nygearup.syr.edu February 2011
A look
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inside ITC
Financial aid guide
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Ask the expert
STAFF Looking ahead at AP changes
Marissa Joy Mims Director
Caitlin Donnelly
Eagle Newspapers Editor
Carolyn Clark
NY GEARUP Media Editor
Rebecca Saxon
NY GEARUP Media Coordinator
Latisha Lindo Reporter
Malea Perkins
NY GEARUP Office Coordinator
Luz Encarnacion
Outreach Coordinator
Contact us: NYGEARUP@syr.edu Phone 443.7848 Twitter: NYGEARUP Facebook: NYGEARUP@ Syracuse University Radio: StepIt UP! on Power106.9 The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is the state agency that has been designated by the Governor’s office to administer the NY GEARUP Program. Funding for NY GEARUP is provided by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. NY GEARUP at Syracuse University receives $567,000 in funding that is matched 100 percent by in-kind services for a total funding of $1,340,000. HESC helps people pay for college by providing a comprehensive range of financial aid services, including the Tuition Assistance Program, guaranteeing student loans, and administering the nationally recognized New York’s College Savings Plan. New York State is a leader in the national financial aid community, providing more grant money to college students than any other state.
Each year students debate how many (if any) AP courses they should take and whether these college level classes really make a difference in the college admissions process. For better or worse, if a school district offers Advanced Placement courses and the student is capable of handling the workload, I advise students to bite the bullet. Colleges do look to see how rigorous a curriculum students have taken. However, I never recommend any student, junior or senior, take more than three AP’s. The work load for these courses is significantly greater than honors or regents classes, and unlike college students taking only four courses a semester, high school students generally take more classes. Which brings me to the ever popular question, “How late, and how bad does it look if I drop an AP class?” My answer to this question varies by case, depending on what the other courses the student is taking, how poorly the student is performing, how other courses are impacted, and at what point it is in the semester. There is a lot of confusion as to the reason and advantage of AP classes. Theoretically, the AP curriculum was created to give students a chance at more challenging work. But the reality in most AP courses has been an unrealistic workload and insufficient time to expand on topics of interest. Nonetheless, school districts have pushed hard for AP courses. Now more than 30 AP subjects are taught with 1.8 million students taking 3.2 million tests each year. All of which is a long introduction to some exciting news for sophomores and juniors concerning Advanced Placement courses in the upcoming year. The College Board, the nonprofit that handles the SATs, is making some long overdue changes to both the AP curriculum and testing. The
primary criticisms have been that these courses demand an extraordinary amount of material to be covered to prepare students for the year-end exam (students who receive a 4 or higher on the exam often receive college credit), and that teachers are teaching to the test. Students and teachers alike argue that they are unable to explore topics in any depth with memorization replacing critical thinking and skills development. Many colleges have been so discouraged by the lack of preparation demonstrated by AP students, despite high grades on AP exams, that they have stopped giving credit for any AP courses. Starting 2012-13, AP biology and U.S. history courses will be completely revamped. In fact, juniors are encouraged next year not to take AP biology and wait until their senior year when the new curriculum and exam goes into effect. Not only will the curriculum be pared down, but more importantly it will be refocused, replacing memorization with analytical thinking. The rollout of the new AP courses will actually start this year with German and French. Major revisions to physics, chemistry, European history, world history and art history will be ready for exams in 2014-15. One other major change of note, starting this May, AP exams will switch over to correct answer-only scoring, doing away with the penalty for wrong answers. Guesses at answers will now have a 20 to 25 percent chance of being correct. This is progress!
Maria Badami, MS is a College Admissions Consultant with COLLEGE DIRECTIONS of CNY. 7030 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville NY. 315.243.6658. www.collegedirectionscny.com.
What is NY GEARUP? NY GEARUP is based out of Syracuse University’s School of Education. NY GEARUP works in the Syracuse City School District with the class of 2011 at Corcoran, Fowler, Henninger, ITC and Nottingham high schools. GEARUP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. It’s a national initiative to create innovative programs with the goal of increasing college awareness for students and their families. GEARUP also helps students develop the skills necessary to pursue education after high school. To achieve its mission, NY GEARUP organizes college visits, tutoring and mentoring, college awareness and exploration activites, and educational planning and workshops.
