College Planning Timeline
MaiaLearning
9th-11th grade students, click here to access your KIS MaiaLearning account, then select "Sign In with Google" and choose your KIS Google email account.
MaiaLearning is a tool that students can use to explore interests and career options, keep track of important extra-curricular involvements, research universities, and submit important application materials directly to universities. If you are having difficulty logging into your account, please contact your counselor.
MaiaLearning is a tool that students can use to explore interests and career options, keep track of important extra-curricular involvements, research universities, and submit important application materials directly to universities. If you are having difficulty logging into your account, please contact your counselor.
Helpful Resources
College List Resource Worksheet
College Board
Universities and Colleges Admissions Services- UCAS (UK)
Big Future
UNIGO
CommonApp
KIS University Application Agreement
College Board
Universities and Colleges Admissions Services- UCAS (UK)
Big Future
UNIGO
CommonApp
KIS University Application Agreement
Upcoming University Visits
To see the schedule of upcoming university visits to our campus, please log in to your MaiaLearning account and select on Maia Visits. If you need assistance logging in to your Maia Learning account, please contact your counselor.
Standardized Testing |
To read about standardized tests such as the SAT, Subject Tests, ACT, etc., click here.
Letters of Recommendation
KIS students may request letters of recommendation written on their behalf from two teachers. In very rare cases (typically for music or art major applications), a third teacher letter may be allowed only if required by the college and pre-approved by the student’s High School Counselor. KIS recommendation letters advocate for the student truthfully; KIS does not share the content of letters of recommendation with students or families. Since confidential recommendations are considered more credible by admissions representatives, waiving your FERPA right (selecting yes) is strongly encouraged.
Students are asked to fill out a "Teacher Letter of Recommendation Request Form" for the 4 teachers they feel meet their application needs. Based on teacher availability, and the stated requirements of the universities that a student is applying to, the counseling department, in conjunction with administration and teachers, will assign each student their letter writers. Students should do all necessary research into their university requirements before submitting the form. We will make every attempt to ensure that you receive your first or second choice. Under no circumstances should students speak to a teacher to request a letter or attempt to convince a teacher to write one on your behalf.
Students are asked to fill out a "Teacher Letter of Recommendation Request Form" for the 4 teachers they feel meet their application needs. Based on teacher availability, and the stated requirements of the universities that a student is applying to, the counseling department, in conjunction with administration and teachers, will assign each student their letter writers. Students should do all necessary research into their university requirements before submitting the form. We will make every attempt to ensure that you receive your first or second choice. Under no circumstances should students speak to a teacher to request a letter or attempt to convince a teacher to write one on your behalf.
Financial Aid
USA Financial Aid
US citizens applying to US universities have a fairly wide and varied set of financial aid options to assist them in paying for college. Aid is either privately sourced or government funded.
At the simplest level, students who can demonstrate residency within a particular US state may qualify for "in-state" tuition fees at public institutions, the costs of which are considerably less than for out-of-state students. Residency requirements vary from state to state. Be sure to check on the specific residency requirements for the state in question.
Many private institutions ask students seeking non-government aid to fill out their own forms and submit the CSS/PROFILE form that is available online at www.collegeboard.com The universities' own forms, the PROFILE and the FAFSA (see below) all help determine a student's eligibility for private sources of aid.
All aid requests require that families fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that is available online October 1st of the student's senior year. The FAFSA allows both universities and the government to determine the extent of a student's financial need. In particular, the US Federal Government uses the FAFSA data to establish the so-called Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the money it expects the student's family to contribute towards college tuition and living expenses. The total costs of education and living minus the EFC yields the student's Financial Need (FN).
Federal aid will help meet FN in a combination of three forms:
Both US citizens and foreign student applicants interested in financial aid must carefully research the issue. A good place to start is the College Board site and FinAid.
