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Essential Guide to College Preparation and Success

This resource offers crucial insights into the college selection process, admissions, financial aid, and strategies for student success. Covering key topics like effective college searches, assessment and placement testing, affordability options, and common application mistakes, this guide is tailored for students and families navigating the transition to college life. Learn about the differences between institutions, the importance of campus visits, and financial planning strategies. Equip yourself with practical tips to avoid pitfalls and make informed decisions for a successful college experience.

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Essential Guide to College Preparation and Success

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  1. GOING TO COLLEGE Christine Seger, Ph.D. Bridges to College Volunteer October 4, 2010 Ansonia High School

  2. Topics • How to . . . Selection Process • College Search Timeline • Assessment/Placement Testing • Admissions and Financial Aid • Affordability • Top 10 Application Mistakes • Brief Loan/Debt/Payment Delays Overview • Tips for Student Success

  3. Selection Process • Public, Private, or Proprietary • 2-year, 4-year, or Specialized Program • Large, Medium, or Small • Rural or Urban, Residential, or Commuter • Full-time or Part-time • Employment Opportunities • Student Life • Campus Feel/Attractiveness • Proximity

  4. Selection Process (cont’d) • Proximity • Within area v. distance • Campus Feel • How does the campus make you feel? • Institution Type • 2-year v. 4-year • Public v. Private

  5. College Visits • IMPORTANT! • Visit Colleges of Interest • Increase interest • Understand history and tradition • Get “feel” for campus • Make Admissions Appointment • Take Tour • Visit Financial Aid - get all info! • Walk around on own

  6. For-Profit Institutions • Also called ‘proprietary colleges’ • They are: • Purposeful • Specific • Expensive • Non- or nationally accredited • “Sales driven” / heavily marketable

  7. For-Profit Institutions (cont’d) • Some for-profit institutions have: • Questionable recruiting practices • High loan default rates • ‘Gainful Employment’ regulations: • Institutions must prove that previous students are capable of or paying off student loan debt • Estimate 5% of programs would lose funding • Debt-to-income ratios must be within 30% discretionary income and 12% total income

  8. Admissions & Career Decisions • Social Networking Sites (Facebook & MySpace) • Consider the following ideas: • Networking • Form study groups • Find old friends • Illicit photos • Illegal activities • Future career aspirations • Accessibility of information (UniversityParent.com, 2009)

  9. College Search Timeline • College Search (Freshmen - Senior) • Research, research, research • College Applications (Junior-Senior) • Apply v. Early Application • Apply for Financial Aid • Scholarships (Freshmen - Senior) • FAFSA (Senior) • Review Financial Aid Package (Senior) • Form decision

  10. College Timeline (cont’d) • Decide School Choice (Senior) • Make decision & pay deposit (if required) • Attend Orientation (Senior) • 1- or 2-day event • Register for Classes (Senior) • Full-time (12+ hours) • It’s official – You’re in College! • Start classes & seize your dreams

  11. ACT/SAT Test • American Collegiate Test (ACT) • Primarily used on East Coast & Midwest • Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) • Primarily used on West Coast & Midwest • Must complete for 4-year application • Not required at community colleges • Take in the junior or senior years • The earlier the better!

  12. ACT Test Information • It is absolutely imperative that Seniors and Juniors register for and complete the ACT • Seniors should register by November 5 for the December 11 test • Also important for Juniors to complete test if they have not yet done do • Greater re-test advantage • Have a better understanding of test

  13. Assessment/Placement Testing • Required for course placement • Writing • Reading • Math • Waivers/Substitutions are available • ACT/SAT scores • HS Transcript • Advanced Standing

  14. Admissions and Financial Aid • Apply Concurrently • Can list several schools on FAFSA • Financial Aid Deadlines - Important! • Federal, State & Institutional • Award Comparisons • Institution type • Scholarship opportunities • Total financial aid offer • Total cost • Negotiate award packages???