PHOTOS BY REBECCA SAXON
COVER: Students from ITC gain hands on experience in the kitchen as part of the school’s culinary program.
Interested in Writing? For those students in the NY GEARUP program that are graduating in 2011 and are interested in writing for Eagle Newspaper’s NY GEARUP edition, please contact Caitlin Donnelly at cdonnelly@cnylink.com.
NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011 /3
What’s inside Message from the Director....................................... 2 Table of contents ........................................................ 3 Calendar of events...................................................... 4 Scholarship breakdown ............................................. 5 For the Parents............................................................ 6 Students......................................................................... 7 NY GEARUP at Yonkers visits SU ................... 8 & 9 Your guide to financial aid ................... ..........10 & 11 Student profile: Jinnah Clark .................................. 12 The waiting game ..................................................... 13 NY GEARUP’s new website .................................. 14 The Back Page ........................................................... 15 College of the Month: SUNY Geneseo................ 16
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*** This is NOT a complete list of events and activites, as new events are added daily. Please visit us on Facebook (NY GEARUP @ Syracuse University) or Twitter (NYGEARUP) for a more up-to-date schedule of events.***
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Scholarship breakdown If you’ve completed the FAFSA and/or the CSS Profile and the NYS TAP, it’s time to look into scholarships. College can be a pricey endeavor, and knowing where to look for scholarships is important. Hundreds of scholarships are available, but it takes determination and perseverance to complete their application process.
Where to look for scholarships:
Civic organizations Local YMCA’s Churches Fast Web, fastweb.com The SmartStudent guide to financial aid, finaid.org CollegeBoard, collegeboard.com Corporations and banks Political parties Employers
Labor unions Charitable foundations
Important tips
Being organized will make everything much easier. Syracuse University’s scholarship office recommends setting up files with your personal information, transcripts, current resume that includes your community service and/or extracurricular activities. For many scholarships, a personal essay is necessary. It’s a good idea to write a few different versions and let someone else look at them. Once you’ve received your application, photocopy each form and use your gathered information to fill out a practice copy. This will ensure that your final one is neat and completed in full. It’s also a good idea to keep a
Davis-Putter Scholarship
For: Student activists working towards peace, justice and social change and enrolled in school during 2011-2012 school year. Visit davisputter.org for more information and application. Number of awards: 25-30 Amount: $10,000 max Due date: April 1
District Attorney’s Advisory Council Scholarship
For: Graduating seniors who reside in Onondaga County and are interested in pursuing a career in a criminal justice-related field. For more information, to nominate a student, or to receive an application, contact DAAC President Judy Wolfe at 435-6345. Number of awards: 2 Amount: $500 Due date: March 14
copy for your own records. Use as many free resources as possible in your search. Publications listing scholarship opportunities are available in your college’s scholarship office, your high school guidance office and at your local library. Su’s financial aid website, financialaid.syr.edu/scholarships. htm, is full of information to help you in your search. You’ll also find a scholarship newsletter, access to their scholarship listserv, and scholarship search services to get scholarships at your fingertips.
Beware of scholarship scams
Students and parents alike are frequently the target of scholarship scams. Chances are, if you are asked to pay money to get money, or pay
KFC Colonel Scholarship
For: Graduating seniors with financial need, an entrepreneurial spirit, minimum GPA of 2.75 and plan on attending an in-state school. Visit kfcscholars.org for more information. Number of awards: n/a Amount: up to $20,000 Due date: Feb. 9
LeMoyne College C.Y.O. Scholarship
For: Prospective LeMoyne students demonstrating leadership abilities and performing service to their school, community and parish. For more information and application contact your guidance counselor. Number of awards: 8 Amount: $4,000 Due date: Feb. 2
to receive information—be careful. The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that scholarship announcements using these phrases or similar ones are likely fraudulent schemes: “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back” “You can’t get this information anywhere else” “We’ll do all the work” “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship” “You’re a finalist in a contest” (that you never entered) SU’s Scholarship office warns that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you suspect that a scholarship offer may be fraudulent, report it to the National Fraud Center.
