Today’s high school graduates have the choice of many apprenticeships.  These may include construction, plumbing, electrical, musical, fashion, landscaping, auto, and more.  This is another option to prepare students for a career that will allow them to work while attending classes.  It is ideal for students who need a steady income immediately after completing high school or have a desire to go directly to work.

Apprenticeships provide:

• Challenging curriculum for individuals 16 years of age or older.
• A planned training entry-level position on a career pathway.
• A combination of on-the-job training and related classroom training.
• Certification of competency measured by industrial standards.

Apprenticeship programs require:

• You to complete certain course work.
• A high school diploma or currently attending high school.
• That you pass an aptitude test.
• Proof of physical ability to perform the duties of the trade.
• Proof of a valid driver’s license.

Apprenticeship programs are looking for people who have the mechanical and mental abilities to master a skill.  Requirements emphasize four qualifications:

• Age
• Education and solid background in reading, writing and basic mathematics
• Physical condition
• Aptitude

The best sources for assistance and information in apprenticeships are vocational and career counselors at local, state and national employment agencies.  Students can also get information from their high school career center or offices of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

The purpose of a career or vocational-technical education is to prepare a high school graduate to obtain and hold a job.  The relationship between education and work is important.  The more you invest in your education, the more valuable you are to your employer and the more you will earn!

I. A good high school education is critical to whatever field you wish to enter.  Employers want you to:

• Be able to read and write well
• Communicate effectively with other people
• Get along with other people and your co-workers
• Be able to think and reason in safe, acceptable, creative ways

II. Career educators state that high school graduates really need to continue their education and get a degree.  It is no longer an option to not have a degree.

III. Vocational-technical schools provide:

• Hands-on educational experience
• Classrooms that represent actual job experiences
• Instructors who are experienced in the subject area
• Assistance when entering the workforce once your training and education are complete

IV. Visit the vocational or trade school of your choice and take time to:

• Speak to students who are attending classes
• Visit during class time
• Ask students why they chose that institution
• Ask students their opinion of the education they are receiving

V. Continuing education throughout your lifetime will become more and more necessary as the job market becomes more competitive.

VI. Students with a vocational-technical education will have the advantage when the time comes to learn new skills.  Their training will provide them with basic problem-solving skills that make it possible to absorb new technologies.

Seniors
For those of you who did not apply for 4-year colleges and universities here is some community college information.  Community Colleges, also known as 2-year or junior colleges are regionally accredited post-secondary institutions at which the AS or AA (associates of art or science) is the highest credential awarded.  A Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) is awarded from 4-year colleges or universities.  Community colleges offer technical, transferable and continuing education and specialized curriculums.

Community Colleges are:
• community based institutions that establish links and partnerships with high schools and the community;
• institutions that deliver high quality programs at various times and places for the convenience of the student;
• institutions with open admissions to those with a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Some of the wonderful features that attract most students are:
• Annual tuition and fees
• Ability to live at home and save on room and board
• Advisement on class scheduling
• Smaller classes
• Greater accessibility to instructors

Most community colleges offer a full range of counseling and career services designed to help students make the most of the educational opportunities.

Community Colleges offer:
• general education curriculum that is a 2-year curriculum which is transferable to a 4-year bachelors program.  Specific in regards to business, medical, liberal arts, education, etc.;
• occupational-technical programs that prepare students for employment;
• programs that will assist those students already employed to upgrade their skills;
• developmental education programs that help students improve their basic academic skills.

Community colleges offer the associate degree as well as certificates in specific programs that require varying amounts of study.  Some certificates take a few weeks to earn, while associate degrees may take two or more years to complete.

Contact the community college in your area or one of interest to you to find out about specific programs and degrees they offer.  You can also find community college information on our college and career website at http://www.egusd.net/collegeandcareer/.

By now you have waded through numerous scholarship announcements and applications to find the ones that fit your profile.

To complete your scholarship applications, you should have the following items:

•  Transcripts
•  Standardized test scores
•  Financial Aid forms, such as FAFSA or CSS profile
•  Parent’s financial information
•  A couple of essays
•  2-3 letters of recommendation

*Helpful Hint* Create a calendar of application deadlines to ensure you turn everything in on time. 

After researching the Cal Grant, FAFSA and colleges themselves, the best sources of financial aid are local. 

For example, in Elk Grove, the Elk Grove Community Foundation, a non-profit organization, distributes thousands of dollars in aid to our graduating seniors each year.  Applications for these scholarships are available in February.  Visit http://www.egcommunityfoundation.org or contact your school’s counseling office for more information.

In addition to local scholarships, there are also scholarships offered nationally.  Information on nationally-offered scholarships is available in the counseling office at your school.  Increasing steadily each year, the web is now the source of national scholarship information.

If there is still a financial need after scholarship possibilities have been exhausted, the next step is to investigate loans.  Loans can be obtained through college, the federal government and private entities.

