Wisconsin CovenantWisconsin Covenant

An Opportunity for An Opportunity for Wisconsin’s 8Wisconsin’s 8thth graders! graders!

What is the Covenant?What is the Covenant?

The goal of the Wisconsin Covenant is for 8th grade students to aspire to higher education. If students are willing to work hard during high school, college is possible.

Are you currently in the 8Are you currently in the 8thth grade? grade? Are you a Wisconsin resident and do Are you a Wisconsin resident and do

you attend school in Wisconsin?you attend school in Wisconsin? Do you plan to graduate from a Do you plan to graduate from a

Wisconsin high school?Wisconsin high school? Are you thinking about going to Are you thinking about going to

school after high school?school after high school? Are you willing to work hard and do Are you willing to work hard and do

your best while in high school?your best while in high school?

If you answered yes to those questions, you can sign the

covenant!

You can sign the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge from April 14, 2008 to September 30, 2008. Students cannot sign the pledge at any other time.

What do I have to do?What do I have to do?

Parts of the CovenantParts of the Covenant

I will graduate from a Wisconsin high

school.

I will maintain a B average while in high

school.

I will take classes in high school that will prepare me

for entrance into higher education and will meet or exceed college entrance

requirements.

I will demonstrate good citizenship and engage in activities

that support my community.

I will apply for state and federal financial

aid in a timely manner.

I will apply and do all that is necessary to gain admission to a University of Wisconsin

system institution, Wisconsin Technical College, and/or

Wisconsin private college or university.

If I do these things, If I do these things, what can I expect to what can I expect to

get?get? Support from the Wisconsin Covenant

Community.

When I fulfill the When I fulfill the covenant requirements, covenant requirements,

what can I expect?what can I expect? You’ll be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar. You’ll be guaranteed a place in a University of

Wisconsin system institution, Wisconsin Technical College, or Wisconsin private college or university.

You’ll be given a financial aid package based on my family’s federally-defined financial need.

Why should I sign?Why should I sign?

Signing the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge encourages you to set goals and the Wisconsin Covenant community will give you valuable post-high school information.

You can expect to have a place at a Wisconsin post-secondary institution and financial assistance if their family needs it.

If a student who fulfills the pledge and goes to school out of state or doesn’t need financial assistance, the student will still be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar.

What if I don’t sign the pledge or don’t fulfill the pledge?

This is an optional program and you are not required to sign the pledge. If for some reason you do not fulfill the pledge requirements, you can still apply to colleges and for financial aid. Not being recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar does not prohibit anyone from attending a post-secondary school.

High school TransitionHigh school Transition

9th Grade = Transition9th Grade = Transition Work hard to get good grades.Work hard to get good grades. Become involved in a wide variety of Become involved in a wide variety of

activities.activities. Select appropriate 10th grade Select appropriate 10th grade

courses.courses. Plan meaningful summer activities.Plan meaningful summer activities.

Continue…Continue…

10th Grade = Exploration10th Grade = Exploration Work hard to get good grades.Work hard to get good grades. Be involved in activities and develop your Be involved in activities and develop your

leadership skills.leadership skills. Sign up for the PLAN test. Sign up for the PLAN test. Explore and discuss college options.Explore and discuss college options. Select appropriate courses for the 11th Select appropriate courses for the 11th

grade.grade.

Continue…Continue…

11th Grade = Planning11th Grade = Planning Work hard to get good grades.Work hard to get good grades. Continue to be involved in activities and Continue to be involved in activities and

develop your leadership skills.develop your leadership skills. Register for the PSAT in September.Register for the PSAT in September. Think about and explore college Think about and explore college

options.options. Register for the ACT/SAT early in the Register for the ACT/SAT early in the

spring.spring.

Continue…Continue…

12th Grade = Decision12th Grade = Decision Continue to work hard to get good grades.Continue to work hard to get good grades. Sign up to take ACT/SAT test if necessary.Sign up to take ACT/SAT test if necessary. Complete college applications in the fallComplete college applications in the fall Complete financial aid and scholarship Complete financial aid and scholarship

application forms. application forms. Make the decision on what college you Make the decision on what college you

want to attend. want to attend.

