The Basics of College and Financial Aid GEAR UP Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs Imagine the Possibilities:
The Basics of College
and Financial Aid
GEAR UPGaining Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs
Imagine the Possibilities:
College Aspirations Start With YOU!
Now is the time to help steer your child down the road to success.
You are your child’s greatest support system and role model.
Encouragement is KEY.
How College Can Benefit Your Child
Greater KNOWLEDGE
More Job OPPORTUNITIES
Greater SALARY Potential
More LEADERSHIP Skills
Parents play a BIG ROLE
Your BIG ROLE
Make time to TALK.
Set aside a time and place for READING and STUDYING.
Talk often to TEACHERS and COUNSELORS.
Set EXPECTATIONS and GOALS: high school graduation and college.
Monitor your student’s PROGRESS.
Preparation for higher education
There are two high school graduation plans that prepare students for college.
– Recommended High School Program (RHSP)
– The Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP)
Recommended High School Program (RHSP)
Offers courses that give you the best opportunities to succeed in technical school, community college or a four-year university in Texas. The RHSP is the default curriculum for Texas public high school students.
The Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP)
Goes beyond the Recommended High School Program (RHSP). It requires advanced schoolwork that reflects college- or professional-level skills. To earn this honor, you must complete any combination of four of the advanced "measures" listed below:
– Score 3 or above on a College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exam, or score 4 or above on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam.
– Complete original research or project under the direction of mentor(s), judged by qualified professionals, and reported to a qualified audience.
– Earn a Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) score that qualifies you as a "Commended Scholar" or higher.
– Earn a grade of 3.0 or higher on courses that count for college credit.
Kelley Sommerlatte
Bryan ISD Career Technology Counselor
Credits- How can they be earned?
Scoring a 70 or better in a class
Need 26 to graduate on the recommended plan
School year is divided into two semesters
A full year class (English) earns 1 credit
A half-year course (Speech) earns 0.5 credit
Losing Credit
Failing a class
Having poor attendance. Must be in class 90% of each semester!
What does your student need to graduate?
4 credits: Math, Science, Social Studies, English
½ credit each: Health and Speech
2 credits of the same foreign language
1 credit of PE
1 credit of fine arts
5.5 electives
Electives
Fine Arts- Band, Orchestra, Choir, Art, Theater Art
Athletics-Softball, Football, Basketball, Baseball
Career and Technology Education courses
AVID
JROTC
Career and Technology Courses
Agriculture
Architecture & Construction
Audio/Visual Technology
Fashion Design
Animation
Business
Education
Welding
Marketing
Engineering
Automotive Technology
Health SciencesHospitality (Culinary Arts)CosmetologyInformation TechnologyCriminal Justice
Certifications & Dual Credit
Certifications– Cosmetology– Master Florist– Emergency
Telecommunication – Vet Technician– Pharmacy Technician– Certified Nursing Assistant
ATCAgricultureChild DevelopmentCriminal JusticeBusinessReady, Set Teach
Dual CreditWeldingAg MechanicsCriminal JusticeHealth Science
http://fc.bryanisd.org/bhscounselors/
For more information:
Get Involved
Encourage your student to engage in EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extracurricular activities are ways to get involved outside the classroom
Your student can:
– MENTOR a younger student
– Do COMMUNITY SERVICE or VOLUNTEER work
– Join a CLUB or student ORGANIZATION
– Play a SPORT
Types of Colleges in TexasType Description Examples
Public Two-year Colleges
Technical colleges, state colleges and community colleges that offer educational and training programs leading to a certificate or a two-year associate’s degree.
El Paso Community College
Blinn College
Texas State Technical College-Waco
Public Universities
Offer educational programs that lead to a four-year bachelor’s degree. Many offer graduate degrees (master’s or doctoral), requiring more years of study.
Texas A&M University
University of Texas - Pan American
University of Texas at El Paso
Independent (Private) Institutions
Some offer two-year programs, while senior-level independents offer four-year bachelor’s degrees and graduate or professional degrees.
Jackson College
Rice University
Baylor University
Health-Related Institutions
Offer bachelor’s, master’s doctoral, and professional degrees (such as medical degrees) in health-related professions.
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Fun Fact
Those who earn a bachelor’s degree will earn on average $1 MILLION more in a lifetime than someone who only gets a high school diploma.
Daniel Uresti
Texas A&M University Recruiter
Money is Available
Financial aid is MONEY from the federal or state government, the college, or private organizations that can HELP you meet the cost of paying for your child’s education.
FINANCIAL AID is available in many forms for student in Texas.
Financial Aid is available for undocumented students.
Last year over $196 million was awarded to students in Texas.
Different types of Financial Aid
Scholarships– Don’t have to be repaid
– Based on merit or talent
Grants– Don’t have to be repaid
Loans – Have to be repaid
Work-study – Provided by the college in exchange for work, usually
on-campus
What You’re Paying For
Cost of attending school
– Tuition and fees
– Books and supplies
Cost of living while attending school
– Housing and food
– Transportation, including commuting
– Personal expenses
The Cost of College
Type of Institution Tuition & Fees Per
Semester
Public Universities $6,585
Public Community Colleges $2,402
Public Technical Colleges $4,766
Public State Colleges $4,571
Private Universities $25,143
Lana Gonzales
Financial Aid Texas
A&M University
“When you go to college…”
Even if you haven’t been to college yourself, you can still help your child PREPARE.
Your ENCOURAGEMENT and EXPECTATIONS are key to your teen’s desire and drive to prepare for college.
Where To Go From Here
Go to collegefortexans.com.
Remember, you are the biggest influence in your child’s future.
Important websites
www.fafsa.com
– Apply for financial aid
www.fastweb.com
– Apply for scholarships
www.applytexas.org
– Application accepted by all Texas public colleges and most private colleges