Now What?

Now what?

a parent’s guide to college and financial aid planning

Kettering University www.admissions.kettering.edu/parents

Kettering University this place thinks like you think Dear Parents, Throughout my 10+ years in college admissions, I have counseled countless numbers of families through the college selection process. Although there are many emotions that go into choosing a college for your child, I often times remind families that finding the “right” college is a match to be made, not a prize to be won. You want the best for your child: top-ranked academic programs, inspirational professors, a support structure that can address your child’s needs and an experience that will help prepare your child for a successful future. Kettering University can provide all this and more.

As a top-ranked university with an outstanding cooperative education (co-op) component, our size can be a true asset to your son or daughter, allowing him or her to experience a world of resources and activities.

Kettering students can jump-start their career as early as their freshman year, extending their learning experience from the classroom to the real world. (And the best part is that they get paid!) At the same time, our students are mentored by engaging and nuturing faculty to ensure the individual attention your child deserves.

I invite you to read through this magazine. In it, you will find helpful information on the college search process, as well as some of the reasons why Kettering University is the “right” choice for your child.

I encourage you and your son or daughter to visit us online at www.admissions.kettering.edu. You can learn more about our academic programs, co-op, costs, financial aid and you can also sign up for a campus visit. The more you know about us, the more you’ll realize that Kettering University can help your child achieve his or her dreams.

This is an exciting time for you and your child. Enjoy the experience and I hope there is a “match to be made” between Kettering University and your son or daughter.

Best wishes,

Barbara Sosin Barbara Sosin Director of Admissions Kettering University

NOW WHAT?

contents????

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 4-5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 12

HELPING YOUR TEEN CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLLEGE YOUR COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE THE COLLEGE APPLICATION: WHAT REALLY MATTERS? WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOUR TEEN APPLIES? THE BASICS OF FINANCIAL AID WHY COMPLETE THE FAFSA? WHERE TO LOOK FOR SCHOLARSHIPS KETTERING’S SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT COLLEGE COSTS COLLEGE PLANNING: AVOID THE STRESS ONLINE ALERT

Finally, a college that thinks like you think.

Kettering University

Do you look at a product, a process, or an idea and wonder, “Why can’t it be smarter? Simpler? Cleaner?

Cooler?” Then you belong at Kettering. Whatever your interest— Engineering, Math, Science, Business — we have experts, labs, and programs that bring theory and practice together better than anywhere else. And because you can start in a paid co-op experience as early as freshman year, you’re never just a college student at Kettering. You’re making a name for yourself in the professional world. think.kettering.edu

flint, mi

800-955-4464 ext.

Helping Your Teen Choose the Right College

Figuring

out which college is right for your teen is a long, drawn out process that takes a lot of time and a lot of consideration. Make the best of your time by following these simple guidelines.

DON’T limit college choices just because of cost.

There are many different scholarships, loans, grants and other financial aid plans available. So don’t decide on a school until you see what they can offer your student.

DON’T make the decision for your child.

After all, he is the one who will be living with the decision!

DON’T take a negative attitude based on one thing about a school.

Sure, the dorm rooms may be the size of a closet, but chances are that she will be at the library studying, eating in the cafeteria and generally only sleeping in the room, so it doesn’t need to be massive. If your child feels that she can handle it, chances are that she can.

DON’T ignore the mail.

Sure there may be a ton of it, but you don’t want to miss out on an important piece. Colleges are generally sending you mail for a reason.

DON’T wait until the last minute.

The earlier your student starts, the better off he will be. Make sure that he reads all application instructions carefully and includes everything each college requires.

DO learn about the current admissions process.

The process for admissions has changed since you attended college. Many applications are now available instantly online, and they can save you time and money.

DO make limitations known in advance.

If distance or other factors must be considered, make sure your child is aware of these factors now, before he has his heart set on something that just isn’t feasible.

DO remind your student of deadlines.

Many scholarships and applications have deadlines.

Keep a calendar handy to write down important dates, and leave it somewhere visible.

