Survey Says…

ACT sends a sincere thank you to the parents and educators (from public and private schools, and from homeschools) who took the time to complete our online survey. We take your comments seriously.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the results:

1. About 88% of those who responded are parents; 8% are educators and 4% are a combination (parents who are homeschoolers; parents who are also educators).
2. Women make up 81% of those who responded; men the other 19%.
3. Most respondents have one child in the home (39%), followed closely by two children in the home (39%). More than 18% have three children in the home and 4% have at least four children living at home.
4. Most respondents (35%) have 12th or 11th graders (33%) still in the nest. The rest have:
• 10th graders (25%)
• 9th graders (21%)
• 8th graders (12%)
• 7th graders (14%)

We were pleased to see that parents/educators of junior high students are reading ACT Parent. Students need to be planning for college and career by taking the most rigorous classes available in middle school. Many readers also indicated they have children younger than 7th grade, including one reader with a child in kindergarten! The Education Trust takes a position that “college begins in kindergarten;” it’s never too early to begin preparing.

5. Nearly 80% of those who responded read ACT Parent each time it’s sent. Thank you. For the rest, let us know what else we can do to educate you and pique your interest so you look forward to each issue.
6. In order of preference, respondents find the following topics most helpful:
   • College planning tips
   • Information about preparing for the ACT^® test
   • Tips on how to succeed academically in high school
   • ACT test reminders
   • Financial aid

Since February is an important month for financial aid, in this issue we offer some questions you can ask colleges. In upcoming issues, we’ll focus more on other topics you find helpful.

Readers’comments and suggestions were great. In this edition we’re rolling out a topic that one of our respondents suggested—how to best help your child prepare for tests. In future issues, we’ll continue to address your concerns.

Test Taking Tips

Your child may get good grades, be a fantastic athlete or an avid reader, or paint beautiful pictures, but when it comes to tests, you want to make sure that test scores reflect his or her true abilities.

As a parent, you worry. Relax. Then be proactive. There are steps you can take to help your child — no matter what his or her age — succeed. In fact, ACT has the same message for everyone: Encourage your child to take the toughest classes offered and to work hard. For more information, check out The Benefits of a High School Core Curriculum (PDF; 14 pages, 128KB).

Unlike other tests, the ACT actually tests what’s been learned in the classroom, so most students will find the questions familiar. To best prepare your student for both college and career, here’s what you can do:

1. Reinforce that it’s critical to pursue a core curriculum:
   • Four years of English
   • At least three years of mathematics (including rigorous classes in Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II)
   • Three years of science (including rigorous classes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
   • Three years of social studies
2. Read to your child as much as possible. Encourage your teenager to continue reading.
3. Help your teen set a score goal for the ACT.
4. Tell your student to take advantage of ACT’s free test preparation materials including Preparing for the ACT (PDF; 80 pages, 31KB), practice test questions, and test descriptions.
5. Check out ACT’s Question of the Day.
6. Periodically review Tips for Taking the ACT.

Finally, remember that colleges look for more than a score. They want applicants who have talents and passions and who work hard. Grades, volunteering, personal essays, and extracurricular activities are important components of the college application process. Colleges want diversity in their student body — diversity of ideas, of backgrounds, of regions, and of experiences.

Show Me the Money: Financial Aid Questions You Can Ask Right Now

Your senior has received a college acceptance letter or is waiting for one to arrive. What can you do to find out more about financing his or her education?

The financial aid process can be hard, and you may not know where to turn for answers. The financial aid officers at colleges and universities are there to help. Following are some questions you might ask:

1. What costs for my student are considered by the financial aid office? For example, does the aid package include only tuition, room, board, and transportation? What about additional expenses such as books, fees, computers and personal expenses?
2. What types of financial assistance do you offer: need-based, merit-based, or both?
3. What forms are needed in order to apply?
4. When are financial aid applications due?
5. Can you provide an early estimate of what our financial aid award might be?
6. If we don’t qualify for need-based aid, what alternative financing options are available? Do you offer any type of monthly or quarterly payment plan?
7. Is there a commitment for financial assistance beyond the first year?
8. If not, how and when do we apply for financial assistance after the first year?
9. What percentage of your student population receives financial aid?
10. How long does it typically take a student to graduate from this college? Four years or longer?
11. How much does an average student owe on student loans when he/she graduates?
12. What is included in the comprehensive fee? For example, do students have to pay extra for computer time or to attend campus events?
13. When will we be notified about the amount of assistance we can expect?
14. Does your college have an appeal process to review special circumstances?
15. What grants, loans, and work-study opportunities does your college offer?
16. What impact do scholarships from outside sources have on other financial aid?
17. Can we apply financial aid toward an off-campus study program, either in the U.S. or another country?
18. What happens if our family's financial situation changes substantially during the school year?

True or False

Students …

1. Can share a calculator with another test taker during the ACT—True or False?
2. Should bring valid I.D. to the test center—True or False?
3. Can guess without penalty on test questions—True or False?
4. Can send free score reports to up to 4 colleges when they register to take test—True or False?

Answers at the end of this newsletter.

Did You Know?

You and your student can read ACT student blogs to learn more about academics and college preparation? Twice a month you’ll find four fresh perspectives from high school seniors Andy and Lisa and juniors Christopher and Lauren. Check out the blogs at the ACT Student Blog site.

2009–2010 ACT Test Date Schedule

Students may register online or pick up registration packets from their high school counseling office. The cost for the ACT test without writing is $32. When combined with the optional ACT Writing Test, the total cost is $47. For those who qualify, fee waivers are available through high school counselors.

To help your student plan ahead, test dates for 2010–2011 include:

• September 11, 2010
• October 23, 2010
• December 11, 2010
• February 12, 2011
• April 9, 2011
• June 11, 2011

Registration dates for these tests will be posted online in March.

Thanks for reading. Please encourage all parents to subscribe to ACT Parent!

Answers to True and False Questions:
(False, True, True, and True)

See also:

ACT's Information for Parents

The ACT

PLAN

EXPLORE

Financial Aid

College Search

Careers