Updated FAFSA (2023): Rollout Delayed

If you couldn’t attend the Parent Coffee for the Senior College Application Process (September 29th) or the Financial Aid Night (October 19th), let me bring you up to speed.  For the 2024-25 award year, the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is getting a facelift that includes a redesign and fewer questions.  Sounds amazing, right?  Perhaps it was too good to be true…the U.S. Department of Education pushed the deadline from December 1st to December 31st.  Sigh.  

While this is frustrating to learn, HHS counselors encourage families to take a deep breath, enjoy the holiday season, and get ready to hit the ground running in the new year.  The silver lining is that if parents and families were a little behind the eight ball and hadn’t had the time to look into deadlines this fall, it’s still not too late.  You are still in the game! During the winter break, students can prepare by setting up their username and password on the studentaid.gov website and getting their FSA ID.  Additionally, the new FAFSA will force every contributor to have a verified FSA ID, so parents or guardians should also start to create their own ID since it takes a few days to validate the information.  

I do recognize that adding one more item to the madness of the holiday season might be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back.  Still, don’t assume filling out the FAFSA is too much trouble; previously, the average student could have completed it in less than an hour, according to the U.S. Department of Education.  However, the updates to the FAFSA process are designed to simplify the form and reduce the number of questions that families need to answer.  One of the key changes is the use of “skip logic,” allowing applicants to answer questions that are relevant to their specific circumstances.  This new feature allows families to bypass sections so they don’t waste time answering questions that don’t pertain to them.  Combined with the IRS Direct Data Exchange (formerly known as the IRS Data Retrieval Tool), families can automatically transfer their tax information directly to the FAFSA.  Thus, the new FASFA is certainly more streamlined since it reduces errors since families won’t have to manually enter tax information.

It’s worth noting that some families in Hopkinton say they don’t intend to file since they don’t believe they qualify; however, we think you should reconsider this viewpoint.  It’s true that the higher your family’s income is, the lower your chances of receiving this type of federal aid.  According to the Department of Education, in 2020-21, approximately 66% of all Pell Grant recipients had incomes less than or equal to $30,000.  The new FAFSA form reflects updates to student aid calculations that will extend Pell Grants to more students in 2024-25, as eligibility will be linked to family size and the federal poverty level.  But the Pell Grant isn’t the only reason to fill out the FAFSA.  Information submitted on it can qualify students for other nonfederal grants—from state governments, private entities, and colleges themselves—that are available to students from higher-income households as well.  Even some merit-based scholarships offered by colleges and universities require applicants to file the FAFSA (Margaret Giles, 2023).  Thus, many school counselors and college planning experts recommend that students from higher-income households also fill out the FAFSA, especially if they live in Massachusetts.  If your child qualified for the John and Abigail Adams or Stanley Koplik Award due to their MCAS scores, your family must apply for the FAFSA annually to earn that scholarship in our public state and university systems.

To sum up, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the changes to the FAFSA process, and file it once it opens.  Check out videos to prepare yourself for December 31st.  Be sure to check the FAFSA website regularly for updates on the new process, and double-check your child’s entire college list (using their official financial aid website) to see what the first deadline is among all of them.  Finally, if you need assistance, the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) provides free FAFSA help through their website.  In particular, they are offering an upcoming virtual “FAFSA Festival,” on January 24th, from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM, where families will be paired with an expert who can answer FAFSA questions and help complete the online application.  

Though I don’t like to say it, the rollout on the 31st will be considered “a soft launch,” and families should expect possible maintenance pauses, waiting rooms, glitches, and other delays throughout January, so certainly use MEFA to guide you through this process.  No one expects you to complete it on New Year’s Day, so you have time on your side, especially compared to previous years.  Counselors are optimistic that all families can complete this new form with patience, so try to make it your New Year’s resolution!  If you’re like me, it might be the only one you complete.

Career Seminars (Flex Block) for May

Hey parents and students, Ms. Lechtanski just posted the Career Seminar Schedule for May 2022.  Please read below!  Most sessions are during flex block, so please use the adaptive schedule to sign up for a session or more.

