College/Career Resource Center

There are so many options to choose from for students after they graduate high school!

The CRC is here to help students explore those options and find the right fit. 

Here are some avenues to consider during the planning process:

• Four-Year College/Universities
• Two-Year College
•  Trade & Certification Programs 
  • Explore trades & manufacturing careers, finding training programs with scholarships, and land a job with Trades Hub.
• Military
• GAP Year 
  • EnRoute Consulting has provided gap year counseling to families across the US and beyond. As a professional gap year counselor fully accredited by the Gap Year Association, Julia Rogers prides herself in understanding the complicated process of planning a meaningful gap year. Each EnRoute consultation is unique and completely customized based on the student’s individual objectives.
• Workforce

Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) is a program that allows 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students to earn both high school and college credit while still in high school, through enrollment in and successful completion of college nonsectarian courses at eligible participating postsecondary institutions. Most PSEO courses are offered on the campus of the postsecondary institution; some courses are offered online. Each participating college or university sets its own admissions requirements for enrollment into the PSEO courses. 11th and 12th grade students may take PSEO courses on a full- or part-time basis; 10th graders are eligible to enroll in PSEO on a more limited basis. Students must meet the PSEO residency and eligibility requirements and abide by participation limits specified in Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.09. If a school district determines a pupil is not on track to graduate, she/he may continue to participate in PSEO on a term by term basis.

Each spring the Chanhassen & Chaska Career Resource Centers will join with our school counselors to host PSEO information night along with local PSEO admissions counselors for all students and their families. WATCH THE LIVESTREAM HERE on February 9, 2021 @ 6:00pm

COST

There is no charge to PSEO students for tuition, books or fees for items that are required to participate in a course; however, students may incur fees for equipment that becomes their property when the course or program is completed, textbooks that are not returned to the postsecondary institution according to their policies, or for tuition costs if they do not notify the district by May 30 and the district does not waive this date requirement.

Funds are available to help pay transportation expenses for qualifying students to participate in PSEO courses on college campuses. For more information on these funds, access the PSEO Mileage Reimbursement Program Instructions.

ACTIVITIES POLICY

Enrolling in a PSEO course does not prohibit a student from participating in activities sponsored by the high school.

School districts must allow a PSEO student reasonable access to the high school building, computers and/or other technology resources during regular school hours to participate in PSEO courses, whether on-line or on campus.

Steps to become a PSEO Student

1. Follow the PSEO application directions found on the college’s website. Make sure all required documents are completed and signed. Access the list of Participating Postsecondary Institutions
2. Send a copy of your current high school transcript through Parchment that includes cumulative GPA. Some colleges also require a copy of your standardized test score ( ACT, PSAT…)
3. After the college receives your completed application, you will be notified by the college about your admission decision.  Students will not be accepted until all paperwork listed above has been submitted.

AFTER you are accepted as a PSEO student

1. Complete the placement test if required. (Students may substitute ACT exam score of 18 or higher in English and/or a score of 22 or higher in math)
2. Schedule an appointment with your high school counselor to discuss appropriate college classes and to adjust your CNS schedule. Students are required to inform their district of their intent to enroll in PSEO courses by May 30. 
3. Meet with PSEO Advisor & register for classes (typically in the summer).
4. Email your high school counselor about your PSEO course list for final approval. 

POINTS TO CONSIDER
Neither CNS nor parents have access to monitor the student’s progress in their PSEO classes. They are considered a college student and protected by FERPA.

PSEO participating colleges automatically send final grades to the student’s high school.  The exact grade assigned by the college is transferred to student's transcript. For most colleges, one college credit equates to a .25 CNS credit. The Pass/No Credit and Drop Policies are followed according to the college’s handbook. Students need to complete a PSEO enrollment form each semester (found on MDE website). 

For current information about the PSEO program, visit the Minnesota Department of Education’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) webpage

ACT

• Chanhassen High School will be signing all Juniors up to take the ACT for FREE on Tuesday April 13, 2021. For general ACT information and resources, please visit: https://www.act.org/

Test Optional Schools | Fall 2022

This list includes bachelor degree granting institutions that will will not require recent U.S. high school graduates to submit ACT or SAT results to be eligible for fall 2022 admission. As the end notes indicate, some schools only exempt students who meet minimum grade or class rank criteria; others use test scores solely for placement purposes. Please check with the school's admissions office for details. https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional

FREE ACT/AP TEST PREP RESOURCES

The CRC has updated PSAT, ACT, & SAT test prep books for students to loan.

Students can also access these FREE testing (AP, ACT, SAT, PSAT, etc.) resources through ELM (Electronic Library of Minnesota). It is called Learning Express Library. If you click on the link, you will see the testing resources under Prepare for College (top row, right).

Students need to hit Sign In/Register:

And then Register for a new account. (This personal login will track their portfolio of testing information.)

Minitex (MN Libraries) is the proper institution. Then they have to fill out all the fields:

Once logged in, they can access practice tests that will save their progress; they can use flashcards and study materials for ACT, AP, PSAT, SAT, etc.

If students need assistance setting up accounts, please contact Mrs. Dorn in the Storm Media Center!

