gear up feb 1,3-16

nygearup.syr.eduFebruary 2011

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A look inside ITC

...... 8

Financial aid guide......10

Scholarships ......5

2/ NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) is the state agency that has been designated by the Governor’s office to administer the NY

GEARUP Program. Funding for NY GEA-RUP is provided by a grant from the U.S.

Department of Education. NY GEARUP at Syracuse University re-

ceives $567,000 in funding that is matched 100 percent by in-kind services for a total

funding of $1,340,000.HESC helps people pay for college by

providing a comprehensive range of finan-cial aid services, including the Tuition Assis-tance Program, guaranteeing student loans, and administering the nationally recognized

New York’s College Savings Plan.New York State is a leader in the national financial aid community, providing more

grant money to college students than any other state.

STAFF

What is NY GEARUP?NY GEARUP is based out of Syracuse University’s School of Education. NY GEARUP works in the Syracuse City School District with the class of 2011 at Corcoran, Fowler, Henninger, ITC and Nottingham high schools.

GEARUP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. It’s a national initiative to create innovative programs with the goal of increasing college awareness for students and their families. GEARUP also helps students develop the skills necessary to pursue education after high school.

To achieve its mission, NY GEARUP organizes college visits, tutoring and mentoring, college awareness and exploration activites, and educational planning and workshops.

Interested in Writing?For those students in the NY GEA-

RUP program that are graduating in 2011 and are interested in writing for Eagle Newspaper’s NY GEARUP edi-tion, please contact Caitlin Donnelly at [email protected].

[email protected] 443.7848

Twitter: NYGEARUPFacebook: NYGEARUP@

Syracuse UniversityRadio: StepIt UP! on

Power106.9

Contact us:

Marissa Joy MimsDirector

Caitlin DonnellyEagle Newspapers Editor

Carolyn ClarkNY GEARUP Media Editor

Latisha LindoReporter

Malea Perkins NY GEARUP Office Coordinator

Luz Encarnacion Outreach Coordinator

Rebecca SaxonNY GEARUP Media Coordinator

PHOTOS BY REBECCA SAXON

COVER: Students from ITC gain hands on experience in the kitchen as part of the school’s culinary program.

Looking ahead at AP changes Ask the expert

Each year students debate how many (if any) AP courses they should take and whether these college level classes really make a difference in the college admissions process.

For better or worse, if a school district offers Advanced Placement courses and the student is capable of handling the workload, I advise students to bite the bullet. Colleges do look to see how rigorous a curriculum students have taken.

However, I never recommend any student, junior or senior, take more than three AP’s. The work load for these courses is significantly greater than honors or regents classes, and unlike college students taking only four cours-es a semester, high school students generally take more classes. Which brings me to the ever popular question, “How late, and how bad does it look if I drop an AP class?” My answer to this question varies by case, depending on what the other courses the student is taking, how poorly the student is performing, how other courses are impacted, and at what point it is in the semester.

There is a lot of confusion as to the reason and advantage of AP classes. Theoretically, the AP curriculum was created to give students a chance at more challenging work. But the reality in most AP courses has been an unrealistic workload and insufficient time to expand on topics of interest. Nonetheless, school districts have pushed hard for AP courses. Now more than 30 AP subjects are taught with 1.8 million students taking 3.2 mil-lion tests each year. All of which is a long intro-duction to some exciting news for sophomores and juniors concerning Advanced Placement courses in the upcoming year.

The College Board, the nonprofit that handles the SATs, is making some long overdue changes to both the AP curriculum and testing. The

primary criticisms have been that these courses demand an extraordinary amount of material to be covered to pre-pare students for the year-end exam (students who receive a 4 or higher on the exam often receive college credit), and that teachers are teaching to the test. Students and teachers alike argue that they are unable to explore topics in any depth with memorization replacing critical think-ing and skills development. Many colleges have been so discouraged by the lack of preparation demonstrated by AP students, despite high grades on AP exams, that they have stopped giving credit for any AP courses.

Starting 2012-13, AP biology and U.S. history courses will be completely revamped. In fact, juniors are

encouraged next year not to take AP biology and wait until their senior year when the new curriculum and exam goes into effect. Not only will the curriculum be pared down, but more importantly it will be refocused, replac-

ing memorization with analytical thinking. The rollout of the new AP courses will

actually start this year with German and French. Major revisions to physics, chemistry, European history, world his-tory and art history will be ready for exams in 2014-15.