May 4: Physician:  Dr. James Kenealy 

An otolaryngologist, a physician with this job title is also referred to as an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor.  ENTs deal with anything that has to do with the head, neck, and ears in adults and children including hearing, ear surgeries, cancers of the head, neck, and throat, problems with sinuses, the larynx or thyroid and may perform cosmetic or reconstructive surgery on the head and neck. Talk to Dr. Kenealy to learn about what it’s like to go to medical school and become a physician, how long it takes to become an ENT, more about the type of work he does as an ENT, the pros and cons of being a physician and how he manages his work-life balance.  NOTE: This is a special evening session on Wednesday at 7 pm.  If you're interested, email Mrs. Lechtanski (vlechtanski@hopkinton.k12.ma.us) to get the zoom link for this session.

May 10: Graphic Designer: Katie Wilson

Graphic designers are experts in visual communication. They use colors, photos, font styles, and other graphics to convey a message. Their aim is to tell a story or create a certain feeling. They help to shape an identity for a product, service, or company. Their work can persuade, inform, and entertain the public (careercruising.com).

May 12: Tech Entrepreneur: Jon Clark

Do you have lots of good ideas about how to sell products or services? Are you business-minded and innovative? Entrepreneurs can start a business with any product or service. The product can be anything from car parts to dog walking to online games.  The people who invented personal computers, for example, were well ahead of their time. Other people in this field decide to work with an existing product or service. They either improve it or figure out how to provide it to customers more efficiently (careercruising.com).

May 17: Material Science Engineer: Ashley Kaiser

Materials engineers create and study materials at the atomic level. They use computers to understand and model the characteristics of materials and their components. They solve problems in several different engineering fields, such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, nuclear, and aerospace.

May 19: James Coles- Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to preserve the Earth, using their expertise of the natural sciences to protect wildlife and human health. They may clean up polluted areas, advise policymakers, or work with industry to reduce waste.

NOTE: If a teacher requests you during Flex Block or you are expected to attend a class meeting or assembly, you cannot attend the career seminar.  Any questions? Email Mrs. Lechtanski.

HHS Junior College Admissions Night (3.10.22), Parent FAQs, Part III: College Timeline Questions

Hello families! Thank you so much to all parents and juniors that attended our college admission night on March 10th.  As promised, I will continue to answer your FAQs that were not addressed in the presentation.  As always, if you do have concerns, please reach out to your designated counselor, or to me, kwurster@hopkinton.k12.ma.us, as I can direct you appropriately.

PARENT FAQs, PART III: College Timeline Questions

How soon should our students apply?  Our understanding is that we must apply as early as November of their senior year for some schools.

All colleges have different deadlines, as well as application types.  For example, many prestigious schools only offer Early Decision (a binding contract in which your child is committed to the school if they get accepted) or Regular Decision (non-binding).  Some colleges/universities do offer early action (non-binding), but not all, so it’s usually not possible to apply to all colleges early, since a student can only apply to one Early Decision school.  Generally speaking, Early Decision/Early Action deadlines vary from October 15th (mostly southern schools), November 1st, November 15th, or sometimes December 1st.  Regular Decision (or Early Decision II) deadlines are generally on January 1st or January 15th.  My most significant tip is to use the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) to look up college deadlines in one swoop; check out my video to see a demo.

When is the right time to visit colleges?

There is really no “right” or “wrong,” and you’ll have to follow your child’s lead.  Listen to and observe your child.  If they are interested in looking at colleges, go for it.  If they seem hesitant or anxious, it’s best to take it slow.  Starting these visits in junior year is the most common timeline, however, select students feel that the “right” time is towards the end of the sophomore year, but others don’t get their feet wet until their senior year.

When do students formally apply for college?

Applications are submitted in senior year.  Early action (non-binding)  and early decision (binding) deadlines range from October 15 to December 1.  Regular decision deadlines are usually between January 1 and February 15.  It is suggested that students apply to some colleges in the fall, and others in January to keep an even pace while writing supplemental essays.  Remember, juniors should choose their senior year courses wisely as it is exhausting to keep up with multiple rigorous classes while balancing college applications and extracurricular activities.  

When can Juniors start to request recommendations from Hopkinton High School faculty?

We recommend juniors ask a teacher or two for a recommendation during the spring of grade 11.  See this link for guidelines for letters, though it is best to go to the college’s own website to confirm as policies may change unexpectedly.

What is your recommendation around early acceptance and early decision?