DO ask questions!

Contact colleges multiple times - it is their job, and they will be happy to help you with whatever you need.

Do listen and then give advice.

Make sure to give your teen time to talk. Listen to what she has to say, and then give your opinion. This ultimately has to be her decision. Ask good questions and let her supply the answers.

DO check out the surrounding community.

Take time to look at the community surrounding the campus. See what it offers for entertainment, take in the sights and try to maintain a positive attitude.

DO help your child stay organized.

Designate a place where anything college related has to go, like a bin or file folder. It will make things less stressful when it comes time to find important information.

DO try to enjoy the process!

your college Junior Year •

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Visit colleges that interest your teen. Starting now will give her the option to change her mind, should she decide on a different major or location.

books, supplies, entertainment and toiletries.

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Open a savings and checking account for your teen. Teach him how to manage it on his own.

Attend college fairs with your teen. Pick up literature from a variety of colleges so you know the options available.

Give your teen a interest inventory or personality profile to determine what jobs would be a good match.

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Review your family’s financial aid options at the schools your teen is interested in.

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Research the type of degree or certification necessary for the career your teen desires.

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Enroll your teen in a summer program at a college to give her an early taste of campus life.

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Have

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Save! Remind your teen that he will be responsible for tuition and room and board or at least

your

teen

research

careers to get some ideas about what he’d like to study. Knowing potential majors will help him narrow his college choices.

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Register your teen to take the ACT and/or SAT. This will give her time to retake the exams if she isn’t satisfied with her scores.

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Encourage your teen to enroll in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses as a junior and senior.

They can help your student earn college credit while still in high school - at a fraction of the price.

• Require your teen to get a summer job. If he has a career in mind, support his search for an internship in that field, even if its unpaid.

use this timeline to make e k sure your teen is on track for college planning

Senior Year •

Your teen should finish researching colleges before applying for scholarships in the fall.

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Register your student for the SAT and/or ACT now if she hasn’t taken them already, or if she wants to retake them for a higher score.

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Remind your teen to keep his senior grades high. Colleges may request that applicants send their mid-year transcripts.

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Work with your teen to budget for college costs. Determine how much you’re willing to contribute to their degree.

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Help your teen narrow down a major.

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weeks of notice, a pre-addressed, stamped envelope and the purp pu rpos ose e of each e eac ach h letter. lett le tter er.. purpose •

Have your teen keep copies of everything she sends to h l hi and d admissions d i i scholarship offices.

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Request financial aid applications from the colleges to which your teen applies.

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Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as sonn as possible after January 1 of your child’s senior year.

Access an online application at fafsa.ed.gov.

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Suggest that your teen consider enrolling in a community college as a high school student to take classes that count toward both a high school and college degree.

Note the admissions deadlines of the colleges your teen will apply to.

Remind your teen to give the writers of their letters of recommendation at least three

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Correct any inaccuracies on the Student Aid Report (SAR), a confirmation of your FAFSA information, so your family will qualify for the right amount of financial aid.

Be prepared for regular admissions college decisions letters to arrive in February, March or April.

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Send Send in tuition deposits by May 1 to reserve your teen’s spot in his college of choice.

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Ask your teen to respond to the other colleges to which she applied to let them know she won’t be attending.

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Watch the mail for important housing, orientation and registration materials.

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Send in the housing deposit to reserve a spot in the residence halls, if applicable.

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Remind your teen that most student loans are taken out in the student’s name, not a parent’s.

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If required, have your teen send a final high school transcript to the college he has chosen.

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Time for graduation! Relax, and enjoy the time you have left with your child at home.

Review the financial aid letters that your teen receives.

planning guide

the college application:

WHAT REALLY MATTERS? Q: What do universities look for in an application?

A: This is a common question for parents: how do colleges evaluate applications and decide which students to accept? It’s safe to say most colleges, including Kettering University, seek well-rounded individuals with a variety of extracurricular activities that supplement a strong academic profile.

However, each college has its own set of admissions standards and educational philosophy, so no student will be the perfect fit for every school just as no school is perfect for every student.

