1. KNOWHOW2GO!!! Revised 10/2017 Revised 9/2012
Introduce event participants if any speakers have come with you.
KnowHow2Go is a national campaign designed to help you and other students your age start planning for college now! The campaign explains the overwhelming college planning process in four easy-to-understand steps. If you start following these steps now – and continue through your senior year of high school – you can make college a reality!
Revised 10/2017

2. Agenda Why it is important to go to college
Revised 9/2012
Agenda
Why it is important to go to college
The four steps to planning for college
What students can do to prepare
We are going to cover the following points in today’s presentation: why it is important to go to college, the four steps to planning for college, and what families can do to help prepare. Let’s start by talking about why it is important to go to college.
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3. BIG DREAMS AND GOOD GRADES AREN’T ENOUGH!
Revised 9/2012
BIG DREAMS AND GOOD GRADES AREN’T ENOUGH!
You may have big dreams and be getting good grades right now. That’s awesome! Well guess what? You have to do more. To get into college, there are actual steps you need to take.
To get into college, there are actual steps you need to take.
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4. Why college is important
Revised 9/2012
Why college is important
Many places are called college.
Find the right fit for you.
4-yr College and university
Community and technical college
Public and private
In or out of state
There are many places referred to as a college. It’s really important to find the right fit for you. Later on, I’ll talk about some things you should consider when finding the right fit.
Different types of college include: two-year colleges (otherwise known as community colleges), technical schools, vocational schools, and four-year universities. If you want to repair computers, you would go to technical college in order to do that. A vocational school is where you would go if you want to become an electrician or a hairdresser. With an associates degree from a community college, you could work as a travel agent or in information technology. A four-year degree opens you up to more opportunities, like being an electrical engineer, journalist, or teacher.
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5. Why college is important
Revised 9/2012
Why college is important
Postsecondary degrees lead to greater weekly earnings
In general, with each degree you earn, the more opportunities (both financial and career) you have.
** Update slide periodically
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, 2013.
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6. Why College is important
Revised 9/2012
Why College is important
Over a lifetime, college graduates earn
$1 million
more than those who only have a high school degree.
In fact, earning a college degree increases your lifetime earnings over someone who stopped their education after high school by $1 million.
I know that $1 million doesn’t sound like a lot, especially when you hear about sports stars making millions for playing baseball. To compare, the average high school graduate makes $30,000 a year. It would take him 30 years to make $1 million. So, 4 years of college equals 30 years of high school graduate earnings. Wow.
Ask students what they would do with the $1 million they’re going to make as a college graduate. (Don’t do this in 30-minute version.) If it’s a large group, you can have students turn and talk with each other about this, walk around the room and listen in, and share out some of the things students said. With smaller groups, students can share out themselves.
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7. Why college is important
Revised 9/2012
Why college is important
A high school diploma is just not enough anymore
Jobs that require more than high school make up more than 2/3 of new jobs, and it’s growing.
New jobs for college graduates
New jobs for HS graduates
Without a college degree, you may not be able to get a job you really want. More than 2/3 of new jobs will require education after high school.
Source: Carnevale, Anthony P. and Donna M. Desrochers, Standards for What? The Economic Roots of K–16 Reform, Educational Testing Service, 2003.
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8. Agenda Why it is important to go to college
Revised 9/2012
Agenda
Why it is important to go to college
The four steps to planning for college
What students can do to prepare
Now we’ll move into the four steps to planning for college. Are you guys ready for a shouting contest? Who can yell the loudest? 6th graders, is it you? 7th graders? 8th graders? Adults?
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9. 4. PUT YOUR HANDS ON SOME CASH
Revised 9/2012
Knowhow2go to college
1. BE A PAIN-IN A GOOD WAY
2. PUSH YOURSELF
3. FIND THE RIGHT FIT
4. PUT YOUR HANDS ON SOME CASH
Remember those four steps I was talking about? Well here they are!
These are the four steps:
Be a pain – in a good way
Push Yourself
Find the Right Fit
Put Your Hands on some cash
I don’t think it’s quite loud enough in here, do you? Let’s have a contest – students and adults – to see how loud we can get.
(No yelling contest if short version. Yelling contest works best with larger groups.)
Where are the 6th graders in the room? 6th graders – when I point to you, yell “Be a Pain!” You ready? Okay. (6th graders yell)
7th graders? When I point to you, yell “push yourself!” You ready?
Adults – adults y’all are going to yell “Find the Right Fit!” On three – one, two three – “Find the Right Fit”
And 8th graders – you get step 4. “Put Your Hands On Some Cash.” On three! One…two…three…
(Play around with this. Declare who is loudest at the end.)
