Don't Catch the awfully contagious Senioritis

Senioritis and college admission
Many students mistakenly believe that prepping for college ends after eleventh grade. However,
you'll find that the senior year -- the entire senior year -- is actually of particular interest to
colleges.

Most colleges look at your senior year courses and grades
If you think that colleges are only interested in what you accomplished during your first three
years of high school, think again. Many college applications (including the Common Application)
 require you to list your senior courses, including information about course levels and credit
hours. It will be very obvious to the admission officers if you've decided to "take the year off."

What's more, many colleges include as part of the application a form called the mid-year grade
report. Your counselor completes this form with your first-half grades and sends it to your
colleges. It then becomes an crucial part of your application folder.

Don't slack off -- even if you're already in
Many college acceptance letters include warnings to students such as "Your admission is
contingent on your continued successful performance." Translation: colleges can take back offers
of acceptance if your grades take a nosedive.

Don't believe that a college will really drop you once you're in? Think again. Mary Lee Hoganson,
College Counselor for Homewood-Flossmor Community High School, Flossmor, Illinois writes: "It
is not at all rare for a college to withdraw an offer of admission when grades drop significantly
over the course of the senior year. (I have a folder full of copies of these letters.)"

Senioritis can affect your college performance
According to reports created by and for the National Commission on the High School Senior
Year, incomplete high school preparation can contribute to academic problems in college.

• "Students who require remediation [have to take remedial courses] range from a low of
  13 percent at private four-year colleges to a high of 41 percent at public two-year
  institutions.
  
• "More than one quarter of the freshmen at 4-year colleges and nearly half of those at 2-
  year colleges do not even make it to their sophomore year."
  

Tips to help you survive senioritis
Here are some suggestions to help you stay on track and get the most out of your senior year:

• Create your own motivation
  Even if you've already been accepted to college, keep setting goals for yourself, in and out of
  the classroom, and working towards them.
• Challenge yourself
  Take the most rigorous courses available at your school, such as AP^® courses. If you'd like a
  preview of college work, consider signing up for a course at a local college.
• Stay involved and active
  Keep up your participation in school activities, sports, volunteer work, etc.
• Keep things in balance
  Try not to let one area of your life (schoolwork, social life, outside interests, job) totally dominate other areas.

National Commission on the High School Senior Year, The Lost Opportunity of Senior Year: Finding a Better Way -
Summary of Findings, 2001.

Barth, P., Haycock, K., Huang, S. and Richardson, A., Youth at the Crossroads: Facing High School and Beyond.
Washington, DC: The Education Trust, 2000.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

Graduating seniors may apply for competitive four-year ROTC scholarships.  These scholarships typically cover the costs of tuition, fees, books, and provide a monthly stipend. A student must meet certain physical and academic requirements and agree to accept an appointment as a commissioned officer in the military after graduation in order to qualify for one of these scholarships. A minimum of four years’ active and two years’ reserve duty is required.

There are different procedures, requirements, and benefits associated with each of the three military services offering ROTC programs.  In addition to ROTC programs, there are other special programs that provide financial aid for education to students who promise to fulfill a term of military service after graduation.  In these other programs, officer training occurs during summer vacations or after college.

Tips to De-stress

There is confusion about the word stress.  Sometimes a feeling of stress heeds as a
warning that we are feeling excited about something positive in our lives.  But, for the
 most part, we attribute the word STRESS to mean anxiety, and, a feeling of loss of
control that seems to dominate our lives.  As students, you may feel like you are in a
“pressure cooker” at various times throughout the semester—from the first time you meet
the college professor, to those times when papers are due, quizzes are scheduled or mid-
term or final exams are looming.  What can you do to alleviate this distress?

