do your college homework

Plan aheadPlan ahead

August and SeptemberAugust and September

Write or email colleges for Write or email colleges for catalogs, catalogs, applications and and financial aid formsfinancial aid forms

Check registration datesCheck registration dates

Check deadlines for ACT and Check deadlines for ACT and SAT testsSAT tests

Plan aheadPlan ahead

August and SeptemberAugust and September

Register for test(s)Register for test(s)

Give teacher recommendation Give teacher recommendation formsforms

Plan aheadPlan ahead

October - NovemberOctober - November

Take (or retake) SAT and/or ACTTake (or retake) SAT and/or ACT

Schedule interviews (if required)Schedule interviews (if required)

Apply for “early decision” (optional)Apply for “early decision” (optional)

Plan aheadPlan ahead

DecemberDecember

Fill out Fill out financial aid formsforms

Finish and mail in applications

Plan aheadPlan ahead

JanuaryJanuary

Mail in Mail in financial aid forms

Plan aheadPlan ahead

FebruaryFebruary

Review Student Aid ReportReview Student Aid Report

Plan aheadPlan ahead

March - April - MayMarch - April - May

Review school offer(s)Review school offer(s)

Notify school(s) of decisionsNotify school(s) of decisions

How college worksHow college works

--Credit system: generally 1 credit assigned for the --Credit system: generally 1 credit assigned for the number of hours you meet each week. number of hours you meet each week.

-- Most courses are 3 credits (meet 3 hrs. a week)-- Most courses are 3 credits (meet 3 hrs. a week)

--Some courses are more credits (higher math, etc. --Some courses are more credits (higher math, etc. can be 4-5 credits).can be 4-5 credits).

-- Some courses are fewer credits (p.e., certain labs -- Some courses are fewer credits (p.e., certain labs are usually 1-2 credits)are usually 1-2 credits)

-- 12 credits is considered full time; most students -- 12 credits is considered full time; most students take 12-15 hours.take 12-15 hours.

-- An overload is considered anything over 18 hours.-- An overload is considered anything over 18 hours.

First two yearsFirst two years

-- General education courses such as composition, -- General education courses such as composition, math, government, biology, etc. are required along with math, government, biology, etc. are required along with electives such as p.e. and art and whatever you are electives such as p.e. and art and whatever you are interested in taking.interested in taking.

--After two years you take the CLAST test in order to go --After two years you take the CLAST test in order to go on to the upper level classes or to transfer to a on to the upper level classes or to transfer to a university from a community college.university from a community college.

Last two yearsLast two years

-- Last two years are a concentration in your “major”; -- Last two years are a concentration in your “major”; your field of study. This will require anywhere from 30 to your field of study. This will require anywhere from 30 to 45 credits + electives.45 credits + electives.

-- A “minor” is a field of study with 15 or more credits.-- A “minor” is a field of study with 15 or more credits.

--To get a Bachelor’s degree, you earn 120-150 credits.--To get a Bachelor’s degree, you earn 120-150 credits.

-- A Master’s degree requires 30-45 credits beyond a -- A Master’s degree requires 30-45 credits beyond a Bachelor’s degree and is in a concentrated area of Bachelor’s degree and is in a concentrated area of study.study.

-- A Doctorate (also called a Ph.D.) requires -- A Doctorate (also called a Ph.D.) requires approximately 90 hours BEYOND the Master’s degree.approximately 90 hours BEYOND the Master’s degree.

Money mattersMoney matters

Tuition -- the money you pay to take the class (pays Tuition -- the money you pay to take the class (pays professor’s salary, energy costs, etc.). Fail a class? professor’s salary, energy costs, etc.). Fail a class? Don’t get your money back.Don’t get your money back.

Fees -- for laboratories, activities, parking, etc.Fees -- for laboratories, activities, parking, etc.

Room-- If you live on campus, this is the money you pay Room-- If you live on campus, this is the money you pay for your dormitory.for your dormitory.

Board (aka meal plan): Money you pay to eat at the Board (aka meal plan): Money you pay to eat at the college’s cafeterias. You can choose 1, 2 or 3 meals a college’s cafeterias. You can choose 1, 2 or 3 meals a day; or 14 meals a week, etc.day; or 14 meals a week, etc.

Books: Books will run $70 - $120 EACH! Buy used if Books: Books will run $70 - $120 EACH! Buy used if you can! (They are already notated and highlighted)you can! (They are already notated and highlighted)

Money mattersMoney matters

Scholarships -- Money awarded for meeting certain Scholarships -- Money awarded for meeting certain criteria. Most are related to high academic criteria. Most are related to high academic achievement. Some may be related to ethnicity, achievement. Some may be related to ethnicity, volunteering, a parent’s job, a talent, athletic skill, etc.volunteering, a parent’s job, a talent, athletic skill, etc.

Grants -- based on financial need. You will need to fill Grants -- based on financial need. You will need to fill out a FAFSA form in order to receive grants.out a FAFSA form in order to receive grants.

Loans -- banks and other institutions will lend you Loans -- banks and other institutions will lend you money for college at low interest rates. You will not money for college at low interest rates. You will not need to pay back until you finish college (OR DROP need to pay back until you finish college (OR DROP OUT).OUT).

Work study -- the college will give you a job on campus Work study -- the college will give you a job on campus to help you with expenses.to help you with expenses.