montana guide book to higher education

HIGHER EDUCATION FOR MONTANA STUDENTS | MPSEOCSupporting Quality Access to Higher Education

e x p a n dYour Horizons

Student Guide Book To Higher Education

CREDITSA special thank you to your parnters who help make this book possible: MCIS | Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Pathways, Montana University System - Student Financial Services, GEAR UP, Student Assistance Foundation, and many more!

The Guide to Higher Education is produced by the Montana Post Secondary Educational Opportunities Council (MPSEOC). MPSEOC is a non-profi t organization representing the 25 accredited institutions of higher education across the state of Montana. MPSEOC exists to promote higher education to students, parents, and guidance counselors in Montana. One of the Council’s primary objectives is to sponsor activities that will provide assistance to students in their transition from high school to college. This Guide Book is designed to help reach this goal. Thank you to all who make this book possible!

Table of Conents 2

ABOUT THIS BOOKThe Guide to Higher Education is designed to help encourage students to research all

the amazing options available after high school. In this book we outline a basic step-by-

step process that can be a helpful tool to any student. However, we strongly encourage

that students use this as a starting point. In this book we refer the reader to many other

resources, websites, and organizations for help. We hope that you take that next step! Also,

while using this book, a great complement is our website: www.MontanaColleges.com

TABLE OF OPTIONS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL Higher Education Options In-State or Out-Of-State Apprenticeship Options U.S. Military Options Gap Year Options

Step 1: RESEARCH Research Yourself

Occupational Research Training Research Find Your Personality Type

Step 2: PREPARE Academic Requirements Standardized Tests Timeline and Checklist Career Research Montana Job Outlook

Step 3: SELECT Selection Criteria Campus Visits College Fairs College Tips College Comparison Worksheet

Step 4: APPLY Application Process

Types of Applications Tribal College Admissions

Step 5: FINANCE The Cost of College Financial Aid Tips

Step 6: DECIDE Montana College Student Quotes Preveiw Colleges, Universities,

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CONTENTS

WWW.MONTANACOLLEGES.COM

MANY ONLINEDETAILED PROFILE

LISTINGS FOR :

MONTANA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

MILITARY BRANCHES

AGENCIES

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS� Freshmen admission requirements: Complete an application

for admission, (online application is available at http://admis-sions.umt.edu)

� Submit a $30 application fee ($36 for online application)� Submit offi cial ACT/SAT scores� Submit a fi nal high school transcript oce you have graduated

from high school. The transcript should show your graduation date and needs to be submitted prior to the start of the semes-ter you plan to attend.

� Freshmen Admission Requirements: Earn either a 2.5 GPA or, a minimum score of 1540 on the SAT combined critical reading, math and writing or, a minimum score of 22 on the ACT composite (essay not required), or rank in the upper half of your graduating class. Students must also meet a math pro-fi ciency requirement by either:

� Earning a minimum score of 18 on the math portion of the ACT, or

� Earning a minimum score of 440 on the math portion of the SAT, or

� Earning a minimum score of 3 on the Advanced Placement calculus exam. Students must also meet the writing profi cien-cy requirement by either:

� Earning a minimum score of 6 on the Writing Subscore or a minimum score of 17 on the Combined English/Writing sec-tion of the Optional Writing Test of the ACT; or

ACADEMIC PROGRAMSCollege of Arts & SciencesAfrican-American Studies*Anthropology • Archaeology • Cultural & Ethnic Diversity • Forensic Anthropology • Linguistic-sApplied ScienceAsian Studies*Biology • Botanical Sciences • Biological Education • Cellular & Molecu-lar Biology • Ecology • Human Biological Sciences • Medical Technology • Microbiology • Natural History • Zoological SciencesChemistry • Biological Chem-istry • Environmental Chemistry • Pharmacological ChemistryCommunication Studies • Communication and Human Relationships • Organizational Com-munication • Rhetoric and Public DiscourseComputer Science • Business Systems • Scientific Applications • Software SystemsComputer Science/Mathematic-sEconomicsEnglish • Creative Writing • Linguistics • LiteratureEnvironmental StudiesModern & Clas-sical Languages & Literatures • Arabic* • Chinese* • Classical Civilization* • Classical Languages* • Classics • French • German • Greek* • Irish • Ital-ian • Japanese • Latin • Persian* • Russian • Span-ishGeography • Cartography/GIS • General Geog-raphy • Rural Town & Regional Planning • Physical GeographyGeology • Earth Science Education • En-vironmental Geology • General GeologyHistory • History EducationHistory/Political ScienceHuman & Family Development*Humanics*Latin American Studies*Liberal Studies • Asian Studies • Environ-mental Studies • Women’s StudiesMathematics •

