1. Investing In Yourself

2. Points of Discussion – April 8 What does it mean to “invest in yourself”? Does education really have an impact on my future earnings? How can I minimize the costs of advanced education?

3. Don’t Take the “Scenic Route” through college… More years means more tuition, fees, other expenses. If you fail a class, you have to retake it (failing = money in the “college world”). Merry-Go-Round Major…picking a major then deciding you don’t like it, changing, etc. All of this costs money! Campus Hopping…if you move from college to college you sometimes lose accountability of your credits, pay new enrollment fees, sometimes credits don’t transfer from college to college.

4. Ease Educational Costs Junior Year – Investigate financial help (grants, scholarships, financial aid) Guidance dept., library, parents, teachers PUT THE TIME AND EFFORT INTO APPLYING FOR GRANTS/SCHOLARSHIPS…it takes time but it’s worth the payoff. Apply to your chosen colleges. Senior Year – Continue to apply and investigate financial aide, grants, scholarships.

5. More ways to ease the cost… Get a job…apprenticeships, campus work- study programs, etc. Join the military…provide money for college. Free money…scholarships, grants do NOT have to be repaid (adhere to certain grade level). Save your money. Investigate how you can test out of certain entrance level classes (math, English, etc.)

6. How Do You Invest In Yourself? Take charge of your future; make smart decisions about your future jobs and education. Expand your career options, rather than limit your choices to just a few… Take advantages along the way (clubs, extra classes, tutoring, always LEARN… Always think about how you will rebound faster if you are ever unemployed… …Remember, YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL IS 100 PERCENT DETERMINED BY YOU!

7. Your career…The Longest Adventure of Your Life… Things to think about… Bigger salary = reach financial goals faster and easier; Lower salary = force you to wait a little longer. You gain experience and skills at each job…this will affect your future jobs and pay. You have to LIKE your job; if not…it affects your health and happiness. Job affects your lifestyle…how much time with family/friends. Job impacts how you manage your money (regular paycheck helps you budget and keep to spending plan).

8. Federal Student Loans Loan Deferment – allows you to put off making payments while you are in school. Interest STILL accumulates and compounds, increasing what you owe. Defaulting – means you fail to pay your loan which really hurts your future credit.