I need to earn at least these I need to earn at least these credits for graduationcredits for graduation

EnglishEnglish 4 credits4 creditsMathMath 2 credits2 creditsSoc. St.Soc. St. 3.5 credits3.5 creditsScienceScience 2 credits2 creditsPhysical Ed.Physical Ed. 1.5 credits1.5 creditsHealthHealth 1 credit1 creditElectivesElectives 9 credits9 credits

TOTAL=TOTAL= 23 CREDITS23 CREDITS

I am recommended to take these I am recommended to take these courses to prepare for collegecourses to prepare for college

• 4 credits of English4 credits of English• 3 credits of Math3 credits of Math• 3 credits of Science3 credits of Science• 3 credits Social Studies / History3 credits Social Studies / History• 2 credits World Language2 credits World Language• Additional elective credits related to Additional elective credits related to

your career interests.your career interests.

Why would I Why would I want to want to

continue my continue my education after education after

high school?high school?

2007 Salary and 2007 Salary and Unemployment Statistics Unemployment Statistics

from the Bureau of from the Bureau of Labor StatisticsLabor Statistics

HS DropoutHS Dropout Nat. avg. annual salary: Nat. avg. annual salary: $22,256$22,256 Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate: 7.1%7.1% Quality of life issues:Quality of life issues:

Health Insurance Issues - Most jobs won’t have.Health Insurance Issues - Most jobs won’t have. Housing - Very limited to what you can afford it.Housing - Very limited to what you can afford it. Occupational Advantage - Not very likely.Occupational Advantage - Not very likely. Recreation - Will have to make choice between “fund Recreation - Will have to make choice between “fund

stuff” stuff” and necessities. and necessities.

HS GradHS Grad Nat. aver. Annual salary:Nat. aver. Annual salary: $31,408$31,408 Unemployment rate:Unemployment rate: 4.4%4.4% Quality of life issues:Quality of life issues:

Health insurance issues - Better chance for Some Health insurance issues - Better chance for Some benefit. benefit.

Housing - More options to select from.Housing - More options to select from. Occupational Advancement - Limited for promotion.Occupational Advancement - Limited for promotion. Recreation - Limited funds for “fun stuff”Recreation - Limited funds for “fun stuff”

2 Year College2 Year College Nat. avg. annual salary:Nat. avg. annual salary: $38,480$38,480 Unemployment rate:Unemployment rate: 3.0%3.0% Quality of life issues:Quality of life issues:

Health insurance Issues - Many jobs have Health insurance Issues - Many jobs have benefitsbenefits

Housing - More options where you can live.Housing - More options where you can live. Occupational Adv. - Opportunity to be Occupational Adv. - Opportunity to be

promotedpromoted Recreation - More capability to spend on “fun Recreation - More capability to spend on “fun

stuff”stuff”

4 Year College4 Year College Nat. avg. annual salary:Nat. avg. annual salary: $51,324$51,324 Unemployment rate:Unemployment rate: 2.2%2.2% Quality of life issues:Quality of life issues:

Health insurance - Most jobs will have benefitsHealth insurance - Most jobs will have benefits Housing - Owning a home is not a financial Housing - Owning a home is not a financial

burdenburden Occupational Adv. - Most jobs have opp. to adv.Occupational Adv. - Most jobs have opp. to adv. Recreation - Many forms of rec. are availableRecreation - Many forms of rec. are available

Advanced DegreeAdvanced Degree Nat. avg. annual salary:Nat. avg. annual salary: $69,212$69,212 Unemployment rate:Unemployment rate: 1.6%1.6% Quality of life issues:Quality of life issues:

Health insurance - Almost always includedHealth insurance - Almost always included Housing - Several options for home ownershipHousing - Several options for home ownership Occupational Adv. - Great opportunity.Occupational Adv. - Great opportunity. Recreation - Financial security to make “guilt Recreation - Financial security to make “guilt

free”free”

Questions?Questions?

Thank you and have a nice dayThank you and have a nice day