BENEFITS OF GOING TO COLLEGE THE COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIP

BENEFITS OF GOING TO COLLEGE THE COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIP

WHO DO YOU KNOW THAT WENT TO COLLEGE?

WHY SHOULD I GO TO COLLEGE? More school More Getting a college degree More jobs to choose from A MAJORITY of jobs in Washington will require some college It’s FUN and you get to meet new people from all over

AVERAGE INCOME BY EDUCATION LEVEL MORE SCHOOL MEANS MORE MONEY 30,780 38,792 Less than high school High School Diploma 44,720 64,896 Associate’s Degree Bachelor’s degree

WHAT TYPES OF COLLEGES ARE THERE? Community and Technical Colleges (CTCs) Schools that offer associate’s degrees and certificates including specific trades Private 2-Year Vocational /Trade College Public and Private 4-Year College Schools provide education for a specific career. Schools offer bachelor’s degrees, usually completed in 4 years of full-time study.

APPRENTICESHIP JOBS MORE SCHOOL MEANS MORE JOB OPTIONS Aircraft Mechanic Automotive Mechanic Brick layer Carpenter Electrician Fire Fighter Truck Driver Welder Pipe Fitter Cement Mason Flagger Painters ASSOCIATE DEGREE JOBS Culinary arts Paralegal Dental hygiene Cosmetology Physical Therapist Radiologic Tech Electrical Drafter Electronic Engineer Computer Support Web Developer Registered nurse Cybersecurity BACHELOR DEGREE JOBS Editor Foreign Services Officer Market Researcher Social Worker Marketing Exec Writer Community Organizer Teacher Marine Biologist Chemical Engineer App Developer Lawyer

HOW DO I PAY FOR COLLEGE? MYTH: I can’t go to college because it’s too expensive. FACT: Financial Aid can help you pay for college. Financial Aid resources include any scholarship, grant, work study or loan offered to help meet your college expenses.

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE 1 2 3 4 SCHOLARSHIPS: Money awarded based on academic or other achievement. GRANTS: A form of gift aid, usually based on financial need. WORK STUDY: A program that allows students to work on or off-campus to earn money. LOANS: Money you borrow and repay over time, with interest added in most cases.

WHAT IS THE COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIP? Early commitment of state financial aid to eligible 7th and 8th and some 9th grade students. Not sure if you’re enrolled? Check with your counselor! Combines with other state financial aid to cover the average cost of tuition (at public college rates), some fees, and a small book allowance commitment of funds.

APPLYING IS A TWO-STEP PROCESS STEP 1. STEP WHO CAN GET COLLEGE BOUND? 2. Be eligible for free and reduced-price lunch in 7th, 8th, or newly eligible in 9th grade (foster youth are eligible through high school graduation). Eligible students will be automatically enrolled. Fulfill the College Bound Pledge. Meet income requirements; verified by the college using information from FAFSA or WASFA. Be accepted to and attend an eligible college within one year of graduating high school.

DOES NOT COVER WHAT DOES IT COVER? Housing Meal Plan Transportation Health care / Insurance Non-mandatory fees DOES COVER AVERAGE COST OF TUITION (public rates) SOME COLLEGE FEES SMALL BOOK ALLOWANCE

There are over 65 college and universities where you can use the College Bound Scholarship WHERE CAN YOU USE IT? And more. You can find a list online at www.wsac.wa.gov/sfainstitutions

WHAT’S NEXT? FULFILL Be sure you review your pledge to receive the College Bound Scholarship A: B: C: PREPARE Be sure you take the right courses for graduation and college admission. PLAN Explore different school and job options with your counselor. APPLY Apply in your senior year to eligible colleges and for financial aid with either the FAFSA or WASFA.

THE COLLEGE BOUND PLEDGE: Graduate from a Washington State high school with a 2.0 GPA or better. Have no felony convictions. Be income eligible, verified with information from the FAFSA or WASFA. Enroll in an eligible college within one year of high school graduation.

NEED TO KNOW: Must enroll in college within 1 year of high school graduation. Must be used within five year of HS graduation (Class of 2020’s CB scholarship expires in 2025). College Bound is a four-year scholarship (12 quarters/8 semesters). THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS BUT THERE’S ALSO FLEXIBILITY! Be “in good standing” with your college to maintain scholarship (GPA, honor code, etc.). File the FAFSA or WASFA every year - Income eligibility is checked each year of college.

SENIORS! STAY CONNECTED WERE YOU ENROLLED FOR THE COLLEGE BOUND SCHOLARSHIP IN 7TH, 8TH, OR 9TH GRADE? WE NEED YOUR CURRENT CONTACT INFO! Let us know if your information has changed by emailing us at [email protected]. HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT FINANCIAL AID? Otterbot is a free texting service designed to help seniors with financial aid and college access information. Students can access Otterbot via text message 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text 360-928-7281 and say, “Hi Otter!” if you’re not already getting messages.

CONTACT INFORMATION Not sure if you’re enrolled? Check with your counselor! Phone: 1-888-535-0747 Option 1 Email: [email protected]