Throughout the process of applying for financial aid, it is very important to honor deadlines in order to maximize your chances of being awarded financial aid.

To aid in your scholarship search, here are a few locations to assist you: 

• EGUSD’s College/Career website: http://www.egusd.net/collegeandcareer/
Click the “Scholarships” link on the left sidebar.  Here you will find a complete section on scholarship information.
• The College Board: http://www.collegeboard.com
The College Board has various scholarship links to assist you. 
• Your high school career center
Don’t forget to visit your own high school career center for Sacramento area scholarship applications.

Financial aid is usually based on need.  This computes into a simple formula:

College cost – your expected family contribution = your financial need

Financial aid is also awarded based on merit (academic achievement), financial need, or a combination of both.  Some schools will offer merit scholarships to attract students who are high achieving relative to the school’s applicant pool.  Few schools maintain “need-blind” admissions, meaning that applicants are admitted without regard to their ability to pay.  Schools that do maintain need blind admissions will state this in their financial aid information.

Probably more than half of all student college applicants apply for financial aid.  Colleges themselves are the greatest sources of financial aid because they distribute money made available through the U.S. government.  There are various types of financial assistance and it is important that you understand the differences between them.

Seniors, it’s time to begin your college budget.  If scholarships or work study does not cover all of your college expenses, student loans may help pay the remaining expenses.  You may combine any of the forms listed below showing types of financial aid that meets the costs of college expenses.

Grants - Repayment is not required.  Grants are given for athletics, academics, special talent, need based, etc.

Scholarships - Repayment is not required.  They are rewarded based on athletics, special talent, or academic excellence.

Loans

• Federal Loans - Guaranteed by the US government
• Alternative Loans - Guaranteed by private guarantee agencies

College Work Study - This allows colleges to hire students for employment to pay their own way as they go to college.  You do not repay money earned.

From detailed financial information reported in the FAFSA, formulas produce the expected family contribution, or EFC.  This sum is considered an amount that the family can be reasonably expected to pay over time, not just currently from income and assets.  Each spring, high school counseling departments invite a guest speaker to explain line by line the process of filling out the FAFSA.

• Cal Grant awards are state funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses.  The awards do not have to be paid back.  To apply for a Cal Grant Entitlement award simply fill out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• The FAFSA form is a federal form that must be filed by any student who wants to be considered for college financial aid.  For a Cal Grant, the FAFSA must be completed and filed with the federal processor by March 2nd of each year.  If you use a paper form, remember to make a copy before you mail it and obtain a 90 cent certificate of mailing from the post office so that you can verify the date you mailed the form.  You can also file it online.  For more information on FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov. 

• You will need to file a verified grade point average (GPA) with the California Student Commission by no later than March 2.  Some high schools and colleges automatically file their students’ verified GPA’s with the Commission.  Some do not.  You must confirm whether your school will file your GPA for you, or obtain a GPA verification form, get it certified by a school official and mail it yourself.

• Some colleges also require students to fill out a financial aid form from the college as well.  Be sure to check with the colleges you are applying to be sure that you complete all of the necessary forms.  Be aware of financial aid deadlines as well, as these differ from one college to another.

Apply for financial aid between January 1 and March 2. Hint, financial aid is first come, first serve so you may want to apply on Jan. 1, 2008.

College is not inexpensive, so seeking financial aid opportunities is important for everyone. It is important to understand that scholarships and financial aid are often available for students based on the following:

• Outstanding grades
• Special talents
• Special needs
• Athletic ability
• Focused career interests
• Ethnicity or heritage
• Leadership ability

Applying for state and federal student aid is free! You begin by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that is available in the counselor’s office or career center, or go to our website at http://www.egusd.net/collegeandcareer/financial.html.

You can also find the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can complete and file the FAFSA on line for quicker processing. Your answers are edited and transmitted with less room for error. Our recommendation is that you complete your FAFSA on paper and transfer the information to the computer on line.

On the FAFSA website you must first apply for a PIN number, because you need a PIN to electronically sign your FAFSA. Once you apply for your PIN, your PIN number will be mailed to you in 1-5 days. Remember, the FAFSA cannot be filed until after January 1 of the year in which the student plans to attend college.

In addition to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), some colleges also require the CSS College Profile when applying for financial aid. The profile is offered through the College Scholarship Service, which is the financial aid division of the College Board. You can apply on line at www.collegeboard.com or by phone. In either case you must complete the CSS College Profile short form if the college you are applying to requires it. Copies of the forms are available at the school counseling office as early as October.

The FAFSA is free, but the CSS College Profile costs money. The College Profile collects even more information about the finances of the student and parents. If you need to complete the CSS College Profile, you must hurry! The CSS College Profile is due Dec. 11, 2007. The FAFSA deadline is from January 1 thru March 2.