Going to School on a Shoestring

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Going to School on a Shoestring
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Reasons to Get a College Education

• Higher salaries
• Better benefits
• Employment
• Higher savings levels
• Improved working conditions
• Personal/professional mobility
• Varied challenges

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Reasons to Get a College Education

• Improved health/life expectancy
• Improved quality of life for offspring
• Better consumer decision making
• Increased personal success
• More leisure time/hobbies
• More lifetime options

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Reasons to Get a College Education

• Increased tax revenue
• Greater productivity
• Increased consumption
• Increased workforce flexibility
• Less reliance on governmental financial support

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Academic Preparation

• Academic Preparation
• Core courses
• College bound curriculum
• Maintain high grades
• Polish Test-taking Skills
• Study examples of ACT SAT and practice
• Take ACT several times
• If competitive, take PSAT and SAT to broaden
  consideration

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Seek Financial Aid

• Scholarships
• Employer
• Fraternal organizations
• Churches
• Professional groups
• Philanthropic groups
• Military Services and Associations
• Employer Assistance
• Military Services
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• START Savings program

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Scholarship Searches

• Begin early
• Invest time in search
• Seek scholarships unique to your qualifications
• Apply on time include all items
• Apply to a number of sources
• Respond promptly to any inquiries made from the
  organizations

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Federal Financial Aid

• Apply after January 1 of year you plan to start
  school.
• Assemble tax information of self and parents
• Obtain PIN numbers for self and parent(s)
  www.pin.ed.gov
• Complete FAFSA on line and sign using PINs
  www.fafsa.ed.gov

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SCAMS and RIP-OFFS
WWW.FAFSA.COM A commercial firm that charges you
to fill out a FAFSA.
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Federal Financial Aid

• Apply for admission at the school of your choice
• Respond promptly to inquiries from the financial
  aid office
• Web WWW.LATECH/FINAID

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Types of Financial Aid

• Scholarships and Grants
• No repayment
• Student Employment
• Earned and paid monthly
• Student Loans
• Borrowed money which must be repaid

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Louisiana TOPS Scholarship

• High School GPA
• ACT Composite Score
• Louisiana Resident
• Apply within one year of Graduation
• Attend full time
• Minimum GPA
• Annual 24 hours completed

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TOPS Contact

• Telephone [phone]
• Web WWW.OSFA.STATE.LA.US

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Keeping Aid

• Almost every educational assistance source has
  minimum requirements attached
• Federal aid GPA and hours earned
• TOPS Enrollment level, GPA and Earned Hours
• Scholarships GPA
• Military PT, Marksmanship, GPA

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Keeping the Cost Down

• Attend in-state school
• Consider Community College for early years
• Attend University near home
• Obtain dependable (not new) transportation
• Forego expensive clothes, appliances, activities

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Keeping the Cost Down (contd)

• Evaluate your skills and aptitudes
• Select a realistic major
• Review the degree requirements
• Read the course descriptions
• Plan your studies with your advisor
• Determine when the courses are being taught

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Keeping the Cost Down (Contd)

• Be sure you have the prerequisite courses before
  enrolling in a specific course.
• Take required courses and required electives in
  the order recommended
• Dont stray too far from your major- each course
  that is not required costs you time and money.

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Keeping the Cost Down (Contd)

• Complete your degree program as quickly as
  possible.
• Balance courses keep load level
• Carry a full load each period
• Dont withdraw frequently
• Attend Summer if needed courses are offered
• Stay on track avoid fluff courses

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Keeping the Cost Down (Contd)

• Develop a budget
• Stick to the budget
• Have only one credit card and pay it off in full
  each month
• Dont let your peers convince you to spend money
  on something you dont need

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Other Cost Saving Considerations

• Review Automobile Insurance
• Review Health Insurance
• Confirm that your personal items are insured on
  the home policy
• Establish a method to transfer money that is the
  least expensive way

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College is an Investment

• Time
• Planning
• Study
• Focus
• Deferred Gratification of Wants
• Money

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Potential Income levels