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Piner High Counseling Resource Center

(Updated:  9-1-08)

Counselors

What’s New

For the latest information on 2008-2009 college admission information, financial aid, scholarships, and important deadlines, parents and students can:

ü       Pick up a copy of “The Prospector,” (available August 1^st.) from the counseling office or from Mr. Cox.  The Prospector is Piner’s comprehensive resource guide for parents and students.  Virtually everything you need to know about Piner, college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and just about anything else, is in The Prospector.

ü       Pick up a copy of “Fund Your Future.”  This is by far the best resource for federal, state, and local financial aid.

ü       Visit the lobby outside the counseling office. All information on this website is also available in the lobby area.  The Scholarship Binder will be in the lobby as well.

ü       Visit CollegeBoard.com for SAT/ACT registration, college information, and scholarship opportunities.

ü       Scholarship Binder:  National, state, and local private scholarships are in a binder in the counseling office lobby.

The following pages contain:

ü       Planning for College Guidelines

ü       Academic/College Calendar

ü       SAT Calendar:  Test dates for administration of the SAT test.

ü       Applying to College:  Tips and Suggestions.

ü       Financial Aid and Scholarships:  National, State

Planning For College

Piner High School Academic/College/Financial Aid Planning/ Calendar

Important Information

ü       Students have the first three weeks of the fall semester (deadline is September 2^nd) ^h) and the first two weeks of the spring semester (deadline is January 16^th) to make schedule changes. 

ü       College bound juniors should take the SAT or ACT in the spring semester.

ü       Most grades of ‘D’ and all grades of ‘F’ in A-G subjects must be repeated.  See your counselor for details.

ü       Piner has 8 scholarships available just for Piner seniors.  Interested students should complete

        Piner’s Common Application.

ü       Go to CollegeBoard.com to register for the SAT and AP tests.

ü       Seniors should begin asking staff members for letters of recommendation for colleges and scholarships in August and September.

August

*** Check the counseling office for an updated version of this calendar.  Specific dates and deadlines will be added.

13^th                         First day of school.

Ø       Seniors should register for SAT/ACT and SAT subject tests.  Most schools want these tests taken by the December test administration.

Ø       Seniors who need to make up credit should see their counselor regarding 5 and 1 credit make up classes.

September

*** Check the counseling office for an updated version of this calendar.  Specific dates and deadlines will be added.

*** Counselors will be making classroom presentations to 12^th graders regarding college admission and financial aid.

2^nd                           Last day to add or drop a class.

Ø       Register for October/November/December SAT/ACT and SAT Subject Tests.  Tests must be taken by December for fall enrollment for most colleges.

Ø       Juniors:  Register for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. Date and time is on Piner’s website. CSU admission cycle begins October 1^st.  Admission deadlines vary by campus.

Ø        Begin researching scholarships.  The Scholarship Binder is in the counseling office lobby and on Piner’s website.

Ø       November 1^st to November 30^th is the priority admission-filing period for UC schools/For fall ’09 admission.

Ø       Seniors:  Check with your counselor regarding 5 credit and 1 credit make-up classes.

Ø       Seniors should begin asking staff for letters of recommendation for scholarships and private colleges

October

***PSAT is this month.  Check the updated calendar or Piner’s web site for the specific date.

*** Check the counseling office for an updated version of this calendar.  Specific dates and deadlines will be added.

***CSU application cycle begins.

7^th-8^th                     Exit Exam for Seniors

10^th                         First quarter ends.

Ø       Register for November/December SAT/ACT and SAT Subject Tests.

Ø       SAT is given this month.

Ø       PSAT is this month.  Register in the business office. Date and Time is on Piner’s website.

Ø       Begin researching scholarships.  The Scholarship Binder is in the counseling office lobby and on Piner’s website.

November

*** Check the counseling office for an updated version of this calendar.  Specific dates and deadlines will be added.

*** The Rotary Scholarship application is due Friday, December 5^th.

*** Exit Exam 11^th & 12^th.

4^th-5^th                     Exit Exam for Juniors and Seniors

26^th- 31^st                Thanksgiving break

Ø       November 1^st to November 30th is the priority admission-filing period for UC campuses/fall ’09 semester.

Ø       SAT is given this month.

Ø       Register for the December/January/March SAT.

Ø       Begin researching scholarships.  The Scholarship Binder is in the counseling office lobby and on Piner’s website.

December

5^th                           Rotary Scholarship Application due.

19^th                         End of the semester and beginning of Christmas break.

Ø       Begin to complete the FAFSA.  Do not submit FAFSA until after January 1^st.

Ø       SAT is given this month.

Ø       Cal Grant forms are available in the counseling office or on-line.

Ø       Register for the January/March/May SAT.

