COLLEGE IS A GO!

Christine Seger, Ph.D.

Bridges to College Volunteer October 4, 2011 Ansonia High School

Topics

        How to . . . Selection Process College Search Timeline Assessment/Placement Testing Admissions and Financial Aid Affordability Top 10 Application Reminders Brief Loan/Debt/Payment Delays Overview Tips for Student Success

Where Do I Start?

       Know yourself Apply yourself in high school Make your list of priorities Get your parents involved Visit, visit, visit Think about majors and careers Don’t be put off by “sticker shock” (Knight and Ripple, 2009)

Selection Process

           Academic excellence in areas of study 2-year, 4-year, or specialized Program Large, medium, or small Suburban, urban or rural Residential or commuter Internships, field work, and part-time jobs Student life/extracurricular activities Campus feel/attractiveness International global experience Proximity Diverse student body

College Visits

       IMPORTANT!

Visit Colleges of Interest – Increase interest – Understand history and tradition – Get “feel” for campus Make Admissions Appointment Take Tour Visit Financial Aid - get all info !

Walk around on own See OCAN handout

For-Profit Institutions

  ‘Proprietary colleges’ – ITT Technical Institute – University of Phoenix – Kaplan University – Miami Jacobs They are: – Purposeful – Specific – Expensive – Non- or nationally accredited – “Sales driven” / heavily marketable

For-Profit Institutions (cont’d)

  Some for-profit institutions have: – Questionable recruiting practices – High loan default rates – Lower graduation rates / availability of work ‘Gainful Employment’ regulations: – Institutions must prove that previous students are capable of or paying off student loan debt – Estimate 5% of programs would lose funding – Debt-to-income ratios must be within 30% discretionary income and 12% total income

Admissions & Career Decisions

 Social Networking Sites (Facebook, MySpace, etc.) – Consider the following ideas:        Networking Form study groups Find old friends Illicit photos Illegal activities Future career aspirations Accessibility of information (UniversityParent.com, 2009)

College Search Timeline

    College Search (Freshmen - Senior) – Research, research, research College Applications (Junior-Senior) – Apply v. Early Application Apply for Financial Aid – Scholarships (Freshmen - Senior) – FAFSA (Senior) Review Financial Aid Package (Senior) – Form decision

College Timeline (cont’d)

    Decide School Choice (Senior) – Make decision & pay deposit (if required) Attend Orientation (Senior) – 1- or 2-day event Register for Classes (Senior) – Full-time (12+ hours) Be Ready, Here It Comes!

– Start classes & seize your dreams

ACT/SAT Test

    American Collegiate Test (ACT) – Primarily used on East Coast & Midwest Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) – Primarily used on West Coast & Midwest Must complete for 4-year application – Not required at community colleges Take in the junior or senior years – The earlier the better!

ACT Test Information

    It is absolutely imperative that Juniors and Seniors register for and complete the ACT if you apply to four-year college Register by November 4 for the December 10 test or by January 13 for the February 11 test Juniors who complete the test, have: – A greater re-test advantage – A better understanding of test Take the writing portion the FIRST time

Assessment/Placement Testing

  Required for course placement – Writing – Reading – Math Waivers/Substitutions are a possibility (at some institutions) – ACT/SAT scores – HS Transcript – Advanced Standing

Admissions and Financial Aid

   Apply Concurrently – Can list several schools on FAFSA Financial Aid Deadlines - Important!

– Federal, State & Institutional – Important changes to the FAFSA (eff. 2011-12) Award Comparisons – Institution type – Scholarship opportunities – Total financial aid offer v. total cost – Negotiate award packages???

Affordability

 Reduce the financial burden (in HS) – Postsecondary Education Option Program (PSEOP) - Plan courses wisely – ACT/SAT - take it early and consider it important – “Take A Course On Us” (i.e. Ivy Tech) – Grades count!

