COLLEGE GUIDE

Supplement to The Delphos Herald October 2011

2 Delphos Herald College Guide October 2011

FAFSA is the beginning of it all

aid office must re-determine your financial aid eligibility, and the submission of your FAFSA is what kicks-off the process. Following is a simple timeline of the financial aid application process: Step One: Student completes and submits FAFSA Step Two: Department of Education calculates EFC Step Three: EFC is presented to the school and student via Student Aid Report or SAR Step Four: School calculates students aid eligibility and sends award letter Step Five: Student compares award letters and follows further instructions Nothing in steps 2 - 5 can occur until you have completed your FAFSA. So lets focus preparing to complete the FAFSA. As with anything that involves money and Uncle Sam, applying for federal student aid is a process where one thing leads to another. But if you prepare properly, and simply follow instructions, youll be amazed how easy it is. First, if you plan to submit your FAFSA electronically (recommended), you must apply for a Personal Identification Number or PIN. You can do this by visiting http://www.pin.ed.gov. If you are a dependent student, a parent must apply for a PIN as well. It will take 1 3 business days to get your PIN back by email or 7 10 days if by U.S. postal service. Once youre ready to complete the FAFSA, youll want to have the following items handy: Federal tax return Drivers license Social Security Number Any other pertinent financial documents (e.g. bank statements, investment account information) Its also a good idea to check the eligibility requirements for applying for federal aid. They are: Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen Have a valid Social Security number (unless youre from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau) Comply with Selective Service registration, if required (see www.sss.gov for more information) Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate or pass an approved ability-tobenefit (ATB) test Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program at a school that participates in the federal student aid programs Completing the FAFSA online has some distinct advantages over paper: You and your school will get the results of your application a lot faster. There are built-in help screens to guide you along the way. The online application is self-editing to help reduce errors. Your data is secured through the encryption software. The FAFSA is designed to be completed by the student...even a dependent student. Dependent students will be asked to provide financial information for the entire family. For the 2008-09 Academic Year, a student is considered dependent IF no is the answer to ALL questions below: You were born before Jan. 1, 1985. You are or will be enrolled in a masters or doctoral degree program (beyond a bachelors degree) at the beginning of the 2008-09 Academic Year. Youre married on the day you apply (even if you are separated but not divorced). You have children who receive more than half their support from you. You have dependents (other than your children or spouse) who live with you and who receive more than half their support from you at the time you apply and through June 30, 2009. Both your parents are deceased, or you are (or were until age 18) a ward or dependent of the court. You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training. Youre a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. (A veteran includes students who attended a U.S. service academy and were released under a condition other than dishonorable. For more details on who is considered a veteran, see the explanatory notes on the FAFSA.) Very often when a student is considered to be dependent, the question arises, who is/ are the parent(s)? Here is how the questions regarding parental information should be answered: If your parents are married, answer the questions about both parents. See FAFSA, page 7

Consider the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA as the beginning of any application for federal student aid. Almost everything else in the financial aid spectrum hinges upon this form being completed. Many schools financial aid offices wont even know you exist until you have completed this form. Its really that important. Completing or renewing the FAFSA will become an annual event for you while youre enrolled. It should be written on your calendar every Jan. 1 as this is the earliest you may complete a FAFSA for the upcoming school year. Every year, your financial

Your talents. Your interests. Your dreams.

You are distinct from every other person in the world. Nothing about you is ordinary. Why should your college be any different?

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LimaAllen_11.75x2.5.indd 1

DEFIANCE COLLEGE

For more information contact your guidance counselor, a College Access/ GEAR UP advisor, or contact the Lima/Allen County College Access Program at 419-222-9378 or visit the website at www.ohiocan.org/allen
9/17/08 5:21:20 AM

Grade 9 Take challenging classes in English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Languages. Yes, its hard, but it will be worth it in the end! Get good grades. If you need help, ask the GEAR UP advisor, a teacher or a guidance counselor IMMEDIATELY. Get involved in clubs, sports and activities. Keep a list of what you do and when! DO NOT DITCH YOUR CLASSES. EVER. This goes for all four years. Learn how to take good notes. See your GEAR UP advisor or your English teacher if you need help. Go to www.ocis.org for surveys and career planning guidance Talk to lots of adults about what they do to learn more about their jobs. Grade 10 Make sure your courses are what you need to get into college. Youll need 4 years of English, 3 years of math (4 is better), 4 years of science, 4 years of
b o w l i n

