STUDENT SERVICES NEWS September 14, 2018
The Student Services Office at Glenelg High School is excited to be starting a new school year. Our staff is here to help in any way we can. Listed below is the student/counselor caseload for this year.
Ms. Caren Hoffman A – D Caren_Hoffman@hcpss.org
Ms. Mindy Hirsch E – L Mindy_Hirsch@hcpss.org
Ms. Carolyn Devlin M – Sb Carolyn_Devlin@hcpss.org
Dr. Steven Burnett Sc – Z Steven_Burnett@hcpss.org
Feel free to contact our office by phone at 410-313-5535 or by counselor e-mail if you have questions or concerns.
Attention Seniors: College Visits have started! Representatives from many colleges have called to set up times to meet with students who are interested in finding out more about their college. All visits are now in Naviance for you to sign up to meet with them. You must sign up to meet with a representative. Check your Naviance account to see who is coming.
COLLEGE PARK DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1ST Remember to apply to the University of Maryland College Park by the Priority Application deadline of November 1st. Applying by this deadline ensures you will receive best consideration for admission as well as consideration for merit-based scholarships and invitations to special programs. Ms. Duvall from the admissions office at UMCP reported that 95-98% of students who are accepted to UMCP applied by the November 1st deadline. And, that the chances of being accepted if you do not apply by November 1 are drastically reduced. From the total number of students who applied after November 1, only about 4% were accepted. In order to qualify for this priority consideration your entire application and all additional materials must be submitted by November 1. More information and applications are available at www.admissions.umd.edu
Below are a couple (maybe more than a couple!) reminders for students related to the college admission process.
Counselors visited all English classes during the last week to make students aware of all factors related to college and career preparation and help students understand how to be INFORMED CONSUMERS! Transcript request forms (the blue form) should be turned into the registrar before school, during lunch, or after school. We ask that you DO NOT just leave the form in a mailbox as we often have questions and don't want money laying around. Remember the first three transcripts are free and thereafter they are $2 for each transcript. Sign up now to meet with admission counselors that come to Glenelg. Students must sign up in advance using Naviance. Get ahead of the game and take a few minutes to check out Naviance and see which colleges are visiting us this fall! We are ALWAYS updating this list so check back frequently! Our school code is 210593 and our phone number is 410-313-5535 and fax number is 410-313-5536. It is YOUR responsibility to send SAT and ACT scores directly from College Board and ACT. Visit http://www.collegeboard.org to send SAT scores and http://www.act.org/ to send ACT scores. Do this now to make sure you meet all deadlines! Students must submit transcript request forms 20 days prior to their first deadline. This is September 29th for the November 1 deadline. Once again, we are asking student to hand in forms earlier so we can get started on our part! You can always add a college later on so do not feel like you must have a complete list! Get started on Financial Aid!!!! Visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid to request a FSA ID and start learning about Financial Aid. Families can begin submitting the FAFSA on October 1. For student’s submitting via the new Coalition Application, please make sure to check the box that allows for Naviance submission of materials. Our Naviance system is very useful in tracking colleges receipt of application materials! Counselors are always willing to meet with you individually and answer any questions! Discussions about post high school planning, graduation requirements, and any other topics related to senior year will be addressed. Attached you will find a FAQ that may be beneficial in helping to navigate the process.
Feel free to email your counselor directly with any questions. Glenelg High Student Services Team Attachments: College Application Process FAQs1.docx
Support for FAFSA Completion
When: October 12, 2018
Where: Glenelg High School Student Services
Time: Individual appointments are scheduled with Ms. Miles, 410 313-5535 throughout the day from 8:00 am through 1:00 pm
Who: Parents
Topic: Financial Aid Specialist from HCC will be at Glenelg throughout the day to help you complete your family’s FAFSA (More about FAFSA detailed below in Paying for College)
Seniors Student Services in partnership with the English Department will be hosting two College Essay Workshops to help you prepare the essay component of your college applications. The workshops will be held after school in the media center: September 26: 2:10-3:30 pm October 17: 2:10-3:30 pm If you are interested in getting assistance with your college essay drafts, please sign up in Naviance under the "Colleges" tab and then under "view all upcoming college visits." The workshops are included in the list of college visits. Please bring a draft essay to the workshop with you. There will be English teachers as well as college admissions representatives available to work one-on-one with you. Feel free to stop by Student Services or talk to Mrs. Ohanian in the English hallway if you have any questions! link to CommonApp essay prompts: http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/common-application-announces-2017-2018essay-prompts link to Coalition essay prompts: http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/essays.html
UPCOMING DATES AT GLENELG:
Senior College Planning Night
When: September 20, 2018
Where: Glenelg High School Auditorium
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Who: Parents and Students
Topic: School Counselors will discuss the details for applying and navigating the college application process
Glenelg High School SAT Prep Courses 2018-2019 The Glenelg Boosters Club is sponsoring three SAT Prep Courses at Glenelg High this school year. These courses are designed to prepare students for the upcoming SAT tests that will be held at Glenelg High. They will be taught by GHS staff. The math sessions cover expanded topics from college preparatory math. The verbal sessions will help increase reading comprehension and help prepare for the writing portion with emphasis on grammar and sentence structure, plus opportunities to practice the essay.
