10 Reasons Why a Two-Year College is Worth a Look

1. 10 Reasons Why a Two-Year College is Worth a Look Considering Your Future Options

2. 1. Convenience • Most people in the US live within a 30 minute drive of a 2 year college • Most Community colleges offer evening classes which would allow you to take classes and keep a full-time job. • Getting to college is easy. Make the short drive, park and attend class.

3. 2. Low Cost • Type of College Cost in 2010-11 • Public Two-Year $2,713 • Public Four-Year In-State $7,605 • Public Four-Year Out-of-State $19,595 • Private Nonprofit Four-Year $27,293 • Private For-Profit $13,935 • Source: College Board. Trends in College Pricing • Pay only for tuition, books, supplies, parking; no room and board fees • Option to pay by course or credit hour

4. 3. Varied Curriculum • Curriculum: varied and flexible • Academic courses v. Career courses • College transfer programs • Some four year degrees programs • Associate degree programs • Certification programs • Wide range of options: computer repair, dental hygiene, heating & air, travel agent

5. 4. Undistracted Faculty • 2 year college professors • Main job is to teach • Experts in field • Often have work experience in field • 4 year college professors • May not always be teaching classes • Pressure to research and publish • Often more limited in field experience

6. 5. Individual Attention • Smaller class sizes • More one-on-one interaction • With professor • With classmates

7. 6. Way to Make a New Start • Improve on high school transcript record • Open admissions policy • High school diploma or equivalent qualifies • Opportunity to improve grades • Options to transfer to 4-year program • No SAT requirement • College grades become evidence of ability

8. 7. Easy Access to 4-Year Colleges • Transfer programs • Cost effective • Eases transition from high school to college • Popular option for many 2 year college students • Allows 4-year colleges to evaluate students’ academic success • On-site 4 year degrees

9. 8. One Way to Enter: One Step at a Time • Allows gradual adjustment to college classes • Part time • Full time • Fits your budget and schedule • How many courses can you afford at once? • How many classes can you fit around other obligations? • Option for training in the future • Job loss – retrain • Career change • Upgraded training

10. 9. No Dorms • No on-campus housing expenses • No strangers as roommates • May still have off-campus housing expenses but more flexibility

11. 10. Financial Aid • Based on student NEED • Calculated by expenses and student’s ability to pay • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • FAFSA forms used in calculation process • Options • Scholarships • Grants • Loans • Lower tuition costs might mean students are expected to pay a larger % of costs based on need

12. Community College Locations in NC

13. Area Community Colleges • Coastal Carolina Community College • Cape Fear Community College • Pender and New Hanover County branches • James Sprunt Community College • Duplin County (Kenansville) • Pitt Community College (Greenville) • Craven Community College (New Bern) • Lenoir Community College (Kinston)