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GOING TO COLLEGE

GOING TO COLLEGE. Christine Seger, Ph.D. Bridges to College Volunteer October 4, 2010 Ansonia High School. Topics. How to . . . Selection Process College Search Timeline Assessment/Placement Testing Admissions and Financial Aid Affordability Top 10 Application Mistakes

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GOING TO COLLEGE

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  1. GOING TO COLLEGE Christine Seger, Ph.D. Bridges to College Volunteer October 4, 2010 Ansonia High School

  2. Topics • How to . . . Selection Process • College Search Timeline • Assessment/Placement Testing • Admissions and Financial Aid • Affordability • Top 10 Application Mistakes • Brief Loan/Debt/Payment Delays Overview • Tips for Student Success

  3. Selection Process • Public, Private, or Proprietary • 2-year, 4-year, or Specialized Program • Large, Medium, or Small • Rural or Urban, Residential, or Commuter • Full-time or Part-time • Employment Opportunities • Student Life • Campus Feel/Attractiveness • Proximity

  4. Selection Process (cont’d) • Proximity • Within area v. distance • Campus Feel • How does the campus make you feel? • Institution Type • 2-year v. 4-year • Public v. Private

  5. College Visits • IMPORTANT! • Visit Colleges of Interest • Increase interest • Understand history and tradition • Get “feel” for campus • Make Admissions Appointment • Take Tour • Visit Financial Aid - get all info! • Walk around on own

  6. For-Profit Institutions • Also called ‘proprietary colleges’ • They are: • Purposeful • Specific • Expensive • Non- or nationally accredited • “Sales driven” / heavily marketable

  7. For-Profit Institutions (cont’d) • Some for-profit institutions have: • Questionable recruiting practices • High loan default rates • ‘Gainful Employment’ regulations: • Institutions must prove that previous students are capable of or paying off student loan debt • Estimate 5% of programs would lose funding • Debt-to-income ratios must be within 30% discretionary income and 12% total income

  8. Admissions & Career Decisions • Social Networking Sites (Facebook & MySpace) • Consider the following ideas: • Networking • Form study groups • Find old friends • Illicit photos • Illegal activities • Future career aspirations • Accessibility of information (UniversityParent.com, 2009)

  9. College Search Timeline • College Search (Freshmen - Senior) • Research, research, research • College Applications (Junior-Senior) • Apply v. Early Application • Apply for Financial Aid • Scholarships (Freshmen - Senior) • FAFSA (Senior) • Review Financial Aid Package (Senior) • Form decision

  10. College Timeline (cont’d) • Decide School Choice (Senior) • Make decision & pay deposit (if required) • Attend Orientation (Senior) • 1- or 2-day event • Register for Classes (Senior) • Full-time (12+ hours) • It’s official – You’re in College! • Start classes & seize your dreams

  11. ACT/SAT Test • American Collegiate Test (ACT) • Primarily used on East Coast & Midwest • Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) • Primarily used on West Coast & Midwest • Must complete for 4-year application • Not required at community colleges • Take in the junior or senior years • The earlier the better!

  12. ACT Test Information • It is absolutely imperative that Seniors and Juniors register for and complete the ACT • Seniors should register by November 5 for the December 11 test • Also important for Juniors to complete test if they have not yet done do • Greater re-test advantage • Have a better understanding of test

  13. Assessment/Placement Testing • Required for course placement • Writing • Reading • Math • Waivers/Substitutions are available • ACT/SAT scores • HS Transcript • Advanced Standing

  14. Admissions and Financial Aid • Apply Concurrently • Can list several schools on FAFSA • Financial Aid Deadlines - Important! • Federal, State & Institutional • Award Comparisons • Institution type • Scholarship opportunities • Total financial aid offer • Total cost • Negotiate award packages???

