8th and 9th Grade Parent Night

Oh the places you will go!

3 types of high school students: –Those who make it happen –Those who watch it happen –Those who ask “What happened?”

What type of student has your child been? How could you encourage them to get involved? clubs, sports, theater, etc. (But not over-involved—balance is key!)

Our advice to your children: Don’t be a student, who at the end of high school, wonders what happened.

How I start your child’s high school experience…

Factors Colleges Consider when Making Admissions Decisions The Transcript: Challenging HS curriculum, including honors/AP courses Solid GPA and steady or upward trend in grades Good scores on ACT/SAT Essay—well-written and insightful Letters of recommendation—strong and favorable (teacher/counselor) Has this student made a contribution in their school or community? Passionate involvement in a few activities (is this student interesting and

genuine/authentic?) Leadership experience Special talents or characteristics that add to diversity of student body Demonstrated interest in the college (more important than you think!) Interview

Why this matters…

Course selection has already happened, help them start on the right foot (summer reading, etc.)

Hit the ground running Help your student get involved with meaningful

activities now! Help your student make positive choices early Consider opportunities that will help your

student stand out.

What this means for parents of eighth graders…

Encourage your student to try a club before the end of the year.

Encourage your student to make positive decisions.

Encourage your student to find a meaningful summer opportunity.

Make sure that you reiterate messages about college at home.

Consider opportunities that will help your student stand out.

What this means for ninth grade parents…

Academics (Standard/Honor/AP)—all are rigorous & prepare students for college appropriately

Culture of Peak to Peak College Prep Challenge students to take the most rigorous courses suited for them College-going: Every senior must apply to at least one college & be accepted ICAP 6th-12th grade (Individual Career & Academic Plan) Interests Strengths Career Choices Four (HS) & Six Year Plans (Middle School) College Prep Counseling Classes 9th and 10th grade lessons embedded in the curriculum 11th grade “Junior Days” Social Emotional Counseling Classes

- Embedded in the English and Health Classes Hate prevention, suicide prevention, healthy relationships, boundaries,

social responsibility WE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE WHOLE PERSON!

How Peak to Peak Prepares Students for College

What we Focus on:

College Fit + Financing = Finishing (College)

College Planning at Peak to Peak

The best college fit will be a place that offers a community in which the student will feel comfortable.

Fit is the best college match for a student in terms of their needs & plans.

Name recognition (brand) ≠ Quality or Fit Factors to Consider: Type of college (private, public, liberal arts, university) Environment/culture/political climate The right challenge academically Size Location Academic programs/Style of instruction Class Sizes Religious affiliation Campus life/Social scene/Non-academic pursuits

What is FIT?

With your table group, where do you think these students got in (Just knowing his/her GPA and test scores)?

Lessons learned from these students

True stories from the trenches…

FUNDING!!!

1. If money is tight, my kid will get scholarships. 2. State Colleges are cheaper than private college/universities. 3. P2P markets our school/students to colleges. 4. P2P will get your child into college. 5. P2P ensures that your child will get enough in scholarship money to be able to afford college. 6. If we make under $70,000 (approx.) we could qualify for a lot of financial aid. 7. If you make about $100,000 yr. (family of 4) you will most likely need to pay $20-$30,000. 8. There have been a lot of tears in the past 2 weeks due to kids getting in to college but not being able to pay for it.

Stand up if the following statement is true…

College Costs 2012-13 (does not include personal expenses, healthcare, transportation)

Tuition & Fees

Room & Board

Books & Supplies

Total

Front Range Community Coll.

$2540 (12 credit)

N/A $1749 $4,289

University of CO, Boulder

$9,150- $13,742

$11,278 $1,749 $22,187-$26,769

Colorado State University

$8,608 $9,998 $1,126 $19,732

University of Wyoming

$12,855 WUE: $4,770

$9,084 $1,200 WUE price: $15,054

Colorado College $41,742 $10,200 $1,244 $53,186

University of Denver

$39,177 $10,818 $1,800 $51,795

Finaid.org Calculators College Cost Projector (uses inflation rates) Tuition Model--Explains why tuition increases faster than inflation (college

costs increase at about twice the inflation rate). Use 9% inflation rate for in-state schools, as the legislature is looking at an

8.7% increase for 2013-2014 & has increased tuition by 5% last year and 9.2% the year before.

College Cost Projector Results (for 8th grader) Current One-Year Costs: $23,000.00 Tuition Inflation Rate: 9.00% Years to Enrollment: 5 years

•First Year Projected Costs (2017-18): $35,388 •Second Year Projected Costs: $38,573

•Third Year Projected Costs: $42,045 •Fourth Year Projected Costs: $45,829

Total Projected Costs: $161,835

Cost of CU…

Projecting College Costs

Regis University

Net Price Calculators

ALL of our students get into college!

Most of our students need money and LOTS of it.

Most of our kids pay about $20-$30,000 per year to attend WITH scholarships

Most of our families are not saving enough

Peak to Peak Lessons Learned

How to save for college…

Procrastination Competing priorities Too many savings options

Barriers to successful college savings

1. Determine cost of college2. Identify your savings profile3. Set your savings goal4. Choose a savings vehicle5. Establish a savings schedule and get started

A practical five-step strategy

College costs now and later

Based on the average annual cost of attendance, adjusted for a hypothetical 5.0% rate of education inflation. Source: ©2012 The College Board, collegeboard.com.

Determine the cost of college

$437,98

2

$222,46

6

In 18 Years(2030-2034)

$191,09

0

$97,061

Now(2012-2016)

STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 STEP 5

Public

Private

Identify your savings profile

Before you determine how much you will save for college, you’ll want to figure out what kind of saver you are based on:

Your values

Your financial goals

Your financial means

“Paying for college builds character”

It will be a more meaningful accomplishment College is the perfect time to grow up

financially It’s a family value This is the realistic solution

Profile A

“As best I can”

College is just one of many financial goals We’ll explore scholarships and other funding

to augment our family’s contribution I have more than one child

Profile B

“I’ll fund it all”

College is a priority— I can and want to provide this for my child

I want my child to experience all that college has to offer

We’re willing to make sacrifices for this I want to leave a legacy for my grandchildren

Profile C

Set your savings goal

Understanding your profile helps you develop a college savings plan that’s right for you and your child.

There are a lot of options!!!

Coverdell education savings account UTMA/UGMA (Uniform Transfer/Gift to Minors Act) Trusts Savings bonds Traditional taxable accounts ROTH IRAs 529 college savings plans

Chose a savings vehicle

*Tax advantages Professional money management Control Estate planning considerations Flexibility

Why I chose a 529 plan

Establish a savings schedule and get started

Contribute: Monthly Annually A lump-sum

5. Ask grandparents, etc. to stop buying gifts and just put money in college fund.4. Make a plan! Sit down and figure out what you can do now. Set a schedule and go!3. Stretch yourself a little bit (remember paying for daycare?)2. Think about what you can give up… If you gave up 3 Starbucks a week ($60 a month, $720 a year, $2,880 in 4 years)- it all adds up!1. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE! Start saving today.

Top Five Practical Ideas…

Give your child the perspective that they WILL attend the college of their choice

Don’t put undue stress/pressure on yourself or your child Help your child find 1-2 “passions” they can pursue—your

child should emphasize and/or try to develop interests that help distinguish themselves from others, but LIMIT!

Ensure they are well-balanced Make time for family time, real conversations and fun! Assist your child in finding valuable activities to do in the

summer Do your research! Start saving now, if you haven’t already!!!

Okay, take a deep breath!