Colleges Not Collages

How do you get into college? Fill out the application and pay the application fee Send your official transcript with your GPA and rank Send your ACT or SAT test scores Make sure you have enough high school credits in

the following: 4 English, 4 Math, 3 Science, 3 Social Studies, 1 Foreign Language, 2 Electives

If you don’t seem to meet all the requirements, 3 letters of recommendation might help you get in

Admission Index Chart

What are your post secondary options?

Work Military Vocational/Technical school 2 year school 4 year school

Military Air Force Army Coast Guard Marines Navy

Free training for the area you specialize in and often they will pay for you to go to college later on

Vocational School

Students learn only what is required to do a specific job, such as an electrician

Tuition costs are lower Financial aid is available if the school is

accredited by the Department of Education Quicker to complete It may be difficult to transfer credits if you

decide to switch schools

2 Year School

You can find a job when you are done or continue your education at a 4 year school

Many jobs today require more than a high school education but less than a 4 year degree

Cheaper than a 4 year school Is a good option for anyone who isn’t ready

for a 4 year school for academic or financial reasons

4 Year School The more education you have, the more

money you will make over your lifetime (twice as a much as a high school graduate)

A 4 year degree broadens your horizons It shows that you are very dedicated Many careers require a 4 year degree It is harder to get accepted into 4 year

schools than 2 year schools You will have more career options

Once you are accepted, how do you pay for school? Save up Fill out the FAFSA application and have this

information send to your college Apply for Scholarships and Loans

You will provide information about your grades, sports, activities, volunteering, jobs, financial need, and an essay about why you deserve a scholarship

What are the different types of financial aid?

Loans Scholarships and Grants Work Study Colorado Opportunity Fund

Pay as you go

If you are paying for your own education, the school will keep a tab for you and charge you interest on any unpaid bills

You have to pay the entire bill before you can sign up for more classes

Free Application for Federal Student Aid Must be completed every year You enter in your financial information and

that of your parents You must file your taxes before you fill out the

FAFSA You must fill out the FAFSA if you want any

financial aid The government uses this to determine if you

need financial help

Loans

Money that you borrow and must pay back later

Usually you don’t have to start paying them back until you have graduated or dropped out

You are charged interest They can take years to pay back

Scholarships and Grants

This is money that is awarded to you so that you can go to college

You don’t have to pay them back These may be awarded based on merits such

as good grades or volunteering, or need based

You have to maintain a high GPA to keep them

Work Study

Part time work that is offered to college students who need help paying for college

The amount of money you earn depends on the type of work you will be doing but will at least be minimum wage

The schedule is very flexible so that you can work and go to your classes

College Opportunity Fund The government will pay part of your tuition

for your 4 year degree ($62 for every credit hour you take)

You have to apply for it and fill out FAFSA You will get twice as much money if you are

at a public college rather than a private one You have to graduate from a Colorado high

school or GED program This is only for Colorado colleges