The role of the admissions counselor is to match up those applicants they believe are the best fit for their institution.

ACADEMIC RECORD At Kettering, the first thing we look at when we evaluate an applicant is academic performance in grades 9 - 12.

We note the student’s achievement in math, science and English, as well as the other types of courses. Did the student take Advanced Placement or Honors courses? Were their grades steady throughout school?

SAT OR ACT SCORES A student’s SAT or ACT scores are also considered.

A strong score can sometimes make up for a weakness in academic coursework.

Or a high o v e r a l l average can offset a lower test score.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACHIEVEMENTS Recognizing that there is more to a student than what appears on a high school transcript, we encourage all applicants to help us get to know them better. At Kettering, we encourage students to tell us about their activities and experiences outside of the classroom on their application for admission. Knowing they are leaders in their school or community or have volunteered their time and talent to a particular activity or cause helps us to determine if they would be a good match for Kettering University.

OTHER FACTORS Kettering University doesn’t require applicants to write an admissions essay. However, if a student would like the opportunity to further explain any circumstances that may have affected their grades in high school, or to describe an obstacle in their life that they have overcome, including an essay would be appropriate.

We also read letters of reference, if supplied. These letters can offer insight. All of these factors are taken into consideration when evaluating an applicant for admission to Kettering!

ADMISSIONS.KETTERING.EDU Your source for more information on the application process, important dates and deadlines and much, much more! While there, your student can also submit an application for admission to Kettering for free! Or call us at 800-9554464, ext. 7865 for answers to any questions that you might have or to set up a campus visit!

to s n e pp a h y l ’s l t a i e r r e t t f a ha n w o s i ’ t e a r lic He p p a ge e l l o c a d. e v i e c re

what happens after your teen

applies?

Some students think colleges review applications alphabetically. Others believe they are in direct competition with their high school classmates who apply to the same college. But what really happens after your teen applies?

1. Your student is assigned to an admissions representative. Admissions officers are assigned to a geographic territory, in which they visit high schools and review admissions applications. The representative who visits your child’s school will most likely be the one reading her application. Most schools have a second reader consider applications, as well.

Borderline applications may face a committee for review.

2. Admissions collects the application’s pieces. Your student’s application goes into a file as materials arrive. If he’s missing a transcript or recommendation, he or his high school counselor may receive a follow-up phone call or email reminder.

3. Admissions reviews the application. Some colleges emphasize SAT or ACT scores and GPA cut-offs as the first line of an admissions decision. Others place more emphasis on components such as an essay or interview. Only 7.5 percent of colleges consider extracurricular activities to be of “considerable importance” in the application process, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

In the same survey, extracurricular activities ranked behind grades, test scores, class rank, essay, counselor recommendation, teacher recommendation or interview.

Instead, admissions officers are looking for students who form a well-rounded freshman class.

4. The applicant waits. Then, the waiting game begins. Wait several weeks for confirmation from the school that all materials were received. If your teen doesn’t receive a response after that time, encourage her to call the admissions office or to send a polite email to ask if her materials were received.

5. Admissions makes a decision.

Because the college admissions process is subjective, students shouldn’t take rejections personally. Consider a rejection as a sign that the college wasn’t the student’s best match and move on to find the perfect fit!

the basics of

financial aid Once your teen decides which colleges to apply to, have a talk about how to foot the bill. Prepare your family for college costs by following these four tips.

1. Make a list of costs Sit down with your child and make a list of college costs. The obvious costs are tuition, room and board, fees and textbooks. You may also want to include car payments, phone bills, car insurance and any other monthly payments your child will be responsible for while attending college.

considered for federal and state grants, your student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

3. Apply

Once you have a list of expenses, decide who will pay for what. Do not let your child leave for college without putting a plan into place.

Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov after January 1 of your child’s senior year. If your taxes aren’t completed, you can report “estimated” income and update the income section of the FAFSA after your taxes have been submitted. Encourage your teen to apply or all scholarships for which she’s qualified.