Best Buy Scholarship
For: Students in grades 9-12 who demonstrate involvement in community service volunteer work and have solid grades. For more information and to apply, visit bestbuycommunityrelations. com. Number of awards: 1,200 Amount: $1,000 Due date: Feb. 16
‘Got Milk’ Scholarship
For: Milk drinking students that excel in academics, community service and athletics. Visit bodymilk.com for more information and to apply. Number of awards: 25 Amount: $7,500 and trip to Disney World Due date: March 4
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Parents
Break Down the Bill College expenses for parents to consider The amount your child has to pay for college, sometimes called the total student budget, includes everything on the bill the college sends your child, or “billable costs”, plus other expenses, or “indirect costs.”
Billable costs
These are fixed costs that your child is billed for by the college, such as tuition and fees, and room and board.
Indirect costs
These are the costs that don’t show up on the college bill. They include books, supplies and travel, as well as personal expenses such as
cell phone and pizza. If your child lives and eats off campus, room and board costs may be indirect costs. Your child can control indirect costs to some degree, by making smart spending choices.
Five basic groups of expenses
The full cost of attending college generally has five components: Tuition and fees This is the price of your child’s education. It may vary based on academic program and the number of credit hours your child takes each term. If the tuition is not the same for all full-time students, you may have to calculate it, based on the charges per credit hour for each course your child takes. Room and board If your child lives and eats on campus, these expenses show up on the college bill. The charges vary
depending on the room and meal plan your child chooses. If your child plans to live at home or off campus, these expenses should be estimated. Books and supplies T h e s e e x p e n s e s c ove r yo u r child’s course materials. If the college hasn’t provided an estimate of these costs, consider using the national average, which at four-year public colleges in 2010-11 is $1,137. Personal expenses The costs for things such as laundry and cell phone service fall under personal expenses. Your child should keep careful track of these as they can quickly add up. Use this to help with planning: The national average in 2010-11 for four-year public college students who live on campus is $1,989. Transportation Transportation is a significant
expense, whether your child is commuting to campus or just occasionally returning home. If your child’s college hasn’t supplied an estimated travel budget, make your own based on how — and how often — your child plans to go back and forth for holidays. Four-year public college students who live on campus spent an average of $1,073 on transportation in 2010-11.
Get the specifics
These cost components are usually listed in a college’s brochure or on its website. You can also use College Search on collegeboard. com to find breakdowns of costs at more than 3,800 colleges and universities.
From collegeboard.com
Ways to fund a college education, even if you’re not a millionaire What’s the best way to pay for college? Look into the options below to boost your own college-planning efforts.
Financial aid
Take the time to explore potential aid options and don’t assume your family isn’t eligible. Aid includes grants, scholarships and work-study programs. In addition, loans for students and parents, such as the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), are offered at favorable rates and repayment schedules. Almost half of undergraduate aid is in the form of federal educational loans. Your first step should be to complete the FAFSA form. Then, read more on how financial aid works and determine your estimated expected family contribution (EFC) with the collegeboard. com EFC Calculator.
Scholarships
Your child doesn’t have to be valedictorian or quarterback to receive a scholarship. Many are based on a particular institution, a field of study or career path, or even ethnic background. Corporations, foundations, professional and service organizations, and community groups offer scholarships, too. Check out collegeboard. com’s free Scholarship Search, read more about where to find scholarships and then do some research of your own online or in the library. Talk to your child’s high school or college counselor for help, and start as early as possible to improve your odds.
Tax breaks
If you meet income requirements, you may be eligible for tax deductions and credits toward tuition, fees and student-loan inter-
est. Tax credits operate more like rebates than discounts. They’re not applied directly to tuition bills, but are instead made available when you file your taxes once you’ve paid tuition.
Employment in public service
In certain career fields, students may have their loans forgiven or tuition paid in exchange for committing to a period of work in a specified place upon graduation. College advisers can provide more information on these programs for students who are pursuing nursing, teaching and similar public-service fields.