Tips on USA Financial Aid
Canadian Financial Aid
Canadian citizens have access to a wide range of financial aid sources. Financial aid for citizens may range from "free" money (scholarships and bursaries), to subsidized work opportunities, to government guaranteed loans. Please contact the financial aid office of the institution where you wish to study for more information on student financial assistance they offer. Unlike US citizens who must demonstrate state residency to qualify for fee reductions at public universities, all Canadians enjoy highly subsidized tuition rates.
Non-Canadians applying to Canadian universities have less access to aid money than do citizens. Nevertheless, research into aid opportunities may pay off. Contact the Ministry of Education in your home country for information on Canadian scholarships. You can also get scholarship information from the financial aid offices at the university where you wish to study. For more information visit this website.
There are a number of opportunities to work while studying in Canada. All international students may work on campus. Graduate or research work at facilities associated with your institution (such as hospitals) also meets the definition of "on-campus". In order to work off-campus, international students must obtain an employment authorization.
US citizens applying to US universities have a fairly wide and varied set of financial aid options to assist them in paying for college. Aid is either privately sourced or government funded.
At the simplest level, students who can demonstrate residency within a particular US state may qualify for "in-state" tuition fees at public institutions, the costs of which are considerably less than for out-of-state students. Residency requirements vary from state to state. Be sure to check on the specific residency requirements for the state in question.
Many private institutions ask students seeking non-government aid to fill out their own forms and submit the CSS/PROFILE form that is available online at www.collegeboard.com The universities' own forms, the PROFILE and the FAFSA (see below) all help determine a student's eligibility for private sources of aid.
All aid requests require that families fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that is available online October 1st of the student's senior year. The FAFSA allows both universities and the government to determine the extent of a student's financial need. In particular, the US Federal Government uses the FAFSA data to establish the so-called Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the money it expects the student's family to contribute towards college tuition and living expenses. The total costs of education and living minus the EFC yields the student's Financial Need (FN).
Federal aid will help meet FN in a combination of three forms:
- Grants- tuition money students do not have to repay
- Work-study- Eligibility to participate in a job program that helps students defray college costs with their salaries. Work-study jobs are some of the most favorable jobs on campus
- Loans- Special, low interest loans that students must pay back after all schooling is finished
Both US citizens and foreign student applicants interested in financial aid must carefully research the issue. A good place to start is the College Board site and FinAid.
Tips on USA Financial Aid
- Be aware of the financial aid policies for international students at each college you are applying to.
- Familiarize yourself with Need-Blind and Need-Aware admissions practices.
- Apply early- Particularly when requesting private aid, early applicants have the advantage of accessing scholarship money before it has been allocated.
- Be as accurate as possible - Errors can cause delays and faulty reporting can jeopardize your final allocation.
- Selective Service - Male US citizens seeking government sourced financial aid should ensure that they have signed up for the selective service.
Canadian Financial Aid
Canadian citizens have access to a wide range of financial aid sources. Financial aid for citizens may range from "free" money (scholarships and bursaries), to subsidized work opportunities, to government guaranteed loans. Please contact the financial aid office of the institution where you wish to study for more information on student financial assistance they offer. Unlike US citizens who must demonstrate state residency to qualify for fee reductions at public universities, all Canadians enjoy highly subsidized tuition rates.
Non-Canadians applying to Canadian universities have less access to aid money than do citizens. Nevertheless, research into aid opportunities may pay off. Contact the Ministry of Education in your home country for information on Canadian scholarships. You can also get scholarship information from the financial aid offices at the university where you wish to study. For more information visit this website.
There are a number of opportunities to work while studying in Canada. All international students may work on campus. Graduate or research work at facilities associated with your institution (such as hospitals) also meets the definition of "on-campus". In order to work off-campus, international students must obtain an employment authorization.
I-20 Visa
Once you've been accepted and the college is satisfied that you can support yourself, the college will send you an I-20 form. This form documents that you have been offered admission to the college and that the college is satisfied that you can afford to study there. t also gives you a "report date", or the date when you're expected to arrive at the college to begin classes. The I-20 is one of the main documents you'll need to apply for a student visa. Please visit this website for more information.