30 a.m. & 5:30-7:30 p.m. MONDAY SEMINARS: College Admission 101 | 5:30-6:15 and Financial Aid | 7:15-8:00 TUESDAY, September 17 | 9:00-11:30 a.m. Like us on Facebook | GreenvilleCountyCollegeFair.org | Follow us on Instagram Greenville County College Fair – Fall 2019
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CONTENTS: College Fair Schedule............................................................... 4 List of College Fair Participants.............................................. 4 Get The Most Out Of A College Fair..................................... 6 SC Tuition Assistance............................................................... 8 Life and Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.............................. 9 Understanding Standardized Tests.....................................10 Application Platforms.............................................................. 11 Consider Military Service........................................................12 Scholarship Insider.................................................................. 14 Make the Most of Your Campus Visit................................. 16 Demonstrated Interest..........................................................18 Using the Internet in Searches and Applications ........... 19 Financial Aid: The Big Stuff and the Small Stuff..............20 NCAA Compliance................................................................ 22
About this guide... The purpose of this guide is to provide students and parents with valuable and timely articles related to college research, financial aid, test prep, college applications, and other important topics. Today, when college costs are rising and admission to selective institutions is becoming more difficult, it is important for students and parents to consider the many factors that go into planning for and applying to college. The articles and advice expressed here can be very valuable in helping students and parents focus on things that are important. There is a detailed schedule of the Greenville County College Fair on September 16 & 17. In addition, Seminars related to college admission and financial aid will be held on Monday night the 16th. These are wonderful opportunities to learn more in-depth about the process from experts in the fields of college admission and financial aid.
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Greenville County College Fair – Fall 2019
HISTORY: The Greenville County College Fair
28 years of helping students About 25 years ago, Xanthene Norris with the Greenville Urban League and Becky Godbey with Greenville Tech, partnered with Christ Church Episcopal School to hold the first Greenville County College Fair. In the next several years, LaBarbara Sampson of the Greenville County School District and Charlie Brock at Furman became involved. In time, the Fair expanded and relocated from CCES, to Fluor, to McAlister Square. It was at that time that India Fulkerson of Greenville Tech began to take a major role in the planning of the Fair. Through her organization and work with CACRAO (Carolinas Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers), it has evolved into one of the foremost college fairs in the Southeast. The City of Greenville and Mayor Knox White have recognized the value and added its support as well through the use of the TD Exposition Center -- see how we have expanded! There are now over 100 colleges and over 3,500 students who participate in the Fair and it has expanded from one evening to two days with several educational seminars for parents and students. It is a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to get a great deal of information about all aspects of the college-going process and should not be missed by those who are thinking of and considering various college options. (See How to Get the Most Out of a College Fair on page 6.) We hope all gain from this experience. Best wishes
– The Greenville College Fair Planning Committee
GREENVILLE COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR PLANNING COMMITTEE: CHAIR: ALLYSON BROWN | Furman University COMMITTEE MEMBERS TREY ANTHONY ROB RHODES SC National Guard Greenville County School District JUDY BENEDICT COREY SANDERS* Giraffe Web Design First Presbyterian Academy JAY BLANKENSHIP LINDA SCHULZ* SC Department of Commerce Christ Church Episcopal School TARSHA BROWN SARAH STEELE Greenville Technical College Southside Christian School JENY KERSCHER RACHEL TAYLOR Furman University Greenville High School HEATHER NAJMABADI CORY TRUAX St. Joseph’s Catholic College North Greenville University KYLE PILEGGI DAVID WILKINS SC National Guard US Army * College Guide Planning Coordinators
your journey is calling Recent National Recognition • “Best College” among regional universities in the south — U.S. News & World Report, 2019 • Apple Distinguished School three consecutive times — in 2014,2016, and 2018 thru 2020 • “Most Innovative” among regional universities in the south — U.S. News & World Report, 2019 • “America’s 100 Best College Buys” (Institutional Research and Evaluation)
800.542.3594 | Andersonuniversity.edu
College Fair Participants Agnes Scott College Anderson University Appalachian State University Arclabs Welding School Auburn University Augusta University Barton College Belmont Abbey College Benedict College Berea College Bob Jones University Brevard College Campbell University Carson-Newman University Catawba College Centre College Charleston Southern University Claflin University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Coker University College of Charleston College of Coastal Georgia Columbia International University Converse College Covenant College Drexel University E.I. School of Biblical Training East Tennessee State University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emory & Henry College Erskine College Florida State University Francis Marion University Full Sail University Furman University Gardner-Webb University Georgia College Georgia Southern University Georgia State University Greenville Technical College Hollins University Illinois Wesleyan University Johnson & Wales University Kennesaw State University Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology King University Lander University Lees-McRae College Lenoir-Rhyne University Limestone College Living Arts College Mars Hill University Mercer University Meredith College Mississippi State University Montreat College 4
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Greenville County College Fair – Fall 2019
Newberry College North Carolina A&T State University Northeastern University North Greenville University Nova Southeastern University Oglethorpe University Paul Mitchell The School Pfeiffer University Piedmont College Presbyterian College Queens University of Charlotte Regent University Roanoke College Salem College Samford University Savannah State University SC Army National Guard SC Student Loan Sewanee: The University of the South South Carolina State University South College Southern Wesleyan University Spartanburg Methodist College St. Andrews University Stetson University SUNY Cortland The Citadel Toccoa Falls College Tusculum College United States Army Universal Technical Institute University of Alabama University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Alabama in Huntsville University of Georgia University of Mary Washington University of Mount Olive University of North Carolina - Asheville University of North Carolina - Charlotte 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 Tampa University of Tennessee - Knoxville Valdosta State University Virginia Military Institute Warren Wilson College Washington College Washington University in St. Louis Webster University Western Carolina University Winston-Salem State University Winthrop University Wofford College
Greenville County College Fair Schedule Monday, September 16 9:00-11:30 am 5:30-7:30 pm 5:30-6:15 pm SEMINAR
College Fair College Fair and Seminars College Admission 101 – An Insider’s Look at the College Application Process
7:15-8:00 pm SEMINAR
Shaking the Money Tree – Financial Aid for College
Tuesday, September 17 9:00 - 11:30 am College Fair
WHERE: Greenville Convention Center 1 Exposition Drive, Greenville, SC
FREE TO THE PUBLIC
NEW THIS YEAR! FREE SCANNING BARCODES FOR STUDENTS! The Greenville County College Fair is pleased to announce an exciting upgrade for our college fair. We will now offer the gotocollegefairs.com barcode and scanner program for registration and data collection at our college fair. This free service for students offers the opportunity to provide more detailed information and even elaborate on interests, extracurricular activities, special accomplishments etc. With a few quick clicks, students fill out an online registration form just once. This generates a personalized barcode that each student can print or display on their Smart phone and present to colleges at the fair. Recruiters quickly collect information using a scanning device. No need for students to complete prospect cards at every table.
