Preparing for College Guide & Workbook CT OPPORTUNITIES connecticut 2019-2020 PAGE Estimating your PAGE Tips for completing PAGE Finding scholarships 13 college costs 18 the FAFSA 21 Updates to this book While every effort is made to keep this book up-to-date, OPPORTUNITIES program requirements are subject to change. For complete information regarding specific programs, contact the organization responsible for administering that General information individual program. Connecticut information The U.S. Congress frequently considers legislation that could How going to college can change some of the provisions of the federal student financial aid programs. If changes are made, a description of these changeHow going your to college life can change your life changes will be posted on www.ecmc.org. 2 2 PathsPaths to tohigher higher education education 3 3 PreparingPreparing for for college college Availability in spanish Choosing the right college To order copies in Spanish and/or download a PDF, Choosing5 Worksheet: the Choosing right collegethe right college visit www.ecmc.org/opportunities. 5 Choosing the right college TheWorksheet: college application process Para ordenar copias Español y/o descargar un PDF, 7 Entrance exams visite www.ecmc.org/opportunities. The9 collegeSubmitting application your college applications process 10 Worksheet: Organize your application information 7 Entrance exams For administrators and counselors 9 NavigatingSubmitting financial your college aid applications This book is a resource for you to share with students. 10 11 Worksheet:Your college Organize costs your application information To order free copies of this book, go to 14 About the FAFSA www.ecmc.org/opportunities. Navigating18 Checklist: financial FAFSA aid 19 Federal financial aid: Grants, work-study, and loans About ECMC 11 21 YourScholarships college costs 14 22About Scholarship the FAFSA scams Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) is a 18 23Checklist: Your rights FAFSA and responsibilities nonprofit company with a mission to help students succeed. 19 Federal financial aid: Grants, work-study, and loans The final decision We work to lower student loan default rates; sponsor college 21 Scholarships access and success initiatives, and financial literacy programs; 2224 Scholarship Understanding scams your award letter and provide resources to support student loan borrowers 23 26Your Worksheet: rights and Make responsibilities your decision to successfully repay their loans. Connecticut high school requirements For more information, visit us online at The27 finalCredits neededdecision for graduation . www.ecmc.org/about-us 24 Understanding your award letter 26Connecticut’s Worksheet: communityMake your decision Colleges 28 Programs of study and transfer requirements StudentConnecticut checklists college profiler 27 29Freshman Public universities 2829 Sophomore Private colleges 29Connecticut Junior financial aid 30 Senior 30 Grants and scholarships 30 Loan programs Glossary30 Connecticut 529 college savings program 32Connecticut College and resources financial aid definitions 31 Connecticut college directory 34 In-person help 34 Online help Student checklists 35 Freshman 36 Sophomore 37 Junior 38 Senior SURVEY Glossary 40 College and financial We want your feedback aid definitions www.surveymonkey.com/r/OpportunitiesBook HOW GOING TO COLLEGE CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE How going to college can change your life EMPLOYMENT You may know or be able to think of individuals who are RATES & EARNINGS successful but have never gone to college. However, your odds of success are much higher if you attend college. BY EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, 2018 There are many statistics available that prove this. Doctoral $1,825 Be happy Paths to higher education degree 1.6% People who attend college: The term “higher education” refers to all the educational opportunities available Professional $1,884 Report they have more job satisfaction degree · to you after high school. By knowing 1.5% than those who did not attend all available opportunities, you will have · Typically live healthier lifestyles, and are a better idea of what type of college Master’s $1,434 may be a good match for you. These degree more likely to have access to employer- 2.1% provided benefits including: medical options include: insurance, retirement plans, and paid Bachelor’s $1,198 time off FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES degree 2.2% · Are more involved in their communities Four-year colleges and universities focus through higher levels of volunteering on offering educational programs that lead Associate’s $862 and voting to bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree 2.8% degrees. Many students start college Finally, talk with people who have gone to studies at a community college and later college—most will tell you it was fun! Some college, $802 transfer to a four-year college or university. no degree 3.7% This allows students to complete courses Education pays at a less expensive community college and later use the credits to meet the graduation High school $730 Statistics show that unemployment rates diploma requirements at a four-year college. 4.1% decrease in direct relationship to how much education you receive. The more COMMUNITY COLLEGES Less than high $553 education you receive, the more money you school diploma Community colleges are designed to meet 5.6% are likely to make. A study by the Bureau of the vocational and educational needs of Labor Statistics 2017 (Current Population the community. Individual colleges vary Survey) supports this, shown in the chart widely and can offer programs ranging All $932 to the left. Keep in mind, education is an from classes in continuing education and workers investment in your future. 3.2% certificate programs to vocational programs and associate degrees. Students can Earn more transfer into Bachelor’s degree programs after completing an Associate degree. Median usual weekly earnings ($) Going to college costs you money, but Unemployment rate (%) not going can cost you even more. The CAREER COLLEGES U.S. Census Bureau’s 2011 American Career colleges are designed to provide a Community Survey reveals that over an student-centered learning environment, adult’s working life, average total earnings which combines academic subject matter were as follows: with interactive, hands-on labs and Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018 · High school graduate = $1.3 million learning of skills. Programs range from Current Population Survey bachelor’s and associate degrees to · Some college = $1.6 million Note: Data are for persons aged 25 and over. diplomas, certificates, and certifications. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers. · Associate's degree = $1.8 million · Bachelor’s degree = $2.4 million · Master’s degree = $2.8 million Source: www.census.gov/library/publications/2011 /acs/acs-14.html 2 HOW GOING TO COLLEGE CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION · Not every high school participates; ECMC prepared this Career and technical education colleges contact your high school counselor for specialize in the skilled trades, applied more information workbook to guide you sciences, modern technologies, and career INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE preparation. These colleges offer both ORGANIZATION’S DIPLOMA PROGRAMME through the college academic and career-oriented courses that · Two-year curriculum offered by the concentrate on developing a specific skill International Baccalaureate Organization selection, application and and often provide students the opportunity (IBO) that combines requirements to gain work experience through of a mixture of different national financial aid process. To internships, job shadowing, and on-the-job education systems training. These programs often lead to a Offered in English, French, and Spanish, reduce confusion, in this certificate, industry certification, diploma, · and allow students moving around the or associate degree, and are designed to country or from one country to another to book we refer to all types get students in to the workforce quickly. transfer among IB schools of higher education ONLINE COLLEGES · A list of participating schools from around Many colleges offer some or all of the world is available at www.ibo.org institutions as “colleges.” their classes online, and can be either TECHNICAL PREPARATION (TECH PREP) instructor-led or self-paced. PROGRAMS · Multiyear program (two or more years in Preparing for college high school and two in an occupational/ Colleges care about the courses you technical program at a community or take in high school. The more you technical college) designed to prepare challenge yourself when choosing high students for technical occupations school courses, the more college options · Expands education and employment you may have. opportunities by preparing you for careers in health care, business, industry, labor, HONORS CLASSES and government · More challenging academically · Strong emphasis on math, science, and · Typically faster paced; cover topics in English—a complete Tech Prep program greater depth includes the following: · Generally weighted higher for grade · A comprehensive career point average (GPA) but do not earn development plan you college credit · Courses designed for a specific career that integrate academic and ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) CLASSES occupational preparation · More challenging academically; courses A learning environment that prepare you to take rigorous exams that · emphasizes math, communications, can lead to college