Welcome to Fatima S

Welcome to Fatima’s

Financial Aid Seminar

Presented By

Penny Thomas

Missouri Department of Higher Education

Thursday, November 19, 2015

7:00 p.m. Fatima High School Library

Coordinated By

Fatima High School Guidance Department

Welcome Parents & Students

It is a pleasure for me to set up this night filled with answers to the questions I commonly hear about financial aid. I hope that we will be able to answer your questions and take away some of the anxiety that comes with sending a child off to college.

Please realize that you will get a lot of information tonight, and I know that after you have left, some more questions might pop into your mind. If this should happen, feel free to call me at (573) 455-2375 ext 118 or email me at . You can also let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for next year’s program.

Thanks for coming!

ACT Testing

2015-2016

Date / Regular Registration Postmark Deadline/
Regular Fees / Late Registration Postmark Deadline with Additional Fees / Photo Upload Deadline
September 12, 2015 / August 7 / August 8 - 21 / September4
October 24, 2015 / September 18 / Sept.19-Oct. 2 / October 16
December 12, 2015 / November 6 / November 7-20 / December 4
February 6, 2016 / January 8 / January9-15 / January 29
April 9, 2016 / March 4 / March 5-18 / April 1
April 19 / All Juniors / Free ACT
June 11, 2016 / May 6 / May 7-20 / June 3

When Should My Child Take The ACT?

Statistically children do best on the ACT at the end of their junior year. The belief is that students do not have enough math, reading, and reasoning skills before this time.

Some parents encourage their child to take an ACT in December of their junior years so the child can get an idea of the design of the test and become familiar with the testing procedures. This is an option, but if a child is well disciplined, he or she can get a sample test from the counseling office and administer it to himself. It is easy to grade and compute the scores from these tests. All the students need is a clock (preferably with an alarm), a pencil, and a sample test.

Remember: all juniors will take the ACT in April. This one will be paid for by the school.

How Can My Child Prepare For The ACT?

There are many books and materials available at Fatima in the library. The counselor also has many sample tests. Students can also go to for preparation information and materials. There are many other sites such as; and

Some businesses will try to sell parents ACT prep information. I do not recommend spending money on this. The class we offer and the materials we have will more than prepare a child to perform to their highest ability.

Should My Child Take The SAT?

All colleges in Missouri and most in the central United States region request and ACT score. Colleges on the coast may require an SAT, although most will accept the ACT score. So students need only take the SAT if they are going to a college that only accepts the ACT, and these are rare.

Applying to Tech Schools and Colleges

When Should My Child Apply?

If your child is anticipating a scholarship from the school, he or she should apply as soon as possible, since some scholarships are granted on a first-come first-served basis. Some schools allow a child to register the summer between their junior and senior years. Others only allow you to apply during the senior year.

Where Should My Child Apply?

A college should be chosen based upon many factors. See the college selection materials that follow in this book. Basically a college should be chosen on the quality of the program of study, the “fit” to the student (how well it matches the desires of the student in size and climate), and finally the cost.

Don’t let the cost of the private schools keep a child from applying to them! Many times these private colleges have many more grants and scholarships than some public institutions. Therefore, the child may be able to attend the private school for a cost that is less than our public colleges.

How Many Schools Should My Child Apply To?

Most experts recommend that your child narrow his choices to 3-5 schools and apply to them. Then he can bargain on tuition based upon the scholarship, grant, and loan program the school can generate for the child.

Does Applying Qualify My Child For The Institutional Scholarships?

Some schools have one application for admissions and scholarships, so the one form fulfills both purposes. Others have separate forms for admissions and for institutional scholarships. Read the brochures carefully.

What Process Should I Go Through To Apply To A School

1. Pick up an application from the library or apply online at the website for the school. Hint: Many schools waive the application fee if the child applies online.
2. Pick up an Osage County R-III School District High School Transcript Request form from Mueller’s office. Complete it and return to Mueller at least two weeks before the deadline with the application.
3. Bring any required recommendations to your counselor, teacher, or other school official at least two weeks before the deadline for them to be submitted.
4. Bring completed application, application fee, any required recommendations, and any other required forms to your counselor.
5. At the end of the school year, the counselor will ask all seniors the places they would like their final transcripts to be sent. After graduation the counselor will send the final transcript and immunization records to the schools listed by the student. If plans change or additional transcripts are needed, call the guidance office at (573) 455-2375 ext. 118.