TAMING THE BEAST:
How To Get The Most Out Of A College Fair You walk through the doors into a sea of people and tables. Each table is full of literature about a college and is manned by an eager, smiling young admission officer or by a gregarious alum. Panic strikes! Where do you go first? Should you pick up information from every display? Your dream school seems to be surrounded by an unruly mob of students and parents – how will you get your turn?
WELCOME TO THE TYPICAL COLLEGE FAIR Before you arrive: •• Have specific questions in mind – not the ones anyone can find out online (don’t waste your or the admission officer’s time) – but ones that are specific to you. If you need ideas, look further in this Guide! •• BRING A SUPPLY OF STICK-ON, SELF-ADDRESSED LABELS (include your email!). Unless you are wild about writing your name and address over and over and over and over … Use the labels to fill out the ever-present cards that the colleges collect to build their mailing lists. That way, you can catch REMINDERS: the representative’s eye first and ask - Bring a supply of stick-on, self addressed labels your questions while everyone else in your group is still writing. - Ask questions about things you are interested in... It •• Bring a tote bag (those will be provided will be your new “home” for four years at the Greenville County College Fair) to carry literature you collect – it comes by - Write a thank you note and MAIL IT, especially if this the pound. Maybe your parent will even is a college you are interested in lug it for you! •• Arrive early. Parking may be an issue. TIPS:
REMINDERS & TIPS:
How to navigate the fair:
- Pick up a map of the tables and a list of colleges present
What to ask/say to the representatives: •• Introduce yourself – name, school, year in school (or graduation date). •• Ask first if he or she is an admission officer or a local alum. •• If the rep is a local alum, find out if they do interviewing for admission at the school. (You may be seeing this person later and will need to make a good impression!) Where is he or she from originally? What drew him or her to that college or university? •• What things are you interested in – academics, extracurricular, sports, etc. – that you want to know about. Hey, this is going to be your “home” for four years, make sure they have the things you
•• Pick up a map of the tables, if one is - Take a minute, plan your route, go to your top picks first available. The colleges are usually put in alphabetical order, but schools which - Be sure to thank the representative... it does matter! draw a bigger crowd (such as the local state university) may be in a special area or separate room. •• Pick up a list of the colleges present, want and like. which is almost always available. •• What’s big/new/happening on their campus that people are currently •• Having arrived early (you did, didn’t you?) you can take a minute and excited about? plan your stops—circle the colleges on the list in which you are the most interested and go there first. You will beat the crowd and have a more •• How do they evaluate applicants (grades, GPA, essays, interview, test scores, personal chat with the rep. all of these? Only a few?). And, what are their applicants like (what sort of courses, test scores, regional diversity, etc.) •• Stop by each college on your list, collect information, and ask questions. If you make it to each one, you will have time to explore some schools that are •• Be sure to thank the representative for coming when you are finished and not currently on your list. Ask the same questions and you may well discover grab a business card! Write a thank you note if this is a place in which you something to your liking! Have some fun! are interested!
Good Luck! 6
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Greenville County College Fair – Fall 2019
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South Carolina Tuition Assistance Programs While most aid comes from the institutions themselves, South Carolina students considering South Carolina colleges have the potential of a wonderful advantage when it comes to paying for their collegiate expenses; our state provides a variety of both merit and need-based programs to assist in meeting these costs. Consider the following options:
administered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, recognizes the state’s most academically talented high school seniors. Recipients will receive up to $6,700 their freshmen year and up to $7,500 for their sophomore, junior, and senior years. Presuming continued eligibility, recipients may receive Scholarship funding for a maximum of eight full-time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year SC institution.
NeedBased Grant must be awarded first. The institution at which the student is enrolled will notify each recipient of their exact award amount.
THE LEGISLATIVE INCENTIVE FOR FUTURE EXCELLENCE (LIFE) SCHOLARSHIP:
THE SC NEEDBASED GRANT:
THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP:
is administered by the financial aid office at each eligible public and independent college and university in South Carolina. Recipients must be enrolled in their first one-year program, first associate’s degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional program. Award amounts are related to the academic program being pursued and the associated costs up to $5,000.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP: is administered by the financial aid office at each of South Carolina’s fouryear public or independent institutions for students who do not qualify for the Palmetto Fellows or LIFE Scholarships. The scholarship of up to $2800 is awarded for the freshman year only. Recipients may receive a LIFE Scholarship for their sophomore, junior, and senior years if they meet the on-going renewal criteria designated for LIFE Scholarships.
THE SC LOTTERY TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: was created to provide a supplemental resource to South Carolina residents attending two-year public and independent institutions. In calculating the award amount students are eligible to receive, all federal grants and the SC 8
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provides financial aid to South Carolina’s neediest students. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each eligible public college campus administers this program to determine eligibility and the exact amount of award within program defined limits for each recipient. Recipients must be enrolled in a degree seeking program, in their first one-year program, first associates degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional degree. The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission administers the Need-Based Grant Program for students attending a SC independent college or university The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education also oversees the administration of Enhancement Scholarships to Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients enrolled in certain STEM educational programs during their sophomore, junior and senior years. Further, through the South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP), the Commission partners with SC National Guard in administering this educational support program that provides incentive for enlisting or remaining for a specified time in either the SC Army or Air National Guard.
