The question should really be: Why not go to college?

• Graduates of four-year colleges earn 80 percent more income over their lifetimes than high school graduates — this adds more than $1 million over a lifetime.
• The unemployment rate for people with less than a high school diploma is 8.5 percent as compared with 5.0 percent for high school graduates.
• As students continue to higher education, the rate of unemployment drops to between 1.7 percent and 3.7 percent.
• The average return on the investment in a bachelor’s degree is 20 times the cost of that education.
• Montana is host to some of the best colleges in the nation — they have been recognized in U.S. News and World Reports and Princeton Review as being among America’s top colleges!

The KnowHow2Go program is aimed at encouraging low-income and first-generation college students to pursue higher education. Just as important, this Web site shows parents and students how to reach those goals!

Some advice for students from KnowHow2Go:

• Be a pain — in a good way! Students should find an adult who can help them with the steps to college.
• Push yourself and don’t stop! Students need to ask questions about which classes their college of choice requires them to take, and to take them.
• Find the right fit! Students need to consider their interests when they decide upon colleges to which they want to apply.
• Put your hands on some cash! Students should apply for grants, loans and scholarships to pay for college.

In addition, KnowHow2Go provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for parents and students in middle school through high school to prepare themselves for the future in the areas of academics, finances and college, and career.
Visit KnowHow2GoMontana.org for more information.

Academic

• Prepare yourself! Get familiar with the college prep curriculum if you wish to enroll in a four-year program in the Montana University System. Also, outline a four-year course plan with your teacher or counselor.
• Learn to study! Focus on learning and improving your study habits. (Your grades will be a permanent part of your transcripts.)
• Get organized! Use a student planner to keep track of class assignments and activities.
• Start talking! Talk to your parents, teachers, mentors and counselors about your desire to go to college.
• Get involved! Participate in activities and take electives that interest you. Student government, school newspapers, athletics, school clubs, community service, band or orchestra, dance team and youth groups are all great examples of opportunities.
• Promote yourself! Start, or continue, to build a scholarship and academic portfolio that includes items such as report cards, test scores, writing samples, activities, art work, honors and awards.
• Extend yourself! Apply to attend a summer program on a college campus.

College & Career

• “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Research careers that match your interests by using computer-based tools like the Montana Career Information System (MCIS).
• Study! Research colleges online (community colleges, colleges of technology, four-year degree colleges). Visit a campus or take a virtual tour.

Financial

• “How much does college cost?” Research college costs and develop a savings plan for college with your parents/guardians.
• “How do I pay for college?” Attend a workshop on paying for college with your parents/guardians.

Academic

• Study! Continue to focus on grades and learning.
• Stay on track! Take college prep courses. Find out about Advanced Placement, Running Start, Tech Prep or International Baccalaureate courses.
• Plan! Take ACT’s PLAN as practice for the ACT your junior year; review results with your teacher or counselor.
• Read!
• Score! Take the PSAT as practice for your junior year when PSAT scores count for National Merit Scholar consideration.
• Follow your interests! Continue to pursue new academic enrichment programs and extracurricular activities; join at least one academic, extracurricular and/or social activity (after school activity or club).
• School’s out! Pursue a summer experience or academic enrichment program with a specialty focus.

College & Career

• Keep looking! Start collecting college information based on your interests.
• Keep exploring careers on the Internet.
• Job shadow! Spend a day shadowing someone who works in a career that interests you.
• Ask! Ask college students and graduates for advice on how to prepare for college.
• Go! Attend career fairs.
• “Which college is right for me?” Attend informational sessions with college representatives and counselors about college opportunities.
• Research college majors.
• Visit a variety of college campuses.

Financial

• Budget — Attend workshops on budgeting and saving.
• Go to a financial aid night at school.
• Research scholarship opportunities and requirements.
• Save! Start saving for college if you haven’t already.

