How Going to College Can Change Your Life
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2016-2017 connecticut Opportunities preparing for college guide and workbook Tips for completing the FAFSA How going to college Connecticut financial aid— can change grants, scholarships and more your life This is a free publication provided by contents Section 1: General information Whether you are considering a private how going to college can change your life career college, a community college, 3 Paths to higher education 3 Preparing for college or a four-year college, ECMC prepared choosing the right college this workbook to guide you through 5 Worksheet: Choosing the right college the college selection, application, the college application process 7 Entrance exams and financial aid process. 9 Submitting your college applications 10 Worksheet: Organize your application information navigating financial aid 11 Your college costs tips for using this book 13 About the FAFSA · Work from front to back 16 Checklist: FAFSA · Have a pencil/pen handy 17 Federal financial aid: Grants, work-study, and loans · Use the checklists located at the back of the book 19 Scholarships 20 Scholarship scams 21 Your rights and responsibilities updates to this book While every effort is made to keep this book up-to-date, program the final decision requirements are subject to change. For complete information 22 Understanding your award letter regarding specific programs, contact the organization responsible for 24 Worksheet: Make your decision administering that individual program. The U.S. Congress frequently considers legislation that could change Section 2: Connecticut some of the provisions of the federal student financial aid programs. information If changes are made, a description of these changes will be posted on www.ecmc.org. high school requirements 26 Credits needed for graduation availability in spanish connecticut’s community colleges To order copies in Spanish and/or download a PDF, visit www.ecmc.org. 27 Programs of study and transfer opportunities Para ordenar copias Español y/o descargar un PDF, visite www.ecmc.org. college profiler for administrators and counselors 28 Public colleges This book is a resource for you to share with students. For free copies of 28 Private colleges this book, go to www.ecmc.org/opportunities to order. connecticut financial aid 29 Grants and scholarships book sponsors 29 Loan programs Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) is a nonprofit 30 Connecticut 529 college savings program company with a mission is to help students succeed. We work to lower student loan default rates; sponsor college access and success resources initiatives, and financial literacy programs; and provide resources to 31 Connecticut college directory support student loan borrowers to successfully repay their loans. 33 In-person help 33 Online help For more information, visit us online at www.ecmc.org. junior year checklist 35 Fall – Spring 36 Summer senior year checklist To reduce confusion, in this book we refer to 37 Fall – Winter all types of higher education institutions 38 Spring – After graduation as “colleges.” glossary 39 College and financial aid definitions Section 1: General information Section 1: General information The information in this section is applicable to all students who are thinking about going to college, regardless of where you live or where Section 2: Connecticut information you might be thinking about going to college. How going to college can change your life You may know or be able to think of individuals who are successful but have never gone to college. However, your odds of success are much higher if you attend college. There are many statistics available that prove this. be happy Weekly earnings and unemployment rates based on education level in 2014 People who attend college: · Report they have more job satisfaction than those who did not attend · Typically live healthier lifestyles, and are more likely to have $1,623 Doctoral access to employer-provided benefits including; medical degree 1.7% insurance, reitrement plans, and paid time off · Are more involved in their communities through higher $1,730 Professional levels of volunteering and voting degree 1.5% Finally, talk with people who have gone to college, most will tell you it was fun! $1,341 Master’s degree 2.4% $1,137 education pays Bachelor’s degree 2.8% Statistics show that unemployment rates drop in direct relationship to how much education you receive. In addition, $798 Associate’s the more education you get, the more money you are likely to degree 3.8% make. A study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 (Current Population Survey) supports this, shown by the chart to the $738 left. Some college, no degree 5.0% $678 make money High school diploma 5.4% Going to college costs you money, but not going can cost you even more. Statistics show that the more education you get, $493 Less than high the more money you are likely to make. A 2011 study by the school diploma 8.0% U.S. Census Bureau reported that over an adult’s working life, average total earnings were as follows: All $860 · High school graduate = $1.3 million workers 4.3% · Some college = $1.6 million · Associates degree = $1.8 million Weekly earnings Unemployment rate · Bachelor’s degree = $2.4 million · Master’s degree = $2.8 million Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015 Current Population Survey Note: Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage Source: www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/acsbr11-04.pdf and salary workers. 2 Paths to higher education · Your high school may not offer classes in all AP subjects, but most AP classes are also available online (a fee may be The term “higher education” refers to all the educational involved) opportunities available to you after high school. By knowing · After coursework is completed, students take nationally all available opportunities, you will have a better idea of what administered AP exams in their chosen subject areas—if type of college may be a good match for you. These options the resulting scores are acceptable to the college, it might include: award college credit, advanced placement, or both, for the course. four-year colleges and universities Four-year colleges and universities focus on offering dual-enrollment programs educational programs that lead to bachelor’s, master’s, or · Students take college-level classes for college credit while professional degrees. Many students start college studies at a continuing to participate in regular high school activities community college and later transfer to a four-year college or · Classes are often offered at high schools or nearby university. This allows students to complete courses at a less community colleges expensive community college and later use the credits to meet · Not every high school participates; contact your high school the graduation requirements at a four-year college. counselor for more information community colleges international baccalaureate organization’s Community colleges are designed to meet the vocational diploma programme and educational needs of the community. Individual colleges · Two-year curriculum offered by the International vary widely and can offer programs ranging from classes in Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) that combines continuing education and certificate programs to vocational requirements of a mixture of different national education programs and associate degrees. systems · Offered in English, French, and Spanish, and allow students career colleges moving around the country or from one country to another to Career colleges are designed to provide a student-centered transfer among IB schools learning environment, which combines academic subject · A list of participating schools from around the world is matter with interactive, hands-on labs and learning of skills. available at www.ibo.org Programs range from bachelor’s and associate degrees to diplomas, certificates, and certifications. technical preparation (tech prep) programs · Multiyear program (two or more years in high school and trade and vocational colleges two in an occupational/technical program at a community Trade and vocational colleges focus on developing practical or technical college) designed to prepare students for career skills. These colleges offer programs that concentrate technical occupations on developing a specific skill, often leading to a certificate, · Expands education and employment opportunities by and are designed to get students into the workforce quickly. preparing you for careers in health care, business, industry, labor and government online colleges · Strong emphasis on math, science, and English—a Many colleges offer some or all of their classes online, and can complete Tech Prep program includes the following: be either instructor-led or self-paced. · A comprehensive career development plan · Courses designed for a specific career that integrate academic and occupational preparation Preparing for college · A learning environment that emphasizes math, communications, science, and technology Colleges care about the courses you take in high school. The · A smooth transition from high school to college or more you challenge yourself when choosing high school employment courses, the more college options you may have. honors classes · More challenging academically · Typically faster paced; cover topics in greater depth Regardless of the college preparatory · Generally weighted higher for grade point average (GPA) but program you participate in—or even if do not earn you college credit you don’t participate in one— advanced placement (ap) classes each college has specific admissions · More challenging academically; courses prepare you to take rigorous exams that can lead to college credit requirements you must meet. · More than 30 AP classes are offered in subject areas 3 Choosing the right college Your college selection is an important decision, but where do you start? Use the tools and resources in this chapter to help you choose where to apply. finding the right college deadlines Every person is different. Your background, interests, and Deadlines are just that, so plan carefully and pay attention personality are just a few things that make you original and to the various deadlines throughout the process.