One other major change of note, starting this May, AP exams will switch over to correct answer-only scoring, doing away with the pen-alty for wrong answers. Guesses at answers will now have a 20 to 25 per-cent chance of being correct. This is progress!

Maria Badami, MS is a College Admissions Consultant with COLLEGE DIRECTIONS of CNY.

7030 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville NY. 315.243.6658. www.collegedirectionscny.com.

NY GEARUP, FEBRUARY 2011 /3

What’s insideMessage from the Director....................................... 2Table of contents ........................................................ 3Calendar of events...................................................... 4Scholarship breakdown ............................................. 5For the Parents............................................................ 6Students......................................................................... 7NY GEARUP at Yonkers visits SU ................... 8 & 9 Your guide to financial aid ................... ..........10 & 11Student profile: Jinnah Clark .................................. 12The waiting game ..................................................... 13NY GEARUP’s new website .................................. 14The Back Page ........................................................... 15College of the Month: SUNY Geneseo................ 16


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Scholarship breakdownIf you’ve completed the FAFSA

and/or the CSS Profile and the NYS TAP, it’s time to look into schol-arships. College can be a pricey endeavor, and knowing where to look for scholarships is important. Hundreds of scholarships are avail-able, but it takes determination and perseverance to complete their ap-plication process.

Where to look for scholarships:Civic organizationsLocal YMCA’sChurchesFast Web, fastweb.comThe SmartStudent guide to

financial aid, finaid.orgCollegeBoard, collegeboard.com

Corporations and banksPolitical partiesEmployers

Labor unionsCharitable foundations

Important tips

Being organized will make ev-erything much easier. Syracuse University’s scholarship office rec-ommends setting up files with your personal information, transcripts, current resume that includes your community service and/or extra-curricular activities. For many scholarships, a personal essay is necessary. It’s a good idea to write a few different versions and let someone else look at them. Once you’ve received your application, photocopy each form and use your gathered information to fill out a practice copy. This will ensure that your final one is neat and completed in full. It’s also a good idea to keep a

copy for your own records.Use as many free resources as

possible in your search. Publica-tions listing scholarship opportuni-ties are available in your college’s scholarship office, your high school guidance office and at your local library.

Su’s financial aid website, fi-nancialaid.syr.edu/scholarships.htm, is full of information to help you in your search. You’ll also find a scholarship newsletter, access to their scholarship listserv, and scholarship search services to get scholarships at your fingertips.

Beware of scholarship scamsStudents and parents alike are

frequently the target of scholarship scams. Chances are, if you are asked to pay money to get money, or pay

to receive information—be careful. The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that scholarship announcements using these phrases or similar ones are likely fraudulent schemes:

“This scholarship is guaran-teed or your money back”

“You can’t get this information anywhere else”

“We’ll do all the work”“You’ve been selected by a

‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship”

“You’re a finalist in a contest” (that you never entered)

SU’s Scholarship office warns that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you suspect that a scholarship offer may be fraudu-lent, report it to the National Fraud Center.

Davis-Putter ScholarshipFor: Student activists working towards peace, justice and social change and enrolled in school during 2011-2012 school year. Visit davisputter.org for more information and application.Number of awards: 25-30Amount: $10,000 maxDue date: April 1

KFC Colonel ScholarshipFor: Graduating seniors with financial need, an entrepreneurial spirit, minimum GPA of 2.75 and plan on attending an in-state school. Visit kfcscholars.org for more information.Number of awards: n/aAmount: up to $20,000Due date: Feb. 9

District Attorney’s Advisory Council ScholarshipFor: Graduating seniors who reside in Onondaga County and are interested in pursuing a career in a criminal justice-related field. For more information, to nominate a student, or to receive an application, contact DAAC President Judy Wolfe at 435-6345.Number of awards: 2Amount: $500Due date: March 14

LeMoyne College C.Y.O. ScholarshipFor: Prospective LeMoyne students demonstrating leadership abilities and performing service to their school, community and parish. For more information and application contact your guidance counselor.Number of awards: 8Amount: $4,000Due date: Feb. 2

