Importance of Higher Education: Transforming Hoosiers' Futures

1. Welcome to COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT

2. Agenda • 6:00-6:15 Mrs. Michelle Kavanaugh Daviess Community Hospital • 6:15-6:45 Mrs. Sward • 6:45-7:15 Mr. John Campbell University of Southern Indiana Mrs. Bridget Yoder Vincennes University

3. Importance of Higher Education

4. Importance of Higher Education ‘We have a sense of urgency to dramatically raise the education level of Hoosiers across our state.’ – Teresa Lubbers, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education

5. Importance of Higher Education (cont.) • Indiana currently ranks 40th nationally in both education attainment and personal per capita income • Only 1/3 of Hoosier adults have more than a high school diploma.

6. Importance of Higher Education

7. The Growing Divide: Education Attainment and Economic Opportunity Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010 • There is a correlation between education level and unemployment rates & median weekly earnings

8. Importance of Higher Education (cont.) The Commission for Higher Education: Reaching Higher, Achieving More Challenge

9. Reaching Higher, Achieving More Challenge • 1. College Completion - ↑ on-time college graduation rates • 2. Degree Production – Double the # of college degrees by 2025 • 3. Education Attainment - ↑ percentage of Hoosiers with a college credential to 60% by 2025

10. “A two-year degree or less can actually place a student in a better position for employment and potential earnings. In 38 of Indiana’s 92 counties, those with a recent associate degree earn more than those with a recent bachelor’s degree.”Dr. Mary Ostrye, senior vice president and provost, Ivy Tech Community College

11. Cost of Higher Education in Indiana

12. Cost of Attendance in Indiana for 2013-2014 academic year • IU $20,870 Tuition/Fees, & Room/Board • Purdue $23,242 Tuition/Fees, Room/Board, Supplies • Ball State $17,230 Tuition/Fees, & Room/Board • ISU $16,800 Tuition/Fees & Room/Board • USI $16,000 Estimated cost for 2013-2014 • VU $14,850 Tuition/Fees, & Room/Board • Ivy Tech $3,560 Tuition only (30 hours) • UE $41, 056 Typical annual cost for 2013-2014

13. Average tuition @ Indiana public college or universityCost of college tuition in Indiana has increased 100% since 2000

14. Student Loan Debt in Indiana • Average Hoosier graduates from a 4-year college owing $27,500 (www.insideindianabusiness.com) • Indiana has 3rd highest student loan default rate in the country (www.theindychannel.com/news/education/former-college-students-drowning-in-loan-debt)

15. Student loan debt in Indiana (cont.) College loan debt is a growing crisis with direct consequences to Indiana's economic health. Graduates burdened with suffocating loan payments have less disposable income, and high school students ill-informed in the college planning process often unknowingly marry their future to debt. -Joseph Wood, President, ISM College Planning ‘Stemming the Tide of Student Loan Debt’, www.insideindianabusiness.com

16. What does this mean for students and families? • Now more than ever, students must make sound decisions in choice of college, program of study, and how to finance their education • Research colleges, majors, and careers (Campus visits, college websites, rep visits @ B-R, internship senior year, Twin Rivers programs, VU programs while in high school, job shadowing, talk with family and friends about college & careers, summer jobs)

17. CAMPUS VISITS(junior & senior years)

18. Campus visits • Different types of visits • Large open houses/visit days • Individual visit • How to set up a campus visit • Student/Parents responsibility to set up campus visit • Must have 2 forms from guidance office to be excused absence! • What to see on a campus visit

19. Campus visits (cont.) What to see on a campus visit: Admissions Office Program of study (Business school, Health Sciences Dept., etc.) Financial Aid Office Attend a class, if possible Tour campus Eat on campus Visit a dorm Talk to current students Anything of special interest to you (Band, Athletics, Chorus, etc.)

20. Campus Visits (cont.) • Questions to ask on a campus visit: What are class sizes like? What is the graduation rate? What % of students graduate in four years? What academic or other support is offered, such as free tutoring, writing lab, etc.? Where do your graduates find jobs?

21. APPLYING TO COLLEGE(Senior year)

22. Applying to college • Online is preferred • E-transcripts • BEWARE OF DEADLINES • Complete application typically includes: • Application for Admission • HS Transcript • SAT/ACT Scores • Application Fee

23. SAT/ACT(Spring of junior year)

24. SAT/ACT • Required by most 4 year schools • Will want to check with 2 year, community college, or trade school (may not require) • Must register (registration deadlines are posted in guidance office, senior newsletter, and on guidance webpage) • Colleges recommend taking SAT or ACT the spring of your junior year

25. Scholarships & Financial Aid

26. Types of Financial Aid • Grants • Scholarships • Work-study program • Loans

27. Grants • Financial aid that you do not have to repay. • Government and other organizations award grants usually based on financial need

28. Scholarships • Financial aid that you do not have to repay - We LIKE these!! • May be given for academic excellence (merit-based), financial need, career or major specific, distinction in a certain activity (sports or 4-H), or affiliation with a religious, civic, or school organization. • May be one-time award or renewable each year • ***Many are only awarded to incoming freshman

29. Work-Study Programs • Students work as part of their financial aid • Usually on-campus jobs

30. Loans • Borrowed money, will be paid back…WITH INTEREST!! • Many types of loans • Some are federally regulated, some offered by private companies

31. How to apply for financial aid • Fill out your FAFSA each year (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) • Must be received by Federal Processor by March 10th of each year • Attend Financial Aid Night • Contact Financial Aid Office at your university for university-specific forms or financial aid applications. • Most colleges will offer ‘Early Aid Estimator’

32. How to apply for scholarships • Some colleges have a separate scholarship application • Some colleges consider you for scholarships based on the information provided on your admission application

33. How to apply for scholarships • Where do I look for scholarships? • College’s website • Guidance newsletters each month; B-R website • Church, local organizations, parents’ employers • Search internet • www.fastweb.com • www.collegeboard.org/scholarships • Never pay $ for scholarship • DEADLINES! • IU – NOV. 1ST • PURDUE – NOV. 1st • VU – JAN. 15TH

34. Guidance top ten • Read Directions • TAKE COLLEGE VISITS!! • READ GUIDANCE NEWSLETTERS!! • Apply early senior year (August – October) • Register with e-transcripts • File your FAFSA! • Apply for scholarships – don’t sell yourself short! • Check email regularly • Stay organized: calendar, folder, etc. • Enjoy this time as a family 

35. Questions?