Do you have a plan for college? : 8th through 10th grade students : Oklahoma's official guide to preparing for college

              8th through 10th Grade Students
SEP 2011
SEPTEMBER 2011
HE HAS A PLAN... SHE HAS A PLAN...
DO YOU?
So, what's your plan for college?
You may think that college is in the distant future, but it’s just around the corner. The best time to start planning for your successful career is now. If you think getting a job after high school will be easy, then read through this guide, and you’ll see that the best jobs with good pay require skills and training beyond a high school education, and most require a college degree. This guide will help you and your family plan for life beyond high school and help you get started with your college plan. You can get a head start on those college plans by seeing the types of high school courses you should take and when to take them, how to work with teachers and school counselors to choose a college that fits your needs and how to plan to pay for college. So, why should your plan include college? • You’ll have the time to explore your interests, and you’ll discover new areas of knowledge and set new goals. • You’ll learn how to learn – how to think critically, solve problems and develop new skills. • You’ll meet new people, make new friends and… have fun! • It can take you out of a minimum-wage job and into a good-paying career you can enjoy. Studies prove it: Continue your education after high school and you’re likely to make more money and enjoy a better life.
First, there's income... Without a degree
Let’s say you decide to skip college and take a job as a security guard. You’ll get paid about $11 an hour, approximately $1,404 a month or $16,852 a year take-home pay. Monthly gross pay $1,760 Take-home pay (minus all taxes, Social Security and Medicare) $1,404 With a degree Now let’s say you take extra time to explore careers, go that extra mile and graduate from college with a degree in forensic science. As a forensic science technician, you’ll make about $24 an hour. That’s $2,814 a month or $33,771 a year take-home pay. Monthly gross pay $3,840 Monthly take-home pay (minus all taxes, Social Security and Medicare) $2,814 Calculations made by surepayroll.com.
Let's talk... Money
Monthly MandatoryExpensesThese expenses arebased on a single-occupancy household.MonthlyExpenses AmountRent $500Gas for Car $100Food $200Utilities $120Cell Phone $80Auto Insurance $125Savings $100Medical Insurance $130Total $1,355 cha-ching! so, do you have a plan for college? Plan? my plan is getting a job and getting to the mall!
Let's
talk... expenses
Without a Degree
Take-home income $1,404 Fixed expenses $1,355 Balance $49 With a Degree Take-home income $2,814 Fixed expenses $1,355 Balance $1,459 With a salary of $1,404 a month and your fixed monthly expenses of $1,355, you will have very little left over each month, and you may have to tweak even the most basic of budgets. On the other hand, with a college degree you’ll have money left after your expenses. You can have a nicer car, better apartment, nicer clothes, cable and even an HDTV. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, someone with a bachelor’s degree earns about 50 percent more than someone with just a high school diploma. That makes a huge impact on your monthly paycheck and will help you achieve the lifestyle you want.1 what?! $49 is all I HAVE left! Goodbye, designer jeans. sob... Courses to Take
A college education builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier years. If you plan to attend a public college or university in Oklahoma, it’s best for you to start planning a high school course schedule early. These courses are required for a “standard” high school diploma. They’ll prepare you for college, and you’ll learn valuable skills in case you decide to get a job right out of high school. Subject Units Course Examples English 4 units grammar, composition and literature Mathematics 3 units Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry, math analysis, trigonometry, pre-calculus (must have completed geometry and Algebra II), calculus and Advanced Placement statistics Laboratory Science 3 units biology, chemistry, physics or any lab science certified by the school district; general science courses don’t qualify History and 3 units Including 1 unit of American history and 2 Citizenship Skills units from the subjects of history, government, geography, economics, civics and/or non-Western culture Other 2 units from any of the subjects above or from computer science or foreign language Total 15 units What is OKcollegestart.org? OKcollegestart.org is the official source for planning a college education in Oklahoma and offers advanced tools to help you prepare for, apply to and pay for college. OKcollegestart.org offers students like you the opportunity to: • Create a personal profile to track your college planning. • Learn about paying for college and conduct an online scholarship search. • Prepare for a career that suits your skills, values, interests and personality. • Take online campus tours. • Use the student-campus matching assistant to find the college campuses right for you. • Prepare for the ACT with innovative practice tests and tools. • Have your transcripts sent electronically to Oklahoma college and university admissions offices, the NCAA Eligibility Center and Oklahoma’s Promise. Requirements may change, and they may be different for private institutions, so always check with your counselor for details.
