The Nordstrom Scholarship Program - $10,000

Nordstrom is excited to award $10,000 scholarships to 80 outstanding high school students to help them achieve their dreams of going to college. The Nordstrom Scholarship recognizes students across the country for their exceptional scholastic achievement and community involvement. 

The Nordstrom Scholarship is open to high school juniors who:

• Live and attend school in a state with a Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack store. Not sure if there's a store in your state? See store locations.
• Have at least a 2.7 GPA.
• Volunteer or participate in community service or extracurricular activities.
• Plan on attending an accredited college or university during all four years over which the scholarship is distributed. (The scholarship is paid out in equal installments of $2,500.)
• Plan on applying for financial assistance in order to attend college.

It's easy to submit your application for a Nordstrom Scholarship. Here's how the selection process works:

1. APPLY
Now through May 1, 2013 (by 3pm Pacific).

2. SEMI-FINALISTS SELECTED
Semi-finalists are selected by regional selection committees and will be notified via e-mail.

3. FINALISTS SELECTED
All finalists are interviewed in person or via videoconference.

4. WINNERS NOTIFIED
Winners will be notified by the end of October 2013. To ensure you receive prompt notification, add nordstromscholarship@ACT.org to your address book.

Click here: http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/nordstrom-cares-scholarship

U.S. Bank Scholarship Program - $1000

At U.S. Bank, They know paying for college can be challenging, especially with the cost of college tuition increasing and student financial aid sources decreasing. Here’s an opportunity to apply for one of 40 $1,000 scholarships.

Applications will be accepted starting late January 2013 until May 31, 2013.

Their Scholarship Program is available to high school seniors (graduating in the 2012-2013 school year) and college undergraduates. Winners will be selected at random.

Click here: https://www.usbank.com/community/financial-education/scholarship.html

Google Scholarships!

As part of Google's ongoing commitment to advancing computing and technology, they provide scholarships to encourage students to excel in their studies and become active role models and leaders. They hope these programs also help in dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields.

Academic Scholarships

• Generation Google Scholarship
  The Generation Google Scholarship is awarded to current high school seniors intending to study computer science at a university in the US or Canada.
• Google AISES Scholarship
  Google is pleased to partner with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society to offer scholarships for AISES students currently pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science or computer engineering. Scholarship recipients will receive an academic scholarship as well as be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars' Retreat in a Google office.
• Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
  The Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of Anita Borg and her efforts to encourage women to pursue careers in computer science and technology. Scholarship recipients in the US and Canada will receive an academic scholarship as well as be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars' Retreat in a Google office. The scholarship is also offered in Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, New Zealand, and the United States.
• Google Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship
  Google Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarships are given to Hispanic students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need. The Google Scholarship Program offers funds to students studying computer science or computer engineering. Scholarship recipients will receive an academic scholarship as well as be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars' Retreat in a Google office.
• Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
  Google is partnering with Lime to offer scholarships to students with disabilities who are pursuing university degrees in the field of computer science in Canada or the U.S. Scholarship recipients will receive an academic scholarship as well as be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars' Retreat in a Google office.
• Google SVA Scholarship for Student Veterans
  Google is partnering with Student Veterans of America to offer scholarships to student veterans who are pursuing university degrees in computer science and related fields. Scholarship recipients will receive an academic scholarship as well as be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars' Retreat in a Google office.
• Google United Negro College Fund Scholarship
  The Google-UNCF Scholarship is awarded annually to a group of African-American students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science or computer engineering. The program offers "last dollar" scholarships based upon unmet financial need for students majoring in computer science or computer engineering. Scholarship recipients will receive an academic scholarship as well as be invited to attend the Annual Google Scholars' Retreat in a Google office.

Conference Travel Scholarships

Google sponsors a variety of conferences such as the Grace Hopper Celebration for Women in Computing, NSBE, and SHPE, and is pleased to offer student travel grants to these conferences. Google will post details to the Google Students blog about these conferences and travel grants as information is made available.

Click here: http://www.google.com/intl/en/jobs/students/proscho/scholarships/uscanada/

How to Pay for College

The rising costs of higher education are showing no signs of letting up. In order to make it through, you must have a plan.

