March 1 - Ferndale Public Schools

collegepreptips
A small group of parents, administrators, legislative and business representatives are working together on The Eagles Pledge, an initiative to provide or facilitate financial resources
and support services to help graduates of Ferndale High School pursue their dream of a post-secondary education. The Eagles Pledge meets on the fourth Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. each
month, at the Harding Administration Building, 2920 Burdette, Ferndale. Each week, eNews will feature checklists of information to help parents and children prepare for college at every
grade level. These college prep tips are from the U.S. Department of Education:
How to find the right college or career school
Assess Yourself
Understanding your career goals and options (and their earning potential) will help you find a college or
career school that meets your needs. The Department of Labor’s career search tool will help you match your
skills and interests with potential careers. Use the College Search Tool
You can use the U.S. Department of Education’s college search tool, College Navigator, to find colleges
and career schools that may fit your needs. You can search for schools by location, degrees offered,
programs/majors, tuition and fees, setting, size, and much more. The search results for each school will give
you a wide range of information, such as general school information; tuition, fees, and estimated student
expenses; types of financial aid provided; net price; enrollment; admissions requirements; retention and
graduation rates; accreditation; campus security statistics; default rates for students with student loans
College Navigator allows you to compare schools, save your session, and export your results into a
spreadsheet. Choosing the right school involves a variety of factors including your interests, career goals,
and financial situation, as well as the school’s cost, size and location, and admissions requirements. See a
list of things you should consider when researching schools.
Attend College Fairs
College fairs give you the chance to talk to representatives from multiple colleges and career schools.
You can learn about various schools, and their representatives will answer your questions. If you’re in high
school, ask your school counselor about college fairs in your area. You can also go online to find the National
Association for College Admission Counseling college fairs or National Scholarship Service college fairs.
Check Out Schools (In Person or Remotely)
Check out the school’s website. Lots of colleges and career schools now offer virtual tours, so you can
still “see” the campus, even if you can’t visit in person. You also can get information about programs and
classes offered at the school, find out if the school participates in federal financial aid, and learn about
campus life.
A great way to get a feel for a school is to contact the school and schedule a visit, preferably while
classes are in session. Make sure you’re comfortable with the facilities, equipment, teachers, and students.
Be sure to bring a list of questions to ask.
Talk with students who currently attend or have attended the school you’re considering to get their
opinion of the school. If you are visiting a school in person, ask the campus tour coordinator if you can
talk students who are currently attending the school. If you can’t visit the school in person, contact the
admissions office staff to see if they can connect you with current students or alumni.
For more information, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov. To volunteer with or contribute to the Eagles
Pledge, please call Eagles Pledge Founder Bob Greager at 248/544-8996 or email Eagles Pledge
President Carol Frederick at bfrederick640@sbcglobal.net.
www.ferndaleschools.org
[Check it out!]
The Eagles
Pledge needs
Volunteers!
See Contact
info below
Kohl’s Cares Scholarship program
• Students must be between the ages of 6 and 18 (as of March
15, 2013) and not yet a high school graduate.
• The student’s volunteer actions should be described in detail
on the nomination form.
• Volunteer efforts must have occurred in the last year.
• Winners will be chosen based on the benefits and outcomes
of their volunteer service.
• Nominators must be 21 or older.
Click on the flyer above for more info! Nominations accepted until 3-15