Gear Up News - January 2023
High School & Beyond Planning — News & Information
How to Apply for Financial Aid
You and your child should apply for financial aid in October of his or her senior year of high school. For financial aid that comes from the federal or state government, the first stop is the FAFSA. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (
fafsa.ed.gov). Students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) or permanent resident card to file the FAFSA. Parents do not have to have either of these to sign on behalf of their child. So, if you yourself do not have an SSN, but your child does, your child may still file the FAFSA.
If your child does not have a Social Security Number, your child can file the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) in order to be eligible for the Washington College Grant. Please go to
wsac.wa.gov/wasfa for more details.
If your child has been granted a DACA SSN, please do not use that to file the FAFSA. That number is for work purposes only. In order to qualify for Federal Student Aid, your child must be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
Meet Your RVHS GEAR-UP Site Manager
Hi, I am Christy Howard, the new GEAR-UP Site Manager. I am excited to be joining you all here at River View High School. Previously, I was at Hanford High School working in the AVID program. Please come in and say “HI”, I am here to help and answer any questions you may have.
School Contact Information: 509-582-2158
Email:
[email protected]
Did You Know?
The best way to research a college’s Cost of Attendance is to use the US Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator (http://collegecost.ed.gov/netpricecenter.aspx). Use it to estimate how much a college could cost. Net price is a term for the Cost of Attendance minus any grants and scholarships for which students may be eligible.
Myth Buster
MYTH: If students plan to go to community college, they can enroll anytime.
REALITY: Community and Technical Colleges’ open-door admissions policy means you won’t have to compete with others to be accepted. These colleges do not require SAT or ACT scores or essays, but they do require a placement test.
Each college has a slightly different admissions process. Some want everyone to fill out an application; others do not. 10th grade Smarter Balanced test scores can help your child decide which courses to take to be ready for college, and they tell colleges whether you’re ready for college-level courses. A score of 3 or 4, means your child is ready for college-level math and English. Ask your child’s counselor about Bridge to College courses if you child scores a 1 or 2.
These colleges are on a quarter calendar. Be sure to look at the instructional calendar for the quarter start and end dates at the college of your choice.
Being accepted does not always mean you are accepted into the specific program or classes of your choice. Certain programs have different admissions requirements, additional steps or forms: Running Start, International Students, high school programs, and healthcare programs such as nursing, corrections/law enforcement, to name just a few.
Upcoming Events & Announcements
- CBC will be at River View January 12 during lunch. Come by ask question, apply to attend, apply for the CBC scholarship, and get help with FAFSA.
- Watch out for more details on up coming college tours and field trips that will be happening this spring!
Student Checklist
Schedule any necessary interviews.
Complete college admission and financial aid applications. If you plan to attend a community or technical college, don’t wait until the last minute to apply – financial aid could be gone and the classes you want could be filled. Also, keep copies of all forms you mail or submit online.
Family Checklist
Encourage your child to set up college interviews if they are necessary. An interview is a great way for your child to learn more about a college and for a college to learn more about your child. Get an overview of the interview process.
Work together to apply for financial aid. The earlier you apply, the better.
Learn about college loan options together. Borrowing money for college can be a smart choice — especially if your high schooler gets a low-interest federal loan. Be cautious; learn about loan options and a parent's role in borrowing money.
Visit
gearup.wa.gov/students-families to learn more and access resources to help your child make a plan.