College Resources

ASU Preparatory Academy Casa Grande promotes the "Plan A" of all students going to college on their path to building a professional career. Choosing a college can be a daunting process for both students and parents, but the most important step is to inform yourself before making a decision. Start early!

Contents in this section (scroll down):

• College Admissions Glossary

• College & Career Portfolio

• Scholarship & Planning Guide

• FAFSA - Financial Aid

• Scholarships & Grants

• College Search Resources

• College-Concurrent Coursework (information about taking college classes in high school)

• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Site

College Admissions Glossary: Learn the Lingo

Click the link above for a glossary of terms related to college pathways.

Scholarship & College Planning Guide

The ASU Prep Casa Grande "Scholarship & College Planning Guide" contains crucial information and links for college-bound students and their parents. Download it at the link or see it below:

FAFSA - FINANCIAL AID

FAFSA opened October 1. Seniors and parents should review the information on this website, and apply as soon as possible.

FAFSA Slide Presentation for students & parents

RESOURCES

Please download this worksheet to prepare for FAFSA application.

Graphic: Visual Map of Financial Aid Process

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

Scholarships are available to students from grades 9-12. Funding can be "banked" until college entry. Of course, juniors and seniors are strongly encouraged to research scholarships and plan to apply for as many as possible, being aware of requirements and deadlines.

UPDATED INFORMATION ON SCHOLARSHIPS (Shared Google Doc)

• Scholarship Log - download and make a copy of this form to keep track of scholarship requirements, deadlines, and application status.

Grants are funding allotted with specific requirements.

• Pell Grant

• College Grants for High School Students

RESOURCES

These are just a few of the websites available to help students and parents locate and apply for scholarships:

• FastWeb

• Scholarships.com

• Peterson's

• Unigo

• Cappex

• Chegg

• BigFuture (College Board)

• Niche

• CollegeNET

• Scholarship Monkey

• ScholarshipAmerica.org

• scholarshipowl.com

• studentscholarships.org

• tuitionfundingsources.com

• weirdscholarships.net

• moolahSPOT.com

• SuperCollege.com

Arizona State University Scholarships

Sun Devil Family Association Scholarships (Deadline February 1st)

Notable Scholarships

• QuestBridge

• Gates Foundation Scholarship

• Other Prestigious Scholarships (list)

National Scholarships

• FIRE Free Speech Essay Contest (Jr and Sr) (Deadline December 31st)

• American Indian Services Scholarships for Native Americans (Rolling Deadline)

Local Scholarships

• Cesar E. Chavez Pinal County Memorial Scholarship (Deadline January 26th)

• Rotary Club of Casa Grande

• Dorrance Scholarship Programs (Opens Oct 1st; Deadline February 6th; must apply to ASU,Uof A & NAU)

TESTING RESOURCES

All ASU Preparatory Academy students are strongly encouraged to take BOTH the ACT and the SAT tests to avail themselves to more opportunities.

Juniors are encouraged to sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT (offered only in October), but can also take informal practice tests on a more flexible schedule. Juniors will take a school-wide ACT in the Spring, and are also strongly encouraged to register for the SAT in March, April, or May.

Seniors who have not taken (or did not score well on) the ACT or SAT by the fall of their senior year should register and take the exam as soon as possible, so their scores can be recorded and they can provide them on college applications.

ACT/SAT SPECIFIC TESTING INFORMATION - 2019-20

Here is the information for the SAT and ACT exam registration, should you need to take (or retake) them:

Registration Info Link:

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html#dates?cid=paidsearch:adwords:september-2018-act-national-test-date-k12-b2c:dc_3030-internal-paid-072018-mr01048-&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=september-2018-act-national-test-date-k12-b2c&utm_content=dc_3030-internal-paid-072018-mr01048- (Links to an external site.)

PSAT / NMSQT

• The "formal" PSAT / NMSQT is given once per year (in October), and must be arranged directly with a school that sponsors it. (ASU Preparatory Academy CG currently offers the ACT only, but will send updates as they become available.)

• The link above includes some practice tests that students can print and take at home or in an informal testing environment.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

CLEP was created to help individuals with prior knowledge in a college course subject earn their degree efficiently and inexpensively. That prior learning could have taken place through advanced high school courses, independent reading and study, online course-ware or textbooks, non-credit courses, or on-the-job training.

