Friday, October 28, 2016

Updates - 10/28/16

Guidance Updates: 

For UMass Amherst, your Early Action deadline is November 1. However, they have given guidance counselors an extension to get supporting materials to them. FYI, we will not submit your school records until term 1 grades are official, per their request.

As a reminder, admissions processing centers often send an automatic reminder to students to submit their materials, even if everything has been sent in. Once you receive notice with instructions on how to set up an account with their admissions office, be sure to do so.  This will be how you find out what their admissions decisions is when it is released.  It may take a few weeks for their system to update that your application is complete

Yellow sheets are due November 1 for November 15 deadlines!
Also, if you haven’t seen your counselor yet this year and you are applying regular or rolling decision, please connect with him/her next week. 

CSS Profile Deadlines
There are a number of private colleges that require the CSS Profile through CollegeBoard for financial aid purposes. If you are applying early to schools that require the CSS Profile, it is highly recommended that you investigate the college's website to find the deadline for filing the CSS Profile for an early application.
See www.collegeboard.org for more information on the CSS Profile and a list of schools that require it for financial aid. (Scroll all the way to the bottom and click, CSS Profile/Financial Aid)
 
ACT: 
December 10 - deadline to register is November 4
February 11 - deadline to register is January 13

SAT: 
December 3 - deadline to register is November 3
January 21 - deadline to register is December 21

Open Houses and Information Sessions

Brandeis University Myra Kraft Transitional Year Program (MKTYP) information session
Wednesday, November 2, 2016.
The schedule for the event will be:
              8:30AM           Light breakfast & check-in
              9:00AM           MKTYP Information Session
              9:45AM           Q&A with Admissions and MKTYP Directors
            10:15AM           Student panel with MKTYP students
            11:00AM           Campus tour led by current MKTYP students
You are welcome to stay for lunch to experience more of our Brandeis community.

Register for the event at www.brandeis.edu.

UMass Boston’s 13th Annual Parent & Family NightMonday, November 7th from 6:30-8:30pm
Refreshments will be served

Admissions representatives will be discussing:
•    Distinctive academic opportunities including access programs and the UMass Boston Honors College
•    Admissions requirements and deadlines
•    University support services
•    Financing an education: financial aid, scholarships & grants

Curry College Open House
Saturday October 30
10am - 2pm
For more information or to RSVP online go to curry.edu/openhouse


Emmanuel College Open House
Saturday October 29

Lesley University Undergraduate Open House    
Sunday, October 30
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cambridge, MA
http://www.lesley.edu/undergraduate-open-house/?utm_source=agile&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=186UADMEM17_Oct_Open_House_to_Influencers

MassBay Community College Open House

Saturday November 19, 2016
9:45 am - 12:30 pm
www.massbay.edu

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Fall 2016 Open Houses
Saturday October 29 and Saturday November 12
RSVP today at mcla.edu/visiting


Merrimack College Open House
Sunday November 6

Middlesex Community College
Fall Open House: Saturday October 29 at Bedford Campus
Campus Tours: November 3, December 1, December 15 January 18 (Lowell Cowan Center Lobby)
November 16, December 6, January 10 (Bedford Enrollment Center)
Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu to register for a tour.

New England School of Photography Open House
Saturday, November 5
11am-2pm
RSVP by November 3 with your name and the number in your party.
openhouse.nesop.edu


Nichols College Decision Day
November 13
Register at www.nichols.edu

Northern Essex Community College Open House
November 5, 2016
10am - 12pm
For more information, email admissions@necc.mass.edu

University of Rhode Island Fall Open House
Saturday, October 29
RSVP online at uri.edu/admission

Roanoke College Information Sessions and Tours: Tuesday November 8
Fall Visit Day: Saturday November 19

Rochester Institute of Technology
Open Houses
November 12 and December 2
www.rit.edu

Rutgers University Engineering Open Houses
Friday, November 4 and Friday, November 18
Tours begin at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center with an admissions information session, followed by a five-campus bus tour. During the bus tour, families will be able to view one of the first-year residence halls on the Busch Campus. They will also break for lunch (on their own) before heading to the school-specific portion of the day at 1:15 p.m. A detailed itinerary is provided once a student is registered. Register at http://soe.rutgers.edu/tours

On Thursday, November 10 the tour will begin at 1 p.m. at the Visitor Center and will include an Engineering Dean's Overview, Student Panel, and an engineering departmental visit. Again, a detailed itinerary will be provided once registered.

