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                          College Planning

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Explore Washington's community colleges and tech schools by visiting the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

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Financial Aid and Paying for College

Did you miss Financial Aid Night? Watch the recording at this link. 
Learn about the different ways you can pay for college. 
Topics include financial aid, loans and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Cost of College (please click on the link for more information)

Financial aid is money to help pay for college. It comes from the federal and state governments, colleges and universities, banks, and organizations. In order to receive financial aid, you must apply. We at ICS, encourage all students to apply for financial aid to not only identify what kind of aid is available to you, but also to maximize your options around paying for college.

Gear Up Financial Aid 101 (please click on the link for more information)

Applying for financial aid is a separate process from applying for admission to a college. To receive financial aid, you must apply for it using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid or WASFA (http://readysetgrad.org/wasfa). Students need only file one application, either the FAFSA or the WASFA. Colleges use the results of the FAFSA or WASFA to create a financial aid package.

The FAFSA or WASFA may not be the only form required to receive an award letter from a postsecondary school. Some colleges require the College Board CSS Profile form or an institution specific form. You must also complete the college admissions process. Check with each of your colleges and universities to determine their requirements and deadlines. Furthermore, individual financial aid programs — particularly scholarship programs — often require you to submit an application in addition to the FAFSA or WASFA. You can also find an updated list of colleges who use the CSS Profile at https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx

 Types of Aid

Very few students get all of their financial aid for college from one source. When you are searching for financial aid, consider a wide variety of options and apply to as many programs as possible.

• Aid from Federal Government: The federal government generally awards financial aid to students from low-income households. The largest federal grant program is the Pell Grant program. The federal government also offers other grants and loans to help students pay for their education and subsidizes work-study jobs at various colleges and universities. Students can also qualify for a work-study program through the federal government.
• Aid from State Government: The state of Washington awards financial aid to students from low- and moderate-income households.
  •  Washington State Need Grants are awarded to qualifying Washington residents attending Washington post-secondary institutions as undergraduate students.
  •  The state subsidizes work study jobs at schools across the state.
• Aid from Colleges: In addition to administering federal and state aid programs, many colleges and universities have their own scholarship, loan and work programs. Some awards are based on financial need. Others are based on your academic achievement, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity, community activities, artistic talents, athletic ability, field of study or special hobbies, experiences, and interests. These may include:
  • Alumni-sponsored awards.
  • Privately sponsored scholarships.
  • Athletic awards.
  • College funds used for financial aid.
  • Work Study
• Aid from Your Community/Scholarships: Non-profit organizations, foundations, and businesses often provide scholarships as a community service. To find these programs, talk to your counselor or check out the scholarship finder on theWashBoard.org. Scholarships do not have to be repaid provided that you successfully complete your coursework. They are awarded for good grades, cultural or religious background, sports and special talents.

How to Pay for College

Financing Your College Education

Who Gets Federal Student Aid? 

Federal Student Aid Eligibility Infographic

College Financial Aid Packages

As you pursue college aid to help pay your tuition, you’ll hear the term financial aid package, but you may not know exactly what this package entails or what to do with the amount of college money you are offered. Your financial aid package is the amount of federal aid, state aid and college aid that the colleges and universities who’ve accepted you are willing to offer you toward your college degree. When you’re accepted at a school, you’ll receive an acceptance letter as well as a financial aid award letter that lists the amount of aid you’re being offered toward the first year of your college education. See links below for details on navigating your financial aid letters.

Award Package Comparison Worksheet (please click on the link for the worksheet)

What’s a Financial Aid Package? (please click on the link for more information)

Net Price Calculator

Look for the Net Price Calculator on each college and university's web site. The U.S. Department of Education requires that all postsecondary institutions participating in Title IV federal student aid programs make a Net Price Calculator available for use online. The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) defines net price as “the net price for first-time, full-time degree or certificate-seeking students”. Visit https://collegecost.ed.gov/net-price for more information.

