1. Help Your Child Prepare for Post-High School Education

2. What Should My Child Do After High School?

3. Did You Know? 21 of the 30 fastest growing jobs in the United States require some type of post-high school education. People who do not participate in post- high school training are three times more likely to be unemployed than people who have some post-high school training. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2004.

4. Did You Know? Freshmen who enter college without a career goal or academic major in mind have higher college dropout rates. If your child has a solid plan for life after high school, his or her chances for success in college increase. Source: Higher Earning=Higher Learning, Center on Education Policy, 2001.

5. Start Planning Early Encourage your child to take challenging courses and get good grades, starting in middle school, to prepare for his or her post- high school studies. The classes your child takes in high school, starting with 9 th grade, will affect his or her ability to enter a post- high school training program.

6. Help Your Child Identify a career or career field in which he or she would like to work. Discover the skills needed for his or her chosen career. Get as much education and experience related to his or her career interests as possible, while still in high school.

7. Help Your Child Collect information about post-high school training needed to fit his or her career plan. Find the schools or colleges that provide the best training for your child’s chosen career. Look beyond just starting a training program; create a plan for how to finish the program.

8. What if My Child Does not Have a Career Goal? Help your child choose a post-high school training program that offers study in a general area related to his or her interests. Encourage your child to continue to think about his or her interests and how they relate to careers. Keep in mind that it is better to have a plan that is modified as your child changes career goals, than to have no plan at all.

9. Options for Post-High School Training On the Job Training Some careers require completion of a formal, on the job training program. Your child may have to pass an aptitude test, then receive formal training provided by an employer.

10. Examples of Careers that Require Formal On the Job Training Flight Attendants Bank Tellers Emergency Dispatchers Mail Carriers Reservation and Ticket Agents

11. Options for Post-High School Training Apprenticeship Training An apprenticeship may last one to five years, depending on the career. Apprentices work with experienced workers and complete some classroom training. Apprentices earn wages while learning, but the wages are less than he or she will make once the apprenticeship is completed.

12. Examples of Careers that Require Apprenticeship Training Dental Laboratory Technicians Mechanics Heavy Equipment Operators Carpenters Welders Electricians

13. Options for Post-High School Training Military Training The military trains people in 140 occupations. Many military occupations involve skills that can be useful in civilian jobs. Service members receive basic pay, allowances and benefits, include tuition assistance at colleges and universities.

14. Options for Post-High School Training Certificate Training Some programs at community colleges, technical schools, and private career schools offer six-month to one-year training that provides a certificate of completion to show that your child is certified to do specialized work.

15. Examples of Careers that Require Certificate Training Pharmacy Technicians Dental Assistants Paralegals Computer Repairers Floral Designers Medical Assistants

16. Options for Post-High School Training Associate Degree Training Your child can get a transfer degree at a community college, and will transfer to a four-year college or university. OR Your child can get a two-year associate degree that prepares him or her for a specific career.

17. Examples of Careers that Require Associate Degree Training Office Managers Nurses Respiratory Therapists Forestry Technicians Interior Designers Forensic Science Technicians Medical Assistants

18. Options for Post-High School Training Bachelor’s Degree Programs Four-year degree programs are available through state and private colleges and universities. It is important for your child to have a plan for what he or she wants to study in college in order to increase the chances that this degree will be completed successfully.

19. Examples of Careers that Require Bachelor Degree Training Dietitians Foresters Graphic Designers Social Workers Technical Writers Financial Counselors Meeting and Convention Planners

20. Options for Post-High School Training Education Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree There are many careers in which your child may be interested that require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.

21. Examples of Careers that Require Training Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree Architects Lawyers Physicians Pharmacists Psychologists Teachers College Administrators

22. How to Choose Post-High School Training You and your child should choose a college or training program based on criteria that are important to him or her. Think about your child’s future and how post-high school training will help your child prepare for life after formal education.

23. Where Do I Find Information? Talk to your child’s high school counselor Visit a variety of schools Visit college websites on the Internet Use a college search program on the Internet

24. Factors to Consider In-State or Out-of-State In-state tuition is less expensive than out-of-state. Do colleges within your state offer the degree, activities and other criteria you and your child are looking for? Distance from home

25. Factors to Consider Public or Private Public schools generally have less restrictive admission requirements and cost less than private schools. Private schools often offer smaller class sizes and more personalized education.

26. Factors to Consider School size and class sizes At large universities, your child may be in classes that range from 25 to 500 students. At small colleges, classes usually range from five to 100 students.

27. Factors to Consider Location Is the college located in a rural community, small town, or a city? This can be an important consideration when it comes to housing, transportation and access to off-campus activities.

28. Financing College Help your child make a list of all financial aid to consider. This list should include: Your family’s contribution Federal and state loans Federal and state grants and scholarships College-based financial aid Private loans Private scholarships and grants

29. Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Grants provide financial assistance that does not have to be repaid. Examples of Federal and state grants include: Pell Grant Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program

30. Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Loans financed by the federal government are guaranteed and are designed to give your child flexible repayment options. Examples include: Federal Family Education Loan William D. Ford Direct Student Loan Perkins Loan

31. Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Work-Study provides part-time jobs to students, either on or off their college campus. Your child can use the earnings to finance his or her education.

32. Federal and State Financial Aid Programs Additional Government Programs include: TRIO Programs The Hope Scholarship Tax Credit The Lifetime Learning Tax Credit Coverdell Education Savings Account

33. Private Scholarships and Grants Organizations, foundations, businesses and other groups offer scholarships to academically promising students based on different factors. Help your child investigate possibilities by talking to your child’s school counselor and visiting the local library.

34. College Based Financial Aid Nearly 19 percent of available aid comes from colleges. Contact the financial aid office of the college your child wishes to attend for more information.

35. Free Financial Aid Resources College is Possible –http://www.collegeispossible.org College Board’s Pay for College –http://www.collegeboard.com/pay FastAid –http://www.fastaid.com FastWeb –http://www.fastweb.com Peterson’s Financial Aid –http://www.petersons.com/finaid/