PREPARING FOR THE GREATEST ADVENTURE

OF YOUR LIFE

START YOUR COLLEGE CAREER OFF WITH A VISION A vision predicts vast accomplishments and

achievements. Vision compels and inspires

Without Vision life can become unbalanced

Vision makes us more aware of opportunities and we are more eager to take advantage of them .

Vision helps us keep our focus and maintain discipline in our college career.

THE DANGERS OF NO VISION Going to college un prepared

Being swayed by others

Poor performance ( 84% of college professors say that incoming freshmen are unprepared, resulting in 30% dropping out)

Developing ugly habits (abusing alcohol, partying all the time, gossiping and not creating a schedule)

A stagnant spiritual life

EMPOWERING RELATIONSHIPS One Of the most important skills you will need to learn in

college is to NETWORK !!!!

How to network: Introduce yourself and establish bond

Ask questions to learn about the person you are meeting

Create a connection between the two of you (It’s sounds like we have a lot of same ideas & interests)

Wrap up the conversation with a promise to keep in touch and do so by following.

EMPOWERING FRIENDSHIPSEmpowering friendships ( Guide you and determine

your future pathway)o God has rigged our lives so that we need people

that we are connected to

o In college it is important to develop meaningful friendships, these friendships

o God did not want us to become isolated He who separates himself seeks his own desires. ( Proverbs 18)

OVER ALL TIPS TO FIND EMPOWERING FRIENDSHIPS1. Pray for quality friendships2. Known that you are Starting from scratching- most of the

people you attend college with are people that you have never met before, unlike high school where you have known your friends for years.

3. Make it a point to introduce yourself to new people.4. Live on campus5. Explore the campus, don’t limit your friendships to the people

you have classes with, or live with in the dorm6. Find people that have your best interest at heart how will push

you and challenge you academically and spiritually.7. Initiate conversation with others8. Don’t be so quick to go home to hang out with your high school

group, stay on campus and find activities to do on the weekends.

9. Close some of the high school chapters of your life10. Share you heart and life in your friendships

HOW TO EXCEED ACADEMICALLY Make a point to take your academic career seriously Invest much a great deal of time in your academics

Learn how to balance your social life and academics Learn the library ( ask for help , get in contact with tutors

if needed) Be strategic in picking classes

TEXT BOOKS The price of text books are astronomical Start saving for text books during the summer Don’t limit your text book search to your college bookstore

( look at other bookstores and online) Renting text books are usually cheaper ( check the

availability of rentals at your college bookstore, or look online )

Digital text books are sometimes available and are cheaper than hard copies

If you have a friend that has the same class look into going in half on the textbooks

At the end of the semester if you do not need your books for your major sale them back to your college bookstore or sale them online.

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID / FASFA ???? Financial Aid’s purpose is to increase the resources of

the student. FAFA ( Free application for federal student aid) This is

the first application that must be completed in order for all federal financial aid for higher education.

Financial aid terms Expected family contribution- (EFC)- Determined by the department of education

after completing FASFA. This is a assessment of what the parents and or family can contribute to the student’s education.

Direct cost – Tuition, only for commuter, students, tuition room, and board for resident students

Indirect cost – Books, transportation, and various living experiences. Cost of attendance (COA)- Direct cost plus indirect cost. Also known as budget. Need- The cost of attendance (COA) subtracted from the Expected family contribution

(EFC) If FASFA is not completed need can’t be determined and the family is not

eligible for need based grants.

FINANCIAL AID ( TIPS) Make sure you complete FASFA on time

(annually) Meet with Financial Aid regarding your

account Student loan interest rates are set In July,

make sure to find out what the interest rates are for you

Make sure that you have the documents required for FASFA

1. Dependent/ Independent verification worksheet2. A copy of the parent and student’s Federal tax forms3. A copy of the students w2 forms4. Additional information maybe asked as well

BASIC TYPES OF LOANSPerkins Loan-are awarded by the college to the neediest

students based on the information provided on the FAFSA. This loan is interest free while you are enrolled in school You are eligible for a 9-month grace period upon

graduation or withdrawal from college. It is awarded to you directly from the college and will be credited to your student account. You may qualify for cancellation of up to 100% for this

loan.

BASIC TYPES OF LOANS (CONT)Subsidized Loan- [Stafford, Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) and Direct Loans] This loan is interest free while you are in school enrolled halftime or greater. You do not make any payments while you are in college, and you will receive a six-month grace period after you graduate. During all periods where you qualify to have payments deferred (postponed), the interest is paid by the government on your behalf. If you are a new student, loan funds are not received and posted to your account until approximately 30 days after the

term begins. If the school you attend participates in Direct Loans, the government will be your lender. Otherwise, you will select your

own lender. financial aid awarded.

