FAFSA Changes Submission Dates For 2017-18

In September, President Obama announced significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process that will impact millions of students. Starting next year, students will be able to do the following:

• Submit a #FAFSA Earlier:  Students will be able to file a 2017-18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as Oct. 1 every year. (There is NO CHANGE to the 2016-17 schedule, when the FAFSA will become available Jan. 1 as in previous years.)

• Use Earlier Income Information: Beginning with the 2017-18 FAFSA, students will report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information. 

If you’d like more details about the upcoming changes, you may read the following informational pieces from the U.S. Department of Education and the White House:

FAFSA Changes fact sheet (for students)

White House fact sheet (for the general public)

Key Academics Referral Program

Anyone can earn a $50 Amazon gift card for each person they refer to Key Academics who becomes a college entrance exam client. Also, academic or study skills referrals earn $25 gift cards.

Step 1: Tell your family and friends about Key Academics. 

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Step 3: Receive a $50 or $25 Amazon gift card upon enrollment. There is no limit to how much you can earn!

'Should I take the new SAT, the old SAT, or the ACT?'

“Should I take the #SAT or the #ACT?”

That decision is becoming tougher than ever.

A new SAT debuts in March 2016, and it will look a lot different from the current version. A revamped PSAT debuted in September, and for students who liked that test it makes good sense to take the new SAT.

Many others don’t want to be the first to take the new test, though. So they are registering by Dec. 28 for the final sitting of the old test on Jan. 23.

The new SAT will stress questions and content designed, the College Board says, to reflect the work that students undertake in the best high school courses. The test draws heavily from the Common Core benchmarks adopted by many states.

Instead of three sections, there will be two: Math and Evidence Based Reading and Writing. The Math test emphasizes algebra, de-emphasizes geometry, and puts more questions in a real world context. The Reading and Writing test requires students to cite evidence for their answers. The essay will be more complex, and optional, although most colleges will expect applicants to write one.

Each section will be scored on a 200 to 800 scale for a total of 1600 points instead of 2400. There will no longer be a penalty for guessing, and the number of possible answers will decrease from five to four.

While the College Board has been making big changes to the SAT, the ACT implemented minor changes this fall, including new subscores and minor changes to the math section. The biggest change is to the essay prompt, which now asks students to evaluate multiple viewpoints on a complex issue and develop their own positions. 

The ACT is a stable, proven, straightforward test that is now accepted at every college and university. Since 2010, in fact, it has achieved a bigger market share than the SAT. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the ACT, and for many students it makes sense to consider an ACT-first mindset for now.

For assistance in selecting which test will maximize results, as well as information regarding comprehensive tutoring programs that teach test-taking strategies and content, please contact Key Academics at 610-940-1625 or visit www.keyacademics.com.

Everything You Need to Know About the New SAT

The new SAT, which debuts in March, will look a lot different from the current version. Instead of three sections, there will be two: Math and Evidence Based Reading and Writing. Each will be scored on a 200 to 800 scale for a total of 1600 points. There will no longer be a penalty for guessing, and the number of possible answers will decrease from five to four. The now-required essay will be optional. 

The revamped test draws heavily from the Common Core math and reading benchmarks adopted by most states. Those standards emphasize evidence-based interpretations of texts, vocabulary used in college and careers, and depth over breadth math skills needed to understand and apply mathematics to novel situations. 

Students can still register for the current SAT’s last testing dates in December and January. Those who don’t want to rush might decide that the new test, though less familiar, fits their schedule better. But the first cohort to take the new SAT, in March, won’t get their scores until after the next test date, in May. That’s about double the current wait time. 

A bigger concern is that some students might stumble over the longer reading passages, the deeper dive into math, and questions that require multiple steps to reach an answer. These and other potential problems currently are driving many students to take the old test — or the ACT. 

The ACT is a relatively stable test that implemented minor changes this fall to the essay and math sections. All in all, there’s a lot to like about the ACT, especially for current juniors. So, Key Academics is advising an ACT-first mindset for the class of 2017, the first to potentially take the new SAT.

For assistance in selecting which test will maximize results, as well as information regarding comprehensive tutoring programs that teach test-taking strategies and content, please contact Key Academics at 610-940-1625 or visit www.keyacademics.com.

The Common Core Explained

The #CommonCore State Standards arose from a simple idea: that creating one set of challenging academic expectations for all students would improve achievement and college readiness.
But the idea proved to be the only thing that was simple about the standards.
Here are some common questions and answers about the complicated phenomenon known as the common core: http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/common-core-state-standards/index.html?cmp=eml-enl-cm-news1

PSSA Scores Absent From Schools' Report Cards

Aligned with with the Common Core for the first time, this year's PSSAs were so tough that the results won't be used in assessing the performance of Pennsylvania's elementary and middle schools. 

Students in grades 3 to 8 scored an average of 35 percent lower in math and 9 percent lower in English this year. As a result, the U.S. Department of Education granted a one-year waiver in September.

High schools continue to receive their state report card scores. Instead of PSSAs, those students now take the Keystone Exams when they complete Algebra I, Literature and Biology. Beginning with the class of 2017, students will be required to pass those exams in order to graduate.

College Application Essay Success

It's almost October. For seniors who haven't started working on their college application essays, it's time to get moving!

 

Students often need help in crafting a compelling essay that will catch the attention of an admissions committee. To write an essay that truly stands out requires a unique, interesting concept that says something special about the student's intellect and interests. 

If you or someone you know would like an experienced college essay writing coach's assistance in brainstorming, drafting and revising this important part of the application process, please call 610-940-1625 or contact us online at www.keyacademics.com.