7 Steps to DE-STRESS Yourself

1. MANAGE TIME:  Make enough time for your school work ahead of time.  The
   formula is:  2 hours of homework & prep time for 1 hour of classroom time.
2. QUIET ZONE:  (sometimes, a place outside your home is the best place for this
   zone)  Suggestions:  college library, in your car on the college campus as weather
   permits, the library at a college campus near your home if closer than the college
   you attend, or,  a ‘lighted’ closet in your home that no one knows exists. (use your
   imagination)
3. DEEP BREATHING techniques...check your library, the internet, or you might
   even subscribe to Yoga Journal to learn of relaxation techniques.  Simply b-r-e-
   a-t-h-e and become aware of your breathing.  Take t-i-m-e to monitor your
   breath.  Shallow breathing adds to stress.  Breathe d-e-e-p-l-y.
4. HUMOR:  make time for humor.  Find humor in situations.  Do not take yourself
   too seriously.  (According to Loretta LaRoche, “Life is Not a Stress Rehearsal”, in
   her book with the same title).
5. DE-GADGET your life:  Eliminate ways in which people can reach you...limit the
   number of electronic & communication devices that you “manage”...including,
   limit the use of:  cell phones, e-mail, voice mail, pages, etc.  People “eat up”
   valuable time that could be better put to use as times of leisure and relaxation. 
   Determine the importance of a contact.
6. DESIGNATE:  If you are part of a family, have help, occasionally with chores
   and responsibilities.  Designate obligations to those able to assist you in times of
   stress.  Let family members know ahead of time that you will require their co-
   operation if you are to succeed.  If single... pay for help if you can afford to do so.
7. HAVE FUN:  do something that you enjoy on a regular basis.  You deserve a
   break from work and school work.  Enjoy life.

*Don’t:  drink, smoke, or use substances to alleviate stress.  If necessary, talk to a
counselor on campus if you are feeling ‘over the edge’.  Learning should be a positive
experience.  Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

Study Tips:

ü      Rule of thumb:  two hours of studying for each class hour.

ü      Complete difficult or least interesting things first.  Save easy or enjoyable
assignments until last.

ü      Avoid long study sessions.  Take regular breaks, 10 minutes every hour.  If your
attention span is extremely short.  Study 15 minutes at a time and take a break for
3 minutes.

ü      Avoid studying similar subject back to back.

ü      Determine the time of day when you are most effective and can focus.

ü      Use small amount of time effectively.

ü      Have a regular place to study.

ü      Don’t get too comfortable (or you may fall asleep).

ü      Avoid distractions.

ü      Train others to respect your time-including those who call on the phone.

ü      Learn to say NO.  Be your own person.  Do what is right for you.

Job Trends and Issues

            Although our nightly news is often focused on the company closings (not only in
Pennsylvania, but throughout the United States) there is still some good news!  There are
options in the job market that you may have yet to consider, and with a little schooling
you can embark on a new career.  According to a labor market survey conducted of the
eastern PA counties, here are a few of the “hot jobs” in the Northeastern Pennsylvania
area:

• Nursing: CNA, LPN, and RN;
• Radiology Technicians;
• Surgical Technicians,
• Medical Laboratory Techs;
• Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists;
• Accountants and book-keepers;
• Child Care Workers;
• Bill and Account Collectors;
• Automotive Technicians;
• Physical Therapists and Aides;
• Human Services personnel;
• Teachers;
• Managers;
• Legal Assistants;
• Social Workers.

An important thing to remember is the aging population.  According to the census bureau,
16% of the population of the US will be over 65 by 2020.  In the next 5 years, it is
predicted that one-half the federal workforce will qualify for retirement in the next 3
 years, as well as our grade school teaching staff.  These retirements can cause huge gaps
in the workforce.  It is also predicted that the highest demand occupations will require at
least a two year college degree if not more advanced education.  If you would like to
research specific job projections visit:  http://almis.dws.state.ut.us/occ/projections.asp

Researching Careers Features

Nurses
Thinking of being a nurse?  Well get a load of how many types there are!

