January Counseling Newsletter
Avondale Academy
I've been accepted to college...now what?
I know one of the big questions on your mind is what to do next. If you have any questions about the letter you receive you can either bring it in to me and I'll look over it with you or you can call one of the phone numbers listed. If you applied and were accepted to more than one college or university you should begin discussing where you plan to go. You've been accepted, now it's your turn to accept their offer. Some institutions will have a deadline so make sure you are keeping track on a calendar (use your phone, google calendar,a wall calendar, something - anything!).
If you haven't had a chance yet to visit the campus that should be your next step. Set up a tour and visit any campuses you are considering. You want to make sure it is a good fit for you and the best way to find out is to visit.
If you are planning to attend a community college they will most likely ask you to take the COMPASS or ACCUPLACER test (Math and English) for course placement. If you applied to multiple community colleges I suggest you decide where you plan to attend before taking the test as they may have a different test requirement. No sense in taking multiple tests if it's not needed. These placements tests are VERY important. In some cases you can use your ACT scores in place of the campus test.
Why is the placement exam so important? Each college/university has specific general education requirements that you will take as part of your program. For Math and English (Reading/Writing) you will take courses based upon your level of proficiency. If you do not score high enough on the ACT or placement exam you may be required to take a remedial course to "catch up". Remedial courses may or may not count toward graduation requirements. Make sure that you communicate with your academic advisor at the college to register for the correct courses needed for your program. And study for the COMPASS or ACCUPLACER!!
If you are taking the COMPASS test here are some practice tests for you:
https://www.oaklandcc.edu/MathTest/
https://www.oaklandcc.edu/ASC/ASCAH/ah_test_eng.htm
If you are taking the ACCUPLACER test here are some practice tests for you:
Our big focus right now is Financial Aid and something you will hear over and over the next couple of months is, "Have you filed your FAFSA yet?" What is the FAFSA you ask? The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The key word here is FREE!!! Please make sure when you are getting ready to file that you use www.fafsa.ed.gov and that you are not being charged. Keep that in mind for all financial aid opportunities as well. There should not be any type of fee to apply for a scholarship or grant.
The priority deadline for the FAFSA is MARCH 1! The new application opens on January 1 so you can get started. Filling out the FAFSA for the first time can feel overwhelming which is why we have scheduled a Financial Aid Night at Avondale Academy. This is a free event for Seniors and parents held in our cafeteria. Please join us that night as we host Carrie Gilchrist from Oakland University to present. A free spaghetti dinner will be served promptly at 6:00pm on Wednesday, January 21. To ensure we have enough food please RSVP at: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C054BAEAC23A5F49-areyou/.
Paying for College
In the meantime there are several websites you can visit to get an idea of the costs of college.
Net Price Calculator will help understand the total cost of college.
Financial Aid Checklist from bigfuture by The College Board.
College Score Card College Affordability and Transparency Center.
Avoid scams by visiting Federal Student Aid for more information.
What type of financial aid is available?
There are different types of federal financial aid available such as grants, work study and loans. Grants are "free" money for college that does not have to be paid back. Sometimes monies can only be used for tuition and sometimes it can be used for additional fees such as room/board, books, transportation, and living expenses. A grant is usually awarded based on need. When filling out the FAFSA you have the option to indicate if you'd be interested in Work Study. The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Financial Aid received in the form of a student loan must be re-payed and each loan will have different requirements. Typically repayment begins 6 months after graduation or 6 months after the student is enrolled less than half time. There are loans for students and loans for parents, federal loans and private loans, and subsidized and unsubsidized loans.
Don't forget about Scholarships!: Scholarships may be awarded based on need, academic achievement or talent. Be sure to read the requirements for each individual scholarship opportunity.
Tuition Incentive Program: To meet the financial eligibility requirement, a student must have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36-consecutive month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS).
Are you a First Generation College Student?
FAFSA Workshops at Oakland University
FAFSA Workshops are available to students in January and February. Parents are encouraged to accompany their high school seniors to assist in completing the FAFSA.
Please review the FAFSA checklist for a list of items necessary to complete the FAFSA.
Register to attend a FAFSA Workshop.
Location and Parking Information
OU Main Campus is located at 2200 North Squirrel Road, Rochester, MI. Workshops take place in the Student Technology Center located on the lower level of the Oakland Center. You may park in Lot P1 and there is no fee for parking. Click here to view a campus map.
OU Anton Frankel Center is located at 20 South Main, Mt. Clemens, MI on the southwest corner of the building. Workshops take place in room 201, elevator and stair access is available. Free parking is available beginning at 6:00 PM and does not require a permit. If you arrive before 6:00, meters require payment. Click here to view a campus map.
Khan Academy
The Khan Academy is a fantastic free resource for students in every grade. There are free tutorials on many subjects and the website is a great resource for enrichment and finding extra help on a topic that may be confusing. Students can make use of their extensive library of content, including interactive challenges, assessments, and videos. There is even SAT help and a full-length practice SAT!
Khan Academy recently also launched a helpful College Admissions page. There is helpful information for all grades, not just seniors. There are a ton of helpful video links such as College Essay tips, tips on making the most out of high school, and even videos that show step-by-step how fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile for financial aid. We suggest both parents and students check out this resource!
Low Cost Internet from Comcast
Upcoming Dates
Jan 5: Return to School
Jan 19: NO SCHOOL
Jan 21: Financial Aid Night (Seniors and Parents) 6:00pm
Jan 22 & 23: Quarter 2 Final Exams
Jan 26: Start of Quarter 3!
Jan 29: ASVAB @ 7:45am
Feb 4 & 11: Oakland University College Readiness presentations for grades 9 - 11
Feb 7: ACT Retake
Feb 8: MI College Goal Events
Feb 16 - 20: Mid-Winter Break
Feb 25 & 26: Career Cruising - Science classes
Feb 26: P/T Conferences 4:00-7:00pm
Mar 3 - 5: ACT/MME for Juniors and eligible Seniors
Amanda Gohl, MA, LPC
Email: amanda.gohl@avondale.k12.mi.us
Website: http://avondaleacademycounseling.weebly.com/
Location: 1435 W Auburn Rd, Rochester Hills, MI, United States
Phone: (248) 537-6615
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/academycounseling?ref=hl