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the Armed Forces
For students who commit to military service after finishing college, the benefits range from partial to
full payment of undergraduate and graduate costs. Read more about military scholarships. You can find more information on various military careers and the educational benefits available at military.com and the Veterans Benefits Administration website.
Affinity programs
Savings clubs can help you supplement a college fund. Once you set up an account with a savings club, it works like a frequent-flier program. You get points for purchasing goods and services from participating merchants. These points are translated into money that’s invested in a state-sponsored college savings plan. Learn more about savings clubs. From collegeboard.com
NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011 /7
Students
What it actually costs to go to college You hear so much talk about the price of college, it’s easy to get intimidated — but how much does college really cost? The answer is, “It varies.” Colleges come in a wide variety and, depending on the choices you make, the price of a college education can be quite reasonable — especially if you think of college as an investment in yourself and your future. Let’s look at the facts: Nearly half (47 percent) of all full-time undergraduate college students attend a four-year college that has published charges of less than $9,000 per year for tuition and fees. At the other end of the spectrum are private four-year colleges that cost $35,000 or more yearly in tuition and fees. These higher-priced
colleges sometimes have bigger endowments and more grant aid available — which may mean that you can get more financial help to attend that institution. At two-year colleges, the average cost for tuition and fees is $2,713. A handful of colle ges either charge no tuition at all or offer all students full scholarships covering tuition costs. Your goal is to choose a college that’s a good fit for you. Think about whether you like the campus culture and if there is enough academic support to help you do well in your classes. Talk with your family about where you would like to go to college and what you can afford. Then take into account the total cost of attendance through graduation.
Sticker Price vs. Affordability
Keep in mind that the actual price the average undergraduate pays for a college education is considerably lower than the published tuition and fees. This is usually due to grants and other forms of financial aid. Look at what it really costs to attend college: Public four-year colleges charge, on average, $7,605 per year in tuition and fees for in-state students. The average surcharge for full-time out-of-state students at these institutions is $11,990. Private nonprofit four-year colleges charge, on average, $27,293 per year in tuition and fees. Public two-year colleges charge, on average, $2,713 per year in tuition and fees. Of course, that’s not the total
price. You still have to live somewhere, eat, buy books and supplies, and do your laundry. These are other costs you need to consider.
Factor In Your Financial Aid Award
Most students receive financial aid. In 2009-10, more than $154 billion in financial aid was awarded to undergraduate students. The average amount of aid for a full-time undergraduate student was about $11,500, including more than $6,000 in grants that don’t have to be repaid. So, despite all the talk about high prices and price increases, a college education remains an affordable choice for most families.
Price and aid figures are from the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2010 and Trends in Student Aid 2010.
Financial Aid FAQs Answers to Your Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid
There are billions of dollars of financial aid available to students who need help paying for college. If you want this assistance, it’s important that you determine your eligibility and apply on time.
How many college students get financial aid?
About three-quarters of full-time undergraduate college students receive some type of financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans or work-study. Approximately 45 percent of financial aid dollars awarded to undergraduates are in the form of loans, and the rest are grants, scholarships, and tax credits and deductions.
Can I afford to go to college?
Despite all the news stories about rising college prices, a college education is more affordable than most people believe. There are many colleges that provide an excellent educational
experience at a price you can manage. Public college prices are much lower than you might expect.
Does applying for financial aid hurt my chances of being admitted?
Not usually. You are generally admitted based on your academic performance and the qualities you bring to the campus community. Colleges want to admit a diverse group of students and often use financial aid to achieve that goal. It is very important to apply for financial aid early in the application process, before all of a college’s funds are allocated.
Do I qualify for aid even if I don’t get straight A’s?
It’s true that many scholarships reward student performance in high school, but most government aid is based on financial need. Remember, if you do receive need-based aid, you must remain in good academic standing to renew your aid annually.
Are private colleges out of my reach?
Although the cost of college is certainly an important factor, you should not concentrate on it until later in
your college-selection process. Instead, focus on finding a college that is a good fit — one that meets your academic, career and personal needs. In some cases, you might have a better chance of receiving aid from a private college and end up paying a lower total price than at a public college. Private colleges often offer more financial aid to attract students from every income level.