Best Buy ScholarshipFor: Students in grades 9-12 who demonstrate involvement in community service volunteer work and have solid grades. For more information and to apply, visit bestbuycommunityrelations. com.Number of awards: 1,200Amount: $1,000Due date: Feb. 16

‘Got Milk’ ScholarshipFor: Milk drinking students that excel in academics, community service and athletics. Visit bodymilk.com for more information and to apply.Number of awards: 25Amount: $7,500 and trip to Disney WorldDue date: March 4


Parents

Break Down the BillCollege expenses for parents to consider

The amount your child has to pay for college, sometimes called the total student budget, includes everything on the bill the col-lege sends your child, or “billable costs”, plus other expenses, or “in-direct costs.”

Billable costsThese are fixed costs that your

child is billed for by the college, such as tuition and fees, and room and board.

Indirect costsThese are the costs that don’t

show up on the college bill. They include books, supplies and travel, as well as personal expenses such as

cell phone and pizza. If your child lives and eats off campus, room and board costs may be indirect costs. Your child can control indirect costs to some degree, by making smart spending choices.

Five basic groups of expensesThe full cost of attending college

generally has five components:Tuition and fees

This is the price of your child’s education. It may vary based on academic program and the number of credit hours your child takes each term. If the tuition is not the same for all full-time students, you may have to calculate it, based on the charges per credit hour for each course your child takes.

Room and boardIf your child lives and eats on

campus, these expenses show up on the college bill. The charges vary

depending on the room and meal plan your child chooses. If your child plans to live at home or off campus, these expenses should be estimated.

Books and suppliesThese expenses cover your

child’s course materials. If the col-lege hasn’t provided an estimate of these costs, consider using the na-tional average, which at four-year public colleges in 2010-11 is $1,137.

Personal expensesThe costs for things such as laun-

dry and cell phone service fall un-der personal expenses. Your child should keep careful track of these as they can quickly add up. Use this to help with planning: The national average in 2010-11 for four-year public college students who live on campus is $1,989.

TransportationTransportation is a significant

expense, whether your child is commuting to campus or just oc-casionally returning home. If your child’s college hasn’t supplied an estimated travel budget, make your own based on how — and how often — your child plans to go back and forth for holidays. Four-year public college students who live on cam-pus spent an average of $1,073 on transportation in 2010-11.

Get the specificsThese cost components are usu-

ally listed in a college’s brochure or on its website. You can also use College Search on collegeboard.com to find breakdowns of costs at more than 3,800 colleges and universities.

From collegeboard.com

Ways to fund a college education, even if you’re not a millionaireWhat’s the best way to pay for col-

lege? Look into the options below to boost your own college-planning efforts.

Financial aidTake the time to explore poten-

tial aid options and don’t assume your family isn’t eligible. Aid includes grants, scholarships and work-study programs. In addition, loans for students and parents, such as the Parent Loan for Undergradu-ate Students (PLUS), are offered at favorable rates and repayment schedules.

Almost half of undergraduate aid is in the form of federal educa-tional loans. Your first step should be to complete the FAFSA form. Then, read more on how financial aid works and determine your es-timated expected family contribu-tion (EFC) with the collegeboard.com EFC Calculator.

ScholarshipsYour child doesn’t have to be

valedictorian or quarterback to receive a scholarship. Many are based on a particular institution, a field of study or career path, or even ethnic background. Corpora-tions, foundations, professional and service organizations, and community groups offer scholar-ships, too. Check out collegeboard.com’s free Scholarship Search, read more about where to find scholar-ships and then do some research of your own online or in the library. Talk to your child’s high school or college counselor for help, and start as early as possible to improve your odds.

Tax breaksIf you meet income require-

ments, you may be eligible for tax deductions and credits toward tuition, fees and student-loan inter-

est. Tax credits operate more like rebates than discounts. They’re not applied directly to tuition bills, but are instead made available when you file your taxes once you’ve paid tuition.

