Post Secondary Post Secondary EducationEducation

“The Road To College: The College Process and Financial

Aid”

Get Excited!Get Excited!

College is possible Choose a college/university that is right

for you Choose a program of study that will

meet your needs and prepare you for your future

Make smart decisions about how to finance your education

Attend a College Fair…Attend a College Fair…or Two!or Two!

2010 Chicago Performing and Visual Arts College FairSaturday, October 9th, 2:00-4:00 PM at Roosevelt University, Auditorium Building, 430 S. Michigan Ave.

2010 National College Fair, Saturday, October 23rd, 11:00-3:00 PM at Navy Pier, 600 East Grand

Ave.

National Portfolio Day Sunday, October 24th, 10:00-2:00 PM at School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 280 S. Columbus Dr.

ASM/AAEP Gallery 37 - Fall 2010 College FairTuesday, November 2nd, 2:30-6:30 PM at Chicago Cultural Center

G.A.R. Hall and G.A.R. Rotunda, 78 East Randolph St.

Ask Yourself…Ask Yourself… How far from home do you want to go? Do you want to attend a school in an

urban, suburban or rural environment? What size school do you want to attend? What programs of study are you

considering? Do you wish to participate in any

specific extra-curricular activities?

ART SCHOOL, LIBERAL ART SCHOOL, LIBERAL ARTS and PUBLIC ARTS and PUBLIC

SCHOOLS….SCHOOLS….

What’s the difference?

Art SchoolArt School

Commitment to art Students focus on a career in art Most offer BFA degree programs Broad range of art specializations Comparatively small-intimate

supportive campus

Liberal Arts CollegeLiberal Arts College

Offer an education that exposes you to a variety of topics in addition to art

Are often small private institutions Most offer a BA/BS degree programs

some offer BFA degree programs Other options including: humanities, social sciences, languages,

mathematics

Public UniversitiesPublic Universities

Typically large in size Funded by the state Offer a wide range of majors and

minors Options include; Communications,

Laboratory Sciences, Business, Engineering

DEGREESDEGREES

What’s the Difference?

Associate’s Degree:Associate’s Degree: An associate degree is an academic

degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, business colleges and some bachelor’s degree- granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years.

A.A.= Associate in Arts A.S. = Associate in Science

Bachelor’s DegreeBachelor’s Degree A bachelor's degree is an

undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years

B.A. = Bachelor of Arts B.S. = Bachelor of Science B.M. = Bachelor of Music

Bachelor’s of Fine ArtsBachelor’s of Fine ArtsB.F.AB.F.A

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, or BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts.

The degree differs from a Bachelor of Arts degree in that a typical BFA program consists of two-thirds study in the arts, with one-third in more general liberal arts studies.

Before you begin:Before you begin:

Know your deadlines Have you taken and received the

appropriate tests? (ACT/SAT) Do you need a portfolio? Decide on at least 5 colleges you

plan on applying to

College Application College Application Requirements!Requirements!

Application Form Application Fee High School Transcript Admission Test Scores Letters of Recommendation Essay Portfolio (Art Program) Artist Statement (Art Program) Audition (Performing Arts)

College Essay College Essay & Artist Statement& Artist Statement

Brainstorm ideas Be unique Don’t be afraid to write about

personal experiences Write multiple drafts Have more than one person read

your essay and give you positive feedback

Proofread your work for grammar and spelling

PAYING FOR PAYING FOR COLLEGE!COLLEGE!

FAFSAFAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Free Application for Federal Student

AidAid

The Federal Government offers need based financial aid

Money is awarded on a first come first served basis…so apply early

Don’t be afraid to provide the FAFSA with tax information

Apply online @ www.fasa.ed.gov Ask for help

FINANCING OPTIONSFINANCING OPTIONS

SCHOLARSHIPS GRANTS LOANS

SCHOLARSHIPSCHOLARSHIP

A scholarship is an award of access to an

institution, or a financial aid award given to

an individual student scholar, for the purpose

of furthering their education

Types of Types of ScholarshipsScholarships

Merit-based Athletic Need-based Ethnicity-based Institutional-based General

Scholarship Search: Scholarship Search: Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

Search often: new scholarships are posted weekly and even daily

If your counselor or postsecondary coach recommends that you apply for a scholarship, Just Do It!

Watch out for scholarship scams Make sure you have all the

necessary documents

Awesome ScholarshipsAwesome Scholarships

The Gates Millennium Scholarship The Posse Scholarship Scholarship Chicago Chicago Mercantile Exchange United Negro College Fund Hispanic Heritage Awards Golden Apple

GRANTSGRANTS

In the United States Federal Grants areeconomic aid issued by the United Statesgovernment out of the general federalrevenue.

*You do not have to pay grants back!

LOANSLOANS

A loan is a type of “self-help” aid that letsyou borrow money from the government, banks or other lending institutions. Sinceit’s “self-help” aid, it must be paid back

withadded interest.

Types of Loans:Types of Loans:

Subsidized: Eligibility for subsidized loans is based on financial need. The federal government pays the interest while you are in school and you begin interest payments after you graduate.

Unsubsidized: Eligibility for unsubsidized loans is not based on your financial need and you are responsible for the interest from the date the funds are disbursed.

More Loans: More Loans:

The Federal Stafford Loan Program allows you to borrow money with low interest for educational expenses.

Federal Plus Loan Program allows parents to borrow on behalf of their dependent undergraduate students, or graduate and professional students to borrow on their own behalf.

SHOW ME THE SHOW ME THE NUMBERS!NUMBERS!

Example:Example:Rita takes out a Federal Stafford Loan for

$20,000

Number of Years 10Interest Rate (%) 6.8Amount Borrowed $20,000.00------------------------------------------------Number of Payments 120Estimated Monthly Payment $230.16Total Principal and Interest $27,619.00

Award Letter: Award Letter: Read it Carefully!Read it Carefully!

Read your award letter carefully. Look for instructions for your next

steps. Remember, unless otherwise

stated, this letter applies only to the upcoming semester or school year.

Remember: Remember:

Make copies of all you application materials

Be responsible Be organized (Use a checklist) Start early Know your deadlines Proofread everything Ask for help