  15. Affordability • Reduce the financial burden (in HS) • Postsecondary Education Option Program (PSEOP) • Take ACT/SAT as early as possible • “Take A Course On Us” (i.e. Ivy Tech) • Keep Grades Up - Work Hard! • Do Volunteer Work • Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities • Get a Part-time job

  16. Affordability (cont’d) Reduce the financial burden (in College) Apply for ALL Financial Aid Programs (federal, state institutional and private) Consider the following: 2-year v. 4-year; In-State v. Out-of-State; Public v. Private Commuting v. On-Campus (meal plan options) “Thrifting” v. buying new Become an RA Rent or buy textbooks, e-books, check online for cheaper options, share books; resell at term end Minimizing “Your Time to Go!” (summer school)

  17. Affordability (cont’d) • Consider other cost saving measures: • AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), ROTC, Peace Corps • Money in exchange for service upon graduation • Maintain written budget of expenses • Compare cell phone plans • Consider basic PC over expensive laptop • Verify ALL charges on account (i.e. health insurance • Consider NOT having a car • Wants v. needs

  18. Additional Affordability Options • Work Colleges (i.e. College of the Ozarks) • Labor in exchange for money toward tuition • Work Colleges Consortium (www.workcolleges.org) • Graduation Guaranteed (i.e. Utah State, Western Illinois, & U of Colorado-Boulder) • Develop academic plan to finish in 4 years • Take normal courseload & pass classes each term • Graduate in 4 years or extra expense on college (Couch, 2009)

  19. Addl Affordability Options (cont’d) • Fifth Year Free (i.e. Clark Univ, MA) • “Buy 4, get 1 free” - finish four years & get year of graduate school free • Contact Admissions or check website • Tuition Locks (i.e. Huntingdon College, Hiram College, Central Michigan U) • Plan that locks tuition at freshmen year • Read the fine print - for details! (Couch, 2009)

  20. Top 5 College Application Mishaps • Apply to MORE than one college • Apply EARLY for admission to college • Make sure student’s name, ssn, and date of birth match the STUDENT • Complete ALL application information in its entirety • Apply to the correct program

  21. Top 5 Financial Aid Mishaps • Complete the FAFSA by the COLLEGE’S deadline • Make sure student’s name, ssn, and date of birth match the STUDENT • Apply for scholarships ON-TIME • Do NOT borrow more than is needed to attend college • MONITOR progress of aid application

  22. Student Loans • Types of Student Loans • Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized • Federally Insured • Guaranteed • Sub: 4.5% Interest Rate; Unsub: 6.8% Interest Rate • Federal Direct PLUS • Federally Insured • Not Guaranteed (must be credit worth) • 7.9% Fixed Interest Rate • Private (Limited programs) • Based on creditworthiness; higher interest

  23. Student Loans (cont’d) • Federal Direct Loans • Annual Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans • Dependent: $5500 Frosh; $6500 Soph; $7500 Jr/Sr • Independent: $9500 Frosh; $10,500 Soph; $12,500 Jr/Sr • Unsub: students pay interest in school • Aggregate loan limit increases • Dependent: $31,000 (up from $23,000) • Independent: $57,500 (up from $46,000)

  24. Loan Repayment • Repayment Types • Standard; Extended; Income-Based • Incentives • Subsidized Stafford Interest Rate Cuts • Reduce from 2008 through 2012 • Loan Forgiveness Programs • Public Service; Nursing; Education • Employer Tuition or Loan Repayment • Health Professions (most prevalent) • AmeriCorps

  25. Tips for Student Success • Develop an Academic Plan • Map out entire program of study and stick to it • Follow your plan and set goals along the way • If you want/need to change majors, develop new academic plan • Complete a co-op or internship or Study Abroad • Get involved! • Meet people • Don’t be afraid to ask for help

  26. Helpful Websites • www.ohiocan.org/darke • www.studentaid.ed.gov • www.finaid.org • www.projectonstudentdebt.com • www.collegeboard.com • www.collegeanswer.com • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.fastweb.com

  27. Resources Couch, C. (2009). Four secret tuition savers. Found online at http://www.fastweb.com/financial-aid/articles/375-four-secret-tuition-savers. Universityparent.com (2009). Social media do’s and don’ts for college students. Found online at http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/1281-social-media-dos-and-donts-for-college-s.

  28. Contact Information • Christine (Chris) Seger Director of Admissions Ivy Tech Community College Richmond 2357 Chester Blvd Richmond, IN 47374 (765) 966-2656 x1218 or (800) 659-4562 x1218 crethlake@ivytech.edu

  29. Special Thanks To: • Bridges to College Program • Beth Sears • All of You!

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