Employment in public serviceIn certain career fields, students

may have their loans forgiven or tuition paid in exchange for com-mitting to a period of work in a specified place upon graduation. College advisers can provide more information on these programs for students who are pursuing nursing, teaching and similar public-service fields.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and the Armed Forces

For students who commit to mili-tary service after finishing college, the benefits range from partial to

full payment of undergraduate and graduate costs. Read more about military scholarships. You can find more information on various mili-tary careers and the educational benefits available at military.com and the Veterans Benefits Admin-istration website.

Affinity programsSavings clubs can help you sup-

plement a college fund. Once you set up an account with a savings club, it works like a frequent-flier program. You get points for pur-chasing goods and services from participating merchants. These points are translated into money that’s invested in a state-sponsored college savings plan. Learn more about savings clubs.

From collegeboard.com


Students

What it actually costs to go to collegeYou hear so much talk about

the price of college, it’s easy to get intimidated — but how much does college really cost? The answer is, “It varies.” Colleges come in a wide variety and, depending on the choices you make, the price of a college education can be quite reasonable — especially if you think of college as an investment in yourself and your future. Let’s look at the facts:

Nearly half (47 percent) of all full-time undergraduate college students attend a four-year college that has published charges of less than $9,000 per year for tuition and fees.

At the other end of the spectrum are private four-year colleges that cost $35,000 or more yearly in tu-ition and fees. These higher-priced

colleges sometimes have bigger endowments and more grant aid available — which may mean that you can get more financial help to attend that institution.

At two-year colleges, the average cost for tuition and fees is $2,713.

A handful of colleges either charge no tuition at all or offer all students full scholarships covering tuition costs.

Your goal is to choose a college that’s a good fit for you. Think about whether you like the campus culture and if there is enough aca-demic support to help you do well in your classes.

Talk with your family about where you would like to go to col-lege and what you can afford. Then take into account the total cost of attendance through graduation.

Sticker Price vs. AffordabilityKeep in mind that the actual

price the average undergraduate pays for a college education is con-siderably lower than the published tuition and fees. This is usually due to grants and other forms of finan-cial aid. Look at what it really costs to attend college:

Public four-year colleges charge, on average, $7,605 per year in tu-ition and fees for in-state students. The average surcharge for full-time out-of-state students at these insti-tutions is $11,990.

Private nonprofit four-year col-leges charge, on average, $27,293 per year in tuition and fees.

Public two-year colleges charge, on average, $2,713 per year in tu-ition and fees.

Of course, that’s not the total

price. You still have to live some-where, eat, buy books and supplies, and do your laundry. These are other costs you need to consider.

Factor In Your Financial Aid Award

Most students receive financial aid. In 2009-10, more than $154 bil-lion in financial aid was awarded to undergraduate students. The aver-age amount of aid for a full-time undergraduate student was about $11,500, including more than $6,000 in grants that don’t have to be repaid. So, despite all the talk about high prices and price increases, a college education remains an affordable choice for most families.

Price and aid figures are from the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2010 and Trends in Student Aid 2010.

Financial Aid FAQsAnswers to Your Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid

There are billions of dollars of fi-nancial aid available to students who need help paying for college. If you want this assistance, it’s important that you determine your eligibility and apply on time.How many college students get financial aid?

About three-quarters of full-time undergraduate college students re-ceive some type of financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, loans or work-study. Approximately 45 percent of financial aid dollars awarded to un-dergraduates are in the form of loans, and the rest are grants, scholarships, and tax credits and deductions.Can I afford to go to college?

Despite all the news stories about rising college prices, a college educa-tion is more affordable than most peo-ple believe. There are many colleges that provide an excellent educational

experience at a price you can manage. Public college prices are much lower than you might expect.Does applying for financial aid hurt my chances of being admitted?

Not usually. You are generally admitted based on your academic performance and the qualities you bring to the campus community. Col-leges want to admit a diverse group of students and often use financial aid to achieve that goal. It is very important to apply for financial aid early in the application process, before all of a college’s funds are allocated.Do I qualify for aid even if I don’t get straight A’s?

It’s true that many scholarships reward student performance in high school, but most government aid is based on financial need. Remember, if you do receive need-based aid, you must remain in good academic stand-ing to renew your aid annually.Are private colleges out of my reach?

Although the cost of college is cer-tainly an important factor, you should not concentrate on it until later in

your college-selection process. In-stead, focus on finding a college that is a good fit — one that meets your aca-demic, career and personal needs.