For students attending a public college or university in the state in which they live, tuition averages $7,000 per year. Private colleges run around $37,000 per year, with the highest-price private schools costing more than $50,000 a year. Paying those hefty bills requires a plan that includes an examination of how much you want to pay now versus how much you are willing to finance with loans. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you set out to pay for college:

Cash is king. How much can you really afford to spend over two to four years? Also consider how that cost might affect you or your children over that time.                                                                                      

• Set up a payment plan. Many schools let you set up a monthly payment plan, which spreads the payments over several months rather than just one payment per term.

• Keep saving. Even when you or your children are in school, every dollar you pay up front saves nearly $2 in interest if were to borrow that dollar.

• Stick to a budget: A number of college budgeting tools are available atBankrate, The Federal Direct Loan program web site and FinAid.

Get a scholarship. Scholarships are not just for good students or low income families. There are scholarships for everything from vegans to students with the last name Zolp. It takes time and effort to find them and apply.

• Cast a wide net. Consider scholarships from you hometown, college or workplace. And don't quit trying. Some scholarships are only available to students who are already juniors or seniors in college. Others are available to older students, and some states offer grants for laid-off workers returning to school to retrain.

• Check in. Become best friends with your school's financial aid office. They'll know what's available on campus as well as some less well-know sources.

• Check online. Sites listing scholarships include www.fastweb.com,www.collegeanswer.com, and www.collegeboard.com.

Borrow only as needed. Students who graduated with Bachelor's degrees in 2010 left school with more than $25,000 in student-loan debt, according to Finaid.org.

• Complete the FAFSA. The first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. It determines your eligibility for Federal Student Aid programs such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans.

• Start with the feds. Always start with federal loans, which are available to both parents and students, before opting for private loans from banks and other lenders. The federal programs offer some of the best interest and repayment terms including opportunities to have the loans forgiven for public service work and payment deferred if there's job loss.

• Then go to the states. Many states also have state lending authorities, which provide loans to students from that state or who attend school in that state. These typically require a co-signer and good credit score.

What not to do when trying to pay for college.

• Don't get in over your head. Figure out ahead of time about how much you'll owe after four years, and don't use credit cards to pay for tuition, books, and other necessary expenses.

• Don't drain retirement savings. It's tempting to raid retirement accounts, but advisers warn against it because you can finance college but no one is willing to lend you money for retirement.

• Don't suppress financial hardship. If something changes at home a job loss, medical event, or another sibling at school contact your financial aid office. You may be eligible for more aid or work study.

Click here: http://www.smartmoney.com/borrow/student-loans/how-to-pay-for-college-1305005764769/

3 scholarship tips!

1 - Get involved with your community. Students who volunteer enjoy a huge advantage with scholarship sponsors. Scholarship sponsors are looking for a long-time commitment to volunteering. Many scholarship providers are nonprofits committed to helping others.

2 - Look for essay contests. Students can be lazy and many will skip scholarship contests that require an essay. Applying for these scholarships could increase your odds of success.

3 - Be passionate.When you're writing a scholarship essay let your personal voice come through. Include lots of details in your essay that helps reveal who you are. It's usually a good idea to focus on a problem and how you solved it or overcame adversity.

Every year $3.5 billion dollars in scholarships are awarded.

For more tips click here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505145_162-37244289/10-great-ways-to-win-a-college-scholarship/

Use a scholarship search engine!

You use Google to find a scholarship, but you might end up with 69,700,000 results. That's a lot. Use Google, but also use scholarship search engines to make your job easier. Here are couple to check out:

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search

http://www.collegenet.com/mach25/app

Give the scholarship sponsor what it wants.

A scholarship application often contains the sponsor's scholarship selection criteria, but dig deeper. Research the scholarship sponsor on the web. Look for the organization's mission statement, which you'll often find in the "About Us" section of its website.

How to Apply for a Scholarship
Applying for scholarships is a lot like applying to colleges. You start with a large number of possibilities and cut that down to a short list of choices. Then you have to complete and submit applications that include essays, recommendations and lists of achievements that highlight your best qualities.

You may hear various suggestions about the best way to apply for scholarships. The truth is, what works for one person may not work for another. There are no secrets to applying. The best advice is to use common sense and follow directions.

Don’t Miss Deadlines

Some scholarships have deadlines early in the fall of senior year. Mark the due dates on your calendar and work your way backward to figure out how much time you’ll have to get each piece of the application finished.

Start Your Research Early

Researching scholarships, requesting information and application materials, and completing applications all take time. Use Scholarship Search to get started.

