Getting Ready for College

1
Getting Ready for College

• A presentation for parents of high school
  students preparing for college
• Sponsored by Gear Up Maryland and the Maryland
  Higher Education Commission

2
Why Going to College is Important

• College introduces students to new experiences
• More career opportunities are open to college
  graduates they are more likely to be employed
• College graduates earn more money than high
  school graduates

3
Why Going to College is ImportantExamples of
Jobs Requiring College Preparation
 
Source Compiled by the Planning and Evaluation
Service of the U.S. Department of Education from
various sources.
4
Going to College The Right CoursesMaryland
minimum requirements

• English 4 credits
• Math 3 credits (Algebra I II and Geometry)
• Science - 3 credits (Laboratory science)
• Social Studies 3 credits
• Fine Arts 1 credit
• Technology 1 credit
• Physical Education ½ credit
• Health ½ credit
• Foreign Language or Advanced Technology or Career
  and Technology Program 2 credits (foreign
  language for college)

5
Going to College Whats Required in Maryland

• 21 total credits required for graduation
• 75 hours of approved service learning prior to
  graduation
• SAT scores (take the SAT during junior year its
  too late to take it the first time during the
  senior year!)

6
Going to College enhancing opportunities for
college-bound high school students

• Enroll in a college prep track if possible
• Take honors courses when available
• Take advanced placement courses when possible
• Enroll in courses that enhance reading and
  writing skills
• Take a basic computer science course
• Participate in the visual or performing arts
• Take part in activities that require evidence of
  leadership skills
• Participate in extra-curricular activities
• Get to know your guidance counselor

7
Going to College a parents to-do list

• Encourage your child to do well in school right
  from the start grades from freshman, sophomore
  and junior year are important!
• Be sure your child has a quiet place to do
  homework
• Help your child budget time so projects are not
  left to the last minute
• Encourage your child to become involved in
  community and school extracurricular activities

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Going to College a parents to-do list

• Talk to your child about their goals for the
  future what do they want to be? What kind of
  education will they have to have beyond high
  school to achieve their goals?
  (http//www.bls.gov/oco/)
• Find out if your childs school offers the PSAT
  if it does be sure she/he takes it during
  sophomore year
• Begin a college savings account

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Going to College a parents to-do list

• Begin finding out as much as you can about
  colleges your child might be interested in
  visit local colleges
• Find out about the college application process
• Find out about the financial aid process
• Encourage your child to read, read, read! (This
  helps prepare for the SAT.)

10
Going to College How much does it cost?

• College costs vary greatly depending on the type
  of school one attends
• 2-year community college
• 4-year colleges
• Public
• Private

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Going to College How much does it cost?

• Tuition the cost of instruction and use of some
  facilities
• Fees charges not associated with students
  course-load (student activities, special events,
  athletics)
• Room and Board the cost of housing and meals
• Average cost 5254 _at_ public 4-year college
• Average cost 6455 _at_ private 4-year college
• Books, supplies, transportation, and other
  expenses
• Average cost 2968 _at_ public 4-year college
• Average cost 2492 _at_ private 4-year college
• Information for this page comes fromThe College
  Board, (2002). Trends in college pricing 2001.
  New York College Board Publications

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Going to College How to pay for it?

• Financial Aid Vocabulary
• Two categories of student financial aid
• Need-based This is the type of aid is awarded
  to students whose family income is not sufficient
  enough to cover the cost of a college education.
  Family financial data is examined to determine if
  there is a need for financial assistance.
• Non-need-based This type of aid to awarded to
  students with special skills, talents, or
  academic abilities that have been deemed worthy
  of financial aid.
• Information for this page comes from
  http//www.salisbury.edu/gearup/finaid.htm

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Going to College How to pay for it?

• Financial Aid Vocabulary
• Three types of financial aid are available
• Grants and scholarships are gifts that you don't
  have to pay back. Grants are usually given
  because the student has financial need, while
  scholarships are usually given to recognize the
  student's academic achievement, athletic ability
  or other talent.
• Loans must be repaid, usually with interest,
  after you graduate or stop going to school.
• Work-study lets you work and earn money to help
  pay for school. These jobs are usually
  on-campus.
• Information for this page comes from
  http//www.mhec.state.md.us/SSA/faprocess.htm

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Going to College How to pay for it?

• Financial Aid Vocabulary
• Sources for financial aid
• Federal government
• State government
• Institutional aid
• Private sources

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Going to College Resources
Montague, J. (2001). Planning for college Some
issues for students and parents to consider. The
ERIC Review, 5(3), http//www.eric.ed.gov/resource
s/ericreview/vol5no3/plan.html U.S. Department
of Education (2002). Funding your education
2002-2003. Washington D.C. U.S. Department of
Education. http//www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FYE/FYE
02/indexfye.html U.S. Department of Education
(2002). The Student Guide Financial Aid,
2002-2003. Washington D.C. U.S. Department of
Education. http//www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/Student
Guide/ U.S. Department of Education, Office of
the Under Secretary (2000). Preparing your child
for college 2000 edition. Washington, D.C. U.
S. Dept. of Ed. http//npin.org/library/2002/n002
11/pt.html
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Going to College Resources
U.S. Department of Labor. (2002). Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2002-03. Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of LaborBureau of Labor
Statistics. http//www.bls.gov/oco/
WEBSITES Mapping Your Future -
http//www.mapping-your-future.org/ This site
is sponsored by a group of guaranty agencies who
participate in the Federal Family Education Loan
Program (FFELP). They are committed to providing
information about higher education and career
opportunities.