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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Paying for College Myth:
College tuition costs more than $20,000 a year. Reality:
Of the 3,600 colleges and universities in America, 200 charged $20,000 or
more for tuition and fees in 2002-03. Nearly 80 percent of full-time
undergraduates at 4 year institutions face tuition of less than $8,000. Myth:
Private colleges are always more expensive than public colleges. Reality:
On average, private colleges usually cost more than public institutions, even
after aid is deducted; however, there are instances in which a private
college is less expensive, after student aid, than a public institution. For
example, the cost of a private institution, less student aid, often is less
than a public institution outside one's home state. Myth:
Only the very rich can afford college. Reality:
Nearly 20 percent of traditional-aged undergraduates come from families with
income below $25,000 per year. The federal government, states, and
institutions all offer financial aid to help low-income students afford
college. Myth:
The middle class gets socked by college costs -- there's no help for them. Reality:
A wide variety of aid programs are available to help middle-income families,
including many grants and scholarships as well as tax incentives and benefits
related to higher education. At public 4 year colleges, about 40 percent of
students with family income between $40,000 and $80,000 receive grants
averaging $2,900. At private institutions, almost 75 percent are awarded
grants or scholarships that average $9,300. Myth:
It actually hurts you to save for college because you get less financial aid. Reality:
Those who save will be expected to contribute more toward their children's
education than those who don't save. However, the formulas for determining the
expected family contribution count income far more heavily than savings, so
the difference is usually not substantial. Furthermore, a family that saves
will have the funds necessary to meet their expected contribution, while a
family that does not save may have to borrow -- with interest charges more
than making up for the smaller expected contribution. Myth:
You really don't need college to be a success -- look at Bill Gates. Reality:
Bill Gates' story is exceptional. Today, the average annual income of
full-time workers with a bachelor's degree is almost 45 percent higher than
for those with a high school diploma. Those with an associate degree earn 19
percent more than high school graduates. Today, some postsecondary education
or training is necessary for almost every good job. Myth:
Only big-time athletes get scholarships. Reality:
In 1999-00, less than 1 percent of undergraduates received athletic
scholarships. Most student aid is awarded on the basis of financial need --
not athletic talent. Myth:
Only minorities get extra help. Reality:
The majority of student aid is awarded on the basis of financial need. Very
little aid is awarded solely on the basis of students' race or ethnicity.
According to a recent survey of financial aid officers, less than 10 percent
of institutions' budgets for non-need-based scholarships go toward
scholarships for members of specific minority groups. Generally, students
from racial or ethnic minority groups are more likely to receive scholarships
because they are more likely to have financial need. Myth:
Only white people know how to pull the strings to get to college. Reality:
Socio-economic status and previous experience with higher education are much
more important in determining who goes to college than race or ethnicity. The
admissions and financial aid process is daunting for many families, but
especially for those with no previous college experience. Families can get
help from a number of sources. This website is a great place to start.
Libraries and high school guidance offices offer resources and assistance. In
addition, many communities have a federally funded Educational Opportunity
Center with trained counselors to help students and parents through the
admissions and financial aid process. Myth:
It's not what you know when it comes to college and financial aid -- it's who
you know. Reality:
It is most important to forge relationships with people who can provide solid
information and advice, such as high school guidance counselors and college
admissions or financial aid personnel. Myth:
Community colleges offer only vocational education. Reality:
Community colleges provide a wide range of educational options, all at a low
cost to students. In addition to career and technical education, community
colleges offer the first two years of academic course work to transfer to a
four-year institution. They also help workers upgrade their skills and
provide courses for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Open
admissions, nearby locations, a wide array of courses, flexible class
schedules, and low tuition prices make community colleges readily accessible
to everyone. Myth:
Colleges charge whatever they want -- they've got a monopoly. Reality:
Public and private colleges set their tuition in very different ways.
Generally, state policy makers set tuition for public institutions. Tuition
decisions are driven by the funding colleges receive from the state. When
states cut their appropriations for colleges and universities, they have to
raise tuition to make up at least part of the resulting budget shortfall.
Private colleges set their own tuition, but they operate in a very
competitive environment. They have to construct tuition and aid policies that
allow them to fill their classes and offer the programs and facilities that will
keep them competitive. Myth:
There is no basis for the soaring increase in college prices. Reality:
Many factors influence college cost increases - technology and facility
costs, faculty salaries, student aid expenditures, and cuts in state
appropriations to name just a few. Despite cutbacks in state appropriations
and decreasing endowment values colleges are trying to do even better,
searching for new and innovative ways to cut costs and minimize tuition
increases. http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ProgramsServices/CIP/PayingforCollege/Myths_Realities.htm What can my child do outside the classroom to prepare for college? A
student's interpersonal and leadership skills as well as outside interests
and goals are all important for college preparation. Independent reading and
study, extracurricular activities, and work experience will all help your
child develop his or her skills, interests, and goals. Independent Reading and Study Independent
reading and study will help your child to prepare academically for college.
This is a good way to develop interests, expand knowledge, and improve the
vocabulary and reading comprehension skills needed for college and the SAT or
ACT. Encourage your child to read all kinds of books for fun -- fiction and
non-fiction. The school library and the local public library are good sources
of books, magazines, and newspapers. Extracurricular Activities Many
school, community, and religious organizations enable high school students to
explore their interests and talents by providing activities outside the
classroom. Colleges are often interested in a student's extracurricular
activities such as school clubs, the student newspaper, athletics, musical
activities, and arts and drama, especially if a student has excelled in one
or more of these areas. Work Experience and Community
Service Work
experience -- paid or volunteer -- can teach students discipline,
responsibility, reliability, teamwork, and other skills. A summer job may be
a good way to gain experience and earn money for college as well. If your child
works during the school year, he or she should not work so many hours that
the job interferes with school work. Some
students also participate in community service activities such as tutoring
elementary school children or volunteering in a local hospital. Such
activities make valuable contributions to society and also help students to
identify their career interests and goals, gain workplace skills, and apply
classroom learning to real-world problem solving. Many colleges view
community service as a valuable experience that enhances a student's college
application. Some
schools offer academic credit for volunteer work through service-learning.