For more information about award amounts and eligibility criteria, visit www.che.sc.gov and select “How do I... Find information on State Scholarship programs?” and then “Scholarships & Grants for SC residents”.
Named one of the Best Public Regional Colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report
LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarships LIFE Scholarship Up to the cost of attendance, not to exceed $4,700, plus a $300 book allowance at four-year public and independent colleges in SC; up to the cost of tuition at USC Regional campuses plus a $300 book allowance at two-year public and independent colleges; and up to the cost-of-tuition plus a $300 book allowance at regional technical colleges. The LIFE Enhancement for majors in specific math/sciences is an additional $2,500 beginning in the sophomore year. Eligibility Requirements for LIFE (2 out of 3 of following): 1. Earn a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) based on the SC Uniform Grading Policy (UGP) upon high school graduation (cannot be rounded). 2. Score an 1100 on the SAT or an equivalent 24 on the ACT taken through the June national test administration of the high school graduation year; based on the highest SAT Reading and Math scores from different test administrations. The ACT composite score must be at one test sitting. 3. Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class based on all students who received their diploma during the traditional graduation ceremony in May/June. *Note: For entering freshmen at an eligible two-year or technical institution only a 3.0 GPA is required – nos. 2 & 3 above are waived.
LAUNCH
your future at Lander University
• Market-driven signature academic programs • Vibrant student life and campus environment • Frozen tuition and many scholarship opportunities
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship The annual award amount for the freshman year is up to $6,700. The award amount for the sophomore, junior and senior years is up to $7,500 per year. Eligibility Requirements (High school seniors may apply if they meet one of the following sets of academic requirements): 1. Score at least 1200 on the SAT (27 on the ACT) by the June national test administration of the senior year; 2. Earn a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the senior year; and,
lendar! Mark Your Ca
House: n e p O r e d n La
Sept. 28, 2019 Nov. 9, 2019 Feb. 15, 2020 Mar. 21, 2020
Visit for Open House Lander University Open House is your opportunity to tour campus, explore academics and student life, and learn about admission and financial aid. Register for Open House and other visit opportunities at:
www.lander.edu/visit or call 864-388-8307.
3. Rank in the top six percent of the class at the end of the sophomore, junior or senior year; — OR 4. Score at least 1400 on the SAT (32 on the ACT) by the June test administration and earn a minimum 4.00 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the senior year.
admissions@lander.edu www.lander.edu Greenwood, S.C. Greenville County College Fair – Fall 2019
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Understanding Standardized Tests
SAT
ACT
From the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Guide
PSAT/NMSQT and PreACT Tests: You may have already taken the PreACT and/or the PSAT 10 (Preliminary SAT as a sophomore. Ideally, all students should take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall of junior year. Taking the test as a junior may qualify you for some scholarship consideration and identify you to colleges as a potential applicant. Reviewing the results of the PreACT and PSAT/NMSQT will help you to prepare for the ACT and SAT respectively. The results of these tests aren’t reported to colleges. They are for your benefit only. Additional Tests SAT Subject Tests: The SAT Subject Tests are hour-long tests based on high school course work offered across five subject areas: Mathematics, Science, English, History and Languages. The tests allow students to demonstrate knowledge and showcase achievements in specific subjects. Students should check the websites of colleges they are considering for more information on SAT Subject Test requirements. For more information on SAT Subject Tests, visit www.satsubjecttests.org. Advanced Placement Exams: Taken after a student completes the corresponding AP course,
they can take the related, subject-specific AP Exam. Students earning a qualifying score (scale of 1–5) can earn college credit. The vast majority of colleges in the US, and universities in more than 60 countries grant students credit, placement, or both for success on the exams. To learn more, visit https:// apstudent.collegeboard. org/takingtheexam. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) tests a student’s ability in English and is a test for students for whom English isn’t the first language. The test measures skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing in English and requires the student to combine two or more of these skills to respond to a question. It is usually
an internet based exam given by appointment at designated test centers. Paper-based tests are offered only in remote areas. For more information go to www.ets.org/toefl.
General Guidelines and Testing Timetable •• SAT tests are offered in August, October, November, December, March, May, and June. •• ACT tests are offered in September, October, December, February, April, June, and July. •• Registration deadlines for both tests are usually at least six weeks prior to the test date. •• Scores are posted online within three–four weeks after administration. •• Many students take the SAT and/or the ACT once or twice. There is no evidence that taking the SAT and/ or the ACT multiple times significantly changes your score. Students have the option to choose which SAT scores they send (by test date) to colleges in accordance with an institution’s stated score-use practice. Students have the option to send their ACT score from a single test date. The SAT Essay and ACT Writing section are optional, but many colleges require or recommend them. Lean more at www.sat.org/ essaypolicy. 10
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TESTING TIMETABLE 11th Grade •• PSAT/NMSQT should be taken in October •• Take the SAT or ACT in the spring semester •• SAT Subject Tests in May or June, when appropriate for specific colleges •• AP tests in May if enrolled in AP courses 12th GRADE •• Final ACT and SAT Tests First Semester (should be completed by the end of December) •• Latest date to take SAT Subject Tests •• AP tests in May if enrolled in AP courses Helpful Hints for SAT/ACT Registration Procedure: •• Register on time to avoid a late fee. •• Use the same information each time (full name, address, birth date), otherwise a student may be •• considered to be two different people. •• Search for test centers nearby. If the student
registers late, space might not be available. •• The high school code is necessary in order for the high school to receive the scores. •• The college codes should be included with registration once students know there is a good possibility they will be applying. Students can send score reports to four different colleges each time they register for either test. These four score reports must be used at the time of registration or up to nine days after the test date. We highly recommend that students take advantage of these score reports, as additional reports are subject to a fee. Many colleges require that the scores be sent to admission offices directly from testing agencies. If scores aren’t sent to colleges, there may be a delay in making decisions and/ or considering a student for scholarships. Students using SAT fee waivers receive four additional score sends free of charge they may use at any time during high school.