Department options include one of the following:
•    Biomedical & Civil/Environmental
•    Chemical/Biochemical & Materials Science
•    Electrical/Computer & Industrial Systems
•    Mechanical/Aerospace & Applied Science/Packaging

Families can register for these tours while space is available at admissions.rutgers.edu/tours. To learn more about the engineering tours, please visit soe.rutgers.edu/tours.

University of Scranton Open House
Sunday November 6
9am - 2pm
Register online at scranton.edu/openhouse

Springfield College Fall Open House
November 6
For more information, and to register, visit springfield.edu/openhouse

Wentworth Institute of Technology
October 30 or November 20
To RSVP and more information, visit wit.edu/visit or call 617-989-4000

Massachusetts Daughters of the American Revolution, Inc. Scholarship
Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 are determined annually by the MDAR Scholarship Committee.

The objective of the MDAR Scholarship is to assist worthy young men and women, who are graduating high school seniors, to acquire higher education in colleges, commercial, technical and profession education institutions with a view of becoming competent, self-reliant productive citizens.

Please note:
*     Applicants must be United States Citizens and residents of Massachusetts
*     Applicants must be a member of the senior class of a secondary school in Massachusetts and rank scholastically in the upper 10% of the class.
      They must have been accepted, or plan to attend an institution of higher learning.
*     Applications must be made on the official MDAR, Inc. Scholarship Application and Need Form *     Application Deadline: February 15, 2017
*     Email jeansi@comcast.net for more information.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

FAFSA Day at UMass Lowell

Financial Aid application season has begun! New this year as of October 1, 2016 the 2017-2018 FAFSA is now available.

FAFSA Day Massachusetts is a FREE event that will provide the information, resources, and one-on-one assistance needed to complete this federally required financial aid form. 


WHEN is FAFSA Day?      Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 1:00-4:00pm

WHERE is FAFSA Day?    UMass Lowell, O’Leary Library, 61 Wilder St, Lowell, MA 01854

SERVICES:                          Online filing, Spanish speakers will be available

Monday, October 24, 2016

Boston College Splash

Boston College Splash needs your help to inspire a love of learning!

Boston College is opening its doors to your students!

Boston College Splash is a program that provides students grades 7-12 with a window into the college experience with full day of FREE classes taught by Boston College undergraduates! Courses range from "The Art of College Admissions" to "Basic American Sign Language" to "Colonizing Planet X"- and many, many more! All are welcome at BC Splash, where your students can foster a life-long enthusiasm for knowledge. We hope to see your students on BC's campus and in class on November 13th!

Our Website: bcsplash.com

Important Information

Student Registration:
October 20th-November 10th
Students can register on our website. Walk-ins are also welcome!

Splash Date: Sunday, November 13th, 9 AM - 4 PM



Thursday, October 20, 2016

Dinner with Our Docs: Concussions in Children

Dinner with Our Docs: Concussions in Children

Thursday, November 3rd from 6:00pm-8:00pm

Clark Auditorium, Lowell General Hospital's Main Campus

FREE

Dinner with our Docs is an opportunity for community members to meet and discuss a trending health topic with Lowell General Hospital physicians.

This discussion will focus on concussions in children. Emergency Department Pediatrician, Dr. Brian Sanders, will speak on:

·         warning signs of concussions

·         when to visit the doctor if you are concerned that your child has a concussion

·         care and risks for concussions

·         and more

A complimentary buffet dinner will be provided.

Who should attend?  Parents, guardians, grandparents, coaches, and interested community members! Please click here to register: http://www.lowellgeneral.org/health-and-wellness/wellness-and-you/dinner-with-our-docs-concussions-in-children

Monday, October 17, 2016

Bowdoin Information Session

Burlington Marriott Bowdoin Night

Thursday, October 20, 2016  
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Boston Marriott Burlington
1 Burlington Mall Rd
Burlington, MA 01803
United States

Friday, October 14, 2016

Class of 2017 Information - 10/14/2016

WA Guidance Updates: Yellow Sheets for November 1 Deadlines were due TODAY. If you did not turn them in to your counselor, please do so ASAP and email them to let them know! We must have a yellow sheet for each college you are applying to in order to send the school records.

