College Planning Information

College Planning Checklist by Grade Level

College Planning Checklist by Grade Level
ACT Testing

The ACT is a national college admissions exam that consists of subject area tests in: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The essay section is optional and when you register you must indicate if you want to take the writing section. The ACT is offered six (6) times/year: September, October, December, February, April, and June. Register for an ACT exam.

PSAT Testing
 All students in grades 10 and 11 take the PSATs in October.
SAT Testing
 The SAT is a college entrance exam used by colleges and universities in the admissions process. The SAT consists of two sections: evidence-based reading/writing and math. To register for an SAT exam, please visit Collegeboard.
College Applications
Students will apply to college during their senior year. The application timeline is typically late August through November of senior year. During the second week of senior year, all students will attend a college application assembly to review the application process, timeline, deadlines, requesting transcripts, sending SAT/ACT scores, etc.

All applications are completed online and application fees vary by college. Once a student applies to a college they will then request their transcripts in Naviance and send their test scores from the testing agencies.

More detailed information about PAHS college application process, writing the college essay, and obtaining letters of recommendation will be provided to the rising seniors via Naviance email, small group meetings, individual meetings, and parent presentations. 
Scholarships
 All scholarships are posted in Naviance for senior students and their parents to view. Scholarships are posted in Naviance throughout the year as we are notified of them. Most scholarship opportunities will be posted January–April. A detailed description of each scholarship, eligibility requirements, the application (or website), and the deadline to apply are all posted in Naviance when you click on the scholarship title.

We also advise students to look at each college's specific website for additional scholarships that the college may offer.

It is always a good idea to look close to home for scholarships. Parent-teacher associations, chambers of commerce, the hospital where you volunteer, local chapters like the Boys and Girls Scouts, Rotary International, the Elks and Lions, and other groups support hometown students aiming for college. Your religious institution may also offer scholarships in addition to your parent's place of employment. Additionally, if your parents served or are currently serving in the military you may be eligible for educational benefits from the military.

Additional Scholarship Links:
- Fastweb
- Scholarships.com
- Raise.me
- Scholarships for Minorities
Disability Services for College Bound Students
 Academic accommodations are required by law for eligible college students with a learning disability. Accommodations are changes in the learning and testing environments that give college students with LD an equal opportunity to learn. The Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) and its amendments (ADAA) require that reasonable accommodations be made available to college students who have current documentation of learning disabilities and who request learning and/or testing accommodations.

Students are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office at the colleges they are considering or planning to attend in order to receive additional information and to submit the required paperwork in order to receive accommodations at college.

ALL colleges and universities provide some level of services and/or accommodations for learning disabled students, as mandated by the American with Disabilities ACT (ADA). These colleges and universities go a step further... they offer programs, some quite comprehensive, designed to support students with learning disabilities.

- Rights and Responsibilities for College-bound Students with Learning Disabilities
- High School and College Differences
Accommodations for College Students with a Learning Disability
 What Are Accommodations?
Accommodations are supports and services provided on college campuses so qualified students with disabilities have equal access and opportunity to benefit from classes, programs and activities. Academic accommodations must be authorized by a specific office on campus — generally known as the disability support services office — and are determined on an individual basis.

Here’s a partial list of common accommodations at the college level:
Priority registration
Exam modifications (i.e., extended time on tests, readers, scribes, proctors)
Testing in a room with limited distractions
Interpreters
Textbooks in an alternate format
Course substitutions

Steps to take: Review the roles and responsibilities of students, faculty and the disability support services office in the accommodation process. To get accommodations, you must go through the accommodation process as specified by the college you are attending.

Although each college may have a different process, here are some general steps in getting your accommodations:

1. Student: The first thing you must do is contact the person in charge of accommodations on campus and register as a student with a disability.  Usually, this person is called the Coordinator of Disability Support Services (DSS) or student support services.

2. Student: When you meet with the person in charge of accommodations, you must provide them with current documentation of your disability. IEP forms are not considered documentation. Check the college’s Web site for the handbook for students with disabilities. Often you can find out what the documentation requirements are.

3. Student: Discuss accommodation needs with the DSS coordinator. Discuss the accommodations you used in the past, what has worked and what you think you will need while in college.

4. DSS coordinator: The person in charge of accommodations will review your documentation and determine if you are eligible for services.

5. DSS coordinator: If it is determined that you are eligible for services, the person in charge of accommodations will determine what accommodations the college or university will provide and will give you a letter of accommodations informing your professors of authorized accommodations.

6. Student: Give accommodation letter to professors and be prepared to talk with the professor about how to receive your accommodations. It is highly recommended that you give your letter to your professors in the beginning of the semester, but you can do this at any point during the semester. Keep in mind that accommodations are not retroactive and begin at the point in time when you give your letter to your professor.

7. Professors: Professors must provide the accommodations that are specified in the letter. Professors must keep this information confidential. If the professor has questions about the letter that you do not feel comfortable answering, direct them to the DSS coordinator.

8. Student: Monitor accommodations. Are the accommodations working? Do you need additional accommodations? If so, contact the person in charge of accommodations
NCAA Student-Athlete Eligibility
 In order to compete in a sport at a Division I or Division II college, the student must meet certain eligibility requirements set forth by the NCAA. PAHS students are asked to self-identify themselves as a potential college athlete to either their School Counselor or to Mrs. Bhalla, the College and Career Counselor. Mrs. Bhalla will oversee NCAA eligibility for the students of PAHS.

Students and parents are asked to complete the online PAHS NCAA Student-Athlete Self-Identification Form. This form is emailed to students and parents during course selection.

Students should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of their junior year of high school. The NCAA needs to see three (3) full years of completed high school course work in order to start the eligibility process. To register: please visit the NCAA Eligibility Center.

More information about NCAA eligibility
Financial Aid
Student financial aid is funding that is intended to help students pay education-related expenses including tuition, room & board, fees, boos and supplies at a college or university. Financial aid can be both need-based and non-need based. Financial aid includes direct loans, pell grant, and the PA state grant. Need-based aid is awarded on the basis of the financial need of the student. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine federal and state aid eligibility.

Students complete the FAFSA during their senior year. 
College Reps Visits to PAHS
 Throughout the fall, Admissions Officers from various colleges and universities visit the high school to meet with prospective students. Students can view the schedule and sign up to attend the session in their Naviance account.
Parent Authorization for Transcript Request
 This online form must be on file for every senior student in order for transcripts to be requested in Naviance and processed. Once the form is completed by the parent/guardian, students will have access to request their transcript in Naviance.
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