for Parents of Middle and Junior High School Students

1. COLLEGE The NHHEAF Network Center for College Planning 800-525-2577 x119 We’re here for you! The Road to College for Parents of Middle and Junior High School Students

2. Help Your Children Aspire to Their Potential! • Expand your child’s options for education beyond high school. • Make paying for your child’s future education a top financial goal. When higher education is an expectation rather than a mere possibility, students come to understand the importance of challenging themselves.

3. Show your children that you value education. Reinforce the importance of going to college in relationship to your child achieving personal, career and life goals. The Role of Parents In Early College Awareness Studies show that children whose parents take an active role in their education tend to do better in school.

4. Enrichment Activities Powerful Opportunities for Growth • Community Service • Career Exploration • Summer Programs • Mentors Career exploration begins with exposure to different types of jobs

5. Encourage your student to go above and beyond high school graduation requirements. In addition to personal development, students should work to achieve specific aptitudes, including writing ability, math skills, a sense of history, a grasp of the scientific method, and facility with a foreign language. The High School Years Academic Planning for College

6. A student should aim to take the highest level course possible while still maintaining a B- or better. Keep in mind that certain majors require certain foundation courses. The High School Years Academic Planning for College Consult with your child’s guidance counselor before she enters high school to develop a four-year plan that preserves her options after graduation.

7. There are over 3,600 colleges and universities in the United States, no two are alike. What’s the Difference? The Five College Types • Liberal Arts Colleges • Universities • Specialized Schools • Community Colleges • Historically Black Colleges & Universities • * From the College Board GrO Magazine, 2001 Edition

8. Solid Academic Record Courses selected Difficulty of curriculum Class rank GPA Standardized Test Scores Scholastic Aptitude Test SAT I: Reasoning Test SAT II: Subject Tests American College Testing (ACT) Preliminary SAT (PSAT) What Colleges Are Looking For The College Application • College Essay • Helps to personalize an otherwise impersonal process • Provides insight about the student’s character, personality, creativity, experiences, values and ability to think critically • Recommendations • Guidance Counselors • Teachers • Other adult mentors

9. Affording Education Beyond High School College Costs, Saving & Financial Aid

10. How a college education pays off Level of education Mean annual earnings Not a high school graduate $16,121 High school graduate $24,572 Bachelor’s degree $45,678 Master’s degree $55,641 Ph.D. $86,833 Professional (business, law,medicine) $100,987 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, March 2000. College is an Investment

11. Potential Cost of 4 Years Your Child’s Age Public College Private College Newborn $149,540 $325,527 3 $125,557 $273,318 6 $105,420 $229,483 9 $88,512 $192,679 12 $74,317 $161,777 15 $62,398 $135,831 17 $55,534 $120,880 The Cost of College • Cost of Attendance* at New Hampshire Colleges • NH Technical Institute • $10,800 • University of NH • $16,480 • Franklin Pierce College • $28,755 • Dartmouth College • $38,390

12. Tuition Possible Don’t Let the Numbers Scare You - College Can Be Affordable • How do most families pay for college? • Savings • Current Income • Tuition Payment Plans • Loans • Financial Aid While Financial Aid can make college more affordable, parents and students are expected to take primary responsibility for paying for post-secondary education.

13. NEED-Based MERIT-Based Gift Aid Self-Help Aid What is Financial Aid? Every Applicant is Eligible

14. Cost of Attendance The amount budgeted for a student to pay tuition, room and board, books, fees, supplies and any related expenses. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) The amount, as determined by federal methodology, that represents your family’s ability to pay for one year of college. Cost of Attendance $20,000 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 6,000 - Eligibility for Financial Aid 14,000 = Financial Aid How Financial Aid is Awarded

15. Cost of Attendance 20,000 Estimated Family. Contribution - 6,000 Eligibility for Financial Aid 14,000 Financial Aid Package - University Grant 5,000 - Presidential Scholarship 2,000 - Federal Student Loan 2,625 - College Work Study 1,500 Total Award 11,125 Financial Aid Determining the Financial Aid Package Eligibility 14,000 Financial Aid - 11,125 Gap = 2,875 GAP 2,875 +EFC 6,000 =Total Family Contribution 8,875

16. OnlineScholarship Databases

17. Smith Family Dad is 50, Mom is 48 Two Children Have a combined income of $55,000 Saved $50,000 for college expenses Davis Family Dad is 50, Mom is 48 Two Children Have a combined income of $55,000 Saved $1,000 for college expenses Saving for College How Saving Affects Your EFC EFC = $4,912 EFC = $4,843

18. Benefits of Saving More options for higher education. Saving may not affect financial aid eligibility. You and your child may have to borrow less. Invest for a goal, not for a child Know how much you will need to pay for college. Target your saving to that amount. Calculate your EFC. Saving for College You Can’t Afford Not To! Spreading out the cost of college over time will lessen the impact on your lifestyle during the years your child attends college.

19. Saving for College Options for Families • Savings Bonds • Series EE • Series I • Education IRA • Coverdell Savings Accounts • 529 Plans • State-sponsored tuition savings and tuition payment plans • UGMA/UTMA • Uniform Gift to Minors • Resources for Research • MotleyFool.com • FinAid.org • SavingForCollege.com • Savingsbonds.gov • AmericanFunds.com • Upromise.org Upromise is a great way to supplement your college savings. You earn college savings contributions as you spend with some of America’s leading companies.

20. A savings plan that takes advantage of Tax Code 529, designed to help families meet the cost of higher education. Earnings grow deferred from federal income tax. Qualified withdrawals (beginning January 2002) are tax-exempt. Withdrawals made before 2002 are taxed at the child’s rate. Low initial investment. High contribution limits. Financial Aid Implications This plan is viewed as an asset of the account holder, not the child. Low weighting in eligibility formulas. Saving for College 529 Plans New Hampshire’s 529 Plan is the Unique College Savings Plan managed by Fidelity:(800) 544-1722 www.fidelity.com/unique

21. The Key Messages College is Possible • Show your children that you value education. • Help your children to develop good study habits. • Encourage your student to go beyond high school graduation requirements. • Colleges are looking for students with strong academic records and quality involvement in extracurricular activities. • Financial aid can help to make college costs more affordable • Make paying for your child’s education a top financial goal.