This document provides information to help students navigate the college process. It discusses the different types of colleges, why students should go to college, and how to prepare. The key steps outlined are to create a timeline of important dates, research colleges and majors, learn to ask the right questions, look for funding opportunities early through scholarships, grants and loans, establish good study habits, visit college campuses, and evaluate one's strengths to help choose the best fit.

1. College: Why and How?
A guide to navigating college deadlines
Presented by:
Maria Sanchez & Tai Cornute

2. What is College?
There are Three Types:
 Private or Public 4 year college
and universities
 2 year community colleges or
junior college
 Vocational or Technical schools

3. Why Should You Go?
To become a well rounded individual
Ability to pick between many more
jobs
Make more money in a shorter period
of time

4. How can you Prepare?
C Create a Timeline
O Open Doors Through Research
L Learn to ask the Right Questions
L Look for Funding Opportunities
E Establish Good Habits
G Go Visit
E Evaluate your Strengths

5. Create a Timeline
 Mark a calendar with all important dates
 Identify when you may take the ACT/SAT
 When to visit colleges
 When to apply to colleges
 When to apply to scholarship opportunities

6. Open Doors Through Research
 Use the internet to find out about different majors and
academic programs
 Contact college(s)you are interested in
 Use Fastweb.com for scholarship information
 Look at the cities the colleges you are interested in is
located

7.  Speak with your high school guidance counselors
 Speak with your friends and family members
 Talk to students who may currently attend the college
you are interested in that went to your high school
 Contact the college recruiter for your area
Learn to ask the Right Questions

8.  Scholarships Loans (FAFSA)
- through colleges - government
• General • Subsidized
• Departmental • Unsubsidized
- local scholarship funds - private lending institutions
- businesses
- various websites (i.e. fastweb.com)  Savings Account
 Grants (FAFSA)  FAFSA
- Government - COMPLETE AS INDEPENDENT
- Private
Look for Funding Opportunities Early

9. Establish Good Habits
 Go to school on time
 Develop good study habits
 Be consistent
 Build healthy friendships
 Build good relationships
 Meet all deadlines
 Ask questions

10.  Visit all types of schools
 Shadow a friend for a day
 Attend events at several schools
 Take virtual tours
Go Visit!

11. Evaluate your Strengths
 What are you interested in?
 What are you good at?
 What you do NOT like to do?
 What makes you happy?
 In what subjects do you excel?

12. Questions?