Academic

• Study! Focus on learning and strengthening your study habits. Keep your grades up.
• Keep on track and do more! Take advanced Math and English courses.
• Challenge yourself! Take Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, Running Start, Tech Prep and other challenging classes offered by your school.
• Register for the PSAT in the fall — the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Take practice tests.
• Read!
• Write! Complete a research paper.
• Step up! Deepen or increase involvement in academic enrichment and extracurricular activities. Take on a leadership role.
• Test time! Take the SAT or ACT in the spring. (Plan to take both tests at least once.) Practice for the tests! The Student Assistance Foundation offers free practice tests for both the SAT and ACT.
• Register and take AP exams if enrolled in AP courses.
• Summertime! Participate in summer academic enrichment experiences.

College & Career

• Got college? Decide what you want in a college considering size, courses, available majors, location, admission standards, student success, campus environment, cost and special interests.
• Measure up! Choose between three and six colleges and request information from them. Compare application procedures, admission requirements, size, location, fees, room and board costs, student activities and financial aid procedures.
• Make a list! Prepare a list of questions to ask college representatives and attend college fairs.
• Check it out! Visit college campuses.
• Talk, talk, talk! Discuss your college plans with your parents, teachers, mentors and/or counselors.
• Write! Practice writing a personal statement for college applications and sample essays.
• Who knows you best? Identify teachers who will write letters of recommendation for scholarships and college applications.
• Educate yourself! Get familiar with application and financial aid deadlines at your favorite schools.
• Create a resume.
• Explore careers! Apply for part-time and summer jobs, internships or job shadow opportunities.

Financial

• Check it out! Are you eligible for the Montana GEAR UP Achievement Grant? These grants are awarded to all GEAR UP high school juniors with a minimum 2.0 GPA who are taking a college preparatory curriculum.
• What’s in a loan? Attend financial aid workshops to begin to understand the basics of federal and college loans.
• Search for scholarships. Submit applications for scholarships offered to juniors.
• Learn what makes up the cost to attend college, and estimate the cost differences among your favorite colleges (Hint: Books + Room & Board + Tuition + Fees + Transportation = Cost of Attendance).
• Save! Continue saving for college.
• Have a discussion with your parents/guardians about how to pay for college.

Academic

• Stay on track! Review class schedules, test scores and college plans with your counselor to ensure that you are meeting all of your college prep requirements.
• Stay on top! Keep up with your homework — your GPA is important!
• Aim high! Take a fourth-year math course, advanced English, AP and other advanced and honors courses.
• Consider taking courses at a local university or community college.
• Ready, set, test! Sign up for October or November ACT and/or SAT tests. Apply for exam fee waivers and practice!
• Life beyond classes! Continue your involvement in academic enrichment and extracurricular activities. Take on leadership roles. Get involved with community service and volunteer work.

College & Career

• Plan! Meet with your counselor about plans for college, scholarships and financial aid.
• Get organized! Create files to keep copies of applications and correspondence.
• Stay organized! Keep track of important dates and deadlines in your student planner such as class assignments, college application deadlines, test registration dates and fees, and financial aid deadlines.
• Attend college planning information nights and college fairs.
• Say please! Request letters of recommendation from your teachers for scholarships and college applications.
• Narrow it down! Apply on time to at least two or three colleges. Be sure to include the appropriate fees and make copies of everything before sending them to the schools of your choice.
• Details! Send high school transcripts to colleges in the fall and send your final transcripts in May.
• Congratulations! You should expect to hear whether you have been accepted to colleges by April 15. Compare the acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers. Reply promptly to acceptance letters from colleges — the deadline is usually May 1. Pay a non-refundable deposit to your selected college for tuition and housing for your freshman year.
• Visit! Make sure to visit the colleges you are seriously considering and to which you have been accepted. Talk with current students, sit in on classes and check retention rates for first-year students.
• Say thank you! Send “thank you” notes to scholarship providers and people who wrote letters of recommendation for you.
• Room and board? Understand housing options and requirements for students on campus.
• Get your bearings! Participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming freshman.

