These web pages were created for students and parents to access information on college entrance exams, college admission processes, financial aid, career exploration, study skills, and scholarships. 

SOME GREAT REFERENCES FOR STUDENTS!           

http://www.collegefortexans.com à comprehensive website!  

www.collegeboard.com à click “For students”

www.fastweb.com à find the perfect college and scholarship

More useful websites to visit!

General:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/ à Texas Education Agency
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/ à Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

http://www.adventuresineducation.org à Adventures in Education

http://www.trioprograms.org à Trio Programs

General College Info:
http://www.fastweb.com à Free Search of Scholarships and Colleges

http://applytexas.org à Common Application for Texas Colleges

http://www.securityoncampus.org à Campus Safety

http://www.ed.gov/thinkcollege à Think College

Career:

http://www.cdr.state.tx.us/ à Career Development Resources
http://decide.cdr.state.tx.us/ à Information on various careers
http://www.collegeboard.com/apps/careers/index à career browser

http://jobcorps.doleta.gov à Job Corps

http://www.monster.com à Monster Job Search

http://acinet.org à America’s Career Info net

http://stats.bls.gov à Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/oco à Occupational Outlook Handbook

Financial Aid:
http://www.window.state.tx.us/scholars/ à On-line Compendium of Fin. Aid Resources
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ à FREE Federal Financial Aid form-Seniors apply after Jan. 1
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/Students/ à Federal Student Aid Home Page

http://www.finaid.org à Fin Aid Home Page

http://www.studentaid.ed.gov à Federal Student Aid on the Web

http://www.mapping-your-future.org à Mapping Your Future Homepage

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/scholarship à Project Scholarship Scam

http://www.irs.gov/individual/students/index.html à Taxes for Students

FAFSA

If you are planning to file your federal financial aid form on line, it is best to complete a Pre-Application Worksheet instead of a paper FAFSA to guide you along. A printable version of the worksheet will soon be available on line at the following website: www.studentaid.ed.gov, or after January 1^st  you may obtain a copy of the worksheet from Section 1 of the FAFSA on the Web home page, follow link below.

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Common Application for all Texas Public Colleges/Universities

http://www.applytexas.org to apply online

https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/thecb for paper copy.
Information can be viewed at www.thecb.state.tx.us

ATTENTION    STUDENT   ATHLETES

Attention Student Athletes—Students planning to pursue athletics at the college level must be aware of the core curriculum requirements.  For NCAA rules and an application beginning at the sophomore level, go to http://www.ncaaclearinghouse.net/ncaa/NCAA/common/index.html

Other Useful Information

College Visitation Information—

Senior students who are planning to attend a post-secondary school after graduation are encouraged to visit the institution.  Seniors may have two (2) visitation days (excused absences).  In order to be given an excused absence, the student must:

·         Make the request at least 2 to 3 days in advance.

·         Make arrangements with the proper college authorities well in advance of the desired day.  Never make plans to visit a college without calling that college first and making necessary appointments!

·         Obtain from the college written and signed verification of your visit and present this to HHS for an excused absence.

      (Remember more than 4 absences per quad results in clock hours.)

 ***TESTING INFORMATION AND DATES TO REMEMBER***

.

Testing Information and Dates to Remember:

THEA testing – Visit http://www.thea.nesinc.com or the counselor’s office for info to register for the statewide dates. The website also has great info and helpful tips on testing, as well as a full-length practice test.

 THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment):  If students are planning to attend a public community college, public technical college, or public university in Texas, they are required to take this basic assessment test for reading, writing, and math skills before enrolling in classes.  This test is NOT an admissions test, and students cannot be denied admission based on their score.  However, if certain requirements are not met then students may be placed in developmental classes to work on the above skills.

Students can be exempt from the THEA by:

          ***Having an ACT composite score of 23, with a minimum of 19 on both English and math tests; or

          ***Having an SAT combine verbal and math score of 1070, with a minimum of 500 on both verbal and math tests; or

          ***Scoring 2200 on Exit-level math TAKS, and score 2200 on Exit-level English/LA TAKS with a writing subscore of 3

. 

College is closer than you think.

• Find out the dates for the PSAT and the National Merit Scholars Qualifying Test (NMSQT) and register for them. Take some practice tests.
• Be sure you are enrolled in classes required by the RECOMMENDED HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM or the DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM to help make sure you're ready for college-level courses and to improve your chances for a TEXAS Grant.

Start looking through college catalogs and guidebooks, and/or visit college web sites. A good source of information is our List of Higher Education Institutions in Texas. It links to all colleges and universities in Texas.

• Put together a list of 10 colleges you would like to attend.
• Plan to apply to three or more colleges or universities.
• Discuss with your parents and counselor where you want to go to college.
• Attend a college night or a college fair within the next couple of months.
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT test.

• Look at college guide books in your counselor's office, the library, or on web sites.
• Request catalogs, admissions requirements, and financial aid information from colleges.
• Start planning to take the SAT test, if necessary. You may also need to take the ACT test. Ask your high school counselor about registration deadlines or visit a web site.