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10. Be a Pain in a Good Way: Seek Help
Revised 9/2012
Step 1
Be a Pain in a Good Way: Seek Help
Find someone who can help you with the steps to college. Ask questions
- Family member
- Neighbor
- Coach
- Someone at your church
- Counselor
- College student
Don’t stop until you find someone who can help.
6th graders – who remembers what Step 1 is. Yell it out for me. That’s right – Be a Pain!
It’s really important to have an adult in your life who can guide you through the four steps to college. Think about it like you’re picking your “I’m going to college” team. How many of you have picked people for teams before, in gym class? This is the same kind of thing.
If you find an adult to help guide you to college over the next few years, you will make it. This can be a parent, teacher, guidance counselor, coach, family friend or a mentor. Be a pain and keep asking until you find someone who will help you.
What ways do you think this person can help you?
This person can:
Make sure you’re meeting academic requirements
Guide you to resources if you’re struggling with classes
Help you explore career interests
Go with you to visit colleges
Help you complete financial aid and college applications
Provide ongoing encouragement
If you are planning on going to college you will have to work hard to get there. You will actually have to be a pain, but in a good way. Be a pain in a good way to help you reach your goals and get where you want to be. Find an adult or adults who can help you and be a pain in a good way. Ask a lot of questions and ask for their help.
Do you think your parents can help you with the steps to college if they haven’t gone to college themselves? (Kids shout YES!) How can your parents help you?
(If students struggle with the answer – remind them that parents can help them research colleges, support their college goals, connect them with information about colleges, research financial aid options, and help them complete financial aid forms.)
Don’t stop until you find someone who can help. This could be a family member, neighbor, coach, someone at your church, a counselor, or a college student.
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11. Push Yourself STEP 2 Take some tough classes to prepare for college:
Revised 9/2012
STEP 2
Push Yourself
Take some tough classes to prepare for college:
-Algebra, Geometry
-Foreign Language
-Biology, Chemistry
-Honors/AP
Take the PSAT, SAT and/or the ACT.
Volunteer for community service
Participate in extracurricular activities
The next step…7th graders, is to… (7th graders yell out). That’s right, push yourself!
In high school, there are coursework requirements you must meet to get into college. These are beyond the minimum requirements that you need to graduate from high school. If you take courses at that level or higher, you’ll be better prepared for college. Actually, there are some classes that you middle school students can take right now to prepare yourself for college! Who plans on taking Algebra or starting a foreign language?
If you “push yourself” by taking rigorous coursework, you’ll not only be better prepared, but you may qualify for certain grants and scholarships. Taking what you need to graduate isn’t enough anymore. Here’s what you need to take in high school to get to college: Take 4 years of English, Math, Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language. Sign up for those advanced courses. Be a pain if somebody tells you “you can’t take that yet.” Say “I’m going to college and I can do it!”
Getting involved is another way to “push yourself.” Many scholarships are available for students involved in extracurricular activities and community service
Sometimes, in order to get to where you want to go, you have to push yourself. You have to take the tough classes now to prepare for college. Who plans on taking geometry? Algebra? A foreign language?
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12. Push Yourself-Build Resume
Revised 9/2012
STEP 2
Push Yourself-Build Resume
Primary importance placed on:
High school grade point average
ACT/SAT scores
Strength and depth of high school curriculum
Other important factors in the application process:
Student Essay
Teacher and counselor recommendation letters
Extracurricular Activities
The next step…7th graders, is to… (7th graders yell out). That’s right, push yourself!
In high school, there are coursework requirements you must meet to get into college. These are beyond the minimum requirements that you need to graduate from high school. If you take courses at that level or higher, you’ll be better prepared for college. Actually, there are some classes that you middle school students can take right now to prepare yourself for college! Who plans on taking Algebra or starting a foreign language?
If you “push yourself” by taking rigorous coursework, you’ll not only be better prepared, but you may qualify for certain grants and scholarships. Taking what you need to graduate isn’t enough anymore. Here’s what you need to take in high school to get to college: Take 4 years of English, Math, Science, Social Science, and Foreign Language. Sign up for those advanced courses. Be a pain if somebody tells you “you can’t take that yet.” Say “I’m going to college and I can do it!”
Getting involved is another way to “push yourself.” Many scholarships are available for students involved in extracurricular activities and community service
Sometimes, in order to get to where you want to go, you have to push yourself. You have to take the tough classes now to prepare for college. Who plans on taking geometry? Algebra? A foreign language?
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13. Required High School Courses for Most AL Colleges:
Revised 9/2012
Take the Tough Classes
Required High School Courses for Most AL Colleges:
Some may be tough—Take the challenge!