Read Eligibility Requirements Carefully

If you have a question about whether you qualify for a certain scholarship, contact the scholarship sponsor. There’s no point in applying for a scholarship you’re not eligible to receive.
Make a separate file for each scholarship and sort the files by application due dates.
You should also gather the items you’ll need to apply. Many scholarships ask you to send some or all of the following:

• High school transcript
• Standardized test scores
• Financial aid forms, such as the FAFSA or CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®
• Parents' financial information, including tax returns
• One or more essays
• One or more letters of recommendation
• Proof of eligibility for the scholarship (for example, proof of membership in a certain group)

You might also need to prepare for an interview. And if you’re competing for talent-based scholarships, you’ll probably need to audition or submit a portfolio.

Follow Instructions

Stick to the word limit for the essay. If supporting materials are not requested in the application, don’t send them.

Check Your Application

Before you send the application in:

•  -Make sure you filled in all the blanks. You can contact scholarship sponsors if you aren't sure how to fill out part of the application.
•  -Make sure your answers are readable. If you can, fill out the application online. If you have to write out the application, print neatly.
•  -If you're reusing material (such as a cover letter or an essay) from another scholarship application, make sure you haven't left in any incorrect names.
• -Proofread your application. Run spell check and grammar check on the application. Also, have someone else read your essays to catch mistakes and give you feedback.
• -Remember to sign and date your application.         

Keep Copies of Everything

Having copies of your scholarship application makes it easy to resend quickly if application materials get lost in the mail. If you’re applying for a scholarship online, save copies of your work on your computer.

Track the Package

If you’re submitting your application by mail, consider using certified mail or requesting a return receipt to confirm that your materials arrived at their destination.

Click here: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/grants-and-scholarships/how-to-apply-for-a-college-scholarship

Annual Tucson Metro Chamber Scholarships - $2000

The Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment, a 501c(3) entity of the Tucson Metro Chamber will award seven scholarships to graduating high school seniors with a scholarship in the amount of $2,000 each. The purpose of the Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment scholarship program is to develop a qualified workforce within the Tucson area by financially assisting deserving high school seniors to continue their education and establish a career in Tucson.

If you are interested in attending an accredited higher education institution in the Tucson area after graduation, this is an opportunity for you.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED:
- CenturyLink Science & Technology Scholarship
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Behavioral & Health Services Scholarship
- Institute for Better Education Scholarship for Private Education
- The Cooperative Purchasing Network Teaching Scholarship
- TMC Healthcare Behavioral & Health Services Scholarship
- Liberal Arts Scholarship
- Science & Technology Scholarship

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must meet and agree to the following criteria:
- Must be a High School Senior living in Pima County.
- Have an interest in working and living in the Tucson area after degree completion.
- Have a record of acceptable school performance (must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale).
- Demonstrated outstanding qualities of positive citizenship in school and community life.
- Must use scholarship in the next twelve months; funds will be deposited directly into student’s bursar account.
- Funds must be used at a local accredited higher educational institution or an accredited vocational school in Pima County.
- Recipients must report on their college career at least once a school year to the Scholarship Committee through an email survey.
- Must attend the State of Education luncheon to receive the award on May 15, 2013.
- Must attend the financial literacy workshop in April. Applicants will be informed of the date, time and location of the workshop.

Click here for info and application: The Tucson Center for Cultural Enrichment scholarship info

Samsung Superhero Competition - $500

Be the heroes of your school and WIN a SAMCAM 760 for your school and $500 for your student!

When it comes to active learning, nothing beats presenting live in front of fellow classmates. Encourage your students to discover themselves while learning about historical characters. This competition is fun and engaging. Students are to portray their favorite historical character on video. All entries will be posted on YouTube.

Winter/Spring Deadline:	May 31, 2013
Submission:	Digital video 1-3 minutes in length (camera phone quality is fine.)
Requirements:	Student attends a school within the U.S. or Federal Territory Student is in grades K-12 Student portrays a historical character
Judging Criteria:	Presentation performance Character and content accuracy Content quality Click here: http://www.samsungsuperhero.com/

VSA Playwright Discovery Award - $1000

This award is for students in 6th through 12th grade who are US citizens or permanent residents. Applicants are invited to take a closer look at the world around them, examine how disability affects their lives and the lives of others, and express their views through the art of play-writing  Applicants must submit a one-act play script on the subject of disability; entries may be the work of an individual student or a collaboration by a group or class of students. Playwrights can write from their own experience or about an experience in the life of another person or a fictional character. Young playwrights with and without disabilities are encouraged to submit a script. The five award recipients receive a $1,000 cash award and a trip to Washington, DC over Labor Day weekend to participate in workshops and view a reading of their work on stage.