COLLEGE SEARCH RESOURCES

Finding the right fit for a college can be a tricky process. Students are strongly encouraged to begin searching programs of interest early in their junior year. Listed below are several helpful websites:

Search Engine Sites

• College Board: College Board "Big Future": https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search

• College Data: https://www.collegedata.com/en/explore-colleges/college-search/

• Common Application: https://www.commonapp.org/

Further Info about Common App:

https://blog.prepscholar.com/which-schools-use-the-common-application-complete-list

• Peterson's: https://www.petersons.com/college-search.aspx

• Princeton Review: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search

• U.S. News & World Report: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-search

Notable Application Services

• The Common Application

• The Coalition Application

• Universal College Application

Program Comparison

• U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

• US News & World Report: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/compare

Virtual Tours

Campus Tours: https://campustours.com/

YouVisit: https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/

INFO: ARIZONA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

CAC (Central Arizona College - 2 year)

Contact: Mrs. Celina Salinas (celina.salinas1@centralaz.edu)

Application (free): https://centralaz.edu/admissions/application-process/

Scholarships: https://centralaz.edu/2019-2020-scholarship-application/

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ASU (Arizona State University)

Contacts:

• Ms. NaTasha Henry (natasha.henry@asu.edu, asunatashahenry@asu.edu)

Application ($50 fee in-state, $70 out of state): https://admission.asu.edu/apply (please see Ms. Douglas for fee waiver if necessary)

Scholarships: https://scholarships.asu.edu/

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GCU (Grand Canyon State University)

Contact: Mrs. Tiffany Worley (Tiffany.Worley@gcu.edu)

Application (free): https://apply.gcu.edu/Account/Login

Scholarships: https://www.gcu.edu/admissions/tuition-and-financing/scholarships-grants.php

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NAU (Northern Arizona University)

Contact: Ms. Lauren Rosales (Lauren.Rosales@nau.edu)

Application (waived with code): https://nau.edu/admission/freshman-admission/

Scholarships: https://nau.edu/office-of-scholarships-and-financial-aid/freshman-merit-based-tuition-scholarships/

We have three scholarships for our in-state students: the Dean’s ($4,000), the President’s ($7,000) and the Lumberjack (full tuition waiver). I have outlined the requirements for the three scholarships below or you can visit https://nau.edu/office-of-scholarships-and-financial-aid/freshman-merit-based-tuition-scholarships/

• Lumberjack Scholars Award (LSA): Full tuition waiver that requires students to complete all the 16 college preparatory courses with a 3.5 unweighted core GPA, zero deficiencies and no course with less than a B average. Students are allowed to take up to one course retake for the Fall 2020 to achieve the GPA of 3.5 unweighted core.

• President’s = $7,000 per academic year with a 3.5-4.0 unweighted core GPA and at least a 19 composite on the ACT or 990 on the SAT (combined Math and Critical Reading). We allow up to 2 deficiencies as long as they are not in the same subject area or in math and science combined.

• Dean’s = $4,000 per academic year with a 3.0-3.49 unweighted core GPA and at least a 19 composite on the ACT or 990 on the SAT (combined Math and Critical Reading). We allow up to 2 deficiencies as long as they are not in the same subject area or in math and science combined.

COLLEGE NEXT STEPS

Transcript Request - Please submit this form to request your high school transcript. Allow 7-10 business days to process.

Questions?

Email Ms. Douglas (Academic Advisor): denice.douglas@asu.edu (unofficial transcripts and college advising)

Email Ms. Angulo (Registrar): cangulo3@asu.edu (official transcripts)

Email Mrs. Grant (Learning Success Coach): jessa.grant@asu.edu

CONCURRENT COURSEWORK (earning high school and college credit together)

• College-Going Resources for students and parents

• ASU Prep Pathways website

• CONCURRENT (HS & COLLEGE CREDIT) COURSEWORK (juniors/seniors)

At the end of the year, I spoke with all junior students about taking concurrent (HS and college credit) coursework in their senior year. This would allow students who have the aptitude and drive to get a head start in their college career for a reduced tuition. This email is to inform you that your student has expressed interest in this option for next year, and to give you next steps if that is the path you wish to take.

Please visit this website for additional important information about Concurrent Enrollment.

· First, it’s important to keep in mind that, while students are gaining quite an advantage, they must be academically mature to be ready for the work. The college will register a “Withdraw-Fail” if a student does not successfully complete the course with a “C” or better.

· Some courses have prerequisite courses, placement tests, or ACT/SAT score requirements. Please contact the Program’s Advisor or Director with questions about this process.

· There is a registration fee and tuition for each course that is far below the regular cost of tuition for a 3-credit class once a student is enrolled in a university. Please see the Tuition Calculator on the website.

• EARNED ADMISSION COURSES - Get information about dual credit courses at this link.

• EARLY GRADUATION INFORMATION

These are some of the main options students have used to graduate early:

1) Doubling up on core coursework: This is a fairly uncommon option, depending on room in your schedule around the required credits for graduation.

2) ASU Concurrent-Credit courses: These are online college courses that require a “C” or better and you would earn both high school and college credit. They are rigorous – college level - and would require you to have a teacher recommendation prior to registering. They also have a cost of $575 per class. Scholarships are available.

3) CAC Early College program: Similar to the ASU program, but targeting Pinal County residents. They may be more cost effective, as they provide a tuition waiver for up to 5 college credit hours.

• Grades 9-11 - Time to prepare for registering for classes next year! See the Course Catalog here.

  • Keep on track with our Task Organizer! Students will be given this doc in their Capstone classes to help them organize tasks for their classes.