College…

IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!

Don’t stress out…get organized, get prepared, and get EXCITED!!!

“The Senior Preparedness Packet”

Compliments of your Addison High School Counseling Department 

Senior Year College Planning Checklist

If letters of recommendation are required for your applications, ask someone who knows you well among your teachers, counselors, employers and/or coaches, to write a letter on your behalf.

Turn in your RECOMMENTATION LETTER FACT SHEET so that the teachers/coaches/counselor can be aware of your accomplishments and be able to write you strong recommendation letters.

Register to take or re-take the SAT and or ACT if necessary.

OCTOBER

Review application deadlines with your counselor.

Mail early action or decision applications.

Take advantage of College Application Week and submitting college applications for free.

Start applying for financial aid using the FAFSA, which opens on October 1.

Begin searching for scholarships (see further documents for databases and scholarships).

Attend Financial Aid Night, Wednesday,October5, 2016 (6:00pm-7:30pm) at Addison High School, Library.

Attend the College Fair, October 20 (6:30-8:00pm) at the Siena Heights University.

NOVEMBER

Finish writing essays and have them reviewed by a teacher.

If you haven’t already, request letters of recommendation.

Work closely with your counselor to gather other information to send with applications; grades, test scores, etc.

If you plan to go into any branch of the US Military, sign up to retake the ASVAB for free at Addison High School on November 12, 2014

DECEMBER

If you have already mailed applications, be sure to check your email/mail frequently for admission information. DO NOT IGNORE REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION; respond as quickly as possible.

If you have not sent your applications, it is time submit them.

Ensure that all financial aid information is submitted. If additional forms are requested, submit them.

JANUARY

Make sure your mid-year grades are sent to the schools you’ve applied to! Transcript requests are in the counseling office and must be signed and submitted to Kathy Bradstreet.

Start filling out Lenawee County Education Foundation Scholarships (LCEF).

FEBRURARY

Receive your Student Aid Report (SAR, explained later in this packet) based on your FAFSA submission.

You should also be receiving financial aid Award Letters and reviewing them.

Ensure that all LCEF scholarships are submitted by the deadline date (February 28th?)

Attend College Goal Sunday! This is a chance for you and your family to get free professional assistance filing your FAFSA if you haven’t already done so! Log on to for dates, times and locations!

MARCH

Continue searching for scholarships or other forms of financial aid.

Keep your eyes open for admissions letters, or other requests from the colleges you applied to.

APRIL

By now you should definitely be receiving decision letters from the schools to which you applied.

You should also be receiving financial aid Award Letters and reviewing them.

It’s BIG DECISION TIME: CHOOSE A SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pay your deposit to the school that you choose to attend.

MAY

If needed, take your AP exams and have the scores sent to your college.

Find out what loans you are eligible for and apply accordingly.

Set up student/parent orientation at your college.

JUNE

Send your final transcript to your college.

Also report to your college (if needed) any private scholarships or grants you will be receiving.

Begin requesting information on tuition, room and board, roommate requests, etc. if you haven’t already received the information.

JULY-AUGUST

Attend your college orientation and begin preparing for this big transition!

Be aware of due dates for tuition, room and board.

Attend financial aid entrance interview.

Check with the financial aid advisor at your school concerning your loan disbursement dates.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE DONE IT!!! 

GetMoney for College

Federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education is the largest source of aid in America, providing over $150 billion in grants, work-study, and federal loans for students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. On this page, we discuss who gets aid, the types of aid available, how to apply, and more!

Who Gets Aid

Student Aid Eligibility

Eligibility for most federal student aid is based on financial need and on several other factors.

The most basic eligibility requirements to receive federal student aid are that you must

  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen,
  • Have a valid Social Security number,
  • Register (if you haven't already) with the Selective Service, if you're a male between the ages of 18 and 25,
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school, and
  • Show you're qualified to obtain a postsecondary education by
  • Having a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
  • Passing an approved ability-to-benefit test (if you don't have a diploma or GED certificate, a school can administer a test to determine whether you can benefit from the education offered at that school);
  • Completing six credit hours or equivalent course work toward a degree or certificate;
  • Meeting other federally approved standards your state establishes; or
  • Completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law.

Types of Aid

Federal Student Aid Programs

We offer the following types of aid to help you pay for your education after high school.

  • Grants—student aid funds that do not have to be repaid (other conditions apply).
  • Work-Study—a part-time work program to earn money while you are in school.
  • Federal Loans—student aid funds that you must repay with interest.

Types of federal student loans:

  • Perkins
  • Direct Stafford
  • Direct PLUS (graduate and professional degree student borrowers)
  • Direct PLUS (parent borrowers)
  • Direct Loan Consolidation

Apply for Aid

Applying for federal student aid is quicker and easier than ever. You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSAsm) at Follow these easy steps to simplify the process of applying for federal student aid.