Click here: http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/vsa/programs/playwright_discovery.cfm

The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program at ASU

The Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars program is a collaboration between the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and four institution of higher education in Arizona and Indiana, including Arizona State University.  The ASU Nina Scholars program is supported by an Advisory Council which consists of ASU and community representatives. 

The Nina Scholars Program is a scholarship program dedicated to providing educational opportunities for individuals who would not normally receive traditional academic scholarships and whose personal commitments and financial circumstances would preclude their attendance without substantial, long-term scholarship support.

Full tuition, books and a living allowance are provided through the Nina Scholars Program.

Deadline: April 1st!

Click here: http://ninascholars.asu.edu/

7 Tips to Win the Perfect College Scholarship for You

By Sabah Karimi

Click here: http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2013/01/08/7-tips-to-win-the-perfect-college-scholarship-for-you

There are thousands of scholarships available to students every year, but the competition is fierce and finding the right scholarship can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are things you can do to secure the funding you need for tuition, books, and other education expenses. Identifying opportunities you are eligible for and exploring a variety of opportunities can increase your chances of success. You’ll also need to be organized and stay on top of multiple deadlines.

Here are seven tips to help you find the best scholarship opportunities:

1. File a FAFSA. File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible and make sure you file your application every year. The application is available each January and could help you qualify for certain scholarships. Upon approval, you’ll find out how much free aid you qualify for and what types of scholarships you may be able to qualify for.

2. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your applications. When you’re inquiring about scholarship opportunities by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so that the scholarship provider can send you application materials as quickly as possible. Some organizations actually require applicants to send the envelope.

3. Stay organized. Keep track of all application deadlines byusing a calendar to mark important dates. Remember that most scholarship requirements include sending letters of recommendation, transcripts, financial records, and other documents. You’ll need to prepare these items several weeks in advance of the due date and take the time to ensure everything is ready to go well before the deadline. Create individual files for each application and get into the habit of tracking your scholarship due dates on a calendar. This will make it easier to submit all application materials well ahead of schedule.

4. Don’t overlook unique opportunities. “You don’t need to be the class valedictorian or star athlete to be eligible for many awards,” said Joe DePaulo, eExecutive Vice President of Sallie Mae, in a November press release. Many organizations offer scholarships that reward unique skill sets or life experiences. C-SPAN, for example, runs a national video documentary competition for students called StudentCam, which gives away $50,000 in scholarships to students and teachers. On a lighter note, Duck Brand Duck Tape runs a “Stuck at Prom” scholarship contest, which challenges students to create prom outfits out of duct tape and then wear them to prom for a chance to win scholarship cash prizes.

5. Read application instructions carefully. Review all of the eligibility requirements of every single scholarship you are applying for so you aren’t wasting your time on an opportunity that isn’t the right fit. Also, many students simply fail to follow directions and their application is discarded almost immediately. Give yourself a competitive advantage by reading the directions carefully and avoid sending something that hasn’t been requested.

6. Make copies of everything you submit. You’ll want to keep a copy of every item you send to the review committee in case someone needs additional documents at some point in the review process. Materials can get lost and it will be your responsibility to make sure the review committee has what they need to make their decision.

7. Increase your chances of success. Almost all scholarship opportunities require at least one to two letters of recommendation. Make sure you select people who can write you a solid letter of recommendation and provide specific details about your work ethic, drive, sense of responsibility, and other positive traits that would support your application. You’ll want to select people who can speak to your strengths and highlight things that make you stand apart from other applicants. Distinguishing facts might include your involvement with local charitable organizations, volunteer projects, or any type of academic success.

SAT Test info!

The SAT is the best known and most widely used college admissions test in existence. Not all schools require students to take the SAT before applying, but most do. Doing well on the exam is of critical importance to every high school student who hopes to go on to attend college. A low score can have very damaging consequences, from disqualifying a student when it comes to receiving scholarship funds all the way down to preventing a student from being accepted into even second or third tier schools. On the other hand, those who do very well on the SAT tend to get accepted into better colleges and universities while receiving many more scholarship offers, including full four year scholarships.

