1. Countdown to College Steve Gray Rising Sun High School

2. Why go to College? Better Paying Jobs Better Paying Jobs Access to Wider Range of Career Choices Access to Wider Range of Career Choices Exposure to variety of people and cultures Exposure to variety of people and cultures “Avoid becoming an Adult” “Avoid becoming an Adult”

3. College Facts College Graduates earn more Money College Graduates earn more Money Many students switch majors Many students switch majors 25% do not return for their Sophomore year 25% do not return for their Sophomore year 50% of those who start college will not graduate 50% of those who start college will not graduate Involvement increases graduation chances Involvement increases graduation chances

4. College Drop-outs 50% are Drug and Alcohol Related 50% are Drug and Alcohol Related Other Reasons: Other Reasons: Relationships Relationships “I’m taking a year off” “I’m taking a year off” Financial Issues Financial Issues Depression Depression Homesick Homesick Picked the wrong school Picked the wrong school

5. College Graduates 23% of US Population has a Bachelor’s Degree 23% of US Population has a Bachelor’s Degree 20% have an Associates Degree 20% have an Associates Degree 6% have a Master’s Degree 6% have a Master’s Degree 1% have a Doctorate 1% have a Doctorate 2% have a MBA, JD or MD 2% have a MBA, JD or MD Average starting salary Bachelor’s in 2012 will be $68,000 Average starting salary Bachelor’s in 2012 will be $68,000

6. Top Ten College Myths 10. Grades are more important than challenging classes 9. SAT tests are more important than grades 8. I need to decide on my career prior to college 7. A poor 9 th or 10 th grade year will doom you.

7. College Myths (continued) 6. Activities will make-up for poor grades 5. I have to finish in 4 years 4. My life is ruined if I don’t get into _____ college/university 3. Liberal Arts colleges lack Science and Engineering Programs 2. The Federal Government gives the most Financial Aid

8. And the Number 1 College Myth… “There is no way I can afford this”

9. Paying for College Cash Cash Credit Cards Credit Cards Payment Plans Payment Plans Parents work at college that offers free tuition to dependents Parents work at college that offers free tuition to dependents Utilize Financial Aid Options (75% of College Students Nationwide) Utilize Financial Aid Options (75% of College Students Nationwide) Scholarships Scholarships Co-ops Co-ops Work-study Programs Work-study Programs Attend part-time Attend part-time

10. Financial Aid Merit-Based Merit-Based Scholarships (Public and Private) Scholarships (Public and Private) Institutional Aid (from the college) Institutional Aid (from the college) Grants (State Residents) Grants (State Residents) Awards (Local Groups, Civic organizations etc.) Awards (Local Groups, Civic organizations etc.) These offers are NOT tied to financial aid offers These offers are NOT tied to financial aid offers

11. Financial Aid Need-Based Aid Need-Based Aid Cost of attendance – EFC = Financial Aid Cost of attendance – EFC = Financial Aid Starts with The FAFSA Starts with The FAFSAwww.fafsa.ed.gov COMPLETE THE FAFSA NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR

12. Examples of Financial Aid 4-year State University $17,000 cost (Tuition, Room, Board, Fees, Books, Supplies, “incidentals”) $17,000 cost (Tuition, Room, Board, Fees, Books, Supplies, “incidentals”) FAFSA says you have an EFC of $10,000 FAFSA says you have an EFC of $10,000 The remaining 7,000 is Financial Aid The remaining 7,000 is Financial Aid This is called a “Financial Aid Package” through the Institution This is called a “Financial Aid Package” through the Institution

13. Federal Loans Perkins Loan $4,000 maximum per year $4,000 maximum per year 5% fixed rate 5% fixed rate

14. Federal Loans Stafford Loans (subsidized & unsubsidized) Government pays the interest Government pays the interest $ 3,500 – 10,500 depending on year and dependant status $ 3,500 – 10,500 depending on year and dependant status Fixed interest rate = 6.8% Fixed interest rate = 6.8%

15. Key Points Most Federal Programs are need-based Most Federal Programs are need-based You EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) is the most important factor in receiving financial aid. You EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) is the most important factor in receiving financial aid. Scholarships are mostly merit- based and competitive. Scholarships are mostly merit- based and competitive. Scholarship Scholarship

16. College Options 2 year/Community Colleges 2 year/Community Colleges 4 year/Public & Private Colleges & Universities 4 year/Public & Private Colleges & Universities Trade/Technical Schools Trade/Technical Schools Co-op Schools Co-op Schools

17. College Options What are you looking for? What are you looking for? Setting Setting Degree offerings Degree offerings Activities Activities Student Advisement & Career Services Student Advisement & Career Services Safety Safety Student Profiles Student Profiles

18. College Shopping Use the internet & Guidance resources Use the internet & Guidance resources Take your own tour after the admissions office tour Take your own tour after the admissions office tour Acknowledge your reactions to a campus visit Acknowledge your reactions to a campus visit Process these reactions with your child Process these reactions with your child Think of this process as the same as buying a house Think of this process as the same as buying a house

19. College Admission Process What are they looking for? What are they looking for? Transcript Trends Transcript Trends GPA/Class Rank GPA/Class Rank Strong Junior & Senior Year Strong Junior & Senior Year SAT/ACT Scores SAT/ACT Scores Recommendations Recommendations Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities School Profile School Profile Follow Directions & Pay Attention to Deadlines Follow Directions & Pay Attention to Deadlines

20. “What’s a parent to do?” Be Involved in the process Be Involved in the process Counselor/Student/Parent meetings Counselor/Student/Parent meetings Visit Colleges with your child Visit Colleges with your child Help organize the paperwork, but let your child do the majority Help organize the paperwork, but let your child do the majority “peeking over their shoulder” “peeking over their shoulder”

21. Let the countdown begin… NOW NOW Be aware of your grades Be aware of your grades “go shopping” “go shopping” Keep a notebook/file Keep a notebook/file Awards Awards Activities Activities Teachers who will write recommendations Teachers who will write recommendations College wish list College wish list Possible majors Possible majors Campus visits Campus visits Check scholarships Check scholarships

22. Continuing the Countdown NEXT YEAR NEXT YEAR Early November Early November Early Decision/Action Deadlines Early Decision/Action Deadlines November/December November/December Filling out Applications (mostly online) Filling out Applications (mostly online) December December Last time to take the SAT’s for 4 year college purposes Last time to take the SAT’s for 4 year college purposes January January Financial Aid/FAFSA Workshop Financial Aid/FAFSA Workshop

23. Continuing the Countdown February February Mid-Year Transcripts sent to College Admission offices Mid-Year Transcripts sent to College Admission offices March/April March/April Student Aid Report (SAR) Student Aid Report (SAR) Acceptance Letters Acceptance Letters Decisions and Deposits Decisions and Deposits May/June May/June Avoid Senioritis Avoid Senioritis Graduate Graduate

24. QUESTIONS