2. Know your financial aid options

4. Communicate

Savings and job earnings - Using money already saved will help eliminate or reduce the amount of debt your child will incur. At Kettering, our co-op program provides substantial job earnings that may be saved to cover costs.

Call the financial aid offices of your student’s potential colleges if you have questions along the way. Kettering University sends out a financial aid package after a student’s FAFSA application is received. We have experienced Financial Aid Officers available to assist you in understanding the financial aid process and how to make Kettering an affordable college choice.

Scholarships and grants - Your child should meet with a high school counselor at the beginning of senior year to find out what local scholarships are available. Small local scholarships are just as important as substantial merits scholarships. Every dollar helps! A good source for outside scholarships is: www.fastweb.com. To be

• Federal Work-Study - This is financial aid that students earn by working on campus. Sample jobs include administrative work, working as a tutor, or as a grader for a professor.

The majority of schools are looking for students that qualify for FWS because the government pays 75% of the student’s wages. Students are paid every two weeks and can earn up to the amount of the FWS listed on their financial aid award letter.

why complete the

FAFSA? • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to qualifying for student loans, grants and institutional aid. The information you report is used by the federal government to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC determines the financial aid your student will be awarded from the federal government and your home state, based on government regulations.

The FAFSA is available from guidance counselors, financial aid offices or at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It takes about 20 minutes to complete once you gather all the correct documents.

Plan on completing it every year you have students in college, even if you think you won’t qualify for aid.

What if your family needs more money?

If your family needs more money for college, consider these tips.

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Research private loan options for loans with a favorable interest rate. Contact our Financial Aid Office and someone will be happy to discuss your options and explain how the process works.

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Consider a PLUS loan, which allows parents to borrow up to the total cost of a student’s education.

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Encourage your child to schedule time each week to search for outside scholarships. Many scholarships require the student to submit an essay which can be time-consuming. Your child’s senior year is always a busy one, but searching for scholarships should be a priority.

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Encourage your teen to get a job at college.

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Remember, there are many options to pay for child’s education - a choice that will benefit your child for years to come.

What will you get?

After the FAFSA is processed, your student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) to double-check for accuracy. This will determine your EFC. Financial need varies depending on the school’s cost of attendance.

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Grants - The federal government awards grants such as the Pell Grant and SEOG to lower income families. These grants are awarded based on the student’s EFC.

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Stafford Loans - These are guaranteed student loans offered by the federal government. All students, regardless of year in college and credit rating, can receive a Stafford Loan after completion of required documentation. The amount is determined by the student’s year in college with a maximum of $7,500 as a senior in college. Whether the Stafford Loan is subsidized (interest free while in school) or unsubsidized (interest charged while in school) is determined by your EFC and the college’s cost of attendance.

Kettering University Grant (KUOG) - The KUOG is an award specific to Kettering that is based on the student’s EFC.

Where to look for

SCHOLARSHIPS 1. Your Child’s High School Guidance Counselor Counselors are aware of numerous local and national scholarships. Even small scholarships help!

2. College Financial Aid Offices Speak with financial aid officers at the schools your child is considering. Mention any special circumstances about your family’s financial situation.

3. Community Organizations Don’t limit your search to only organizations to which you belong. Community groups often sponsor scholarships open to all students in a community.

For example, local Rotary and Lions Clubs often offer scholarships for outstanding students, whether or not their parents are members.

4. Your Employer Companies often award scholarships to the children of their employees. Speak with someone in your human resources department about scholarships and other educational programs offered by the company.

5. Your Union Some unions sponsor scholarships for the children of their members. Speak with your union officer about programs sponsored by the union.

6. Your Church or Religious Organization Religious organizations may provide scholarships for members. Check with the leaders to see if a scholarship is offered.

7. Local Government Some cities and counties provide scholarships specifically designated for local students.

Often, local city council members and state representatives have scholarship funds. Call their offices and ask if they offer a scholarship.