So Many College Application Platforms! Which One Should I Use? “Institutions use more than one application platform in order to give students options. Some platforms, like the Common Application or Coalition Application, allow We recommend students to complete students choose a general profile the application in section which can which they are most be used for all the comfortable.” schools to which a - Elizabeth Orehovec, Ph.D. student is applying. This can help students save time if they are applying to multiple colleges or universities on the same platform. At the University of South Carolina, we give students the opportunity to apply via the Coalition Application, the Common Application or our UofSC Application. We recommend students choose the application in which they are most comfortable. The application fee and admissions review process is the same regardless of which application is completed.” Elizabeth Orehovec, Ph.D. | Senior Associate Director| Office of Undergraduate Admissions | University of South Carolina
“At Rollins, we want to provide access to students and eliminate as many barriers and anxieties presented in the college application process. While we have three application platforms [Common Application, Coalition Application, school-specific], here’s how we would advise students: if you have created a Common Application profile and intend to only use that platform and Rollins is a school of interest, you can We want to provide complete your access to students and application in eliminate as many barriers one location. and anxieties presented in the While the college application process.” Coalition - Zaire McCoy application accomplishes the same goal as the Common App, we want to be an option for students who might be looking at Coalition exclusive schools, like the University of Florida was last year. Our school specific application is a great option because that is available in early July, providing the senior the chance to get started on their application prior to August 1st,
when the other two platforms are available.” Zaire McCoy | Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission | Rollins College
We encourage
“Emory truly has students to connect with no preference their school counselor for the Common Application or Coalition when deciding which application is most Application. You can apply to Emory online beneficial...” - Lisa Coetzee through the Common Application or the Coalition Application. We are not partial to either application. Use the one that works best for you. We encourage students to connect with their school counselor when deciding which application is most beneficial for their individual circumstances and school. Oftentimes students choose the application based on the overlap between the schools to which they plan to apply.” Lisa Coetzee | Director of Communications | Office of Undergraduate Admission | Emory University
Greenville County College Fair – Fall 2019
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$26,100 $71,784 The amount of the Army Reserve Montgomery GI Bill “Kicker”
Consider Military Service in Your Future
The amount eligible Veterans and Soldiers could receive in total benefits over 36 months.
By Milford H. Beagle Jr. Brigadier General, U.S. Army Commander, Fort Jackson
Congratulations on making it this far! Your search for postgraduate activity is likely well underway and considering the array of options before you, I urge you to establish a vision, set goals, and focus on action to reach them. I grew up in Enoree, SC and attended South Carolina State University and participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps or ROTC. Since then, the United States Army has given me tremendous opportunities to learn, grow, and serve as a leader. As part of my service, I’ve seen or lived in most of our states and places around the globe. I’m proud to currently reside in my home state of S.C. The Army is one big team, and being on a team of this magnitude is the reason I joined and why I still serve. So much so that 72% of the American public rates their trust in Soldiers higher than that of government officials, clergy, doctors, or lawyers! Whether you desire to start work, begin college, or seek a technical education (you can do all three in the Army!) the Army has over 120 different career paths, making it a great place to prepare for future life challenges or to spend a career. There are many different ways to serve our nation’s military and while the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard all have different missions, they are structured similarly. Pathways to the military for high school graduates include:
Training, Financial, Education Benefits and Incentives for the United States Army (Active Duty) include: Training: •10 Basic weeks (22 weeks for Infantry and Armor) Individual Training: •4-60Advanced weeks (depending on Occupational Specialty) Opportunities: •AsTraining an active duty Soldier, you’ll have access to training for jobs in science,
intelligence, combat, aviation, engineering, law and more. There’s no limit to what you can achieve. The Montgomery GI Bill: •Money for college, to be used after separation from the Army. Each year in October, the Montgomery GI Bill payment rate increase to meet the growing cost of education. In October 2016, the Montgomery GI Bill full-time payment rate increased to $1,994 for the 2019 fiscal year. Eligible Veterans and Soldiers could receive more than $71,784 in total benefits over 36 months.
The POST 9/11 GI Bill Provides financial support for education and housing to individuals with at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001, or individuals discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must have received an honorable discharge to be eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. 12
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• Up to 100% of Tuition & Fees Covered • Transferable to Family Members • Monthly Housing Allowance • Up to $1000 a year for books • Army training can be converted into college credit! Assistance: •upTuition to $4000 a year every year after your 1st: to be used while on active duty. Training, Financial, Education Benefits and Incentives for the United States Army Reserve include: Training: •10 Basic weeks (22 weeks for Infantry and Armor) Individual Training (AIT): •4-60Advance weeks (depending on Occupational Specialty) Guaranteed Job Training before you go to Basic Training
•OverOccupations: 120 Specialties (See ARMY Representative for Occupation Listing) Enlistment Period: •1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year (usually during the summer) for 6 years, begins at time of enlistment! Standard Training: •Basic Training and Occupational Training Combined Alternate Training: •Basic Training and Occupational Training divided over 2 summers (i.e. Basic Training between Jr and Sr year of High School). For Select Occupations only. Meet and drill with your US Army Reserve Unit before basic training!
120
different career paths in the Army
If you have any questions and are interested in joining, please feel free to give us a call at the Greenville Recruiting Company at 864.235.4513.
Meet the Difference Makers
Talented students at Emory & Henry are interning, shadowing and seeking mentorships with business and leaders.
EDUCATION Basic Training & AIT: are evaluated for college credit Tuition Assistance: up to $4000 a year after the first year in Selected Reserve Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB): Up to $13,500 to help pay for college, giving in monthly stipends depending on # of credit hours = $384 per month for 36 months for full-time students; $287 per month ¾ time student for 48 months, $191 a month ½ time student for 72 months Army Reserve Montgomery GI Bill “Kicker”: The Selected Reserve MGIB Kicker provides up to $26,100 (Selected Reserve MGIB + Kicker) for critical skill positions or units. A full-time student may receive a monthly payment up to $725. College Loan Repayment: Up to $50,000 for selected specialties to repay college loans
OFFICERSHIP ROTC: attend College on a 2, 3, or 4 year Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship to study the major of your choice. Serve the U.S. Army afterwards in the Active, Reserve, or National Guard component. USMA: Attend the United States Military Academy (the Forbes #3 Public College in the Nation) on a 4 year scholarship. Serve the U.S. Army afterwards for 5 years.