Yellow sheets for November 15 deadlines are due November 1. 

December 3 SAT: Registration deadline is November 3
December 10 ACT: Registration deadline is November 4

Navigating the College Search for Students with Learning Differences: A Workshop for High School Students and Their Families
Curry College
November 15 at 7pm
RSVP by November 4, mbracken@curry.edu or (617) 333-2210

NEACAC College Fair
Wednesday, October 19, 2016,
Northern Essex Community College
Sports and Fitness Center on our Haverhill campus
6:00 pm-8:00 pm
http://www.neacac.org/asset/docs/cf%20northern%20essex%20posting%20oct%2011.pdf

Bryant University Fall Open House
October 15
Meet the people, see the facilities, and learn about our innovative programs that can help you create your path, expand your world, and achieve a lifetime of success.  The program includes academic overviews, a student organizations fair, and a campus tour. A special session for transfer students will be offered, and athletic coaches will be available from 9 to 10 a.m.

Bryant 101 – October 29, November 11, November 19
Hear a panel discussion about academics and student life, and take a campus tour. (Students should register online.)

Day With Class – Call for available dates
Attend a class, eat in our dining hall, and experience Bryant’s vibrant campus. (Students should register online.)

FIDM
Meet an Admissions Advisor
November 11 & 12
Schedule at FIDM.edu/go/CityVisits

Fitchburg State University Fall Open Houses
October 29 and November 12
Register at admissions.fitchburgstate.edu/portal/fall_open_house

Harvard College Prospective Applicants Program
October 30
1pm - 2:30pm

James Madison University Fall Open Houses
October 15 and November 12
www.jmu.edu/admissions/openhouses

Information Session
Saturday October 29
2-4pm
Boston Marriott Newton
2345 Commonwealth Avenue
Newton, MA 02459

NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, November 5, 2016
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Tours and Demonstrations Scheduled to Begin Approximately Every 30 Minutes
Last Tour Departs at 1:30 PM
Visit us and learn about our wealth of course offerings, see our facilities, meet our faculty of Professional Photographers and learn how you can turn your passion for photography into a successful career!
If you plan to attend, please RSVP with your name and the number of people in your group.

University of Hartford Fall Preview Days
October 16, 30
November 13
admission.hartford.edu/preview

University of Massachusetts, Lowell Fall Open Houses
October 23 or October 30
Register online at uml.edu/openhouse

University of Southern Maine Fall Open House
October 22, 2016
12pm - 4:30pm
usm.maine.edu/openhouse - RSVP by October 18
Tours available: usm.maine.edu/tours

Gordon College Auditions
Our auditions take place on six dates, beginning in early November and continuing in this spring. We encourage you to complete our easy online music application soon, and select the audition date you would prefer.

Saturday, November 12, 2016 | Morning auditions

Friday, December 2, 2016 | Noon auditions

Monday, January 30, 2017 | Morning auditions

Sunday, February 19, 2017 | Evening auditions

Friday, February 24, 2017 | Morning auditions

Saturday, March 25, 2017 | Morning audtions

Pace University Fall Open House
Westchester Campus: Sunday October 16
New York City Campus: Sunday October 23
Register at www.pace.edu/openhouse

St. John's University Fall Open Houses
Saturday October 15, Sunday November 20 (Queens Campus)
Saturday October 22 (Staten Island Campus)
stjohns.edu/VisitSJU

NAAAP Future Leader Award Scholarship
The Boston Chapter of the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP-Boston) is once again proud to present the Future Leader Award Scholarship for the 2016-2017 academic year. The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize outstanding local high school seniors who have demonstrated leadership qualities inside and outside of the classroom.

These awards are open to all Massachusetts high school seniors who are of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent and are graduating in 2017.  ESL/ELL candidates are encouraged to apply. Please notify all potential candidates of this important scholarship opportunity. The application is attached to this email.

Applications are also available online through our website at www.naaapboston.org by clicking on the “Programs” link and then selecting “Future Leaders Scholarship.”

