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