PSA Information Life After Graduation

What are the Options?

University Universities often are larger and offer more majors and degree options- bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees – than colleges. Most universities contain several smaller colleges of liberal arts, engineering or health sciences. These colleges can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study.

Liberal Arts College These colleges offer a broad base of courses in the liberal arts, which include areas such as literature, history, languages, mathematics and life sciences. Most are private and offer four-year programs that lead to a bachelors degree. These colleges can prepare you for a variety of careers or for graduate study.

Private College Private colleges rely mainly on tuition, fees and private sources of funding. Private donations can sometimes provide generous financial aid packages for students.

For-Profit College These are businesses that offer a variety of degree programs which typically prepare students for a specific career. They tend to have higher costs, which could mean graduating with more debt. Credits earned may not transfer to other colleges, so be sure to check with the admission office at each college. DO NOT ADVISE.

Community College Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees that prepares you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree. They also offer other associates degrees and certificates that focus on preparing you for a certain career. Community colleges are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition.

Religious Institutions Some private colleges are connected to a religious faith. The connection may be historic only, or it may affect day-to day student life.

Art Colleges/ Conservatories Art colleges and conservatories focus on the arts. In addition to regular course work, these colleges provide training in areas such as photography, music, theater or fashion design. Most of these colleges offer associate or bachelor’s degrees in the fine arts or a specialized field.

Vocational/Technical/Career College Vocational, technical and career colleges offer specialized training in a particular industry or career. Possible programs of study include the culinary arts, firefighting, dental hygiene and medical-records technology. These colleges usually offer certificates or associate degrees.

LAUSD Division of Adult and Career Education East Los Angeles Service Area (ELASA) is part of Los Angeles Unified School District’s Division of Adult and Career Education. ELASA has been providing high-quality, low-cost education and training since Students can prepare for a new career, earn a high school diploma or GED, learn English, or upgrade skills for an existing career. ELASA includes East Los Angeles Skills Center (ELASC), East Los Angeles Occupational Center (ELAOC), Eastside Learning Center, Roosevelt Adult School, and branches throughout east Los Angeles.

Harbor Occupational Center Training Certifications National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation AWS Certification – American Welding Society

Paying for Post-Secondary Education

Federal Student Aid is the largest provider of student financial aid of the nation. The office of Federal Student Aid helps make college education possible for every dedicated mind by providing money through federal grants, loans, and work-study funds each year for students paying for college or career school. In order to qualify for the federal student aid each pupil needs to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in the financial aid process. You use the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans. In addition, most states and colleges use this information from FAFSA to award nonfederal aid. The questions on the FAFSA are required to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC measures your family’s financial strength and is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid. Your state and the colleges you list may also use some of your responses. They will determine if you may be eligible for school or state aid, in addition to federal aid.

How is Financial Aid Calculated? Based on the information provided on your FAFSA, financial aid will be calculated using the following formula: Cost of Attendance Expected Family Contribution Financial Need

FAFSA Deadlines Federal Deadline Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 23, State Deadline California – For many state financial aid programs- March 2, 2016 by midnight, Central Time

Scholarships A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further their education. Scholarships are awarded based upon various criteria, which usually reflect the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award. Scholarship money is not required to be repaid. A scholarship is given to a student because of a reason: the student has qualified for or won it by academic or athletic ability, or by agreeing to follow a particular career, or has some special ethnic or other characteristic. Scholarships are not given for financial need alone.

What are the next steps?

Resources within our district Youth Source Centers – there are 15 Youth Source Centers located throughout LAUSD. The Centers service youth between the ages of with a focus on re-engaging students to school and providing them with opportunities to develop work skills. Academic counselors – each high school and middle school student is assigned an academic counselor to guide and support the educational needs of each student. Career/College Center – high school sometimes have career or college centers which focus on providing students and parents with information regarding scholarships, internships, FAFSA workshops, college exams (SAT/ACT), volunteer and job opportunities among other services

How can I prepare…. Become involve with your child’s education Ensure you meet and know your child’s academic counselor(s) Participate in “Parent Nights” or other school related activities Become familiar with the school’s college/career center Visit colleges or universities