Hillsborough County Public Schools Division of Instructional Support Department of Guidance Services

A Precollege Checklist for Junior Students 2014-2015 As part of the guidance team, all high schools have a College and Career Counselor (CCC) who is available to assist students and parents with postsecondary planning, scholarships, and financial aid. They provide a wealth of resources including providing assistance with the college selection and application process, providing current information on available scholarship opportunities, offering assistance with the financial aid application process and providing information regarding college entrance exams (SAT and ACT).

September If you do not already have a Social Security Number, apply for one now. It is required on many tests and college applications and is necessary in order to receive financial aid for college. Review the Florida Bright Futures website at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org. The program is comprised of three scholarship awards, Florida Academic Scholars Award, Florida Medallion Scholars Award and Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award. Each award has specific criteria that must be met. All awards require Community Service hours. Community Service projects must be pre-approved and deadline dates met for them to be Bright Futures eligible. Be sure you are taking all courses required by any college in which you are interested. Research Colleges on the Internet to check requirements. Research Florida Colleges at www.flvc.org Attend College Nights and visit as many colleges as possible.

College Nights 6:00 p.m. Monday, September 29, 2014 Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Thursday, October 2, 2014

Sickles High School Plant High School Chamberlain High School Brandon High School

October and November Take the PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT is one of the most important pre-college tests. It is given annually only in October in all high schools. All juniors should take the PSAT even if they have taken it previously. Taking the PSAT as a junior is required to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test also provides an excellent opportunity for students to prepare for the SAT. College and Financial Aid Meetings Presented in SPANISH ONLY (PASOS) 6:00 p.m.—School Auditorium or Cafeteria *Saturday, October 4, 2014

Thursday, October 9, 2014 Thursday, October 23, 2014 Thursday, November 6, 2014 Thursday, November 20, 2014

Jefferson High School Lennard High School Alonso High School Gaither High School Plant City High School

Spring Dates *Saturday, January 31, 2015 Thursday, February 19, 2015 Thursday, March 5, 2015 Thursday, March 26, 2015

Wharton High School Strawberry Crest High School Leto High School Spoto High School

* Saturday Dates start at 8:30 a.m.

December Now is the time for juniors to register to take the SAT and/or ACT. Because of the rigorous admissions requirements at state universities in Florida, and at private and out-of-state colleges, students are encouraged to take both the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT. Many colleges, including all state universities in Florida, accept either test as part of their admissions criteria. The SAT Reasoning Test is one of two tests used in college admissions. Although similar in content to the PSAT, it is considerably longer and different in format. Detailed information about the SAT may be found in the descriptive literature that comes with the registration form. Sample questions, test centers, preparation tips, and on-line registration may be found on the College Board website at www.collegeboard.org The ACT is the other test used in the college admissions process. Whereas the SAT measures critical reading and mathematical skills, the ACT includes subtests in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. Detailed information about the ACT may be found in the descriptive literature that comes with the registration form. Sample questions, test centers, preparation tips, and on-line registration may be found on the ACT website at: www.act.org The SAT Subject Tests may be required or recommended by some colleges. Check with the colleges you are interested in to find out if you need to take these tests. You cannot take the SAT Subject tests on the same day that you take the SAT Reasoning Test. Students are urged to plan ahead for the specific tests in order to schedule appropriate test dates.

January Review your PSAT using the online resources at mycollegequickstart.com and using your original test booklet. When selecting courses for next year, be certain to take all the courses required by the colleges in which you are interested and by the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Attend Financial Aid Workshops so you know what to expect as a senior.

District Financial Aid Meetings 6:00 p.m.—School Auditorium Thursday, December 18, 2014 Monday, January 12, 2015 Tuesday, January 13, 2015 Thursday, January 15, 2015 Thursday, January 22, 2015 Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Thursday, January 29, 2015 Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Alonso High School Plant City High School Freedom High School Riverview High School Brandon High School Jefferson High School Gaither High School Hillsborough High School

February Students interested in attending a Military Service Academy should begin the application process. Students should contact their US Senator and the appropriate Congressman and follow the indicated instructions. See your College and Career Counselor or counselor if you have any questions. Juniors should continue registering for the SAT and/or ACT.

March and April Contact and visit schools you are interested in over Spring Break. Register for and take the SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT and SAT Subject Tests. It is not too early to begin exploring scholarship opportunities. Become familiar with your school’s procedures for students to access scholarship information.

May

Check the SAT/ACT test schedule to make sure you have not missed any deadlines. You are approaching the last test dates for this school year. The next scheduled tests will be in September.

A sound academic background is the best preparation for all pre-college testing.