2. WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION, you’re more likely to have:
Greater wealth
Job security
Better health
A closer family
A stronger community

3. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY COLLEGE?
COLLEGE can include…
Career School
Community College
College/University
Other options include apprenticeships and the military.

4. GETTING STARTED Ask for help. 2. Create a 4-year coursework plan.
Think of adults you can ask to help guide you to college.
2. Create a 4-year coursework plan.
Ask your counselor about dual-credit and AP courses – you could earn college credit!
3. Improve your study skills.
parent, school counselor, mentor, coach, youth group leader. This person can help you:
• Explore careers and colleges that fit your interests
• Get involved in activities that could lead to scholarship opportunities
• Go on campus visits
• Find ways to save and pay for college
• Apply for college and financial aid when you’re a senior
It’s especially important that you get to know your school counselor!
Use a planner.
Take notes.
Ask questions.
Find a quiet place to study.
Ask how to improve your grades.

5. GETTING STARTED 4. Create an Activities Resume.
Join clubs & activities to explore career interests – and earn scholarships!
Track your activities at EducationQuest.org
5. Learn how to budget.
If you manage your money, you’ll have some left over to save – especially for college.
Check out TheMint.org/teens

6. Stay ON COURSE to college
What classes are recommended to qualify for college admission? 4
____ Years of English
____ Years of Math
____ Years of Social Sciences
____ Years of Natural Sciences
____ Years of World Language 4 3 3
2-4

7. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT Think about your interests & skills.
What do you like to do?
What classes are you good at?
2. Find careers that match your interests & skills.
Check out career-exploration sites at
You could have students answer questions on page 3 of Exploring College.
Sites include:
Nebraska Career Connections – Find videos and details about career options, and take career interest assessments. Ask your counselor for the code to access this site.
• My Next Move – Take the O*NET Interest Profiler to be matched with career options, or search a variety of careers, and learn about annual wages for each job.
• H3.ne.gov – Find labor market information for high-skill, high-wage, high-demand jobs in Nebraska.
• “Now, Next, Later” Career Ladders – Learn about career paths in specific career clusters in Nebraska.

8. There are many jobs you can pursue in each field.
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
THIS CAREER DIAGRAM
Shows 6 major career fields.
There are many jobs you can pursue in each field.

9. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT Sample CAREERS Welder 2-year certificate
$18/hour or
$37,440/year
Firefighter
2-year
associate’s degree
$20/hour or
$40,710/year
Public Relations
Manager
4-year
bachelor’s degree
$26/hour or
$53,620/year
Physician
Assistant
4-year bachelor’s +
2-year master’s degree
$44/hour or
$91,520/year

10. Find career descriptions at MyNextMove.org.
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Create a career plan.
What skills will you need?
What courses and activities should you pursue?
What education is required after high school?
Find career descriptions at MyNextMove.org.
3. Find a sample career plan on p. 5 of Exploring College.
- Click on MyNextMove.org to go to the site.
4. Click on the green oval to show Reality Check.
4. Get a
Find out if your future career will match your desired lifestyle.
Find Reality Check at EducationQuest.org.

11. There are more than 45 colleges in Nebraska!
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Research colleges.
See College Profiles at EducationQuest.org.
Attend a College Fair.
Explore college campuses.
Did you know?
There are more than 45 colleges in Nebraska!
Ways to explore college campuses:
Attend events or camps at area colleges.
– Stop at colleges when traveling with your family.
– Participate in group campus visits organized by your school.
– Take a virtual campus tour via a college website.

12. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT Types of COLLEGE DEGREES Diploma/Certificate
Associate
Bachelor’s
Master’s
Doctorate
DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE Specialized training that typically takes a year or less to complete.
ASSOCIATE A two-year degree offered by community colleges and career schools.
BACHELOR’S A four-year degree offered by colleges and universities.
MASTER’S Typically takes 1-2 years to complete after earning a bachelor’s degree.
DOCTORATE The most advanced degree available, this is earned after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

13. Average Costs to Attend College in Nebraska for One Year
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Learn how much it costs to attend college.
Average Costs to Attend College in Nebraska for One Year
2-year community college
4-year public college
4-year private college
Career school
Tuition & Fees
$3,150-$3,600
$7,500-$9,200
$21,000-$39,500
$17,000-$18,500
Books & Supplies
Room & Board
No campus housing
Tuition & Fees – the amount of money a college charges for the courses you take and for services like computer labs, fitness centers, and career services.
• Books & Supplies – you’ll be required to purchase or rent textbooks and/or supplies for most classes.
• Room & Board – if you live on campus, the college will charge you to live in a residence hall and for the meals you eat in the cafeteria.
$1,000 - $2,800
$6,500 - $11,800

14. PAYING FOR COLLEGE Learn about financial aid.
It’s money awarded by colleges to help pay college expenses.
Apply when you’re a senior by completing the FAFSA.
The FAFSA shows how much you’re eligible to receive.
Some students will show “financial need” which qualifies them for need-based aid. However, students of any income level may qualify for some type of aid, which is why you should complete the FAFSA your senior year – and every year you’re in college.

15. PAYING FOR COLLEGE Learn the types of financial aid. Scholarships
You won $1,000 in a “Why I Want to Go to College” essay contest.
Grants
You complete the FAFSA, a college financial aid application, and receive $3,000 that you don’t have to pay back.
Scholarships – Money awarded by private donors or your college that you don’t repay. Some are based on financial need, while others are based on criteria such as academics, leadership, athletics, or talents.
Grants* – Money awarded to students who show financial need. Grants are not repaid.
Work-Study* – Also based on financial need, this is money you earn from a college-based job to help pay expenses.
Student Loans* – Money you borrow and must repay after you’re done with college. Loans are also available for parents.
You work at the college cafeteria to help pay tuition.
Work-Study
You borrow $2,000 for college that you will have to pay back after you graduate.
Student Loans

16. PAYING FOR COLLEGE Position yourself to earn scholarships.
Do well in school.
Scholarships are based on criteria like GPA, ACT score, and class rank.
Get involved in activities.
School clubs
Student council
Band or choir
Sports
Volunteer

17. Set up a college savings plan at NEST529.com.
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Save!
Save a portion of birthday and holiday money.
Get a part-time job and save half.
Ask your parents to set up a college savings plan.
Create a budget.
Set up a college savings plan at NEST529.com.

18. IT ALL ADDS UP! = $3,900 Frappuccino $4.50
Cheeseburger, Fries & Soda $7.50
Chips & Soda $3.00
TOTAL $15.00
$15 x 260 days
(5 days a week)
= $3,900
This could pay for
one year of tuition
at a community college!

19. EducationQuest.org Activities Resume College Funding Estimator
College Planning Timeline
College Profiles
FAFSA Tools
Reality Check
ScholarshipQuest
Spanish Resources
Blogs
Upcoming Events

20. What will YOU do to start planning for college?
Learn more at
EducationQuest.org.