Olive Branch High

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FAFSA AND MTAG

All students who desire to continue their education must fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible after the first of the year.  The first step is to get a PIN, then fill out the FAFSA.  Both parents and students will need a PIN.

FAFSA PIN - www.pin.ed.gov

FAFSA - www.fafsa.ed.gov

The state of Mississippi also offers the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) for qualifying students.  There are several other scholarship/grant opportunities on this website as well.  All students should apply.

www.ihl.state.ms.us/financialaid

General Information:                 Scholarship Information:

www.collegebound.net                                                   www.scholarships.com

www.collegeweeklive.com                                                 www.fastweb.com

www.mycollegecalendar.org                                                www.zinch.com

www.collegedata.com                                                www.scholarshippoints.com

www.collegeboard.com                                                     www.cappex.com

www.myusearch.com                                                        www.unigo.com

www.strategiesforcollege.com

www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator                                  ACT Information:

www.morethangrades.com                                       Register at www.actstudent.org

www.collegesolutionblog.com                                   It is recommended that students

www.mymajors.com                                                 take the test at least twice:

www.collegeview.com                                              Spring/Summer of Junior Year

www.u-can.com                                                       Fall/Winter of Senior Year

www.collegeportrait.com                            

www.youniversitytv.com                                              Free Test Prep for ACT:

www.ecampustours.com                                             Visit www.esfweb.com

www.theu.com                                                                 Click on “Home Page”

                                                                                     Click on “testGEAR”

                                                                                 Click “Create new portfolio”

    SAT INFORMATION                                           Enter site ID: 1212403

   Register at www.sat.collegeboard.org                      Enter Password: collegeplanning

  SAT is given at Olive Branch High School                          Then choose “testGEAR”

                                                                                                 AND

                                                                                  Visit www.petersons.com

                                                                                  Click on “quick test prep”

College Applications: 

Most colleges will not accept applications until the fall of your senior year, but you should start researching colleges before then.  The summer after your junior year is a great time to visit colleges and work on application essays.  You can also plan a college day during your senior year. 

NCAA Information: Athletes must register with the clearinghouse at the end of their junior year. Visit www.eligibilitycenter.org. The fee to register is $60. You may be able to receive a fee waiver if you have already received a waiver for the ACT. Students should have their ACT scores sent directly to the Eligibility Center, using the code 9999.

 Application Tips:

• It is best to type your application, but if you must write it, make sure that your handwriting is legible.
• Check for spelling mistakes and typos (remember, spell check does not recognize the difference between “principal” and “principle,” but an admissions office will). Always have someone proofread it for you.
• Check for application deadlines and make sure that you send your materials in on time. You also want to make sure that you send your materials to the correct address and person.
• Ask for letters of recommendation well in advance, so the recommender will have plenty of time to write a good letter. Ask a teacher who knows you well and who will write about you in a positive manner. Even if you have straight A’s, a bad letter of recommendation can ruin your chances of acceptance.
• Make sure you include everything the application asks for, such as a letter of recommendation, transcript, test scores, etc.
• Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket! You should apply to more than one school. You should aim high, but apply to a “safety” school, too.
• If the application requires an essay, make sure to write one in your own voice. Do not use big words, just to impress the admissions office; it is obvious that you had someone else write it for you. You want your essay to stand out from the crowd, so be creative and avoid writing about a generic experience. If the application gives you a specific topic to write about, make sure you stick to that topic.


Extra Tips of the Trade:

• Before visiting a college, make arrangements to visit with an admissions counselor and to take a tour of the campus. After your visit, write a thank-you note, letting the counselor know how much you enjoyed your visit. Remember, colleges receive thousands of applications and you want to make yours stand out from the crowd.