Associate or
Hourly Bachelor’s Degree Wage Accountant $24.36 Computer Programmer $28.57 Architect $30.24 Zoologist & Wildlife Biologist $24.11 Forensic Science Technician $23.52 Environmental Engineer $34.51 Pharmacist $44.33 Physical Therapist $32.92 Primary, Secondary & Special Education Teacher $17.12 Registered Nurse $24.20 On-the-Job Hourly Experience Wage Bank Teller $10.58 Data Entry Keyers $10.17 Construction Laborer $11.49 Veterinary Assistant $8.44 Security Guard $10.91 Water Treatment Operator $13.26 Pharmacy Technician $11.52 Physical Therapist Aide $9.08 Child Care Worker $7.74 Nursing Aide $9.30
What a difference a degree makes
Source: Oklahoma Employment Outlook 2016 Moderate
c
lick! 2 you can get those jeans. you just need a better plan. You can start by taking the right classes to help you prepare for college. I was “Planning” on taking most of these classes. So If i take these, I am on my way to college?
REMEMBER! More Planning...
Oklahoma EPAS (Educational Planning and Assessment System) is made up of two tests, EXPLORE and PLAN, that help you get ready for the ACT. The EXPLORE test, taken in the eighth grade, helps you plan your high school courses, prepare for the ACT and choose a career direction. The PLAN test, taken in the 10th grade, provides even more preparation and allows you to see what kind of questions you missed before you take the ACT. It’s a great study guide! PLAN also provides career information based on your interests and is a great way to see if you are on target academically for college. Talk to your counselor for more information or visit www.actstudent.org/explore and www.actstudent.org/plan. Glossary Standardized Tests (ACT or SAT): tests used by colleges and universities to evaluate academic skills and abilities. Oklahoma public colleges and universities rely primarily on the ACT. Class Rank: ranking of a student within a high school graduating class based upon his or her high school grade point average. Grade Point Average (GPA): the average obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned (grade points are assigned to letter grades) by the total number of credits attempted.
Admission Standards 2012
–13 FIRST-TIME ENTERING STUDENTS Minimum High School Performance Criteria for Admission Option 1 Minimum ACT/SAT 24 ACT or 1090 SAT 24 ACT or 1090 SAT AND 3.0 GPA or top 50% 24 ACT or 1090 SAT AND 3.0 GPA or top 50% 20 ACT or 940 SAT No minimum required. You don’t need to make certain scores, but you shouldtake required high school classes AND graduate from an accredited highschool or have a GED AND take the ACT exam. Option 2 Minimum GPA and Class Rank 3.0 GPA AND top 33% 3.0 GPA AND top 25% 2.7 GPA AND top 50% 3.0 GPA AND top 25% Option 3 Minimum GPA1 in the 15-Unit Core 3.0 GPA AND 21 ACT or 980 SAT 3.0 GPA AND 22 ACT or 1020 SAT 2.7 GPA 3.0 GPA AND 22 ACT or 1020 SAT University of Oklahoma (resident)3 Oklahoma State University2 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Regional Universities COMMUNITY COLLEGES
The Grades
to Make If you want to attend an Oklahoma college or university, you must meet certain requirements. When you apply for admission, public colleges and universities will look at… • Your score on a national standardized test (ACT or SAT). • Your overall grade point average (GPA) and its ranking within your high school class OR • Your GPA in the 15 core courses required for college entry. it may take just a little more planning than that...