Academic Nurse - Nurse educator in an academic setting.  (Need Master's degree level)
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Plan acute nursing care for patient.  (Need Nurse Practitioner Professional degree)
Cardiology Nurse - Work with heart patients.
Chemical Dependence Rehabilitation Nurse - Works with drug addicts and alcoholics in rehabilitation programs.
Child Psychiatry Nurse - Works with children with mental health problems.
Critical Care Nurse - Works with severely ill patients usually in an intensive care unit.
Emergency Room Nurse - Works in the emergency room of a hospital or trauma center.
Flight Trauma Nurse - Works on helicopter life-flight teams.  Treats emergency trauma victims.
Forensic Nurse - Works exclusively with live victims of abuse.  Deals with both medicine and law.  Often works with victims of child abuse, rape, and domestic violence.
Geriatric Nurse - Works with elderly patients.
Home Care Nurse - Works with patients in their own homes.
Industry Nurse - Works for a business or industry.  Usually runs employee wellness and safety programs.
Infection Control Nurse - Are responsible for preventing and managing the spread of infection in a healthcare organization.
Long Term Care Nurse - Works at a nursing home where patients stay long term.
Military Nurse - Is both a soldier and a nurse.  Usually staffs military hospitals.
Neonatal Nurse - Works with critically ill newborn babies in an intensive care setting.
Nurse Anesthetist - Administers general, regional, or local anesthesia or sedation before or during surgical or obstetrical procedures.
Nurse Midwife - Delivers babies outside the hospital setting.  (Get RN then get Midwifery Professional degree)
Obstetric Nurse - Works in the obstetric and gynecology units.
Oncology Nurse - Works with cancer patients.
Operating Room Nurse - Works with surgical patients in the OR.
Pediatric Nurse - Works with sick children.
Pediatric Hospice Nurse - Works with terminally ill children.
Psychiatric Nurse - Works with the mental health issues of a patient.
Rehabilitation Nurse - Works with patients with brain or spinal cord injuries.
Research Nurse - Conducts clinical trials on patients.  Collects data and analyzes it.
School Nurse - Works in a school setting.  (Master's degree required in PA)
Urology Nurse - Works with patients with urological problems such as prostrate cancer; kidney dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, and incontinence.
Veterans Affairs Nurse - Works specifically with the healthcare of veterans.

Education Levels for Nursing

Diploma RN - earn through a hospital based nursing school
Associate's Degree RN - earn through a college plus hospital clinical rotations
Bachelor's Degree RN - earn through a college plus hospital clinical rotations
Master's Degree in Nursing - earn the Bachelor's Degree RN first then earn the Master's through a college
   -Master's In Nurse Education
   -Certified Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)
   -Nurse Midwife
   -Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
   -Clinical Specialist
Doctorate's Degree in Nursing (Ph.D.) or Doctorate in Nursing Science - earn Bachelor's, then Master's, then this
 

Electricians

Electricians work with systems that provide electricity to homes and businesses.  They install wiring, heating, and air-conditioning systems.  They also maintain and repair these systems.  They must follow strict government rules and building codes to ensure the safety of the building they are working on, themselves and any other persons that may be involved.  Electricians may work a 9 to 5 day or they may work nights and weekends or depending on whom they work for, be on call 24 hours a day.  Many are self-employed.

Subjects to study to become an electrician would be math, shop courses, electronics, mechanical drawing, science, blueprint reading and even first aid.

The recommended schooling for an electrician is an associate degree.  The average annual earnings is $28,000 to $50,000.  The job outlook for these positions is an average increase in openings.

Health Services Workers:  Health services are one of the largest industries on the country, with more than 11 million jobs.

The health services industry includes the small-town private practice, employing just a few, to the busy city hospital that provides thousands of diverse jobs.  They include hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, home healthcare services, health and allied services centers and clinics, medical and dental laboratories, as well as offices and clinics of physicians, dentists and other health care practitioners. Many health services facilities operate around the clock and staff is needed at all hours.

Health services occupations include:

• Professional and technical (physicians, surgeons, nurses, social workers, radiological technologists, etc.)
• Service (dental assistants, nursing aides, orderlies, housekeeping etc.)
• Office and administrative support (medical secretaries, office clerks, etc.)
• Management, business and financial operations (chief executive officer, medical services managers, etc.) 
• Installation, maintenance and repair (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc.)  

Health services workers at all levels of education and training will continue to be in demand. 