In some cases, you might have a better chance of receiving aid from a private college and end up paying a lower total price than at a public col-lege. Private colleges often offer more financial aid to attract students from every income level.Is my family’s income too high to qualify for aid?

Financial aid is intended to make college available to students from many different financial situations. College financial aid officers con-sider family income, the number of family members in college, medical expenses and many other factors when reviewing your financial aid application.

Even if you think your family income is too high for you to qualify for aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form as soon as possible after Jan. 1. This form determines your eligibility for federal and state student grants, work-study and federal loans. You may also want to use the Expected

Family Contribution Calculator on collegeboard.com to estimate how much your family is expected to con-tribute. Should I work while I’m attending college?

Students who attempt to juggle full-time work and full-time studies may have difficulty completing their academic programs. However, stu-dents who choose to work a moderate amount often do better academically. You may find that working in campus jobs related to your career goals may be a good way to manage college costs, get experience and create new ties with the university.Can I try to get my aid award revised?

Some colleges may be willing to review your financial aid package if your financial situation changes. Consider discussing these charges with the financial aid office if your family has experienced an unex-pected decrease in income or increase in expenses since you applied for financial aid.

From Collegeboard.com


By Rebecca Saxon

In our technology-driven society, the Syracuse City School District’s Institute of Technology is doing its best to stay ahead of the curve.

“We are trying to build a new history,” said principal Matt Williams of the school’s technology and project-based approach. Williams said that enabling the students to be more hands-on lets them “try, maybe fail, come back again and really learn about the things they want to do.”

Formerly known as Central Tech, the Institute of Technology is the smallest of the Syracuse City schools, at just 370 students. Their Adams St. location has been undergoing extensive renovations so they’ve temporarily relocated to Levy Middle School on Fellows Ave. The displacement doesn’t seem to have affected the students as they give Williams a high-five on their way down the hall. This year will be their first graduating class, and the principal’s smile is ear-to-ear about the seniors’ accomplishments.

ITC has six central programs: automotive, robotics engineering, computer science, culinary, biotech and media program.

Through partnerships with OCC and SUNY ESF, seniors graduate with 18 college credits, enough to satisfy college core requirements.

On a typical day, seniors split their time between working hands-on in their program’s lab, and in required courses like math, economics, social studies and English. The second half of the year they partici-pate in an internship in the afternoons related to their program. Some recent internship choices include Clear Channel, Driver’s Village and ME Engineering.

ITC begins recruiting in 8th grade for their freshman year, and those accepted begin a combination of traditional course require-ments and the technology program of their choosing.

“We are looking for a combination of interests, grades and be-havior,” Williams said of the application process, “but we look at everything on a case-by-case basis.”

While some have coined the school as elitist, Williams argues that ITC isn’t about keeping certain students out; it’s about catering to the

PHOTOS BY REBECCA SAXON

A look inside ITC


ones who have specific technological interests.“If we find students something that they want

to do and connect it with traditional course re-quirements, they will do it with more fidelity,” Williams said of the school’s academic model.

“In terms of staff, we aren’t very deep--and that’s a good thing,” Williams said.

Teachers at ITC have a broad spectrum of re-sponsibilities. They teach classes, provide moral education, monitor the halls, and, according to Williams, they’ll even go pick a student up if they can’t get to school.

“We really know each and every one of our kids,” Williams said, as he stopped to ask a stu-dent in the hall how his work is going.

Williams and the students are excited about their new facility, set to re-open for the 2012-2013 school year. Their new, more efficiently used space will include a full gym, a new entrance, new library and six new classrooms. Some new rooms will have stadium seating to help with demonstrations and lab-work. Williams said he is excited about the space but thinks that their faculty and students are what really defines the Institute of Technology.

ITC is still fairly new and this graduating class will serve as the template for future changes to be made in the program.

“We are still figuring out who we are and what works for us,” Williams said.

While some seniors await college acceptance letters, many remain unsure of exactly what path they want to take post-grad. What all students do seem to have in common is their grasp on what fields they want to pursue. This pursuit of inter-ests is what makes ITC a thriving environment for its students.

As for the Institute of Technology’s vision, Williams is matter-of-fact: everyone graduates. He wants the school to continue to develop close relationships with the students to help them prepare for life after high school.