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Thinking Ahead
A great way to speed up your college career is to consider earning college credit even before you graduate from high school – as early as your junior year. Taking advantage of these opportunities can save you time, tuition, and room and board and will also prepare you for the demands of college. Ask your high school counselor what options are available at your school. • Advanced Placement (AP) courses allow students to take college-level course work in high school and possibly receive credit at Oklahoma colleges and universities. • Concurrent enrollment allows eligible high school students (juniors and seniors) to take credit-earning college courses. • The Cooperative Alliance program allows high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit toward an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree or college technical certificate by taking college-level courses taught at technology centers across the state. To learn more about these options, visit www.OKcollegestart.org. 1Additional weighting (1.0) will be added to GPAs of students who take Advanced Placement and higher-level International Baccalaureate courses. 2A fourth option is available at OSU. Students who score between current OSU admission standards and the minimum State Regents’ standards – 22 ACT/1020 SAT or unweighted high school core curriculum GPA of at least 3.0 – may undergo a review of cognitive and non-cognitive factors. Cognitive factors include noted academic admission standards; quality, quantity and level of coursework throughout the entire high school program; completion of a progressively challenging math sequence, demonstrated by performance; and class rank taken in context with academic rigor and class size of high school attended. Non-cognitive factors include positive self-concept, realistic self-appraisal, long-term goals, leadership experience, community and knowledge in an acquired field. Cognitive factors will be weighted at 60 percent and non-cognitive at 40 percent. 3Students meeting the following requirements under each admission option will be placed on a waiting list and evaluated according to stated policy: Option 1 - students with the required ACT score but less than a 3.0 GPA and lower than the top 50 percent of the high school class; Option 2 - students in the top 26-30 percent of their high school class with at least a 3.0 GPA; and Option 3 - all students. Paying for College
Although some colleges can be expensive, costs vary from institution to institution. Fortunately, the cost of attending an Oklahoma state college or university is among the lowest in the nation. In addition, the availability of financial aid from various sources can make college even more affordable for qualified students. There’s no reason to give up on your college plan!
Types of Schools
Research University: an institution that grants bachelor’s, graduate and professional degrees and offers a wide variety of courses and degree programs. Generally, they have large student bodies and expansive campuses. Regional University: an institution that offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and in some instances, associate or professional degrees. They tend to have mid-sized student populations and campuses. Community College: an institution that grants associate degrees for transfer to four-year institutions or for career preparation. They usually offer flexible class schedules with smaller class sizes. Technical Branch: an institution that has a special emphasis on education and training in technical fields. Some technical branches offer academic courses and programs, but not all institutions offer two-year programs leading to an associate degree. Types of Degrees Certificate: recognition awarded for an organized program of study that does not lead to an academic degree. Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree: a degree awarded upon completion of two years of full-time college work (at least 60 credit hours). The State Regents recognize two types of associate degrees that transfer to any university. Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree: a degree requiring two years of full-time college work (at least 60 credit hours) that emphasizes an occupational specialty and is designed to lead the individual directly to employment. Some AAS degrees may lead to a Bachelor of Technology degree. Bachelor’s Degree (also referred to as a baccalaureate degree): a degree requiring four years of full-time college work (at least 120 credit hours). The State Regents recognize three types of bachelor’s degrees - Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of (Specialty), such as Music, Engineering, etc.
Glossary
Credit Hour: credit given for attending one lecture hour of class each week for 16 weeks or equivalent. Most college classes are three credit hours, meaning the total meeting time for a week is three hours. Tuition: payment that students make to cover costs of their classes. Mandatory Fees: fees used to support the institution and support service facilities. You also need to consider what type of school and what kind of degree you are going after. you have just as many OPTIONS when it comes to paying for college as well. There are lots of different options so there is no reason to ever give up on your college plans!