Financial

• Keep saving for college!
• Check it twice! Make a financial aid checklist, including deadlines.
• Fund yourself! Complete and submit scholarship applications. Don’t forget the Montana GEAR UP Pathways Scholarship. This competitive, four-year scholarship, valued at up to $20,000, is awarded to recipients of the Montana GEAR UP Achievement Grant who apply during their senior year of high school and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Attend financial aid nights.
• Register for selective service at the post office or online. (This applies to males, 18 years of age.)
• FAFSA time! With the help of your parents/guardians, gather the necessary documents to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
• Tax time! Make sure your parents/guardians file their taxes if they have earned over $1,500.
• What’s my pin? Apply for a FAFSA pin.
• Take a bite out of costs! Attend College Goal Sunday with your parents/guardians for assistance filling out the FAFSA online or complete it by some other means. The priority deadline for most schools in Montana is March 1. Please check with the school or schools you are interested in attending for their deadlines.
• What’s your SAR? The SAR is the U.S. Department of Education’s reply to your submitted FAFSA and summarizes your financial aid eligibility for any federal programs. When you get your SAR, make sure your colleges of choice are listed. If corrections or updates are needed, complete them as soon as possible.
• Know the FAO! Contact the Financial Aid Office (FAO) for each college in which you are interested to discuss payment options and the availability of additional student financial aid (scholarships, work-study, state grants, etc.).
• Complete college-specific, financial aid applications.
• Develop a direct contact at the FAOs of those schools to which you have been accepted. Use this contact periodically to check on the status of your financial aid applications.
• What’s the difference? Take time to understand student loans, grants and work-study.
• Review, understand and accept appropriate financial aid offer.
• Budget! Prepare a realistic student budget.
• Keep copies of all documents!

While a significant portion of the responsibility for getting to college falls on the shoulders of the students, parents can help their children by following this action plan:

• Establish a college savings account for each child. Do this as soon as possible — the longer your money is invested, the more it will earn for your child’s education. (2.5 percent of income)
• The Montana Family Education Savings Program is a tax-free, 529 plan that allows families to save for future college tuition, fees, room and board. For more information, visit montana.collegesavings.com.
• Maintain a file of each child’s awards, athletic and volunteer activities and work projects.
• Start developing financial knowledge in children early.
• Monitor education spending programs in the news and keep up with current trends.
• Talk with financial professionals.
• Do a test run in a child’s junior year by using FAFSA4Caster.
• Help your student complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after Jan. 1 and before the priority deadline in his or her senior year.
• Develop budgetary guidelines with each child.
• Deepen specific financial knowledge with children regarding budgeting, credit issues, interest accrual and loan repayment.
• Apply for aid from the likely schools of attendance. Search and apply for as many scholarships and grants as possible.
• Borrow only the necessary funds for college.

Financial aid nights at local high schools are the perfect opportunity for parents to learn about these steps and other, important resources to make the transition from high school to post secondary education as smooth as possible for students and their families.

In order to attend a four-year college in Montana, students must complete:

• Three years of mathematics including algebra I, algebra II and geometry — a senior year of high school math is recommended.
• Four years of English.
• Two years of laboratory sciences, including a full year of earth science, biology, chemistry or physics.
• Three years of social studies, including a full year of global studies (world history or world geography), a full year of American history and an additional year in another social studies field such as government, economics, Indian history, sociology or psychology.
• Two years of electives such as a foreign language, computer science, visual and performing arts or vocational education.

Keep in mind that success in college depends on your ability to do college-level work. If you need help with study, reading or math skills, find a tutor through your high school or local college.

While successful completion of the minimum core program in high school will likely provide students with admittance into Montana’s four-year colleges, completion of the Rigorous Core program has its own, unique advantages.

• Students who finish the Rigorous Core program are eligible to be considered for a variety of prestigious scholarships, including the Montana University System Honors Scholarship.
• Some out-of-state colleges require the elements of the Rigorous Core for admission. Students interested in attending out-of-state schools should consult with the Registrar’s Office at the school of their choice about what college prep courses are required for admittance.