80+
OCS: Already have a degree? Attend Officer Candidate School and join the Army as an officer.
HEALTHCARE While on Active Duty all health care is FREE to the Service Member to include Basic Training, AIT, and drills. MEDICAL AND DENTAL INSURANCE: TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) $47.82 for member-only/$217.51 for TRS member and family coverage. The United States military is a team of teams, and joining the less than 1% of our society that swears to support and defend our constitution is an honorable way to start your postgraduate career. You may not have goals of becoming a General (I certainly didn’t when I graduated from Woodruff High School) or even of spending an entire career in the military, but there are so many options ahead of you. Good luck!
Academic majors and tracks
Connecting you on and off campus to the world of work: Recent E&H internship placements include: Academy of Country Music Atlanta Dressage Ballad Health Barter Theatre Bristol Motor Speedway
Charlotte Hornets ESPN First Bank & Trust Strongwell Food City
NASA The Walt Disney Company U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service United Way & Many More!
Jobs and internships are posted on E&H CONNECTS: www.ehc.edu/EHconnects
800.848.5493 • www.ehc.edu/apply Greenville County College Fair – Fall 2019
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Scholarship Insider
Beyond merit-based scholarships there are several sites and local scholarships just waiting for students to apply. How do you find those scholarships?
By Dalton Kelsey, School Counselor Eastside High School
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 merit-based scholarships. Many schools review students for meritbased 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. 14
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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: www.chegg.com www.fastweb.com www.cappex.com
Don’t delay! Start your scholarship search today.
Francis Marion University has been immediately hired into his or her field. FMU’s Honors Program has grown considerably in recent years and now numbers more than 250. Honors students have access to unique courses, to travel opportunities and more. Francis Marion University is a comprehensive public university located just outside Florence, S.C. It’s named for General Francis Marion, a hero of the American Revolution in South Carolina. FMU has around 4,000 students in any given year (a few more right now!) and that’s largely by design. It’s just the right size to offer students a diverse curriculum while maintaining our famed academic intimacy. Yes, the professors here really do know your name. FMU is widely known for its professional programs in business, education, engineering, health science, psychology and biology (pre-med, pre-dental, etc.) But the foundation of the FMU academic experience is the liberal arts core. The well-rounded student will be a better person and enjoy a better life and career. That foundation is the perfect building block for new programs and FMU is adding new curriculum at a steady pace. Some of the most recent additions include speech-language pathology, mechanical engineering, healthcare informatics, sports management and sports marketing, and archaeology. More are on the way. A recent gift of 146 acres of pristine land, including a deep, 20 acre lake, near FMU’s campus is opening the door to new programs in fields freshwater ecology, fisheries and environmental science. FMU regularly consults with industries and business leaders across the state to help understand the professional areas and the skills that tomorrow will demand. That’s how FMU grew its School of Health Sciences. That’s how our engineering majors developed a few years ago. It works. Industry told the University that more engineers were needed and so far every graduate of FMU’s industrial engineering
International travel is available to all students. FMU has exchange partners at nine universities in five countries and unique biological research station in the Andes Mountains in eastern Ecuador. More lifechanging travel opportunities are on the way. College is academics, but it is also life. FMU provides students with a menu of extracurriculars that provide opportunities for relaxation, entertainment and person building. FMU fields 14 NCAA athletic teams for men and women. The Patriots have been successful in every sport and, during our first 50 years, FMU has won five national championships in three different sports. Patriot athletes are an important part of the student body, on and off the field. They add still more diversity to campus and are often among our very best students. Every year, dozens of athletes are selected conference and national all-academic teams. Student Life is focused on FMU’s student organizations. There are more than 60 of those, including Greek organizations, honor societies and special interest groups. FMU students also benefit from the revitalization of Florence’s downtown area — just six miles from campus — and easy access to the S.C. Coast and entertainment centers like Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., and Charleston, S.C. FMU offers a great experience, both in the classroom and beyond, but that wouldn’t matter if it wasn’t accessible to students. So, FMU works hard to keep college affordable. FMU is ranked as one of the 50 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in America recently (a ranking based on both affordability and academic quality) and the University froze tuition for the 2019-20 academic year. Quality matters here but so does affordability.
GLADYOUASKED WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? It’s just the right size. FMU is large enough to offer a comprehensive array of programs, but small enough for anyone to feel at home. WHAT IS HOUSING LIKE? FMU offers three different styles of residential housing, all with their own set of benefits that cater to different student tastes. • The residence halls — where most freshman live —are closest to the dining hall and other amenities. We’ve added some additional single rooms there, which are popular and go fast. • The Village Apartments are the oldest residences on campus, but received a major renovation and upgrade this summer. They’ve always been popular with upper classmen because they’re secluded and a little closer to the quad. One-bedroom and fourbedroom units are available. • The Forest Villas are clustered around lovely Turner Park – it even has a waterfall! – and are the newest residential spaces. Four students share a kitchen and common room but have individual bedrooms. Two bathrooms serve each unit.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STUDENT/PROFESSOR RATIO? It’s 15:1 and we feel pretty good about that. Most courses are pretty close to that number. What students won’t find here are gigantic lecture halls filled with hundreds of students in an impersonal environment. We just don’t do that. WHAT ARE THE STEREOTYPES ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL AND ARE THEY TRUE OR FALSE? We’re known for our health sciences education — nursing, graduate programs in advanced nursing practice, physician assistant studies, speechlanguage pathology — and rightfully so. These programs draw a lot of interest from incoming students. But our oldest professional programs —business, education, psychology, biology — have been preparing South Carolinians for great careers for decades. Most people don’t realize how many students we send off to medical school, dental school, veterinary school or pharmaceutical school each year. It’s a lot. Some say we’re the best-kept secret in South Carolina. Guess that one’s right, too. … but not for long.