It is my feeling that if a school offers early action, and if the student is in the ballpark GPA and SAT/ACT-wise, it is suggested that the senior capitalize on this opportunity not only because they will hear back early, but their financial aid package may be better.  However, early decision is an entirely different beast. Not only is the student, parent, and counselor signing a binding contract, committing the applicant to the school if they are accepted, it will not allow the family to compare financial aid packages from different schools.  Hence, the family should expect they will pay full price for the college/university since the institution has no incentive to “sweeten the deal” since the senior is already committed.  Although the early decision pool does generate a high acceptance rate, the student really needs to be sure the college is hands-down their  #1 choice, and that the family is able to pay the entire expense.

What is the linear process for applying to colleges now? What do we need to be doing now, this summer, and in the fall?

Great question!  See this college planning timeline.

HHS Junior College Admissions Night (3.10.22), Parent FAQs, Part II: The College Search

Hello families! It’s finally here; the HHS College Admissions Night. In this post, I answer questions related to the college search. Please keep in mind that all families are individual, and your child may take a different approach than another peer. Generally speaking, there is no “wrong” way to go about it but if you do have concerns, please reach out to your designated counselor, or to me, kwurster@hopkinton.k12.ma.us, as I can direct you appropriately.

Looking forward to seeing you tonight!

PARENT FAQs, PART I:  The College Search

How do I find out which schools are strong in certain majors?

Many websites/periodicals attempt to rank majors, ranging from US News and World Report, niche.com, and ruggsrecommendations.com. However, bear in mind a ranking does not guarantee success at that college or university; one must always consider whether the school “fits” the student’s profile (size, location, campus feel, and other important factors to individual students). Check out Malcolm Gladwell’s lecture on “Why You Shouldn’t Go to Harvard.”

How important is it to do virtual or in-person college tours to increase chances of acceptance to a college?

It is true that many colleges track students’ contacts, whether that is emailing to the admissions office, attending a virtual tour, or visiting the campus.  It is essential that you make an attempt to visit a local school; if you don't, it may hurt you, as the college may perceive that you're not interested.  Although it is crucial you make an attempt to take these opportunities as they arrive, please note that these visits won’t balance out other more important factors (grades in academic classes, letters of recommendation, the resume, etc.). 

How do you start this process? / How to best narrow down all the potential colleges and universities into a manageable list?

During the junior year, counselors usually recommend that a student visits a few local colleges to see the difference between campuses; for example, one might start with visiting Stonehill, Northeastern, and UConn to see a variety of options (e.g. small vs. big, urban vs. suburban/rural, homogenous student body vs. heterogeneous study body). Once the student has gotten a feel of the differences, they can start to use online search engines or make an appointment with one’s counselor to suggest similar schools to explore next. Students can then start to visit college websites and go on virtual tours to narrow down what schools are worthwhile for an in-person visit. Families can also start by looking at HHS’s average acceptances (GPAs and SATs/ACTs) for specific colleges using Naviance.  If you are a parent and don't have access to this awesome college resource, please reach out to your school counselor.

Most students eventually whittle down their list to about 8-12 colleges to which they will apply, and it’s best that the schools are broken down into categories such as “likely,” “target,” and “reach,” ensuring that roughly a third are in each group. However, this process takes many months, and please feel free to reach out to your school counselor for advice; each family is different, and while some finish the process in December of the senior year, some don’t get to the finish line until graduation. The process is a marathon, not a sprint, so take it at an even pace so your student or family doesn’t get burned out at the beginning.

How to decide which college to pick? / What do you think are the top three things to consider when determining the right school for the student?

This is truly an individual decision, as families have different priorities when evaluating options. I’ve had students apply only to Big Ten schools because they wanted to be in a sporty environment, while others seek prestige or affordability. Most parents want to consider the return on their investment. No factor is wrong to consider, but it is important to contemplate whether the student feels comfortable in the college environment (i.e. the location, size, campus culture, diversity, and so on), as the right fit will likely precede academic success.

How can we keep the process feeling fun and exciting rather than just more work, stress, and pressure for our kids?

Personally, I think the process depends on the child; some students are naturally excited by it, whereas others refuse to engage. Some are in the middle. You can’t really change your child’s opinion on it, but do recognize that starting in their junior year, at every holiday or family get-together, relatives and friends will ask about your child’s college search: where they’re applying to, what their favorite school is, and so on. It can get exhausting. Try not to get swept up in the process, even unintentionally, and find other topics to discuss when you’re with your child. A good suggestion is to designate a college night (perhaps on Sundays, for about an hour) to tackle any burning questions you want to ask, but by doing it in one block, it comes off as less “naggy.” Another department member whose children have all gone through the process suggested posting a whiteboard in a visible location where the parent could write short questions to the junior/senior (“Remember to ask Mr. Smith for a rec letter this week!” or “Did you sign up for your SATs?’), which creates a prominent reminder without causing verbal (sometimes caustic!) interactions. Regardless of how your teenager reacts to the process, please remember: it’s not your fault. If you’re lucky enough to have a child who handles their applications seamlessly with minimal reminders, throw yourself a party and kick up your feet. If you’re not so lucky, don’t beat yourself up; contact your school counselor and we can help.

