Dream Scheme for StudentsGetting Ready for College Early

Presented by theMichigan Student Financial

Aid Association

Getting Ready for College Early

What is “College”?

Public and private four-year colleges and universities

Two-year community or junior colleges

Business schoolsProprietary schools (programs such as

truck driving or cosmetology)Vocational-technical schools

Keep Your Options Open

Do you need to know what you want to do “when you grow up”?

Then, why think about college now?

College can be the key to thekind of life you want.

It gives you choices in:Kinds of jobs.How much money you make.Ways to help others.

There’s money if you need it

You can afford to go to college.You will be eligible for some kind of

financial aid.

Steps for you

to get ready for college

Step 1: Making the Decision

Research career interests Choose several - changing your mind is

okay but failing to plan ahead is NOT okay

Talk with people about your interests Read about careers

On the internetAt the libraryIn magazines and newspapers

Step 1: Making the Decision

Importance of collegeYou can choose careers based on your

interestsYou may increase the amount of money

you earnYou’ll have more career optionsYou may make better decisionsYou’ll be able to use technology better

Step 1: Making the Decision

Choose the type of “college”

4-year college (university or college offering a bachelor’s degree or above)

2-year college (community or junior college offering a training program, certificate, or associate’s degree)

Technical Schools (skill centers and other schools offering entry level occupational programs)

Changing your mind about a career choice is okay.

Failing to dream is not.

For More Information:www.mycareereducation.org

www.mois.org

Step 2: Getting Ready

You, your parents and your school are working together to prepare you for a good life after graduation Exploring skills and classes for your future

starts NOW Get the most out of high school - take

challenging courses Ask your counselor to help you plan

Step 2: Getting Ready

Consider this -

Studies show that if studentstake challenging courses that make them think, they are more likely to go on to college

These courses can also help students get into college

Step 2: Getting Ready

High school graduation requirements under the Michigan Merit Curriculum include: Mathematics – 4 credits English Language Arts – 4 credits Science – 3 credits Social Studies – 3 credits Health and Physical Education – 1 credit Visual, Performing and Applied Arts -1 credit

Step 2: Getting Ready

Many colleges requireadditional courses in –

Foreign Language Fine & Performing Arts Computer Science

Taking some challenging classes may help your dreams

come true!

Step 3: Planning Ahead

What Does College Cost? Costs can vary a lot, depending on the

type of school. Parents and students need to begin

saving NOW! Tuition, fees and books are only part of the

cost. Additional expenses include housing,

transportation, food, clothes, entertainment, etc.

Challenging yourself to think about your future may help

your dreams come true!

Step 4: Paying for college

What you and your parents can do - Save Use federal income-tax credits Use student financial aid

Gift aid - grants and scholarships that do not have to be paid back

Work - a job during college to earn moneyLoans - money for college that must be paid

back

Step 4: Paying for college

Other sources – Military service scholarships (full-time

and part-time service) Americorps, community service

program Civic groups and organizations,

foundations and businesses

Don’t let the cost stop you from dreaming about college!

It can work out!

It’s not too early to begin creatingthe life you want.

So…Change college from

a dream into a reality.

Think college early.