The SAT is officially called the SAT Reasoning Test, but most people simply call it the SAT. It consists of three sections - Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing. Test takers have three hours and forty-five minutes to complete the exam. Scores range from a possible 200, which is essentially a 0, to a perfect score of 2400, or 800 on each section

.

The exam is given seven times a year - January, March or April, May, June, October, November, and December. There is a fee to take the exam, which is $50 for each time you take it. 

Click here: for more info and PRACTICE QUESTIONS.

SAT Practice Question

1. What is the area of an isosceles triangle inscribed in a circle of radius r if the base of the triangle is the diameter of the circle?

1. r²
2. 2r²
3. πr²
4. 2πr

Answer is below.

1. Answer is A: The area of a triangle equals half the product of base times height. Since the base passes through the center, we have base = 2r and height = r, so that the area A is A = r × 2r / 2 = r²  

Check out JobPath!!!

JobPath’s mission is to demonstrate the social and economic benefits that can be achieved through long-term training for those who otherwise would not have the opportunity. They provide qualified, skilled, and highly motivated workers for the broad-based Tucson and Pima County job market.


Click here: http://jobpath.net/

JobPath recruits and sponsors adults in education and training programs which allow them to significantly increase their income and help address the skilled workforce shortages in Tucson & Pima County, Arizona. The majority of JobPath participants attend Pima Community College (PCC) in an Associate’s Degree or College level Certification for Direct Employment programs. Participants in the trades are enrolled in state-recognized apprenticeship programs.

JobPath is based on a proven, innovative model that provides financial and emotional support for adults to succeed in higher education and reach self-sufficiency. JobPath’s provides a wide range of support services to assist participants in balancing work, family obligations and education – including the development of team building and critical thinking skills. JobPath counselors mentor participants during their training and offer a range of support services including career counseling, case management, peer support facilitation, and financial assistance on a case-by-case basis so they can focus on their education. Financial assistance may be provided, as determined by a Career Counselor, for tuition, fees, books, transportation, childcare or emergency assistance.

JobPath’s multi-level financial and counseling support systems often make the difference between staying in school and dropping out. With commitment to excellence and a clear vision for delivering outstanding results, JobPath has an average academic retention and graduation rate of ninety percent.

Check out the College Ready program below. Cost is free to attend!

Borrow Smart!

Borrow smart. If you or your family must borrow to pay the bills, stick with government-sponsored Stafford loans for students and PLUS loans for parents (or a home-equity line of credit, if you qualify). Current interest rates on government loans are 6.8% for students (lower if you’re eligible for financial subsidies) and 7.9% for new PLUS loans (for more information on student loans, go to StudentLoans.gov). With that combination, you shouldn’t have to resort to more-expensive private loans. Remember, though, that a subsidized student loan can be a two-edged sword, encouraging kids to borrow more than they should.
Read more at http://www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T042-C002-S001-7-strategies-to-avoid-the-student-debt-trap.html#ut5FL0M11oqaOCx3.99 

United Realty Students Scholarship Program - $5,000-$10,000 Award

UNITED REALTY STUDENTS

APPLY HEREUnited Realty Students is a scholarship program intended to 

provide students with $100,000 per year in Educational Scholarships. 

Are you planning for a college or secondary education but don't have the resources to pay for it?

United Realty Partners, LLC is dedicated to investing in our future by investing in student education. For this reason, we've created United Realty Students — a scholarship program with multiple prizes awarded to students who best answer the question "How Do I Invest In My Future?"

Win scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 — just by writing a response to this short essay. Scholarships will be awarded on an ongoing basis, which you can view below. More details are available here.

- See more at: http://www.urpa.com/scholarship.html#sthash.ANKcvYWq.dpuf

Check out newfuturo.com!

Check out newfuturo.com.They provide a high-touch, high-tech bilingual educational community to help families get their students into college and beyond. They offer free tools, resources and ongoing guidance to help Latinos achieve their educational and career goals. En Español también.