Counting Down to College Checklist

social studies and often, 2 years of a foreign language. If you havent started to get involved with extracurricular activities, do so now. Colleges pay attention to this. And choose ones that truly interest you. Take the PLAN, the preliminary ACT test. Scores arent mailed to colleges, but it helps you get ready for the ACT. Register at the scholarship site www. fastweb.com. Once you complete your profile on Fastweb, scholarship opportunities matching your profile will be mailed to you. It also provides tips for earning scholarships. Start visiting colleges to get an idea of what type of school appeals to you. They are generally free! Check out the colleges Admissions page on the schools Web site for contact information and a schedule. Go to class, study and keep your grades up! Its all going to add up in the end! year are what you need to satisfy college requirements! Take honors courses if you can. Keep up those extracurricular activities. Volunteering and part-time jobs are also valuable on college applications. Take the ACT in April or June. It is up to you to register for the test and know the deadlines! You will need to take the ACT plus Writing. Fee waivers are available from the counselors office. Start seriously researching colleges, considering their majors, location and of course, cost and available financial aid. Go to college fairs and college meeting nights to begin talking to college representatives. Start writing down all of your activities, awards and accomplishments from your years in high school, along with the advisors names. This will be helpful to you next year when you need letters of recommendation and have to write personal essays. Grade 12
t a t e U n i v

October 2011 Delphos Herald College Guide

September __ Take the ACT again in September (or at the latest, October). Often scores will be higher the second time around! October Begin looking for scholarships many have a fall application deadline. Reduce your list of potential colleges to five to 10. Send in college applications that require early decisions. Begin asking teachers for recommendation letters. If you havent yet, start drafting college application essays. Ask teachers and mentors for feedback. November Finish essays. Fill out and send in college applications. Continue to apply for scholarships. January-February See CHECKLIST, page 7
e r s i t y

Grade 11 Again, make sure your courses for this

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4 Delphos Herald College Guide October 2011

Start your student loan search now

By Jason Alderman ing deadline for federal loans for the 2011-2012 school year isnt until June 30, 2012, but many state and individual school deadlines fall months earlier. Many types of aid are available to help cover costs at four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, and trade, career or technical schools, including: Hundreds of thousands of free scholarships are awarded each year. Visit www. finaid.org/scholarships for details. Federal Pell Grants are needs-based grants given to low-income students to pursue post-secondary education. The maximum annual Pell Grant amount is $5,500. They need not be repaid. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants for up to $4,000 a year are awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need. The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Direct Stafford Loans are low-interest federal loans that have no origination fee and come in two varieties: Subsidized, which are needs-based and the government pays the yearly interest while students are enrolled; Unsubsidized, which are not needs-based and students are responsible for interest that accrues while enrolled. Low-interest Federal Perkins Loans are for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. They are subsidized and have no origination or default fees. Private education loans are offered by banks and other lenders to bridge the gap between government loans and actual education costs. They arent governmentguaranteed or subsidized and typically carry higher interest rates, although you can borrow greater amounts. Details and rates vary widely. Some colleges sponsor their own loans, often with lower interest rates than federal loans. Check each colleges aid materials to see if they are available. Federal Direct PLUS loans (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) allow parents to borrow for their childrens college expenses. Interest rates are fixed (although higher than Stafford loans) and there is an origination fee. Private parent loans are offered by banks and other lenders, usually at higher interest rates than PLUS loans. They may also have an origination fee. Some colleges also offer their own loans to parents, usually at rates below PLUS loans. Check each colleges aid materials to see if theyre available. Check out www.federalstudentaid. ed.gov and www.finaid.org for complete explanations of the different types of grants/loans, calculators and many other tools. Bottom line: Better start boning up on college financing now to avoid panic next winter. This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. Its always a good idea to consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your individual financial situation.

If youve got a high school senior, your household is probably knee-deep in senior-year activities and expenses. Not to elevate your stress level, but this is probably a good time for you and your kid to start investigating how youre going to finance college next fall. Seriously. Loan application deadlines are right around the corner and youve got many decisions to make and documents to fill out. Your first step is start filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The FAFSA is required by virtually all colleges, universities and career schools for federal student aid, as well as for most aid from states and colleges. Although you cant yet finalize 2011 income-related information, once you start the process you can log-in anytime to update your file. Get a FAFSA from your schools guidance counselor or financial aid office, at www.fafsa.ed.gov, or by calling 1-800-4-FED-AID. The FAFSA fil-

October 2011 Delphos Herald College Guide

Family & parenting

Get your kids thinking about college

(StatePoint) College no longer is just a rich learning ground, but a prerequisite to many of todays jobs. With this in mind, parents increasingly are looking to send their children to college or go back to school themselves. And since November is National Family Literacy Month, now is the perfect time to talk to your family about your or your childrens college dreams. The transition to postsecondary education can be difficult for even the most prepared families, said Sharon Darling, president & founder of the National Council of Family Literacy (NCFL). We need to ensure that more nontraditional adults are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education and that parents are well prepared to inform and nurture the educational aspirations of their children. A Teens Guide to Mapping Out the Future by Jeanne Webster.

