Your Student s Educational Journey To College

Your Student s Educational Journey To College

Definition of College The word college is generic term that applies to: 2 year colleges & universities 4 year colleges & universities Technical or trade schools Vocational schools & career centers

otivate Your student to explore career interests Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) Your student s involvement in school and community activities Your student to take challenging courses and to maintain, to the best of the student s ability, a high grade point average

ssist Your student by keeping track of awards, honors, achievements By creating an academic plan for all four years in high school with the assistance of your student s guidance counselor

repare For the next four years of high school by following the roadmap A financial plan for college (It s not too early!!) Look into college savings plans Research high school options that could reduce the cost of your student s college education and build them into your financial plan

High School Roadmap to College Junior Year Visit College Campuses Postsecondary Education Senior Year Applications for college, scholarships and FAFSA Sophomore Year Get Involved Freshman Year Explore Careers

Financial Aid is intended to supplement what parents and students can contribute. not only grants and scholarships but loans as well. from federal, state, college and outside sources. not keeping up with the rising costs of a postsecondary education.

Saving for College It is a good idea to talk to a financial planner when determining what savings plan is best for you. College Savings Plans (529 Plans) UGMA/UTMA Custodial Accounts U. S. Treasury Savings Bonds Credit card rebate and loyalty programs Coverdell Education Savings Accounts Home Equity Line of Credit Compare savings options at www.finaid.org/savings

Exploring College Costs Current Direct (Billable) Cost* Kent State University John Carroll University $17,826 $40,860 Lakeland Community College Lake County: $2,917 Geauga County: $3,525 (16 credit hours) Average Financial Aid Award* (including loans) Average Outof-Pocket Expense *From the College Board $9,067 $25,865 Not reported $8,759 $14,995 $0 (if student borrows full Stafford Loan eligibility)

Myth Vs. Fact Myth: My student is going to receive a full ride through an athletic or academic scholarship. Fact: The average athletic scholarship is $10,409* and only 19% of academic grant recipients received amounts that covered at least half of their tuition and fees.** * Pennington, Bill. (2008, March 10)Expectations Lose to Reality of Sports Scholarships. The New York Times **Price, Derek. Davis, Ryan. (June 2006) Institutional Grants and Baccalaureate Degree Attainment

Reducing the Cost 1. Earning college credit while still in high school Advanced Placement Classes (AP) www.collegeboard.com Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) www.ode.state.oh.us College Tech Prep/Vocational Ed Your high school s guidance counselor can help you regarding the criteria for students to participate in these programs

Reducing the Cost 2. Start at a Branch Campus Costs may be reduced Course selection may be limited 3. Start at a Community College 28% of LEAF participants from 2010 attended Lakeland Community College Tuition is lower than 4 year schools No room and board to pay Careful planning is required Courses may not easily transfer

Increasing the Cost Remedial College Classes High school coursework taken at a college before college coursework can begin. Remedial classes do not count towards a student s degree, but the classes cost as much as a regular college class 43% of Ohio Students require remediation in college* Prevent remediation by: Taking the core requirements Taking challenging courses *Ohio Board of Regents

Resources OCIS: www.ocis.org username: ChardonHS password: ohiocis03 Bureau of Labor & Statistics Career Information for Kids: http://www.bls.gov/k12/index.htm Ohio Mentor: www.ohiomentor.org College Savings Plans (529 Plans): www.collegeadvantage.com Financial Literacy: www.360financialliteracy.org Financial Aid Information: Fin Aid: www.finaid.org Department of Education: www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov LEAF: www.leaf-ohio.org

Questions? Andrea Tracy atracy@leaf-ohio.org (440) 358-8045