Is my family’s income too high to qualify for aid?
Financial aid is intended to make college available to students from many different financial situations. College financial aid officers consider family income, the number of family members in college, medical expenses and many other factors when reviewing your financial aid application. Even if you think your family income is too high for you to qualify for aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form as soon as possible after Jan. 1. This form determines your eligibility for federal and state student grants, work-study and federal loans. You may also want to use the Expected
Family Contribution Calculator on collegeboard.com to estimate how much your family is expected to contribute.
Should I work while I’m attending college?
Students who attempt to juggle full-time work and full-time studies may have difficulty completing their academic programs. However, students who choose to work a moderate amount often do better academically. You may find that working in campus jobs related to your career goals may be a good way to manage college costs, get experience and create new ties with the university.
Can I try to get my aid award revised?
Some colleges may be willing to review your financial aid package if your financial situation changes. Consider discussing these charges with the financial aid office if your family has experienced an unexpected decrease in income or increase in expenses since you applied for financial aid.
From Collegeboard.com
8/ NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011
A look inside ITC By Rebecca Saxon In our technology-driven society, the Syracuse City School District’s Institute of Technology is doing its best to stay ahead of the curve. “We are trying to build a new history,” said principal Matt Williams of the school’s technology and project-based approach. Williams said that enabling the students to be more hands-on lets them “try, maybe fail, come back again and really learn about the things they want to do.” Formerly known as Central Tech, the Institute of Technology is the smallest of the Syracuse City schools, at just 370 students. Their Adams St. location has been undergoing extensive renovations so they’ve temporarily relocated to Levy Middle School on Fellows Ave. The displacement doesn’t seem to have affected the students as they give Williams a high-five on their way down the hall. This year will be their first graduating class, and the principal’s smile is ear-to-ear about the seniors’ accomplishments.
ITC has six central programs: automotive, robotics engineering, computer science, culinary, biotech and media program. Through partnerships with OCC and SUNY ESF, seniors graduate with 18 college credits, enough to satisfy college core requirements. On a typical day, seniors split their time between working hands-on in their program’s lab, and in required courses like math, economics, social studies and English. The second half of the year they participate in an internship in the afternoons related to their program. Some recent internship choices include Clear Channel, Driver’s Village and ME Engineering. ITC begins recruiting in 8th grade for their freshman year, and those accepted begin a combination of traditional course requirements and the technology program of their choosing. “We are looking for a combination of interests, grades and behavior,” Williams said of the application process, “but we look at everything on a case-by-case basis.” While some have coined the school as elitist, Williams argues that ITC isn’t about keeping certain students out; it’s about catering to the
PHOTOS BY REBECCA SAXON
NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011 /9
ones who have specific technological interests. “If we find students something that they want to do and connect it with traditional course requirements, they will do it with more fidelity,” Williams said of the school’s academic model. “In terms of staff, we aren’t very deep--and that’s a good thing,” Williams said. Teachers at ITC have a broad spectrum of responsibilities. They teach classes, provide moral education, monitor the halls, and, according to Williams, they’ll even go pick a student up if they can’t get to school. “We really know each and every one of our kids,” Williams said, as he stopped to ask a student in the hall how his work is going.
Williams and the students are excited about their new facility, set to re-open for the 2012-2013 school year. Their new, more efficiently used space will include a full gym, a new entrance, new library and six new classrooms. Some new rooms will have stadium seating to help with demonstrations and lab-work. Williams said he is excited about the space but thinks that their faculty and students are what really defines the Institute of Technology. ITC is still fairly new and this graduating class will serve as the template for future changes to be made in the program. “We are still figuring out who we are and what works for us,” Williams said.
While some seniors await college acceptance letters, many remain unsure of exactly what path they want to take post-grad. What all students do seem to have in common is their grasp on what fields they want to pursue. This pursuit of interests is what makes ITC a thriving environment for its students. As for the Institute of Technology’s vision, Williams is matter-of-fact: everyone graduates. He wants the school to continue to develop close relationships with the students to help them prepare for life after high school. “We’ve found something that excites kids; they want to learn and they want to be here,” Williams said.