  1. Gather the documents needed to apply. For example, you'll need
  2. Income tax returns (yours and most likely your parents), W-2 forms, and other records of income, and
  3. Identification documents (social security cards, driver’s licenses).

Apply online at FAFSA on the WebSM. Submit a FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to apply for federal financial aid (grants, work-study, and loans). Also, many colleges, universities, and career schools use your FAFSA information to award state and college aid. The process is free.Never pay to apply for federal financial aid.
You'll need a FSA ID to "sign" your online FAFSA, make corrections to the application, and more. If you are a dependent student, your parent will need one too. You must get your ID before you begin the FAFSA.
Note: Complete the FAFSA each year, starting on October 1, of the previous year. Be sure you meet application deadlines. For deadlines, visit

Get free information and help from

  • Your school counselor,
  • The financial aid office at the college, university, or career school you plan to attend, or
  • The U.S. Department of Education at (online chat is also available), or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).

What's Next?

After You Submit the FAFSA

We process your FAFSA and the results are sent electronically to the schools you listed on your application, and we send you a Student Aid Report (SAR).

The Student Aid Report (SAR)

Your SAR summarizes all the information you provided on your FAFSA. It must be correct before you can receive federal aid. Read the information below to find out how and when you will receive your SAR, and what to do with it once you receive it.

How and when you will receive your SAR

Generally, it takes less time to process and send the SAR to you when you submit the FAFSA online and provide a valid e-mail address. If we have your valid e-mail address, you'll get your SAR e-mail in three to five days. This e-mail contains a secure link to your SAR online. If you don't provide a valid e-mail address, it takes about seven to 10 days before you'll receive your SAR by postal mail.

If you submit a paper FAFSA, you'll receive your SAR by e-mail within 2 weeks, or 3 weeks if you do not provide an e-mail address.

Note: If you have a PIN and your FAFSA has been processed, you can login at to view SAR information regardless of whether you filed the online or paper FAFSA or provided an e-mail address or not.

What to do with your SAR

When you get your SAR, review it for accuracy.

A complete, correct SAR will contain your

  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the index number used to determine your federal student aid eligibility, and
  • Data Release Number (DRN), a four-digit number assigned to your application by the U.S. Department of Education.

If you need to make corrections to your SAR, you can

  • Make them online using your ID at
  • Check with your school; the school might be able to make them for you electronically.

If you received a paper SAR, make any necessary corrections on that SAR and mail it to the address on the form for processing.

Your Financial Aid

Make sure the financial aid office at each school you're interested in has all the information needed to determine your eligibility. Follow all directions on any communications from the school or from the U.S. Department of Education, and respond by any deadlines. If you don't, you might not receive federal student aid.

The Financial Aid Award

If you listed a school on your FAFSA and have been offered admission by that school, the financial aid office at the school will send you an award letter (most likely electronically). The award letter includes the types and amounts of financial aid you may receive from federal, state, and school sources. This combination of aid is your financial aid package.

Borrowing Responsibly

Your financial aid package may include federal student loans. In the case of loans, keep in mind that whatever amount you borrow must be paid back with interest. While loans can be a good investment in your future, taking out a federal student loan is a serious obligation.

Receiving the Money

Schools must pay you at least once per term (semester, trimester, or quarter). If your school doesn't use formally defined, traditional terms, then they must pay you at least twice per academic year.

Your school will

  • Credit your grant funds to your school account
  • Pay you directly (usually by check)
  • Combine these methods, or with your permission
  • Credit your bank account.

Financial Aid Checklist

Go to to apply for a FSA ID for FAFSA. Student and Parent both need an ID. The ID serves as an electronic signature, and is used to gain access to ED systems. Student and Parent will use the same ID throughout college and until all federal loans are fully repaid.

Begin searching for scholarships on FREE scholarship search databases (provided in the next document).

Request Letters of Recommendation for scholarships from teachers, counselors, employers or sponsors. Give those you are requesting letters of recommendation from plenty of time to get the appropriate letter to you; these letters are an important part of your scholarship application and you want them to effectively reflect you and your achievements.

Begin writing essays for scholarships. Have them reviewed by a teacher.

Begin working with parents on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Get the worksheet at

Complete income taxes.

Submit FAFSA (ASAP after October 1, 2016).

Go to to determine if you qualify for any of the Michigan scholarships and grants.

Check all the colleges you have applied to for scholarships you can apply for.

Receive Student Aid Report (SAR, explained in above document). Make copies for scholarships.

Receive and review financial aid Award Letters from colleges you have applied to.

Choose a college.