Ø       See your counselor about enrolling at SRJC for spring semester.

Ø       Begin researching scholarships.  The Scholarship Binder is in the counseling office lobby and on Piner’s website.

January

***Students have the first two weeks of the semester (January 16^th) to add or change a class.

***Complete the Cal Grant and FAFSA to maximize financial aid opportunities.

5^th                           Beginning of spring semester.

16^th                         Last day to add or drop a class.

Ø       Complete the FAFSA and Cal Grant Form.

Ø       SAT is given this month.

Ø       Seniors:  See your counselor about 5-credit and 1 credit make-up classes.

Ø       March 2^nd is the priority deadline for the FAFSA and the final deadline for the Cal Grant and Doyle Scholarship.

Ø       Research scholarships.  Visit the counseling office lobby or Piner’s web site for lists of current scholarships.

Ø       See the school registrar regarding graduation:  diploma, cap, gown, pictures, etc.

Ø       March 2nd.  is the deadline for Piner’s remaining scholarships.  Remember to complete the common application.  See Mr. Cox for details.

February

***Counselors from Piner and SRJC meet with all eligible seniors in the PAC to complete the Doyle application. Watch for

       announcements in the school bulletin or on Piner’s website

Ø       March 2^nd is the priority deadline for the FAFSA, and the final deadline for Cal Grant and Doyle Scholarship.

Ø       Register for the March SAT.

Ø       Seniors:  Register for 5 and 1 credit make-up classes. Begin researching scholarships.  The Scholarship Binder is in the counseling office lobby and on Piner’s website.

Ø       March 2^nd  is the deadline for Piner’s remaining scholarship programs.  Remember to complete the common application.   See Mr. Cox for details.

Ø       See the school registrar regarding graduation:  diploma, cap, gown, pictures, etc.

3^rd-4^th              Exit Exam for 10^th only

March

***Financial Aid month!  March 2^nd deadline for: FAFSA, Cal Grant, Doyle and all remaining Piner Scholarships.

***Exit Exam make up for 10^th graders and regular test  for 11^th and 12^th.

Ø       March 2^nd  is the deadline for Piner  scholarships. Complete the common application.  See Mr. Cox for details.

Ø       SAT is given this month.

Ø       Register for the May/June SAT. College-bound juniors are encouraged to take the SAT/ACT this spring.

Ø       Begin researching scholarships.  The Scholarship Binder is in the counseling office lobby and on Piner’s website.

Ø       Seniors:  Register for 1-credit make-up classes.

Ø       Sign up for AP testing in May.

2^nd                           Deadline for FAFSA, Cal Grant, Doyle, and the remaining Piner Scholarships.

13^th                         End of the 3^rd quarter.

17^th-18^th                 Exit Exam for 10^th (make up), 11^th and 12^th.

23^rd                         Beginning of spring break.

April

***Star testing is this month from the 6^th to the 24^th

Ø       See your counselor about all summer school programs:  SRCS/SRJC.

Ø       AP students should register for upcoming AP testing in May.  Register in the business office.

Ø       Send 1^st semester  transcripts to colleges.

6^th-24^th     STAR Testing

May

Graduation is May 29^th!!!!!

12^th-13^th                 Exit Exam for 11^th and 12^th.

Ø       AP testing is in May.  Register in the business office.

Ø       See your counselor regarding Counseling 370 classes at SRJC.

Ø       Sign up for summer school programs through SRCS and SRJC.

Ø       Senior Awards Night is this month.  Watch the bulletin and school web site for date and time.

Ø       An exit exam may be offered to senior this month.  Check with Piner’s Vice Principal for updated testing dates.

Ø       Senior trip is this month.  Watch the bulletin and web site for specific dates.

The next page has all administration dates for the SAT

Applying to College

College Application & Admission Information

Quick Notes/Suggestions

ü       Print copies of every transaction you make on the web.

ü       Always have someone proof read/review your application before submitting it.

ü       If you choose to mail documents, think about getting a certificate of mailing as a receipt.

ü       Many colleges in the CSU system extend their admission deadlines due to a lack of applications during the priority deadline period.

ü       Apply early.  On-line systems will crash and menu items are often difficult to navigate.   Give yourself time.

ü       Most public and some private schools  have an appeals process. If you are not accepted to a college, consider  the appeal process to determine why you were not accepted.  In other words, don’t give up!

ü       Get help with applications by seeing your counselor.

ü       Consider enrolling in SRJC’s Community Service class.  This class offers students the  opportunity to formalize and receive credit for community service. 

ü       Remember that 9^th and 10^th grade honors classes taken at Piner are not given the  weighted GPA for college admission.  Colleges want students to take these classes because they do meet the subject requirements and they are considered more rigorous than academic classes.