“We’ve found something that excites kids; they want to learn and they want to be here,” Williams said.


SYour guide to financial aid

While you wait to hear back from universities, it’s the per-fect time to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA form on the web. FAFSA is one of the most im-portant forms to focus on this month in your college applica-tion process.

In case you aren’t familiar, the FAFSA is an application for federal student aid to be used for college or career school and for most state and institutional aid. If you want to be considered for financial aid, you must complete a FAFSA form yearly as long as you are in attendance. They are available at fafsa.ed.gov on Jan. 1 of each year.

Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, give it a shot. The finan-cial aid offices at your college will determine if you are eligible for work-study, grants and loans. Some federal aid is considered ‘free money’, meaning that you won’t have to pay it back, so ap-plying is important.

“When we don’t know about something, it can seem daunt-ing,” said Rebecca Rose, from SU’s financial aid office, when referring to reasons many stu-

dents put off filling out these important forms. Once you sit down and actually do them, chances are you’ll discover they aren’t so bad. High school guid-ance counselors and counselors at your college of choice can be a great help in the process.

The Steps are simple:Get a pin. You can do so

at pin.ed.gov. You will receive a pin and then have the option of changing it to something easier to remember. Store this in a safe place because you’ll need it to access your online applications and check on their status after completion. Don’t share your PIN with anyone. You will also be storing your parent’s informa-tion on the application, so they must apply for a pin as well.

Gather the information required to apply.

o Your Social Security Number and your parents’ Social Security numbers.

o Your driver’s license, if you have one

o If you are not a U.S. Citizen, your alien registration number.

o Federal Tax Information or tax returns, including W-2 infor-

mation for yourself, your spouse, and your parents.

o Records of untaxed income such as Social Security benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, and veteran’s benefits. Information on savings, investments and business and farm assets for yourself and your parents is also required.

Be aware of deadlines. Financial aid deadlines for states and schools are usually earlier than the federal ones.

Use the FAFSA on the web worksheet. Your college or high school might have a copy of the worksheet, or you can print one out from fafsa.ed.gov. This page is optional, but it can help you collect the information you need to complete the process online. Complete your application. Be sure to enter all the necessary information.

Submit your application. After you submit your applica-tion, make sure to retrieve your confirmation number. This will let you know that your applica-tion has been officially submit-ted. Print out or write down this confirmation number for your

records.Follow up. Your applica-

tion will then be processed and you will receive a link to your Student Aid Report. If you don’t have an email, they’ll send it to you by mail. Be sure to review the SAR carefully for any mistakes. If you don’t hear from FAFSA in three weeks, go back to fafsa.ed.gov and select; “Check status of a submitted FAFSA or Print Signature Page.”

On FAFSA’s website, there is free help available online. You will find help buttons on each page or you can click ‘live help’ to chat in real-time with a specialist between 8 a.m. and midnight.

If you’re applying to a New York State school, remember to fill out the NYS Tuition Assis-tance Program (TAP) form along with the FAFSA. It’s easy to miss at the end, but right after you have completed FAFSA, you’ll see a prompt. That prompt will take you to the site to complete the TAP. This is yet another application that helps students get money for college. Like the FAFSA, you need to apply for a pin before you begin.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Along with FAFSA, the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile) is a financial aid form that some colleges use to determine fi-nancial aid. Not all schools use this form, so make sure to double check with your college. Syracuse Univer-sity and most private schools require completion of the CSS.

Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS profile is not free. There is a fee attached,

another reason to be sure to check with your school first before you fill it out. You can complete the form at collegeboard.com.

According to Rose, The CSS Profile asks the same questions the FAFSA does, with some more in-depth focus depending on your situation. If your family has a business, or there is a non-custodial parent (i.e., divorce, separated or parents never married),

the form will ask more.The CSS Profile asks about prima-

ry residence, including home value and debt if the family has a home. Just like the FAFSA, CollegeBoard’s website is very informative, with help tabs along the way. Your high school or college’s guidance coun-selor is also a great resource for help with the form.