Completed applications must be mailed in and received by Friday, February 3rd , 2017. It is important that applicants must send in all application materials by that deadline in order to qualify. The mailing address can be found on the scholarship application.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship Program - application at www.nationalmssociety.org/scholarship
Eligibility requirements:

  • High school seniors who have a parent with MS who will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
  • High school seniors who have MS and will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
  • High school (or GED) graduates of any age who have a parent with MS who will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
  • High school (or GED) graduates of any age who have MS and will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
  • In addition, 2016 recipients are eligible to reapply.
  • Applicants must be United States citizens or legal residents living in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam or any other U.S. territory and plan to enroll in an undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school located in the U.S, PR, VI, Guam or any other U.S. territory.
  • Students who are planning a mission trip, GAP year, or other experience and do not plan to enroll in college for the 2017-18 academic year should not apply now. Instead, apply in the year you plan to enroll in college.
  • Enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester in coursework leading to a first-time degree, license or certificate.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

United States Air Force Academy



HORIZONS                                                                      Volume  VI, October 2016


Find an Admissions Advisor by Region

If you or your students have questions or want more information about the United States Air Force Academy, please contact your area's admissions advisor, as well as the Admissions Liaison Officer (ALO) who lives in your community for your school. You can find those contacts here.


Outreach Events
 Learn more about the United States Air Force Academy!  We have representatives at multiple outreach events throughout the year. Click here to find upcoming events in your area.


KEY Dates:

Deadline for submitting the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire online is December 31.
Congressional representatives and other nominating entities submit nominations to the Academy between December 1 and January 31.
Applications for our Summer Seminar program are open from December 1 through January 15.  This program gives high school juniors a chance to see what life at the United States Air Force Academy is really like.  Limited spaces are available.
Rolling Deadlines: Applicants' specific deadlines to complete their file is posted on their portal. They must complete the required items by the deadline posted.

During a Student's Junior Year

Junior year is when the application process to the United States Air Force Academy truly begins. Students will start by filling out the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire, which becomes available online March 1 every year and starts the application process. When a student is ready to begin the application, they can visit the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire online.

Between March 1 of their junior year and December 31 of their senior year, they must also request nominations from their state’s congressional representative(s) or other designated nominators.


Who Are We Looking For?

The United States Air Force Academy strives to create a highly qualified and truly diverse cadet wing at the Academy each year. In addition to diversity in terms of race, ethnicity and gender, we are looking to expand our applicant pool across individual characteristics defined by our diversity definition, including:

Personal life experiences, including having overcome adversity by personal efforts
Geographic background, such as region, rural, suburban, urban
Socioeconomic and educational background, such as academic excellence and/or whether an individual would be a first generation college student
Cultural knowledge and language abilities, with particular emphasis on cultures and languages of strategic importance to the Air Force
Work background, including prior enlisted service
Physical abilities, including athletic prowess
Age, though applicants must be within statutory parameters for academy attendance
We take a holistic view of our applicants.  They're more than a GPA or standardized test score.  We're looking for students who have a desire to serve and seek an education that is on par with highly selective colleges and universities.   For our top diversity candidates, we offer the Falcon Visitation Experience.  This opportunity gives prospective students an opportunity to spend three days on our campus to get a first-hand look at what United States Air Force Academy life is like.  If you have students who may be a good fit for this program, please have them talk to their admissions advisor.

Campus Tours

If you have students who are interested in pursuing an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy and plan to visit the campus, they may wish to participate in an escorted tour and admissions briefing. Offered during the academic year to middle school, high school, and post-high school students, tours can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of the United States Air Force Academy environment. Escorted tours are conducted regularly throughout the academic year and require reservations 14 days in advance.

We also offer Game Day tours. After the tour, participants will be allowed to purchase discounted tickets to cheer on our AF Falcons for football, hockey, and men’s and women’s basketball.

For more on available dates for both tours, please go here or call 1-800-443-3864.

​ www.academyadmissions.com

Teaching Your Child Emotional Agility

Teaching Your Child Emotional Agility


The ability to recognize and manage emotions, known as emotional intelligence, is critical to lifelong success, psychologists say. 
 