Here at CNS, students will send their transcripts to colleges through Parchment. This process will be used for both PSEO and applying to colleges during a student's senior year. 

1. How to create an Account in Parchment 

2. How to add or edit email addresses on your account

3. How to order a transcript

Steps to requesting letters of recommendation: 

1. Research what your colleges actually need. Two recommendations is typical.
2. Ask your teacher, employer, coach, etc (via email or in person) if they would be a recommender! It's important to ask a non-family member who knows you best and can highlight your strengths.
3. If they agree, fill out the Letter of Recommendation Request Form and share it with your letter writer.
4. Show your appreciation- Send a thank you letter! The CRC has thank you cards available for students! 

The CRC has a compiled list of scholarships available for Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors. Please check out our District 112 Scholarship List and see which ones you may be eligible for! 

FAFSA ID Worksheet

In addition we are sharing a few helpful websites that allow students to explore a wide range of scholarship opportunities available to them! 

• Scholarships Offered By Minnesota Institutions 

• FastWeb

• Scholarships.com

• MN Office of Higher Education

• StudentScholarships.org

• RaiseMe 

Please see this list of Job/Volunteer Opportunities in the surrounding area.

MN Dream Act Fact Sheet

Hoja de información sobre la Ley Dream de Minnesota

How do MN Dream Act and/or qualifying DACA students apply for benefits?

Undocumented students can apply for state financial aid by accessing the online MN Dream Act - State Financial Aid application. To be eligible for the MN State Grant, the application must be submitted no later than the 30th day of the term. The results of the application can also be used to qualify for in-state tuition rates at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. Students attending Minnesota State campuses should also use this application to apply for state financial aid, but should apply for in-state tuition rates directly with the Minnesota State campus.

The MN Dream Act application should be submitted once for each academic year the student is enrolled in college.

What is the MN Dream Act?

The MN Dream Act (also known as The Prosperity Act) was introduced by Senator Sandra Pappas (SF723) and Representative Carlos Mariani (HF875) and was included in the omnibus Higher Education bill passed by the 2013 Minnesota Legislature and signed into law by Governor Dayton on May 23, 2013.

The MN Dream Act will provide certain benefits to undocumented students who meet the following criteria:

1. Attended a Minnesota high school for at least 3 years; and
2. Graduated from a Minnesota high school or earned a GED in Minnesota; and
3. Registered with the U.S. Selective Service (applies only to males 18 to 25 years old); and
4. Provide documentation to show they have applied for lawful immigration status but only if a federal process exists for a student to do so (does not include applying for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). There is currently not a federal process in place, so this documentation is not currently required.

Students who meet the criteria in the MN Dream Act will be eligible for the following benefits:

• In-state resident tuition rates at public colleges and universities.
• State financial aid available to students who meet state residency requirements.
• Privately funded financial aid through public colleges and universities.

When did the MN Dream Act take effect?

All of the benefits provided by the bill were available to qualifying students for any term starting on or after July 1, 2013.

What documentation will be needed?

After the student submits the MN Dream Act application, the student will receive an email letting the student know the following information will need to be submitted to the MN Office of Higher Education to prove the student meets the requirements in the law. This information will only need to be provided the FIRST year the student applies.

1. MN high school transcripts showing attendance at a MN high school for at least 3 years (do NOT have to be certified copies)
2. MN high school diploma (or transcript showing the student graduated) or copy of GED earned in MN (does NOT have to be certified copy)
3. Copy of Selective Service card showing the student registered with the U.S. Selective Service (applies only to males 18 to 25 years old). If the student has not yet registered with Selective Service, the student should do so now. If the student has a Social Security number, the student can register online at www.sss.gov. Confirmation of registration will be sent to the student within two weeks. If the student does not have a Social Security number, the student should download the form here and submit it, along with all other documentation, to the MN Office of Higher Education. The paper Selective Service System Registration Form must be completed in black ink and in capital letters only. The document cannot be emailed or faxed to the MN Office of Higher Education; the original form must be mailed to:
   
   MN Office of Higher Education
   State Grant Unit
   1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
   St. Paul, MN 55108.
   
   The MN Office of Higher Education will make a copy of the form and mail the original to the Selective Service System on behalf of the student.
4. Students will need to submit copies of signed student and parent (if dependent for financial aid) federal 1040 income tax returns for the prior-prior tax year (tax year 2018 for the 2020-2021 academic year). If the taxes were professionally prepared, a signature is not necessary. Schedules 1, 2, and 3, if filed: How do I know if I filed a Schedule 1? How do I know if I filed Schedule 2? How do I know if I filed Schedule 3? W2 forms are not required for tax filers unless there has been a change in marital status since the federal return was filed. If the student's and/or parents' income was so low they were not required to file a federal tax return, they should submit a signed statement indicating they were not required to file a federal tax return, along with any W2 statements. These documents will be required each year the student applies and will be used to verify the family income provided on the application.
5. Applicants who have attended college for three or more years prior to the academic year for which they are applying must also submit a copy of a college transcript from each college they have attended. Student copies are acceptable if they are up-to-date.
6. Eventually, documentation from federal immigration authorities verifying the student has applied for lawful immigrations status. The MN Dream Act states students will have to provide this document only if there is a federal process in place for them to apply for permanent legal status, which does not currently exist. So, documentation will not be required at this point.
   