In the Rigorous Core program, students must complete the Minimum Core requirements with the following additions:

• English — In addition to the Minimum Core, a designated college prep or research writing course is recommended.
• Social Studies — In addition to the Minimum Core, a half year or more of other courses such as psychology or humanities is recommended.
• Mathematics — In addition to the Minimum Core, a course beyond algebra II or integrated math IV (such as trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, computer math or integrated math VI) is required. The student must have a grade of “C” or better in all of the classes.
• Laboratory Science — Instead of two years of laboratory science as required in Minimum Core, Rigorous Core requires three years of lab science — a full year each of general or earth science, biology, and chemistry or physics.

For more information about college preparatory program requirements, visit the Montana University System Web site.

In addition to weighing the advantages and disadvantages of the Minimum and Rigorous Core programs, students who want to get a jumpstart on college should consider these other options:

• Dual Credit/Running Start — This program allows high school students to receive both high school and college credit for the same course. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, find out about the details of the program.
• Early Admission to College — This program allows students, prior to their high school graduation, to be admitted to and register for college-level courses if they are academically prepared. Students should contact the colleges in which they are interested to determine their requirements for Early Admission.
• Tech Prep — This federally funded program allows students to begin earning college credit toward technical or associate degrees while still in high school. Interested students should contact their individual schools to see if they participate in the program, and if so, what the procedures are to enroll.
• Advanced Placement Tests (AP) — AP testing allows students to earn credit or advanced standing at most of the nation’s colleges and universities, not to mention demonstrate their ambition to learn. For more information on this opportunity, visit CollegeBoard.com.
• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) — This program allows students of any age to demonstrate college-level achievement and earn college credit by completing exams in undergraduate college courses. For more information on this opportunity, visit CollegeBoard.com.
• Job Shadow — This program allows high school students to spend time observing people working in the career area in which they are interested. This type of firsthand information goes a long way to helping students decide whether a job in that field is right for them. For more information about this program, contact Jobs for Montana Graduates at (406) 444-0978, or visit Jobs for Montana Graduates.

Types of Colleges

Different types of colleges suit different types of people. Students should consider every type of college, and from there, decide which one best fits his/her needs.

• Liberal Arts Colleges — These offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal.
• Universities — Universities are bigger than colleges and offer more majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects the size of the institution and some classes may be taught by graduate students.
• Community or Junior Colleges — These offer a degree after the completion of two years of full-time study. They often offer technical programs.
• Upper-Division Schools — These schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree.
• Agricultural, Technical and Specialized Colleges — Specialized colleges emphasize preparation for specific careers such as art, cosmetology, music, Bible, business, health science and more.
• Public vs. Private — Public colleges are usually less expensive than private ones and get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges can be more expensive because they rely on tuition, fees, endowments and other sources of income. However, private colleges can be smaller than public schools and can offer more personalized attention.
• Tribal Colleges — Montana has seven tribal colleges that share the dual mission of reinforcing traditional tribal cultures, and at the same time, address Western models of learning by providing traditional disciplinary courses that are transferable to four-year institutions.

Factors to Consider in Choosing a College

Parents and students should consider a wide variety of factors when identifying prospective colleges. The Montana Career Information System (MCIS), high school counselors, family and friends can be good resources when narrowing down the field of higher education institutions. Some items to consider include:

• Curriculum/majors
• Quality of education
• Admission requirements
• Cost
• Accreditation (Visit www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ for more information about U.S. Secretary of Education regional and national accrediting agencies.)
• Facilities
• Campus life/recreation
• Location
• Retention and graduation rates

Types of Degrees

If a student decides he/she would like to attend college, it’s wise to decide what type of degree is of interest before beginning the application process. Five recognized types of degree programs exist:

• Certificate of Completion — These typically take anywhere from eight weeks to a year to complete. Careers including criminal justice, food service and financial planning, are examples of occupations that may require a certificate of completion.
• Associate’s Degree — This type of degree requires about 60 credit hours of study. Some examples of careers that require an associate’s degree are surgical technology and drafting technology. Many students who complete an associate’s degree program often transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.
• Bachelor’s Degree — The bachelor’s degree is the most popular of all the degree programs. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete between 120 and 128 credit hours. Students pursuing professions such as public administration, computer systems development, human resources and more take this study path.
• Master’s Degree — In order to obtain a master’s degree, students must have already obtained a bachelor’s degree. Usually, students are required to write a thesis or be able to apply work experience to the degree program in order to obtain a degree.
• Doctoral Degree — It takes about five years for the average student to complete a doctoral degree. In order to obtain this degree, students must write a publishable thesis, complete their own original research and complete a course of study.

