1. FROM HERE TO YOUR CAREER

2. Your Career Preparation Path  Based on your P*A*T*H  Prepares you for various employment options  Allows you to develop a wide range of transferable skills  Helps you adapt to the changing employment markets  Includes a plan for life long learning

3. Requirements for Your Career  Skills  Experience  Abilities & Personality  Education / Training  Make sure you match options to requirements

4. Education / Training Path  Career Preparation Provider  Any training program, school, institution, individual, or business that offers career preparation instructions.  Examples:  Colleges / Universities, Tech Prep., Career Tech, On the job training, etc.

5. Selecting a Career Preparation Program  Reputation  Accreditation  Ensures a basic level of quality in postsecondary schools or programs.  Offerings  Cost  Campus Culture  Determine Entrance Requirements

6. Begin Implementing Your Career Plan  Follow your P*A*T*H  Research career fields  Interview successful people who work in fields that interest you.  Examine programs and schools that can help your career plan.

7. Implementing Your Career Plan  High School Courses  Core requirements, electives, Credit Tracker  Plan Activities  Extracurricular, volunteering, part-time job  Decide about Jobs  Part-time job, summer job, seasonal help  Manage Your Time

8. Apply for Admission  Complete Application  Check it over! Mail & include Fees  Official Transcript  School sealed & original school official signature  Resume  Letters of Recommendations  By a teacher, coach, employer, co-worker, school officials, community leaders  Essay or Letter

9. Cost of Education / Training  FAFSA- Free Application for Financial Student Aid  Apply for needed-base scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study programs.  Uses information from the income tax returns of your parents.  Must be submitted by a specific date to be eligible.

10. Cost of Education / Training  SAR- Student Aid Report  Results of the FAFSA process  Includes a EFC  EFC- Expected Family Contribution  The amount you and your family should contribute to your education or training  Determines the amount of financial aid they offer students.

11. FAFSA Website

12. Financial Need / Eligibility  Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen  Have a valid Social Security number  Register (if you haven't already) with the Selective Service, if you're a male between the ages of 18 and 25  Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school  Show you're qualified to obtain a postsecondary education

13. Applying for FAFSA 1. Gather the documents needed to apply.  income tax returns (yours and most likely your parents), W-2 forms, and other records of income, and  identification documents (social security cards, drivers licenses). 2. Apply at www.fafsa.ed.govwww.fafsa.ed.gov 3. Get free info & help from counselor, website, financial aid advisors, teachers, etc.

14. Financial Aid  Scholarship  Money provided for your education that you do not have to repay.  May be awarded on the basis of need, academic achievement, or a combination of the two.  Renewable scholarships, requirements must be met  Many people, organizations give out scholarships

15. Financial Aid  Grant  Money provided by the government, schools, or private donors. EX: Pell Grants  Do not have to repay grants  Must meet standards and qualifications set by the provider of the grant.

16. Financial Aid  Loan  Money that must be repaid!!  Available from the federal government, state government, and financial institutions.  Government-sponsored loans have the lowest interest  May need a cosigner (the person responsible for paying back the loan if you fail to make payments)

17. Financial Aid  Work-Study Program  Pays students for qualified on- or off- campus jobs.  Funded through the school and awarded as part of a financial aid package.  You must show financial need and apply for the opening approved by the school.