Tag: College planning

BigFuture: Offering Scholarships for All

Posted on by Ray Kinyon

Sponsored by College Board

College Board Scholarship Winner
Lin from New Utrecht High School in New York

High school students are heading back to classrooms for a new school year, and it’s never too early for families to start thinking about life after high school.  Exploring careers and planning for college can feel overwhelming and complicated.  How do you find the school that’s right for you?   How do you start researching careers or identifying majors?  How do you find scholarships and other financial aid?  BigFuture from College Board simplifies the process and offers scholarships that reward students for taking key steps to plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers.  

Informed by students and educators, BigFuture is a free online guide that helps all students plan a productive and successful path after high school.  Students who complete specific steps on their personalized BigFuture dashboard automatically earn entries into drawings for $500 and $40,000 BigFuture Scholarships.  Meet our class of 2023 winners here.

“This scholarship means everything to me and my family,” said Christopher, a $40,000 BigFuture Scholarship winner from Dr. TJ Owens Gilroy Early College Academy in Gilroy, CA. “Prior to receiving the scholarship, my parents were struggling to find a way in which my college education would be paid for. Receiving this scholarship took a huge burden off of me and my family’s shoulders.”

The sooner students complete one or more of the following steps, and the more steps they take, the more scholarship entries they’ll earn. 

  1. Build a College List: Students search for colleges and add six or more to their list.
  2. Practice for the SAT: Students use Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy to get ready for test day.
  3. Explore Scholarships: Students explore a list of scholarships personalized for them based on their background, achievements, and future plans.
  4. Strengthen Their College List: Students make sure their list has a mix of reach, match, and safety schools.
  5. Complete the FAFSA: Students complete the free government form to apply for financial aid.
  6. Apply to Colleges: Students apply to at least two colleges they want to attend.

All students in the class of 2023 are now eligible to win $500 and $40,000 scholarships that they can use at two- or four-year institutions.  Each month BigFuture will award two $40,000 scholarships and hundreds of $500 scholarships.  Since 2019, more than $15 million in scholarships have been awarded to students who use BigFuture.  At least half of the scholarships will be awarded to students whose families earn less than $60,000 a year.  There are no essays, test-score, citizenship status, family income, or minimum GPA requirements.  

A California student you know could be the next winner! Students can head to bigfuturescholarships.org to begin college planning steps and earn a chance at scholarships. 

California State PTA is a nonprofit and non-commercial volunteer organization and does not endorse any product, publication, or business associated with sponsorship partners.

Summer Tips to Stay on Track for College & Career Planning

Posted on by CAPTA IT

Sponsored by College Board

As summer arrives, rising seniors might have extra time to think and plan for life after high school. Families are making big decisions that starts with planning for what happens after high school graduation and choosing what career path their graduates pursue. There are many options that graduating seniors can explore ranging from trade schools and vocational programs, to taking a gap year, or applying to college and this big decision requires thoughtful consideration. The good news is that you know your strengths and interests better than anyone.

For those choosing to apply to college, College Board has several tools to help with college and career planning – no matter where you are in your journey. One resource is BigFuture.org, a one-stop shop for all student and parent planning needs. It’s more than just a college search website – it can help students discover what type of college to apply to, how to apply, financial planning resources, and provide scholarship search opportunities and career exploration tools.  

Remember, when planning for the future, what makes you happy and what you’re passionate about are very important. Finding colleges and careers that are right for you doesn’t have to be stressful. Start your planning process by setting clear priorities for what you want to achieve in the next few years. 

As you spend the next few months catching up with friends and family, the summer can also be a time to think about your opportunities after high school.

One of the greatest things about visiting BigFuture.org, is the chance to connect to the BigFuture Scholarships. This is an opportunity to earn scholarships for college, just by taking the steps you are already making in planning your journey after high school.  You can earn scholarship opportunities just for doing things like creating a college list on BigFuture, exploring scholarships, and applying to colleges.  Scholarships are awarded on a monthly basis and range from $500 to $40,000!

No matter what point you are at in your college and career planning process, BigFuture has something for everyone:

California State PTA is a nonprofit and non-commercial volunteer organization and does not endorse any product, publication or business associated with sponsorship partners.

Tips to Foster Educational Equity for All Students

Posted on by CAPTA IT

Sponsored by College Board

In California, college-readiness and college-going rates vary greatly by race and ethnicity. Black, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander students are less likely to be prepared for and enroll in college due to lack of access to resources.

A-G Completion and College Enrollment within 12 Months of Graduation (2017-18)

The best way to ensure that all students have the option to attend a public university like a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) school is to provide access to resources and encourage A-G course completion in high school. Currently, only 43% of 9th graders graduate high school and complete the A-G requirements. Not only does this vary by race and ethnicity, but also by socioeconomic status. Students who receive free and reduced-price lunch, or whose parents do not have a high school diploma, are half as likely as their peers to complete the A-G requirements.