Arizona Community Colleges Arizona, the Grand Canyon State, has one of the largest and best community college systems in the United States, including 10 campuses of the Maricopa Community Colleges. Below you'll find a directory accredited 1 and 2-year community, junior and technical colleges in Arizona. To explore colleges in a specific region within Arizona please make your selection from the list of cities found below. Arizona Academy of Beauty Arizona Automotive Institute Arizona College of Allied Health Arizona Culinary Institute Arizona School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Arizona Western College Avalon School of Cosmetology Charles of Italy Beauty College Central Arizona College Cochise College Coconino Community College Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences Diné College Eastern Arizona College East Valley Institute of Technology Fortis College Golf Academy of America Hair Academy of Safford HDS Truck Driving Institute International Academy of Hair Design Kaplan College Lamson College Maricopa Beauty College, LLC Maricopa Community College District Chandler-Gilbert Community College Estrella Mountain Community College GateWay Community College Glendale Community College Mesa Community College Paradise Valley Community College Phoenix College Rio Salado Community College Scottsdale Community College South Mountain Community College Maricopa Skill Center Mohave Community College Northland Pioneer College Pima Community College Pima Medical Institute - Mesa Pima Medical Institute - Tucson Refrigeration School Inc Regency Beauty Institute - Mesa Regency Beauty Institute - Tolleson Regency Beauty Institute - Tucson Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery The Bryman School of Arizona Tohono O'Odham Community College Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy Tucson College Tucson College of Beauty Turning Point Beauty College Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc Universal Technical Institute-Motorcycle Mechanics Yavapai College Explore community colleges, junior colleges and technical colleges by Arizona city. Avondale Chandler Coolidge Douglas Flagstaff Glendale Holbrook Kingman Mesa Phoenix Prescott Scottsdale Tempe Thatcher Tsaile Tucson Yuma

Click here: http://www.collegeatlas.org/arizona-community-colleges.html

Community Colleges: More time to plan for your future

Though sometimes overshadowed by the ritz and glitz of liberal arts schools and bustling research universities, community colleges truly provide a great introduction to higher education. Typically offering a range of two-year associates degrees, certificate programs and vocational training, community colleges present a good jumping off point for those unsure of what direction they might want to head. Moreover, since the majority of schools have adopted an open enrollment policy, all most students need is a high school diploma or GED and the desire to register.

If you’re wary of enrolling in community college but unsure of whether a four-year school is the right move for you at this time, consider the following:

Click here: https://www.mycollegeoptions.org/Core/SiteContent/Students/Advice/College-Resource-Center/College-Search---Selection/College-Choices/Community-Colleges.aspx

REASONABLE PRICE TAG

Community colleges are generally thousands of dollars cheaper than either public or private four-year institutions. Additionally, despite the reduced rate, financial aid is often available for those students unable to cover the full cost.  What’s more, the low tuition also allows students to save for bachelors programs, should they decide to apply in the future.  

UNPARALLELED FLEXIBILITY

Unlike many four-year colleges and universities, community colleges don’t require you to be a full-time student.  You have the ability to take a few classes while you simultaneously focus on other pursuits. Indeed, you can juggle a couple courses as you develop artistic ambitions, hold down a job or tend to familial obligations.  

IMPROVE YOUR ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

Many students often don’t hit their academic stride until after they graduate from high school. Community college offers students a clean slate and the chance to explore both new and traditional subjects from a fresh perspective. Additionally, small class sizes and individual attention translate into a supportive environment that truly provides the tools for success. Certainly, it’s quite common for students to use an associates program as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree. In fact, many community colleges maintain partnerships with four-year institutions that guarantee an acceptance letter should the student meet GPA and course requirements.

STAY CLOSE TO HOME

There are a number of students who, though armed with a diploma in hand, don’t feel quite ready to leave the nest. Of course, there are also a handful of young adults whose families rely on them for help and support. Regardless of reasons or factors, plenty of students must attend school locally. Fortunately, accessibility is the hallmark of community college and there’s usually a campus within a short drive of most towns.  Further, many programs are even adding online components. We think you’d be hard pressed to find a better commute!

Amidst the hoopla of frat parties, Division I sports and hallowed and historic lecture halls, it’s easy to dismiss community college. However, two-year schools provide fantastic educational opportunities. They allow students to dip their toe into the higher ed. waters without fear that they will drown (metaphorically speaking of course). Further, they allow students to move at their own time and their own pace, helping ignite new passions along the way. And all the while maintaining an exceedingly affordable price tag! 

Click on the logo to check out a great Community College: 

Pima Community College