High School Resource Zone

Ms. Pavon: The earlier, the better. I am meeting with seniors and their parents daily to review deadlines and timelines for filing for financial assistance. Remember, advice from the financial aid office is free, and financial aid officers are always willing to help. We want to assist in your planning, and we want you to be successful in planning for your education. Different things related to financial assistance will come up at different times. I cannot stress enough for you to call, e-mail or visit with the financial aid staff. We are only a phone call away and are anxious to help you.

impact: Do you have to have a certain GPA to easily qualify for a scholarship?

Ms. Pavon: Every school will vary on that response. However, I believe that most colleges consider a combination of GPA, class rank and standardized test scores (such as ACT^® or SAT^®) when considering students for merit-based scholarships. Many colleges even look at the student's high school curriculum when considering a student for a scholarship. It would be best to check with each individual college you are considering to determine the criteria used for awarding their scholarships. This can often be done on the college's website.

impact: Do you look at ACT or SAT scores when choosing a scholarship applicant?

Ms. Pavon: Most colleges do look at ACT or SAT scores when considering a student for a scholarship. It is often the only tool we have to do a standard comparison of students from different high schools and different grading systems, so it allows a standardized comparison (apples to apples, if you will) of student performance. Again, I will emphasize that the ACT or SAT is not normally the ONLY measure a college considers in reviewing scholarship recipients, rather just one piece of the puzzle. It may be a larger component of scholarship consideration at some colleges than it is at others. As a helpful hint, most schools will allow you to retake the ACT or SAT as often as you are able and will consider your best score. Another helpful hint…many high schools offer ACT or SAT preparation courses free.

impact: What is the most important thing for an incoming freshman to submit to the financial aid office?

Ms. Pavon: I believe the most important thing for a student to submit to the financial aid office is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, meeting all state and institutional filing deadlines. The FAFSA is the single most important tool a financial aid officer will use in determining a student’s financial assistance package. Students and parents often feel they will not qualify for financial assistance, so why bother? You must file a FAFSA to even be considered for federal student loans, which carry better terms and rates than the alternative student loan options. Also, once you have filed the FAFSA, meeting all deadlines, the financial aid administrator has the ability to review your information if something unforeseen changes your family’s financial situation. In these economic times, this is increasingly important – an example that would be cause for a review and may change your financial aid eligibility might be a parent losing a job. In Iowa, a student must file the FAFSA by July 1 to be considered for need-based state funding. You will want to be sure to check with the colleges you are considering to be sure you are meeting each college’s deadlines.

impact: What are the steps I need to take to get ready for college?

Ms. Pavon:

Work hard and smart in high school – get good grades, take good courses and get prepared for college. Challenge yourself by taking college preparatory classes, and you will be far better prepared for success in college.
Apply for admission to the colleges you are considering. Be prepared to submit transcripts, standardized test scores, essays and recommendations.
Visit the colleges you are considering. I recommend visiting on a regular day when classes are in session. You need to find the right fit for you, and visiting is the best way to do that. Ask questions – anything and everything you want to know. Nothing is off-limits – you may be living on campus for the next four years.
Search for scholarships. Start in the guidance office. Check with civic organizations, parent’s employers, churches and the Iowa College Access Network to name a few. Do online scholarship searches, but I don’t recommend paying any fees to search for scholarships – be careful and don’t get scammed.
File the FAFSA on time!
Review your financial assistance awards and get help from the office of financial assistance in finding a way to manage your education cost and to make your dream a reality!

impact: What is the most common mistake incoming freshmen make in regard to financial aid?

Ms. Pavon: Probably missing deadlines, filing the FAFSA incorrectly or not filing the FAFSA at all. Be sure to check with ICAN or the colleges you are considering concerning all financial aid deadlines. Stay organized and keep a list of deadlines in your calendar. Remember to begin to think about the FAFSA in January and file as soon as you can so that you will know where you stand financially. Be on top of and understand your financial assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your education is an investment, and you deserve to know exactly what is expected of you. When you do file the FAFSA, check and recheck your information. The FAFSA can appear very daunting at a first glance. If you sit down and read the instructions, it is truly not too bad. Don’t assume on the FAFSA; if you don’t understand what the question is asking, seek help from the financial aid office or ICAN. Be sure to double-check all your numbers, especially your Social Security number, for transposition errors.

Thank you to the students who submitted questions for our chat today!