Make it a Family Goal

One way to ensure that dreams come true is to set goals and implement the steps to achieve them. But some long-term goals, like buying a house or getting a college degree, take many smaller steps before you can accomplish them. Feeling supported by family while achieving smaller goals can help build confidence so that eventually, the larger goal is reached. Families should also take advantage of free resources. For example, NCFL has released multi-media resources to help people unfamiliar with navigating the U.S. college system gain access to the information necessary for preparing and succeeding in college. The resource, produced with support from MetLife Foundation, is available free of charge in English and Spanish at www.famlit.org.

Explore Your Options

Its never too early for children to start thinking about a future career -- or too late for grown-ups to consider a different career. Make a list of what you or your child likes to do and brainstorm potential careers that match those skills and interests. Then explore books about careers, preferably with your children. Preschoolers may like Career Day by Anne Rockwell or Caring for Your Pets: A Book About Veterinarians by Ann Owen. For elementary kids, try reading Career Ideas for Kids Who Like Science by Diane Lindsey and Lindsey Clasen and other books in this series. And you can engage your teen in exploring careers with If You Could Be Anything, What Would You Be?

Get Involved
When parents are involved with their childrens school and in their educational experiences, their kids are more successful -- not only in school, but in life. Develop a relationship with your childs teacher, ask questions when you dont understand what is expected of your child, and talk to your child every day about school. By being involved, having frequent conversations about education and pursuing your own higher education dreams, you can positively impact your childs future. And isnt that what every parent wants?

At Bluffton, students engage in discovery across the disciplines and grow in their faith and values while discerning their vocation within a community of respect and service. Schedule your campus visit today!

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6 Delphos Herald College Guide October 2011

Get your child ready for college

(StatePoint) After years of living under your roof, its finally time for your child to head off to college to live an independent life. While you cant put tracking devices on them to account for their every move, you can make sure your students are prepared with the essentials they will need to survive the next four years. Dorm rooms are pretty basic, says Rachael Risinger, Bed Bath & Beyond spokesperson. Four white walls, a bed, and if theyre lucky, a desk and chair. But, with some basic dorm room accessories its easy to create a space theyll be happy to call home. Here are some tips to help you equip their space: a mattress pad and a topper to smooth out the lumps and bumps. The bed is often the fashion focus of a dorm room, so let it reflect your childs personal style. Whether they choose a comforter set or duvet, this years colors and patterns are sure to make a statement. Guys may gravitate towards more simple patterns, such as the rugged blue stripes of Nauticas Knots Bay bedding, while ladies may prefer more intricate designs like the purple medallions of the Odessa 11-piece set.

Studying
Without regular schedules, college students may fall into habits that can compromise their academic success, like sleeping in and being late for class. New gadgets like the iLuv Shake and Wake will wake them from the deepest slumber just in time for class by literally shaking their pillow until they get up. Once theyre up, some thoughtful accessories can help too, such as the eDesk, whose micro-bead pillow and non-skid See READY, page 7)

Bedding
Since you wont know where that standard dorm-issued mattress has been, encase it in an entomologist lab-tested and recommended bed bug mattress protector, such as those by Allergy Luxe, to protect your mattress from bed bugs and allergens like mold and dust. For support, add

Make sure students have the right gear for college.

Be A Buckeye

Lima, Ohio Phone: 419-223-5886 Fax: 419-229-1273 www.topmarkfcu.com

Dont let the price of education get in your way. TopMark offers private student loans!
Main Program Features * Borrow as little as $2,000 or as much as $30,000 per year for a maximum of $120,000 in under graduate loans or $160,000 in graduate loans. * Choose between making interest payments or a nominal $25 Proactive Payment towards the loan while in school. * Use the funds for any qualified educational expense, including past due tuition bills. * Quick approval once we receive your completed application. * Cosigner release after just 24 consecutive on-time payments.

