College: Know the Facts Career Preparedness

Questions from YOU! Cost? How to apply?/get accepted? How to find/apply for scholarships? Class size? Weekly class schedule? Class length? Attendance? Dress code? Electives? Living on campus mandatory? Summer courses? When is lunch? Easy to make friends? A lot to handle? Any free time? Hard? Greek Life? What is there to do? Try out for sports? Where are the classes? What is the main difference from high school?

Financial Aid Loans Grants Work-Study Scholarships

to receive any type of financial aid! Must fill out the fafsa to receive any type of financial aid!

Federal vs. Private Loans Don’t have to repay until after school Lower interest rate Can be subsidized No cosigner No credit check Can postpone or adjust payments when repaying Possible forgiveness Some require payments while still in school Higher interest rates Not subsidized Require cosigner and credit check No repayment help No forgiveness

Direct Loans Subsidized Unsubsidized Do not pay interest while enrolled Must either: pay interest while enrolled OR Have interest start adding up and repay later

Grants First come, first serve! Federal Pell Grant Only undergrad students $5,730 maximum Cannot receive longer than 12 semesters (6 years) Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP) Undergrad Alabama resident Must qualify for Pell grant Given for greatest financial need FSEOG (Fed Supplemental Edu Opp Grant) Undergrad Alabama resident Must qualify for Pell grant Given for greatest financial need Must pay back if you withdraw or do not graduate!

Work Study Funds provided by federal gov and college Work an average of 15 hours per week and earn minimum wage

GO TO EACH COLLEGE’S WEBSITE diploma or GED Admission to School GO TO EACH COLLEGE’S WEBSITE diploma or GED Fill out application – usually cost $ Send transcript from HS

Classes and Graduation 12 semester hours = full time student No more than 21 total hours each semester 120-132 semester hours (for Bachelor’s degree) Minimum “C” average in each major class – D is passing but not major classes

Classification of Undergraduate Students Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior 0-31 hours 32-63 hours 64-95 hours 96+ hours

General/Core Classes Take most Freshman and Sophomore year 6 hours of English Comp 12 hours literature/history 12 hours biology/math 12 hours art, social/behavioral science (psychology), intro business, intro computer course, public speaking Prerequisites/intro classes for major Freshman studies class

Example Freshman Class Schedule 1st Semester – 16 total hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8-9am Biology 101 (4) Biology 101 9-10am Art Appreciation I (3) Art App I 10-11am 11-12pm History I (3) History I 12-1pm English Comp I (3) English Comp I 1-2pm 2-3pm Foundations of Design I (3) Foundations of Design I 3-4pm 4-5pm 5-6pm Biology 101 Lab 6-7pm

Example Freshman Class Schedule 2nd Semester – 16 hours Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8-9am 9-10am 10-11am Bio 102 (4) Bio 102 11-12pm English Comp II (3) 12-1pm History II (3) History II 1-2pm Core Math 2-3pm 3-4pm Bio 102 Lab 4-5pm Psychology (3) Psychology 5-6pm 6-7pm