TYPES OF LOANS CONTINUEDParent plus Loan- parents and graduate students may borrow

from this loan The Direct Loan PLUS interest rate is 7.9%. You may defer payments until after the student graduates

or begins repayment within 60 days of when the loan is fully disbursed. The interest will accrue from the date of disbursement. A parent and/or a graduate student may borrow a PLUS

Loan up to the amount of the student’s cost of attendance less

ALTERNATIVE LOANS Alternative loan- Educational loan in the

name of the student, usually requires a consigner) non- needs based

Cosigner- student usually requires a cosigner, however if the parent was denied for the parent plus loan, he or she can not be the cosigner

Repayment- Repayment starts six months after the student graduates or has six or less credits

Interest rates - quarterly

TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS/ FEDERAL GRANTS Merit scholarships ( awarded by your

college or University , not need- based) Outside Scholarships ( not- need based) Federal Pell grant- need based aid,

FAFSA required. FSEOG- need- based , FASFA required

SELF HELPFederal work study

o Need basedo Must be earned by the studento The student works and receives a

monthly paycheck for hours workedo This is not applied to the student’s

accounto Eligibility is for work study is usually

located on the student’s financial award letter and or on the students online financial account.

DATING IN COLLEGE Why good choices in dating are so important? They build habits that will reward you They prepare you for future relationships

Some how to’ s for dating right Embrace dating as preparation not recreation. ( it is

wise to prepare your fields before building your house proverbs 24:27)

Become date worthy by building your character. ( The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3)

LIVING ON CAMPUS (WHAT TO BRING)

Lots of pillows Iron Lots of food Hangers IPod/mp3 player Bath robe Toilet paper Microwave (if permissible by your college) Alarm clock Fan Wastebasket Bulletin bard push pins Desk lamp Computer and printer Extension chords ( if permissible by your college Hair styling products Umbrella Bowl, plate, and cup Dish soap Coffee mug Trash bag refrigerator Wet wipes Disinfected spray* talk to your roommate before moving in so that you know what to bring

THE COMPUTER Deciding what kind of computer to purchase is

one of the most important decisions parents and students can make.

More equip and fast computers are being released almost everyday.

It is important to make sure that you are getting the best computer for your money.

DETERMINING WHAT THE COMPUTER NEEDSo First and foremost it is important to decided what the computer is

going to be used for, being speaking with any representatives or going to the store.

o Think about the usage of the computer being two to three years, this will determine soft wear and hardware requirements

o For academic purposes, most students use computers for word processing, email, social networking, instant messaging, and web browsing.

o Basic PCs can handle these jobs but a more sophisticated PC would be required for calculating spreadsheets, handling multimedia applications, performing statistical computations.

o Processor speed and memory (stated in terms of gigahertz and gigabytes) are factors to consider as well. They work together and are responsible for performance

o The size of the hard drive, determined in gigabytes, determines how much information the computer can store. The larger the hard drive the more systems and programs the computer can store.

DETERMINING A REASONABLE PRICEOnce the needs of the computer has been

determined it is time to find a reasonable price

o The purchase should not be considered a long time investment, most computers last two to three years

o It is important to understand the manufacture's product life cycle and product lines and how they relate to cost.

o Make sure research is done first, look online and compare prices, window shop and speak with representatives, and or speak with family and friends.

MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH Be mindful of eating out often Take advantage of your school gym Take classes that require busy activity (yoga,

kickboxing, swimming, self defense) When going to class take the stairs instead of the

elevator Get plenty of sleep Get vaccinated

MAINTAINING FINANCES

If you feel that you can maintain school work and work get a Job

Work study provides many job opportunities for students

Having a job will make you more financially independent

Discipline yourself financially will allow you to be able to take road trips, go out to gatherings , and shop while you are in college

Be mindful of people who will try to sign you up for a credit card

HAVING FUN IN COLLEGEMaintaining your grades and academic success is the most

important thing in college, but having a social life is important as well. College is where

you meet life long friends. Having a healthy social can help balance the

stress of papers projects and tests. How to have fun and make the most of your college experience Take of advantage of activities on campus ( most sporting events

are discounted or even free for students) Go on free trips offered by your college Plan trips for your vacations (spring break, Christmas holiday) Join an organization or group ( psychology club, debate team, step

team, fashion group)

GROWING SPIRITUALLY IN COLLEGECollege can either ignite your faith or it can end it !!! Over 65% of church going high school students

abandon their faith completely once in college. Two popular spiritual paths college students take

are:1. The path of spiritual abandonment2. The path of spiritual apathy How to maintain and strengthen your Faith Individually develop your relationship with Jesus Get involve in a good church and or campus ministry Find friends that share the same spiritual beliefs as

you Find a spiritual mentor

THE GREATEST ADVENTURE OF YOUR LIFE!!!!!! College is one of the greatest

adventures of your life cherish these moments

The years will fly by quickly and you will never be able to get them back

God has a special plan for you and your journey

(For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New International Version)