  Credit Christopher Capozziello for The New York Times
It’s hard to see a child unhappy. Whether a child is crying over the death of a pet or the popping of a balloon, our instinct is to make it better, fast.

That’s where too many parents get it wrong, says the psychologist Susan David, author of the book “Emotional Agility.” Helping a child feel happy again may offer immediate relief for parent and child, but it doesn’t help a child in the long term.

“How children navigate their emotional world is critical to lifelong success,” she said.

Research shows that when teachers help preschoolers learn to manage their feelings in the classroom, those children become better problem solvers when faced with an emotional situation, and are better able to engage in learning tasks. In teenagers, “emotional intelligence,” or the ability to recognize and manage emotions, is associated with an increased ability to cope with stressful situations and greater self-esteem. Some research suggests that a lack of emotional intelligence can be used to predict symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Emotional skills, said Dr. David, are the bedrock of qualities like grit and resilience. But instead of allowing a child to fully experience a negative emotion, parents often respond with what Dr. David describes as emotional helicoptering.

“We step into the child’s emotional space,” she said, with our platitudes, advice and ideas. Many common parental strategies, like minimizing either the emotion or the underlying problem or rushing to the rescue, fail to help a child learn how to help herself.

Dr. David offers four practical steps for helping a child go through, rather than around, a negative emotion and emerge ready to keep going — feel it, show it, label it, watch it go.

Feel It. While it may seem obvious to feel emotions, many families focus on pushing away negative emotions. “When we’re saying ‘don’t be sad, don’t be angry, don’t be jealous, don’t be selfish,’ we’re not coming to the child in the reality of her emotion,” she said. “Validate and see your child as a sentient person who has her own emotional world.”

Show It. Similarly, many families have what Dr. David calls “display rules” around emotions — there are those it is acceptable to show, and those that must be hidden. “We see expressions like ‘boys don’t cry’ and ‘we don’t do anger here,’ or ‘brush it off,’” she said. “We do it with very good intentions, but we are teaching that emotions are to be feared.”

Label It. Labeling emotions, Dr. David said, is a critical skill set for children.
“We need to learn to recognize stress versus anger or disappointment,” she said. Even very young children can consider whether they’re mad or sad, or angry or anxious or scared. “Labeling emotions is also at the core of our ability to empathize. Ask ‘How do you think so-and-so is feeling? What does their face tell you?’”

As children get older, she adds, we can talk more about emotional complexities. “We can be simultaneously excited and anxious and frustrated, and we also need to learn to recognize that in other people,” she said.

Watch It Go. Even the hardest emotions don’t last forever. Dr. David suggests helping your child to notice that. “Sadness, anger, frustration — these things have value, but they also pass. They’re transient, and we are bigger than they are. Say, ‘This is what sadness feels like. This is what it feels like after it passes. This is what I did that helped it pass.’”

We can also help children to remember that we don’t necessarily feel the same emotion every time we have a similar experience. The high dive is scariest the first time. We might feel a lot of anxiety at one party, or in one science class, but have a different experience the next time.

“We’re very good, as humans, at creating these stories around emotions,” Dr. David said. “‘I’m not good at making friends. I can’t do math.’ Those are feelings and fears, not fixed states. People and things change.”

Finally, she said, help your child plan for experiencing the emotion again. “Ask, ‘Who do you want to be in this situation?’” she said. “What’s important to you about this?” Children feel stronger as they begin to learn that it’s not how they feel, but how they respond to the feeling, that counts.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

12 Most Common FAFSA Mistakes

12 Common FAFSA Mistakes


The 2017–18 FAFSA® is now available! This year, the FAFSA launched 3 months earlier than usual—on October 1, 2016.

Beginning this year, you’ll also be required to use earlier (2015) tax information than in previous years. How does that benefit you? Since you’ve already filed your 2015 taxes, you’ll be able to transfer your tax information into your FAFSA right away! (And you won’t need to update your FAFSA after you file 2016 taxes.)