Specialized training is a requirement for many jobs in health services and is an asset even for many administrative jobs that do not specifically require it. In many cases, it may be easier for job seekers with health-specific training to obtain jobs and advance. 

Personality:  strong desire to help others, a genuine concern for the welfare of patients and clients, and an ability to deal with diverse people and stressful situations.

Pilots

There’s competition for piloting jobs because they often have very high earnings.  Although most pilots transport passengers and cargo, others are involved in more unusual tasks, such as dusting crops, spreading seed for reforestation, testing aircraft, directing fire fighting efforts, tracking criminals, monitoring traffic, and rescuing and evacuating injured persons.

Most airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours a month and work an additional 75 hours a month performing non-flying duties.  Most spend a considerable amount of time away from home because the majority of flights involve overnight layovers and work schedules often are irregular.

Pilots must be alert and quick to react if something goes wrong.  All pilots who are paid to transport passengers or cargo must have a commercial pilot’s license with an instrument rating issued by the FAA.  Helicopter pilots must hold a commercial pilot’s certificate with a helicopter rating.  Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have at least 250 hours of flight experience. They also must pass a strict physical examination to make sure that they are in good health and have 20/20 vision with or without glasses, good hearing, and no physical handicaps that could impair their performance. Applicants must pass a written test that includes questions on the principles of safe flight, navigation techniques, and FAA regulations. They also must demonstrate their flying ability to FAA or designated examiners.

Air Traffic Controllers

This is a competitive but high earning career.  Their main responsibility is to organize the flow of aircraft in and out of airports. Relying on radar and visual observation, they closely monitor each plane to ensure a safe distance between all aircraft and keep pilots informed about changes in weather conditions.

Controllers must be able to work rapidly and efficiently and be articulate to give clear directions.  Intelligence and a good memory are required to grasp things and make quick decisions with total concentration.

They work a basic 40-hour week rotating night and weekend shifts since it’s a 24 hour occupation.

Controller trainees are selected through the Federal Civil Service system. Applicants must pass a written test and usually must have 3 years of general work experience or 4 years of college, or a combination of both. There is screening using computer simulators and physical and psychological examinations. Successful applicants receive drug screening tests and must be less than 31 years old.

Travel Agents

Earnings are low but travel benefits, such as reduced rates for transportation and accommodations, attract many people to this occupation so it’s competitive.

Travel agents give advice on destinations and make arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations, car rentals, tours, and recreation. They may also advise on weather conditions, restaurants, and tourist attractions, and recreation. For international travel, agents also provide information on customs regulations, required papers (passports, visas, and certificates of vaccination), and currency exchange rates.

Agents spend most of their time behind a desk conferring with clients, completing paperwork, contacting airlines and hotels for travel arrangements, and promoting group tours. During vacation seasons and holiday periods they may be under a great deal of pressure.

College education is sometimes desired by employers to establish a background in fields such as computer science, geography, communication, foreign languages, and world history.  Courses in accounting and business management also are important.

What Can I Do with a Major in...?

Marketing

Associated Skills:
Proficient in leading, selling, organizing, planning, persuading, and coordinating
Ambitious, resourceful, decisive, energetic, competitive, creative, and willingness to work beyond expectations
Capacity to organize, analyze, or interpret data
Good vocabulary/speak well

Sample Career Titles:

**Some careers may require further training and/or educational degree.

Management

Associated Skills:

Leadership, Trustworthy, Integrity, Businesslike, and Accurate Detail
Ability to communicate ideas and concepts to others

Strong background in human relations, marketing, and general business

Knowledge of financial and economic history, practices, and trends

Ability to work with both people and data

Sample Career Titles:

**Some careers may require further training and/or educational degree.

International Business

Associated Skills:

Proficient in a foreign language and multicultural awareness

Adaptable, ability to work with diverse groups and with stress and pressure

Organizational, communication, technical, and problem solving skills

Sample Career Titles:

**Some careers may require further training and/or educational degree.

Finance
Associated Skills:
Adapt to change, persistent, patient, accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to communicate with people and work with others to get the job done and to use computers
Knowledge of business principles and financial trends
Problem solving, mathematical, organizational, and strong interpersonal communication skills
Capacity to organize, analyze, or interpret numerical data
Sample Career Titles:

