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College Searches

To search for any college or university in the United States click here.  College searches on the net are an important first step to the admissions process.  Many college campuses have virtual tours that highlight the departments, programs, activities, and admissions requirements of the school.

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College Time Line  

Juniors

• Put together a plan for taking the SAT I, SAT II, AP, and ACT.

• Secured Social Security number. MANDATORY!

• Requested counselor evaluation of your records for college preparation.

• Joined National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation, if eligible. 

• Started scholarship search.

• Asked parents to check on scholarships available through their employment, unions, and service organizations to which they belong.

• Wrote to college admission offices for information, catalogues, and visitation dates.

• Narrowed selection of colleges

• Planned college visits.

• Athletes: Checked with counselor and coach for NCAA eligibility requirements. If you plan to play

• Division I or Division II college sports, you MUST join the NCAA Clearing House!

• Attended College Night and Career Day events. 

• Requested high school counselor evaluation of coursework for A-F requirements.

• Wrote for college applications and housing information.

• Signed up for required tests:

• SAT 1 ACT SAT II AP

• Identified potential sources of recommendations-teachers, counselors and employers.

• Began writing college essays.

• Gathered income tax records for financial aid procedures.

• Attended Financial Aid Workshops through Adult Education (FAFSA and CCS Profile forms.)

• Applied for scholarships. KEEP CHECKING FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

• Joined National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation, if eligible.

• Photocopied Application Checklist in back of this booklet and placed copies in each college file you have made.

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College Applications

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College Visitations

When student make college visits there are a number of things that the should take away from their experience.  Many visits will offer much more, but here are a few of the basics: 

• Meet with an Admission Counselor.

• Verify admission requirements.

• Determine actual college costs.

• Ask about financial aid opportunities.

• Take a campus tour.

• Investigate the academic program(s) that you are interested in.

• Attend a class.

• Talk with students and faculty.

• Discuss your chances for success.

Take this handy comparison form with you when you travel to different schools.  CLICK HERE to print a copy.

  

Name of College
Enrollment
Cost
Admission requirements
Tests required
Majors of interest
% of commuters
% who graduate in four years
% going on to higher degree
Housing availability
Application fee
Enrollment deposit
Scholarship/grant/aid opportunities
% of students receiving aid
Faculty-Student ratio
Average SAT/ACT scores
(Other)
(Other)
Your order of preference
Your chances of admission

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Financial Aid

Financing Higher Education:

• Financial Aid is assistance provided to students from a variety of federal, state, local and college sources.

• Starting in your junior year, talk to your counselor, ask parents to check with employers and labor unions, go to a library and look at scholarship, grant and student aid directories, and search the net.

• Obtain and read the Student Guide: Financial Aid from the US Department of Education. Copies are available at the counseling office.

• During the admission process, find out what each school requires in order to apply for financial aid. Even at similar colleges in California, requirements and deadlines are not the same. Schools outside the state will have their own financial aid application process.

• To apply for financial aid, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Copies are available in the counseling office. DO NOT FILE BEFORE JANUARY I OF YOUR SENIOR YEAR.

• Many schools and scholarship programs also require that you complete the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Financial Aid PROFILE application. The financial aid section of your college application booklet will indicate whether a PROFILE is required, how to secure a copy (by December), and when it is due (Jan/Feb.) Request a copy from the Counseling Office. Dates vary with colleges: check your application.

• Most financial aid applications also require letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, employers, or volunteer agencies. Request these early enough to be received by the deadline.

• Make and keep copies of all financial aid forms. If forms are lost, the financial aid office will allow you to submit a duplicate form if you have a receipt. Certified or registered mail or an overnight express delivery service may delay processing of the application.

• Request a certificate of mailing (.55cents) from the post office when sending forms.

• Mail applications early enough to arrive at the financial aid office by the deadline.

• Most students receive their aid in a combination or package comprising loans, grants and work study.

• The terms scholarship and grant are now used interchangeably They are categorized as either need (financial) or non-need (honorary). A need based scholarship/grant is awarded after evaluation of academic records, promise, and financial need. A non-need based scholarship/grant is awarded on merit alone. Neither requires repayment.

