1. Dream Scheme for Students Getting Ready for College Early Presented by the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association

2. Getting Ready for College Early

3. What is “College”? zPublic and private four-year colleges and universities zTwo-year community or junior colleges zBusiness schools zProprietary schools (programs such as truck driving or cosmetology) zVocational-technical schools

4. Keep Your Options Open zDo you need to know what you want to do “when you grow up”?

5. Then, why think about college now? zCollege can be the key to the kind of life you want. zIt gives you choices in: nKinds of jobs. nHow much money you make. nWays to help others.

6. There’s money if you need it zYou can afford to go to college. zYou will be eligible for some kind of financial aid.

7. Steps for you to get ready for college

8. Step 1: Making the Decision zResearch career interests yChoose several - changing your mind is okay but failing to plan ahead is NOT okay yTalk with people about your interests yRead about careers xOn the internet xAt the library xIn magazines and newspapers

9. Step 1: Making the Decision zImportance of college nYou can choose careers based on your interests nYou may increase the amount of money you earn nYou’ll have more career options nYou may make better decisions nYou’ll be able to use technology better

10. Step 1: Making the Decision zChoose the type of “college”  4-year college (university or college offering a bachelor’s degree or above)  2-year college (community or junior college offering a training program, certificate, or associates degree to include transfer options)  Technical Schools (skill centers and other schools offering entry level occupational programs)

11. Changing your mind about a career choice is okay, Failing to dream is not. For More Information: www.mycareereducation.org www.mois.org

12. Step 2: Getting Ready zYou, your parents and your school are working together to prepare you for a good life after graduation yExploring skills and classes for your future starts NOW yGet the most out of high school - take challenging courses yAsk your counselor to help you plan

13. Step 2: Getting Ready zConsider this yStudies show that if students take challenging courses that make them think, they are more likely to go on to college yThese courses can also help students get into college

14. Step 2: Getting Ready Recommended high school curriculum for a four-year college: zEnglish4 years zMathematics3-4 years zSocial studies3-4 years zScience3-4 years

15. Step 2: Getting Ready Recommended high school courses for a community college or vocational/trade school: yEnglish grammar and composition yKeyboarding or typing yBusiness math, accounting, marketing yBasic science

16. Step 2: Getting Ready zMany colleges require additional courses in yForeign Language yFine & Performing Arts yComputer Science zReview individual school requirements in the MI-Sourcebook on www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid

17. Step 2: Getting Ready zTake your MEAP exams seriously! With a qualifying score, you can receive a Michigan Merit Award yUp to $500 earned in the 7th and 8th grade y$2500 earned in high school zwww.MeritAward.state.mi.us

18. Taking some challenging classes may help your dreams come true!

19. Step 3: Planning Ahead zWhat does college cost? yCollege is probably not as expensive as you think it is yHowever, you and your parents need to begin saving NOW xTuition, fees and books are only part of the cost. You will need money for housing, transportation, food, clothes, entertainment, etc.

20. Challenging yourself to think about your future may help your dreams come true!

21. Step 4: Paying for college zWhat you and your parents can do ySave yUse federal income-tax credits yUse student financial aid nGift aid - grants and scholarships that do not have to be paid back nWork - a job during college to earn money nLoans - money for college that must be paid back

22. Step 4: Paying for college zOther sources yMilitary service scholarships (full-time and part-time service) yAmericorps, community service program yCivic groups and organizations, foundations and businesses yWeb resources xwww.Michigan.gov/mistudentaid

23. Don’t let the cost stop you from dreaming about college! It can work out!

24. It’s not too early to begin creating. The life you want, So… Change college from. A dream into a reality. Think college early.