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Your guide to financial aid Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) While you wait to hear back from universities, it’s the perfect time to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form on the web. FAFSA is one of the most important forms to focus on this month in your college application process. In case you aren’t familiar, the FAFSA is an application for federal student aid to be used for college or career school and for most state and institutional aid. If you want to be considered for financial aid, you must complete a FAFSA form yearly as long as you are in attendance. They are available at fafsa.ed.gov on Jan. 1 of each year. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, give it a shot. The financial aid offices at your college will determine if you are eligible for work-study, grants and loans. Some federal aid is considered ‘free money’, meaning that you won’t have to pay it back, so applying is important. “When we don’t know about something, it can seem daunting,” said Rebecca Rose, from SU’s financial aid office, when referring to reasons many stu-
dents put off filling out these important forms. Once you sit down and actually do them, chances are you’ll discover they aren’t so bad. High school guidance counselors and counselors at your college of choice can be a great help in the process.
The Steps are simple:
Get a pin. You can do so at pin.ed.gov. You will receive a pin and then have the option of changing it to something easier to remember. Store this in a safe place because you’ll need it to access your online applications and check on their status after completion. Don’t share your PIN with anyone. You will also be storing your parent’s information on the application, so they must apply for a pin as well. Gather the information required to apply. o Your Social Security Number and your parents’ Social Security numbers. o Your driver’s license, if you have one o If you are not a U.S. Citizen, your alien registration number. o Federal Tax Information or tax returns, including W-2 infor-
mation for yourself, your spouse, and your parents. o Records of untaxed income such as Social Security benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, and veteran’s benefits. Information on savings, investments and business and farm assets for yourself and your parents is also required. Be aware of deadlines. Financial aid deadlines for states and schools are usually earlier than the federal ones. Use the FAFSA on the web worksheet. Your college or high school might have a copy of the worksheet, or you can print one out from fafsa.ed.gov. This page is optional, but it can help you collect the information you need to complete the process online. Complete your application. Be sure to enter all the necessary information. Submit your application. After you submit your application, make sure to retrieve your confirmation number. This will let you know that your application has been officially submitted. Print out or write down this confirmation number for your
records. Follow up. Your application will then be processed and you will receive a link to your Student Aid Report. If you don’t have an email, they’ll send it to you by mail. Be sure to review the SAR carefully for any mistakes. If you don’t hear from FAFSA in three weeks, go back to fafsa. ed.gov and select; “Check status of a submitted FAFSA or Print Signature Page.” On FAFSA’s website, there is free help available online. You will find help buttons on each page or you can click ‘live help’ to chat in real-time with a specialist between 8 a.m. and midnight. If you’re applying to a New York State school, remember to fill out the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) form along with the FAFSA. It’s easy to miss at the end, but right after you have completed FAFSA, you’ll see a prompt. That prompt will take you to the site to complete the TAP. This is yet another application that helps students get money for college. Like the FAFSA, you need to apply for a pin before you begin.
College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) Along with FAFSA, the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) is a financial aid form that some colleges use to determine financial aid. Not all schools use this form, so make sure to double check with your college. Syracuse University and most private schools require completion of the CSS. Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS profile is not free. There is a fee attached,
another reason to be sure to check with your school first before you fill it out. You can complete the form at collegeboard.com. According to Rose, The CSS Profile asks the same questions the FAFSA does, with some more in-depth focus depending on your situation. If your family has a business, or there is a non-custodial parent (i.e., divorce, separated or parents never married),
the form will ask more. The CSS Profile asks about primary residence, including home value and debt if the family has a home. Just like the FAFSA, CollegeBoard’s website is very informative, with help tabs along the way. Your high school or college’s guidance counselor is also a great resource for help with the form.
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The Financial Aid Tracker To keep track of important deadlines and paperwork, fill in the dates anf information below, and check off each task as you complete it. Be sure to make copies of all forms before sending and keep track of confirmation numbers for your personal records.
