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Exploring College
This document provides information to help students plan and prepare for college. It discusses the benefits of obtaining a college education and different college options. It offers tips for high school course planning, developing study skills, creating an activities resume, and budgeting. The document also provides guidance on career exploration, researching colleges, paying for college through financial aid and scholarships, and saving money. The overall message is that planning and preparation in high school is important to help students qualify for and afford a college education.
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Exploring College
- 2. WITH A COLLEGEEDUCATION, you’re more likely to have: • Greater wealth • Job security • Better health • A closer family • A stronger community
- 3. WHAT DO WEMEAN BY COLLEGE? • Career School • Community College • College/University COLLEGE can include… Other options include apprenticeships and the military.
- 4. GETTING STARTED 1. Askfor help. • Think of adults you can ask to help guide you to college. 2. Create a 4-year coursework plan. • Ask your counselor about dual-credit and AP courses – you could earn college credit! 3. Improve your study skills. Use a planner. Take notes. Ask questions. Find a quiet place to study. Ask how to improve your grades.
- 5. GETTING STARTED 4. Createan Activities Resume. • Join clubs & activities to explore career interests – and earn scholarships! 5. Learn how to budget. • If you manage your money, you’ll have some left over to save – especially for college. Track your activities at EducationQuest.org Check out TheMint.org/teens
- 6. ____ Years ofEnglish ____ Years of Math ____ Years of Social Sciences ____ Years of Natural Sciences ____ Years of World Language 4 3 2-4 4 3 Stay ON COURSE to college What classes are recommended to qualify for college admission?
- 7. FINDING THE RIGHTFIT 1. Think about your interests & skills. • What do you like to do? • What classes are you good at? 2. Find careers that match your interests & skills. Check out career-exploration sites at https://eqf.org/explore_careers.
- 8. FINDING THE RIGHTFIT THIS CAREER DIAGRAM Shows 6 major career fields. There are many jobs you can pursue in each field.
- 9. Sample CAREERS Welder 2-year certificate $18/hour or $37,440/year Firefighter 2-year associate’s degree $20/houror $40,710/year Public Relations Manager 4-year bachelor’s degree $26/hour or $53,620/year Physician Assistant 4-year bachelor’s + 2-year master’s degree $44/hour or $91,520/year FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
- 10. 3. Create acareer plan. • What skills will you need? • What courses and activities should you pursue? • What education is required after high school? 4. Get a . • Find out if your future career will match your desired lifestyle. Find Reality Check at EducationQuest.org. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT Find career descriptions at MyNextMove.org.
- 11. 5. Research colleges. •See College Profiles at EducationQuest.org. • Attend a College Fair. • Explore college campuses. Did you know? There are more than 45 colleges in Nebraska! FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
- 12. FINDING THE RIGHTFIT • Diploma/Certificate • Associate • Bachelor’s • Master’s • Doctorate Types of COLLEGE DEGREES
- 13. PAYING FOR COLLEGE 1.Learn how much it costs to attend college. 2-year community college 4-year public college 4-year private college Career school Tuition & Fees $3,150-$3,600 $7,500-$9,200 $21,000- $39,500 $17,000- $18,500 Books & Supplies Room & Board No campus housing $1,000 - $2,800 $6,500 - $11,800 Average Costs to Attend College in Nebraska for One Year
- 14. • It’s moneyawarded by colleges to help pay college expenses. • Apply when you’re a senior by completing the FAFSA. • The FAFSA shows how much you’re eligible to receive. 2. Learn about financial aid. PAYING FOR COLLEGE
- 15. 3. Learn thetypes of financial aid. PAYING FOR COLLEGE You won $1,000 in a “Why I Want to Go to College” essay contest.Scholarships You complete the FAFSA, a college financial aid application, and receive $3,000 that you don’t have to pay back.Grants You work at the college cafeteria to help pay tuition. Work-Study You borrow $2,000 for college that you will have to pay back after you graduate.Student Loans
- 16. • Do wellin school. ─ Scholarships are based on criteria like GPA, ACT score, and class rank. • Get involved in activities. 4. Position yourself to earn scholarships. School clubs Student council Band or choir Sports Volunteer PAYING FOR COLLEGE
- 17. • Save aportion of birthday and holiday money. • Get a part-time job and save half. • Ask your parents to set up a college savings plan. • Create a budget. 5. Save! PAYING FOR COLLEGE Set up a college savings plan at NEST529.com.
- 18. IT ALL ADDSUP! Frappuccino $4.50 Cheeseburger, Fries & Soda $7.50 Chips & Soda $3.00 TOTAL $15.00 $15 x 260 days (5 days a week) = $3,900 This could pay for one year of tuition at a community college!
- 19. EDUCATIONQUEST.ORG • Activities Resume •College Funding Estimator • College Planning Timeline • College Profiles • Countdown2College • FAFSA Tools • Reality Check • ScholarshipQuest • Spanish Resources Blogs Upcoming Events
- 20. What will YOUdo to start planning for college? Learn more at EducationQuest.org.
Editor's Notes
- #5 parent, school counselor, mentor, coach, youth group leader. This person can help you: • Explore careers and colleges that fit your interests • Get involved in activities that could lead to scholarship opportunities • Go on campus visits • Find ways to save and pay for college • Apply for college and financial aid when you’re a senior It’s especially important that you get to know your school counselor!
- #8 You could have students answer questions on page 3 of Exploring College. Sites include: Nebraska Career Connections – Find videos and details about career options, and take career interest assessments. Ask your counselor for the code to access this site. • My Next Move – Take the O*NET Interest Profiler to be matched with career options, or search a variety of careers, and learn about annual wages for each job. • H3.ne.gov – Find labor market information for high-skill, high-wage, high-demand jobs in Nebraska. • “Now, Next, Later” Career Ladders – Learn about career paths in specific career clusters in Nebraska.
- #11 3. Find a sample career plan on p. 5 of Exploring College. - Click on MyNextMove.org to go to the site. 4. Click on the green oval to show Reality Check.
- #12 Ways to explore college campuses: Attend events or camps at area colleges. – Stop at colleges when traveling with your family. – Participate in group campus visits organized by your school. – Take a virtual campus tour via a college website.
- #13 DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE Specialized training that typically takes a year or less to complete. ASSOCIATE A two-year degree offered by community colleges and career schools. BACHELOR’S A four-year degree offered by colleges and universities. MASTER’S Typically takes 1-2 years to complete after earning a bachelor’s degree. DOCTORATE The most advanced degree available, this is earned after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- #14 Tuition & Fees – the amount of money a college charges for the courses you take and for services like computer labs, fitness centers, and career services. • Books & Supplies – you’ll be required to purchase or rent textbooks and/or supplies for most classes. • Room & Board – if you live on campus, the college will charge you to live in a residence hall and for the meals you eat in the cafeteria.
- #15 Some students will show “financial need” which qualifies them for need-based aid. However, students of any income level may qualify for some type of aid, which is why you should complete the FAFSA your senior year – and every year you’re in college.
- #16 Scholarships – Money awarded by private donors or your college that you don’t repay. Some are based on financial need, while others are based on criteria such as academics, leadership, athletics, or talents. Grants* – Money awarded to students who show financial need. Grants are not repaid. Work-Study* – Also based on financial need, this is money you earn from a college-based job to help pay expenses. Student Loans* – Money you borrow and must repay after you’re done with college. Loans are also available for parents.