Planning Tools & Resources

Attending a college, university, career or technical school can be expensive. About three‐quarters of all students get some type of financial assistance. However, there are many financial aid resources available to achieve your post secondary goals, including:

• Federal or California grants;
• Scholarships through your parents’ employers, religious groups, private clubs, lodges, businesses, foundations, unions, community groups, private individuals, and various organizations. They can be based on such things as academic merit, SAT or ACT scores, competitive essay, field of study, special talent, ethnicity, leadership ability, community service activities, and athletics. Determine what are the terms and conditions to renew the scholarship (i.e. GPA);
• Loans;
• Work study programs; and
• Tuition reimbursement programs from part‐time employers (for example, Bank of America and Starbucks).

It is never too early for you to explore the opportunities for financial aid while in high school. Getting these financial resources requires some research. Most financial aid is based on your need, not your academic performance. Talk to your high school and career counselors for assistance. Some of this financial aid is given on a first‐come, first served basis.

It is important for you to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other required forms prior to deadline dates. In this way, colleges determine what type of financial aid you are entitled to as well as your family’s contribution. The FAFSA can be filled out online. An on‐line calculator (FAFSA4caster) has been developed to assist families in financial planning for federal student aid (see Web Resources). Colleges offer different packages and amounts of financial aid. Compare the offers of financial aid from various schools. Accept the right one for you. In some cases, it may be possible to negotiate with a college of your choice for a better offer

Start early to open a tax‐free “college savings account” (529 Plan). Talk to your local banker, credit union representative, or financial planner for details.

Get help from your student’s school counselor about financial aid information. Be sure to attend all financial aid and college programs offered by your high school. Talk to friends and relatives whose children have attended college or vocational schools.

Be careful to meet all deadlines regarding financial information, loans, or scholarships. Missing a deadline may mean not getting well‐deserved financial assistances for your student.

Negotiate with college financial aid officers and loan officers providing assistance. This could reduce the cost of your student’s education. Your financial situation could have recently changed.

Be aware that there may be an Expected Family Contribution. This contribution is calculated by the government using various factors based on your student’s FAFSA. These include looking at your family size, income, assets, age of mother and father, and number of family members in college. The Expected Family Contribution is reported on the Student AID Report (SAR) which is received several weeks after completing the FAFSA. The contribution the same for all schools, no matter what the cost are to attend the school. Be aware that financial need is determined by subtracting the difference between what it costs to attend college or vocational school and what the government determines your family can afford.

If you have to pay to get money for financial aid, it is probably a scam. Every year students and parents are cheated out of more than $100 million dollars. According to the Federal Trade Commission, common signs of a scam which you should watch out for include:

• Companies or organizations using names such as “National,” “Federal,” “Foundation,” or “Administration.”
• “There is a scholarship application fee.”
• “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
• “May I have your credit card number, social security number, ATM pin number, or bank account number to hold this scholarship?”
• “We’ll do ALL the work for you.”
• “This scholarship may cost you some money.”
• “You’ve been selected by a foundation to receive a scholarship,” OR “You’re a finalist” in a contest in which you NEVER entered.

There are numerous free services available online (see Web Resources). Be a smart consumer! Never pay money to get money.

Many colleges, universities and private scholarship programs collect additional information to assist in the awarding of aid through non-federal financial aid programs. In particular, many private colleges require the CSS/PROFILE in addition to the FAFSA and some require that their own financial aid forms are submitted as well. If you are applying to one or more colleges on the CSS Code List (included in PROFILE registration material), you should complete both the FAFSA and PROFILE.

Please check with individual colleges for deadline dates.

• College Board
• CSS PROFILE

In addition to Federal Student Aid, California also provides grants. Every high school senior who graduates, meets academic, financial and eligibility requirements, and applies on time, is guaranteed a Cal Grant award to attend college. In other words, this is free money. It costs nothing for you to apply and does not have to be repaid!

All senior students' GPAs will be uploaded by the Registrar to the Cal Grant website no later than October 1st unless a student completes the Opt Out form.

All Cal Grants Applicants must:

• Be a high school graduate or graduate from high school in 2014
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
• Have a Social Security Number.
• Be a California resident.
• Attend a qualifying California School.
• Meet U.S. Selective Service Requirements, if required
• Be enrolled at least half-time.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Have family income and assets below the established figures set each year.
• Not be in default of any student loan.
• Not owe any federal or state grant refunds.
• File the FAFSA and GPA Verification Form by the March 2 deadline.