We know that all parents want the best for their children. Our schools must do better, and you can help!

You can make a difference by taking these 3 steps today!

  1. Advocate for your school to offer high-quality A-G approved courses. Programs like College Board Pre-AP courses are A-G approved, and this program requires that these high-quality instructional resources be used in all classrooms, ensuring equity for all students.
  2. Encourage your school to use the latest state grant fund to offer A-G approved courses. The new A-G Completion Improvement Grant Program provides $400 million in funding to expand access to A-G courses necessary for students to attend a CSU or UC. These funds must be used to increase the number of students who graduate from high school with A-G eligibility. The funds can also be used to expand A-G course offerings and provide professional learning opportunities for administrators, teachers, and staff. Make sure your school is taking advantage of this grant to help more students be ready for college.
  3. Help students understand college requirements and the application process. Use free online resources like Big Future to help both students and parents navigate the college application process: from getting started to finding colleges, exploring careers, learning how to pay for college, applying, and finally making a decision.

Data pulled from Public Policy Institute of California: Geography of College Readiness in California
and Geography of College Enrollment in California.

 

Click here to learn more abut College Board. 

California State PTA is a nonprofit and non-commercial volunteer organization and does not endorse any product, publication or business associated with sponsorship partners.

Finding the Right College for your Student

Posted on by CAPTA IT

By California State PTA Family Engagement Commission

A Conversation with Kelly Mattinson, Family Engagement Commission Consultant

Q. How does a student find the “perfect fit” college?

In most cases it’s a family decision. The choice needs to fulfill the needs of the student and the family , particularly when the parents are the financially responsible party or helping identify scholarships, grants or loans.

That said, the most successful college selection stories happen when three things factor equally into the decision: the social, academic and financial fit. All three are vital to a successful college journey.

Q. What do you mean by social fit?

By social, I mean “How does the school FEEL?” For example, a student should be asking:

  • Is it a large or small school, which do I learn better?
  • What clubs and activities are available?
  • Do they have a football team?
  • Do I care about school spirit?
  • Is there Greek life?
  • What is the weather like?
  • Is there dorm living?
  • How far is it away from home?

If possible, an in-person visit can be revealing. When you step on the campus, do you want to walk those grounds for the next four-plus years? Sometimes you just know the school is your place. Sometimes you immediately know it is not. If this is going to be your home for four years, it needs to feel like home.

Q. Beyond “do they have my major” what should a student look for to be sure of an academic fit?

This involves knowing a bit about your personal academic style. Do you prefer a semester or quarter schedule? How intense or laid back do you want your academic experience to be? The pace is an important factor to academic success.

Does the college offer multiple majors that interest you? Most students do not graduate with their initially intended field of interest. Having back up options is best as you discover new things about yourself and disciplines in college – that is part of the process.

Q. Isn’t a financial fit just a straightforward affordability question and aren’t more expensive colleges naturally better?

College is expensive. You get what you pay for can be true, but it can also be misleading. Just because the price tag is high does not necessarily make it the BEST. There are amazing public schools out there that come with federal and local funding packages that can help you, there are also VERY generous private universities that will invest in you given the opportunity.

When choosing your BEST fit university, make sure you are comparing apples to apples and not watermelons to grapes. Take all things into account. For example, look at the average time to graduate. If you pay $200,000 but it takes you 5 years to graduate, it actually costs you more than a 4-year university experience at $200,000 because you lose a year of earnings. In other words, sometimes a less expensive school can cost more because it will take longer to graduate. Most private universities guarantee that you will graduate in four years. There may be several reasons including that they may not have the housing or they gave you a lot of financial aid and want you to move on and give back as an alumni. (Watch for more on this and the FAFSA process in an upcoming post.)

Q. Why is the best FIT important for parents as well?

College selection and application is a process that can take up family time and parental involvement in the high school years. Some families are also able to make a financial commitment (even a financial sacrifice!) towards their child’s college experience. After all that, can you imagine your child crying because they are miserable at college? Talk about salt in the wound. I want to know my son is thriving and that he will be happy and productive in his life ahead and hopefully he will take care of me when I am old… lol. It is much easier to be happy for your kid when they are happy…. it is the worst to MISS them (and you will) and have them miserable. Trust me… if they go away to college and they’re happy, it makes it easier to not mourn their empty room.

For more resources on college and career preparation be sure to visit this Family Engagement webpage.

Kelly Mattinson is a former Council PTA President and current local PTA leader. She has worked as a college admissions planner in Los Angeles, helping families find the right fit for their students going to college.