Expenses
Research Regional Community Technical Universities Universities Colleges Branches Tuition $4,076 $3,537 $2,206 $2,802 Mandatory Fees $3,040 $1,155 $819 $828 Average Academic Service Fees $858 $292 $60 $113 Room and Board* $6,880 $4,543 $4,437 $5,030 Books and Supplies $1,042 $1,105 $1,230 $1,620 TOTAL $15,896 $10,632 $8,752 $10,393 4 2011-12 Estimated Average Costs for Resident Students at Oklahoma Public Colleges and Universities (30 credit hours) *Room and board estimates are based on a student living in a traditional dormitory with a roommate and participating in a board (meal) plan. Many institutions offer a wide variety of room and board plans that may be more or less than the average reported above. Helpful
Resources OKcollegestart.org www.OKcollegestart.org ACT Financial Aid Need Estimator www.act.org/fane ACT Student Center www.actstudent.org FastWeb Free Scholarship Search www.fastweb.com Federal Student Aid www.studentaid.ed.gov Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.gov Mapping Your Future www.mappingyourfuture.org Oklahoma College Assistance Program www.ocap.org Oklahoma College Savings Plan www.ok4saving.org Oklahoma GEAR UP www.okhighered.org/gearup Oklahoma Money Matters www.oklahomamoneymatters. org Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG) www.otag.org Oklahoma’s Promise www.okpromise.org UCanGo2 www.ucango2.org
Financial Aid
Here are a few things you can do to plan ahead… • Sign up for Oklahoma’s Promise now if your family meets requirements outlined at www. okpromise.org. • Explore www.OKcollegestart.org and www.ocap. org to learn more about paying for college. • Start researching the colleges you’re interested in and learn what types of financial aid they offer. Find out if they have scholarships in the field you’re interested in and what the requirements are so you can plan early to apply. • Ask family members to open an Oklahoma College Savings Plan account by calling 877.654.7284 or visiting www.ok4saving.org. • Learn about the student financial aid application process and programs by calling or visiting the websites for the resources listed in this brochure. • Investigate other financial aid programs. • Talk to your school counselor. Counselors have lots of resources that can help you as you plan for college.
Types of Financial Aid
Scholarships: awards given for a variety of reasons, such as good grades, special talents or career paths. Grants: aid that’s generally based on financial need and that doesn’t have to be repaid. Work-study (student employment): money earned by working part-time at a college or university. Loans: borrowed money that must be repaid over time with interest.
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ya know what? with all the options and help out there, i think i have a new plan. A plan for college! Follow these steps and it will help get the ball rolling in the right direction.
now tha
t sounds like a plan. Financial Aid Resources
Oklahoma’s Promise allows students to earn free college tuition if they meet certain academic and conduct requirements in high school. You must sign up in the eighth, ninth or 10th grade, and your family’s income cannot be more than $50,000 per year at the time you apply. There are additional financial, academic and conduct requirements to get and keep the scholarship in college. www.okpromise.org or 800.858.1840 Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant Program (OTAG) is a need-based grant program for Oklahoma residents who attend eligible colleges, universities and career technology centers in Oklahoma. Awards are approved for full-time or part-time undergraduate students. Application is made through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). www.otag.org or 800.858.1840 Oklahoma College Assistance Program (OCAP), formerly known as OGSLP, is a nonprofit division of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education that provides college access, financial literacy, default prevention and student loan management programs and services to support students, parents, educators and campuses. www.ocap.org or 800.442.8642 Oklahoma College Savings Plan offers tax advantages, including a state income tax deduction up to $10,000. Initial contributions are as little as $100, and continuing contributions as small as $25 or $15 through payroll deduction. Funds can be withdrawn as needed and used for college expenses at nearly all colleges and universities in the United States. www.ok4saving.org or 877.654.7284 Oklahoma Money Matters (OKMM), the financial literacy initiative of the State Regents and OCAP, offers information and resources to help students and parents prepare financially for college, strengthen family financial planning and empower young adults with money management skills for independent living. www.oklahomamoneymatters.org or 800.970.OKMM (6566)
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it's never too early to start
