Financial Aid Tip of the Month

October 1, is the day that the 2021-22 Financial Aid Application cycle opens. Here are some things that your students and their parents can do now to be ready to apply:

• Create a FSA ID – Both the student and their parent need to complete this process to electronically sign the FAFSA. The California Dream Act application includes the prompts for setting up a State Student Aid PIN for electronic signatures.
• Social Security Cards (If Applicable) – It’s important that the FAFSA information matches perfectly the students and parents data at the Social Security Administration. A slight change in a name or birthdate can cause delays in processing.
• Determine Household Size – This number should include the parents and any other household members that receive more than half of their financial support from the parents.
• Determine Number of College Students in the Household – Of the members identified in #3, excluding the parents, how many family members will be attending college at least half time in 2021-22
• Gather Federal Tax Documents for 2019 – Families will need this information for the parents and the student applying for aid. IRS transcripts and other documents can be downloaded immediately at www.irs.gov.

Calculate the Net Cost of College – Colleges and Universities have financial aid calculators that allow students to get an estimate of what their cost might be. Find the calculators for UC campuses here. 

Remind your students that over 70% of California Students receive grants and scholarships to attend UC and more than 50% receive enough to cover their full tuition. 

Last year California students attending UC received over $2.4 Billion dollars in grants and scholarships with an average award of $18,000.

If your students need help applying for financial aid, there are Cash 4 College financial aid workshops scheduled throughout the state. To find one in your area click here.

All students should be encouraged to apply. The only way to know what student is eligible to receive is to apply. The application is free and families have no obligations to use the financial aid offered.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your counselors.

University of California for YOU

 

UC for You/UC for Everyone: UC Wants You!

This year UC is hosting six virtual systemwide events for students and families. As counselors, please help us ensure that your students are aware of these free events featuring admission staff, current students and parents, UC faculty and UC alumni. There is no fee, and each event has a maximum capacity of 3,000 attendees.  The UC for You events are intended to help students and families who will be applying this fall get to know the nine undergraduate campuses. These events are an excellent opportunity to ask questions about admission selection, majors, pre-professional programs and more.  October 3, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - California first-year students October 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - California transfer students October 17, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Non-resident/International students The UC for Everyone: UC wants You! final event is for students and their families who are considering UC in future years.  September 8, 5 - 7 p.m. - If you live in rural northern California, Central Valley, Sierras, and Imperial Valley, UC invites you and your family to join us for this program.  After a brief introduction to the UC system, current students from these communities will reflect on their college search process and transition from home to the UC, share their experiences at UC, and discuss their perspective on the value of UC including the financial aid process.  The session will end with a live Q&A from current students and admission representatives and will include tips on how you can best present yourself on the UC Application. September 10, 6 - 8 p.m. - How can UC help me prepare for a career? What is research and is it for me? Should I consider an internship and how do I determine which one is right for me? What do mentors do and will a mentor help me at UC? If you are a student participating in a UC educational preparation program and you have asked yourself any of these questions, you and your family are welcome to join us to learn more about these and other opportunities awaiting you at UC. October 24, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.- Students, parents, UC faculty and staff will share their experiences and insight on opportunities and options for students in the African-American, Native American, and ChicanX/LatinX communities on our campuses. The session will end with a live Q&A. This session is intended for students and their parents interested in learning about how UC campus's academic and affinity resource centers support and strengthen the history, culture and well-being of students of color. Please email ucforyou@ucop.edu for more information. Registration is now open!

Wellness Wednesday: Let's Listen

Happy Wellness Wednesday Red Devils!

Today we focus on the skill of LISTENING. Listening is so much more than hearing. It’s what happens when we not only open our ears, but also open our minds – and sometimes our hearts – to another person.

Read here "What it Means to Be a Good Listener".

This video is provides great tips on how to be a better listener.

Self-Care
Make an inspiration collage and hang it where you can see it. Use it to help generate new ideas and thoughts when you need them.

Kindness Challenge
Ask someone “how are you today?” Practice active listening. Use open questions that need more than a yes/no answer. Ask ‘how are you feeling today?’ and follow up with questions like 'Tell me more'.