• Students should select between five and eight schools they are interested in attending. (Choosing too many schools can spread efforts too thin and can be expensive.)
• Check with each school about its individual application requirements such as high school transcripts and official standardized test scores, not to mention application fees. (It is helpful for students to develop a chart on which to log this information — especially deadlines — so nothing gets missed.)
• Students need to allow themselves — and the people they are working with to get necessary application materials, like letters of recommendation — plenty of time to meet deadlines.
• Don’t leave applying to colleges until the last minute!
• For a directory of colleges, visit the Montana Post secondary Educational Opportunities Council at www.montanacolleges.com.

Aside from selecting an institution of higher education, choosing a major in college is one of the most important decisions a student will make. Often, high school seniors don’t know what career path they want to follow, but that doesn’t need to stop them from getting a start on their college education. In cases in which students are undecided about their major, they can focus their efforts on completing their required, core classes. Those include:

• Composition
• Communication
• Fine Arts
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Sciences
• Theology

What can I do to help my son or daughter when it comes to applying to schools? Emphasize the importance of starting the application process in a timely manner in order to meet all of the institution’s deadlines. In addition, ensure that the student understands the necessity of submitting an accurate, complete application along with all of the supporting material.

How many credits is an average course load? Most full-time students take between 12 and 17 credits per semester. Students should take a lighter class load in their first semester and use that semester to figure out how many classes they can realistically manage later on. Students will also want to pay attention to the number of credits required for any scholarships they are receiving.

Is it important that my daughter or son decide on a major by their first semester of college? Maybe. Students who are planning to use financial aid to pay for school, or if they have a scholarship that requires them to be degree seeking, students must declare a major in order to receive the funds. Some schools offer General Studies as a major, allowing students to take core classes in their first year. This buys them some time to make a decision about their major. Using the first year to explore options is a good idea but students should visit with representatives from the school they plan to attend to determine school requirements.

What if my son or daughter is having difficulty in a class? The student should meet with the class instructor. The instructor can assist the student with pin pointing test material, or possibly giving them extra credit. The instructor can refer the student to the academic center if a tutor is needed. If those efforts are unsuccessful, advisors can assist the student through a variety of methods, including decreasing their class load. The student should also check with the Financial Aid Office, or others, to see if decreasing his or her class load will affect financial aid, scholarships or campus employment.

What if my son or daughter wants to transfer to a different school? If a student follows the Montana University System Core curriculum the first year, then transfers to another, in-state school, host institutions generally will accept 30 semester credits. Out-of-state universities have varying core requirements, so parents will need to check with the specific school. In most cases, a student who transfers later in their academic career can expect to add one semester to the time it takes to complete their degree due to varying requirements and credits that do not transfer.

What assistance is available for students with disabilities who want to go to college? Post secondary education offers access rather than entitlement. Colleges and universities must ensure access to all students who are otherwise qualified. Access includes supplying ramps, elevators, wide parking spaces, in addition to information and technology by making reasonable accommodations for a student’s disability. However, the student must be able to demonstrate their ability. For clarification, contact the individual college’s disability support services.

What are some options for students who demonstrate great potential, but must stay at home and work in order to afford college? Community colleges are excellent options for students matching these criteria. They can complete their first two years of higher education close to home for an affordable price. For more information on community colleges in Montana, visit www.mtcconline.org. Online courses may also be a good option. For more information on online courses, visit www.montana.edu/distance/ and www.umt.edu/ce/.