HHS Junior College Admissions Night (3.10.22), Parent FAQs, Part I: College Exams

Hi families and students, we are nine days away from our HHS Junior College Admissions Night 2022. As part of the registration process, we have welcomed junior families to ask questions that may not be addressed in our upcoming presentation.  Below are some recent FAQs, as well as a short video about college testing. Please note that the webinar is only offered to eleventh-grade students and their parents/guardians, however, the FAQs may be helpful to read regardless of your child's grade.

PARENT FAQs, PART I: College Exams

When should the SAT or ACT be taken by?

Students should take at least one test of the spring of their junior year, and they could re-test in the fall (August/September) to be eligible for most early action deadlines. Be mindful that some southern colleges have early action deadlines of October 15th.

Is it worth taking the SATs or ACTs anymore?

We recommend that a student take at least one college test in the spring of the junior year. Even though many colleges are test-optional, some still require them. It’s better to get a test under one’s belt now rather than panicking/scrambling at the last minute. Please go to sat.org or act.org to register, and make sure that your child knows the username and password in case they need access at school.  Additionally, here is a doc listing all testing dates for 2022, as well as helpful tips and resources.

Will schools remain test-optional?

We hope so!!! However, it is still too early to predict what might happen; some colleges are committed to remaining test-optional until 2026 (or so) to track data to see if removing a testing barrier impacted the quality of the students admitted during their test-optional phase.

It is advisable to submit SATs/ACTs to colleges even when they may not be required?

It is advisable to submit scores if the student’s SAT/ACT is average or above the college’s published criteria so it is likely that your child sends scores to some schools but not all of them.  Additionally, it is important to note that some colleges may offer merit money to students whose scores are above the average so gaining a scholarship is always a plus!

How large of a role do SAT and/or ACT scores play in admissions?

In rank order, the most significant factors that admissions officers consider (in order of importance) are grades in academic classes, strength of one’s curricula, standardized tests, the college essay, the school counselor secondary school report, teacher recommendations, and the resume. If one does not submit college exams, admissions will heavily focus on the more subjective parts of the application (e.g. essay(s), recs, and the resume).

What is the difference between the SAT and the ACT?

Please watch Drew Heilpern of Summit Educational Group (time code = 18:35) to understand the difference between the tests.

 

Whoa, it's already 2022...

    I was hoping to post a new article when we returned from winter break, but so much for my New Year’s resolutions. In case you’re new to my blog, I create timely articles for my department about the post-secondary process…well, perhaps in the pandemic turmoil, they’re not as timely as I’d like them to be, but I try! Nevertheless, despite the rollercoaster of the COVID-19 world, this year I’ve seen a lot of bright spots to report to the Hopkinton community. In the fall of 2021, our school instituted a flex block in our schedule, which occurs on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week from 9:55-10:40. During this time, students can meet with teachers, counselors, and other support staff for extra help, remediation, and self-care. Our department seized this opportunity and used these blocks to offer our developmental curriculum to the students on our caseloads, which was an awesome experience as I was able to connect with my students more frequently than in the past. Though we’ve offered these classes for decades, this is was the first time in which counselors could teach their own students in person, so as such, I’ve now seen all of my freshmen at least five times in a group setting. Despite the mask that fogs my glasses, making me feel even more anonymous than my far-sighted colleagues, when I walk into the hallways and classrooms, freshmen now greet me and yell out to me by name. I am very grateful that I was able to establish a strong relationship from the very beginning of this year, and I have flex block to thank for it.