College 1 School codes Deadlines
Federal code CSS/ Profile code Priority date Closing date Required? (Date submitted __________)
FAFSA
Listed college code on FAFSA Listed college code on SAR Required? (Date submitted __________) School code submitted to College Board
CSS/ Profile
Submitted supplemental forms (if needed) Paid fee to have report sent to college Sent corrections to college (if needed) State aid form (Date submitted)
Other forms required
College’s own form (Date submitted) Application for scholarship (Date submitted) Copies of tax returns (Date submitted) Any other forms required Need to send letter explaining special circumstances
After applying
Additional documentation required? Spoke to financial aid office? Received award letter Reply date deadline Accepted award
College 2
College 3
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PHOTO BY REBECCA SAXON
Student profile: Jinnah Clark By Rebecca Saxon NY GEARUP media coordinator
Student: Jinnah Clark, 19, a senior at the Institute
of Technology Program: Started in computer science and now is in the media technology program. Plans after high school: Pursuing a bachelor’s degree You’re almost a high school graduate, what’s next? Bio-medical technology. I took Summer College at SU, and it inspired me. In the field, you work with prosthetic legs and make limbs and replacement joints for people who need them. What has your experience as a student been like thus far?
I’m glad I went here. I went to middle school at Danforth, and it was rough. It was much bigger. I was a quiet kid and there were always bullies, even though I was pretty big. I definitely learned a lot. I would advise all schools to be smaller because it is less intimidating. I know everyone here, even the 8th graders. It’s been a great experience; I give the kids in the hall advice. I tell them to do their work and to get to class. They look up to me, so I try to tell them to be good. What is your favorite thing about your school? I can go to all my teachers with college issues and stuff that’s going on now in high school. I have great relationships with them and I know all of them. As you pursue higher education and eventually your career, what’s the most important thing that
you’ve learned so far? At Central Tech, I’ve learned to really take pride in communications. It’s very important to be well spoken and articulate. It’s also important to talk to people in your field and those that share similar interests to you to create bonds with. Graduation is just around the corner. Are you excited for college? I’m very excited. I’m very ready. I have a lot of self -control and self-discipline but I know college is going to be a big jump. I’m excited to find people who have the same work ethics so that I can be productive.
Clark is currently awaiting his acceptance letters from Colgate University, Clarkson University, University of Connecticut and Drexel University. Best of luck to him as he pursues his career!
NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011 /13
SUMMER START It’s the home stretch of senior year and college is just around the corner. For some, that college may be Syracuse University. Preparing for college life can be intimidating, and Summer Start at SU is designed to ease the transition. The six-week program allows entering freshman the opportunity to become familiar with the academic, social and cultural life at Syracuse University. Being away from family and friends, making new friends, adjusting to independence and handling a new set of academics can seem pretty daunting if you have no idea what to expect. Enrolling in Summer Start gives prospective SU students a legup in the college experience as well as academics. All Summer Start students must complete placement tests for mathematics and writing. Once enrolled, participating students live in a fully
staffed residence hall. Most rooms are doubles, with an assigned roommate. A full meal plan is included and available 7 days a week at one of the dining halls within walking distance. Dates for SummerStart 2011 are July 3-Aug. 12.
Benefits of Summer Start: Earn 7 credits toward your degree Select from a variety of courses Begin college-level writing requirements Explore career-enhancing opportunities Explore options for travel and study abroad Meet with an advisor from your school or college to plan your course of study
For more info, visit their website; www.summerstart.syr.edu CAITLIN DONNELLY
The waiting game Julie Knittel, a senior at ITC, offers advice about the stress seniors face while awaiting their acceptance letters. By Rebecca Saxon What schools did you apply to? I applied to Cortland, OCC, Genesee Community College and Brockport. W here have you heard back from? I have only heard back from Brockport and I was not accepted. I was a little mad about it, but it was not my number one school so I just moved on. I just applied to some other schools just in case I can’t get in to my number one college. What has it been like, waiting to hear back from the other schools? Waiting for any word from a college is really hard because you want to make sure that you did everything
right so that you can get in. For me, I just keep thinking, ‘Did I do everything right? Did I have the grades?’ It will sometimes make you go nuts, but you have to find ways to just think about the positive things. I am kind of stressed right now waiting to hear back. Can you offer any advice for others who are in similar situations? I deal with the stress by just going to school and trying my best in class. I try to hang out with others outside of school. I try to not make all of my thoughts about ‘Am I going to get in or not?’ It definitely makes you nervous, but you just have to know that you have been giving it all your best and it they don’t like it, then it’s not the college for you. Just try to stay focused on your classes that you have to do to finish high school, and if you don’t get into one school just keep applying and don’t let it get you down. If you let it get you down, you may not do as well in your current classes. Just make sure to apply to enough schools, so you can have a back up plan.