Find out what loans you may be eligible for (see above document for different types of loans). It is also a good idea to make an appointment with the financial aid office at your college to discuss your financial aid and loans 

Scholarship Searches and Databases

All website addresses, links, and information change very quickly.

For regular updates go to

Community, County, State, and National Scholarships

State of Michigan Office of Scholarships and Grants:

Lenawee County Education Foundation Scholarship:

Addison Educator Association Scholarship

Applications available in the counseling office in March.

Hillsdale County Community Foundation Scholarships:

For students who reside in Hillsdale County

The Maude, Mary, and John Hickory Scholarship (John Decker):

Applications available in the counseling office in March.

Ethel Knaub Memorial/Inter-Lakes Lions Scholarship:

Applications available in the counseling office

Devils and Round Lake Men’s Club Scholarship:

Applications available in the counseling office in March.

Jennifer Lynne Murphy Scholarship for JCC:

Applications available in the Financial Aid Office at JCC or in the counseling office at Addison High School.

John George Student Loan Fund:

For students who reside in Jackson County.

Burger King Scholarships:

Coca-Cola Scholarships:

Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship:

Application on line, fill out, then mail to Hillsdale Elks, 60 N. Manning St. Hillsdale, MI 49242

Michigan Legion Scholarships:

MEA Scholarship:

Applications available in the counseling office.

Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Education Foundation Scholarship:

Applications available in counseling office.

Michigan Society of Professional Engineers:

McKelvey Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship:

National Co-op Scholarship Program:

SAE Detroit Section Scholarship:

or call office at 248-324-4445

Commitment to Agriculture Scholarship:

or

Educational Communications Scholarship:

EMU Alumni Student Scholarship:

Must be the children/grandchildren of EMU Alumni and planning to attend EMU.

Gleaner Scholarships:

Application available from Gleaner representative, Arbor secretary, or the home office.

Jeptha Wade Schureman Scholarship:

For students who have lost their fathers because of death or loss of parental rights.

Michigan State University College of Ed. Alumni:

http:/

Central Michigan University Scholarships:

Western Michigan University Scholarships:

PDK Prospective Educator Scholarship:

http:/

Sam Walton Community Scholarship:

Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award Program:

The Michigan Retailers Scholarship:

For students whose parent is employed at a business that is a member of the MRA.

Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation Scholarship:


Michigan College Admissions Fact Sheet

College/University / Average GPA / Average ACT / Application Deadline / School Website
Adrian College / 3.09 / 21 / March 15th /
Albion College / 3.56 / 25 / March 1st /
Alma College / 3.0-3.5 / 22-24 / March 1st /
Andrews University / Minimum 2.25 / 50th Percentile / February 28th /
Aquinas / 3.4 / 23 / August (Rolling) /
Calvin College / Minimum 2.5 / 23-29 / December 1st /
Central Michigan University / 3.33 / 23 / None /
Cornerstone University / 2.5 / 19 / December 1st /
Delta College / 2 / 20 / Late August /
Eastern Michigan University / 3.2 / 22 / July 1st /
Ferris State University / 3.13 / 21.3 / Rolling /
Finlandia University / 2 / Minimum 18 / August 15th /
Grand Valley State University / 3.5 / 24 / December 31st /
Hillsdale College / 3.63 / 26 / February 15th /
Hope College / Minimum 3.77 / Minimum 17-22 / August 1st (Rolling) /
Kalamazoo College / 3.6 / 26-31 / December 1st /
Kendall College of Art & Design / 2.7 / 20 / August (Rolling) /
Kettering University / 3 / 24-28 / Late August (Rolling) /
Lake Superior State University / 3.32 / 22-25 / Before March 1st /
Laurence Technical University / 3.24 / 21 / August (Rolling) /
Madonna College / 3.3 / 21 / August (Rolling) /
Marygrove College / 2.7 / 18 / End of March (Rolling) /
Michigan State University / 3.65 / 24-28 / November 1st /
Michigan Technological University / 3.7 / 27 / January 15th /
Northern Michigan University / 3.3 / 23.9 / None /
Northwood University / 2 / 16 / End of April (Rolling) /
Oakland University / 3.4 / 23-25 / August (Rolling) /
Olivet College / 2.93 / 19 / August (Rolling) /
Saginaw Valley State University / 3.25 / 22 / August (Rolling) /
Siena Heights University / 3.36 / 21 / July (Rolling) /
Spring Arbor University / 3.31 / 22.3 / August (Rolling) /
Wayne State University / 3.22 / 22.8 / Early January /
Western Michigan University / 3.37 / 20-25 / December 1st /
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor / 3.85 / 30-33 / February 1st /
University of Michigan-Dearborn / 3.6 / 24.5 / December 15 /