HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

In the year 2011, the estimated cost of one year of a public college education, including room and board, is $19, 919. The cost of one year of a private college education, including room and board is $42, 937. This is not out of state tuition estimates either. This does not include textbooks, clothing, car insurance or anything else you care to add to the total. The estimates go up at least $1,000 a year after that.

If you are counting on your child earning a scholarship or you getting a student loan, you better start researching now. Even if your child is a sixth grader, it’s never too soon to start researching the steps needed to secure the finances to pay for college. One free resource is www.fastweb.com. It doesn’t sell your email address. You as the parent and your child can start researching funding options as well as finding out specific information about the colleges you are considering. Look at web sites of the various schools but also be sure to visit the campus.

Here are just a few issues to consider when choosing a college.

1. How big of a campus can your child handle? Is your child better suited to a community college to start? There are private colleges with much smaller teacher/student ratios.

2. How far is the campus from home? Do you want an excuse to travel to visit your child? Do you want to pay out of state tuition? Are you ready to buy clothing for the four seasons? What if there is a major illness? How difficult will it be to get to your child? What if there is a hurricane or other natural disaster?

3. How much college can you afford? Find out from the college/university website the average cost of textbooks, lab fees, uniforms, meal plans, dorm rooms, transportation costs, insurance fees, etc.

4. What security measures does the school offer for its students?
If your child has to study late at the library, for example until 11 p.m., what safety measures does the campus have in place? If there is a problem, who does your child report it to? How responsive is the school to the students’ concerns?

5. Will your child be able to get a job once he/she has the degree?
What statistics can the college/university share with you on the “success rate” of employment for the field of study you are considering. What’s the future employment look like?

6. If your child decides to change careers, how much will that cost in time and money? Some classes are required for most undergraduate work. Some are very specialized. Ask the college/university.

7. What kinds of “other” opportunities in studies or trainings does the college/university offer?

8. What time frame are you expecting your child to complete
her education? What graduate level options are there?

These questions only begin your research process. Here are a couple more web sites worth looking at: www.FCATS.org and www.fldoe.org. These free sites will give you information from the Florida Department of Education.

FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR

Be sure to sign up for Edline in our Main Office at Roosevelt Middle School. Get a list of teachers’ Voice Mail numbers and Homework phone numbers from the Main Office too. Review your child’s Agenda Book with your child. Note Dress Code expectations, school calendar, phone numbers and web sites offered to parents. Please note that our Media Center has designated computers for parental use and staff ready to assist you. Parent Conferences with teachers may be set up through your child’s Team Leader (one of his/her academic teachers).

We look forward to working with you this school year!