your 1.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater www.okstate.edu • 800.233.5019 2. OSU Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa www.healthsciences.okstate.edu • 800.677.1972 3. OSU-Tulsa www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu • 800.364.0710 4. University of Oklahoma, Norman www.ou.edu • 800.234.6868 5. OU Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City www.ouhsc.edu • 877.577.5655 6. OU-Tulsa www.ou.edu/tulsa • 918.660.3000 44. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Okmulgee www.osuit.edu • 800.722.4471 45. Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City www.osuokc.edu • 800.560.4099 46. Ardmore Higher Education Center www.ahec.osrhe.edu • 580.223.1441 47. Downtown College Consortium www.downtowncollege.com • 405.232.3382 48. Langston University, Oklahoma City www.langston.edu/lu-oklahoma_city.aspx • 405.962.1620 49. Northern Oklahoma College, Stillwater www.north-ok.edu • 405.744.2246 50. University Center at Ponca City www.ucponcacity.com • 580.762.2856 7. Cameron University, Lawton www.cameron.edu • 888.454.7600 8. Cameron University, Duncan www.cameron.edu/duncan • 877.282.3626 9. East Central University, Ada www.ecok.edu • 580.332.8000 10. Langston University, Langston www.langston.edu • 877.466.2231 11. Langston University, Tulsa www.langston.edu/lu-tulsa.aspx • 918.877.8100 12. Northeastern State University, Tahlequah www.nsuok.edu • 800.722.9614 13. Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow www.nsuba.edu • 918.449.6000 14. Northeastern State University, Muskogee www.nsuok.edu/muskogee • 918.683.0040 15. Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Alva www.nwosu.edu • 580.327.1700 16. Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Enid www.nwosu.edu/enid • 580.237.0334 17. Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Woodward www.nwosu.edu/woodward • 580.256.0047 18. Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell www.opsu.edu • 800.664.6778 19. Rogers State University, Claremore www.rsu.edu • 800.256.7511 20. Rogers State University, Bartlesville www.rsu.edu/bartlesville • 918.338.8000 21. Rogers State University, Pryor www.rsu.edu/pryor • 918.825.6117 22. Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant www.se.edu • 800.435.1327 23. Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Idabel www.se.edu/mccurtain • 888.286.9431 24. Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford www.swosu.edu • 580.772.6611 25. Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Sayre www.swosu.edu/sayre • 580.928.5533 26. University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond www.uco.edu • 405.974.2000 27. University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha* www.usao.edu • 800.933.8726 28. Carl Albert State College, Poteau www.carlalbert.edu • 918.647.1200 29. Carl Albert State College, Sallisaw www.carlalbert.edu/sallisaw • 918.775.6977 30. Connors State College, Warner www.connorsstate.edu • 918.463.2931 31. Connors State College, Muskogee www.connorsstate.edu • 918.687.6747 32. Eastern Oklahoma State College, Wilburton www.eosc.edu • 918.465.2361 33. Eastern Oklahoma State College, McAlester www.eosc.edu/mcalester • 918.426.5272 34. Murray State College, Tishomingo www.mscok.edu • 580.371.2371 35. Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Miami www.neo.edu • 888.464.6636 36. Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa www.north-ok.edu • 580.628.6200 37. Northern Oklahoma College, Enid www.north-ok.edu • 580.242.6300 38. Oklahoma City Community College www.occc.edu • 405.682.1611 39. Redlands Community College, El Reno www.redlandscc.edu • 866.415.6367 40. Rose State College, Midwest City www.rose.edu • 866.621.0987 41. Seminole State College, Seminole www.sscok.edu • 405.382.9950 42. Tulsa Community College www.tulsacc.edu • 918.595.7000 43. Western Oklahoma State College, Altus www.wosc.edu • 580.477.2000 Current as of september 2011
Oklahoma Public Colleges & Universities
Research Universities Technical Branches HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS/SITES Regional Universities Community Colleges
PLAN YOUR
VISIT TODAY!
For more
information about Oklahoma colleges and universities: www.OKcollegestart.org 800.858.1840 (Student Information Hotline) Ask your counselor to see the 2011-12 Counselors’ Resource Book.
*Oklahoma’s Public Liberal Arts University
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, in compliance with Titles VI an
d VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations, do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, handicap or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. This publication, printed by Printed by OU Printing Services is issued by the State Regents as authorized by 70 O.S. 2001, Section 3206. 186,000 copies have been printed at a cost of ap-proximately $17,500. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. This publication was produced in September 2011.