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virginia 2013-2014 I Preparing for college guide and workbook How going to college can change your life page 2 Tips for completing the FAFSA page 15 Virginia financial aid—grants, scholarships and more page 30 Contents Whether you are considering a private career college, a community college, or a four-year college, ECMC Section 1: General information prepared this workbook to guide you through the college how going to college can change your selection, application, and financial aid process. life 2 Paths to higher education 3 Preparing for college tips for using this book · Work from front to back choosing the right college · Have a pencil/pen handy 4 Checklist: Junior year · Use the checklists 5 Worksheet: Choosing the right college updates to this book the college application process While every effort is made to keep this book up-to-date, program requirements are subject 6 Checklist: Junior year and senior year to change. For complete information regarding specific programs, contact the organization 7 College entrance exams responsible for administering that individual program. 9 Submitting your college applications 10 Worksheet: Organize your application The U.S. Congress frequently considers legislation that could change some of the provisions information of the federal student financial aid programs. If changes are made, a description of these changes will be posted on www.ecmc.org. navigating financial aid 11 Your college costs availability in spanish 13 About the FAFSA To order Spanish copies and/or download a PDF, visit www.ecmc.org. 15 Checklist: FAFSA Para ordenar copias Español y/o descargar un PDF, visite www.ecmc.org. 17 Checklist: Junior year and senior year 18 Federal financial aid: Grants, for administrators and counselors work-study, and loans This book is a resource for you to share with students. For free copies of this book, go to 20 Scholarships www.ecmc.org/opportunities to order. 21 Scholarship scams 22 Your rights and responsibilities To reduce confusion, in this book we refer to all types of higher education institutions as the final decision “colleges.” 23 Checklist: Senior year 23 Understanding your award letter 25 Worksheet: Make your decision book sponsors book partners Section 2: Virginia information Educational Credit Management Corporation Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid (ECMC) Administrators (VASFAA) high school requirements ECMC is a nonprofit company providing services in VASFAA is a nonprofit organization of financial aid support of higher education finance. We work to professionals serving the Commonwealth of Virginia. 26 Credits needed for graduation support college access and success, and we provide Its mission is to promote the professional growth and students with tools and resources for planning and collaboration of its members to ethically, competently, paying for college. and adequately serve the needs of students, two-year public colleges www.ecmc.org families, and colleges in matters related to financial and informational resources that support student 27 Programs of study and transfer State Council of Higher Education for Virginia postsecondary education goals. VASFAA’s membership requirements (SCHEV) is composed of financial aid administrators from 27 Higher education centers in Virginia SCHEV is the Commonwealth’s coordinating two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities, and private career schools. Membership body for higher education. SCHEV makes policy recommendations to the Governor and General is also open to persons involved in the administration college profiler Assembly in areas such as operating and capital of financial aid in secondary schools, foundations, community and civic organizations, government 28 Public universities funding, student enrollment projections, and student financial aid. SCHEV approves new academic programs organizations, and the lending community. 29 Private colleges to be offered and certifies colleges to operate in www.vasfaa.org Virginia. SCHEV also has oversight for a variety of educational programs to help promote greater access, Virginia College Access Network (VirginiaCAN) virginia financial aid quality, affordability, and accountability. VirginiaCAN is a nonprofit membership organization of 30 Undergraduate students college access providers, secondary school guidance Virginia Opportunities is funded in part through the counselors, and college admissions and financial aid 31 Graduate students federal College Access Challenge Grant Program professionals across Virginia. VirginiaCAN members 33 Saving for college—Virginia College administered by SCHEV. share a common goal—to enhance postsecondary SM Savings Plan www.schev.edu education access and attainment for residents of Virginia. VirginiaCAN provides leadership and support for Virginia’s college access organizations. VirginiaCAN resources does this in two ways: first, by providing professional development and networking for the access groups 34 Virginia college directory helping students prepare for post-high school 37 In-person help opportunities in Virginia; and second, by educating key 37 Online help leaders on college access issues. 38 Glossary www.virginiacan.org Section 1: General information Section 1: General 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 you might be thinking about going to college. Section 2: Virginia information Virginia Section 2: how going to college can change your life how going to college can change your life be happy Paths to higher education How going to People who attend college: The term “higher education” refers to all the · Report they have more job satisfaction educational opportunities available to you college can than those who did not attend after high school. By knowing all available · Typically live healthier lifestyles, and opportunities, you will have a better idea of change your life are more likely to have access to what type of college may be a good match for employer-provided health insurance you. These options include: You may know or be able to · Are more involved in their communities through higher levels of volunteering and four-year colleges and universities think of individuals who are voting Four-year colleges and universities focus successful but have never gone on offering educational programs that lead to college. However, your odds Finally, talk with people who have gone to to bachelor’s, master’s, or professional college, most will tell you it was fun! degrees. Students typically choose a course of success are much higher if of study to major in, and this prepares them you attend college. There are education pays for occupations that require a college or many statistics available that Statistics show that unemployment rates drop professional degree. Many students start in direct relationship to how much education college studies at a community college and later prove this. you receive. In addition, the more education you transfer to a four-year college or university. This get, the more money you are likely to make. The allows students to complete courses at a less chart below illustrates both. expensive community college and later use the credits to meet the graduation requirements at make money a four-year college. Going to college costs you money, but not going community colleges can cost you even more. Statistics show that the more education you get, the more money Community colleges are designed to meet you are likely to make. A 2010 study by the U.S. the vocational and educational needs of the Census Bureau reported that over an adult’s community. Individual colleges vary widely and working life, average total earnings are as can offer programs ranging from classes in follows: continuing education and certificate programs to vocational programs and associate degrees. · High school graduate = $1.2 million · Bachelor’s degree = $2.1 million private career colleges · Master’s degree = $2.5 million Private career colleges are designed to provide a student-centered learning environment, which combines academic subject matter with Weekly earnings and unemployment interactive, hands-on labs and learning of skills. rates based on education level Individual colleges can vary widely and can offer programs ranging from bachelor’s and Doctoral $1,624 degree 2.5% associate degrees to diplomas, certificates, and certifications. Professional $1,735 degree 2.1% trade and vocational colleges Master’s $1,300 Trade and vocational colleges focus on degree 3.5% developing practical career skills. These colleges offer programs that concentrate on developing Bachelor’s $1,066 degree 4.5% a specific skill, often leading to a certificate, and are designed to get students into the workforce Associate’s $785 quickly. degree 6.2% Some college, $727 online colleges no degree 7.7% Many colleges offer some or all of their classes online, and can be either instructor-led or High school $652 diploma 8.3% self-paced. Some programs may be completed entirely online, while other programs may Less than high $471 require a mixture of classes—some taken in a school diploma 12.4% classroom environment and others online. Weekly earnings Unemployment rate Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2012 Current Population Survey Note: Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers. 2 3 how going to college can change your life how going to college can change your life