These exciting changes are sure to save you time and make the FAFSA much easier to complete. Just make sure to take your time so you don’t make one of these mistakes:

1. Not Completing the FAFSA

I hear all kinds of reasons: “The FAFSA is too hard,” “It takes too long to complete,” I never qualify anyway, so why does it matter?” It does matter. The FAFSA is not just the application for federal grants such as the Pell Grant. It’s also the application for work-study funds, low-interest federal student loans, and even scholarships and grants offered by your state, school, or private organization. If you don’t complete the FAFSA, you could lose out on thousands of dollars to help you pay for college. The FAFSA takes little time to complete, and there is help provided throughout the application. Oh, and contrary to popular belief, there is no income cut-off when it comes to federal student aid.

2. Not Using the Correct Website

The official FAFSA website is fafsa.gov. That’s .gov! You never have to pay to complete the FAFSA. If you’re asked for credit card information, you’re not on the official government site.

3. Not Getting an FSA ID Ahead of Time

An FSA ID is a username and password that you must use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites, including fafsa.gov. You AND your parent, if you’re considered a dependent student, will each need your own, separate FSA IDs if you each want to sign your FAFSA online.
Why is it so important to get an FSA ID early? Well, once you register for an FSA ID, you may need to wait up to three days before you can use it to sign your FAFSA. If you don’t want your FAFSA to be delayed, create an FSA ID now. If you’re a dependent student, have your parent create an FSA ID too. Just DO NOT share your FSA IDs with each other!
Create an FSA ID (button)

4. Waiting to Fill Out the FAFSA

If you want to get the most financial aid possible, fill out the FAFSA ASAP after October 1. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and some states and colleges run out of money early, so even if your deadlines aren’t for a while, get your FAFSA done ASAP. Now that you’re required to use earlier (2015) tax information to complete the FAFSA, you have no excuse to wait!
Which brings me to…

5. Not Filing by the Deadline

As I said, you should fill out the FAFSA as soon as you can, but you should DEFINITELY fill it out before your earliest FAFSA deadline. Each state and school sets its own deadline. Some priority deadlines will be earlier this year because the FAFSA is available earlier. To maximize the amount of your financial aid, fill out your FAFSA (and any other financial aid applications that may be required by your state or school) by your earliest deadline, if not sooner!
Check FAFSA Deadlines button

6. Not using your FSA ID to start the FAFSA

When you go to log in to fafsa.gov, you will be given the option to “Enter your (the student’s) FSA ID” OR “Enter the student’s information.” If you are the student, we highly recommend choosing the first option (highlighted below) if you can. If you log in with your FSA ID, a lot of your information (name, Social Security number, date of birth, etc.) will be automatically loaded into your application.  This will prevent you from running into a common error that occurs when your verified FSA ID information doesn’t match the information on your FAFSA. Additionally, you won’t have to provide your FSA ID again to transfer your information from the IRS or to sign your FAFSA electronically.
2017-18 FAFSA Login Enter FSA ID

IMPORTANT: We recommend that you, the student, start the FAFSA so you can choose the option above. However, if you are a parent who is starting a FAFSA on your child’s behalf, you should use only the option on the right (because you should not know your child’s FSA ID.)

7. Not Reading Definitions Carefully

When it comes to completing the FAFSA, you want to read each definition and question carefully, because sometimes, how the FAFSA wants you to answer certain questions is not how you’d intuitively answer the question.
Here are some items that have very specific (but not intuitive) definitions according to the FAFSA:
  • Legal Guardianship: One question on the FAFSA asks: “As determined by a court in your state of legal residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?” Many students incorrectly answer “yes” here. For this question, the definition of legal guardianship does not include your parents, even if they were appointed by a court to be your guardian. You are also not considered a legal guardian of yourself.
  • Parent: The FAFSA has very specific guidelines for which parent(s) need to be reported on the FAFSA. (Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with who claims you on their taxes.)
  • Your Number of Family Members (Household size): The FAFSA has a specific definition of how your or your parents’ household size should be determined. Read the instructions carefully. Many students incorrectly report this number, especially when the student doesn’t physically live with the parent.
  • Number of Family Members in College: Enter the number of people in your (or your parents’) household who will attend college at the same time you attend college. Don’t forget to include yourself. Do not include your parents in this number. This number should never be greater than your number of family members.