  15. Affordability • Reduce the financial burden (in HS) • Postsecondary Education Option Program (PSEOP) • Take ACT/SAT as early as possible • “Take A Course On Us” (i.e. Ivy Tech) • Keep Grades Up - Work Hard! • Do Volunteer Work • Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities • Get a Part-time job

  16. Affordability (cont’d) Reduce the financial burden (in College) Apply for ALL Financial Aid Programs (federal, state institutional and private) Consider the following: 2-year v. 4-year; In-State v. Out-of-State; Public v. Private Commuting v. On-Campus (meal plan options) “Thrifting” v. buying new Become an RA Rent or buy textbooks, e-books, check online for cheaper options, share books; resell at term end Minimizing “Your Time to Go!” (summer school)

  17. Affordability (cont’d) • Consider other cost saving measures: • AmeriCorps, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), ROTC, Peace Corps • Money in exchange for service upon graduation • Maintain written budget of expenses • Compare cell phone plans • Consider basic PC over expensive laptop • Verify ALL charges on account (i.e. health insurance • Consider NOT having a car • Wants v. needs

  18. Additional Affordability Options • Work Colleges (i.e. College of the Ozarks) • Labor in exchange for money toward tuition • Work Colleges Consortium (www.workcolleges.org) • Graduation Guaranteed (i.e. Utah State, Western Illinois, & U of Colorado-Boulder) • Develop academic plan to finish in 4 years • Take normal courseload & pass classes each term • Graduate in 4 years or extra expense on college (Couch, 2009)

  19. Addl Affordability Options (cont’d) • Fifth Year Free (i.e. Clark Univ, MA) • “Buy 4, get 1 free” - finish four years & get year of graduate school free • Contact Admissions or check website • Tuition Locks (i.e. Huntingdon College, Hiram College, Central Michigan U) • Plan that locks tuition at freshmen year • Read the fine print - for details! (Couch, 2009)

  20. Top 5 College Application Mishaps • Apply to MORE than one college • Apply EARLY for admission to college • Make sure student’s name, ssn, and date of birth match the STUDENT • Complete ALL application information in its entirety • Apply to the correct program

  21. Top 5 Financial Aid Mishaps • Complete the FAFSA by the COLLEGE’S deadline • Make sure student’s name, ssn, and date of birth match the STUDENT • Apply for scholarships ON-TIME • Do NOT borrow more than is needed to attend college • MONITOR progress of aid application

  22. Student Loans • Types of Student Loans • Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized • Federally Insured • Guaranteed • Sub: 4.5% Interest Rate; Unsub: 6.8% Interest Rate • Federal Direct PLUS • Federally Insured • Not Guaranteed (must be credit worth) • 7.9% Fixed Interest Rate • Private (Limited programs) • Based on creditworthiness; higher interest

  23. Student Loans (cont’d) • Federal Direct Loans • Annual Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans • Dependent: $5500 Frosh; $6500 Soph; $7500 Jr/Sr • Independent: $9500 Frosh; $10,500 Soph; $12,500 Jr/Sr • Unsub: students pay interest in school • Aggregate loan limit increases • Dependent: $31,000 (up from $23,000) • Independent: $57,500 (up from $46,000)

  24. Loan Repayment • Repayment Types • Standard; Extended; Income-Based • Incentives • Subsidized Stafford Interest Rate Cuts • Reduce from 2008 through 2012 • Loan Forgiveness Programs • Public Service; Nursing; Education • Employer Tuition or Loan Repayment • Health Professions (most prevalent) • AmeriCorps

  25. Tips for Student Success • Develop an Academic Plan • Map out entire program of study and stick to it • Follow your plan and set goals along the way • If you want/need to change majors, develop new academic plan • Complete a co-op or internship or Study Abroad • Get involved! • Meet people • Don’t be afraid to ask for help

  26. Helpful Websites • www.ohiocan.org/darke • www.studentaid.ed.gov • www.finaid.org • www.projectonstudentdebt.com • www.collegeboard.com • www.collegeanswer.com • www.fafsa.ed.gov • www.fastweb.com

  27. Resources Couch, C. (2009). Four secret tuition savers. Found online at http://www.fastweb.com/financial-aid/articles/375-four-secret-tuition-savers. Universityparent.com (2009). Social media do’s and don’ts for college students. Found online at http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/1281-social-media-dos-and-donts-for-college-s.

  28. Contact Information • Christine (Chris) Seger Director of Admissions Ivy Tech Community College Richmond 2357 Chester Blvd Richmond, IN 47374 (765) 966-2656 x1218 or (800) 659-4562 x1218 crethlake@ivytech.edu

  29. Special Thanks To: • Bridges to College Program • Beth Sears • All of You!

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