Financial Aid
The "Free Application for Federal Student Aid" is commonly shortened to this acronym. This form is filled out annually by prospective and current college students in the United States to determine if they qualify for: 1) pell grants (free money from the government) or 2) federal loans (borrowed money from the government that one pays back after graduation).
What is: FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid? You and your parents will fill it out for the first time when applying for college (senior year).
These are 4 things that you need to apply to college.
What are:
ACT/SAT score, High School Diploma and Transcripts, and a completed College Application?
College can be lonely as a freshman. Which one of these things could you join to make friends?
a. join the band or an auxiliary group
b. volunteer, mentor high school youth, help enrich your community
c. join a social club (green club for activists, cooking clubs for bakers, or the robotics club for scientists)
d. join a sorority or fraternity, a "sisterhood" or "brotherhood" of like-minded friends
What is: ALL OF THE ABOVE? You can make new friends by joining the band, volunteering, joining a club, or fraternity/sorority.
This is the most important thing to know before agreeing to attend a college.
What is: The Cost of Attendance? The average student loan debt for a college student that graduated in 2017 is $40,000. Before going to school it is important to know how much it costs to attend so you'll know if you'll be able to pay back the loan amount.
What is better:
a. getting an A in a regular (non-honors/non-IB/non-AP class) class
OR
b. getting a B in an advanced (honors/IB/AP) class
What is: neither is better or worse. [Though it is important to try and maintain the highest possible GPA that you can to qualify for as many scholarships as possible]
This is a brief summary; a short written account of one's education, working experience, or qualifications for a job
What is: a Resume? Most high school counselors will ask you to make a resume when you first apply to colleges.
This is the average monthly student loan payment.
a: $100
b: $200
c. $300
d. $400
What is: D. $400? Each month, college graduates pay about $400 a month in an effort to re-pay their student loan debts.
This is the person who can help you pick a major, re-take a class, and they help make sure you're qualified to graduate. This person is a type of counselor.
What is: an Academic Advisor. Academic advisors are a type of counselor who works with students to help them choose a major/minor, gives them advice, and makes sure they have all the requirements needed for graduation.
When you specialize in a particular subject at a college or a university, it is called this.
What is: a Major?
This is one way to make extra money while in college.
a. find a campus job (tutor other college students, work as a resident assistant, work as a research assistant, work at an on-campus store)
b. rob one (or three) professors
c. find a paid summer internship or summer job - use the money you earn to pay for school
What is: A. Find a campus job (tutor other college students, work as a resident assistant, work as a research assistant, work at an on-campus store) AND C. Find a paid summer internship or summer job - use the money you earn to pay for school.
Most students go to in-state, instead of out-of-state schools. This is because..
"In-state" schools are less expensive to attend than out-of-state schools. For instance, UMD tuition is $11,000 for Maryland residents (in-state) and $34,000 for non-Maryland residents (out-of-state).
This is a federal program that provides part time employment opportunities for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational costs.
What is: Work Study?
This is one way to save money while attending college.
a. go to a local college, live with your parents, save money on housing and food
b. go to a community college first, then transfer to a larger, 4-year school (similar to the first option, but you would be leaving half-way through school)
c. join the military, the military will pay your way through school in exchange for a certain amount of years of service
d. work in your field as you go to school. artist? sell your art. STEM major? do research, tutor others, become a teacher's assistant. none of the above? work somewhere easy and fun for extra cash and free food.
What is: All of the Above? If you'd like to save money while attending college consider: going to a local or community college, joining the armed forces, or working your way through school.
Name five (5) Maryland 4-year schools.
Maryland Institute College of Art, University of Baltimore, Coppin State University, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland, Towson, Stevenson University, Bowie State University, United States Naval Academy, Washington College, Catholic University of America, and Notre Dame of Maryland University. (the list goes on!)
This is a 2-year college degree from a community college, university, college, or technical school. The recipient of [blank] can then transfer the credits towards a 4 year Bachelor's Degree
What is: Associate's Degree?