Facts and figures in the college application process
Our professional educational consultants provide each high school student with complete college admissions counseling. We will help you to evaluate your abilities, interests, organize your applications, identify talents, and personality characteristics in order to develop realistic academic and college acceptance goals. Our counselors use personal interviews, counseling sessions, interest and aptitude assessment tests to evaluate and advise students and utilize this data to create a multi-year strategic plan which includes calendars for testing, recommendations for coursework, activities, summer experiences, community service and internships. Regarding the college application process, the counselor will identify any "Red Flags" (problems, omissions, inconsistencies, unanswered questions, etc.) and will advise if the application is ready for submission to a particular college. We also help students develop critical leadership skills, as well as providing resume writing and persuasive college interviewing techniques.
Houston Academics, Inc. offers its unique and customized college essay writing and interview assistance as an included component of its overall college admissions advising regimen . By drafting a well-written, engaging, and thought provoking college admissions essay, an average student becomes extraordinary, an extraordinary student becomes superb, and a superb student becomes spectacular. Our mission at Houston Academics, Inc. is to help you create such a thoughtful, engaging and creative essay. Every essay submitted to the Houston Academics, Inc. team will receive an in-depth examination, critique, and review.
Financial Aid
The (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), or FAFSA, is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid.
Why all the questions?
We enter your FAFSA responses into a formula (known as the Federal Methodology), which is regulated by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The result is your Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The EFC is a preliminary estimate that measures your family´s financial strength. It is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance at the school(s) you plan to attend to determine your eligibility for federal student aid.
How do I find out what my EFC is?
We will send you a report, called a Student Aid Report (SAR) by e-mail or by postal mail depending on the addresses that we have on file for you. The SAR lists the information you reported on your FAFSA. At the upper right of the front page of the SAR, you´ll find a figure called the EFC.
How much aid do I get?
Schools use your EFC to prepare a financial aid package (grants, loans, and/or work-study) to help you meet your financial need. Financial need is the difference between your EFC and your school´s cost of attendance (which can include living expenses).
TIP: If you or your family have unusual circumstances that impact your financial situation, contact your school´s financial aid office. Some examples include: unusual medical expenses, or a large change in income from last year to this year.
When do I get the aid?
Your financial aid will be paid to you through your school. Typically, your school will first use the aid to pay tuition, fees, and room and board (if provided by the school). Any remaining aid is given to you for your other expenses.
Where can I get more information about student aid?
The financial aid office at the school you plan to attend is the best place to get information about federal, state, school and other sources of student financial aid.