– Do volunteer work – Get involved in extracurricular activities – Get a part-time job – Good recommendations are essential – Prepare early for your college essay

Affordability (cont’d)

 Reduce the financial burden (in College) – Apply for ALL financial aid programs (federal, state, institutional, and private) – Consider the following :       2-year v. 4-year; in-state v. out-of-state; public v. private Commuting v. on-campus (meal plan options) “Thrifting” v. buying new Become an RA or try a part-time job Rent or buy textbooks, e-books, check online for cheaper options, share books; resell at term end Minimizing “Your time to go!” (summer school)

Affordability (cont’d)

 Consider other cost saving measures: – AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), ROTC, Peace Corps  Money in exchange for service upon graduation – Maintain written budget of expenses – Compare cell phone plans – Consider basic PC over expensive laptop – Verify ALL charges on account (i.e. health insurance) – Consider NOT having a car – Wants v. needs

Additional Affordability Options

  Work Colleges (i.e. College of the Ozarks) – Labor in exchange for money toward tuition – Work Colleges Consortium (www.workcolleges.org) Graduation Guaranteed (i.e. Utah State, Western Illinois, & U of Colorado-Boulder) – Develop academic plan to finish in 4 years – Take normal courseload & pass classes each term – Graduate in 4 years or extra expense on college (Couch, 2009)

Addl Affordability Options (cont’d)

  Fifth Year Free (i.e. Clark Univ, MA) – “Buy 4, get 1 free” - finish four years & get year of graduate school free – Contact Admissions or check website Tuition Locks (i.e. Huntingdon College, Hiram College, Central Michigan U) – Plan that locks tuition at freshmen year – Read the fine print - for details!

(Couch, 2009)

The Net Price Calculator

   Allows you to create “what if” scenarios of income and expenses Can use this calculator for multiple students as early as Kindergarten Useful tool in the planning process  https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/unc

Top 5 College Application Reminders

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Apply to MORE than one college Apply EARLY for admission to college Make sure student’s name, ssn, and date of birth match the STUDENT Complete the application in its entirety Apply to the correct program

Top 5 Financial Aid Reminders

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Complete the FAFSA by the COLLEGE’S deadline Make sure student’s name, ssn, and date of birth match the STUDENT Apply for scholarships ON-TIME Do NOT borrow more than you need to attend college MONITOR progress of aid application

Student Loans

 Types of Student Loans – Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized    Federally Insured Guaranteed Sub: 3.4% Interest Rate; Unsub: 6.8% Interest Rate – Federal Direct PLUS    Federally Insured Not Guaranteed (must be credit worthy) 7.9% Fixed Interest Rate – Private (limited programs)  Based on creditworthiness; higher interest

Student Loans (cont’d)

 Federal Direct Loans – Annual Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans  Dependent: $5500 Frosh; $6500 Soph;   $7500 Jr/Sr Independent: $9500 Frosh; $10,500 Soph; $12,500 Jr/Sr Unsub: students pay interest in school – Aggregate loan limits   Dependent: $31,000 Independent: $57,500

Student Loan Borrowing Tips

     As college costs continue to increase, borrowing will do the same Students want to borrow ONLY what is necessary to complete their education Do not borrow beyond your means Be realistic in your “job outlook” – Ability to repay?

Know that not repaying your student loans can have negative consequences on your future plans

Loan Repayment

   Repayment Types – Standard; Income-Based Incentives – Subsidized Loan Interest Rate Cuts  Reduce from 2008 through 2012 – Loan Forgiveness Programs  Public Service; Nursing; Education Employer Tuition or Loan Repayment – Health Professions (most prevalent) – AmeriCorps

Tips for Student Success

     Develop an Academic Plan – Map out entire program of study and stick to it – Follow your plan and set goals along the way – If you want/need to change majors, develop new academic plan Complete a co-op, internship or study abroad Get involved!

Meet people Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Helpful Websites

        www.bridges2college.org

www.studentaid.ed.gov

www.finaid.org

www.projectonstudentdebt.com

www.collegeboard.com

www.collegeanswer.com

www.fafsa.ed.gov

www.fastweb.com

Resources

Couch, C. (2009). Four secret tuition savers. Found online at http://www.fastweb.com/financial aid/articles/375-four-secret-tuition-savers .

Knight, D. and Ripple, G. (2009). Square one: Getting started on the college search process. Found online at http://www.careersandcolleges.com/cnc/articles/view.

do?cat=cnc . . . Universityparent.com (2009). Social media do’s and don’ts for college students. Found online at http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/1281 social-media-dos-and-donts-for-college-s .

Contact Information

 Christine (Chris) Seger Director of Admissions Ivy Tech Community College Richmond 2357 Chester Blvd Richmond, IN 47374 (765) 966-2656 x1218 or (800) 659-4562 x1218 [email protected]

Special Thanks To:

   Bridges to College Program Beth Sears All of You!