Post Secondary Education The Road To College: The College Process and Financial Aid

Get Excited! College is possible Choose a college/university that is right for you Choose a program of study that will meet your needs and prepare you for your future Make smart decisions about how to finance your education

Attend a College Fair… or Two! 2010 Chicago Performing and Visual Arts College Fair Saturday, October 9th, 2:00-4:00 PM at Roosevelt University, Auditorium Building, 430 S. Michigan Ave National College Fair, Saturday, October 23rd, 11:00-3:00 PM at Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Ave. National Portfolio Day Sunday, October 24 th, 10:00-2:00 PM at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 280 S. Columbus Dr. ASM/AAEP Gallery 37 - Fall 2010 College Fair Tuesday, November 2nd, 2:30-6:30 PM at Chicago Cultural Center G.A.R. Hall and G.A.R. Rotunda, 78 East Randolph St.

Ask Yourself… How far from home do you want to go? Do you want to attend a school in an urban, suburban or rural environment? What size school do you want to attend? What programs of study are you considering? Do you wish to participate in any specific extra- curricular activities?

ART SCHOOL, LIBERAL ARTS and PUBLIC SCHOOLS…. ART SCHOOL, LIBERAL ARTS and PUBLIC SCHOOLS…. Whats the difference?

Art School Commitment to art Students focus on a career in art Most offer BFA degree programs Broad range of art specializations Comparatively small-intimate supportive campus

Liberal Arts College Offer an education that exposes you to a variety of topics in addition to art Are often small private institutions Most offer a BA/BS degree programs some offer BFA degree programs Other options including: humanities, social sciences, languages, mathematics

Public Universities Typically large in size Funded by the state Offer a wide range of majors and minors Options include; Communications, Laboratory Sciences, Business, Engineering

DEGREES Whats the Difference?

Associates Degree: An associate degree is an academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, business colleges and some bachelors degree- granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years. A.A.= Associate in Arts A.S. = Associate in Science

Bachelors Degree A bachelor's degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years B.A. = Bachelor of Arts B.S. = Bachelor of Science B.M. = Bachelor of Music

Bachelors of Fine Arts B.F.A The Bachelor of Fine Arts, or BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. The degree differs from a Bachelor of Arts degree in that a typical BFA program consists of two-thirds study in the arts, with one-third in more general liberal arts studies.

Before you begin: Know your deadlines Have you taken and received the appropriate tests? (ACT/SAT) Do you need a portfolio? Decide on at least 5 colleges you plan on applying to

College Application Requirements! Application Form Application Fee High School Transcript Admission Test Scores Letters of Recommendation Essay Portfolio (Art Program) Artist Statement (Art Program) Audition (Performing Arts)

College Essay & Artist Statement Brainstorm ideas Be unique Dont be afraid to write about personal experiences Write multiple drafts Have more than one person read your essay and give you positive feedback Proofread your work for grammar and spelling

PAYING FOR COLLEGE!

FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid The Federal Government offers need based financial aid Money is awarded on a first come first served basis…so apply early Dont be afraid to provide the FAFSA with tax information Apply Ask for help

FINANCING OPTIONS SCHOLARSHIPS GRANTS LOANS

SCHOLARSHIP A scholarship is an award of access to an institution, or a financial aid award given to an individual student scholar, for the purpose of furthering their education

Types of Scholarships Merit-based Athletic Need-based Ethnicity-based Institutional-based General

Scholarship Search: Helpful Hints Search often: new scholarships are posted weekly and even daily If your counselor or postsecondary coach recommends that you apply for a scholarship, Just Do It! Watch out for scholarship scams Make sure you have all the necessary documents

Awesome Scholarships The Gates Millennium Scholarship The Posse Scholarship Scholarship Chicago Chicago Mercantile Exchange United Negro College Fund Hispanic Heritage Awards Golden Apple

GRANTS In the United States Federal Grants are economic aid issued by the United States government out of the general federal revenue. *You do not have to pay grants back!

LOANS A loan is a type of self-help aid that lets you borrow money from the government, banks or other lending institutions. Since its self-help aid, it must be paid back with added interest.

Types of Loans: Subsidized: Eligibility for subsidized loans is based on financial need. The federal government pays the interest while you are in school and you begin interest payments after you graduate. Unsubsidized: Eligibility for unsubsidized loans is not based on your financial need and you are responsible for the interest from the date the funds are disbursed.

More Loans: The Federal Stafford Loan Program allows you to borrow money with low interest for educational expenses. Federal Plus Loan Program allows parents to borrow on behalf of their dependent undergraduate students, or graduate and professional students to borrow on their own behalf.

SHOW ME THE NUMBERS!

Example: Rita takes out a Federal Stafford Loan for $20,000 Number of Years10 Interest Rate (%)6.8 Amount Borrowed$20, Number of Payments120 Estimated Monthly Payment$ Total Principal and Interest$27,619.00

Award Letter: Read it Carefully! Read your award letter carefully. Look for instructions for your next steps. Remember, unless otherwise stated, this letter applies only to the upcoming semester or school year.

Remember: Make copies of all you application materials Be responsible Be organized (Use a checklist) Start early Know your deadlines Proofread everything Ask for help