College Office Information Bulletin

Cathy Spano - College Counselor-Room 114B, Ext. 1142

TO ALL SENIORS:

Please read thoroughly and keep as a reference. Bring this bulletin home and share it with your parent or guardian.

I. COLLEGE OFFICE SERVICES:

Counseling and guidance are available to seniors and their parents or guardians in the areas of college selection, financial aid and scholarships. There is a library of college catalogs, viewbooks, reference guides, applications, videos, and internet access available for student use. Students may use the office as long as they DO NOT HAVE A CLASS. Bulletin boards in and around Room 114B (the College Office) display information on scholarships, open houses and other topics central to the college admission process. There is a scholarship wall in the office as well. *You MUST notify the College Office each time you apply to a school.

 

II. THE COLLEGE INTERVIEW:

Early in the Fall semester, the College Counselor will personally meet with each senior through various classes. The basics of the college and financial aid application processes will be reviewed during these presentations. In addition, every senior will be called down to the College Office for their PERSONAL COLLEGE INTERVIEW, at which time, in an individual/intimate group setting, the college selection process will be explored in depth. Any student who did not come down for their college interview by mid-December should inform Ms. Spano, so immediate arrangements can be made.

III. HOW DO I GET MY COLLEGE APPLICATIONS?

A. City University of New York - CUNY Applications:

  1. The CUNY application may be completed ONLINE ONLY at the CUNY Admissions Page Separate, detailed application instructions will be made available to you.
  2. In completing the application, you MAY APPLY TO UP TO SIX CUNY COLLEGES OR PROGRAMS. If you are not eligible at any of your choices, CUNY will still offer you a community college for admission, as long as you receive your diploma. DO NOT APPLY TO ANY 4-YEAR, SENIOR COLLEGE of CUNY, if you do not intend on taking the SAT exam at all. Even without an SAT exam, you may still apply, and will be accepted, to the 2-year community colleges.
  3. If you are not making payment online by credit card, a personal check or money order for $65 must be sent to UAPC as soon as possible after you complete your online application. The check should be made payable to: UAPC. (Note: It is not $65 per school, but $65 for up to all six choices.) Cash is NOT acceptable payment. See separate CUNY application instructions for further details.
  4. S.A.T. Scores - The four year colleges of CUNY REQUIRE SAT SCORES. The two year community colleges DO NOT; but it is still recommended that you send them.

**Important Note: When registering for the SAT, you need to use only one S.A.T. code for all colleges of CUNY. The CUNY code is : 2950 .

B. State University of New York - SUNY APPLICATIONS:

  1. The SUNY application and guidebook are available in the College Office (room 114B). Be sure to read the application instructions carefully.
  2. You may apply to up to six colleges on the SUNY application. Unlike CUNY, the fee is $50 PER COLLEGE. Therefore, it is $100 for two choices, $150 for three, etc.
  3. Make checks payable to: SUNY- ASC. or you can pay by credit card online. Also,you may qualify for a SUNY free waiver.
  4. S.A.T. Scores - Unlike CUNY, where you can use a one time, single CUNY SAT code, each SUNY college requires using its individual college SAT code.
  5. Private/Other Public Colleges/Technical " Vocational: YOU must obtain these applications as soon as possible. You can do this by using the internet.

IV. HOW ARE MY APPLICATIONS SENT OUT?

  • All applications not completed online,can be brought into the college office and we will guide you in how to put it all together.
  • If you have recommendations to send,we can help you with that also. You will need an official transcript, in a sealed envelope for each SUNY or private school you apply to. You must get that from the College Office. CUNY gets your transcript online.
  • When we give you the transcript in the sealed envelope you will sign for it and then you will be responsible for mailing it to the school.
  • Your SAT scores must be sent to each college you apply to. Most schools want them sent directly from College Board. If we have an official copy on file, some schools may accept them from us.
  • Please make sure you ask for transcripts and counselor forms,at least 2 weeks before the deadline.Schools want all your information together before the deadline.
ONLINE APPLICATIONS (except for CUNY) are incomplete until you submit an addressed, unsealed envelope, with two unattached stamps, for each college applied to. IMPORTANT NOTES:
  1. College application fee waivers are available,if you qualify.Due to their limited numbers, the CUNY fee waivers will be distributed on a 1st come-1st serve basis when you bring in a printed copy of your CUNY application (summary package). See separate instructions sheets for further details on CUNY fee waiver procedures. SAT fee waivers are also available,if you are on free or reduced lunch. Ask in room 114B about details.
  2. As a general rule, it is recommended that you submit ALL your college applications as soon as possible.
  3. ATTENTION FOREIGN STUDENTS- If you attended high school (grades 9,10, or 11) outside of the United States, you must provide the College Office with a copy of your original language transcript AND a literal (word for word) English translation of your foreign transcript.

V. HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Financial aid for college comes in four different types:

  1. Scholarships - free money given for some advanced ability, talent or area of study
  2. Grants - free money given based on economic need
  3. Loans - must be paid back
  4. Work/Study - must work a prescribed number of hours per week for which you are paid a salary.

YOU MAY APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID USING ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:

  1. FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID - FAFSA: is the main financial aid form used throughout the United States. The government will not accept it until after January 1. A separate bulletin will be issued to you in December providing further details.
  2. The College Scholarship Search - CSS Financial Aid Profile: is used only at a select few colleges. The colleges that require this form are listed on the form itself. This list is available in the College Office. If your college is listed, you must apply IMMEDIATELY.
  3. Additional Institutional Forms: may be required by some colleges. Contact your target colleges about any additional financial aid forms they may use.
  4. CUNY'S - S.E.E.K./C.D., SUNY'S - E.O.P., PRIVATE'S - H.E.O.P. : Are special opportunity programs for students identified as ECONOMICALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY disadvantaged. If your family income is below a specified amount, you may be admitted to a college you might otherwise have been rejected from. You may also receive a full to near full financial aid package to attend college. Complete each question in the SEEK/CD-EOP-HEOP parts of your application. Call your college's financial aid office or ask Ms. Spano for more details about these outstanding programs. Economic eligibility tables are available in the College Office and are shown in the CUNY and SUNY websites. Similar tables are used for the HEOP programs at private colleges.

VI. HOW CAN I SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?:

  1. Obtain information directly from your target colleges. Over 80% of all scholarship money comes from the colleges themselves!
  2. Search the internet.
  3. Periodically, the College Office will post scholarships in the college office.
  4. There are numerous scholarship guidebooks both in Room 114B and in your local library.
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