8. Local Businesses Local business owners who want to see students in their community succeed often set up scholarships as a way to thank their customers. Contact your local chamber of commerce.

9. Internet Online scholarship directories give you up-to-date information on scholarships.

KETTERING UNIVERSITY’S Scholarship Support Excellent students are the heart of any great university.

That’s why Kettering maintains a strong commitment to supporting exceptional academic talent. Our merit scholarships are renewable for four and a half years, and there’s no need to fill out a special application. Eligible students are automatically awarded based on their high school records and standardized test scores.

This grid illustrates how scholarships were awarded for students entering Kettering in 2008. The 2009 Kettering Merit Scholarship Program will be announced in the Fall of 2008. Visit www.admissions.kettering.edu for more information on Kettering University’s scholarship programs.

Kettering University Merit Scholarships Name

In State

Out of State

GPA

SAT

ACT

Presidential

$15,000 annual value $67,500 total value

$17,000 annual value $76,500 total value

4.0 3.6-3.9

1360-1600 1460-1600

31-36 33-36

Trustee

$13,000 annual value $58,500 total value

$15,000 annual value $67,500 total value

4.0 3.6-3.9 3.2-3.5

1090-1350 1280-1450 1280-1600

24-30 29-32 29-36

Provost

$10,000 annual value $45,000 total value

$12,000 annual value $54,000 total value

3.2-3.9 3.0+

1090-1270 1090-1600

24-28 24-36

COLLEGE COSTS COSTS Tuition Room & Board Textbooks Student Fees Campus Parking Fee Dorm Furnishings Sorority/Fraternity Fees Car Payment Car Insurance Health Insurance Toiletries Food & Entertainment Travel Home TOTAL

YOUR GUESS

ACTUAL COST

COLLEGE PLANNING:

avoid the stress Before you know it, you’ll be up to your ears in college planning materials. When the countdown to college begins, the pressure can strain even the best family relationships.

Watch out for these potential conflict areas.

College Choice Clashes

Money Misunderstandings

Deadline Difficulties

You and your teen may have very different ideas about which college and major he should pursue.

Keep an open mind, you might be able to help your student see other factors when choosing a college, and he might convince you of a college or major’s worthiness.

Remind your student that it’s not where he goes, but what he does with his education that matters most.

Getting into college is the easy part, it’s getting out with a degree that’s most important. If your student is excited about his coursework and campus, there is a greater chance he’ll succeed.

Prevent blowups about money by talking about how much your family can afford and whose responsibility it will be to pay for tuition, room and board, etc...

Make sure you also outline any caveats: grades she must uphold, or a timeline in which she must complete her degree. Don’t wait until the first bill is due to share your expectations about paying for college.

Help your teen find a job and open a banking account in her name.

Encourage her to get a part-time job while in college and teach her how to use credit wisely so she doesn’t impact her ability to get loans later on.

Don’t let missing a deadline keep your family from receiving financial aid, or your student from getting into the college of his choice. As a parent, one of the most helpful things you can do is to keep deadlines in mind.

Your teen has a ton of work to do, help lighten the load. Even simple things like making copies and pulling information from a few websites demonstrates your support. College is just around the corner, and the clock is already ticking. Make plans now so that a college education can become your teen’s reality. There are people and resources available to help you every step of the way.

online alert Attention parents of soccergurl16, mustangdude and seniorhottie09: it’s time for your teen to get a new email address.

A professional email address - ideally their first and last name or first initial and last name - is a must when communicating with colleges.

Also, remind your student to keep his MySpace and Facebook accounts appropriate. It’s not unheard of for an admissions representative to rethink an applicant based on their online persona. This is also true when your teen begins searching for a job - many employers now search for applicants online, and may choose to not offer an interview or position based on what they find.

Make sure your teen doesn’t miss out on opportunities simply because their email address or online persona doesn’t project the proper image!

About Kettering University The University Founded in 1919, Kettering is a private university specializing in cooperative education. The school enrolls about 2,000 undergraduate students and offers a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. In fact, most of our classes have less than 20 students and are taught by PhD-level professors, not teaching assistants. This combination of small class sizes and highly qualified teaching staff ensures students a much more personalized learning experience.

