Is a 2-Year College Right for my Student

2. Is a 2-Year College Right for my Student • What types of 2-year colleges? • 2-Year colleges in Colorado • What degrees do they offer? • What are some of the programs? • Reasons for attending

3. What is a 2-year college? • Offer programs requiring 1-2 years of study • Community Colleges- tend to be local, commuter based schools • Junior Colleges- like community colleges but also offer on-campus housing, intercollegiate sports

4. 2-Year Colleges in Colorado • Community Colleges Aims CC- Greeley, Loveland, Arapahoe CC- Littleton CC of Aurora- Aurora CC of Denver- Auraria Campus Front Range CC- numerous campuses- Westminster Morgan CC- Ft. Morgan Pikes Peak CC- Colorado Springs Pueblo CC- Pueblo Red Rocks CC- Lakewood, Arvada Western Colorado Community College- Grand Junction

5. 2-Year Colleges- continued • Junior Colleges Colorado Mountain College- 3 residential campus (Leadville, Steamboat, Glenwood) and 8 commuter campuses Colorado Northwestern CC- Rangely Lamar CC- Lamar Northeastern JC- Sterling Otero JC- La Junta Trinidad State JC- Trinidad

6. Degrees from 2-Year Colleges • A.A.- Associate of Arts- transfer to a 4-year college as a junior • A.S.- Associate of Sciences- same as the A.A. • A.G.S.- Associate of General Studies- career and transfer course without specialization • A.A.S.- Associate of Applied Science- 2 year program designed to start in the career field after graduation in a specialized area, some courses may transfer to a 4-year college but most do not • Certificates- shorter programs to make the student a more desireable job candidate. 1-2 year programs

7. Programs • A.A. and A.S.- Business, Criminal Justice, Economics, Elementary Education, Social Sciences, Math, Sciences, Arts, Computer Science • The State of Colorado has identified certain courses as transferable among all public institutions in the state, so students can plan a curriculum at a 2 year college that is guaranteed to transfer to and apply to degree requirements at a 4 year institution. Transfer guides are available through advisors at all 2 year and 4 year schools.

8. Programs, cont. • ACC- Automotive Service Tech, Interior Design, Mortuary Science, Law Enforcement Academy, Digital Media • CMC- Hospitality- Culinary Arts, Resort Management, Ski and Snowboard Business Operations, Environmental Studies and Science, Engineering transfer to CU Boulder • Colo NW CC- Aviation Maintenance, Commercial and private Pilot, Equine Studies and Farrier Science • CC of Aurora- Colorado Film School (Cinematography, Production, Writing, Directing) • CCD- Veterinary Tech (much lower price than private schools), Dental Hygiene, classes at Metro and UCD

9. Programs, cont. • FRCC- Veterinary Tech, Nursing, Culinary, EMS, HVAC, Auto Tech, Welding • Lamar CC- Agri-business, Barbering, Renewable Energy Tech • Morgan CC- Welding technologies- very strong • NJC- Agriculture, Animal Science, Cosmetology, Wind Energy Tech • Otero JC- Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Pharmacy, Sports Medicine • PPCC- Culinary, Homeland Security, Natural Resources, Southwest Studies

10. Programs, cont • Pueblo CC- numerous medical and dental related programs- very strong, Digital Media • RRCC- Pre-Engineering to Mines, Computer Information Systems inc. CISCO Network certificate, Nursing, Solar Energy tech, Water Quality Management • Trinidad JC- Gunsmithing • Western Colo CC- concurrent classes with Mesa and potential dorm living

11. Reasons for Attending • Open admission- but certain programs require separate requirements • Small student body/classes • Community atmosphere • Industry experienced faculty • Ease into the requirements of college studies • “Try on” programs if undecided • COST (can I repeat…COST)

12. Comparative costs of Colorado Schools School T & F R & B Total CU 10971 12810 23781 CSU-FC 9886 11222 21108 UCCS 9142 11220 20362 UNC 7732 9880 16612 WSCU 8004 9050 17054 CSU-P 7834 7828 15662 CMU 6098 9500 15598 Metro 6070 0 6070 DU 41112 11307 52549 Regis 35264 9704 44968

13. How about 2 year colleges • School T & F R & B Total NJC 4500 6500 11000 CMC 3015 8000 11015 FRCC 3918 0 3918 RRCC 3891 0 3891 ACC 3672 0 3672 CCD 3872 0 3872

14. Financial Aid • All of the 2-year colleges reduce their tuition based on students completing the COF (details on next slide) • All institutions base eligibility for financial aid through the FAFSA. Priority consideration is given to applicants who submit the FAFSA by deadlines that vary by college (typically between 3/1 and 6/1- check the college website) • Scholarships- almost all 2-year colleges have a scholarship foundation that awards scholarships based on merit and need. Separate applications are usually required.

15. Financial Aid- cont • Examples of special aid deals: - NJC-tuition reductions given for 3.0 GPA’s or for spending a minimum amount of time in the tutoring center - Colo NWCC- 3.4 GPA receives $2000/yr, 3.0 receives $1000/yr - CMC- some full tuition scholarships and some for ½ tuition

16. College Opportunity Fund The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is for all public Colorado Colleges and Universities Every student will receive a tuition reduction if they apply for it. The exact amount will be based on the amount specified for that year by the state. The credit limit is 145 credits. Apply anytime at: CollegeInColorado.org

18. Q & A