To learn more about the FAFSA and WASFA, please click the following links:

FAFSA          WASFA        

Additional Resources

Grants and Scholarships

Student Loan Report - A Guide to Educational Loans

Annuity.org- Students and Financial Literacy

Financial Aid Guide

Essays

• Key Points in College Essays
• More Essay Tips

Testing

PSAT/NMSQT: The PSAT/NMSQT that is typically held in October will now be scheduled for Tuesday, January 26. Sign-ups will occur later in the fall and priority will be given to current 11^th graders. Options for 10^th graders will be evaluated later in the fall and could include an opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT in January or the PSAT 10 (which provides the same level of reporting) in later winter or early spring. Conditions will continue to be re-evaluated as we get closer to the January test date to determine what we are able to offer.

SAT and ACT: The SAT and ACT are college entrance exams which test mathematical, verbal, reasoning, and writing abilities. The ACT also includes a Science section. Either the SAT or ACT must usually be presented as part of an application for admission to a four-year college or university. You should consult the college or university in which you have an interest to find out what admissions test scores they require. Students take the SAT or the ACT during 11th grade and/or the Fall of 12th grade. In order for results of the test to be available for the college admission process, students should plan to take one or both of these tests no later than November of the 12th grade year (dependent on college deadlines). Advanced registration is required and there is a test fee (see information below). If your student receives testing accommodations and you would like information about how to utilize these accommodations for the SAT/ACT, please contact their IEP/504 case manager prior to registering for testing. 

SAT Subject Tests: These are tests designed by the College Board, and each is dedicated to a single subject. Some colleges and universities require applicants to submit scores from SAT Subject Tests. Consult the college or university in which you have an interest to find out if it requires SAT Subject Tests. If so, students should plan to take SAT Subject Tests during 11th grade and/or the Fall of 12th grade (depending on college deadlines).  Most students complete subject the spring of the school year in which you are taking the course content for the test. The tests are given at many area sites on specified Saturdays. Advanced registration is required, and there is a test fee. If your student receives testing accommodations and you would like information about how to utilize these accommodations for Subject Tests, please contact their IEP/504 case manager prior to registering for testing.

Testing Advanced Placement (AP): AP Examinations are administered through the College Board as final exams for Advanced Placement high school courses. They are offered in May each year. Students enrolled in the courses have the option to take the examinations. Depending on the score earned on an AP examination, a student may earn college credit once enrolled in a college or university, or he/she may receive exemption from a required college course. Advanced registration is required through the students high school in late-Winter/early Spring, and there is a test fee for each examination taken. Students may also self-study and can take an AP Exam without having to complete a full course. For more information, please see our AP Testing section under the Counseling tab on the ICS website. If your student receives testing accommodations and you would like information about how to utilize these accommodations, please contact their IEP/504 case manager and/or school AP coordinator prior to registering for testing.

For PSAT and SAT info and registration, please visit www.collegeboard.com 
For ACT info and registration, please visit www.ACT.org
For SAT Subject Tests info and registration, please visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests
For AP Exam info, please visit, https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home

Testing Resources

ICS Prep Programs

Xello/Career Cruising: All 9th-12th grade students at ICS have access to Method Test Prep, an SAT/ACT preparation program, on their Xello profiles through Powerschool Learning. This program provides self-paced, comprehensive lessons in subjects covered by the SAT and ACT to help give your student practice in areas they need to feel ready for testing. Students can use practice tests to identify the test that fits them best and prepare accordingly. The program also includes guided practice, vocabulary building, and additional resources for comprehensive learning. Please contact our High School and Beyond Plan Counselor, Ms. Kelsey Cummings, if you have any questions. 

Prep Classes: The ICS PTSA organizes annual ACT and SAT prep courses for ICS students. In 2018-2019, courses were held during the Winter and Spring. Please contact the PTSA for updates on upcoming opportunities. https://icsptsa.org/icsptsa/index.php/support-curriculum/college-partnerships

Books

Students can purchase books from many different testing prep organizations, including the resources above and more to prepare for any type of testing. The International Community School Library and Students Services Office also carry some books for students to check out to prepare for testing. See Ms. Cummings and/or Ms. Peterson for resources. 

