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Cover from Student ECP Book. About MEFA. MEFA is a not-for-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.
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About MEFA • MEFA is a not-for-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.
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
What Are My Options? • 4 Year Private • 4 Year Public • Community College • Vocational/Trade School • Military There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. and over 100 in Massachusetts!
How Do I Prepare During High School? • Academic preparation • Become involved in extracurricular activities • Take College Entrance Tests • Explore Colleges • Meet with your school counselor
Make An Academic Plan Course plan recommended by MA Department of Higher Education to prepare for college and career.
Academic Preparation • Exceed minimum requirements • Take classes relevant to college plans • Good grades vs. challenging classes • Try to improve your grades over time • Explore your favorite subjects
At Our High School… • Prerequisites • Honors Classes • Advanced Placement Classes • Electives
College Entrance Test • PSAT and PLAN: 10th grade or early 11th grade • SAT and ACT: 11th and early 12th grade • SAT Subject Tests: Check college’s requirements • Advanced Placement Exams
Extracurricular Activities • Explore your interests • Develop skills outside of the classroom • Get involved- It’s not what you join, but what you do • Clubs and organizations • Sports • Community service/volunteering • After-school job
Explore Colleges by Thinking about Yourself • Your grades and the college’s selectivity • Your academic interests and the college’s academic programs • Your extracurricular interests and the college’s opportunities in activities and sports • Your learning style and the college’s size and setting
Searching For Colleges • Internet • www.mefacounselor.org • College’s Web sites • Publications • College profile guides • College viewbooks • People • Friends and family • Teachers and counselors
Visiting Colleges • Informal vs. formal campus visit • Look beyond the publications and websites • Visit when students are on campus • Ask questions
Paying for College • Colleges offer financial aid that may help offset the costs. • Scholarships are available through many sources, including your high school. • Financial aid is available based on both your merit and financial need. • You and your family can learn about financial aid at your high school and by visiting www.mefacounselor.org
What You Can Do Now to Go To College • Talk with your family about college • Visit college Web sites and campuses with your family • Maintain good grades • Explore your interests • Remember, you can go to college!