Student Benefits * Zero Origination Fees for all qualified student borrowers. * Competitive Interest Rates and with good grades, even lower rates. * 1% Interest Rate Reduction once you repay 10% of the loan principal. * 30 Day No-Fee Return Policy allows you to cancel the loan if you find a better option. * Use for ALL education expenses.
Eligibility & Credit Requirements * Borrower must be enrolled in an eligible school and pursuing a degree program * Borrower must be a member or join TopMark Federal Credit Union United during the online application process * Borrower or cosigner must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident. * Students are encouraged to apply with a creditworthy cosigner for a better chance of approval and/or lower interest rate

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See LOCATION FOr reQUIreMeNTS

October 2011 Delphos Herald College Guide

Ready
top make studying easy from the comfort of a bed or futon.
(Continued from page 6)

Storage
There are three rules to help create storage space in a cramped dorm room: hang it, hide it and hold it. Closet space is at a premium, so consider hanging shelves for sweaters or shoes, such as those made by Gearbox. Then, add a double hang closet rod to

Checklist

double the amount of hanging space. Add bed lifts under bed posts to create extra inches of storage space and use under bed bags for off-season clothes, shoes, blankets or towels that arent used every day. For a printable checklist of dorm room necessities, visit the Shop for College tab at www.bedbathandbeyond.com. And after sending off your well-prepared child to college, put up your feet. After all, its time you got some rest -- you deserve it.

COLLEGE BOUND?
Dont miss out on all the local news, sports, and community events. An Internet connection is all you need to get a great deal on the areas most comprehensive newspaper.

Stay in contact with your hometown.

(Continued from page 3) www.act.org Career planning Web sites www.ocis.org http://www.careerfocuscafe.com/ http://www.careerclusters.org/ccinterestsurvey.php http://mappingyourfuture.org/ PlanYourCareer/ Scholarship information site www.fastweb.org Federal web site for FAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Subscribe to our online edition today!

Ask parents to get taxes done, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submit by March 1. Decide which college youll attend. Notify the college! Helpful Web sites General information: www.knowhow2go.com www.collegeboard.org ACT Web site:

The Delphos Herald

405 N. Main St., Delphos, Ohio

419-695-0015

FAFSA

(Continued from page 2) If your parent is widowed or single, answer only the questions about that parent. If your parents have divorced or separated, answer only the questions about the parent that you lived with most during the last 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more than the other, answer only the questions about the parent who provided most of your financial support during the last 12 months. If your parent has remarried after being widowed or divorced, answer the questions about both your parent and your stepparent. If you have a legal guardian, you cannot use your legal guardians information on your application. A legal guardian is not considered a parent in the financial aid process. If you have foster parents, you cannot use your foster parents information on your application. A foster parent is not considered a parent in the financial aid process. If you were adopted, follow the instructions above for parents, based on your parents current marital status. (Note: For purposes of completing the FAFSA, it does not matter which parent claimed the student on their tax return.) The components of the FAFSA are com-

prised mainly of: 1) demographic data, 2) income information, and 3) asset information. And, in the case of a dependent student, the same will be asked of his or her parents. Its good to know that protection allowances are built into the EFC calculation for both students and parents. In other words, not all of your reported income and assets will be counted when determining your financial need. Things such as household size, number in college, and the age of the older parent will have huge impact on your overall need calculation. Last but not least, roughly 1 out of 3 FAFSA submissions are selected randomly by the Department of Education for verification. If you are selected for verification, it will be noted on your Student Aid Report or SAR. Some FAFSAs are selected for verification due to inconsistent information being reported (e.g. your parents reported having $50,000 in savings accounts, but no interest income was reported). Your financial aid office will contact you for the additional information they need. Usually, all that is required is a copy of all pertinent tax returns and something called a Verification Worksheet. The worksheet will help the financial aid office validate things such as household size, number in college and income that was not taxed.

Lake Campus
You will find:

discover the

Programs.
Explore select masters, bachelors, and associate programs, offered in their entirety.

Student Life.
Join one of many service and social clubs, or participate in intercollegiate athletics.

Residence Life.
Live and learn by the Lake in our brand new student housing, opening 2011.

First Rate Faculty.

Learn from professors who are renowned in their respective fields.

Exceptional Education... Low Cost.

Earn your degree for a fraction of the cost!

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1-800-237-1477 (419) 586-0300 Celina, Ohio

8 Delphos Herald College Guide October 2011

A Bachelors degree Starts Here.

With our Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, you can earn the rst two years of a bachelors degree for about half the cost of a university. Courses transfer to a public college or university in the University System of Ohio and several private institutions.

RhodesState.edu/StartsHere (419) 995-8320