College Decision 2018

College

Decision 2018

Inside: SAT vs. ACT....................................................2 Baldwin EMC Scholarship............................3 Financial Aid 101..........................................4 FAFSA............................................................5 Pell Grants....................................................5 Alabama Institutes of Higher Learning.........6

A specialty publication of

2 • College Decision • January 26, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

SAT vs ACT The PRINCETON REVIEW Many students and parents begin the college prep process by comparing the ACT and SAT. Two of the most common questions they ask are: • Is the ACT easier than the SAT? • Do colleges prefer scores from the SAT or ACT?

The SAT and ACT generally test the same types of content. Both ACT and SAT scores are used for college admissions and merit-based scholarships. The biggest differences between the tests are that the ACT has a Science Test, and there’s one SAT Math Section for which you cannot use a calculator.

Colleges don't prefer one over the other, so explore both tests to decide which one is right for you.

ACT versus SAT: How do I choose?

The best way to decide if the SAT or ACT is right

for you is to take a timed full-length practice test in each. Since the content and style of the SAT and ACT are very similar, factors like how you handle time pressure and what types of questions you find most challenging can help you determine

which test is a better fit.

For example, the pace of the SAT gives you a tad more time to think through problems, while the ACT can be more of a time crunch. Some students really thrive under the pressure of the clock, while others prefer the

extra time to ponder a question.

Take the free practice test by visiting https:// www.princetonreview. com/college/sat-act Princeton Review can also help students with test prep and private tutoring options.

SAT ACT Why Take It

Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.

Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.

Test Structure • Reading • English • Writing & Language • Math • Math • Reading • Essay (Optional) • Science Reasoning • Essay (Optional) Length

• 3 hours (without essay) • 3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)

• 2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay) • 3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)

Reading 5 reading passages 4 reading passages Science None 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge) Math Covers: Covers: • Arithmetic • Arithmetic • Algebra I & II • Algebra I & II

• Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis • Geometry and Trigonometry Calculator Policy

Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator.

You can use a calculator on all math questions.

Essays

Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text.

Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.

How It's Scored

Scored on a scale of 400–1600

Scored on a scale of 1–36

Gulf Coast Media • January 26, 2018 • College Decision • 3

Baldwin EMC’s scholarship opportunities help lower college’s price tag As part of Baldwin EMC’s efforts to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves, the co-op offers scholarship opportunities for local students hoping to continue their education beyond high school.

With competitive rates and a not-for-profit status, Baldwin EMC is able to provide electricity at a great value, powering the average member’s home for around $5 a day. However, not every aspect of today’s cost of living is as affordable as electricity.

According to the College Board, a not-for-profit organization that promotes higher education, between the 2006-2007 and the 2016-2017 school years, costs for college tuition, room and board rose an average of 3.5 percent per year beyond inflation.

Electric Co-op Foundation In cooperation with the Alabama Rural Electric Association (AREA), Baldwin EMC offers annual scholarships through the Electric Cooperative Foundation, Inc. Available for any high school senior who is a dependent of a member of Baldwin EMC, the Electric Cooperative Foundation awards two $500 scholarships. Applications for this scholarship are available at all three Baldwin EMC offices or online at www.baldwinemc.com. They must be received at AREA no later than February 16, 2018.

Operation Round Up The Baldwin EMC Charitable Foundation College Scholarship is funded through Operation Round Up, and provides a student as much as $3,750 annually to pursue a higher education. Applicants are awarded money depending on their academic achievements, character, leadership and financial needs. Applications for the Charitable Foundation Scholarship are due February 28, 2018, and are available at Baldwin EMC or at www.baldwinemc.com.

If you or someone you know has dreams of higher education without a clear plan for how to meet the costs, Baldwin EMC can help. Go to www.baldwinemc.com and click on the scholarship link under the Programs tab to find out more.

4 • College Decision • January 26, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

Financial Aid 101 www.studentaid.ed.gov The office of Federal Student Aid provides grants, loans, and workstudy funds for college or career school. Each year the office provides more than $120 billion in federal student aid each year to help pay for college or career school.

Who We Are Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation. At the office of Federal Student Aid, our more than 1,300 employees help make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing more than $120 billion in federal grants, loans, and work-study

funds each year to more than 13 million students paying for college or career school.

What We Do Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grants, loans, and work-study funds to students attending college or career school.

We ensure students and their families can benefit from these programs by • informing students and families about the availability of the federal student aid programs and the process for applying for and receiving aid from those programs;

• developing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and processing approximately 20 million FAFSA submissions each year; • accurately disbursing, reconciling, and accounting for all federal student aid funds that are delivered to students each year through more than 6,000 colleges and career schools; • managing the outstanding federal student loan portfolio and securing repayment from federal student loan borrowers; • offering free assistance to students, parents, and borrowers throughout the entire financial aid process; and • providing oversight and monitoring of all program participants — schools, financial entities, and students — to ensure compliance with the laws, regulations, and policies governing the federal student aid programs.

Financial Glossary Work-Study A federal student aid

program that provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school to help pay your education expenses.

Federal Student Aid Programs The programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that provide grants, loans and workstudy funds from the federal government to eligible students enrolled in college or ca...