Virtual Wellness Room
Please visit our Virtual Wellness Room to take a break from your online classes. Do some breathing exercises, stretch, or play a game. It's OK to take a time out in the middle of the day for a "brain break".

suhivirtualwellnessroom.blogspot.com/

Have a great day! #BeWellRedDevils

Greetings from the University of San Diego

 Greetings from the University of San Diego as we approach this holiday weekend! We trust that you and yours are staying safe and healthy, and are optimistic about the application cycle that has already begun!

As you and your students may be looking for ways to experience the University of San Diego in a virtual world, we encourage you to join us for our upcoming virtual college fairs and events - regardless of where you might be tuning in from:

• Thursday, September 10th - Join USD, Pepperdine University, and Chapman University for our "SoCal College Collab!" We will be offering two identical sessions to make sure you have a chance to join. Ask questions and hear about why Southern California is a great place for your students to attend college! Use the information below to join - no registration required!

Morning Session - September 10th at 8:00 a.m. PDT	Evening Session- September 10th at 5:30 p.m. PDT
Click to join from a PC, Mac, iPhone or Android Device	Click to join from a PC, Mac, iPhone or Android Device
Or join by phone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 408 638 0968  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 876 9923 Webinar ID: 992 1006 7686 International numbers available: https://pepperdine.zoom.us/u/adf85LiLDU	Or join by phone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 408 638 0968  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 646 876 9923 Webinar ID: 931 0172 8962 International numbers available: https://pepperdine.zoom.us/u/acnjZlpfDn

• Sunday, September 13th - This year's NACAC virtual college fairs are coming up quick, with the next ones happening on September 13th and October 12th. Register today, and tune in to hear from USD's students and admission representatives as they share tips for applying to USD, their experience as a Torero and show off the beautiful campus your students could one day call home.
   
• Thursday, September 24th - Join USD for two 30-minute presentations as a part of the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities' (AICCU) Transfer Day and College Night event. RSVP today (Zoom link will be sent to registrants at a later date).
   
• ​Tuesday, September 29th and Thursday, October 15th - Save the date for this year's National Catholic College Admission Association (NCCAA) virtual college fairs. Registration links to come!

We look forward to possibly meeting you this fall!

Questions? Don't hesitate to contact us at admissions@sandiego.edu or (619) 260-4506 with any questions you might have.

Back to School Night with SUHi Counseling

September is Suicide Prevention Month

Let’s #BeThe1To -

Ask: Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.

Be There: Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful by after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.

Keep Them Safe: A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.

Help Them Stay Connected: Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.

Follow Up: Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.

The five action steps for communicating with someone who may be suicidal are supported by evidence in the field of suicide prevention. Let us #BeThe1To – Help Save a Life. 

Wellness Wednesday: Control Things You Can Control

 Happy Wellness Wednesday Red Devils!

Today let's focus on what we can control. 

There are a lot of variables in life, most of which you have no control over. The weather? The WiFi going out? Other people's attitudes and behaviors? The exact outcome, of anything, ever. Who knows.

But there are some things in life that you can control.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Every year thousands of individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss.It is important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention. Your SUHi Counselors are here to help. More information can be found here.

Self-Care Tip:

When experiencing stress or anxiety, practice the 54321 “game”. 

• Name 5 things you can see in the room with you.

• Name 4 things you can feel (“chair on my back” or “feet on floor”)

• Name 3 things you can hear right now (“fingers tapping on keyboard” or “tv”)

• Name 2 things you can smell right now (or, 2 things you like the smell of)

• Name 1 good thing about yourself


Kindness Challenge:

Notice someone not being their usual self?

Let them know that they are not alone. Remind them that you care and will continue to support them.

Encourage them to open up. Reassure them that it is ok to talk openly about how they’re feeling.

Stay in touch. Reach out through regular phone calls, texts, Facebook messages and visits to help them feel less isolated.

Virtual Wellness Room

Please visit our Virtual Wellness Room to take a break from your online classes. Do some breathing exercises, stretch, or play a game. It's OK to take a time out in the middle of the day for a "brain break".

suhivirtualwellnessroom.blogspot.com/

Have a great day! #BeWellRedDevils