• Rule of thumb: Apply for everything and let the sponsoring agency determine if financial need exists. The pool of candidates changes each year. To apply for both Federal and State aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The California priority deadline is March 2. The FAFSA is available from the Counseling Office starting in November. Do not file earlier than January of your senior year. Be prepared to supply additional materials, such as your family's income tax returns, directly to the school.

Sources Of Financial Aid

Pell Grants: ranging from $400 to $2,400 awarded to undergraduate students with financial need who are attending an eligible college or vocational school at least half-time.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG): ranging from $100 to $4,000 per academic year awarded to students who have needs beyond that fulfilled by the Pell Grants.

Perkins Loans: low interest loans (5%) awarded to students who demonstrate need. The annual loan limit is $3,000 for undergraduate students and $5,000 for graduate students.

Work Study: program which assists students to find jobs and subsidizes their wages; awarded to students with need.

Cal Grant A: ranging from $594 to $5,250 to help low-income students pay tuition and fees.

Cal Grant B: ranging from $300 to $1,410 to help very low-income students pay for living expenses and sometimes tuition/fee help. Tuition/fee awards are the same as Cal Grant A.

Cal Grant C: ranging from $594 to $2,890 to help students attending vocational schools pay tuition and training costs.

Federal Stafford Loans: (Administered by the California Student Aid Commission) these loans are for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, or professional students who demonstrate financial need. Students may borrow $2,625 for each of the first two undergraduate years, and up to $4,000 annually through the fifth year. Maximum undergraduate borrowing may not exceed $23,000. Interest rate does not exceed 9%.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: (Administered by the California Student Aid Commission) these loans are for students who are ineligible for some or all of a subsidized Federal Stafford Loan. These loans are not need based. Interest payments begin immediately after the loan is disbursed, or the interest may be added to the amount owed. Regular repayment begins six months after the student ceases to be at least a half-time student.

Private Individuals, Corporations, Foundations

Scholarship and loan programs for local students: Awards may be used at approved vocational schools, 2-year colleges and 4-year colleges. For questions on either Foundation's student aid programs or for financial aid advice, call the Scholarship Foundation office at 965-7212. (The Scholarship Foundation administers both foundation programs).

Eligibility for Scholarship Foundation programs: students must have attended at least grades 11-12 at a Santa Barbara County high school. Eligibility for Santa Barbara Foundation programs: students must have attended at least grades 7-12 at a Santa Barbara County high school.

Applications are available in the counseling office or at the Scholarship Foundation office from October 1- January 20. Deadline is normally January 31, of that school year. Interviews are required in the month of March. Awards based on financial need.

Santa Barbara Foundation Fleischmann Award Program: applications available in the counseling office or at the Scholarship Foundation office from October 1 - November 15. Deadline is normally November 15, of that school year. Selected interviews are required in December. Awards based on academic excellence (3.8 unweighted GPA minimum) and community service.

Scholarship Foundation Honors Award Program: applications available in the counseling office or at the Scholarship Foundation office from October 1 - November 15. Deadline is normally November 15, of that school year. Selected interviews are required in December. Awards based on a very high level of academic excellence.

Scholarship Foundation Art Competition Program: applications available in the counseling office or at the Scholarship Foundation office from October 1 - January 20. Deadline is normally January 31, of that school year. Awards based on a judged art competition.

Santa Barbara Foundation Pillsbury Music and Creative Writing Scholarship Program: Applications for creative writing scholarships are available in the Fall, and applications for music scholarships are available in the Spring. For the Pillsbury programs only, call the Santa Barbara Foundation at 963-1873 for questions.

Santa Barbara High School receives flyers on available scholarships and posts them in the counseling desk.  Scholarship information is published in the bulletin as it arrives in the Counseling Office.  The Career Center offers a personalized computer printout of numerous financial aid sources in addition to numerous college catalogues and their financial aid packages.  An expert financial aid team visits all economics and government classes in January.

