(NAPS)—College graduates are twice as likely to be employed as those with no college degree and can expect to earn about 66 percent more throughout their careers, The College Board reports. That’s one reason many parents and students should heed a few hints about getting into—and paying for—college.
• Develop a timetable and list of tasks to be completed that can assist you in your planning efforts.
• Work with your children to develop and update their résumés, including their school, community and service activities, sports, awards and recognitions, work experience, hobbies and interests. Encourage your children to join and get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer work.
• Be sure they take courses necessary for college admission. Investigate opportunities for high school Advanced Placement courses.
• Develop, discuss and review with your children their individual list of college attributes that are important to them; that is, size, location, academics, facilities and activities.
• Work with your children to develop a list of at least 10 colleges. Research these through websites, college fairs, college guides and by talking with admission representatives.
• Set up a filing system to maintain information about each school that interests them.
• Learn about resources available through the school. Consult with the professionals, such as your children’s high school guidance counselor, the financial aid office at any prospective school and your student loan lender.
• Become familiar with college entrance requirements and preparation exams.
• Visit campuses.
• Learn the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) financial aid process by using FAFSA4caster, which will provide you with an early estimate of how much money you will be expected to contribute toward your children’s education and eligibility for federal student aid.
• Identify the individual application instructions, deadlines, policies and procedures for each school.
• Register for a PIN with the Department of Education and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of senior year.
• If you have any special family circumstances that may affect your children’s financial aid eligibility, contact the financial aid office at the school being considered.
• You can get more good advice from the CollegeSTEPS program, which offers a magazine and planning calendar, useful college planning information and a chance to win one of 20 individual $1,000 prizes.
More Information: Learn more at www.wellsfargo.com/collegesteps2011 or go to a Wells Fargo or Wachovia bank.