    Counselors are now just wrapping up our Junior Seminars, which cover post-secondary planning. These sessions are heavily focused on the college process, and this week, counselors focused on letters of recommendation (check out this youtube clip from my class), when students should ask their teachers (typically in April/May this year), and what information they should provide once a teacher agrees to a write a recommendation. Additionally, all counselors are required to write a recommendation for all students in support of their applications, and we just assigned My Story this week. This assignment, if done well, enhances the letter that we will write for the student. Additionally, parents are also welcome to add more information to our rec letters via the Parent Brag Sheet. Moms, dads, or guardians are encouraged to answer the outlined questions about your child and return them to their respective counselor; the anecdotes parents provide are super helpful when writing. Often, there are really interesting pieces of information that parents share through this correspondence that I may not have known otherwise. So please, don’t be shy…brag about your child! It can only help.

    I could go on and on about our seminars, but if you’re curious about when your child attended or will attend these classes, you can check it out here. Additionally, even though counselor sessions are focused on career development mostly in the freshmen and sophomore year, the flex block has allowed Valerie Lechtanski, STEAM and CVTE School-Community Career Coordinator, to reach out to any student who wants to meet virtually with a professional in a specific career. In these live sessions, the expert will talk about their journey, how they entered into the field, the future of the career, and what they do on an average day. Here is the calendar for February, and as long as we have enough student interest, we are hoping to provide more options for additional experts to share their stories and inspire youth in Hopkinton.

    Despite the fact that we’re still riding the COVID wave, now that I look back, I do realize that these new initiatives might not have come to fruition if we didn’t need to make structural changes to help transition our students back to a normal school day, whatever normal is now. I am deeply appreciative that I live in a community that is creative and flexible, allowing us to use the ample resources in our school to assist our students. If you’re reading this article and had no idea about our new flex block pilot program, please feel free to reach out to your child’s school counselor, or to me, Kristen Wurster at kwurster@hopkinton.k12.ma.us, and I can direct your question appropriately. In the meantime, be kind, be safe, and stay warm!

A Brief Timeline on the College Process

Well, after a long-induced pandemic hiatus, I've returned to my blog yet again to target our junior students and their parents.  On Thursday, February 25th, the Hopkinton High School's Counseling Department will present a webinar to kick off the eleventh graders' college application process.  If you did not see the recent email inviting the Class of 2022 and their parents to attend, please click here. We have already received many RSVPs, and the reason I'm blogging is to address some of the questions that parents have already asked in advance of the program.  Unfortunately, many of these inquiries are beyond the scope of our webinar's presentation, but I hope to clarify and inform those families who are going through this process for the first time.  I was the guinea pig in my family, as I was the firstborn in a family of four children, and I did not make it easy for my parents.  Stay tuned for a separate post addressing how parents can cope with the college process with a teenager who refuses to engage.

But, I digress; let's focus on the now.  Rest assured that the college application process spans over a year, and at this stage of the game, no one is behind. Your goal in the spring of your junior year is to RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH. Yes, there will be time to start applications, write college essays, craft resumes, and hone specific nuances of the process. Still, your current focus should be narrowing down your options so by the time you hit August of your senior year, you will have at least a handful of schools to which you plan to apply. You should also sign up for at least one college exam (SAT/ACT) in the spring of the junior year; if you haven't done so, check out this helpful webinar to learn more about the differences between the SATs/ACTs, or contact your child's school counselor to offer advice.

Additionally, all juniors are required to attend a mandatory Junior Seminar (February-March), in which each counselor meets with all of their students in a small group setting, addressing certain specific topics such as Finding your Fit/Using Naviance, The Common Application, the College Essay, Letters of Recommendation, Financial Aid/Scholarships, and more.  Check out this doc to see what you should be doing each season for the next year.  Additionally, if you want to watch a video with yours truly, click below to view a YouTube clip.

Here are some time codes so you can fast forward to areas in which you have interest:

1:15:  College Timeline:  The Here and Now

4:00:  The Junior Seminar

5:15:  Fall FAQs:  How many colleges to which students typically apply?

7:40:  Application Types (Early Action versus Early Decision)

11:30:  November 1st/15th Deadlines:  What grades are sent?

12:35:  Regular Decision Deadlines (January 1st/15th):  What grades are sent?

14:55:  Rolling admissions

16:25:  The FAFSA

18:20:  Scholarships

As always, please contact your child's counselor if you have any follow-up questions; or, at the very least, email me at Kristen Wurster kwurster@hopkinton.k12.ma.us so I can direct you to the correct person.  As always, it takes a village, and in the next year or so, your counselor will be an essential villager who will guide you through the process, not only through graduation but potentially beyond.  Please don't be shy in reaching out because this is how we forge strong relationships with our students and families.