**Some careers may require further training and/or educational degree.

Accounting
Associated Skills:
Ability to work alone for long periods of time with computers, numbers; organizing, analyzing, and interpreting numerical data; leading others, supervising, and directing others; explaining complex financial data to others; operate/use information derived from computers
Independence, Tendency towards analytical thinking
Proficiency in written and oral communication
Capacity for precision, detail, order, patience, integrity, and thoroughness
Sample Career Titles:

**Some careers may require further training and/or educational degree.
 

SHOULD I PAY SOMEONE TO HELP ME FIND OR APPLY FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL AID?

The quick answer is NO.  Why?  Free help is available, whether you're looking for alternate
sources of student aid, scholarships, or completing the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA).
If there's a fee involved, be sure you know what you're paying for.

WHERE CAN I GET FREE INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENT AID?

The following sources usually have information about aid from the federal government
and your state government; most can tell you about funds from your local community and
private sources as well.

·        A college or career school financial aid office.
Talk to the financial aid administrator at the school you plan to attend.
Be sure to ask about "institutional aid" - money the school itself awards students.
The school's catalog or web site is also a good source of information about aid
available at the school.

• A local or college library.
  Relevant materials are usually listed under "student aid" or "financial aid."
  If you need help, ask the reference librarian.
• The Internet.
  Search using the key words "student aid" or "financial aid."
  Remember that many scams operate over the Internet, so if an Internet service charges a fee, research it carefully.
  Better yet, use one of the many free Internet search services or aid information sites.
• A high school counselor's office.
  Many counselors have a large selection of materials, know what recent graduates have received,
  and can guide you to free online information.

WHAT IF I WANT MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL STUDENT AID?

The major source of student financial aid is the U.S. Department of Education.

(Check out our Financial Aid and Scholarships page for more information.)
About 70% of the student aid that is awarded each year comes from
the U.S. Department of Education's programs (approximately $61 billion in 2000-2001).
The Department's aid includes grants, loans, and work-study.

Free materials available in the financial aid office at your college or career school or the guidance office at
your high school include the FAFSA.

LOANS ADVICE
A part of Financial Aid

Avoid falling into the "loan trap"
Because need-based loans are easy to apply for and don't require payments while you're in
school, it's tempting to borrow up to the maximum amount -- even if it is more than you can afford
to repay.

Ask yourself how much loan you actually need
You don't have to borrow the entire amount shown in your award letter.

Consider options that will reduce your loan
Can you hold down expenses? Can you work more, either in the academic year or during
vacations? Are there scholarships for you? If you reduce spending or bring in more money, the
amount you have to borrow goes down.

Go for the loan with the best terms
The lower the interest rate, the less expensive the loan -- in other words, the less you'll have to
repay.

Starting with least expensive, your loan "batting order" should be:

Student Loans

1. Federal Perkins Loans
2. Federal Subsidized Stafford or Direct Loans
3. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford or Direct Loans
4. Alternative Loans

Some students may have access to a special loan source (like the Air Force Aid Society) with
terms comparable to Perkins or subsidized Stafford/Direct loans. It may be worth your time to
look into the possibilities. The College Board's online Scholarship Search includes low-interest
student loan programs.

Parent loans

1. Federal PLUS Loans
2. Private Loans (also called alternative loans)

Some colleges offer their own parent loan programs. We recommend that you check with the
financial aid office to see if the school offers its own loan program, and if you qualify, before you
 submit a PLUS loan application.

Source:  collegeboard.com

Your Saving Options

Time is money

There are lots of ready-made savings vehicles that make saving for college easy. Here are some
of the most popular choices:

State "529" college savings programs
These programs allow you to save money for college through state-sponsored investment
accounts.

• Earnings and withdrawals are federal tax-free.
• You can use the funds at any college or university, in any state.
• Funds are treated as parental assets -- current financial aid formulas only count five
  percent of parental assets when calculating a family's need figure.