• Search for financial aid and scholarships. Your high school counselor can help. On this site, go to information on financial aid programs.
• Talk to college students who attend the college or university in which you're interested.
• Plan to take the SAT this spring. These scores are needed for early admission and for fall application deadlines.

• Take the exit-level Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (English/Spanish) this spring. Ask your counselor for TAKS Test dates.

• Ask your high school counselor about the Early Admission (Early Decision) plan offered by some colleges.
• If you are enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, take Advanced Placement (AP) tests.

• Ask your English teacher for a summer reading list, and read those books.
• Take summer courses if your counselor or the college has suggested doing so.

• Schedule visits to each of the schools on your final list, if possible. Contact the admissions office to schedule a campus tour.
• Request college admission applications if you plan to attend a community college, a Texas state technical college or a private (independent) college or university. You can find applications for many Texas independent (private) colleges and universities online at www.texasmentor.org(Your Guide to Texas Private Colleges). Review the applications to learn what information you need to gather before your busy senior year begins.
• Some institutions require essays as part of your admission application. Start working on yours now, if needed.      

One Year to Go — Make It Count.

• Ask your high school counselor for information on college entrance exams, the SAT and ACT, and register to take the appropriate test(s), if necessary.
• The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) will be given several times during the year. Take the exit-level TAKS Test if you have not already taken it, or retake any sections that you have not passed.
• Use the Texas Common Application for Admission if you are applying to one of the 35 public universities in Texas. Get a copy of the common application from your high school counselor or apply online at www.ApplyTexas.org. Applying online can save you time: complete the application once and send it directly on to as many of these public universities as you choose.
• If you plan to apply to a public community or technical college, contact the school directly for an application. You can find applications for many Texas independent (private) colleges and universities online at www.texasmentor.org(Your Guide to Texas Private Colleges), or contact the college or university directly for an application.

• Keep track of the application deadlines. Fill out application forms carefully and neatly. Start thinking about admission essays if required at the institutions to which you are applying. Write a rough draft.
• Choose your references. Colleges often want reference letters from two or three teachers. Pick teachers who know you well. Be sure to thank the teachers for their help.

• If the college you are applying to has a December deadline (deadlines vary), complete your admission application. Give the teachers who are writing letters of recommendation stamped, addressed envelopes for mailing your reference letters.

• Check all deadlines for early application and scholarships.
• Make sure all of your school records and test scores are sent in time to meet the December deadline. Call to verify that the college or university received your materials.
• If the college(s) to which you are applying have later deadlines, go ahead and finish preparing application materials.

• Deadlines are near. Make sure your application files are complete.
• Check with the admissions office to find out if more information is needed. Supply any additional information as quickly as possible.
• If you plan to apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Ask your high school counselor for a copy or apply online at FAFSA ONLINE. You may also call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). You can't apply before January 1, but plan to submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. The sooner you submit your FAFSA, the better your chance for a good financial aid package. If you and your parents need help with these forms, contact the college or university financial aid office. Make sure the form is filled out properly and mailed before the deadline. Keep a copy for your records. Important note for your parents: Prepare your IRS tax return early. This information will be needed to complete the FAFSA. You do not have to submit your tax return to complete the FAFSA but your student will need your information to complete the FAFSA.

• Students must take a basic skills test before enrolling in a Texas public college or university like the THEA, ACCUPLACER, ASSET, or COMPASS. This test is not used to decide admission, but shows students their needs to improve their reading, writing or math skills. Students who need help are directed to developmental education courses or other activities to make sure they are prepared for college-level courses.

• Continue sending other information that your college requests.
• If your college requires you to have a physical exam before you can register for classes, make an appointment for an exam with a doctor and take the appropriate forms from the college.

• By the end of the month, the college(s) to which you are applying should have received your applications, letters, test results, and other information. Call to confirm that they have received all of the materials. The application process is over, and the waiting begins. You should receive word on acceptance by the end of the month.

• Graduation!
• Acceptance letters are arriving. Some colleges will ask you to accept or decline an offer of admission. Write to the college you have chosen and say you plan to attend. Also, write to other colleges that accepted you and tell them you will not attend so they can offer admission to another student.
• The college you have chosen will send you more information on orientation dates, housing deposits, course schedules, and information on enrolling. For more tips on calendars and deadlines, check out the College Board's Planning Calendars.

    WHAT UNIVERSITY WILL I CHOOSE?

One single application (Paper or Electronic), works for every Texas public university.

In addition, you may use the electronic application to apply to Baylor University, Dallas Baptist University, Schreiner University, Blinn College, Tyler Junior College, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

The following application types are available electronically at www.applytexas.org: U.S. and International Freshman, Undergraduate U.S. and International Transfer, Transient, Undergraduate Readmit, U.S. and International Graduate, U.S. and International Law School.

The Texas Common Application eliminates the need to complete multiple applications.

The Code Book (2006-2007) (2007-2008) contains the majors and major codes for completing Item 14, page 1, as well as college and university codes, county codes and state codes.