8. Inputting Incorrect Information

Here are some examples of common errors we see on the FAFSA:
  • Confusing Parent and Student Information: I know there are many parents out there who fill out the FAFSA for their child, but remember, the FAFSA is the student’s application. When the FAFSA says “you” or “your”, it’s referring to the student, so make sure to enter your (the student’s) information. If we are asking for your parent’s information, we will specify that in the question.
  • Entering the Wrong Name (Yes, I’m serious): You wouldn’t believe how many people have issues with their FAFSA because they entered an incorrect name on the application. It doesn’t matter if you’re Madonna, or Drake, or whatever Snoop Lion is calling himself these days. You must enter your full name as it appears on your Social Security card. No nicknames.
  • Entering the Wrong Social Security Number (SSN): When we process FAFSAs, we cross-check your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration. To avoid delays in processing your application, triple-check that you have entered the correct SSN. If you meet our basic eligibility criteria, but you or your parents don’t have an SSN, follow these instructions.
  • Amount of Your Income Tax: Here, we are asking for your assessed income tax liability, not the amount of income tax withheld, and not your adjusted gross income (AGI). I know this is complicated. To make it simple, either transfer your tax info into the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool or use this to find out which tax line number you should refer to when answering this question. (Note: It depends on which IRS form you filed.)

9. Not Reporting Parent Information

Even if you fully support yourself, pay your own bills, and file your own taxes, you may still be considered a dependent student for federal student aid purposes, and therefore, you’ll need to provide parent information on your FAFSA. Dependency guidelines for the FAFSA are determined by Congress and are different from those of the IRS. Find out whether you need to provide parent information by answering these questions.
If you’re considered a dependent student and don’t provide parent information, your FAFSA may not be processed, you may not receive an EFC and/or you may only qualify for unsubsidized loans.
Bonus: Who is my parent when I fill out the FAFSA?
Who is my parent when I fill out my FAFSA (Infographic)

10. Listing only one college

Two-thirds of precollege FAFSA applicants list only one college on their applications. Unless you are only applying to one college or already know where you’re going to school, this is a mistake! Colleges can’t see the other schools you’ve added, so you should add ANY college you are considering to your FAFSA, even if you aren’t sure whether you’ll apply or be accepted. You can add up to 10 schools at a time. If you’re applying to more than 10 schools, follow these steps.
TIP: It doesn’t hurt your application to add more schools. In fact, you don’t even have to remove schools you later decide not to apply to. If you don’t end up applying or getting accepted to a school, the school can just disregard your FAFSA. But you can remove schools at any time to make room for new schools.

11. Not Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

For many, the most difficult part about filling out the FAFSA is entering the financial information. But now, thanks to a partnership with the IRS, students and parents who are eligible can automatically transfer the necessary tax info into the FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. And this year, the tool will be available on the same day the FAFSA launches (you used to have to wait until February.)
Since we’re requiring earlier tax information (2015 info instead of 2016 info), you’ll already have filed your 2015 taxes by the time you start the 2017–18 FAFSA. This means you can transfer your tax info right away and you won’t need to go back in and update your FAFSA with 2016 tax info. In fact, you can’t update the application with 2016 tax info; 2015 is what’s required.

12. Not Signing the FAFSA

So many students answer every single question that is asked, but fail to actually sign the FAFSA with their FSA ID and submit it. This happens for many reasons —maybe you forgot your FSA ID, or your parent isn’t with you to sign with the parent FSA ID —so the FAFSA is left incomplete. Don’t let this happen to you.
  • If you don’t know your FSA ID, select “Forgot username” and/or “Forgot password.”
  • If you don’t have an FSA ID, create one. (Note: You may need to wait up to three days for your information to be verified before you can use your new FSA ID to sign the FAFSA, but it’s still faster than mailing a signature page.)
If you’re not able to sign with your FSA ID, you and/or your parent have the option to mail a signature page. If you would like confirmation that your FAFSA has been submitted, you can check your status immediately after you submit your FAFSA online.

Nicole Callahan is a Digital Engagement Strategist at Federal Student Aid.