Cooperative Education Kettering’s cooperative education program pairs hands-on education with real world experience: all undergraduate students alternate between oncampus study terms with full-time terms of cooperative employment. This system of education prepares students to be technology innovators – professionals with cutting edge skills who are ready to compete in Our Community - Flint, MI tomorrow’s business environment.

Don’t let others fool you - Flint is rich in history, entertainment and culture, Flint is a city full of opportunities. Flint may be a big city (the metroCampus Life area boasts a population of approximately100,000), Kettering University offers some of the best facilities, but it still has 11,000 acres of woods, water and labs and educational resources in the world, and trails to offer – all part of Michigan’s largest county students start using them as early as their freshman park system. Go golfing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, year – no waiting until graduate school here! Our Crash hunting, skiing, snowmobiling – and so much more Safety Center, for example, is the only one of its kind in all right here! the nation used in an undergraduate program. We also If you’d rather just kick back, relax and watch sports, offer labs in areas such as Fuel Cell Research, Polymer Flint is just the ticket for you. Enjoy the Buick Open, Optimization, Machining, and Acoustics – just to name cheer on the Flint Generals hockey team, the Flint a few.

Phantoms indoor football team or the Genesee Kettering students bring a wide range of skills and County Patriots minor league football team. interests to campus. To make sure that they get a life If sports aren’t your thing, consider visiting the Flint along with an education, Kettering offers more than Cultural Center - home to the Sloan Museum, The 50 student organizations, including 14 fraternities and Whiting Auditorium, the Longway Planetarium and six sororities, an active student government, a state-of- more! Take in the arts at the Flint Institute of Music the-art recreation and fitness facility and some mighty (home to the Flint Symphony Orchestra) or the Flint competitive intramural sports.

Institute of Art - the second largest art museum in Michigan. And you can enjoy more than just classical music – the nearby DTE Energy Music Center is one of the nation’s top amphitheaters, and hosts over 70 events each summer.

Admissions Process Apply online at www.admissions.kettering.edu or print For shoppers, there is the Genessee Valley Centre an application and send it by mail. Call 1-800-955-4464, and the Courtland Center, and is a short drive ext. 7865, for assistance. Once accepted, students receive to Prime Outlets at Birch Run and Great Lakes information on our programs and the professional Crossing. co-op program. They will need to complete a co-op Flint is also centrally located - it’s just a short drive to registration (resume) online and pay a $300 tuition destinations such as Detroit, Lake Huron, beautiful deposit. This deposit ensures your student’s place in the Northern Michigan, or even Canada. Whatever your entering class and makes them eligible to begin the co- interests, chances are you can find them right here in Flint. Entertain yourself! Find time for Flint! op employment search process.

Get to know Kettering University Visit us Online: admissions.kettering.edu

Visit Kettering’s Campus

Everything you need to know about Kettering University: getting in, academic programs, campus life and more! . While you’re there, make sure to sign up for Kettering E-Notes, to keep in the know of what is happening on campus, what deadlines are approaching, and important info that parents really want to know, but kids forget to share.

The best way to learn about Kettering University is to see it for yourself. Explore our labs and classrooms, and meet our faculty, staff and students. See our recreation center and visit our residence hall.

College Fairs If you can’t make it to campus, come see us at a college fair. Visit our website to find out when we we’ll be in your area.

Campus tours are offered Monday through Friday at 9:15 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM and 1:30 PM. Sit in on a class, stay overnight, meet a professor and learn all Kettering has to offer! Or, plan to attend our Discover Kettering Open House - offered twice each year.

Contact Information Office of Admissions Kettering University 1700 W. Third Ave. ( Now University Ave.) Flint, MI 48504 Toll-Free: (800) 955-4464, ext. 7865 Phone: (810) 762-7865 Fax: (810) 762-9807 admissions@kettering.edu co-op@kettering.edu finaid@kettering.edu