Make the Most of Your Campus Visit By Federico Glitman, Associate Director of Admission Lynn University
Daunting. That’s what I felt as an 18 year old, when my dreams were crushed of becoming a professional soccer player with the aspiration of bringing home another World Cup to Argentina. Being raised outside of the United States, there were various opportunities that I was not privileged to have, including visiting a college campus. You can imagine my range of emotions as a wide-eyed, naive, and still a child (19 years old) arriving to the United States and heading to my new college home without ever seeing it. Since then I’ve learned a lot about the college selection experience, and hopefully you can become an expert shortly on how to maximize your campus visit.
96 percent. That’s right. 96 percent is what you have control over during the college admission process. The 4 percent, which you cannot control, is how the Admission Committee will review applicants to select the incoming class and how your profile (academic and social) will contribute to the community. Outside of those 4 small percentages, you can control absolutely everything else. First and foremost, a college admission decision does not define you! The college application process is an indication of who you have been for the past 4 years and who you are planning to become in the next 4 years.
Ideally, your campus visit should follow this path: •• Visit during your 2nd semester as a junior •• Visit during your senior year prior to decisions being released since demonstrated interest can always sway a vote •• Visit during your 2nd semester as a senior before making your final decision prior to the National Reply Date of May 1st
In reality, this isn’t going to happen for the following reasons: •• •• •• ••
The average student applies to 15 schools and the expenses begin to accrue There are only so many excused absences in a school year Parents work and cannot allot the time to visit Weekends are just shortened summers - college students typically sleep in on the weekend so campus might not look too alive From experience: •• When visiting a college make sure that it checks off these two boxes: •• Does it have similar or better resources than what you are currently accustomed to? If it does not, do not visit. A college should enhance your life not lower your standards. •• 85 percent of students will change their major their first year in college. Make sure that wherever you decide to visit, it has your three top interests. If the first major doesn’t work out, you can always change to your second or third choice. Don’t pick an institution just for one major and be forced to transfer out. I personally went from majoring in Hospitality Management to Criminal Justice to International Business.
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BEFORE YOUR VISIT: Yes, this will sound extremely superficial, but prior to enrolling, the physical features you see are crucial. As you drive up to the campus, begin to notice various factors such as: Distance from building to building i.e. how far is the cafeteria from classes and from your residence hall? Are you permitted to bring a car to campus? If so, is it an additional fee? Where can you park? In today’s society, safety is crucial. Ask about safety and look to see how far the security offices are from where you’ll be spending the most time on campus. Try to observe if the facilities are kept in good shape If you have an information session, which is usually run by the Office of Admission – take notes on averages, such as the GPA and testing averages, as well as minimum admission requirements.
DURING YOUR VISIT: Remember your tour guides are students. The last thing you want to ask is – why did you attend? We all have our reasons for selecting a college – major, finances, location, etc. As you invest your time and resources, your most crucial question needs to become: Why are you going to graduate from here? That will lead you to realize the importance of resources on campus to support you. As you walk through campus try and notice the following: SCHOOL PRIDE - Are students wearing the colors and the apparel of the institution or do you see majority of students wearing the apparel of other schools? MAJOR - When are you required to declare a major? CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT - Are they led by faculty or teacher/ graduate assistants? How accessible are faculty members? Is it in an actual classroom or a large lecture hall? Which learning style is best suited for you? CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS – Are there any that you would love to join? How restrictive will it become? Can you find your social core of lifelong friends here? CAFETERIA - Are students eating by themselves or with a group? Ask the tour guide about their favorite meals both on and off campus. RESIDENCE HALLS - Are the doors open or do you need to swipe your card key to enter? If you’re in a community bathroom, how many students share it and how many stalls and showers are within them? Is housing guaranteed? SUPPORT SERVICES - Ask if the services are an additional fee. Statistics show that many students arriving to college have more than one diagnosed learning difference (ADD, ADHD, Anxiety). Don’t be afraid to stand up and advocate for your wellbeing! How are the support services? Are tutoring sessions held by faculty or peer-led? STUDY ABROAD - Is it already included within the tuition? When can you travel? What are the popular destinations? FITNESS - Ask if there is more than one fitness center. What are the hours of operation for the gym/fitness center? CAREER PREP - Ask them how many career fairs they have on campus. How many paid internships can they connect you with? How often can you meet with this office? Are there co-op programs? Do they have partnerships with businesses and graduate schools? SURROUNDING AREA - Find out what everyone does on the weekend. Do you need a car or is it walking distance? I cannot stress the importance of location since it can ultimately determine your success after college. Is the location internship-friendly? Would you be able to professionally network in the surrounding area? Make sure your experience and network opportunities extend beyond campus.
FIND YOUR FIT. With 100+ programs, we have something for you! 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/myGTCexperience/. *
Congratulations! You are one step closer to becoming a college visit expert! You are now ready to schedule your visits. They are extremely easy to schedule and most can be done by going to the college website and scheduling your tours and information sessions. Enjoy and good luck!
Source: GTC Economic Impact Report (www.gvltec.edu/roi)
Helping people love what they do for a living. www.gvltec.edu/
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Demonstrated Interest in the College Admission Process The college search is all about finding the ‘right fit’ school for you. When you conduct thorough research, you are able to truly discover those colleges that would serve as a great college home for you over the next four years. Likewise, college admission officers seek students who have conducted thoughtful research and have developed a genuine interest in their respective colleges. In fact, for some colleges in the U.S., a student’s demonstrated interest in their school is an important factor in the admission process. We turned to a few college admission professionals and asked them to explain why demonstrated interest is important, how it is useful in the admission process and in what ways students can demonstrate interest in their schools.
RHODES COLLEGE
HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
Elliot Downey, Senior Assistant Director of Admission
Dr. Kerr C. Ramsay III, Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions
Demonstrated interest is an important factor in the overall admission process to Rhodes College. We practice a holistic admission process, meaning our evaluation considers all aspects of the of the student’s application. While certain components of the application are going to have more weight in determining a student’s admission, such as the student’s academic performance in school, a student’s demonstrated interest remains an important factor when making a final decision. In the admission process, we like to see a level of personal engagement by the students in seeking the answers to their questions about Rhodes College. This shows us that the student has taken the necessary steps to learn how Rhodes is a good fit for them.
