Life after High School

Review… Review… Understanding the school system: Standards & Exams Understanding the school system: Standards & Exams Activity: Graduation Requirements. Activity: Graduation Requirements. Exams and Qualifications Exams and Qualifications High School graduation requirements: High School graduation requirements: Courses of Study and Credit requirements Courses of Study and Credit requirements Strategies for Success Strategies for Success

What will we do tonight? What will we do tonight? Learn about higher education opportunities Learn about higher education opportunities Learn about available sources of financial aid. Learn about available sources of financial aid. The difference between these sources The difference between these sources Identify ways for the student to help out with the cost of obtaining a higher education. Identify ways for the student to help out with the cost of obtaining a higher education. Compare the options in higher education Compare the options in higher education Learn about FAFSA Learn about FAFSA Learn about resources that may assist in obtaining financial aid. Learn about resources that may assist in obtaining financial aid. Life After High School: Options

For Middle Schoolers: For Middle Schoolers: Parents and Students: Did you talk about the course of study your child would like to pursue? Parents and Students: Did you talk about the course of study your child would like to pursue? For High Schoolers: For High Schoolers: Parents: Did you find out what course of study your child is following? Parents and students: Did you discuss whether or not the course of study you are following will meet your goals? Homework…

What do you want to do? Students: What do you plan to do after high school? Parents: What are your dreams for the future?

Options for Higher Education Activity

Community Colleges vs. Universities Community Colleges vs. Universities Options for Higher Education Two Year Colleges ( Community & Junior) Four Year Colleges & Universities Two-year schools offer certificate programs, technical programs (associates degrees) and transfer programs. The coursework leading to an associate’s degree is usually transferable for credit at a four year school. Four year schools offer bachelor’s degrees. Most also offer post graduate degrees such as master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and professional degrees Advantages:  Open enrollment policy  Lower tuition cost as compared to a four year school  Transfer agreements between community colleges and four year schools allow a student receiving a two year degree to be accepted with junior status at any four year school state- wide. Advantages  Greater selection of majors and classes than are available at a two year school  Generally considered to be more prestigious  Increased access to faculty members who are more involved with research Good Option for:  Students who are unsure of academic ability  Students who are unsure about long term goals  Students who are concerned about cost  Students who are interested in updating existing work skills Good Option for:  Students who are confident in their academic ability  Students who are confident about career goals  Students entering professional fields or occupations such as those in the health sciences, law, education or engineering, which may require more advanced degrees

Public Institutions vs. Private Institutions Public Institutions vs. Private Institutions Options for Higher Education Two Year Colleges ( Community & Junior)Two Year Colleges ( Community & Junior) Four Year Colleges & UniversitiesFour Year Colleges & Universities Two-year schools offer certificate programs, technical programs (associates degrees) and transfer programs. The coursework leading to an associate’s degree is usually transferable for credit at a four year school.Two-year schools offer certificate programs, technical programs (associates degrees) and transfer programs. The coursework leading to an associate’s degree is usually transferable for credit at a four year school. Four year schools offer bachelor’s degrees. Most also offer post graduate degrees such as master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and professional degreesFour year schools offer bachelor’s degrees. Most also offer post graduate degrees such as master’s degrees, doctoral degrees and professional degrees Advantages:Open enrollment policyLower tuition cost as compared to a four year schoolTransfer agreements between community colleges and four year schools allow a student receiving a two year degree to be accepted with junior status at any four year school state-wide.Advantages:Open enrollment policyLower tuition cost as compared to a four year schoolTransfer agreements between community colleges and four year schools allow a student receiving a two year degree to be accepted with junior status at any four year school state-wide. AdvantagesGreater selection of majors and classes than are available at a two year schoolGenerally considered to be more prestigiousIncreased access to faculty members who are more involved with researchAdvantagesGreater selection of majors and classes than are available at a two year schoolGenerally considered to be more prestigiousIncreased access to faculty members who are more involved with research Good Option for:Students who are unsure of academic ability Students who are unsure about long term goalsStudents who are concerned about costStudents who are interested in updating existing work skillsGood Option for:Students who are unsure of academic ability Students who are unsure about long term goalsStudents who are concerned about costStudents who are interested in updating existing work skills Public colleges: less expensive than private colleges. Because these school are government run, a large percentage of their budget is received from the state or local government. Students who live in that state pay a relatively low tuition. Out-of-state students usually pay higher tuition rates. Private colleges: tuition is generally more expensive than public institutions because of a lack of financial support from state and local governments. Private institutions depend on tuition, fees, gifts, corporate contributions and endowments. In- state and out-of-state students are usually charged the same tuition.