College Applications Checklist

___ See your counselor and request a transcript that lists classes and grades by department.  This kind of

       transcript makes it easier to list your  courses on the college application.

___ Take SAT/ACT/ and SAT Subject Tests by December. The UC system requires  two SAT  Subject Tests.

___ If applying to private schools, get letters of recommendations from teachers/counselors.  California public colleges and

      universities don’t require them. Ask for them early! Complete the PHS Teacher  Recommendation Form  and give a copy to

      each teacher/staff member completing  a letter of  recommendation for you.  These forms are in the counseling office.

___ Many colleges request a school profile. Copies are available in the counseling office.

 ___ Use  the PHS/UC  list of approved  college coursework when completing college applications.  This list is in  Appendix #3 of

        The Prospector.

___ Admission cycle for the CSU system is October 1^st to November 30^th.  For UC it is November 1^st  to November 30^th.

___ Repeat any core classes in which you received a grade of ‘D’ or ‘F’.  While some campuses have different admission

       standards, most require a  grade of ‘D’ to be repeated and all require a grade of ‘F’ to be repeated.

___ Exemption  from placement testing for the CSU system.  Students who do the following will be exempt from taking certain

       placement tests for the CSU system:

                English

                -Score 550 or higher on the SAT (Critical Reading) or 24 on the English part of the ACT

                -Receive a score of  “Exempt” on the CSU Early Assessment of Readiness for College English

                based upon the 11^th grade score on the CST/STAR test.  This is called the EAP (Early Assessment Program).

                Math

                -Score of 550 or higher on the SAT Math or 23 on the ACT Math.

                -A result of “exempt” on the CSU Early Assessment of Readiness for College Math, or a result of “conditionally exempt”

               if you successfully completed an approved math or AP Physics course in the 12^th grade.  This test is often called the EAP

              or Early Assessment Program.

Paying for College

3 Steps to Financial Aid and Paying for College

Applying for Financial Aid Checklist

Priority deadline for most state and federal financial aid programs is March 2^nd.  This includes:

ü       The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  See Appendix #6 in The Prospector.

ü       Cal Grant.

ü       Doyle Scholarship.

ü       Piner Scholarship Programs (Excluding Rotary-which is due December 5^th 2008.)

___ Review Piner’s Academic Calendar. In August, pick up a revised calendar from the counseling office.

___ Pick up a copy of “Fund Your Future,” from the counseling office.  This is by far  the best source of information regarding

       state and federal programs for financial aid

___ Apply for Piner scholarships by completing the PHS Common Application   Form. These are

       scholarships given only to PHS  seniors.  Visit the PHS College an Financial Aid Resource Center or

       see Mr. Cox for the application and up-to-date  information.  All of Piner’s scholarships are described in detail in

      The Prospector.

___ Get letters of recommendation for scholarships early!  Many of Piner’s scholarships require letters of

        recommendation from Piner staff.  Request them early and give staff members plenty of time to

       complete them.  Give staff members a copy of your common application when you request a letter of

       recommendation.

___ Begin completing the FAFSA in December.  This can be done on-line or by mail. Do not submit the

       FAFSA until after January 1^st.  Priority deadline is March 2^nd   

___ Complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.  Submit the form to your counselor beginning in

        December.  Do not mail the form until the FAFSA is completed. The  FAFSA and Cal Grant form must

        be submitted after January 1^st.

___ Each week check the counseling office lobby , or Piner’s web site  for lists of   scholarships.

___ Complete the Doyle Scholarship if attending SRJC.  Deadline is March 2^nd. Each year, in early February, Piner and SRJC

       counselors meet with the entire senior class and help them complete the Doyle. Watch for notices in the bulletin or for

       school-wide announcements for specific dates.

 ___ 3-6 weeks after completing the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report or S.A.R. Review the Student Aid Report and

        make corrections promptly. 

___ If you are a male 18-25 years of age,  register for the Selective Service.

___ Complete a FastWeb scholarship search at FastWeb.com.

___ Contact individual colleges for their scholarship programs.  Colleges have general scholarships and scholarships by major.

Keep Reading For Important Scholarship Information

Piner’s Scholarship Binder: 2008-2009

Piner’s scholarship binder is located in the counseling office lobby.  The binder contains:

Ø       All national and state private scholarships that Piner receives each year.

Ø       All local (Sonoma County) scholarships that Piner receives each year.

Important/Please Note:  The scholarship binder lists all scholarships that were received during the previous year. When we receive current applications we will place them in the binder.   If there is no current application, simply do an internet search for the scholarship you want or see Mr. Cox.

General Scholarships:

Ø       NR    Indicates that a Piner staff member must nominate a student.  The student cannot  apply on their own.

                Scholarship                              Description                                           Deadline            Amount                 NR