Students can meet with an admission counselor if they are in your area visiting your high school, at a college fair, or hosting interviews at a local coffee shop.
Each year we have many more qualified applicants than we can enroll in our first year class. One of the ways in which we determine the best candidates for admission is through their demonstrated interest in High Point University. We are looking for students who will make the most of their four years at High Point University. Students who have shown the most interest as an applicant are also generally the students with the fullest understanding of the opportunities to get involved during their time as a student at HPU. We recognize that all students are unique so we offer many ways for students to show their interest in, and knowledge of, High Point University. The most meaningful way to show interest is through a campus visit. Although a tour is most meaningful type of engagement for students, we value all interactions that they have with our team. This means that it is important for students to meet with their admissions counselor during a visit to the student’s high school or during a local college fair. It is also important that students answer emails from their admissions counselors and return phone calls if they receive one. If students are serious about connecting with their admissions counselor, they have the most to gain. The outcome is a more personalized and meaningful college search.”
We offer several webinars throughout the year which students can register for to learn more about their areas of interest.
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
We always recommend visiting the campus when possible. However, we understand there can be cost barriers in travel, which is why we offer many other options for students to demonstrate their interest in Rhodes. For example,
Reach out to us to schedule a phone or Skype interview if you’re unable to attend an in-person interview. Apply early: If you know Rhodes is the place for you, we recommend applying Early Decision. If you are still weighing your college options, apply Early Action to show us your interest.”
ELON UNIVERSITY Joe Petrizzi, Associate Director of Admissions Elon does consider demonstrated interest, especially as it relates to deferred or wait-listed students. Students can demonstrate interest by visiting campus, attending an event or visit we hold in their area, or simply by calling or emailing us. I illustrate the value of demonstrated interest to students by telling them that, when I open their application, it is never a bad thing if I already recognize the name and I am excited to read that application in particular!” 18
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Brad Pochard, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission Furman seeks to enroll students who will come to campus, make an impact, make a difference and be involved. There is no better way to measure this than getting to know our applicants throughout the college search process. Demonstrated interest at Furman is unique to each prospective student / applicant. It is more than a campus visit, it is more than submitting an inquiry card at a college fair and it is more than attending an evening program hosted by Furman. We want to develop relationships throughout the college search process with our applicants and this can be done in numerous ways: • Attend the school visit we conduct at your school • Openly communicate and interact with your admission counselor • Attend programs and events either on campus or in your area • Submit supplemental materials specific to Furman University • Schedule a campus visit • Register for a Counselor Coffee (area interview meeting)”
Using the Internet in the College Search and Application Process
98%
o f s t u d e n t s h ave a p o s i t i ve c a re e r outcome within six months of g ra d u a t i o n
www.commonapp.org and www.mycoalition.org Over 800 colleges and universities accept the Common Application, helping students streamline the application process. The Coalition Application is accepted by over 135 institutions; the platform provides a single, centralized toolkit for students to organize, build, and refine their applications to numerous institutions.
1,690 students
www.sccango.org Link to SC schools’ respective websites and their applications
www.che.sc.gov South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
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), find financial aid and scholarship information
www.actstudent.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.collegeportraits.org
A private college education that is also affordable? Yes, please! • Two and four-year degrees • S.C. LIFE Scholars qualify for a full-tuition scholarship
free, reliable information on public colleges and universities
www.ucan-network.org admission and enrollment data for private colleges; includes real costs, graduation rates, most popular majors, etc.
www.unigo.com feedback and reviews by college students and alumni and more
www.ncaaeligibilitycenter.org the home page of the National Collegiate Athletic Association; if you plan on competing in collegiate athletics at the Division I or II level, you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
Choose between a weekday campus tour (lasts 90 minutes) and our full-day,
fall Open House on October 19.
Your next move: visit SMC! Or fill out a free application today using waiver code GV20
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FINANCIAL AID The Big Stuff and the Small Stuff By Carolyn B. Sparks Director of Financial Aid, Wofford College
Believe it or not…the small stuff does exist in the world of financial aid! Unfortunately, the big stuff can overshadow the small stuff and in financial aid, the devil is in the details. I would like to share with you some of the finer points I usually address at the very end of any presentations I give but also want to mention the big stuff as well.
THE BIG STUFF •• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): 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, income and asset information and you’re on your way! Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be calculated and used to determine your financial need based on the Cost of Attendance (COA). And the FAFSA needs to be completed each year!! •• Don’t ask your parents to complete all the financial aid process. Get involved so you are aware of the details of your awards. •• As a senior in high school, you can complete the FAFSA as early as October 1st! •• Consider your college choices and place those schools on your FAFSA application. Then, APPLY for admission! Acceptance to a college or university will be the ticket to receiving a financial aid award package. Take time to weigh your financial aid options; each school has different criteria for awarding aid, so your financial aid packages will vary from school to school. 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. •• DEADLINES: Know what they are and stick to them!!! Each college or university has different deadlines for scholarship consideration, completion of the FAFSA, admission deadlines, bill payment, etc. Believe me - your college transition will be much easier and void of delays if you abide by the deadlines! •• Financial aid ranges from grants, scholarships, work –study opportunities, and student and parent loans. When you receive your award notification each year, be sure to review the terms and conditions of your awards. You may decline any awards you are offered. •• Apply for outside scholarships. Your guidance office probably maintains 20
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a list of local, state, regional and national scholarships for your perusal. You can also search for scholarships on-line, but never pay for scholarship assistance. •• Prepare for the future! It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of college planning but remember your costs could increase each year and you and your family need to plan and prepare for that possibility.
THE SMALL STUFF •• Keep records of your financial aid documentation. If you are asked to submit tax transcripts 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. •• Don’t be afraid of asking a question or voicing your concerns! •• 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. •• DEADLINES: Haven’t I mentioned that already? •• 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 be documentation of the situation. The end result could be additional aid for you to attend the college of your choice. Working in higher education for almost twenty seven years has been most rewarding! I am grateful for this opportunity to share with you some words of wisdom I have talked about all these years and hope this has been helpful to you. Best of luck in your college search!
