As students and families begin organizing, positioning, and preparing themselves for the after high school years, the question of navigating the financial aid process can become overwhelming.  Parents of freshmen, sophomores, or juniors should work on this now.

Take note of 10 tips to make things manageable, achievable, and hopefully stress free.

1. Pay attention to deadlines for merit and need based scholarship deadlines.  Very often students must apply early (around the early action deadlines) to be considered.
2. Visit colleges this spring and set up an appointment with a financial aid officer at each school.  Colleges handle aid opportunities in very different ways.  Learn what they offer and what the process is for applying.  Make sure you keep organized notes and send a thank-you after meeting.
3. Start managing your student application materials – activity log (resume), high school course work checklist, SAT/ACT current scores if any (or plan test schedule for fall 2011), teacher recommendations, portfolio, personal statement essay.
4. Share any special circumstances that may affect your family financial picture.  Future changes like job loss or medical expenses can be considered.
5. Meet with your financial advisor as soon as possible for current law considerations and creative ways to position your family for the best aid opportunities.
6. Get an estimate of what your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) will look like.  This will help empower your family and give you the knowledge needed regarding financial requirements and where you can go for help.
7. If your student applies for and secures a grant or scholarship from a corporation/foundation, understand how it will be treated by the individual colleges you plan to apply.
8. When it comes time to do the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA (early January), have everything ready to go and complete it as soon as possible.  According to finaid.org 2/3 of all families qualify for aid.
9. Research free on-line scholarship websites like fastweb.com, collegeboard.com, and scholarships.com.
10. If your family needs money for school be prepared to put the time in!  Set aside three to five hours each week for research, knowledge building, and planning ahead.  Knowledge is power and money for college!  Good luck!

Attention high school students and parents!

Saturday, May 21 (10 am to 4 pm) and Sunday, May 22 (1 pm to 5 pm)  We are offering the “Everything You Need To Know” College Admissions Bootcamp.

Student/Parent Teams will learn how to:  apply to college, find scholarship resources, explore majors and minors, research schools that “fit”, and prepare for visits and interviews.

Cost is $150.00 per student/parent team.

Maximum of 12 teams! Call (828) 553-5628 or e-mail degreemap@yahoo.com for more information.

CLICK ON THIS LINK College Admissions Bootcamp Brochure FOR MORE INFORMATION

High School Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors looking for a very different educational experience and challenge may want to attend one of 10 U.S. based Semester School Programs.

Students who take part in this opportunity, leave their regular high school for one semester, take their standard high school curriculum, live within a small, diverse community with students from all over the world, work side by side with their teachers, and finally take part in environmental, outdoor, art, and service-related activities.

Academic Advantages

Because semester schools are small and range in numbers between 20 and 40 students, the academic classes are limited (usually no more than 10) allowing for concentrated teacher/student interaction.  Most schools also teach toward an honors or advanced placement curriculum so students return to their regular high school fully on track or often ahead.

College Admissions Advantages

Because semester schools are different and only 600 students attend these programs each year, the experience in itself sets students apart on their college applications.  Many students choose to write about their semester experience for the required admissions personal statement.   Semester schools give students a “home away from home” opportunity that helps with the transition to college living and independence.

Growth Advantages/Day in the life of a semester school student

Everyday is packed solid for semester school students.  From chores to meal preparation, academic classes to study hall, service projects to environmental lab experiments, and finally, team building exercises to hiking.  It is no wonder students learn and improve upon time management skills and self-discipline during their semester away.  In addition, everyday is shaped to give the entire community the chance to teach, lead, and learn from each other.

Semester Schools

Each school has their own program “emphasis”.  The Outdoor Academy in Pisgah Forest, NC specializes in outdoor experiences, environmental issues, and community building; Oxbow in California focuses on studio artmaking and interdisciplinary humanities; SEGL in Washington DC, focuses on ethical thinking skills, leadership development, and international studies.

It is not too late to apply for fall 2011 and spring 2012.  Most applications are due between February 1 and February 15.  Some schools also offer rolling admissions.

Chewonki (Wiscasset, ME) www.chewonki.org

City Term (Dobbs Ferry, NY) www.cityterm.org

Conserve (Land O’ Lakes, WI) www.conserveschool.org

High Mountain (Leadville, CO) www.hminet.org

Island School (Eleuthera island, Bahamas) www.islandschool.org

Mountain School (Vershire, VT) www.mountainschool.org

Outdoor Academy (Pisgah Forest, NC) www.enf.org

Oxbow (Napa, CA) www.oxbowschool.org

SEGL (Washington, DC) www.schoolforethics.org

Woolman (Nevada City, CA) semester.woolman.org

DegreeMap won, by popular vote, a Non-Profit Corporate Rebranding thanks to Phil Davis of Tungsten Branding (Brevard, NC), Katy Rosenberg of Think It Studio (Brevard, NC), and two California based companies TradeMark Express and Silver Fern Web Designs…stay tuned for upcoming cool changes!