Myth Busting Activity

Financial Aid that does not need to be repaid: Scholarships : Scholarships : - Academic excellence, financial need, volunteerism, member of organizations, athletic ability, etc.. - Federal agencies, private institutions including businesses, religious and community organizations, non-profit organizations,and the actual academic institution., Types of financial aid

Grants: Grants: - Generally awarded based on economic need, but can also be based on academic merit. - Awarded by state or federal government as well as the university itself. - Examples: Federal Pell Grant;Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant;Academic Competitiviness Grant; SMART Grant. Types of financial aid

Federal Work Study Federal Work Study - Students work flexible hours on and off campus - The money students receive is based entirely on the economic resources of the student. - Not all universities participate in this program. Types of financial aid

Research Assistantship: Research Assistantship: - Jobs on campus with a particular department or professor - A limited number of scholarships available. Apply at the same time as entrance application or as soon as you have been accepted. Types of financial aid

Hope Tax Credit: Hope Tax Credit: - Tax credit up to $1,500 for the first two years of college. Life Long Learning Tax Credit: Life Long Learning Tax Credit: - - Tax credit offering tax reduction for the first two years of college. Types of financial aid

Financial Aid that does need to be repaid: Loans : Loans : - - Awarded by public and private agencies to help pay the college expenses It is important to investigate and be well informed before requesting a student loan.Use only reliable sources.. Types of financial aid

Loans : Loans : - - Federal Perkins - Federal Stafford - Federal PLUS - Institutional Loan Private Loan - Private Loan Types of financial aid:

Most students generally receive a combination of the previous options. Types of financial aid

FAFSA = Free Application of Federal Student Aid FAFSA = Free Application of Federal Student Aid Free application offered by the government to determine financial aid eligibility. Free application offered by the government to determine financial aid eligibility. Who is eligible? Who is eligible? How to apply? How to apply? When to apply? When to apply? ¿What is FAFSA?

Participants will receive a financial aid bingo board. Participants will receive a financial aid bingo board. One type of financial aid will be described. One type of financial aid will be described. Participants will identify the type of financial aid. If it is on your board, mark it. Participants will identify the type of financial aid. If it is on your board, mark it. The first to complete a line of four wins! The first to complete a line of four wins! Bingo: Financial Aid

Activity: Each family is a team. Each family chooses one ‘case’ Using the information about the case, each team completes the worksheet. Compare your case with the sample case. Each team presents their work Which option is the best for your family Which option is the best for your family? Comparing Your options

Open Discussion: Parents: How do you expect your children to contribute towards some of the expenses associated with attending a college or university? Parents: How do you expect your children to contribute towards some of the expenses associated with attending a college or university? Students: How can you help to cover some of the cost associated with attending a college or university? Students: How can you help to cover some of the cost associated with attending a college or university? Financing Higher Education

This week’s homework… For High Schoolers: Each family should fill out a FAFSA form (see tips on how to fill this out in handouts) Each family should fill out a FAFSA form (see tips on how to fill this out in handouts) For Middle Schoolers: Talk about career choices and what would be the best option for obtaining a higher education. Talk about career choices and what would be the best option for obtaining a higher education. Talk about financing higher education. Talk about financing higher education.

Comments? Comments? Questions? Questions? Thank you and Good Luck!