Learn more about state "529" college savings programs.

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
Formerly known as Education IRAs, these accounts let families put away $2,000 per beneficiary,
per year and use the money -- tax-free -- to pay for college expenses.

• You can now use Coverdell funds to pay for elementary or secondary education costs.
• ESAs are counted as the student's asset, which can reduce federal financial aid eligibility
  under current financial aid formulas.
• There are income restrictions to make full contributions to a Coverdell account --
  $95,000 for a single filer and $190,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Let's say a family starts saving at the birth of a child, puts in $2,000 per year, and earns five
percent interest. They will have earned over $54,000 by the time the child graduates from high
 school.

Roth IRA
You may withdraw your contributions to a Roth IRA to pay for college expenses without having to
pay either income tax or the ten percent early withdrawal penalty.

Any investment earnings in your Roth IRA are also available for withdrawal without the ten
percent penalty, but subject to regular income tax. You may withdraw investment earnings tax-
free if you're over 59 1/2 and you've had your Roth IRA for at least five years.

 Source: collegeboard.com

What do you do in the summer?

Smart things to do in the summer:

- Work a local job for some extra money
- Hang out with friends
- Take college level classes (juniors & seniors)
- Visit post-secondary schools in which you are interested
- Job shadow in career areas you think you might like
- Do community service
- Get involved in a summer program

Why Do a Summer Program?
The older you get, the fewer "summers off" you're going to have (unless you plan to be a teacher, of course).
Embrace your youth on rocky mountain trails, in a third-world classroom, learning Portugese in
Portugal, or exploring the under water world when you commit to a summer program.
Programs obviously vary in location, length, cost, and purpose,
but no matter what you choose you'll find you've gained a lot more than you would have by
chilling on the couch at home.

For ideas on summer programs and information on how to get into a summer program, click the
link below:

http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/articles/prepare/summerbook2.asp

Check with your local colleges to see what's available at their campus in the summer.
For an example of what to look for, Penn State campuses do sports camps, technology camps for
girls, computers camps, etc.

YouCanDealWithIt.com has a great unsubsidized loan interest and payments calculator, assists recent and soon-to-be college graduates with life after college, providing resume tips, information on getting a job, finding an apartment, buying a car, budgeting, debt management and more.

Paying for College

Myths and Realities About Paying for College from College Is Possible

Myth: College tuition costs more than $20,000 a year.

Reality: Of the 3,600 colleges and universities in America, 200 charged $20,000 or more for tuition and fees in 2002-03. Nearly 80 percent of full-time undergraduates at 4 year institutions face tution of less than $8,000.

Myth: Private colleges are always more expensive than public colleges.

Reality: On average, private colleges usually cost more than public institutions, even after aid is deducted; however, there are instances in which a private college is less expensive, after student aid, than a public institution. For example, the cost of a private institution, less student aid, often is less than a public institution outside one's home state.

Myth: Only the very rich can afford college.

Reality: Nearly 20 percent of traditional-aged undergraduates come from families with income below $25,000 per year. The federal government, states, and institutions all offer financial aid to help low-income students afford college.

Myth: The middle class gets socked by college costs -- there's no help for them.

Reality: A wide variety of aid programs are available to help middle-income families, including many grants and scholarships as well as tax incentives and benefits related to higher education. At public 4 year colleges, about 40 percent of students with family income between $40,000 and $80,000 receive grants averaging $2,900. At private institutions, almost 75 percent are awarded grants or scholarships that average $9,300.

Myth: It actually hurts you to save for college because you get less financial aid.

Reality: Those who save will be expected to contribute more toward their children's education than those who don't save. However, the formulas for determining the expected family contribution count income far more heavily than savings, so the difference is usually not substantial. Furthermore, a family that saves will have the funds necessary to meet their expected contribution, while a family that does not save may have to borrow -- with interest charges more than making up for the smaller expected contribution.

Myth: You really don't need college to be a success -- look at Bill Gates.