DegreeMap has been accepted into the Blue Ridge Community College Innovation Network “incubator” program. We will be working closely with Gary Heisey, Director of the Small Business Center, and many other fantastic western north carolina business people, students, and families.

DegreeMap has achieved 501(c)(3) status!

Fall workshop schedule can be found below!  Please register in advance.

Announcing the Fall 2010 workshops scheduled in Transylvania and Henderson counties.

Workshops are free and space is limited to 12 participants!  Please e-mail degreemap@yahoo.com or call 828-553-5628 to register in advance.  Thank you!

• Finding the right college “fit” (points to consider in the search for college and major/minor choices)                                                Tuesday, September 14, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Transylvania campus – BRCC – Applied Technology Bldg, DuPont Suite #217
• Navigating the college application process (deadlines, forms, essays, activities, recommendations, and more)                          Tuesday, September 28, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Transylvania campus – BRCC – Applied Technology Bldg, DuPont Suite #217
• Preparing for the college visit (questions to ask, people to meet, interview prep, information to gather)                                            Tuesday, October 5, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Transylvania campus – BRCC  Applied Technology Bldg, DuPont Suite #217
• Scholarships and Financial aid (tips and information sharing on how to pay for college)                                                                  Tuesday, October 12, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Transylvania campus – BRCC – Applied Technology Bldg, DuPont Suite #217
• A day in the life of a college student (what to expect and how to get involved in your college community)                                      Tuesday, October 19, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Transylvania campus – BRCC – Applied Technology Bldg, DuPont Suite #217

• Finding the right college “fit” (points to consider in the search for college and major/minor choices)                                              Thursday, September 23, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Flat Rock campus – BRCC – Continuing Ed Bldg.  SBC conference rm. 124-K
• Navigating the college application process (deadlines, forms, essays, activities, recommendations, and more)                        Thursday, September 30, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Flat Rock campus – BRCC – Continuing Ed Bldg. SBC conference rm 124-K
• Preparing for the college visit (questions to ask, people to meet, interview prep, information to gather)                                          Thursday, October 7, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Flat Rock campus – BRCC – Continuing Ed Bldg.  SBC Conference rm 124-K
• Scholarships and Financial aid (tips and information sharing on how to pay for college)                                                                  Thursday, October 14, 7:00 pm to 8:00, Flat Rock campus – BRCC – Continuing Ed Bldg.  SBC conference rm 124-K

Rising high school seniors have the opportunity to enroll in a series of 8 summer workshops that will take place at Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) in Brevard, NC

Topics include:  Senior year time management; Finding the right school; Navigating the college application process – parts I & II; Researching majors and minors; Scholarships/Financial aid; A day in the life of a college student; Getting involved in college – community, activities, sports, experiential opportunities.

Each session is 1.5 hours in duration and cost for 8 workshops is $120.00.  Sliding scale fee is also available – just inquire!

Time of workshops will be determined once we have our group.  DegreeMap wants to make sure we work around each rising senior’s schedule so he or she can attend each session.  We will all work together!

Call 828-553-5628 for more details, enrollment, and sliding scale fee option by July 1.

DegreeMap serves students who seek support and assistance applying for college or training programs, as well as goal setting for life beyond high school. Individual counseling is available in addition to educational workshops. DegreeMap currently serves families in western North Carolina and beyond.   For more information, please see our History and  Services pages.

For information and conversation, contact

Lydia Odell, Executive Director

DegreeMap

degreemap@yahoo.com

(828)553-5628

We are pleased to announce that the Summit Group will present the Hickory Mountain 10K Trail Run along with Injini, Vibram Fivefingers and many other fine sponsors. Please go to our special Hickory Run 10K Trail Run link for more information.

DegreeMap, Your Educational GPS, serves students who seek support and assistance applying to college, graduate programs, as well as goal setting for “the next steps.”

• helps you find scholarship resources
• matches you with colleges that “fit”
• makes the application process easier
• assists you with the FAFSA paperwork
• prepares you for college visits and interviews
• coordinates your plan for success

Individual counseling is available in addition to educational workshops.

DegreeMap currently serves families in western North Carolina and beyond.   For more information, please see our History and Services pages.

For information and conversation, please contact

Lydia Odell, Executive Director

DegreeMap  ”Your educational GPS”

Phone: 828.553.5628

e-mail: degreemap@yahoo.com