Each course will provide five weeks of preparation prior to SAT testing on November 3, 2018, March 9, 2019 and June 1, 2019. Students may elect to take both the math and verbal SAT Prep Courses or simply choose one. The SAT Prep Classes will be held in the Media Center from 6-8 p.m. The math course will be taught by Mr. James McVicker, GHS math teacher. The verbal course will be taught by Ms. Leila Chawkat, GHS G/T Research teacher. The cost for math and verbal SAT Prep Courses is $250. Individual math or verbal sessions can be taken for $125 each. If you have questions please call Glenelg High School at 410-313-5535 or 410-313-5528. More information is available on the Glenelg High School website.
Glenelg High School is providing the opportunity for families of GHS Seniors to meet with counselors and college admission staff to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and related financial aid information on October 12, 2018 between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm at Glenelg High School. Call for an appointment. 410-313-5535 Spanish speaking interpreters will be available, if needed. A maximum of 40 appointments may be scheduled. To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the following information is required. This information must be brought with you when you come for your appointment: 1. Your Social Security Number 2. Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen) 3. Your most recent federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.) 4. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable) 5. Records of untaxed income (if applicable) 6. An FSA ID to sign electronically. If you are a dependent student, then you will also need most of the above information for your parent(s).
Paying for College
What is the FAFSA
The FAFSA is a free online application for financial aid eligibility for college. It’s used by schools to put together your federal student aid package. This package can include grants, work-study, federal student loans, and even state and school financial aid.
Where and how to apply for federal student aid—the beginner’s guide
Once you’re ready to begin the FAFSA, keep these tips in mind:
1. Begin your FAFSA process by creating a FSA ID at FAFSA.gov. It’s your personal code for submitting the FAFSA when you’re ready. Your FSA ID will give you access to FSA online systems and can serve as your legal signature. 2. Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible. Federal student aid applications can be submitted starting October 1 at FAFSA.gov. Federal financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so know your deadlines and apply as early as you can to maximize your financial aid. 3. Think local. College and state financial aid deadlines vary by state, and can be as early as February or March of your senior year of high school. Check your state’s financial aid deadlines. 4. Apply for the FAFSA annually. You need to fill out the FAFSA each year that you are—or plan to be—a student. The FAFSA is used by schools to put together your financial aid package for one year of college.
The Beginner’s Guide to FAFSA
How to file the FAFSA to get federal student aid
To file your FAFSA, you’ll first need to gather the documents you’ll need to reference. Then complete your application at FAFSA.gov.
Step 1: Gather all the information you’ll need
Your driver's license and Social Security number Your parents' Social Security numbers and birthdates
Your family’s latest federal income tax returns. W-2 forms Bank statements Information on your family's investments (real estate, money market funds, stocks, etc.2)
Step 2: Bookmark FAFSA.gov
This is where you get your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and submit the FAFSA. Don't fall for scams. The only site you should use to fill out and file the FAFSA is FAFSA.gov. There's no charge for submitting the FAFSA. The site also has the most up-to-date information on upcoming changes.
Step 3: Submit your FAFSA3
The easiest and fastest way is to file the FAFSA online with your FSA ID, made up of your username and password. Your application will be processed within 3 – 5 days. You can mail in a paper application, but the processing time will take about 7 – 10 days.
How is your FAFSA used to calculate your federal student aid eligibility
When you fill out your FAFSA, you’ll provide personal demographic information, as well as financial information, such as your family’s federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, bank statements, and information on your family’s investments.
This financial information is used to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC is an index number that colleges use to determine how much federal financial aid you’re eligible to receive. Your EFC is calculated according to a formula established by law and the information from your FAFSA.