Applied Analysis • Combinatorics & Optimization • Math Education • Pure Math-ematics • Sta-t i s t i c s M i l i t a r y S c i e n c e * N a t i ve American Stud-i e s P h i l o s o p -hyPhysics and Astronomy • Astronomy and Astrophysics •

Computational Physics • PhysicsPolitical Science • Public Administration • Public Law • American Politics • International Relations and Compara-tive PoliticsPre-Engineering*Pre-Law**Pre-Medical Sciences*Pre-Nursing *Psychology • Behavioral Specialist • General Psychology • Pre-profession-alReligious Studies*Russian Studies* Sociology • Criminology • Rural & Environmental ChangeWomen & Gender Studies*School of Business Administration-Business AdministrationAccountingFinancial Man-agementInformation SystemsInternational Business-ManagementMarketingSchool of EducationEducation (Secondary Certification) • Business & Information Technology Education • Elementary EducationHealth and Human Performance • Athletic Training • Applied Health • Exercise Science • Health Enhancement • Teaching certificationLibrary-Media Services*Office

FOR MORE INFORMATIONPhone: 406-243-6266 / 800-462-8636Fax: 406-243-5711Mailing address:Enrollment Services - AdmissionsThe University of MontanaMissoula, Montana59812-2016Admissions Web:http://admissions.umt.eduE-mail: [email protected]

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UNIVERSITIES� Universities can off er the two-year and

four-year degrees as well as graduate degrees in advanced studies beyond four years.

� Universities can be larger than colleges and usually include a liberal arts college, some professional colleges, and graduate programs.

� Universities off er a large course selection and may have extensive resources. Class size varies depending on the size of the university, the subject area, and the course level.

� University professors are usually involved in both teaching and research. Graduate students, rather than professors, teach some of the classes (These graduate students are called Teaching Assistants or TA’s).

COLLEGES� Colleges off er four-year Bachelor of Arts

(BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. Some also off er a two-year Associate of Arts (AA) degree and Associate of Science (AS).

� Colleges can be specialized (for example, in nursing), or they can off er a broad curriculum (like the liberal arts which focus on the humanities, social sciences, and sciences).

� Professors see teaching as their primary responsibility, and classes tend to be smaller than those in universities.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES� Community or Junior Colleges off er two-

year liberal arts programs or specifi c career training programs.

� After completing their studies here, students usually then transfer to a four-year college or university to continue their education.

TRIBAL COLLEGES� Tribal Colleges are small colleges that

off er one-year certifi cate programs and two-year associate degrees (some off er four-year degrees as well).

� Tribal Colleges mostly serve Native American students, but they welcome all students.

� There are more than 30 Tribal Colleges in the nation, and seven of them are located in Montana.

TWO - YEAR COLLEGES� These institutions off er many types

of degrees from one-year certifi cate, two-year associates, and some have even started to encourage four-year collaborative Bachelor options. They also may off er specialized programs and retraining options that last only a few weeks or months.

� These colleges can be great for students who have chosen a specifi c, specialized occupation.

� These colleges can also function like a Community College and off er general courses that students can use for transfer.

ONLINE COLLEGES� Distance Education in the form of online

courses and online degrees is becoming increasingly more popular each year.

� Most Colleges and Universities around the world have started to include online courses, options, and some even off er full degrees.

HIGHER EDUCATIONOPTIONS

AT A GLANCEType of school: Public unit of the Montana University System

Institutional Accreditation: The University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Professional schools and departments are approved by specialized accrediting organizations.

Total Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,961

Average Class Size: 26

Faculty/Student Ratio: 1:19

ESTIMATED EXPENSES (PER ACADEMIC YEAR)Application fee: $30, Online Fee: $36

Tuition and Fees: In-State: $4,978 Out of State: $14,484

Room and Board: $5,440 Books and Supplies: $800

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS� Financial Aid: More than 9,000 UM students receive some

form of fi nancial aid. Scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs are available for eligible students once they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid is awarded on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served need basis.

� Scholarships - DEADLINE - DECEMBER 31: Presidential Leadership Scholarships: UM’s premier academic scholarship based on merit. General Scholarships: Scholarship deadline is December 31. Scholarship applications available by contacting Enrollment Services-Admissions or online at: http://admissions.umt.edu, Financial Aid Web: www.umt.edu/fi naid To apply, use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) plus other documents as requested by UM’s Financial Aid Offi ce. Applica-tions processed on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis after January 1. UM School Code: 002536


for admission, (online application is available at http://admissions.umt.edu)


from high school. The transcript should show your gradua-tion date and needs to be submitted prior to the start of the semester you plan to attend.