How Do I Send My Dual Enrollment Or AP Transcripts?

Transcripts that indicate college credit earned through dual enrollment or through Advanced Placement (AP) programs are not obtained or issued through Fatima. They can be obtained as follows.

LincolnUniversity: Transcript request forms are available in the guidance office. A student may also make a written request stating (1) the student’s name, (2) the student’s social security number, (3) the name and address of the institution or individual to which the transcript should be sent and (4) a $5.00 check or money order for each copy. This should be sent to the following address:

Records Office

LincolnUniversity

P.O. Box 29

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0029.

Phone (573) 681-5100

AP Test Scores: AP Grade Reports are available through the College Board and will be sent to the institution requested on the student’s exam answer sheet. If you want to change or delete that request, send in the form provided in the AP Candidate Pack or call 888-CALL-4-AP or 609-771-7300. You can also go to A fee applies.

SCHOLARSHIPS

How Should My Child Prepare To Earn Scholarships?

Most scholarships are awarded based upon numerous factors in various combinations. Some scholarships are completely based on academics, so a high ACT score, GPA, and class rank are necessary. Therefore it is always important for students to keep applying themselves academically.

Many scholarships are awarded based upon school and community service and involvement. It is important for students to not just join an organization but also to be able to list all of the activities he or she did to help the organization. Please, please encourage your child to participate in community service events and to document lots of volunteer hours. These can be completed for school (tutoring elementary children, starting clubs for them or others) or for the community (volunteering at the nursing home or a local hospital or the food bank or the Samaritan Center or starting a fund-raising campaign etc.)

Some scholarships are not really based on anything. The recipient is just randomly chosen. The most important thing is just to get your name in the pot.

Some scholarships do require an essay. Please realize that if the “essay” is 250 words or less, the students are not asked to write much. There are already 200 words in this section on Scholarships! Most scholarship grantors want to have to deal with the fewest number of applicants as possible for the sake of time. They have found that if they include the word “Essay,” many students will not complete the application.

So encourage your child to apply for these scholarships with the essays. There are usually less people who apply for them, so your chances of getting one are much better!

Where Do I Find Scholarships?

1. Always watch the school bulletin. As scholarships come in the counselor will post them in this publication.

Many scholarships are not being announced through the counselor since scholarship boards really do not want tons of applicants. Therefore use the following ideas

2. Make sure you check with every organization you belong to (Knights, Elks, 4-H, etc) as many of these also have scholarships.

3. Check with any company you pay any money to (insurance companies, credit unions, all bills) since many of these also have scholarships. Many do not openly tell people they have them because they will have fewer applicants if they do not tell everyone.

4. Use the Internet. Notice the many sights listed below that have scholarship searches. But do not pay money for a scholarship search. There are plenty of free ones that will find the same things you are paying money for.

Must See Websites

The following websites are filled with information regarding college search and selection, financial aid, and employment.

this website has an interest inventory and a skills inventory to help the students find the career that best suites their personality. There are also college searches for the entire United States with links to the actual college website. Quick college comparisons of size, tuition, programs of study, etc. can be completed. Also, students can keep a log of all the volunteer hours, community service, clubs and organizations, and jobs that they have completed, and then the information will be compiled automatically into an updated resume if needed! Make sure you check out this sight.

- one of the best scholarship search sights. Students can set up a private mailbox, and as the website is updated, new scholarships that the students qualify for will be emailed to them. This is an extensive database; it requires about one hour to answer all the questions and set up an initial mailbox and search. There is also college information on this site.

- a scholarship search, financial aid information, and a financial aid calculator can all be found here. There are also links to searches on careers and colleges. Students can also register for the SAT here.

- everything you ever wanted to know about the ACT. Go here to register for the ACT electronically.

- a free, comprehensive, independent, and objective guide to student financial aid and warnings about scholarships scams. There is a link to other databases that students can search for free.