English: 4 credits
Mathematics: 4 credits
Natural Science: 3 credits
Social Science: 3 credits
Foreign Language: 1-2 credits
Approved Electives: 3 credits
This is the minimum you need to take in order to get into college. Don’t back down from the challenge. The better you do in school, the more likely you will be able to get into the college of your choice.
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14. Find the Right Fit STEP 3 Find the one that’s right for YOU!
Revised 9/2012
STEP 3
Find the Right Fit
Find a college that fits your situation and interests (size, location, cost, etc.)
Find a college that has the program you’re interested in - like Business, Education, Music, Healthcare, etc.
Explore community college, university, and technical school options.
Find the one that’s
right for YOU!
OK – now I need three volunteers. Come on down and try on these bright orange shirts. Go as fast as you can to find one that fits.
(Bring the bright orange shirts – three huge sizes.)
They’re all pretty big, right? It’s cool, you’ll grow into them – go ahead and keep them!
Finding a college is a bit like trying on a new shirt or a new pair of jeans.You usually try different ones on to see which fit best. Well, that’s how colleges work too; you should try them on and see how they fit. You need to find the right fit for you. You are different than your brother, sister, parents, and even your best friend. You need to know what is important for you to be comfortable, and for you to succeed. Be confident in yourself and what you want, and choose a college that fits you. You do not need to fit your college; your college needs to fit you. So find the right fit.
Before you can determine which college will be the right fit, you need to start thinking about potential careers that interest you.
What do you like to do?
What are your talents and skills?
How do you envision your future?
Once you have an idea of what you want to be when you grow up, start researching colleges – here are some things you should consider. (Students can stand up and sit down if they need some activity.)
What kind of school do you want to attend? Do you prefer a large university or a small college? A four-year school or a community college? Something close to home or farther away? WSU or UW?
Where do you want to go to college? Do you want to live close to home and commute? Do you want to be in a big city or a small town? Where do YOU see yourself?
Also, an important part of finding the right fit is student life! Keep that in mind when looking at colleges. Do you want a school where all the activities are free? Or one where there are more activities but you have to pay a little for each one? How about clubs? How many clubs are at each college, and what do they do?
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15. A scholarship is a financial award ($$$) to help you pay for college.
Revised 9/2012
Step 4
Put Your Hands On Some Cash
There’s money for everyone to go to college
—not just the “smartest” students.
Learn how to apply for scholarships
Scholarship
A scholarship is a financial award ($$$) to help you pay for college.
You can receive many scholarships by doing a good job filling out applications.
As much as we’d love it to happen…money isn’t ever going to fall from the sky. But, there are things you can do to get money for college! The things you are doing now may help you to find that cash you’ll need for college. Getting good grades and being involved in activities are things that you can do right now to help you put your hands on some cash. The better you do at Steps 1-3, the easier Step 4 is going to be!
Don’t let the cost of college keep you from pursuing postsecondary education.
Financial aid is available to help you pay for college. This can include grants, work-study, student loans and some scholarships. You won’t know how much it really costs until you see how much cash you can put your hands on!
If you do well academically and pursue extracurricular activities, you’ll have the potential to earn scholarships.
Start a savings account. Instead of spending all the money you earn from part-time jobs or receive as gifts, put part of in the account for college.
Also, learn how to apply for scholarships. A scholarship is essentially free money. It’s a financial award that can help you pay for college. You can receive many scholarships by doing a good job filling out applications. Make sure you talk to your counselor for more info.
What are some things you think you could get a scholarship for? (Students answer. Throw out Garfields or Odies.)
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16. !!!$150 Billion!!! Cost Tuition & Fees Room & Board Books & Supplies
Revised 9/2012
Cost
Community College-$12-$18,000
4-Year Public College= $20-$27,000
4-Year Private College- = $46-$53,000
Cost of Attendance:
Tuition & Fees
Room & Board
Books & Supplies
Transportation
Personal Costs
Study Abroad
!!!$150 Billion!!!
For comparative purposes, here are the costs for 1 year of instruction at a community college, at a public school, and at a private college. At Highline, which is a community college, a year’s tuition costs $16-$18,000. At the University of Washington, expect to pay $20-$27,000a year. At a 4-year private college like Seattle University, expect to pay $46-$53,000/year. I know that sounds like a lot of money right now, but we’ll talk about ways to make it affordable.
So where does all that money go? It goes to something called your Cost of Attendance. Many students think that the $22,000 they pay to the UW all goes into tuition and fees. But that’s only a portion of your cost of attendance. You have to be able to feed and clothe yourself (room and board), and pay for books and supplies. Transportation is also a consideration in your Cost of Attendance. You have to be able to get to and from the school and get around the city in which you live. You’re still going to have personal costs, like toiletries, medicine, and the occasional movie out. Lastly, some students choose to study abroad in school. This cost can get added to your Cost of Attendance as well.
