Choose Your Future Week 3

Objectives SWBAT answer questions from our last session on College Match. SWBAT understand the costs related to attending college. SWBAT develop strategies to compare the cost of college. SWBAT understand how to obtain money for college.

When Applying to College… Common Mistakes: Misspellings and grammatical errors in application When applying online, you do not submit your application Make sure you receive an confirmation Not reading application questions carefully County versus Country Follow Directions! Inappropriate addresses Not checking your regularly Not letting your counselor know when you apply Get your transcript & ACT sent to complete the process

Make a Decision What is my career goal? Is college for me? What are my college match(es)? How am I going to pay for college?

True College Costs Tuition Per Credit Hour Part-Time vs. Full-Time Room & Board What is Board? Books Rental vs. Purchase Online vs. School Bookstore Personal Expenses Food, clothing, personal hygiene items Travel/Transportation How often will you come home?

Sticker Shock Students DO NOT suffer sticker shock! College prices are not as large as they appear. Incoming Freshmen at 12 State Schools lock in their freshmen tuition rate for 4 years. CollegeTuitionR&BBooksPersonalTravelTotal Daley$2,700$1,000$1,200variable$4,900 Moraine Valley $6,154$1,000$1,200variable$8,354 UIC$13,500$9,120$2,000$1,200$800$26,620 WIU$9,489$8,138$1,000 (rental) $1,500$1,000$21,127 DePaul$30,000$10,500$1,500 variable$43,500 Robert Morris $28,800$4,000$2,000$1,500variable$36,300 Columbia College $21,284$13,000$1,600$2,700$820$39,404

To Compare Costs BE A SMART CONSUMER, you do not purchase something this expensive without doing research and comparing costs with benefits. Do your own research! Use the College Comparison Worksheet to create your own expense chart Individual colleges have a financial aid forecasters available on their website

Financial Aid Estimators Example of Individual Colleges Financial Aid Estimator Net Price Calculator FAFSA 4caster

Community/City College Dont knock it! Still need to complete the FAFSA Scholarships are available (research!) City College Scholarships: Books High GPA Transfer Plan Scholarships are available for transfer students going to 4-year Institutions

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid College students will complete the FAFSA EVERY January while in school. FAFSA is available for the Class of 2012 starting on January 1 st, 2012 Students will need ONE of the following: 2011 tax return 2011 unemployment benefits 2011 W2 form 2011 disability benefits TANF and/or WIC benefit summary end of the year pay stub

FAFSA Ins & Outs Filed tax returns are not required to complete the FAFSA Independent vs. Dependent Student Independent students are NOT claimed as a dependent on parents tax return Students and families that receive public aid (TANF, WIC, unemployment benefits) can file right away, due to their set income. Undocumented students please see a counselor If you work Students that earn less than ~$6,000 are not required to report that information on FAFSA Dont Delay, File Right Away!!!!

Kennedy Financial Aid Night Need information on paying for college? ALL Parents & Students are welcome Tuesday, December 13 5:00pm Saturday, December 17 10:00am

Kennedy FAFSA Workshops All Meetings will be held in Room 223 Wednesday, January 18 th 5:00-7:00pm *Wednesday, February 8 th 5:00-7:00pm Saturday, February 25 th 10:00am-12:00 Wednesday, March 7 th 5:00-7:00pm Parents are encouraged to attend, but are not required *Bilingual Assistance will be available

Scholarships & Grants Colleges, Universities, & Corporate Parties offer: 1. Need-based financial assistance Low-Income 2. Merit-based financial assistance GPA ACT Score Class Rank 3. Other Athletic Minority First Generation College Student Major/Occupation

Scholarships & Grants Do your own research! Ask for help! You would be surprised what people give scholarships for! Complete local scholarship applications Hayes Mechanical State Representative/District Lions Club VFW Most require a simple application and essay Must be eligible for scholarship, always check the requirements and deadline!

Have Questions? JUST ASK! Teachers, Counselors have all been through college Ask for help, advice, & recommendations The Counseling Department has a lot of resources, take advantage of them!