Important College Financial Aid Resources
The most reliable resource for information regarding applying for financial aid: US Department of Education Federal Student Aid site
Visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov
Many families can use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) to automatically import tax information into the FAFSA.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed each year of college in order to be considered for, or to receive, need-based college financial aid. The FAFSA must be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov and is available beginning on October 1 of the student’s senior year. This is a FREE application.
Learn more at www.studentaid.gov/irsdrt
Visit: www.fafsa.ed.gov Students and parents must attain a Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), a username and password that are used to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. A student or parent uses his or her FSA ID to electronically sign the FAFSA, and more. .
Many private colleges and some selective public universities require the College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE form in addition to the FAFSA.
Families are encouraged to get an early estimate of their eligibility for federal student aid by completing the free estimator, FAFSA4caster, at
Search college websites for their school-specific Net Price Calculators, which provide an estimate of how much and what types of financial aid you might qualify for if you were a college student that year.
For more information about the FSA ID go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/fsaid
www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/ estimate
You may register for the PROFILE on-line at cssprofile.collegeboard.org
FREE SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES AT:
FastWeb.com
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
unigo.com
salliemae.com/scholarshipsearch
CollegeNET.com
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PROSPECTIVE ATHLETES Compliance Tips By James Cullimore, Assistant Athletics Director - Compliance Services, Clemson University
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a member-led organization dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes.
What is the Eligibility Center? •• The Eligibility Center evaluates and certifies prospective student-athletes (PSAs) for collegiate competition at Divisions I and II •• Focus On: •• Academic preparedness •• Sports participation •• High school courses •• Customer service •• Students wanting to compete at NCAA Division I or Division II institutions must meet academic initial-eligibility and amateurism requirements.
Initial Eligibility Requirements What is a Core Course? •• NCAA core courses include courses that: •• Meet high school graduation requirements in English, math (Algebra 1 or higher),
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natural or physical science, social science, foreign language or comparative religion or philosophy. •• Are taught at or above the high school’s regular academic level. •• Are taught by a qualified instructor. •• Tip: You can find your school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses by going to eligibilitycenter.org/courselist.
Division I Initial Eligibility Academic Requirements •• To play Division I sports you must meet the following academic requirements: •• Graduate high school on time. •• Complete 16 NCAA-approved core courses in the correct subjects •• Complete 10 NCAA core courses before your seventh semester. •• 7 of the 10 courses must be in English, math or science. •• Earn a minimum core-course GPA of 2.300. •• Earn a combined SAT or ACT sum score that matches your core-course GPA on the Division I sliding scale. (see eligibilitycenter.org)
Sports Participation NCAA student-athletes compete as amateurs
in intercollegiate sports. This means that NCAA student-athletes are not compensated for their athletics ability or athletic reputations. As a result, student-athletes should be protected from exploitation by professional and commercial enterprises. •• In general, amateurism requirements do not allow: •• Contracts with professional teams. •• Salary for participating in athletics. •• Prize money above actual and necessary expenses. •• Play with professionals. •• Tryouts, practice or competition with a professional team. •• Benefits from an agent or prospective agent. •• Agreement to be represented by an agent. •• Delayed initial full-time collegiate enrollment to participate in organized sports competition. •• Tip: If you have questions about actions that could impact your amateurism, contact the Eligibility Center to ensure your decision will not impact your future eligibility. •• Over 94% of students don’t require additional amateurism questions after they request final amateurism.
Academic Certification Decisions: Division I •• Early Academic Qualifier •• Meet specific criteria after six semesters of high school. •• Qualifier •• Athletic aid, practice and competition. •• Academic Redshirt •• Athletic aid and practice only. •• Non-Qualifier •• Academic year in residence; no practice, no athletic aid. •• ACC Non-Qualifier rule.
Center. •• If you attended more than one high school or program, ask each to submit an official transcript. •• Ensure you are on track to graduate on time with your class.
GRADE 12 GRADUATE •• Complete your final NCAA core courses. •• Take the ACT or SAT again, if necessary, and submit your scores directly to the Eligibility
NCAA FAST FACTS:
High School Timeline GRADES 9 AND 10 PLAN •• Register for a Profile Page or Certification Account with the Eligibility Center at eligibilitycenter.org. •• If you fall behind academically, ask your school counselor for help finding approved courses you can take. •• Your core-course GPA begins in ninth grade.
Three divisions 1,117 colleges and universities. 100 athletics conferences. Almost half a million student-athletes.
GRADE 11 REGISTER •• Check with your school counselor to ensure you are on track to complete the required number of NCAA-approved courses. •• Take the ACT or SAT and submit your scores directly to the Eligibility Center using code 9999. •• At the end of the year, ask your school counselor to upload your official transcript to the Eligibility
Center using code 9999. •• Request your final amateurism certification in your Certification Account at eligibilitycenter.org. •• After you graduate on time, ask your school counselor to upload your final official transcript with proof of graduation to the Eligibility Center.
Recruiting Occurs via •• •• •• •• ••
Official Visits Unofficial Visits Sports Camps and Clinics Contacting Coaches Visit eligibilitycenter.org for detailed information regarding recruiting
Proactive Reminders •• Share your NCAA ID number with schools recruiting you. •• Don’t forget to apply to the schools of your choosing and confirm you’ve been accepted. •• Learn about the National Letter of Intent (NLI). •• Request final amateurism certification before you enroll full time in college. •• Ask your school counselor to send your final transcript(s) with proof of graduation.
Resources •• NCAA Eligibility Center websites: •• eligibilitycenter.org. •• ncaa.org/playcollegesports. •• www.2point3.org •• Get updates-follow on social media! •• @Compliance_CU •• @ncaaec •• @playcollegesports •• Visit nationalletter.org to learn about the NLI. •• NCAA Eligibility Center resources: •• Initial-Eligibility Brochure •• Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete •• DI Initial-Eligibility Quick Reference Sheet •• School Counselor •• Coaches •• clemsontigers.com/compliance
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