This document provides information to help students plan and prepare for college. It discusses the benefits of obtaining a college education and different college options. It offers tips for high school course planning, developing study skills, creating an activities resume, and budgeting. The document also provides guidance on career exploration, researching colleges, paying for college through financial aid and scholarships, and saving money. The overall message is that planning and preparation in high school is important to help students qualify for and afford a college education.
ISYU TUNGKOL SA SEKSWLADIDA (ISSUE ABOUT SEXUALITY
The Path to College: Everything You Need to Know
1.
2. WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION,
you’re more likely to have:
• Greater wealth
• Job security
• Better health
• A closer family
• A stronger community
3. WHAT DO WE MEAN
BY COLLEGE?
• Career School
• Community College
• College/University
COLLEGE can
include…
Other options include apprenticeships and the military.
4. GETTING STARTED
1. Ask for help.
• Think of adults you can ask to help guide you to college.
2. Create a 4-year coursework plan.
• Ask your counselor about dual-credit and AP courses –
you could earn college credit!
3. Improve your study skills.
Use a planner. Take notes. Ask questions.
Find a quiet place to study.
Ask how to improve your grades.
5. GETTING STARTED
4. Create an Activities Resume.
• Join clubs & activities to explore career interests –
and earn scholarships!
5. Learn how to budget.
• If you manage your money, you’ll have some left over
to save – especially for college.
Track your activities at
EducationQuest.org
Check out TheMint.org/teens
6. ____ Years of English
____ Years of Math
____ Years of Social Sciences
____ Years of Natural Sciences
____ Years of World Language
4
3
2-4
4
3
Stay ON COURSE
to college
What classes are recommended to
qualify for college admission?
7. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
1. Think about your interests & skills.
• What do you like to do?
• What classes are you good at?
2. Find careers that match your interests
& skills.
Check out career-exploration sites at
https://eqf.org/explore_careers.
8. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
THIS CAREER DIAGRAM
Shows 6 major career fields.
There are many jobs
you can pursue in
each field.
10. 3. Create a career plan.
• What skills will you need?
• What courses and activities
should you pursue?
• What education is required after
high school?
4. Get a .
• Find out if your future career will match your
desired lifestyle.
Find Reality Check at
EducationQuest.org.
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Find career
descriptions at
MyNextMove.org.
11. 5. Research colleges.
• See College Profiles at EducationQuest.org.
• Attend a College Fair.
• Explore college campuses.
Did you know?
There are more
than 45 colleges
in Nebraska!
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
12. FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
• Diploma/Certificate
• Associate
• Bachelor’s
• Master’s
• Doctorate
Types of
COLLEGE DEGREES
13. PAYING FOR COLLEGE
1. Learn how much it costs to attend college.
2-year
community
college
4-year public
college
4-year private
college
Career school
Tuition & Fees $3,150-$3,600 $7,500-$9,200 $21,000-
$39,500
$17,000-
$18,500
Books &
Supplies
Room &
Board
No campus
housing
$1,000 - $2,800
$6,500 - $11,800
Average Costs to Attend College in Nebraska for One Year
14. • It’s money awarded by colleges to
help pay college expenses.
• Apply when you’re a senior by
completing the FAFSA.
• The FAFSA shows how much
you’re eligible to receive.
2. Learn about financial aid.
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
15. 3. Learn the types of financial aid.
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
You won $1,000 in a
“Why I Want to Go to
College” essay
contest.Scholarships
You complete the FAFSA,
a college financial aid
application, and receive
$3,000 that you don’t
have to pay back.Grants
You work at the
college cafeteria to
help pay tuition.
Work-Study
You borrow $2,000
for college that you
will have to pay back
after you graduate.Student Loans
16. • Do well in school.
─ Scholarships are based on criteria like GPA,
ACT score, and class rank.
• Get involved in activities.
4. Position yourself to earn scholarships.
School clubs Student council
Band or choir Sports
Volunteer
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
17. • Save a portion of birthday and
holiday money.
• Get a part-time job and save half.
• Ask your parents to set up a
college savings plan.
• Create a budget.
5. Save!
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Set up a college
savings plan at
NEST529.com.
18. IT ALL ADDS UP!
Frappuccino $4.50
Cheeseburger, Fries & Soda $7.50
Chips & Soda $3.00
TOTAL $15.00
$15 x 260 days
(5 days a week)
= $3,900
This could pay for
one year of tuition
at a community college!
20. What will YOU do
to start planning
for college?
Learn more at
EducationQuest.org.
Notas do Editor
parent, school counselor, mentor, coach, youth group leader. This person can help you:
• Explore careers and colleges that fit your interests
• Get involved in activities that could lead to scholarship opportunities
• Go on campus visits
• Find ways to save and pay for college
• Apply for college and financial aid when you’re a senior
It’s especially important that you get to know your school counselor!
You could have students answer questions on page 3 of Exploring College.
Sites include:
Nebraska Career Connections – Find videos and details about career options, and take career interest assessments. Ask your counselor for the code to access this site.
• My Next Move – Take the O*NET Interest Profiler to be matched with career options, or search a variety of careers, and learn about annual wages for each job.
• H3.ne.gov – Find labor market information for high-skill, high-wage, high-demand jobs in Nebraska.
• “Now, Next, Later” Career Ladders – Learn about career paths in specific career clusters in Nebraska.
3. Find a sample career plan on p. 5 of Exploring College.
- Click on MyNextMove.org to go to the site.
4. Click on the green oval to show Reality Check.
Ways to explore college campuses:
Attend events or camps at area colleges.
– Stop at colleges when traveling with your family.
– Participate in group campus visits organized by your school.
– Take a virtual campus tour via a college website.
DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE Specialized training that typically takes a year or less to complete.
ASSOCIATE A two-year degree offered by community colleges and career schools.
BACHELOR’S A four-year degree offered by colleges and universities.
MASTER’S Typically takes 1-2 years to complete after earning a bachelor’s degree.
DOCTORATE The most advanced degree available, this is earned after completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Tuition & Fees – the amount of money a college charges for the courses you take and for services like computer labs, fitness centers, and career services.
• Books & Supplies – you’ll be required to purchase or rent textbooks and/or supplies for most classes.
• Room & Board – if you live on campus, the college will charge you to live in a residence hall and for the meals you eat in the cafeteria.
Some students will show “financial need” which qualifies them for need-based aid. However, students of any income level may qualify for some type of aid, which is why you should complete the FAFSA your senior year – and every year you’re in college.
Scholarships – Money awarded by private donors or your college that you don’t repay. Some are based on financial need, while others are based on criteria such as academics, leadership, athletics, or talents.
Grants* – Money awarded to students who show financial need. Grants are not repaid.
Work-Study* – Also based on financial need, this is money you earn from a college-based job to help pay expenses.
Student Loans* – Money you borrow and must repay after you’re done with college. Loans are also available for parents.