If this sounds like a lot of money, remember that the federal government has $150 billion that it provides to students like you and me in financial aid.
*Update dollar figure for financial aid annually – see Dept of Ed financial aid bookmark.
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17. Government/ Institutional Financing
Revised 9/2012
3 Pots of money
Family Financing
Government/ Institutional Financing
Community Financing
When you think about putting your hands on some cash, there are three pots of money from which you can draw: family financing, community financing and government/institutional financing.
*Game Activity*
Bring with you three different little cardboard boxes and some hackey sacks and/or duckies. Ask students if they’ve heard of a way to pay for college. Have them name the way to pay, ask in which box it goes, and have students throw the hackey sack into the correct box. Bring prizes for students. Tell students that many ways to pay actually can fit in multiple boxes.
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18. Revised 9/2012
Family financing
What do you and your family have to contribute to your college education?
Savings
College Savings Plans
Income
Investments
How many people are in your family?
How many will be in college?
What kind of unusual expenses do you have?
With family financing, think about what you and your family have to contribute to your college education. This can come in the form of 529 Savings Plans – a special savings plan your parents or grandparents may have set up to help you pay for college. You may also draw on income and investments.
Family financing depends on how many people are in your family. How many will be in college at the same time? If you have brothers and sisters who will be in college at the same time as you, your family may not have as much to contribute to your college education. Also, what kind of unusual expenses do you have? If you live in a family where someone has unusual medical expenses, you may not be able to pay as much for college as someone who does not have those additional expenses.
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19. What scholarships or other financial assistance can you find?
Revised 9/2012
Community financing
What scholarships or other financial assistance can you find?
Scholarships
Tuition reimbursement
In the community financing pot, what kind of scholarships or external funding can you find? Remember that scholarships are free money. There’s a lot out there in your community – learn where to look and how to apply.
Also, some companies offer tuition reimbursement to their employees. Check with your parents to see if they can use their tuition reimbursement to help pay your way through college.
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20. Know Division I, II and III schools along with their requirements
Sports in College?
Watch GPA/core GPA
Know Division I, II and III schools along with their requirements
Will register as a junior, but must be working on requirements 9/10th
Provide money for schooling
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21. GOVT/Institutional FINANCING
Revised 9/2012
GOVT/Institutional FINANCING
What funds are available to me through the federal or state government or from my college?
Grants
Loans-Last Resort
Work-Study
In the last pot, these are funds available to you through the federal or state government or from your college? These funds generally come in the form of grants, loans, and work-study.
A grant is money awarded to you based on your family’s income to pay for college. You don’t have to pay it back.
A loan is money given to you to attend college. The catch is that you must pay it back with interest. So a $10,000 loan you take out for college could cost you $15,000.
Work-study is awesome. In exchange for working for a department on campus, you’ll earn money that you can use to pay for college. You won’t need to pay it back.
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22. Agenda Why it is important to go to college
Revised 9/2012
Agenda
Why it is important to go to college
The four steps to planning for college
What students can do to prepare
And last, we’ll talk about some things families can do to help prepare.
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23. Balance academics/extracurricular activities Get Involved
Revised 9/2012
What students can do
Balance academics/extracurricular activities
Get Involved
Take Career Interest Inventory on KUDER
Develop a list of potential schools
Research admissions requirements early
(HIDDEN if no parents)
Parents, I want you to turn and talk to your students and find out your students’ thoughts about going to college. What do they dream of doing?
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24. Take college entrance exam no later than summer after 10th grade
Revised 9/2012
What students can do
Take college entrance exam no later than summer after 10th grade
Prep for college entrance exams
View scholarship list I provide to srs each year, but also use social media/internet to view scholarship requirements to prepare before sr year
Get into the habit of meeting deadlines
(HIDDEN if no parents)
Parents, I want you to turn and talk to your students and find out your students’ thoughts about going to college. What do they dream of doing?
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25. Conclusion: Knowhow2go!
Revised 9/2012
Conclusion: Knowhow2go!
Make it your Goal to Graduate College Debt Free!
Remember these? The four steps to college? Remind me of how loud you can yell. Ready….GO!!!
Sixth graders: what do you say? (Sixth Graders yell “Be a Pain!”)
Seventh graders, can you be louder? (Seventh Graders yell “Push Yourself!”)
Adults, can you match them? (Adults yell “Find the Right Fit!”)
And last but not least, the 8th graders! (8th graders yell “Put Your Hands on Some Cash!”)
Now you KnowHow2Go!!!
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