Fort Worth
Dallas
High School Students
There are many options for higher education in Texas, including four-year colleges, two-year colleges, and trade schools. An advanced degree or certification can create employment opportunities that may not be available to those with only a high school diploma. It is important to set expectations for post-secondary education, or continued education after high school, early so that children are encouraged to set goals that help them obtain those degrees. In this section you will learn more about:
- Post-Secondary Education Opportunities in the Area
- The Application Process
- Financial Aid Resources
- How Students Can Stay on Track with a High School Timeline
Post-Secondary Education Opportunities in the Area
It is helpful to be knowledgeable about the different opportunities for post-secondary education early in your child’s high school career. This way you can make sure that you do not miss important application deadlines, required high school courses for particular programs, or other steps that must be taken prior to admittance into a higher education program.
For a comprehensive list of all the Public and Independent Universities, Community colleges, Junior Colleges, Health related institutions, Technical and State colleges, please visit: http://www.txhighereddata.org/Interactive/Institutions.cfm
If your child intends to pursue higher education, you may want to consider the rigor of the high school they attend. High schools that provide good preparation for college should offer an academically challenging curriculum, a college-bound culture, and a support system for navigating college admissions. Indicators of these characteristics can include:
- Wide offering of advanced courses like Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or Honors courses
- High rate of students taking the SAT or ACT exams
- Available and knowledgeable guidance counselors
Applications
Most post-secondary tracks require some kind of application. Community colleges have an open-door admissions policy, which means that students are admitted regardless of previous academic history. However parents and students should be advised that students in Texas entering a public college institution, including community colleges, must meet the minimum threshold on the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment unless they are otherwise exempt. If students do not meet this threshold, they may be referred to Adult Basic Education classes, which are non-credit and fee-based, before they are eligible to enroll in college coursework. You can learn more about this requirement at http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/.
The Common App and Apply Texas are two widely used application processes for four-year colleges and universities. The Common App is used by hundreds of colleges throughout the United States, and Apply Texas allows students to apply for admission to any Texas public university, as well as to participating community and private colleges. To learn more about which schools accept these applications, application deadlines, and additional information visit the individual sites:
- Common App: www.commonapp.org
- Apply Texas: www.applytexas.org
It is necessary to visit individual websites, or contact the schools directly, to verify the most current application procedures because admissions requirements can vary from school to school.
Financial Aid
The costs associated with higher education can be daunting for parents, families and students. However, being aware of financial aid opportunities that are at your disposal can help ease your concerns. Each university or college has their own financial aid program, which may include grant and scholarship opportunities, and there are also opportunities to obtain financial aid through the state and federal government, nonprofit and private organizations.
You should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as it is will make your student eligible for the largest source of financial aid available. The application becomes available in early January, but deadlines differ by program. You will want to submit the FAFSA as early as possible to make sure that you can take advantage of as many aid opportunities as possible.
There are several ways to file the FAFSA:
- Online at www.fafsa.gov.
- You can download or order a paper FAFSA.
- Ask the financial aid office at your student’s college or career school if it can be filed there.
Here is a brief look at financial aid opportunities and when you should fill out the FASFA from the Federal Student Aid website:
| Aid Program | Deadline Information |
|---|---|
| Federal and State student aid | For the 2013–14 year, you can apply between Jan. 1, 2013, and June 30, 2014. However, there are a few first come, first served federal student aid programs, so be sure to apply as soon as you can. You can also find state deadlines at www.fafsa.gov. |
| College or career school aid | Check the school’s website or contact its financial aid office. School deadlines are usually early in the year (often in February or March). Furthermore, many schools will offer work-study programs, which place students into part-time jobs or paid internships as a form of financial assistance. |
| Other financial aid | Some programs, other than government or school aid, require that you file the FAFSA. For instance, you cannot get certain private scholarships unless you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant– and you cannot find out whether you are eligible for a Pell Grant unless you file a FAFSA. If the private scholarship’s application deadline is in early to mid– January, you will need to submit your FAFSA before that deadline. |
Source: http://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa
High School Timeline
It is important to plan ahead for higher education while your child is still in high school. In order to apply to a four-year university or college, your child will need to take the SAT and/or ACT exam, typically during their junior year of high school. You also should be aware of the admissions requirements of the program(s) your child may wish to attend, so that they will be sure to fulfill all prerequisites during high school. For example, some universities may require more science or math course credits than your child’s high school requires as the minimum. Your child may also need to take elective courses to be adequately prepared for college.
Here is an example of a timeline that can help students stay on track to obtaining an advanced degree or certification:
Freshman and Sophomore Years
- Talk with your assigned guidance counselor about taking college preparatory courses and exploring higher education options.
- Start getting involved in extra-curricular activities and keep a record of involvement.
- Register and take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT).
- Schedule a college tour of an area college to get a feel for what college might be like. These tours are free and you can call the admissions office to schedule a tour at a time that works well for you.
Junior Year
- Work with your guidance counselor to establish a list of the higher education options that you are interested in. It may be helpful to consider how long it usually takes students to graduate from that school. You can find more information on college completion rates by campus at completecollege.org.
- Begin researching scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
- Register and take the SAT and/or ACT exams.
- If possible, visit the individual campuses that you will be applying to.
Senior Year
- August – September
- Narrow down school options and create a list of application deadlines and required materials, including scholarship and financial aid deadlines, essays, letters of recommendation and transcripts.
- Register or retake SAT and/or ACT exam if necessary.
- Begin thinking about who to request your letters of recommendation from.
- Request transcripts from your high school
- October – November
- Draft any required college admissions or scholarship essays.
- Secure letters of recommendation if required. It is best to request letters of recommendation at least one to two months in advance of the application deadline. This allows the recommender time to complete and submit a quality recommendation.
- Ensure that your transcripts are accurate.
- December – January
- Final application dates for many schools. However, note that early decision applications are typically due in November.
- February – March
- College acceptance letters begin to arrive.
- Parents need to file taxes to prepare for filling out the FAFSA. Remember to complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline.
- April – May
- Review your admissions information and submit any required materials to the college or program of your choice. This may include housing information, final transcripts, a potential deposit, etc.