� Freshmen Admission Requirements: Earn either a 2.5 GPA or, a minimum score of 1540 on the SAT combined critical reading, math and writing or, a minimum score of 22 on the ACT composite (essay not required), or rank in the upper half of your graduating class. Students must also meet a math profi ciency requirement by either:



� Earning a minimum score of 3 on the Advanced Placement calculus exam. Students must also meet the writing profi -ciency requirement by either:


� Earning a minimum score of 6 on the Essay or 420 on the Writing Section of the SAT; or

� Earning a minimum 3 on the Montana University System Writing Assessment; or

� 3 on the AP English Language or English Literature Examination.

� Transfer Admission Requirements: (Students who have attempted 12 or more college credits are considered transfer students at UM): Complete an application for admission (on-line application is available at http://admissions. umt.edu), submit offi cial college transcripts from all colleges attended and a $30 application fee ($36 for the online application). A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required for admission.

� International student admission requirements: Complete an international student application for admission (online ap-plication is available at http://admissions.umt.edu); submit a $30 application fee, ($36 for the online application) offi cial

ACADEMIC PROGRAMSCollege of Arts & SciencesAfrican-American Studies*Anthropology • Archaeology • Cultural & Ethnic Diversity • Forensic Anthropology • Linguistic-sApplied ScienceAsian Studies*Biology • Botanical Sciences • Biological Education • Cellular & Molecu-lar Biology • Ecology • Human Biological Sciences • Medical Technology • Microbiology • Natural History • Zoological SciencesChemistry • Biological Chem-istry • Environmental Chemistry • Pharmacological ChemistryCommunication Studies • Communication and Human Relationships • Organizational Com-munication • Rhetoric and Public DiscourseComputer Science • Business Systems • Scientific Applications • Software SystemsComputer Science/Mathematic-sEconomicsEnglish • Creative Writing • Linguistics • LiteratureEnvironmental StudiesModern & Clas-sical Languages & Literatures • Arabic* • Chinese* • Classical Civilization* • Classical Languages* • Classics • French • German • Greek* • Irish • Ital-ian • Japanese • Latin • Persian* • Russian • Span-ishGeography • Cartography/GIS • General Geog-raphy • Rural Town & Regional Planning • Physical GeographyGeology • Earth Science Education • En-vironmental Geology • General GeologyHistory • History EducationHistory/Political ScienceHuman & Family Development*Humanics*Latin American Studies*Liberal Studies • Asian Studies • Environ-mental Studies • Women’s StudiesMathematics • Applied Analysis • Combinatorics & Optimization • Math Education • Pure Math-ematics • Sta-t i s t i c s M i l i t a r y S c i e n c e * N a t i ve American Stud-i e s P h i l o s o p -hyPhysics and Astronomy • Astronomy and Astrophysics • Computational Physics • PhysicsPolitical Science • Public Administration • Public Law • American Politics • International Relations and Compara-tive PoliticsPre-Engineering*Pre-Law**Pre-Medical Sciences*Pre-Nursing*Psychology • Behavioral Specialist • General Psychology • Pre-profession-alReligious Studies*Russian Studies* Sociology • Criminology • Rural & Environmental ChangeWomen & Gender Studies*School of Business Administration-Business AdministrationAccountingFinancial Man-agementInformation SystemsInternational Business-ManagementMarketingSchool of EducationEducation (Secondary Certification) • Business & Information Technology Education • Elementary EducationHealth and Human Performance • Athletic Training • Applied Health • Exercise Science • Health Enhancement • Teaching certificationLibrary-Media Services*Office Systems Management*Special Education*Speech and Language PathologySchool of Fine ArtsFine Arts • Art Art Education Ceramics Painting/Draw-ing Photography Printmaking Sculpture • Dance Choreography/Performance Studio Teaching • Drama Acting Drama Education Design/Technology Me-dia Arts*MusicMusic EducationComposition/Music TechnologyPerformance • Piano/Organ • Voice • Or-chestral InstrumentsCollege of Forestry & Conserva-tionForestry • Forest Resources Management • Range Resources ManagementRecreation Management • Nature and Democracy* • Broadcast Journalism • PhotojournalismRadio-TelevisionCollege of Health Professions and Biomedical ScienceSchool of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science • Health Scienc-es* • Pre-Physical Therapy**School of Social Work


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WHAT KIND OF DEGREE DO YOU WANT? This question can only be answered once you decide what you want to do with your life after high school.

If you already know the profession you would like to pursue, visit www.bls.gov to research what degree is required for that type of job.