Reality: Bill Gates' story is exceptional. Today, the average annual income of full-time workers with a bachelor's degree is almost 45 percent higher than for those with a high school diploma. Those with an associate degree earn 19 percent more than high school graduates. Today, some postsecondary education or training is necessary for almost every good job.

Myth: Only big-time athletes get scholarships.

Reality: In 1999-00, less than 1 percent of undergraduates received athletic scholarships. Most student aid is awarded on the basis of financial need -- not athletic talent.

Myth: Only minorities get extra help.

Reality: The majority of student aid is awarded on the basis of financial need. Very little aid is awarded solely on the basis of students' race or ethnicity. According to a recent survey of financial aid officers, less than 10 percent of institutions' budgets for non-need-based scholarships go toward scholarships for members of specific minority groups. Generally, students from racial or ethnic minority groups are more likely to receive scholarships because they are more likely to have financial need.

Myth: Only white people know how to pull the strings to get to college.

Reality: Socio-economic status and previous experience with higher education are much more important in determining who goes to college than race or ethnicity. The admissions and financial aid process is daunting for many families, but especially for those with no previous college experience. Families can get help from a number of sources. This website is a great place to start. Libraries and high school guidance offices offer resources and assistance. In addition, many communities have a federally funded Educational Opportunity Center with trained counselors to help students and parents through the admissions and financial aid process.

Myth: It's not what you know when it comes to college and financial aid -- it's who you know.

Reality: It is most important to forge relationships with people who can provide solid information and advice, such as high school guidance counselors and college admissions or financial aid personnel.

Myth: Community colleges offer only vocational education.

Reality: Community colleges provide a wide range of educational options, all at a low cost to students. In addition to career and technical education, community colleges offer the first two years of academic course work to transfer to a four-year institution. They also help workers upgrade their skills and provide courses for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Open admissions, nearby locations, a wide array of courses, flexible class schedules, and low tuition prices make community colleges readily accessible to everyone.

Myth: Colleges charge whatever they want -- they've got a monopoly.

Reality: Public and private colleges set their tuition in very different ways. Generally, state policy makers set tuition for public institutions. Tuition decisions are driven by the funding colleges receive from the state. When states cut their appropriations for colleges and universities, they have to raise tuition to make up at least part of the resulting budget shortfall. Private colleges set their own tuition, but they operate in a very competitive environment. They have to construct tuition and aid policies that allow them to fill their classes and offer the programs and facilities that will keep them competitive.

Myth: There is no basis for the soaring increase in college prices.

Reality: Many factors influence college cost increases - technology and facility costs, faculty salaries, student aid expenditures, and cuts in state appropriations to name just a few. Despite cutbacks in state appropriations and decreasing endowment values colleges are trying to do even better, searching for new and innovative ways to cut costs and minimize tuition increases.

Teens view jobs as first step to wealth
by Alison Wellner - USA Weekend, June 8-10, 2007

 John Page, Youth Insights manager at Yankelovich, a market research firm in Chapel Hill, N.C. says, "Teens have a strong sense that they are going to be able to accomplish things in their lifetimes that other generations didn't," Page says.

And they're working or looking for work:  More than 6 million teens, ages 16-19 (36.9%), held jobs in 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Teens expect opportunity and responsibility in their jobs, Page says, which can lead to disappointment when they punch into low-level positions in retail, hospitality and leisure, the industries most likely to employ them.

-Of teens ages 16-19, 4.3 million work part time, 1.8 million full time, and 1.1 million more are looking for work.
-Employed teens work an average of 18.3 hours a week and earn $483.60 a month, according to a 2006 study by VNU Business Media and the Harrison group.  Top spending priorities:  clothes, eating out, cars, movies, and cellphones.
-60% of teens believe that they'll be rich someday, according to a 2006 Yankelovich study - jobs today being a stop on the path to success tomorrow.
-Nearly 70% of 16-19 year-olds say they work hard to come out on top in every situation, vs. 54% of 30-39 year-olds, according to Yankelovich.
-In July 2006, the unemployment rate for what the Bureau of Labor Statistics calls the "youth labor force" (ages 16-24) was 11.2%, while overall unemployment was just 4.8%.