The journey to your future begins now!

ACADEMICS TAKING THE

ACT/SAT TOPS

/SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID

COLLEGE/CAREER INFORMATION

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP

UPCOMING EVENTS QUESTIONS

Student Parent Teacher Counselor

To graduate - 23 TOTAL CREDITS

IF YOU ARE NOT PASSING A COURSE, consider getting a tutor and talking to your teacher.

Students must PASS THE GEE 21 English, Math AND Science or Social Studies.

Seniors who have not yet passed the required components of the GEE have one more opportunity to pass the test before the graduation ceremony. The GEE will be given the week of October 18-22. If a senior fails it at that time, he/she cannot participate in the graduation ceremony. In April, all students will be tested and the senior will test again then, but the results will not be received in time for the graduation ceremony.

Register to take or retake the December 11th ACT by

November 5. Go to www.actstudent.org

Regular registration fee is $47.00 with Writing. Register now to avoid late fee. If student receives reduced or free lunch, he/she is entitled to TWO fee waivers (in lifetime). Student needs to see his/her counselor for the waiver.

Your registration fee includes sending scores to FOUR (4) colleges you select when you register. Students eligible for TOPS should enter the TOPS

code in section which is 1595. LSU’s code is 1590 SLU’s code is 1608 Delgado’s code is 1577 Check the registration information for more codes

It is your responsibility to release and send your scores!

Salmen High School Test Code---192-748

TOPS code should be a score choice: 1595

Procedure: First, courteously

ask the teacher. Provide the teacher

with a folder that contains a cover sheet with names and deadlines and any necessary rec forms. You might provide a resume and an example of outstanding work done in class.

Be sure to fill out the personal student information section at the top of the form.

Organize the forms in a timely manner.

Provide stamped, addressed envelopes

Remember: teachers send out recommendations on their own time.

Always thank teachers for taking the time to write. Keep them informed. They are interested in your success!

ATHLETES: Register online with the NCAA (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net )

You will need a credit card number or….if your child receives free or reduced lunch, he/she is entitled to a registration waiver: ($50)

Bring transcript release forms to the counseling office or school registrar.

.Pell GrantsFederal Supplemental Educational

Opportunity Grants (SEOG)Perkins LoansStafford LoansPLUS (parental) LoansFederal Work Study –College Work-

StudyTo apply for all of the above, complete

the FAFSA after Jan. l, 2011 – priority consideration deadline is: MAY 1, 2011

Free Application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA – cannot be completed until after January 1.

It will be processed MUCH quicker if it is completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Paper copies can be requested by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID.

When you complete the FAFSA, you have applied for TOPS.

TO EARN THE TOPS OPPORTUNITY AWARD, a student must: Complete all courses in the TOPS core curriculum

with a grade point average in these courses of 2.5.

Calculate your TOPS GPA: Go to

http://college.stpsb.org or http://salmenhigh.stpsb.org and go to Guidance/Tops Calculator.

AND Earn an ACT score of 20 by the April 10, 2011 test

date

TO APPLY: complete the Free Application for Federal

Student Aid (FAFSA) using income tax information from the calendar year 2010 by May 1

PLEASE NOTE THAT the Social Security Number that you enter must match the one entered on the ACT registration!

The FAFSA will also allow you to apply for institutional aid

Check to see if your college has a separate financial aid application

Use the Internet to research private scholarships and grants and refer to the Louisiana Financial Aid Handbook which will be available at: www.osfa.state.la.us under the Information Center.

Refer any questions about scholarships and financial aid to: 1-800-259-5626 ext. 1012 or by e-mail at: custserv@osfa.state.la.us.

Add the following to your list of Web sites: Everything you’ve always wanted to know about going to college in Louisiana – www.regents.state.la.us click “High School Students”

Check for updated lists on the Guidance Dept. website

Check on student’s work and grades. E-mail or call teachers if necessary. Free tutoring available after school.

Help your son/daughter do searches for colleges and scholarships.

Check the College Counseling Handbook for important phone numbers and web addresses.