This is a teaching method that integrates hands-on learning (through service
to the community) into the school curriculum. To find out if your child's
school offers service-learning, talk to your child's teacher, guidance
counselor, or school principal. For information on how to start a
service-learning program, contact the Learn and Serve America Clearinghouse at
1-800-808-SERVE. Taken from
http://www.ed.gov/pubs/Prepare/pt2.html All A+ Students Please Note the Following:
S TO FIND OUT IF YOUR COLLEGE OF INTEREST REQUIRES THE ACT WRITING PORTION
Go
to: the ACT website at actstudent.org for lots more information ACT
testing information At
the ACT website you can click on the “Writing Test” and go to a page that
will let you type in the name of a college and find out if the writing test
is required, recommended or not needed. Web
site: www.actstudent.org You
can also click on “college search” and find out very helpful, basic
information about colleges you are considering. The information you read
will NOT be for the fall of 2009 but it will give you some good insight into
the probable cost to your family. The
information will include: This
is a fast and easy method for parents to check and compare costs without
going to each college’s homepage. A
third item of interest is to click on “test prep” and you will see that you
can order a “Real Test Prep Manual” directly from ACT. The manual will
include ACT tests including Writing. There are several items there that
could be worth the investment if you are really trying to improve your score. www.actstudent.org/aap/writing/index.html =
list of colleges and status on ACT writing test www.actstudent.org/aap/writing/sample/comment.html
= if you took the writing test you can read comments made on your essay. COLLEGE PREPARATORY STUDIES CERTIFICATE The
Missouri State Board of Education awards the College Preparatory Certificate
to Missouri students who successfully complete a rigorous academic program in
high school. Requirements for the CPC are as
follows: 1. The
course program must include at least the following: English,
4 units 2.
Earn at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, in the combined subject areas of
English, Math, Social Studies and Science. 3. Score
above the prior year’s national average on the ACT test. 4. Complete
a strong academic program: ●
English – English I, II, III and IV or one unit of speech or debate can be
substituted. ●
Math – four units that are Algebra I and above, one of which must be Algebra
II ●
Science – three units, (NOT general science) selected from biology, chemistry
or physics; one course must be a lab class. *see your counselor about
the science requirement. ●
Social Studies – At least three units one of which must be Am. History and at
least one semester of Am. Govt. ●
Fine Arts – One unit in visual arts, music, dance or theater. ●
Specified Core Electives – At least 3 units selected from foreign language,
(two units of the same language is strongly recommended) and/or
combinations from two or more of the following course areas: English,
math, social studies, science and fine arts, or advanced vocational/technical
courses. ●
General Electives – At least 5 units sufficient to meet state and local
requirements. ►
Ask your counselor for the College Preparatory Studies Certificate
requirements and guidelines. How to calculate Grade Point Average And Conversion to 4.0 scale Smith-Cotton
is on an 11 point scale. Colleges typically use a 4 point scale. The
conversion from an 11 point GPA to a 4 point GPA is made by simply
multiplying by .3636. 11
point scale FORMULA: CONVERSION: 1. Assign
each of your child’s course grades the correct point value. 2. Add
all the points for a total amount. 3. Divide
the total amount of points by the number of classes taken. This number
is the students GPA on an 11 point scale. 4. If
you wish to convert to a 4 point scale then just multiply the 11 point GPA by
.3636 and you will have the actual GPA converted to a 4 point scale. To calculate your class rank
percentile: Subtract
your rank in class from the number of students in your class, and then divide
that number by the number of students in your class. For example, if you
are 24 in a class of 200, your class rank percentile is 88. Smith-Cotton NHS Selection Process All
sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a cumulative 9.5 GPA and above will be given an invitation to join. If interested, students will pick up their application in late February or early March and given
information about NHS.
Included
will be NHS Information Sheets for them to fill out and return to the
Guidance Office if they are interested in being considered for membership in
this elite organization.
Those students who meet the NHS standards of scholarship, leadership,
character, and service are invited to join after the selection process is complete. After the Faculty Council
evaluates all materials, they will make the final selections.
(The
adviser does not take part in the selection process but does oversee the
selection process to ascertain that all NHS standards are
observed. Also, one teacher does not have the power to exclude any
individual from membership.). Community Service Course for ½ Credit Earn
½ unit of credit this summer by enrolling in a community service course. Community
service for credit is actually an independent study course. Students
must enroll and register with their counselor. Students enroll for the
course with their counselor. This
course is designed for any student with the desire to spend time in
documented, approved service to some agency or project with a community service
orientation, registered as not for profit. Eighty hours of documented
service will equate to ½ unit of elective credit. Up to two units of
elective credit may be counted toward graduation. Each student will
maintain records of dates, times and services rendered. The time sheet
will contain each volunteer entry and will be signed by the person(s)
responsible for the supervision of the student. A checklist will also
rate the success of the effort. The student will also compose a two-page
summary of the total experience and submit it along with the documentation in
order to receive credit. The volunteer work will be preformed outside of
regular school hours. Examples of this would be assisting in local
service club projects, aiding city and state agencies, and schools. You
could contact: ** You
enroll for the community service course through your counselor. |
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