All forms should be signed and returned, indicating whether you accept or reject the award.  You may accept part of a package rather than the entire offer. Realize, however, that if you do reject the loan portions of the package, the financial aid office will seldom be able to increase the size of your grants in the future. If your financial circumstances change, either before or during the school year, report the changes in resources or expenses to the financial aid office. Your award may be changed accordingly. Failure to report changes, especially in resources, may cause problems.  Some colleges permit students to trade work aid for loan aid or loan aid for work aid.  Ask your college's financial aid office how payments will be made to you.

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Scholarships 

Accessing scholarships through the Santa Barbara High School Counseling Office is very simple.  A description of the steps students need to take to obtain scholarship information and applications sent to SBHS by out side organizations are located below.  The graph below is an EXAMPLE, of what student will see when they visit the scholarship binder in the counseling office. 

How to request scholarship information:

2.  Fill out a "Scholarship Information Request Form" and place completed form in the Drop-Off Box.  Allow 24-hour turn around.

4.  See the Registrar's Office to request an Official Transcript if needed. Transcripts take 2-3 working days.

Here is an example of what a student might find in the Scholarship Binder located in the Counseling Office:

Scholarship Search Sites:

College Enterance Exams 

How Many Tests and Which Ones?

PSAT:  Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test. The PSAT may be taken by sophomores and juniors who are interested in preparing for the SAT. The PSAT is given once a year in October on a Saturday. The test results are officially sent to colleges but are NOT used in the final admissions process. The PSAT/NMSQT also determines National Merit Scholarship finalists.

SAT I:  Scholastic Aptitude Test-Reasoning Test. The four-year college admission exam measures verbal and math reasoning plus standard written English. The SAT I is required by the University of California colleges and many private colleges. It is recommended that students take the SAT I twice – once in the spring of the junior year and once in the fall of the senior year. Both scores will be released, but colleges generally consider only the higher score.

SAT II:  Scholastic Aptitude Test-Subject Tests. The one-hour exams measure the level of accomplishment in particular subject fields. On one test date, a maximum of 3 subject tests may be taken. Some private colleges and the University of California colleges require three SAT II tests, including writing, math, and an additional test of the student’s choice. It is recommended that students take the SAT II in the spring of the junior year, and if necessary to improve individual scores, in the fall of the senior year.

ACT:  American College Testing Program. The ACT measures the level of accomplishment in four subject areas: English, mathematics, social studies, and natural sciences. These tests average 40 minutes each and are intended to assess a student’s ability to perform academically at a level expected by colleges. Although most colleges require the SAT I, some out-of-state colleges instead require the ACT. The ACT can frequently be substituted for the SAT I.

AP:  Advanced Placement tests measure a student’s ability to perform college level course work. These are not required for college admission, although students may receive college credit for passing individual tests. Students should take AP tests in the spring while still enrolled in the AP class. Note: Students need not be enrolled in an AP class in order to take the AP exam.

Photo ID

Watch

SAT I or SAT II registration card

Approved calculator

Two sharpened #2 pencils

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Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT)

• The test is given once a year in October.

• Sophomores often take the PSAT/NMSQT as a practice test in October of their sophomore year. As juniors, they retake the test in October of their junior year.

• Register in the Business Office approximately 3 weeks before the test date which is announced in the daily bulletin. The registration fee is approximately $16.

• Sign up as soon as registration opens as a limited number of tests may be available.

• Juniors who score in the top ½ percentile nationwide are automatically placed in competition for National Merit Scholarships.

• Test scores serve as a basis of some scholarships from a wide variety of sources.

• Students should use the PSAT as a practice test for the SAT I. When scores are returned, students also receive a copy of the test booklet, the correct answers, and a copy of their own answers. If a student reviews the questions in the test booklet and compares her incorrect answers with the correct answers, she may improve her chances for increased scores on the SAT I.

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• The three hour test measures a student’s verbal and mathematical abilities which are scored independently on a scale of 200 – 800 points. The score is the total number of correct answers minus a percentage penalty of incorrect answers.

