Notes from Pam

The next phase of the college application process is underway – filing for financial aid.  I recommend that families access the FAFSA  – Free Application For Student Aid – at www.fafsa.edu.gov   The deadline for California is March 2, 2012.   Grants, loans, work study are all filtered through the FAFSA.   Scholarship information is available on the PHS College Center bulletin.

Students who will be attending community college in the Fall of 2012 will be filing applications as soon as the window opens.  Community colleges are currently enrolling for Spring semester and online applications for Fall aren’t yet available.  In addition to filing the application, students will register for math and English placement tests and the college orientation class.  This will prepare them for class registration when schedules become available.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding you student’s post high school plans,  I would be happy to meet with you or have a phone conversation.

The College Application season is upon us.   I am inviting you to share any thoughts you may have about your student’s post high school plans so that I can offer them support and guidance.  You can email me pbrandau@piedmont.k12.ca.us or phone for an appointment at 594-2882   Encourage your students to make an appointment with me soon so that we can discuss and review options.  I like to assist students in completing applications to encourage accuracy in reporting information about course work and extra curricular activities as well as discussing ideas for essay topics.   Community Colleges are positive options as are Gap Year programs.

• California State University application window is open from October 1 to November 30.
• University of California application period is November 1 – 30.
• SAT and ACT must be taken no later than December.  If your student has not taken one of these tests, please have them see me or sign-up at collegeboard.com or act.org
• The Common Application, the online application for many private colleges and universities across the nation, is also open for business for the 2012 year.
• Encourage students to sign-up for College Visits in the PHS College Center.  An updated list is posted every Monday on the bulletin board in the MHS hallway.
• Review the PHS College Center bulletin updated every Friday

Thank you for your support as we move into a very busy and sometimes stressful time for seniors.    Pam

The PSAT will be offered at MHS on Saturday, October 15, at 8:30 a.m.  It is expected that all juniors will take this practice test.  Sophomores are welcome if they have completed geometry.  The fee for this test is $20.  Scholarships are available.  This test is a useful introduction to format and content of the SAT that juniors will take in the Spring.  Please have your student sign-up, with payment,  in my office any time before Friday, October 14   If you have any questions, please call me at 594-2882 or email pbrandau@piedmont.k12.ca.us    Thank you.  Pam