You Are On Your Way….

Getting to College with a GED

Christy Rupert, M.S.

Who am I and why am I here? Who?

– I am an employee of the Calvert County Health Department Core Service Agency

Why?– I believe you can obtain a college education if you

desire one– You need to know the process of college admissions if

you want to get to college– To explore college as an option for you and how

college can benefit you• One benefit of college is the opportunity to make more

money…and we all like money!!!!

Education is Your Key Your GED is your key

– Since you passed the Official GED Practice Exam your chances of passing the GED are very, very high! Congratulations and keep studying!

What are some reasons you are here to obtain your GED?– To prove that you are smart– To get a better job– To set an example for your family– It’s the right thing to do– High school was not right for you – So you can make more money– You want to go to college

Education is Your Key Any reason you are here

is a good reason! The more education you

have the more likely you are to:– Be healthy– Stay out of jail– Make more money– Positively impact your

young children’s learning

(www.collegeboard.com Education Pays 2004)

Education is Your Key High School is not the only way

to get an education! We know traditional high

school does not work for everyone!!! 7,000 students a day choose to leave high school! (www.choices.org/documents/PrivateDonors.pdf)

GED credentials make up about one-sixth of the high school completion credentials! (www.questia.com Boesel, D., 1998)

Three-quarters of a million people who do not finish high school take the GED test a year! (www.questia.com Boesel, D., 1998)

So What Happens After the GED? So you passed the tests! Congrats, now what? Work?!?!?

– Most jobs require special training and education! • “…the share of jobs requiring at least some college education has

grown from 28 percent to more than 60 percent. Even on the factory floor, the share of jobs requiring at least some college has grown from 8 percent to 31 percent.” http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4389/is_200405/ai_n15294817/

– Careers that require special training include:• Cosmetology• Construction• Business• Auto Mechanics• Information and Technology

What about college as an option for you?– You can major in these fields and so many more.– The benefits of the GED multiply the more you continue your

education!

Why College? Remember all the benefits of the

GED?– They keep increasing!

• Better employment rate• Less use of social services• Healthier• MORE money• MORE job opportunities (www.collegeboard.com)

1 in 20 college students have their GED (www.wikapedia.com)

Surveys have found that more than 65% of GED students are taking the tests to continue their education beyond high school, not just to get a better job. (www.wikapedia.com)

Are you here to continue on to college?

GED is Your Key to College

The GED says you are academically competent! (www.diplomaguide.com)

More than 90% of colleges will accept a GED for admission (www.diplomaguide.com)

Other keys to college Tests Money Letters of

Recommendation Completing the

application Meeting timelines

(Let’s look at each of these individually)

Tests Do you have to take the SAT or ACT to get into college?

– NO Do most colleges want SAT and ACT scores?

– Yes Can you get to a four year college without the SAT or

ACT?– Yes

Do you want to take your SAT or ACT?– It is your decision and if you choose to take that exam, staff here

can assist you with learning how– There are also practice tests and prep classes for these exams– Check out http://www.princetonreview.com/ or go to your local

library for books on practice exams

Money to Pay for College Who worries about money?

– Most of us!!!! Do you think it will cost you a lot to get to

college?– Yes and No

• Tuition can range anywhere from $9,000 to $35,000 a year (www.collegeboard.com)

• You can receive financial aid for your educational costs• Financial aid can cover tuition, books, and other materials• Apply early while there is still money available• There are other options to help pay for college, like

AmeriCorps

How to Access Money/ Financial Aid Grants, Scholarships and Loans Grants

– Free federal dollars to help your pay for a college degree– To apply for finical aid you complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid

(FAFSA)– Let’s look at the FAFSA together– You can check your eligibility online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Scholarships– Think you will qualify for a scholarship?

• The criteria may not be what you think– Great places to look for scholarships are:

• http://www.studentscholarshipsearch.com/• http://www.nextstudent.com• http://www.collegeboard.com

How to Access Money/Financial Aid Loans

– Stafford Loads• Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)

– Available through banks, credit unions, other lending institutions

• Perkins Loans– Made through schools for undergraduate degrees or higher– Based on financial need

• Direct Loans– From the federal government– Students or parents can access

Final thoughts on money– Be cautious in your funding choices, watch for scams,

and borrow wisely

www.studentaid.ed.gov

Letters of Recommendation

Many colleges want to know more about you than what you tell them

Letters of recommendation can come from the staff here at the ALC, other educators, and people who know your strengths

Pick someone who knows you well and who can say positive things about you– Who might write your letter of recommendation?

• ALC Staff, Employer, Church Member

Applications

Your application is the most crucial piece to getting into college!

Let’s look at two applications online– College of Southern Maryland Application

• https://express.csmd.edu/cgi-bin/apply/index.html

– Bowie State University Application • https://www.applyweb.com/apply/bowie/

There is an application fee but it can be waived by the college, call them to ask about waiving the fee

Applications

What do you think of these applications?

Each college has a different application and process– The college admissions

office can provide the applications for you and explain the admissions process

Timelines Do not let timelines be the

reason you are not admitted to a college

Some important times to keep in mind– FAFSA is due June 30, 2010

for the 2009-2010 school year(www.fafsa.ed.gov)

– Application deadlines are listed on the applications and on the college websites

– Letters of recommendation should be included with your application, so give your writer enough time

A Little Information on Colleges

Two-year college advantages– More affordable

– Smaller class sizes

– Great professors who what to educate

– Geared towards working students

– More technology

Four-year college advantages– More degree options

– Campus housing

– Great professors who want to do research

– Offer advanced degrees

• Doctoral

• Masters

Do you think college is for you?

I do and so do the staff here! You will have the education (your GED)

soon and now you have the information to get you there!

You have even started a college applications today!

I am sure you still have concerns, what are they?

Questions?

Use your key to open more doors!

Thank you for your participation and attention!

My contact information for any assistance or questions:– 410-535-5400 ext 331– CRupert@dhmh.state.md.us

References www.colageboard.com www.diplomaguide.com www.fafsa.ed.gov www.choices.org/documents/PrivateDonors.pdf www.questia.com (Boesel, D., 1998) www.wikapedia.com