• To register for the SAT I, you need a copy of the Bulletin for the SAT I Program which may be picked up in the Counseling Office.

• A Student must register by mail prior to the deadline unless he has previously registered for any tests of the SAT program, in which case the student may register by telephone.

• Registration fees vary. Check fee schedules printed in the Bulletin for the SAT Program.

• Select appropriate test dates. Note registration deadlines. Choose dates that allow the test scores to reach colleges by their deadlines. It takes approximately 5 weeks to process scores and mail them to selected colleges and your home. Rush reporting is available at an additional cost. See the Bulletin for the SAT Program.

• College admission officers use the SAT scores, along with course grades and other academic information, to evaluate how well prepared students are to do college level work.

• Test scores serve as a basis for some scholarships from a wide variety of sources.

• Taking the SAT I: Reasoning Test, available free of charge from the Counseling Office, includes a complete practice test as well as helpful test taking tips.

• To prepare for the SAT I, take the PSAT/NSQT in the fall of your junior year.

• Numerous SAT I preparation courses, books, and computer software programs are available in bookstores.

• Community resources for SAT I preparation include a two day workshop (fee) at UCSB, Kaplan and Princeton Review courses, and private tutors.

• PTSA sponsors free preparation classes in both math and verbal skills in the fall. Students must pre-register for these classes as space is limited.

• The SAT II: Subject Tests are multiple choice tests that measure a student’s knowledge of particular subjects, as well as how the student applies that knowledge. Each test is one hour in length.

• Many colleges and universities require one or more SAT II test scores as part of their application process. Check the colleges to which you are applying.

• Request a copy of the booklet Taking the SAT II; Subject Tests from the Counseling office. It includes detailed descriptions and sample questions for each test.

• Plan to take the SAT II as soon as possible after completing a related course of study. For example, if a student takes chemistry as a sophomore and plans to take the SAT II in chemistry, she should register to take that test at the end of her sophomore year.

• Up to three SAT II Tests may be scheduled for the same day.

• Test costs vary depending on the number of Subject Tests taken in one day.

• SAT II: Subject Tests are offered in the following subjects: writing, literature, math, American history, world history, biology, chemistry, physics, Latin, French, German, Italian, Modern Hebrew, and Spanish. Some specialty tests are available for Chinese, Janapese, Korean, etc., on limited dates.

•  SAT II tutorials may be purchased at local bookstores. Private tutors and review classes are also available in the community.

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• The ACT assessment includes four curriculum based tests that measure a student’s educational development in four areas: English, math, reading and science. Students must take all the sections. The ACT exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete. Check with the Counseling office for registration material if the colleges to which you are applying require the ACT. Remember, some colleges will allow substitution of the SAT I for the ACT.

• The test is scored on a scale of 1-5. Many colleges allow college credit for a score of 3, 4, or 5. Check in the college catalog to determine what is accepted by individual schools.

• Advanced Placement tests are offered in American history, European history, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, English and foreign languages. Cost is approximately $76 per test. Sign up in the assistant principal’s office.

• AP test preparation books with sample tests and test tips are available at local bookstores.

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Test Schedule for 2001 - 2002

** Remember, although SAT I and SAT II exams are offered on the same day, you may not take both exams on the same test day.  Registration booklets are located in the counseling office or you can register on-line by CLICKING HERE.

  

SAT I and SAT II	Test Date	Registration Deadline	Late Registration Deadline
SAT I and SAT II SAT I and SAT II SAT I and SAT II SAT I and SAT II SAT I only SAT I and SAT II SAT I and SAT II	October 13, 2001 November 3, 2001 December 1, 2001 January 26, 2002 March 16, 2002 May 4, 2002 June 1, 2002	September 11, 2001 September 28, 2001 October 27, 2001 December 21, 2001 February 8, 2002 March 29, 2002 April 26, 2002	September 15, 2001 October 10, 2001 November 8, 2001 January 2, 2002 February 20, 2002 April 10, 2002 May 8, 2002