1. College Admission tests
S A T-college ($49)
A C T-college ($49.50)
C O M P A S S-technical ($10)
•When
•Where
•How

2. Estimated cost of attending the following colleges or
universities for the year in 2010:
• USCL $5624
• Anderson University $27,500
• Clemson University $24,285
• Coastal Carolina $21,118
• College of Charleston $19,569
• USC $21,498
• Winthrop $17,339
• Lander $15,612
• Wofford $40,580
• Duke $53,390
• Harvard $52,000

3. So!
Why do some
colleges cost more
than others?

4. Applying to college
• Which college-reach, match, & safety
• Be realistic with Financial Expectations
• College Admission deadlines
• College Admission requirements?
(do the “colleges of choice” requirements
and the high school graduation
requirements match?)

5. SC requirements to graduate from
High School- 24units
• English-4 units
• U S History-1 unit
• Economics-1/2 unit
• Government-1/2 unit
• Other Social Studies-1 unit
• Mathematics-4 units
• Science-3 units
• Computer Science-1 unit
• Phys Ed or JROTC-I unit
• Foreign Language- 1 unit for college prep (your college requires
how many?)
or
Vocational-1 unit for tech prep
• Electives-7 units

6. A P courses
• Free or Nominal SC college
credit
For making a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP test
Each AP course worth around $1100-$1200
depending the cost of semester hours
• Helps prepare for the rigor of
college courses

7. What type college or University
• Large university-usually offers extensive and varied
programs and cutting edge research
• Small private 4-year-commonly a liberal arts education
and more personal interaction
• Technical or trade school-practical training and job skills
• Community College-2 years of general course work and
associate degrees in certain fields

8. Financial Aid
1 thing
st
FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
www.fafsa.ed.gov

9. Prepare for FAFSA
• Fill out taxes early
• Fill out fafsa online
• Do not pay for fafsa
• Do not pay for firms to do fafsa for you
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov

10. Different types of Financial Aid
• Non-need based aid
Based on student’s achievements or
characteristics
• Need-based aid
Awarded to students who would not be able
to pay for postsecondary education using
only their family’s financial resources.

11. 4 major types of financial
assistance
• Grants-typically need based & depend on
enrollment status-do not have to be paid
back.
• Loans-to be paid back (some can be
forgiven). Need or non-need based
• Scholarships- do not have to be paid
back. Typically merit based
• Work-Study-students work on campus to
help pay for college.

12. Where does your family find
information about scholarships?
• Colleges or Universities
• Community Organizations
• Local or National Businesses
• On-Line Scholarship Searches
• Local Library
• Counselor’s Office
• School web page

13. State Academic Scholarships
HOPE
• 3.0 regardless of rank or SAT score
• Good for only 1 year
• Converts to Life with a 3.0
• Must earn 30 semester hours
$2500 + $300 for books

14. State Academic Scholarships
Life
Must include 2 of the 3
• 3.0 GPA
• 1100 on SAT or 24 on ACT
• Top 30% of the graduating class
$5000 including book
allowance
Must earn 30 semester hours

15. State Academic Scholarships
Palmetto Fellows
Must include all 3 criteria
• Top 6 % of the graduating class
• 3.5 GPA
• 1200 SAT or 27 ACT
$6700 freshman year
$7500 sophomore/junior/senior
Must earn 30 semester hours

16. Acronyms
• COA-cost of attendance
• EFC-expected family contribution
(comes from FAFSA)
• FN-financial need
COA – EFC = FN

17. status
• Is your student or guardian
dependent or independent?
• When you have step
children, whose income is
used when filling out the
FAFSA?

18. Overage checks
• Are you and your child
prepared for overage
checks?

19. Professional Judgment
Call the financial aid offices
The financial aid
administrators will work
with you.

20. Sticker shock!
Do
Not
Get
sticker shock!

21. There is no silver bullet!
This information is like
medicine…
While it will help cure
the sick, it will not
raise the dead!

22. The Springs Close Foundation
Student loans
Contact-Judy Rowell
Tel 803-286-2197
Lancaster
Tel 803-548-2002
Fort Mill
Fax 803-416-4626
M-TH 8am-5pm
Friday 8 am-2 pm