12th Grade

Information:
College Application Process:

• Senior Groups - Begin in early September - End when all seniors have been met
  • Transcripts and graduation requirements will be reviewed
  • Seniors will be re-introduced to Naviance and learn how to use it in the application process
  • Seniors will send official letter of recommendation requests to teachers
  • Seniors will receive information about the Fall SAT/ACT registration
  • Seniors will receive a packet explaining the college application process
• Thanksgiving Recess is the ESM internal goal for college application completion

Financial Aid Process: see the financial aid section below for helpful information and links

• Financial Aid Applications (FAFSA & TAP) - can now be completed after October 1st
  • How to get Financial Aid help? Two dates are listed below for Financial Aid Help!
    •  FAFSA Help Night - East Syracuse Minoa High School **must sign up with the Counseling Dept (limited seats)
      • ESM brings in financial aid professionals from NYS HESC to help in completing financial aid applications. There are limited seats, so please sign up through the Counseling Department
  • Financial Aid Day - SUNY ESF *sign up online https://www.suny.edu/attend/events
    • The State University of New York offers financial aid application help from financial aid professionals. You must register online ahead of time. You do not need to be applying to or attending a SUNY college/university to take advantage of this support
    • November 17, 2018 - Financial Aid Day - SUNY OCC *sign up online https://www.suny.edu/attend/events
      • The State University of New York offers financial aid application help from financial aid professionals. You must register online ahead of time. You do not need to be applying to or attending a SUNY college/university to take advantage of this support
• Scholarship Information - there are many opportunities for scholarships. Please take advantage of them...
  • Naviance - please have your student log into their Naviance account. National Scholarships and Local Scholarships are both posted in their Naviance accounts.
  • National Scholarship Website - Fastweb
  • New York State HESC Grants, Scholarships, and Loan Programs
  • Raise Me Microscholarships - Get scholarships from colleges for your achievements in high school
  • Also check with local businesses, your bank, your place of employment as they are also good resources for scholarships.

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Athletes
Prospective college coaches may request a transcript - However, NO transcripts are available to coaches without a signed athlete parent permission form for student's under 18 years old. 
College Search & Application
Naviance~Family Connection is the primary resource for college searches. This program allows you to search colleges, save your searches, and apply to each college online! When applying to colleges students MUST use the Application Processing Form and Checklist & the Privacy Notice for College & Scholarship Apps (see related files below).  
College Visits to the ESM Campus
Naviance~Family Connection is the source for college visits coming to our campus. Login to Naviance, click on the "Colleges" tab, and click on "view all upcoming college visits".
Financial Aid
***SUNY STUDENT FINANCIAL AID DAYS*** SUNY's Statewide Student Financial Aid Days are offered as a service to ALL prospective college students and their families (not just students applying to SUNY colleges). The programs are designed to answer questions and provide assistance regarding the financial aid application, types of aid available, and the award process. SUNY ESF and SUNY OCC are two of the local colleges that host this event.
Resources
College Financial Aid Award Letter Comparison Tool to help college-bound students and families interpret their award letters and get the bottom line cost of each college before making their final decision.
 
The New York State Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA) was founded in 1968 by a group of people involved in the financial aid process. To access information, resources, and support by financial aid professionals, visit www.nysfaaa.org/.
 
StartHereGetThere.org is a website sponsored by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC). It provides students and families personal assistance with their FAFSA and other financial aid questions. Online chats are available, a free hotline Monday - Thursdays, and email any time. Please visit this website for any help or questions!
 
Federal and State Student Aid Application Process
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the starting point for receiving federal student aid. The FAFSA is FREE, so you should never be charged to complete the application! Most colleges require a completed FAFSA to develop financial aid packages and to offer scholarships.
Step 1- You must have an FSA ID to complete your FAFSA. You can apply for one at https://fsaid.ed.gov. Your FSA ID allows you to electronically sign when you submit your FAFSA. Both the student applying AND a parent must apply for an FSA ID.
Step 2- After October 1^st, you can fill out your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible.
***The online FAFSA also allows you to complete your New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application. If you complete your FAFSA and miss the TAP application, then visit https://www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/totw/.
Step 3 - Hopefully you completed the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application at the end of your FAFSA application. If not, then you will have to visit https://www.tap.hesc.ny.gov/totw/ to complete the application.