College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile)


The Financial Aid Tracker

College 1 College 3College 2

School codesFederal code

CSS/ Profile code

DeadlinesPriority date

Closing date

FAFSA

Required? (Date submitted __________)

Listed college code on FAFSA

Listed college code on SAR

Required? (Date submitted __________)

CSS/ Profile

School code submitted to College Board

Submitted supplemental forms (if needed)

Paid fee to have report sent to college

Sent corrections to college (if needed)

State aid form (Date submitted)

Other formsrequired

College’s own form (Date submitted)

Application for scholarship (Date submitted)

Copies of tax returns (Date submitted)

Afterapplying

Any other forms required

Need to send letter explaining special circumstances

Additional documentation required?

Spoke to financial aid office?

Received award letter

Reply date deadline

Accepted award

To keep track of important deadlines and paperwork, fill in the dates anf information below, and check

off each task as you complete it. Be sure to make copies of all forms before sending and keep track of confirmation numbers

for your personal records.


Student profile: Jinnah ClarkBy Rebecca Saxon

NY GEARUP media coordinator

Student: Jinnah Clark, 19, a senior at the Institute of TechnologyProgram: Started in computer science and now is in the media technology program.Plans after high school: Pursuing a bachelor’s degree

You’re almost a high school graduate, what’s next?Bio-medical technology. I took Summer College at SU, and it inspired me. In the field, you work with prosthetic legs and make limbs and replacement joints for people who need them.

What has your experience as a student been like thus far?

I’m glad I went here. I went to middle school at Danforth, and it was rough. It was much bigger. I was a quiet kid and there were always bullies, even though I was pretty big. I definitely learned a lot. I would advise all schools to be smaller because it is less intimidating. I know everyone here, even the 8th graders. It’s been a great experience; I give the kids in the hall advice. I tell them to do their work and to get to class. They look up to me, so I try to tell them to be good.

What is your favorite thing about your school?I can go to all my teachers with college issues and stuff that’s going on now in high school. I have great relationships with them and I know all of them.

As you pursue higher education and eventually your career, what’s the most important thing that

you’ve learned so far?At Central Tech, I’ve learned to really take pride in communications. It’s very important to be well spoken and articulate. It’s also important to talk to people in your field and those that share similar interests to you to create bonds with.

Graduation is just around the corner. Are you excited for college?I’m very excited. I’m very ready. I have a lot of self -control and self-discipline but I know college is going to be a big jump. I’m excited to find people who have the same work ethics so that I can be productive.

Clark is currently awaiting his acceptance letters from Colgate University, Clarkson University, University of Connecticut and Drexel University. Best of luck to him as he pursues his career!

PHOTO BY REBECCA SAXON


SUMMER STARTIt’s the home stretch of senior

year and college is just around the corner. For some, that college may be Syracuse University. Preparing for college life can be intimidating, and Summer Start at SU is designed to ease the transition. The six-week pro-gram allows entering freshman the opportunity to become familiar with the academic, social and cultural life at Syracuse University.

Being away from family and friends, making new friends, adjust-ing to independence and handling a new set of academics can seem pretty daunting if you have no idea what to expect. Enrolling in Summer Start gives prospective SU students a leg-up in the college experience as well as academics.

All Summer Start students must complete placement tests for math-ematics and writing. Once enrolled, participating students live in a fully

staffed residence hall. Most rooms are doubles, with an assigned roommate. A full meal plan is included and avail-able 7 days a week at one of the dining halls within walking distance.

Dates for SummerStart 2011 are July 3-Aug. 12.

Benefits of Summer Start:Earn 7 credits toward your degreeSelect from a variety of coursesBegin college-level writing

requirementsExplore career-enhancing

opportunitiesExplore options for travel and

study abroadMeet with an advisor from your

school or college to plan your course of study

For more info, visit their website; www.summerstart.syr.edu

CAITLIN DONNELLY

The waiting gameJulie Knittel, a senior at ITC, offers advice about the stress seniors face while awaiting their acceptance letters.

By Rebecca Saxon

What schools did you apply to?I applied to Cortland, OCC, Genesee Community College and Brock-port.

Where have you heard back from?I have only heard back from Brock-port and I was not accepted. I was a little mad about it, but it was not my number one school so I just moved on. I just applied to some other schools just in case I can’t get in to my number one college.

