The Arkansas Scholars Program Supported by: The Arkansas Business & Education Alliance (ABEA) and Your Chamber of Commerce

Arkansas Scholars It’s for YOU!!!

U.S. students spend 180 days a year in schoolU.S. students spend 180 days a year in school Other nations’ students spend up to 240 days a year in schoolOther nations’ students spend up to 240 days a year in school Global Competition

Fact 70 percent of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require additional education beyond high school. U.S. Department of Labor (2009)

Typical Life Span Age (yrs.) Average life expectancy = 48 “ “ working years ” ” 18 Age (yrs.) Average life expectancy = 48 “working years ” ” 18 Critic al Peri od 14

Prepare now for YOUR future! Do you want to have a great career and earn a good income ? The next four years will impact your ability to do this.

In just four quick years you will be doing one of these: You will be attending college or technical school. You will be working either part-time or full-time. You will have or may be considering joining the military. Or you may be unemployed …

Can you succeed in life ? The level of education that you complete will have a direct impact on the level of income that you can earn. Ever wonder why so some people seem to struggle to make a living and yet others don’t? A good education will provide a return-on- investment to you for the rest of your life.

How can I invest in my education ? Choose to become an Arkansas Scholar (Sign up today) Ask your parents to remind you to do your homework Make “C’s” or better in all your subjects Go to class Listen Take good notes Ask question when you don’t understand the assignments Talk with other students about your course work Do your homework and ask for help when needed Study and prepare for exams (it makes a difference) If you will do these 10 things, you will be on a path for success in school and beyond high school.

Let’s take a look at living on a budget. What would it be like to have a job right out of high school making $11.33 per hour ? Let’s look at a monthly budget of $1,963 which is equal to that hourly amount.

Budget for a $1,963 monthly salary Expense Amount Remaining Federal Income Tax 3241,639 State Income Tax 861,553 FICA + Medicare Tax1861,367 Housing (rent 1 bdr. Unfurnished) Food Car Payment Insurance Gasoline Phone Utilities Clothing Entertainment Savings Personal Items Medical Expense Furniture, TV, and Appliances Miscellaneous 30 0 What can you do about this?

Let’s take a look at what various careers with different educational requirements earn. We will see if a good education pays.

Jobs Requiring A High School Diploma AnnualHourly Waiter / Waitress$18,220 $8.76 Construction Labor 24, File Clerk 21, Security Guard 22, Farm Laborer 22, Bank Teller 22, Production Worker 27, Tire Repair 22, Assembler / Fabricator 25, Fast Food Cook 17, Nursing Attendant 20, Note: Statistics provided by (2010)

Careers Requiring High School + 1 Year of Technical School or On-the-Job Training AnnualHourly Emergency Medical Technician $28,820 $13.86 Licensed Practical Nurse 34, Auto Mechanic 42, Carpenter 33, Home Appliance Repair 26, Plumber 41, Electrician 40, Corrections Officer / Jailer 31, Fire Fighter 35, Truck Driver 37, Note: Statistics provided by (2010)

Careers Available With an Associates Degree (AA) or Technical Training AnnualHourly Medical Records Technician$31,050 $14.93 Drafting Technician 35, Medical Transcriptionist 29, Respiratory Therapist 40, Avionics Technician 38, Dental Hygienist 60, Paralegal 35, Electrical Line Repair 50, Computer Occupations 49, Note: Statistics provided by (2010)

Careers Requiring a Bachelor’s Degree AnnualHourly Computer Systems Analysts$63,070$30.32 Human Resource Manager 87, Teacher (Middle School) 45, Registered Nurse (RN) 56, Bank Loan Officer 62, Accountant 55, Graphic Designer 36, Social Worker 40, Computer Software Engineer 74, Civil Engineer 72, Note: Statistics provided by (2010)

Careers Requiring an Advanced Degree Annual Veterinarian$77,940 Pharmacist 101,010 Chemical Engineer 89,650 Architect 66,270 Lawyer 86,560 General/Operations Manager 90,580 Chief Executive Officer 142,400 Family Practice Physician 199,860 Note: Statistics provided by (2010)

Employers Hire and Promote People Who: Took challenging courses in high school - not the minimumTook challenging courses in high school - not the minimum Speak and write wellSpeak and write well Have good science and math skillsHave good science and math skills Think! (Have good critical thinking skills)Think! (Have good critical thinking skills) Have strong computer skillsHave strong computer skills Work well as part of a teamWork well as part of a team Have developed a good work ethic and a “can do” attitudeHave developed a good work ethic and a “can do” attitude

Typical Life Span Age (yrs.) Average life expectancy = 48 “ “ working years ” ” 18 Age (yrs.) Average life expectancy = 48 “working years ” ” 18 Critic al Perio d

The next four years will have an impact on determining your future. It doesn’t matter what kind of grades you’ve made in the past, you can decide now to become a good student and do well in high school, if you are willing to put forth the effort. Will it be hard work ? Probably Will it be hard work ? Probably Will it be worth it ? Definitely Will it be worth it ? Definitely What could it mean for me ? Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars over the course of your working career What could it mean for me ? Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars over the course of your working career

YOU can be an Arkansas Scholar! Success comes at a price. But a good education will pay you back everyday for the rest of your life.

Show Me the Money! Average Salaries by Education Level High School Dropout: $23,088 High School Graduate: $32,552 Associate’s Degree: $39,884 Bachelor’s Degree: $53,976 Master’s Degree: $66,144 Professional Degree: $83,720 Note: BEA 2010 On average those who complete college earn almost $1 million more than high school graduates over the course of a lifetime.

What you have to do to become an Arkansas Scholar… 1.Take the Smart Core curriculum during high school 2.Make a semester grade of “C” or better in all academic courses in grades Attend school at least 95% of the time or more 4.Complete high school in eight consecutive semesters

What’s in it for you? More choices for education after high school More opportunities for good jobs More money to buy the things you want More control over your future

What’s in it for you? An Opportunity to receive the Academic Challenge Scholarship… $4,500 per year to attend a four year college $2,250 per year to attend a two year college This scholarship is open to all students attending Arkansas public or private schools Scholarship Requirements: Graduate from an Arkansas High School and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 with Smart Core or have a minimum ACT score 19 You can do this!

What’s in it for you? Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) Students who are Pell Grant eligible, a U.S. Citizen enrolled full- time, and have participated in a rigorous high school course of study like the Smart Core, may qualify for: Up to $750 for first year college students Up to $1,300 for second year college students Simply check that you were a “State Scholar Graduate” on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid form to see if you qualify.

As an Arkansas Scholar, you will be better prepared for… Work Technical School College But most importantly, you will be prepared for….

What do you do now ? Make your time in the classroom count - AVOID THIS !

Do this and enjoy the successes that life holds for you. Decide to be an Arkansas Scholar Take the recommended courses in high school Don’t miss too many days of school Do your best—make C’s or better in every class Stay on course and graduate

A Program of the Arkansas Business Education Alliance & Participating Arkansas Chambers of Commerce (2012)