Important Websites:

California Student Aid Commission http://www.csac.ca.gov/

Cal Grants http://www.calgrants.org/

Lynbrook High School’s Guidance Office maintains a scholarship file in the Naviance document library. Contact your Guidance Counselor or College Career Advisor via e-mail if you need your log-in. Each student has a Naviance account and parents can access the information by using their student's log-in information.

• Naviance - look in the document library for a list of scholarships
• Fastweb - national database of scholarships
• Writing Competitions for College Money
• Database of colleges offering merit aid - see details of merit aid programs at any school

• https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college provides helpful information about various ways to pay for college.
• www.finaid.org offers an overall look at financial aid, where to look for it and how to get it.
• www.californiacashforcollege.org lists free Cash for College workshops in your area where you and your parents can get help filling out the FAFSA. You may even win an additional $1,000 scholarship at a Cash for College workshop.
• www.icanaffordcollege.com for information on California Community Colleges and other kinds of financial aid.
• www.edfund.org for planning for college and managing a student loan.
• www.chafee.csac.ca.gov provides information on this exciting opportunity for foster youth and former foster youth.
• https://www.californiacolleges.edu makes finding and applying to a school in California a no-brainer.
• https://www.scholarshare529.com provides valuable information about college savings opportunities.
• https://studentaid.gov provides information from the U.S. Department of Education.
• www.going2college.org to learn about the college and financial aid resources available in each state.
• www.latinocollegedollars.org provides a scholarship directory for latino students.
• www.whodouwant2b.com helps determine what courses to take in high school and community college.

Use the links below for resources and information on financial aid options.

Federal Financial Aid: https://studentaid.gov/resources

Resources: https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/resources/all.jsp

Students who are undocumented can use the resources below for information and support:

California DACA: https://dream.csac.ca.gov

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: Tip Sheet for Undocumented Students

The Hidden Dream is a resource designed especially for students who live in the US on one of the specific visas. The website (Hidden Dream Resources) has many resources available including workshop recordings, scholarships and a resource guide: The Hidden Dream’s Survival Guide.

Most comprehensive four-year colleges require students to submit assessment scores for admission. For the majority of these colleges, students have a choice between the SAT Reasoning and the ACT. In addition, private universities and some out-of-state public colleges require students to complete 1-3 SAT Subject tests. All students taking the ACT should make sure to take the optional Writing section, and all students taking the SAT should take it with the optional Essay.  Although not all colleges require the Writing section (ACT) and optional Essay (SAT), all of the schools in the UC system will be REQUIRING those components of each test.

The official College Board sponsored PSAT is held once a year in October, and is offered at Lynbrook to 10th and 11th grade students.

Prior to completing the official exams, many students opt to take practice or mock exams. Practice books and booklets are available at the College and Career Center.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Beyond the monetary savings, there are a number of other benefits to attending community college for two years. Set your plan in motion, and you may gain entrance to a top-tier university currently out of reach and earn your degree at a fraction of the price.

California Community Colleges

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY

CSUs are a high-quality, accessible, student-focused higher education. With 23 campuses, almost 427,000 students, and 44,000 faculty and staff, they are the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. Create an online account and then begin completing the application. Even though students have only one (1) CSU mentor account, students must start a 'new application' for each of the CSU campuses they wish to apply.

Cal State Apply

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

UC’s ten campuses at Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara provide exciting environments that foster world-class educational and research opportunities and generate a wide range of benefits and services that touch the lives of Californians every day. Create an online account and begin completing the application for Fall 2011 (note: UC fall application usually not opened online until early October).

• UC Application
• UC Online Application Guide (PDF Download)
• UC Personal Insight Topics

PRIVATE AND OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGES

Most college now prefer (or require) students to apply electronically. Many of these colleges use either the Common Application or Universal Application.  Check to see if a college accepts one of these applications before completing the university specific app.  You are able to apply to multiple colleges at once instead of creating an individual application to each college with these two application forms. ALWAYS make sure you know if a university requires a "supplement," which are generally listed on the applications' sites. For electronic recommendation letter submission purposes, Lynbrook prefers students to use the Common Application whenever possible.

• Common Application
• Coalition Application
• Illinois Application

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

In order to enroll as a full-time student in a California Community College, students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or be at least 18 years old.

