AVID Monthly Newsletter
October 2018
SAVE THESE DATES!
- AVID Bulls Field Trip: November 2nd (read below for details!)
- Anticipating College Night for Freshmen through Juniors: November 7th at 7 pm
- AVID Winter Family Night: December 11th at 6:30 pm
Letter from the Director
Dear AVID families,
We are already half way through our first semester of the 2018-19 school year! This year, for the first time, AVID National Center created an AVID field trip for all the schools in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin to attend a Bulls game! The game is THIS FRIDAY, student tickets are $25.00 each which they pay through the bookstore. Students will be leaving MHS at 12 pm on Friday (which is a half-day) to arrive at the United Center around 1:30 pm. They will get to listen to a career panel made up of current Bulls executives, tour the United Center, take a picture on the court, watch the players warm-up, and stay to watch the Bulls v. Pacers game starting at 7:30 pm. The bus should have them back at MHS by 11:30 pm that night. Unlike college visits, this is a optional field trip for our students. We are excited for them to spend time together outside of school while learning about college and career!
Every year Mundelein's College and Career Center hosts a College Week at MHS in an effort to help students learn more about different colleges and the parts of the application process. Our AVID seniors were extremely involved, taking part in different activities to help them finish up their college applications. We are so proud of their efforts, and their hard work is starting to pay off as the acceptance letters start rolling in!!
Sincerely,
Melissa Schaefer
Free Application Day!
FAFSA Party!
AVID Family Night!
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES!!! #bettermakeroom
Diego Cisneros- Michigan State University, Marquette, IUPUI, University of Illinois- Chicago
Karla Gaytan- Western Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University
Lexi Kasamis- Bradley University
Esther Kim-Lewis University
Skylar Lucich- Lewis University
Katie Miller- Winona State, Monmouth
Daniel Nieto- University of Illinois- Chicago, IUPUI
Paulina Olechno- Northern Michigan University
Maria Palacios- IUPUI, Illinois State, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Ronit Patel- IUPUI, North Illinois University
Maria Perez- Aurora University
Clarissa Wienckowski -Northern Iowa University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
FAQ: Financial Aid Questions (and answers)
What are the different types of financial aid?
Financial aid packages are made up of a mix of grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study options. Grants and scholarships are free money. You will have to pay back student loans —with interest.
The federal work-study program is only available to students with a certain amount of financial need. It allows you to work part time on campus and earn money each semester. If you’re interested in being considered for work study, make sure to indicate that on the FAFSA.
How much financial aid will I get?
The amount of financial aid you’ll receive largely depends on the college. Some colleges meet full financial need for all accepted students. Other colleges might not meet your full financial need.
Remember that financial aid includes federal student loans — up to $31,000 for dependent undergraduate students. So even if your financial aid award meets your full financial need, you might take on significant debt to pay for school.
To estimate your financial aid package, check out the FAFSA4caster tool. This tool gives you a sense of how much it will cost to attend each school on your list.
What is a Parent PLUS loan? How do I qualify?
· Parent PLUS Loans: These federal student loans for parents are financed and disbursed by the U.S. Department of Education.
To qualify for a Parent PLUS Loan, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility requirements:
· Complete and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Based on the information you provide on the FAFSA, your need for aid will be evaluated.
· Not have an adverse credit history. Unlike federal student loans offered directly to students, Parent PLUS Loans take the borrower’s credit history and score into account. See a full explanation of what the Federal Student Aid Office views as adverse credit.
· Be the parent or guardian of a dependent college student. This dependent can be a biological child, adoptive child, or possibly a stepchild under 24 who is currently enrolled in college at least half time.
· Have a need for a Parent PLUS Loan. You can borrow Parent PLUS Loans only for college costs that aren’t covered after all other student aid is applied.
Your child’s financial aid award letter might list Parent PLUS Loans as part of the financial aid package along with instructions on how to apply for Parent PLUS Loans. If not, you can contact their college’s financial aid office to find out how they handle Parent PLUS Loans, whether you’re eligible for Parent PLUS Loans, and how much you can borrow.
When do I get my financial aid package?
College financial aid offices determine your financial aid package. Many regular decision colleges send out admissions decisions in March or April of your senior year in high school. Financial aid packages often come at the same time or shortly after.
Meet an AVID Senior!!
Name: Maria Palacios
College Acceptances: Milwaukee School of Engineering, Illinois State University, Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis
College Major: Actuarial Science
Dream Job: Work as an actuary at a big business to calculate the costs of new risks, employee benefits and the pricing of new products.
Favorite AVID memory: Last year the junior avid class versed the senior class in Capture the Flag and the juniors were definitely more hyped than the seniors. We lost but only because the seniors cheated but the funniest part was when Chuy stepped in a deep puddle of mud and ruined his white shoes.
Best advice for AVID students: Don't procrastinate on your notes, you'll hate yourself the night before binder checks. Also, enjoy all the AVID activities because everyone in your class will become your family.