Local Test Prep Programs

C2 Education
Academic LINK
Sylvan Learning Center
PrepNorthwest
Lake Washington Tutoring List – See your counselor

Additional testing resources include Kaplan Test Prep, Peterson’s Test Prep, Princeton Review, Barron’s Test Prep, and more! Check out their websites for more information. 

Find out more about a year of service in the AmeriCorps program which provides great experience, a living stipend, and money towards college tuition at the completion of the program. 

Learn about options for enlisting in the military.

What is a Gap Year?

The term “Gap Year” can be used to describe any break in time, in which a student A period of time in the traditional high school-college-grad school track where students can take a break from formal education to work, intern, travel, study, or a combination of many of these activities. Gap years can also be called college deferrals, taking time off, etc. Through a Gap Year, students may have the opportunity to:

• Clarify your career and personal interests and goals
• Develop your organization, decision-making, and life skills through hands-on learning experiences
• Renew your passion for learning
• Gain a sense of self, maturity self-confidence, independence, and more
• Broaden your perspective and global awareness of other people with different backgrounds, cultures, and views
• Improve job prospects with employers seeking graduates with practical experiences

How do I know if a Gap Year is right for me?

Gap Years can be truly beneficial for students who may fit one or more of the following:

• Not ready for college.
• You want to take a breather so you can arrive on a college campus refreshed and ready to do your best.
• You know why you want to attend college, but want a unique competitive edge over other students. You want real-life experiences to build your resume and make you distinctively attractive to future employers.

• You are having trouble identifying areas of interest for careers and majors. Maybe you aren’t sure what you are truly passionate about.

• You weren’t accepted to colleges you really want to attend and want to use your Gap Year experience to improve your application and make you more appealing to your choice colleges.

Students who take a Gap Year should commit to a productive year and plan accordingly.

When is the best time to take a Gap Year?

A gap year is usually taken between graduating high school and starting college, but can be at any transitional point between years of attending college and other educational institutions. It can also be a time period after high school where you participate in activities while you identify goals for career planning

Does the Gap Year have to be a full year?

Definitely not. Gap Years represent any amount of time you want them to be. Most of the time the Gap Year is a year so that students can take a break after high school before they go to a university or post-secondary educational institution.

What do colleges say about taking a Gap Year?

Colleges and universities are openly supporting, encouraging, and accepting Gap Years for high school graduates and for admitted freshman. They see the positive benefits and recognize that by taking a productive year out, students enter college with more maturity, self-confidence, clearer goals, better focus, problem-solving, skills, and experience in being able to handle upcoming challenges and meet their goals. Many colleges will even defer entrance and save a student’s place for the following year if they are planning a Gap Year.

To defer college entrance, make a formal request after you have accepted admission. Follow the school’s expectations and steps for how to make the request. Ensure your request demonstrates a well-structured plan with an outline of the goals and benefits you hope to gain during the time off.

If you know in advance that you want to take a Gap Year, you should still go through with the college application process during your senior year if college is a future goal. You will change a lot during your senior year of high school and it is always ideal to line up options for opportunities after you graduate. You can either accept and defer when ready or deny your acceptances if you still aren’t sure. Look into individual college processes for deferral while researching.

What kind of activities can you do on a Gap Year?

Popular activities during a Gap Year include doing research, volunteering, studying and taking classes, interning, working, traveling, and more. Gap Year programs can last anywhere from 2-12 months and often include hands-on-learning in different parts of the world. 

Popular Gap Year Resources

• USA Gap Year Fairs - https://www.gooverseas.com/gap-year/usa-fairs
• GapMatcher
• Center for Interim Programs http://www.interimprograms.com/
• TeenLife – Teenlife.com
• Gap Year Association - https://gapyearassociation.org/

Here are some recommended gap year programs. Financial aid may be available.

10 Reasons to take a Gap Year - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gap-year_n_4325969