What has it been like, wait-ing to hear back from the other schools?Waiting for any word from a college is really hard because you want to make sure that you did everything

right so that you can get in. For me, I just keep thinking, ‘Did I do every-thing right? Did I have the grades?’ It will sometimes make you go nuts, but you have to find ways to just think about the positive things. I am kind of stressed right now waiting to hear back.

Can you offer any advice for others who are in similar situations?I deal with the stress by just going to school and trying my best in class. I try to hang out with others outside of school. I try to not make all of my thoughts about ‘Am I going to get in or not?’ It definitely makes you nervous, but you just have to know that you have been giving it all your best and it they don’t like it, then it’s not the college for you. Just try to stay focused on your classes that you have to do to finish high school, and if you don’t get into one school just keep applying and don’t let it get you down. If you let it get you down, you may not do as well in your cur-rent classes. Just make sure to apply to enough schools, so you can have a back up plan. REBECCA SAXON


Check us out on the web!Looking for the most recent NY GEARUP news? Visit us

online at NYGearUp2011.com today!We’ll have everything you need as you wait for your college

acceptance letters and decide what you’re doing next.Bookmark our website today and keep checking back for

videos, photos and stories by you and your classmates.Want to see your photos in NY GEARUP? Connect to us on

Facebook! Upload your photos and videos and join the conver-sation - just search for “NY GEARUP at Syracuse University” and click “Like.” Once you’re following us on Facebook, you can post photos or start conversations of your own.

Let us know what you’d like to see on the web, and stay tuned for new improvements and features. We’ll see you there!


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Sudoku

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10 questions for the financial aid office1. What’s the average total cost of attendance (tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, travel and other personal expenses) for the first year?2. How much should I expect my costs to increase each year? How much have tuition, fees, room and board increased over the last three to five years?3. Does financial need have an impact on admissions decisions? How is financial aid affected if I applied via an Early Decision or Early Action program?4. Does the school offer need-based and merit-based financial aid? Are there other scholarships available that aren’t based on financial need? Do I need to complete a separate application for merit-based scholarships?5. What is the priority deadline to apply for financial aid?6. When will I be notified about financial aid award decisions?7. If the financial aid package isn’t enough, can I appeal? Under what conditions, if any, will the aid office recon sider the offer?8. How will the aid package change from year to year? What will happen if my family’s financial situation changes? What will happen if my enrollment status (or that of a family member) changes?9. What are the academic requirements or other conditions for the renewal of financial aid, including scholarships?10. When can I expect to receive my bills from the college? Is there an option to spread the yearly payment over equal monthly installments?

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VOTE!What is the most difficult part of the college application process?

The college essayFinancial aid paperworkKeeping track of deadlinesThe application itself

Check out NY GEARUP’s blog, nygearupblog.blogspot.com, or post your response on NY GEARUP’s facebook page by searching NY GEARUP @ Syracuse University, and vote! Then check back in next month’s edition to see how your fellow classmates weighed in.


Be HeardThe Step It Up! staff has settled into a spectacular week-

end routine with its two-hour talk-based show about teen issues, college readiness and NY GEARUP. It’s entertaining and informative for anyone from students to parents and community members.

We’re always looking for people to interview and high school seniors to try their hand in the radio business. If interested, contact Mariel Fiedler at [email protected]

NY GEARUP @ Syracuse UniversityNYGEARUP

315.443.7848 [email protected]

CONTACT US

COLLEGE OF THE MONTH

SUNY Geneseo is a four-year, lib-eral arts and sciences college origi-nally founded in 1871. The 220-acre campus is located about two hours west of Syracuse.

As a school with undergraduate, professional and master’s level pro-grams, it was rated second among public universities in the north by US News and World Report. There are approximately 5,000 under-graduate students enrolled at the

school. The average class size is 26 students, with a student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1. The ratio of male to female students is 43 to 57.

Thirty miles outside of Roch-ester, SUNY Geneseo competes in Division III NCAA sports with 20 varsity teams. Student life boasts over 200 extracurricular clubs, and 17 residents hall to mingle in.

Possible majors include com-munication, philosophy, sociology,

business and geophys-ics just to name a few. The school considers Colgate, Hamilton, Boston College, Villa-nova and SUNY Bing-hamton some of its peer institutions, and enrolls about 10 per-cent of its applicants.

SUNY Geneseo

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