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January 2011 |
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January 2011 |
The FAFSA is the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid.
Available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/, this form asks you to submit
previous year’s income and tax information to determine your eligibility for
student aid. A number of factors are
considered when calculating the Expected Family Contribution (the amount your
family should be able to contribute to your college education) including
income, assets, household size, and the number of students in the household who
are attending college. The lower the EFC, the more aid you may qualify for.
Submitting the FAFSA will not only give you access to federal student aid, but will also allow you to be considered for most state and institutional aid.
Who should fill out the FAFSA?
Everyone! Even if you feel you may not qualify for aid given your family’s income, it is still worthwhile to fill out the FAFSA. Should it be determined that you do not qualify for aid, you will at the very least be able to learn about other kinds of loan programs, such as unsubsidized Stafford or Plus loans, that may be helpful in paying for your education.
When should I fill out the FAFSA?
As soon as possible after January 1, 2011. The FAFSA will ask for information regarding income and taxes, so if you have not started your taxes, consider using estimates (they should be very close). Once you have completed your taxes you can revise the information online.
Do I have to know what college I’m attending?
No. The FAFSA allows you to select 10 colleges you are considering. If there are more than 10, you will be allowed to submit additional colleges after you submit the original form.
What if I need help?
When filling out the form online, you will have access to tips and instructions on each page. There is also a helpful guide, Completing the FAFSA, available online. If you need additional assistance, you may contact 1-800-4-FED-AID to speak with a customer service representative. While there are several websites that offer “to help you prepare your FAFSA”, be warned that these sites charge money for a FREE application and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Education. For free, in-person help, the non-profit Massachusetts College Goal Sunday, has several locations arranged for consultations in January. Visit www.fafsaday.org for more information.
Our speaker series continues on January 19th, with Marty O'Connell, Executive Director of Colleges That Change Lives.
It’s About the Journey, Not JUST the Destination!
Wednesday,
January 19, 2010
7:00pm
Newton Marriott
2345 Commonwealth Ave.,
Newton, MA
Too often, parents and students begin the college search process intimidated by the road ahead. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Marty O’Connell will teach parents and students how to make this a joyful time, not a high anxiety trial which neglects the individual fit. Find out why this can happen to families and how the process can be approached with a focus on the student, not the rankings and ratings, in order to determine a great college choice.
As a dynamic national speaker, Marty O’Connell’s efforts to educate students about finding the right school for them and to calm the frenzy surrounding the admissions process, have earned her the respect and admiration of colleagues. Her college admissions advice has been featured on National Public Radio, as well as in numerous publications, including The New York Times.
Come early to receive a free gift!
The first 10 families to check in will receive a complimentary copy of Loren Pope's Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.
"Katie just received her scores and we were all thrilled to see such a great improvement...her 570 in math went up to a 620 and her 610 in reading went up to a 660. Thank you very much for your help. We truly believe that her success was because of your ability to connect with her" --Chris M., Summit Parent
Get to Know Summit:
Michael Melia
Every month we shine the spotl
ight on one of our
expert One-on-One, In-Home Tutors or Classroom Program Teachers. This month we
spoke with Massachusetts area classroom teacher, Michael Melia. Michael's students always seem to send him great reviews, saying he is "smart and awesome" and "really helpful."
How long have you been with Summit?
I’ve been working in the Summit Office since August of 2008 and began some teaching and tutoring shortly after that. At the office, I work on the operational side of our classroom programs and materials division.
Which subjects do you teach?
I mostly teach the verbal section of the SAT, but have done some math as well in the past.
What kind of teacher are you?
I try and take a relaxed approach. Students are already so nervous about standardized testing, that I try and put things in to perspective. I like to mix in humor and keep a good amount of energy going.
What was your favorite subject in school and why?
Unsurprisingly, English. To this day, so many of my favorite books and authors were required reading in high school. I also loved art class, but that was never something I pursued outside of high school. Looking back on my work, it was probably a smart move.
Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to Framingham State College (now University) and majored in English with a minor in Secondary Education. I knew I wanted to study English, since I really liked reading and writing, but wasn’t sure at first what I wanted to concentrate in. I considered Journalism, but ultimately decided that education was the best fit for me. I’m glad I did, as I got to work with some truly amazing professors.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
So many places! I’ve never really done any extensive traveling, so there’s a lot I’d be open to. Germany, Iceland, and Australia are all on my list. There’s much of the USA that I would still like to explore as well.
What do you love most about teaching for Summit?
I love to be in the classroom. Students will often come in with these horror stories they’ve heard about the SAT, and I always have fun debunking those. If I can have students leave my class more confident and relaxed than they were before, I know I’ve done my job.
What is your greatest Summit teaching success story?
Last spring, I taught a full length SAT course for the May test. That fall, we offered a refresher course for the October test and about half the students returned because they enjoyed the May class so much. One student even increased her score by 300+ points!
Why did you become a Summit teacher?
When I took the job at the Summit office, I knew I would miss being in the classroom, so being a teacher for Summit let me have the best of both worlds!
What advice do you have for any family considering test prep?
College admissions can be a stressful time for both parents and students, so don’t let test prep add to that anxiety. There are a lot of options out there, but every family should take some time and decide what works best for them. Also, while there is a lot of pressure put on standardized testing, it’s important not to lose focus on schoolwork and other extracurricular activities.
Michael has helped countless students maximize their scoring potential, but he is only one of our expert teachers. Call us today at 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) to speak with a Program Director to learn more abou Classroom Programs and One-on-One, In-Home Tutoring in your area.
New and Improved Resource Guide
Summit is proud to introduce a new and improved College
Admissions Testing Guide for 2011! New features in this year’s edition include:
- Analysis of the PSAT as an SAT Score Predictor
- Well-known test optional schools
- Complete listing of college subject test requirements
- Even more tips and strategies to help you on test day!
To request your free copy of Summit’s College Admissions Testing Guide, please call 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867).
FREE Practice Tests
Summit Practice Tests offer students a great opportunity to take a standardized test under simulated proctored and timed conditions. These practice tests are a free service we offer as part of Summit's commitment to helping students maximize their test preparation. Students will receive a diagnostic analysis of their results in the mail.
Massachusetts
Saturday,
January 15, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: Brandeis University
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: Brandeis University
Connecticut
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: Farmington Homewood Suites
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Tests Offered: SAT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: Farmington Homewood Suites
Space is limited, so make sure to register soon!
Call 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) or click here to
register.
SAT Word of the Month
assiduous: (adj) hard-working, diligent (assiduousness n)---Related Words: industrious, sedulous, indefatigable
January 2011, VOL. 9, ED. 1
http://www.mytutor.com
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