Florida ged plus college Preparation Program Curriculum and Resource Guide
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- Navigate this page:
- Choosing a College
- Paying for College
College ClassesCollege classes can be conducted via lecture, lab work, or even through distance learning. In college, students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning. They should treat college like a job and make sure that they are on time and prepared for each day of class. College classes can be quite large. In many of the general education courses, there may be several hundred students in a lecture hall. As students focus on their major course of study, the classes often tend to be smaller. Learning is each student’s responsibility. If the student doesn’t attend a class or doesn’t spend time studying and preparing for the next class, he/she will have problems. Unlike most adult education classes, students must be prepared for homework and learn how to budget their time and energy. College professors expect their students to be prepared for class, to participate in discussions, and to not make excuses. Choosing a CollegeThe decision to attend college must be planned. Selecting a college depends on the students’ interests, career goals, academic record, family and work responsibilities, and the cost to attend. Students should look at:
Before choosing a college, each student should develop a plan that outlines how he/she will address each of the issues listed above. To assist students in the decision-making process, invite recruitment staff from local colleges and universities to talk to students about what is available locally. Schedule a time for the class to visit the recruitment office and allow time for a tour of the campus. Paying for CollegeMost people do not have sufficient funds to just write a check for college. They depend on financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and/or scholarships. Students should be aware that financial aid is available, but that the process will require some work on their part. Financial aid can’t be completed at the last minute. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The starting point for financial aid is the FAFSA website which includes general information on financial aid and worksheets that students can complete before filing a form online. This site also allows students to file online for a wide range of federal aid, including loans, grants, and work-study programs. The FAFSA website is located at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Scholarships from Colleges In addition to federal financial aid, colleges often provide scholarships to help students cover tuition, housing, and other costs. Scholarships may be funded by the college, specific academic departments, or even alumni. There are several types of scholarships provided including: merit-based, need-based, and athletic-based. Students should check with the college’s financial aid office to find out what may be available to them. Scholarships from Other Sources There are also scholarships available from businesses, churches, foundations, and community organizations. FastWeb is one of the nation’s largest and most complete sources of local, national, and college-specific scholarship information. The service is free to students. FastWeb can be accessed at: www.fastweb.monster.com. Veterans’ Programs Students who have served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces may be eligible for educational benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs. The department also provides educational assistance to eligible widows or widowers and children of veterans who died while in service or after discharge from a service-connected disability. Florida veterans may also be eligible for tuition wavers provided by the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs. Active Florida Guard members in good standing as of June 30, 1997 are exempt from payment of one-half of tuition and fees. Individuals who enlist in the Guard after June 30, 1997 are eligible for full exemption of tuition and fees. Students who are veterans should check with the local financial aid office for more information about tuition waivers and exemptions. Grants There are two types of grants provided from the U.S. Department of Education:
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. In some cases, students may be approved to receive a Pell Grant for attending a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program. The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need – students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – and gives priority to those students who receive Federal Pell Grants. An FSEOG doesn’t have to be paid back. For more information on federal financial aid, students may wish to download the The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education. The guide is available at: http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/2003_2004/english/index.htm. Work-Study Programs Work-study programs are another way students can access financial aid for college. Eligibility for federal work-study programs is determined based on financial need, satisfactory academic progress, and enrollment of half-time or more. Work-study programs are usually operated by the college’s student employment office and include jobs such as office or library assistant, cafeteria helper, and lab assistant. Campus Jobs (Other Than Work Study) Students can also find employment on college campuses. Many colleges employ students for administrative, research, and technical tasks. The local college student employment office should have details on job opportunities on campus. Loans There are two types of federal loans for which students may apply. The Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan and Federal Perkins Loan are based on financial need. The Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students are two that are available to students regardless of financial need. Florida residents may also be eligible for loans through the Florida Department of Education. Florida provides two excellent sites for additional information about planning and paying for college. They are:
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/home/uamain.asp
http://www.mapping-your-future.org/ Finding and Using the Resources of the Chosen College Once the student has selected a college, GED PLUS instructors can assist the student with orientation to the campus. If a number of students have selected a local college, a tour can be arranged to familiarize the students to the new environment. Find out the date(s) of the orientation, so the student can plan to attend. At a minimum, a map and other materials (see college website) can be provided and discussed to help the student adapt to an unfamiliar (and sometimes intimidating) environment. Discuss the services of key facilities such as the registrar, the admissions office, the cashier, student services (financial aid, career services, counseling, health services and student recreation facilities), the library and computer labs as well as basics such as student parking and food services. Arrange for or suggest an orientation to library services and note the availability of a reference librarian to assist students with computer searches and other library services. If there is campus child care available and needed by the students, assist them in finding information about hours, fees and available subsidies. The student health services may offer workshops on hygiene, fitness, family problems, substance abuse and communicable diseases. The counseling office may have resources to assist students with relationship skills (negotiating conflict and working in teams) and basic money management. Directory: documents documents -> Concept stage documents -> Concept stage documents -> The great global switch-off documents -> Nonprofit grant application documents -> The Truth about the Rwandan Genocide documents -> Annual InStructional unit plan documents -> Chaos equipment included Download 1.65 Mb. Share with your friends:
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