Help student gather all applications for colleges and scholarships and keep calendar of important deadlines. You should begin applying to college now. Read the Senior Newsletter for Scholarship deadlines.

Be aware of testing deadlines and fees.

Collect income tax information to be ready to complete the FAFSA after January 1, 2011

The application for TOPS is the FAFSA. Paper copies are not supplied to the school. You can call to request one but you will get faster results by applying on the Web. And, if you make any mistakes, you can correct them immediately.

Complete the FAFSA by May 1, 2011 to avoid penalties.

Keep copies of everything you complete! Help your son/daughter budget for all the

expenses –ACT $47, college applications $15-50, visits to colleges, deposits on dorms, etc.

You must work with the Guidance Office in order to complete Transcript Request Forms for each school to which you are applying.

Transcript request forms are due 15 school days prior to the deadline.

Forms and deadlines are critical!

Louisiana colleges can access your transcript online. You do not have to send it to LA schools.

Attach the Counselor Recommendation/

School Report Form

Fill out the student section of these forms

Visit the Guidance Dept. Website and sign up for News Flash updates!

Read through the Senior Information Handbook . Keep in a convenient place for reference!

The St. Tammany Parish College Counseling Center is available to you at: http://college.stpsb.org.

Christine Woodard, college counselor, comes to Salmen. Call 898-6458 for an appointment.

Prospective College Athletes - register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. ACT code 9999

College Fair: Castine Center-Mandeville

Wednesday, September 29th -6-8:00pm

National College Fair: Baton Rouge River Center, Thursday, September 23rd- 6-8:00pm

Be aware of deadlines. For early applications, you must have your materials in three weeks before the deadline.

You must allow 15 school days to process your transcripts after the release form is turned in.

Be aware of necessary supplements to the common application form or to the college’s application. There may be several supplements (essays/questions) that you must answer.

Be sure to set up appointments with your counselors to discuss your application process, essays and recommendations. Stop by the office if you need help!

Even though they may be posted as being later, try to submit by November 1st if you would like to get on the main campus of big state universities!

LSU’s Priority Deadline is now Nov. 15 for Early Notification , the Honors College and Scholarships.

This is the part of the application that should demonstrate your personality, talents and creativity.

It is a reflection about who you are—be honest and interesting!

Show a scene or share a story that tells something unique about yourself. Show a side of yourself that your application doesn’t reveal.

Don’t just restate your resume’.

Give your essay to the college counselors. Exchange ideas and get feedback.

Run these by the English teachers or other respected personnel for suggestions.

Class Period Meetings

Evening Sessions Held at Hotels

Mini-Fairs sponsored by groups of schools

Campus Visits (be certain to take an official tour through the Admissions’ Offices)

Follow-up with e-mails and thank you notes (simple courtesies give mileage)

See and talk to the college reps at:

See calendar posted outside the Guidance Office and check website.

Students must sign up for college rep visits in our office.

Students should inform your teachers when you are going to be out of class. It is your responsibility to make up work.

Follow the school procedures for informing personnel, mainly teachers, about visits.

Seniors are allowed 2 excused absences for college visits.

Remember: too much school missed = bad grades = poor admission chances

Main components to an application:

test scores grades rigor of courses extracurricular

activities

Your essay and the teacher/counselor recommendations shine a light on all components!

Our community and technical colleges in the New Orleans area have all of the resources that you need to get started.

Check out the resources available on the Guidance Website about CAREERS and COMMUNITY COLLEGES!

Go to the Salmen High homepage andClick GUIDANCE on the left menu.

http://salmenhigh.stpsb.org/

Be sure to sign up for NEWS FLASH updates!!

Glad you could be here!

If you have any questions, call Mrs. Lyons, or Mrs. Anderson at 649-7975.

Contact Christine Woodard at: 898-6458.

Visit our website: http://salmenhigh.stpsb.org Click GUIDANCE

The better preparation, attention, and organization, the better the outcome.

We know it seems overwhelming, but the Guidance Department is here to help.

Chip away at that mountain!