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About MEFA

About MEFA. MEFA is a non-profit state authority that works to make higher education more accessible and affordable through community education programs, college savings plans, and low-cost financing options. Founded in 1982 by the Massachusetts State Legislature

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About MEFA

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  1. About MEFA • MEFA is a non-profit state authority that works to make higher education more accessible and affordable through community education programs, college savings plans, and low-cost financing options. • Founded in 1982 by the Massachusetts State Legislature • MEFA has assisted hundreds of thousands of families to finance a college education.

  2. Why Go To College? • Over 60% of current Massachusetts jobs require education after high school. • College graduates have more career options. Source: College Board, Education pays 2007 and U.S. Census Current Population Survey, 2006

  3. What Are My Options? • 4 Year Private • 4 Year Public • Community College • Vocational/Trade School • Military There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. and over 100 in Massachusetts!

  4. How To Prepare During High School • Academic preparation • Develop necessary skills for college and career • School and community involvement • Standardized tests • College explorations Meet with your school counselor!

  5. Academic Preparation • Take challenging courses every year • Honors, advanced placement • Prerequisites • Improve study and note taking skills • Develop organization and time management skills • Maintain extracurricular reading list

  6. Make An Academic Plan Course plan recommended by MA Department of Higher Education to prepare for college and career.

  7. At Our High School… • Advanced Placement Classes • Honors Classes • Electives • Clubs and Organizations

  8. Get Involved Joining a few extracurricular activities that you are interested in allows you to… Meet new people Learn new skills Make a difference Be a leader Have fun! School Newspaper, Sports, Student Government, Volunteering, Art, Theater, Music, After-School Job

  9. Standardized Tests • PSAT • SAT • SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) • PLAN • ACT Where are the tests offered? When? Which tests should I take?

  10. Learning About Colleges • Academic programs • Opportunities in activities and sports • Size & setting What’s important to me?

  11. Searching For Colleges • www.mefacounselor.org • Online college search • College guides • College view books and websites • Friends and family

  12. Visiting Colleges • Informal vs. formal campus visit • Look beyond the publications. • Visit when students are on campus. • Ask questions of everyone!

  13. Introduction To Financial Aid • Grants and Scholarships • Need-based vs. Merit Based • Federal, State, College or University • Outside Scholarships • Loans • Must be repaid • May be a parent or student loan • Work-study • Student is asked to find a job on/off campus to earn funds

  14. Remember… • You can go to college! • You can find help paying for college! • You can pursue the career of your dreams!

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