Five Ways to Avoid That Cringe-Worthy Essay

Five ways to avoid that cringe-worthy essay

Lee Bierer

You want your essay to be the one that is passed around the admissions office…. or not. It’s a little bit like the difference between being famous and infamous. We all know that a sincere, well-written essay that provides insights about how the student has matured, is occasionally shared among the admissions staff. But, I’m guessing that there are a lot more essays that produce eye-rolls, giggles and gasps of “not again.”

So how do you make your essay famous instead of infamous?

Here are some basic tips to avoid that cringe-worthy essay:

1. Don’t write the “safe” essay. Pick a topic that only you can write about. It could be something that others also experienced but make sure to have your own personal take on how it affected you. Lots of students think that the only things colleges care about is community service, so they feel the need to write about their mission trip experience. It is very hard to write a compelling essay that is remarkably different from the hundreds or even thousands of other mission trip essays. Admissions officers have read it all before. Here are some of the most frequently used mission trip snippets: “I never expected to learn so much.” “I received so much more than I gave.” “On the outside we might be different, but I learned that underneath, we are all really the same.” Triple eye-roll.

2. Avoid the generic and get specific. Don’t write that you’re well-rounded or that many people have impacted you. Tell the reader what you’ve done, how you’ve been influenced and by whom.

3. Don’t repeat information that is elsewhere in your application. There is no need to share your participation level (hours per week and weeks per year) because colleges ask for that information on your activity list. It is important for the student to use every opportunity to provide insight into who they are and impress the admissions office. Certainly you can talk about your extracurricular activities in your essay, but avoid the laundry list and instead talk about how and why you’re involved in these activities.

4. Don’t complain. If you have endured difficult circumstances, it is appropriate to share your story. But don’t point fingers, whine or sound like you’ve given up. It’s important to demonstrate perseverance and resilience. The better essay will talk about how you have dealt with and hopefully overcome the obstacles presented.

5. Don’t talk about rankings. Many students love focusing on the numbers when they are writing their “why this college” essay. They believe they are flattering the college by telling them that the reason they want to attend is because the college is highly ranked in S. News & World Report. Obviously schools are aware of their rankings but they want to know why you want to attend.

Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@collegeadmissionsstrategies.com; www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Updates - October 5, 2016

2016 Boston Performing and Visual Arts College Fair 
Thursday, October 27th, 2016
7 p.m to 9 p.m.
Boston University – Fuller Building

This program is an important resource for the fine arts students interested in pursuing undergraduate and graduate programs of study in the areas of music, theatre, dance, visual arts, graphic design, film production, and other related disciplines.

Students will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from colleges, universities, conservatories, festivals, and other educational institutions with specialized programs in the visual and performing arts. Attendees of these free events will learn about educational opportunities, admission and financial aid, portfolio days, auditions and entrance requirements, and much more. A workshop on Navigating the Audition/Portfolio Process will be offered from 6:10 p.m to 6:50 p.m at the College of Fine Arts - Theatre Lab.

Drexel University Fall Open Houses
October 8 – 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
October 9 – 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
November 5 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
November 6 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The George Washington University Information Session
When: Sunday, October 23
Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466
 
Pace University Fall Open House Events
Westchester Campus
Sunday, October 16, 10:00 a.m.
861 Bedford Road, Entrance 1 or 2
Goldstein Health, Fitness, and Recreation Center
Pleasantville, NY 10570

New York City Campus
Sunday, October 23, 10:00 a.m.
One Pace Plaza
New York, NY 10038
Student may register at: www.pace.edu/openhouse
 
Financial Aid Workshops
Westchester Campus
October 29, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or
November 11, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
861 Bedford Road, Entrance 3
Kessel Student Center: Multi-purpose room
Pleasantville, NY 10570

New York City Campus
October 29, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or
November 11, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
One Pace Plaza, Bianco Room
New York, NY 10038

Students may register at www.pace.edu/financialaid


NEBHE's Tuition Break, the New England Regional Student Program (RSP).

The Tuition Break program will be relevant to students who find that their intended program of study is not offered by the University of Massachusetts system, Massachusetts state universities or the Massachusetts community colleges.

The RSP provides a tuition break to Massachusetts residents, who are enrolled in approved degree programs at public colleges and universities in the five other New England states.
Find more information and the list of majors at: http://www.nebhe.org/programs-overview/rsp-tuition-break/overview/