• California Community Colleges
• UC Transfer from Community College
• Answers for Transfers - brochure for students interested in transferring to the UC system

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UC) AND CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY (CSU)

Students must complete the A-G course sequence and meet eligibility requirements established by the UC and CSU system. 

• CSU Admissions
• CSU Eligibility Index Table
• California State University
  • CSU Mentor - CSU online application
• University of California
• How University of California Applications are Evaluated
• Assist - Information regarding UC and CSU transferable courses
• http://ucop.edu/agguide/- learn which LHS courses satisfy the UC A-G course sequence

PRIVATE AND OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Since individual colleges and universities have different admission requirements, visit each colleges website for more information. The links below are provided to assist in the research process.

• California Colleges - Learn about admission requirements, how to apply, and more for all higher-education segments in California.
• The Association of California Independent Colleges - You will find college applications, financial aid information, virtual campus tours, and much more.
• Colleges of Distinction -  Which colleges are the best places to learn, to grow, and to succeed?  You’ll find both prominent names and “hidden gems” on our list. What they have in common is their excellent reputation among high school guidance counselors and education professionals, not to mention employers and graduate schools. 
• Colleges That Change Lives - In an era when college rankings and name-brand recognition seem to drive the search process, many students, parents and counselors may be left questioning the options for a good college match. Inspired by noted education reporter Loren Pope, Colleges That Change Lives helps families change the way they think about colleges and the college search.
• I'm First - an online community for first-generation college students and their supporters. Hear inspiring stories, discover colleges that care about first-gen students, find answers to your questions about college.

College Fairs

College fairs provide students with an opportunity to talk to many prospective colleges in one location.  These are great opportunities to talk with college representatives and ask more probing questions than what may be available from a viewbook or on a website.  Please visit the websites below for navigating a fair and suggested questions. 

• Faring Well at College Fairs
• Tips for Attending a College Fair
• College Fair Checklist 

College Visits

College visits give students an opportunity to get first hand experiences taking in a college campus.  It is an opportunity to soak in the college atmosphere, sit in a class, check out the facilities, talk to other students, and much more.  

To schedule a visit, begin with the admission website of the colleges in which you are interested. Many colleges have an online system where you can sign up for a tour. If you have any trouble, contact the College and Career Advisor.  The sites below provide some suggested activities when you visit a campus. 

• College Board
• College Visit Checklist 

In addition, many colleges offer virtual tours for students and families interested in learning more before an in-person visit.  

• Virtual College Tours
• youvisit.com
• uprospie.com

Campus Tour Companies

Many tour companies offer college campus tours whereby a group of students travel around on a bus and visit multiple campuses. Here is a list of some that offer group tours. Many offer tours during spring break and in the summer.

• go campusing
• College Visits

Selecting a major does not mean you will limit the career choices available to you after graduation. If you choose a major that you intrinsically enjoy, you are more likely to excel academically, you will be more motivated in the classes you take, and when it is time to start looking for a job or applying to graduate school you will be able to explain with enthusiasm why you chose your major and what you gained from doing so.  

When choosing a major it is beneficial to understand your strengths and your interests. Consider taking one or more of the Lynbrook self-assessment questionnaires offered through MyRoad or Family Connection.

Self Assessments

• MyMajors.com
• My College QuickStart

Major Information

• What Can I do with a major in...?
• Majors and Careers Central
• What can I do with an AA degree?
• Choosing a Major

ONLINE RESOURCES

TEST ACCOMMODATIONS

College Board - Services for students with disabilities. Information on receiving special accommodations for PSAT, SAT, and AP Testing.

ACT - Services for students with disabilities who want special accommodations for the ACT test.

Selecting a major does not mean you will limit the career choices available to you after graduation. If you choose a major that you intrinsically enjoy, you are more likely to excel academically, you will be more motivated in the classes you take, and when it is time to start looking for a job or applying to graduate school you will be able to explain with enthusiasm why you chose your major and what you gained from doing so.  

When choosing a major it is beneficial to understand your strengths and your interests. Consider taking one or more of the Lynbrook self-assessment questionnaires offered through MyRoad or Family Connection.

Self Assessments

• MyMajors.com
• My College QuickStart

Major Information

• What Can I do with a major in...?
• Majors and Careers Central
• What can I do with an AA degree?
• Choosing a Major