Federal Student Loan

Scholarship

A loan funded by the federal government to help pay for your education. A federal student loan is borrowed money you must repay with interest.

Money awarded to students based on academic or other achievements to help pay for education expenses. Scholarships generally do not have to be repaid.

Grant

Net Price Calculator

Financial aid, often based on financial need, that does not need to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund).

A tool that allows current and prospective students, families, and other consumers to estimate the net price of attending a particular college or career school.

Gulf Coast Media • January 26, 2018 • College Decision • 5

FAFSA Form – The most important term for students seeking financial aid www.studentaid.edu.gov

What is the FAFSA® form?

To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Completing and submitting the FAFSA form is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.

In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.

Quick Facts • You have to fill out the FAFSA® form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.

• Students looking ahead at college can get an estimate of the aid they may receive.

If you’re not ready to file a FAFSA form, you can use FAFSA4caster to estimate your federal student aid.

Why should I fill out the FAFSA® form?

If you don’t fill out the FAFSA form, you could be missing out on a lot of financial aid! We’ve heard a number of reasons students think they shouldn’t complete the FAFSA form.

Here are a few:

• “I (or my parents) make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid.”

• “Only students with good grades get financial aid.”

• “The FAFSA form is too hard to fill out.”

• “I’m too old to qualify for financial aid.”

Federal student aid

The reality is, EVERYONE who’s getting ready to go to college or career school should fill out the FAFSA form!

However, there are a few federal student aid programs that have limited funds, so be sure to apply as soon as you can once the FAFSA form is available for the year you’ll be attending school.

When do I fill out the FAFSA® form?

The 2018–19 FAFSA form became available on Oct. 1, 2017, while the 2017–18 FAFSA form has been available since Oct. 1, 2016.

There are different FAFSA deadlines for different programs:

• For the 2018–19 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019.

• For the 2017–18 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018.

State student aid You can find state deadlines at fafsa.gov. Note that several states have financial aid programs with limited funds and therefore have a deadline of “as soon as possible [after

the FAFSA form becomes available].”

College or career school aid Check the school’s website or contact its financial aid office. School deadlines are usually early in the year (often in February or March, although some are even earlier now that the FAFSA form is available in October).

Other financial aid Some programs other than government or school aid require that you fill out and submit the FAFSA form. For instance, you can’t get certain private scholarships unless you’re eligible for a Federal Pell Grant — and you can’t find out whether you’re eligible for a Pell Grant unless you fill out

and submit the FAFSA form. If the private scholarship’s application deadline is in early to mid-January, you’ll need to submit your FAFSA form before that deadline.

How do I fill out the FAFSA® form?

There are several ways to fill out and submit the FAFSA form: • Online at fafsa.gov is faster and easier than using paper.

• If you need a printed FAFSA form, you can download a FAFSA PDF or order a print-out of the FAFSA PDF. • Ask the financial aid office at your college or career school if you can file it there. Some schools will use special software to submit your FAFSA form for you.

Federal Pell Grants available to undergraduates who fill out the FAFSA www.studentaid.edu.gov Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a postbaccalaureate teacher certification

program might receive a Federal Pell Grant.

You are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant if you are incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution or are subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forc-

ible or nonforcible sexual offense.

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances. Find out why you might have to repay all or part of a federal grant.

You should start by submitting a Free Application

for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. You will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.

How much money can I get?

Amounts can change

yearly. For the 2017–18 award year (July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018), the maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $5,920. The amount you get, though, will depend on • your financial need, • your cost of attendance, • your status as a full-time or part-time student,

and • your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

You may not receive Federal Pell Grant funds from more than one school at a time.

SEE PELL, PAGE

6

6 • College Decision • January 26, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media

PELL CONTINUED FROM 5

Effective on July 1, 2012, you can receive the Federal Pell Grant for no more than 12 semesters or the equivalent (roughly six years).

You’ll receive a notice if you’re getting close to your limit. If you have any questions, contact your financial aid office.

If you’re eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, you’ll receive the full amount you qualify for — each school participating in the program receives enough funds each year from the U.S. Department of Education to pay the Federal Pell Grant amounts for all its eligible students. The amount of any other student aid for which you might qualify does not affect the amount of your Federal Pell Grant.

What should I do to maintain the grant?

In general, you must maintain enrollment in an undergraduate course of study at a non-foreign school to receive a Federal Pell Grant. Additionally, you will have to fill out the FAFSA form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.

Once you have earned a baccalaureate degree or your first professional degree, or have used up all 12 semesters of your eligibility, you are no longer eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant.

Alabama Institutions of Higher Education To learn more about colleges and universities in Alabama, visit the website of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education at www.ache. alabama.gov<http://www.ache.alabama.gov> Here you can find contact information for every school in the state, career links, rules for gaining residency to qualify for in-state tuition rates and a net price calculator to estimate your total college costs.

HTTP://WWW.ACHE.ALABAMA.GOV/CONTENT/ COLLEGESUNIVERSITIES/ALAINSTITUTIONMAP.ASPX

Gulf Coast Media • January 26, 2018 • College Decision • 7

8 • College Decision • January 26, 2018 • Gulf Coast Media