- UMKC’s financial aid information, but students do not have to go to UMKC to use the information. A free scholarship search and access to an electronic FAFSA are available here.

- operated by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education with links to many more websites. great site!

- a site that searches for colleges and scholarships. There is also information about student loans and access to ACT and SAT practice.

- tons of information about the college process including ten steps for parents, recommended books and websites, etc.

- federal site that deals with the FAFSA and has the electronic applications. Also has website links to two and four year colleges and universities with links to the individual college web pages.

- explains the application process students need to complete if they desire to be eligible for certain athletic programs at the college level.

- free test prep for ACT, Sat, and GRE and vocabulary builder.

- an Internet version of the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the US Dept of Labor. Lists all the major jobs in the US, duties, salary, outlook, education needed, etc.

- good for all ages planning to attend college. Financial aid information, application information, preparing for college, etc.

- a nationwide database to search for college options for those occupations that require going to career school.

- online applications for colleges, college search functions, and scholarship database

- college Opportunities On-Line (COOL) with directory of colleges and university with costs

- complete the free FAFSA online

information about funding your educations

- college, career and financial aid information

- education and career information

- The Nationals Assoc for Student Financial Aid Administrators website for parents & students preparing for college

- college prep information for students

- info on college prep and applying for financial aid.

What To Do When

9th & 10th Grades

This is the year to get to know yourself and figure out what you like and don’t like, so career choices can be considered. Exploration is a major part of this.

_____Go to Missouri Connections and take the Career Clusters Inventory (and maybe the Interest Inventory). Use the results to research job opportunities and to determine your own interests.

_____Look at the other inventories on Missouri Connections and consider taking them also.

______Don’t limit yourself. Maybe you always dreamed of becoming a nurse. Do you realize there are over 100 different jobs in one average hospital? Maybe something else in the medical field would be an even better fit for you!

_____Join clubs and organizations. You only have 3 years to build your resume for scholarships. Don’t just join the club, but be actively involved in it. Include school and community events.

______Keep track of all your clubs and organizations and volunteer activities on your Missouri Connections resume. It will be hard to remember all of this in three years!

______Consider attending a leadership camp or careers camp or other event this summer that will help build your resume and research your interests.

11th Grade

This year the college search process begins in earnest. Exploration and testing should help you and your child to start developing a list of target schools by spring. Continue in earnest with involvement in school and community activities.

August/September

_____Make sure your classes are rigorous enough to prepare you properly for success in college

_____ Register for the PSAT/NMSQT if you believe you might qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Only ½ of 1% of the students do, but why not give it a shot? The test is not expensive, and it will give you valuable test taking practice.

_____Go to and update any information on volunteer work and activities completed over the summer.

_____Set up an email address just for college stuff, maybe one that you and your parents both have access to. Make sure the name is appropriate and acceptable for college applications.

October/November

_____Evaluate your grades in your classes. Determine what you need to do to make sure your GPA is where it needs to be. See the counselor if you need help.

_____Start preparing for the PSAT/NMSQT by going to and by checking out the practice tests in the pamphlets.

_____Go to to check out possible careers.

_____Go to to complete an interest inventory and see what careers are recommended. Also look at the colleges that offer these career programs.

_____Attend the college fairs and find out about the available colleges. Use the comparison sheet to determine which ones you are most interested in attending.

December

_____Schedule campus visits during the Christmas break. Our goal is that you have narrowed your college selection to 2-3 best bets by the end of the year.

_____Take advantage of college students home from vacation. Ask them about their college and the best ways to prepare.

January

_____Evaluate academic progress. Are grades where they need to be? If they are not, see the counselor for test taking or organizational skills.

_____Watch the bulletin for summer enrichment opportunities. These really look great on scholarship applications. Apply now! And also be thinking about volunteer hours. There is really nothing exciting happening in January anyway. So do some volunteer work!

_____Start getting books and going to internet sights to prepare for the ACT.

_____Visit the many websites listed above. Do some careers work and try to determine an area of study you are most interested in pursuing.

_____Visit college websites and take virtual tours. Request information as needed.

February

_____Make some scheduled college visits. Seeing the college when it is really in session will give you a better idea of what it is really like.