If you are unsure what you want to do after high school, keep reading this book for more ideas!

CERTIFICATESThese are CAS Degree options that lead to employment in a specifi c career fi eld.

Examples of a Certifi cate could be: � Culinary Arts � Pharmacy Technology � Auto Body � Refi nishing

ASSOCIATE DEGREES You receive an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree after completing two years of study similar to the fi rst two years at a four-year college or university. After receiving an AA or an AS, you can transfer to many four-year colleges to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is awarded on completion of technological or vocational programs of study.

Examples of an AA / AS degree could be: � Registered Nursing � Paralegal Studies

Examples of an AAS degree could be: � Automotive Technology � Welding Technology � Dental Hygiene

BACHELOR DEGREES You receive a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS) after completing a four-or fi ve-year, full-time program of study.

Examples of a BA degree could be: � History � Journalism � Sociology

Examples of a BS degree could be: � Forestry � Engineering � Chemistry

GRADUATE DEGREES Graduate degrees can vary in time-frame depending on the program and the student. Many students will fi rst pursue a Master’s Degree and then the option of a Doctorate Degree (PHD) program. Some programs will allow direct entrance into a Doctorate program depending upon the area of study and the student’s abilities. Overall, general graduate degrees off er you the option to receive further education in a subject area. Most bachelors’ degrees also have a corresponding graduate (or masters) degree.

Examples of a Graduate degree could be: � Pharmacy � Law � Medicine � Business

WHAT DOES THAT COLLEGE DEGREE MEAN?

N

“ Explore your heart wiselyand choose a fi eld of study you have a passion for.”

—Cara Ludwig, Nursing, Billings, MT

w w w.MontanaCol leges.com

The University of MontanaThere’s something special about this place. It’s something diff erent for each person. For

some, it’s the blend of academic quality and outdoor recreation. For others, it’s the size-not

too big, not too small. Students receive a high-quality, well-rounded education and training

for professional careers in the University’s Colleges - Arts and Sciences, Health Professions

and Biomedical Sciences, Forestry and Conservation, and Technology - and six schools -

Journalism, Law, Business, Education, Pharmacy and the Fine Arts. Located at the heart

of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, UM is a magnet not only for top-notch

teachers and researchers, but also for students from across the country and around the globe.

UM and Missoula has an increasingly diverse population and rich culture.


Institutional Accreditation: The University is regionally accedited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Profes-sional schools and departments are approved by specialized ac-crediting organizations.







FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS� Financial Aid: More than 9,000 UM students receive some form

of fi nancial aid. Scholarships, grants, loans and work-study pro-grams are available for eligible students once they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid is awarded on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served need basis.

� Scholarships - DEADLINE - DECEMBER 31: Presidential Leadership Scholarships: UM’s premier academic scholarship based on merit. General Scholarships: Scholarship deadline is December 31. Scholarship applications available by contacting Enrollment Services-Admissions or online at: http://admissions.














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1 Montana has 25 accredited colleges and universities across the state which

allow students a wide variety of access to every kind of higher education including four-year, two-year, public, private, community college, and tribal colleges. Montana colleges and universities off er over 300 diff erent fi elds of study.

2 Most Montana high school students attend college in-state. In fact, on

average over 34,000 Montana residents attend in-state institutions each year. Montanans recognize the value of Montana higher education.

3 People from out-of-state want to attend school in Montana! We enroll

on average more than 9,000 non-resident, undergraduate students each year which translates to over 20% of the college population.

4 National publications have recognized Montana as having outstanding

higher education. Many institutions in Montana have been featured more than once in famous publications, such as, US News & World Reports: America’s Best 100 College Buys, Barron’s Best Buys in College Education, The Princeton Review’s: The Best 311 Colleges, The 10 Best Value Colleges, and many more!

5 Attending college in-state makes good fi nancial sense. For most

students attending a Montana college or university is less expensive than going to school out-of-state. The bargain is especially true for Montana’s tribal colleges, community colleges, and Two-Year Colleges.

6 If you and / or your parents have paid Montana taxes during your lifetime,

you have already contributed to the public higher education system in-state. Attending college here would be a way to cash-in on that investment.

7Graduates of Montana institutions excel in their chosen career fi elds. An

example of this excellence is evidenced by the pass rates for the CPA exam, the BS Nursing exam, and the Engineering exam. Montana students rank above national averages for passing those exams.

8 Many of Montana’s college athletic programs boast winning records,

as well as, conference and national championships. Student athletes who attend Montana colleges can participate in top-notch programs.

9 All Montana institutions off er student services and activities that cater to

student’s academic, social, spiritual, and health-related needs.

