I APPLIED, NOW WHAT?

LEARN

OVER

LUNCH

:

Congratulations!

You did it! You successfully applied to at least one college or university.

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So…what should you do now?

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CHECK YOUR EMAIL

• Check your email frequently (if not daily)
• Colleges will send you many emails, and some of them may be important. Examples of things they may email you about:

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• Missing materials from your application
• Financial aid and other key deadlines
• Notification when an admission decision has been made!

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You should have used your personal email when applying to college, so be sure you are checking the right one! Continue checking your MPS email for Washburn classwork.

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SET UP APPLICATION PORTALS

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• Most colleges will have an application portal
• Information about how to set up and access the school’s portal will be sent to you via email�
• Things you may find in the application portal
• First-year checklists and other key deadlines
• Campus housing information
• Contact info for admissions, financial aid, etc.
• A decision about your admission!�

FOCUS ON FINANCIAL AID

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• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Online form the student completes with a parent or guardian
• Determines how much federal financial aid you will receive, and colleges use it to create a financial aid package for you
• Complete the CSS Profile
• Some schools–usually highly selective schools–require the CSS Profile. Check each school’s deadline, as they may vary.
• Complete the MN Dream Act
• Students who do not have a Social Security Number, have lived in MN for at least 3 years, and plan to attend college in MN will complete this financial aid form.

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You will complete the FAFSA or the MN Dream Act, not both.

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FOCUS ON FINANCIAL AID (cont.)

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• Start your scholarship search
• Go to the college’s Fin. Aid/Scholarship on their website; some are automatic based on merit or need, others require applications (less common)
• Use scholarship search engines like Xello, Big Future, and Fastweb to find scholarships you may be eligible for
• Reference the Washburn Scholarship Spreadsheet

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• Stay on top of scholarship deadlines!

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• The Washburn Scholarship application will open on March 2.

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CHECK HOUSING DEADLINES

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• Look at each school’s student housing page for deadlines
• Even if you don’t know where you want to go yet, look at the campus housing pages so you understand their process and timing (if you are planning to live on campus). There may be priority deadlines.
• It’s okay to wait to apply for housing until you have decided where you want to go, or you can also apply for housing at multiple schools before you decide. Keep in mind that there may be non-refundable deposits!�

CAMPUS HOUSING EXAMPLES

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• UW-Madison

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• U of MN-Twin Cities

• No priority deadline
• May 1 due date
• Can’t apply until officially admitted

• Housing assignments are made based on the date of your housing application
• Can apply for housing before you know if you’re admitted ($75 non-refundable fee)
• March 1 priority deadline for specific communities, May 1 general deadline

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KEEP WORKING HARD IN HIGH SCHOOL

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• Your grades and attendance still matter
• Colleges will receive your mid-year and final transcript
• Some private scholarships have GPA requirements
• Don’t drop any classes

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• Enjoy your last few months as a Miller!
• Remember to have fun as your high school career winds down

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

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• Compare financial aid award letters from colleges as they arrive
• Choose your school and pay your enrollment deposit by May 1 (“College Decision Day”)
• You don’t have to commit by May 1 for 2-year schools or some 4-year schools
• Say thank you to people who helped you along the way
• Handwritten thank you cards are always appreciated!

Top5 Financial Aid Comparison Tool

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• Washburn is testing a new program called “Top5”
• Streamline college comparisons
• Clearly explain college tuition and fees
• Explore and compare multiple colleges’ costs
• Upload financial aid award letters for accurate comparisons and aid appeals
• Free to Washburn students!
• If you are interested in trying it, let Hana or Erin know and they will set you up with an account.

Questions?