REBECCA SAXON
14/ NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011
Check us out on the web! Looking for the most recent NY GEARUP news? Visit us online at NYGearUp2011.com today! We’ll have everything you need as you wait for your college acceptance letters and decide what you’re doing next. Bookmark our website today and keep checking back for videos, photos and stories by you and your classmates. Want to see your photos in NY GEARUP? Connect to us on
Facebook! Upload your photos and videos and join the conversation - just search for “NY GEARUP at Syracuse University” and click “Like.” Once you’re following us on Facebook, you can post photos or start conversations of your own. Let us know what you’d like to see on the web, and stay tuned for new improvements and features. We’ll see you there!
NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011 /15
The Back Page VOTE!
10 questions for the financial aid office
What is the most difficult part of the college application process? The college essay Financial aid paperwork Keeping track of deadlines The application itself Check out NY GEARUP’s blog, nygearupblog.blogspot.com, or post your response on NY GEARUP’s facebook page by searching NY GEARUP @ Syracuse University, and vote! Then check back in next month’s edition to see how your fellow classmates weighed in.
Sudoku
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4 2 6 5 9 2 4 9 7 3 1 8 3 Courtesy of StatePoint Media
1. What’s the average total cost of attendance (tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, travel and other personal expenses) for the first year? 2. How much should I expect my costs to increase each year? How much have tuition, fees, room and board increased over the last three to five years? 3. Does financial need have an impact on admissions decisions? How is financial aid affected if I applied via an Early Decision or Early Action program? 4. Does the school offer need-based and merit-based financial aid? Are there other scholarships available that aren’t based on financial need? Do I need to complete a separate application for merit-based scholarships? 5. What is the priority deadline to apply for financial aid? 6. When will I be notified about financial aid award decisions? 7. If the financial aid package isn’t enough, can I appeal? Under what conditions, if any, will the aid office recon sider the offer? 8. How will the aid package change from year to year? What will happen if my family’s financial situation changes? What will happen if my enrollment status (or that of a family member) changes? 9. What are the academic requirements or other conditions for the renewal of financial aid, including scholarships? 10. When can I expect to receive my bills from the college? Is there an option to spread the yearly payment over equal monthly installments?
16/ NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011
COLLEGE OF THE MONTH SUNY Geneseo SUNY Geneseo is a four-year, liberal arts and sciences college originally founded in 1871. The 220-acre campus is located about two hours west of Syracuse. As a school with undergraduate, professional and master’s level programs, it was rated second among public universities in the north by US News and World Report. There are approximately 5,000 undergraduate students enrolled at the
school. The average class size is 26 students, with a student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. The ratio of male to female students is 43 to 57. Thirty miles outside of Rochester, SUNY Geneseo competes in Division III NCAA sports with 20 varsity teams. Student life boasts over 200 extracurricular clubs, and 17 residents hall to mingle in. Possible majors include communication, philosophy, sociology, business and geophysics just to name a few. The school considers Colg ate, Hamilton, Boston College, Villanova and SUNY Binghamton some of its peer institutions, and enrolls about 10 percent of its applicants. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Be Heard
The Step It Up! staff has settled into a spectacular weekend routine with its two-hour talk-based show about teen issues, college readiness and NY GEARUP. It’s entertaining and informative for anyone from students to parents and community members. We’re always looking for people to interview and high school seniors to try their hand in the radio business. If interested, contact Mariel Fiedler at mfiedler@syr.edu
CONTACT US 315.443.7848
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