Helping Your Child On Their Journey to College

1. Helping Your Child On Their Journey to College Name of Presenter Name of Chapter Date

2. Agenda • Discussion: Why do you want your child to go to college? • Benefits of college education • Higher education options • Getting into college • Understanding admissions exams • Paying for college • College resources

3. Why do you want your child to go to college?

4. Benefits of a college education • To broaden perspectives • Meet new people from diverse backgrounds. • Learn to be independent. • Explore new fields and views. • To gain more knowledge that will be helpful throughout students’ lives • To have more job opportunities • More and more jobs require education beyond high school. Many jobs rely on new technology and “brainpower.”

5. Earning potential • A 4-year college graduate (with bachelor’s degree) earns almost $1 million more over his/her lifetime than a high school graduate. - Source: U.S. Census Bureau

6. Why STEM careers? • STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Pays More • STEM careers are always in high demand • STEM careers are growing • STEM college internships pay very well • Student loans are easier to pay with STEM degrees • Engineering is a professional degree • Do not NEED MS/PhD to reach fullest career potential • Many Executives at STEM based industries have only a Bachelor of Science (BS – 4 year degree) in Engineering

7. Where Can You Use STEM education? 7

8. Naval Sea Systems Command Naval Sea Systems Command designs, builds, delivers and maintains ships and systems on time and on cost for the U.S. Navy. • A diverse organization with a single purpose of keeping America’s Navy #1 in the world • A world-class employer of choice that inspires innovation • Set the standard for Naval engineering, shipbuilding and ship maintenance • Support humanitarian efforts world-wide • Recruitsand trains men and women to serve as civilians (engineers, scientists, accountants, doctors, nurses, lawyers, etc.) to support the Navy and Marine Corps operating forces.

9. Higher education options

10. Getting into college • Every university has different admissions requirements. • Common admissions requirements include • Grades • Grade point average (GPA) • Courses taken • Class rank • Admissions exams (i.e. ACT/SAT) • Extracurricular activities, leadership • Community service • Employment • College essays and interviews

11. Know your high school graduation plan • Students should discuss their college plans with their high school counselor as early as possible to make sure their graduation plan meets the minimum university requirements. • TIP: Community colleges offer automatic admission to students who graduate from high school.

12. College admissions exams • College admissions exams are commonly used to determine college admissions and for scholarship review. • Students should begin taking the SAT and/or ACT exam during the spring of their junior year. • Students may take these exams multiple times to raise their scores. • Fee waivers may be available from the student’s school counselor.

13. Comparing the SAT and ACT exams

14. How much does college cost? • There are five main college cost categories • Tuition and fees • Room and board • Books and supplies • Personal expenses • Transportation • There is often a big difference between the published sticker price and the net price paid by students. • Net price is a college’s total cost minus financial aid received.

15. How much is tuition? Source: The College Board (bigfuture.collegeboard.org)

16. Using Financial Aid • Four types of financial aid available to students • Grants are free money for students based on financial need • Loans are money that must be paid back • Work study requires students to work part-time • Scholarships are free money for students based on academic merit

17. Applying for financial aid • Students must apply for financial aid after January 1st of their senior year of high school. • Parents must prepare their tax returns early to ease the submission of their financial aid application. • Financial aid deadlines vary by college. Students should inquire at their college for priority and final deadline dates.

18. Applying for financial aid • U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and certain eligible non-citizens must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply online at www.FAFSA.gov • Some states provide limited financial aid for undocumented students. Students should inquire with the Financial Aid Office at their college to determine eligibility and application requirements.

19. Applying for scholarships • Scholarships are offered by • Universities and colleges • Corporations, businesses, private organizations • Non-profit organizations and foundations • Deadlines and application requirements vary by scholarship. • The peak period to apply for scholarships is November to March of your child’s senior year. • Students should speak to their counselor to learn more about scholarship resources.

20. Where can you get help? • College resources in English and Spanish are available in many communities and include • High school counselors and teachers • College outreach offices • Admissions offices • Online resources (i.e. CollegeBoard.org, Princeton Review, FinAid.org) • Professional organizations (i.e. SHPE Foundation, National Society of Hispanic MBAs)

21. Thank you for attending. Questions or comments