1/13: Prepare for College Introduction
Preparing for college can seem overwhelming. However, you should take the time to explore all your options. Illinois workNet has put together a guide to help you with your college making decisions and exploration.
2/13: College Planning: Being Prepared
As you start to think about planning for the next phase of your life, there are a lot of great things to consider. Make sure to cover all the bases so that you have a prepared, well planned, smooth transition to your school of choice. Doing this will give you more time to spend on your classes and new friends and you will not have to worry about things you may have missed that can cause issues down the road.
3/13: College Admission Tests: ACT, SAT & GRE
Getting into college is often difficult. This is why scoring well on a college admission test is helpful. It can increase your chances of getting into your school of choice. They can lead to scholarships. Colleges can also use the information for course placement. Some well-known college admission tests are the ACT, SAT, and the GRE.
4/13: Get a Head Start on Your Career with Student Organizations
Have you ever been in a club or other group at a school you went to? If so, you've been in a student organization! A student organization is what it sounds like – a group of students brought together by a common interest or goal. They go by many different names, like clubs and associations, but they're effectively the same thing.
5/13: Volunteer Guide
Volunteering is a worthwhile act that helps your community, but it also looks great on a resume. Whether you are volunteering for the first time or just want to expand your work experience, use the Illinois workNet Volunteer Guide to learn more. Click the button below to get started.
6/13: How to Make Informed Student Loan Decisions
If you are thinking about taking out student loans, you may have some questions such as, "Am I eligible?", "How much money should I borrow?", "When do I have to pay it back?" Many students have a hard time making a decision about applying for student loans to pay for college. It is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Take time to research the options.
7/13: What is Work Study?
Work study is a type of college program that gives students part-time jobs. Work study programs combine the classroom with firsthand job experience. You can find if your school provides work study opportunities by asking the financial aid office.
8/13: 7 Phases of College Financial Aid Award Packaging
Learn about the different phases of college financial aid award packaging and what to expect.
9/13: 5 Tips When Applying For Financial Aid
Learn tips on applying for the FAFSA when it comes to supporting your college finances.
10/13: Saving for School
Looking at today's college prices, paying for school can seem impossible. It generally costs approximately $10K a year to go to a public school and almost $35K to go to a private school. While there are a lot of options to help you pay, saving in advance is something to consider. A few ways you can save for school are:
11/13: Ways to Pay for School
Over the years, college has gotten much more expensive. While in the 90's it wouldn't be a stretch to pay for college with a part-time job, this simply isn't possible now. It's important to put a lot of thought into how you'll be paying for your post-secondary education. Thankfully, there's a variety of different options you can choose from.
12/13: Getting Started with Money Management
Landing your first job can be exciting. Since you are earning your own money, you can be more independent. You can buy things you need and want by yourself, instead of having to rely on others. However, you don't want to get carried away. It's easy to spend money when you have it but spending too much can lead to problems later in life. That's why it's important to learn how to manage your money.