1. “My Life” Research Career Options Research Education Requirements  Include any Advanced Education Required Calculate Financial Debt  Total cost of education, MINUS:  Source/Amount of Financial Assistance  Grants, Scholarships, Parents, Awards, etc

2. RESEARCH CAREER OPTIONS Browse site: WWW.BLS.GOV/OCO/WWW.BLS.GOV/OCO/  Locate A – Z Index  Look-up career alphabetically by name Record Occupation/Job Title Record Median Annual Income  Based on 2012 data (projected 2012-2022) Record Monthly Income  Median Annual Income divided by 12 (months) Record Job Outlook

3. Can’t Find Your Occupation? If your occupation is not listed in the Occupational Outlook Handbook: i.e. “personal trainer”, “salesman”, “small business owner”, etc. “Google” it, add search terms “Salary”, Outlook”, “Median Annual Income, etc Find at least two sources and average the Median Annual Income

4. Research Undergraduate Education Cost Browse site: www.collegedata.comwww.collegedata.com  Click on Tab “College 411”  Click in right top task pane “College Match”  Click button “Search for Colleges”  In the “Match by Name” search bar type in the Name of the College you would like to research  When the College Match page opens Click on the Name of the college you requested Under the “Overview” Tab you will find “Money Matters” Calculate the cost of your total Undergraduate education for four years

5. Education Requirements (cont.) Record the Name and Location of your Undergraduate College Record your Major field of Study Record the Total Cost of Your Undergraduate Degree Research the Total Cost of Advanced Education required by your profession “Google” the Name of the University (be specific in your search…i.e.: GRADUATE TUITION COST) Record the Total Cost of your Advanced Education Program (tuition,room/board,books,supplies,etc.)

6. Can’t find “Cost” of Advanced Education? You are not alone! Most universities do not make this information easily accessible…STICKER SHOCK!!!! Type “Graduate” Tuition, Or “Med” School Tuition, etc. in the Search Box located on the Home Page of most University web sites

7. Anticipated Financial Assistance Record the Source and Amount of ALL Anticipated Financial Assistance  Academic/Athletic Scholarships  Grants  Contributions from Parents/Grandparents, etc. (as applicable)  Will you do “Work Study”?  Will you contribute?  Will you work in the Summer or During School?

8. Calculate Your Total Debt Add Undergraduate plus Advanced Education Subtract Financial Assistance Record “Your Total Debt” Calculate Your Monthly Payment for Debt based on 8% Interest for 15 Years Use Loan Amortization Table located in Student Shared Files  Claxton New  Personal Finance or on claxtoniwa.weebly.com In Excel Spreadsheet Fill in “Interest Rate” (8%), “Number of Payments” (180), and “Principal” (Your Total Debt, or Amount of Loan) Record Monthly Payment