   With the exception of the paper Selective Service Registration Form, MN Dream Act Application materials should be email to MNDreamAct.OHE@state.mn.us or faxed to (651) 797-1637.

Do Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students qualify for the MN Dream Act benefits?

DACA students will qualify for benefits if they meet the criteria for the MN Dream Act. DACA students who don't meet the MN Dream Act criteria may still be eligible for state financial aid if they can meet at least one of the criteria in the state residency law used for financial aid after they have been granted DACA. For example, one of the criteria in the state residency definition is graduating from a Minnesota high school while residing in Minnesota, so the student would need to prove DACA was granted prior to high school graduation. DACA students will be required to submit proof of DACA. DACA students who do NOT meet any of the MN Dream Act or state residency criteria will NOT be eligible for state financial aid.

How much will I receive from MN State Grant? Will it cover my tuition and fees at my college?

Probably not. The MN State Grant award will vary based upon the student's financial situation, enrollment level and the price of the college attended. It is meant to be a supplement to the Federal Pell Grant, which is the main federal need-based grant program. Even though undocumented students cannot receive a Federal Pell Grant, the amount of Federal Pell Grant for which the student would have qualified must be factored into the MN State Grant award calculation. This means the MN State Grant might be fairly low for students from low-income families who would qualify for Federal Pell Grants. The MN State Grant award notice you receive from the MN Office of Higher Education will display the amount of your MN State Grant for each credit level. Here are sample State Grant annual (two semesters or three quarters) awards [.pptx] at different types of colleges for a student from a very low-income family.

Will MN Dream Act or DACA students be eligible for any other type of state financial aid?

Eligible DACA students with work authorization and Social Security numbers can be considered for State Work Study funding, which allows the student to earn money working on campus. Eligible MN Dream Act students can also apply for a Postsecondary Child Care Grant, which is a need-based grant to students with children in child care while they attend school. These programs have limited funding and are administered by campus financial aid offices, so students should contact the financial aid office at the college they attend after completing the online state financial aid application to complete further paperwork for those programs. MN Dream Act students will also be eligible for tuition reciprocity benefits to attend a public college or university in North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin. Any DACAmented or undocumented student can currently apply for a state SELF loan, which does not require the student borrower to have legal status, but does require a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.  MN Dream Act students who are adult learners re-enrolling in college (age 25 or older and have completed 15 or more college credits without earning a degree), can also apply for MN Reconnect.  This program provides specific services and resources to help adult learners successfully complete a certificate, diploma or associate program.  The program is available at participating colleges.

Are there deadlines for applying for state financial aid?

To be eligible for a MN State Grant, the student must submit the online state financial aid application no later than the 30^th day of the term. Deadlines for other state financial aid programs administered on campus are determined by the college the student is attending.

Does meeting MN Dream Act criteria or establishing MN residency after receiving DACA mean I am guaranteed state financial aid?

No. Financial aid programs have other requirements all applicants must meet, such as demonstrating financial need. It simply means these students are eligible to apply for and receive state financial aid on the same basis as documented students.

Will MN Dream Act or DACA students be eligible for federal financial aid?

No. The MN Dream Act is a state law that provides state benefits to Minnesota residents regardless of federal immigration status. Federal financial aid programs require students to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens to apply for and receive federal financial aid.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT MN Office of Higher Education Website

Here are some college planning resources for students and families brought to you by Minnesota Goes to College: 

Worksheets and handouts:

• High School Planning Checklists - One page checklists for grades 9-12 to prepare for college.

• Writing Application Essays - Includes helpful tips and sample prompts for college and scholarship application essays.

• College Planning Workbook - This complete workbook was created in Google Sheets so it is easy for you to gather and organize all the information you will need to submit your college and scholarship applications. Available in Spanish.

• Comparing Colleges Worksheet - Students can use this worksheet to research and compare colleges.

• Comparing College Costs and Financial Aid Worksheet - This worksheet outlines college costs and compares financial aid packages.

• College and Scholarship Application Organizer - Help students stay on top of important college and scholarship application requirements and deadlines with this organizer!

Minnesota campus information:

• Minnesota College Admissions Virtual Resources (2020-2021) - where to find virtual resources for participating College Knowledge Month campuses, including virtual group events, tours and online introductions.

• College Fairs - when and where Minnesota and national college fairs are held.

• Camp College - a free opportunity for rising seniors to learn about aspects of the college search and application process from college and high school counselors.

• Minnesota State Colleges and University System - Find out how to visit any of Minnesota State's 37 campuses, explore majors and the application process. Connect with someone at the Call Center who is ready to answer questions about any Minnesota State campus. Skype, live chat, send an email or give them a call to get answers.

• Minnesota Private Colleges - Get information on application deadlines, admissions requirements, and campus visits.

Free publications:

• Choosing a College - This booklet describes the methods a student can use to find their best fit college in Minnesota.