Reality Bytes Getting Ready for College Early

What is “College”? zPublic and private 4-year colleges and universities z2-year community or junior colleges zbusiness schools zproprietary schools zvocational-technical schools

Keep Your Options Open zDoes that mean your child needs to know now, what they want to do “when they grow up”? NO!

Then, why worry about college now? zCollege can be the key to the kind of life you want for your child zIt gives your child choices  In the kind of jobs they can choose  How much money they will make  In helping others

There’s money if you need it zEveryone can afford to go to college zEveryone is eligible for some kind of financial aid

Steps to getting you and your child ready for college

Step 1: Helping them make the decision zImportance of college:  Better utilize technology  Choose careers based on interests  More career options  Increase earning potential  Opportunity to make better decisions

Unemployment rate by education level

Step 1: Making the Decision zChoose the type of college  “4-year” college (university or college offering a bachelor’s degree or above)  “2-year” college (community or junior college offering a training program, certificate, or associates degree to include transfer options)  Technical Schools (skill centers and other schools offering entry level occupational programs)

Step 1: Making the Decision zExplore careers.  Help your child choose several careers  Help them find the educational requirements for their career interests  Help them talk with people about their interests (job shadowing)  Find articles of interest about their career choices  On the internet  In magazines and newspapers

Reality Byte: zYou can encourage your child to explore careers. Changing their mind about a career choice is okay, Failing to plan ahead is not.

Step 2: Getting Ready zYou, your child and their school are working together to prepare him or her for a good life after graduation zTaking the right courses for college starts NOW! zHelp them select the right courses to get the most out of high school - encourage challenging courses

Step 2: Getting Ready zConsider this:  Research shows that if students take algebra and geometry early (8th and 9th grade) they are more likely to go on to college than students that don’t  These courses can also help them get into college

Step 2: Getting Ready Recommended High School Curriculum for College zEnglish4 units zMathematics4-6 units zSocial Studies4-6 units zScience3-4 units

Step 2: Getting Ready zMany colleges require additional courses in:  Foreign Language  Fine & Performing Arts  Computer Science

Step 2: Getting Ready zCollege credit while in high school  Advanced Placement (AP) - college level courses offered by the high school  Articulation - occupational courses in H.S.s or career centers that “transfer” to some college programs  Dual Enrollment - taking college courses while in H.S. that may apply to both the H.S. degree and the college degree

Step 2: Getting Ready zCollege admission’s exams  Encourage your child to take the ACT or SAT in their Junior or Senior year  Encourage them to take the MEAP early  to qualify for Dual Enrollment  to earn the Merit Scholarship ($2500)

Reality Bytes zCourse selection: Easy is not best Many times a student will choose their schedule based on what is fun and which course is easy. It’s up to you to encourage the challenging choices.

Step 3: Planning ahead zWhat Does College Cost?  College is probably not as expensive as you think it is  However, parents and students need to begin saving NOW!  Tuition, fees and books are only part of the cost. They will need money for transportation, food, clothes, entertainment, etc.

Step 3: Planning ahead Pie chart on college costs

Reality Bytes zDon’t eliminate any college because of cost Even the most expensive college may be affordable after you look at all your options.

Step 4: Paying for college zWhat you and your child can do:  Save  Use Federal income-tax credits  Use Student Financial Aid:  Gift Aid - grants and scholarships that do not have to be paid back  Work Aid - a job during college to earn money  Loan Aid - money for college that must be paid back

Step 4: Paying for college zHow financial need is determined: Cost of Education - Expected Family Contribution Financial Need

Step 4: Paying for college zOther sources:  Military service scholarships (full-time and part-time service)  Americorps, community service program  Civic groups and organizations, foundations and businesses  Web services (such as fastweb.com)

Step 4: Paying for college zCautions nScholarship Scams nCompiling debt nExcessive student loans nCredit cards

Reality Byte: zIt’s all about choices: Boat, cars, snowmobiles, pools or…. COLLEGE for your son or daughter. You make the choices

Reality Byte - Final You can change college from a dream into a reality, so… Make planning for college part of your child’s daily life. Think College Early!