The government considers your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your year in school, your enrollment status, and the cost of attendance (COA) at the school you’ll be attending to determine your financial aid package amount. The COA is typically tuition, books, supplies, transportation, room, and board.
What happens after your FAFSA submission
After you submit your FAFSA, you’ll get your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the office of Federal Student Aid. Your SAR is a paper or electronic document that gives you basic information about the FAFSA data you submitted, including your answers to the questions on your FAFSA. Your SAR won’t tell you how much financial aid you’ll get. If you provided an email address when you submitted your FAFSA, you can expect to receive your SAR within a few days of electronically filing or within two weeks of mailing.
After you receive your SAR, you’ll get financial aid award letters from the schools you have been accepted at. Award letters tell you how much aid you’re eligible for at that school.
FAFSA Corrections4
If you made a mistake on your submitted FAFSA, you can make corrections by logging in to your account on FAFSA.gov. Once you’re logged in, enter your FSA ID to change your information and submit new information.
You can also update your mailing address, email address, and other contact information in your account if it has changed.
Debunking financial aid myths
Myth: My family's income is too high to qualify for federal financial aid. Fact: Student and family income isn’t the only factor that the government uses to decide if a student qualifies for federal financial aid. The only way to know for sure if you’ll qualify is to fill out the FAFSA.5
Myth: My family has money saved for college so we won't get any federal financial aid. Fact: Savings might not be a major factor when a school decides if a student qualifies for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans. There are allowances for savings and assets.6
Myth: My sibling wasn't eligible for much federal financial aid last year, so I won't be eligible when I enter college. Fact: Actually, the number of family members in college might have a favorable impact on your financial aid eligibility.7
Myth: I’m only attending college part-time, so I won't be eligible for federal financial aid. Fact: Financial aid is available for part-time students. Talk to the financial aid offices of the colleges you’re interested in attending about aid for part-time students.8
Reviewing your Student Aid Report (SAR)
If you provided an email address when you submitted your FAFSA, you can expect to receive your SAR within a few days of electronically filing or within two weeks of mailing.2
It's important to have an accurate SAR. Your financial aid awards are based on the information listed on it. Review it carefully with your family and compare the information listed to a copy of your FAFSA. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your SAR will determine the amount of aid you'll receive.
If you think any of the information on your SAR is incorrect, correct it by using the Information Review Form on the back of the SAR or by going to the official FAFSA website.
So what is an EFC?2
Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is an index number that colleges use to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive. Your EFC is calculated according to a formula established by law and the information from your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The EFC factors in your family's taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security). Your family size and the number of family members who will attend college during the year are also considered.
Note: Your EFC isn't the amount of money your family will have to pay for college and it isn't the amount of federal student aid you'll receive.
How your EFC affects your financial aid package
Typically, the lower your EFC, the more financial aid you'll be eligible to receive. Your financial need can be found by subtracting your EFC from a school's cost of attendance (COA). The COA is typically tuition, books, supplies, transportation, room, and board.
COA - EFC = financial need
Based on this formula, your school's financial aid office will prepare a financial aid package and send you a financial aid award letter.
Consideration It's possible that the most expensive school on your list might not cost you the most. Don't let a school's sticker price be the only factor to sway your decision to apply. The fact is, most students receive some kind of financial aid including grants, scholarships, and/or work-study. It all depends on the total financial aid package awarded by each school. This information is available in your financial aid award letter.
What's in a financial aid award letter?2
After a college accepts you, you'll receive a letter outlining how much the school will cost and what kind of financial aid package you'll receive for one year. All financial aid award letters don’t look the same, but they contain the same general information.
Grants Scholarships Work-study Federal student loans Cost of attendance (COA), an estimate of what you can expect to pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and personal expenses for one year. Expected Family Contribution (EFC), an index number that colleges use to determine financial aid eligibility. The remaining amount, or funding gap, that you’ll have to make up through other sources.
Figure out how much you'll pay for each college
To figure out your funding gap for each school, take the school's cost of attendance (COA) and subtract both your EFC and the financial aid package. You'll have to pay the remainder from other sources, such as a private student loan.
Note that for some families, your funding gap might include part or all of your EFC.
How to read your financial aid award letters
Award letter tips
You may have to accept or decline your award with the school, either online or by returning a signed form. You don't have to accept all the terms in your financial award letter. You can choose to decline loans, work-study, etc. Your award letter covers one year only; you'll need to fill out the FAFSA and apply for financial aid every year you're in school. When you're comparing schools' offers, be sure to consider other factors, like location, quality of academic programs, and graduation rate.