Why College: What Are My Options?Revised 8/2013

Why College?

Who wants to go to college?

Why do you want to go to

college?

What are you doing to prepare for college now?

Why College: Tell Your Story…

Why did you want to go to college?

Who helped you/how did you get there?

Where did you go and what did you study?

Why College: What Do You Think Of?

football

sorority

fraternity

campus

mascot

opportunity

dorms

debt

money

independenceparties

basketball

study abroad

internshipsnotes

lectures

books

studyingeducation

boys

clubs

ramen noodles

minor

Why College: What is College?

Agenda

Why College?

What Are My Options?

What Do I Need To Consider?

What Can I Do To Prepare?

Why College?

How college grads describe themselves:More satisfied with their careersHealthierMore effective speakersMore likely to have meaningful workHappier with lifeMore secure in lifeMore confidentMore socialMore resourceful

How employers describe them:More motivatedLearn more quicklyBetter able to meet deadlinesBetter problem solversBetter communicatorsBetter able to leadMore worthy of promotionLess likely to be laid offMore deserving of a higher salaryHas credentialsKnows how to set and achieve goalsGreater knowledge and skill set

Why College?

?

Why College?

A high school diploma is just not enough anymoreJobs that require more than high school make up more than 2/3 of new jobs, and it’s growing.

New jobs for HS graduates

New jobs for college graduates

Source: Carnevale, Anthony P. and Donna M. Desrochers, Standards for What? The Economic Roots of K–16 Reform, Educational Testing Service, 2003.

Why College?

Postsecondary education creates more job stability

High School Diploma Some College Average Unemployment Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 8.37.7

6.86.2

4.5

Why College?

High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

$1,200

Postsecondary degrees lead to greater weekly earnings

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, 2013.

Why College?

Over a lifetime, college graduates earn

$1 million more than those who only have a high school

degree.

Why College?

Nobody in my family has ever gone I’m tired of school — I just want a job I can’t afford college I don’t know what I want to study College takes too long and is too difficult I’m needed at home and in my community I’m not smart enough

I can be the first to go! College will help me get a better paying job! There’s plenty of financial aid available! I’ll figure it out when I’m taking classes! Some degrees only take one or two years. I can go to college online, without leaving home! I am smart enough to go to college! I can do it!

Agenda

Why College?

What Are My Options?

What Do I Need To Consider?

What Can I Do To Prepare?

Options: Degree Types

Graduate DegreesMaster (MS, MA, MBA, MPA, MEd,

etc)

Doctorate (PhD)

Professional (JD, etc)

Undergraduate Degrees

Associate (AA, AS, AFA,

etc.)

Vocational/ Technical/Trade

Certificate

Bachelor (BS, BA, BFA, etc)

Options: School Types

Public

Private

Proprietary

All Degree Types

All Fields of Study

Options: 4-year universities in WA

Antioch University–Seattle Art Institute of Seattle Bastyr University Central Washington University City University of Seattle Cornish College of the Arts Eastern Washington University Evergreen State College Gonzaga University Heritage University Northwest Indian College Northwest University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin's University

Seattle Pacific University Seattle University Trinity Lutheran College University of Puget Sound University of Washington

Bothell campus Tacoma campus

Walla Walla University Washington State University

Spokane campus Tri-Cities campus Vancouver campus

Western Washington University Whitman College Whitworth University

Options: 4-year universities in OR

Art Institute of Portland Concordia University Corban University Eastern Oregon University Gutenberg College Lewis and Clark College Linfield College Marylhurst College Multnomah University National College of Natural

Medicine New Hope Christian College Northwest Christian University Oregon College of Art and Craft

Oregon Health & Sciences University

Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon State University Pacific Northwest College of Art Pacific University Portland State University Reed College Southern Oregon University University of Oregon University of Portland University of Western States Warner Pacific College Western Oregon University Willamette University

Agenda

Why College?

What Are My Options?

What Do I Need To Consider?

What Can I Do To Prepare?

Consider: Cost

Community College-Highline Community College = $16-$18,000

4-Year Public College-University of Washington = $20-$27,000

4-Year Private College- Seattle University = $46-$53,000

Cost of Attendance: Tuition & Fees Room & Board Books & Supplies Transportation Personal Costs Study Abroad

!!!$150 Billion!!!

Consider: Location

Consider: Areas of Study

Consider: Size

Consider: Support Services and Student Life

Consider: Personal Values

Agenda

Why College?

What Are My Options?

What Do I Need To Consider?

What Can I Do To Prepare?

BIG DREAMS AND GOOD GRADES

AREN’T ENOUGH!

To get into college, there are actual steps you need to take.

Preparing: Know How 2 Go!

1. Be a pain – in a good way!

3. Find the right fit!

4. Put your hands on some cash!

2. Push yourself!

Preparing: What You Can Do Now!!!

Be a Pain: Explore Your Interests. Push Yourself: Take the Tough Classes Push Yourself: Get Organized Find the Right Fit: Become a Researcher. Put Your Hands on Some Cash: Save.

Preparing: Cost

Paying for College

Family Financing

=

Preparing: College Bound Scholarship

Student applies

•Before the end of 8th grade•free and reduced-price lunch•family is receiving TANF benefits•foster youth•family meets the income requirements

Student promises to

•graduate from high school•demonstrate good citizenship•seek admission to a college or university•COMPLETE THE FAFSA (by Feb 1)

Student gets •the amount of tuition and fees not covered by other state financial aid awards•$500 for books

Preparing: Financial Aid

Low/No Low

HighHigh

Private Loans

PLUS Loans

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Subsidized Stafford Loans

Perkins Loans

Self-Help Aid: Work Study

Gift Aid: Scholarships

COST

AVAILABILITY

Gift Aid: Grants

*Need-based

*Available to everyone*On financial aid award letter

What Families Can Do

Believe it or not, students think parents are helpful

Who Students Say Are Very Helpful in Selecting High School Classes

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Mother Father Teacher Friend Counselor Principal

Source: Wimberly, George L.; Noeth, Richard J., College Readiness Begins in Middle School. ACT Policy Report, American College Testing ACT Inc, 2005.

What Families Can Do

Know What It Takes to Go to CollegeCoursework Math and English every year Two years of Laboratory Science and World Languages

Read, Read, Read! At 8th grade level or above for SAT preparation Newsweek instead of People National Geographic instead of National Enquirer

What Families Can Do

Talk to your student about his or her interests, abilities, talents, and goals

Get involved in school. Know what is going on in school and with your student’s studies and grades.

Make sure your student is in school every day, on time, and ready to learn

What Families Can Do

Give your student household responsibilities

Talk about post-high school educational opportunities

Talk about your job and career in a positive manner

Final Message

Completing any type of postsecondary education is better than completing none!

Postsecondary education can bring you: More choices in life!More opportunities!More money!

It’s not easy, but it’s worth it!

You can do it!

Online Resources

Mapping Your Future www.mapping-your-future.org

Big Future bigfuture.collegeboard.org

The College Board collegeboard.com

Adventures in Education adventuresineducation.org

KnowHow2Go knowhow2go.org

College Scorecard collegecost.ed.gov

A nonprofit corporation, USA Funds® works to enhance postsecondary education preparedness, access and success by providing and supporting financial and other valued services.