10 Students have the opportunity to travel beyond the boundaries of

campus by participating in study abroad programs, international exchanges, and even national exchanges. That way, students can get the “out-of-state” experience and still pay reasonable Montana tuition.

IN-STATE oTop Ten Reasons to Consider Montana Higher Education!

“ I’m a Montana resident,so I get in-state tuition. And Montana is awesome.” — Nick Gasowski, Psychology,

Dillon, MT

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WICHE ProgramWICHE and its 16 member states and territories work collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all citizens of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy, WICHE strengthens higher education’s contributions to the region’s social, economic, and civic life. WICHE’s student exchange programs off er a broad range of higher education options for some 36,000 students each year at undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Residents of WICHE states can gain aff ordable access to programs, states avoid costly and unnecessary duplication of programs and facilities, and colleges and universities can devote their resources to improving the quality of their educational off erings.

WUE Program The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE - pronounced “woo-wee”) is the Western Undergraduate Exchange, a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students in western states may enroll in 150 two-year and four-year college institutions at a reduced tuition level: 150 percent of the institution’s regular resident tuition. The program began in 1987 and all WICHE states have now signed the agreement. A copy of your state’s signed WUE agreement is available for your review. Students from all WICHE member states are eligible to request the WUE tuition discount.

For more information WICHE or WUE, you may contact: www.wiche.edu www.wiche.edu/wue

Student Exchange Programs Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) 3035 Center Green Drive, Suite 200 Boulder, CO 80301-2204 Telephone 303.541.0200

OUT OF STATE PROGRAMS

orOUT-OF-STATE?

“I love the people I encounter the most. It is becoming harder and harder for me to get across campus without running into multiple acquaintances. It makes things very enjoyable!” — Joshua Allen, Missoula, MT

“Look into the programs at the college you plan on attending and make sure they have what they want.” — Chelcy Goodwin, Plains, MT

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Apprenticeships are high quality, work-based training programs for people who want to develop their prospects and career. Some of the benefi ts of apprenticeship training are:

� Paid employment while training for a career

� Regular pay raises as job skills increase

� Supervised training on the job and academic instruction

� Ability to compete more eff ectively in the job market after becoming profi cient at the occupation

� Employee benefi ts are often available with paid employment (health coverage, paid vacation time, pension plan, etc.)

� Upward mobility within your chosen fi eld

A few of theapprenticeships off ered in Montana are: Auto Body Repairer, Automobile Mechanic, Air Conditioning and Heating, Aircraft Mechanic, Baker, Boilermaker, Bricklayer, Cabinetmaker, Carpenter, Chef/Cook, Diesel Mechanic, Drafter, Electrician, Farm Equipment Mechanic, Fire Fighter, Gemologist/Jeweler, Iron Worker, Machinist, Meat Cutter, Painter, Plumber, Press Operator, Sheet Metal Worker, Upholsterer, Utility Lineman, Welder, and many more.

WHAT’S AN APPRENTICESHIP? APPRENT

“I realized that without a collegewould be a permanent ceiling oearn in my lifetime .” — James Flansburg,

Microcomputer Operations, Harlem, MT





































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Where can I get more information about apprenticeship? Montana Apprenticeship & Training Program Montana Department of Labor and Industry

Address: P.O. Box 1728 Helena, MT 59624-1728

Phone:406.444.3998

Website:Http://wsd.dli.mt.gov/apprenticeship

How do I know if apprenticeship is right for me?As with anything, for some people this is a perfect option and others not such a great fi t. It completely depends upon an individual’s long-term career goals. First, you’ll need to decide which career suits you best. You will then need to decide whether you can juggle working for an employer one day, then studying for your qualifi cation the next day. If you have the determination to do well a working environment and you are not afraid to commit yourself to long-term training and studying, then an Apprenticeship could be perfect for you.

How is apprenticeship diff erent from going to college full time? The apprenticeship system—practical on-the-job training combined with related academic instruction – diff ers from other kinds of higher education by being fi rmly based on an employer-employee relationship in which the apprentice receives both salary and career training. The length of apprenticeship training varies by occupation. You may train anywhere from 2 years to 5 years.

What are the qualifi cations to be part of an apprenticeship?In Montana, the qualifi cations for entry into the apprentice program include: 18 years of age or older , High school diploma or GED, Physical ability to perform the duties required by the occupation and have the mechanical aptitude, A strong math background is not required but necessary for course work completion.

Where do I apply for apprenticeship? Students who are interested in apprenticeship can apply through apprenticeship committees in their community, at an employer’s offi ce, or at a labor union offi ce. You can also contact the Apprenticeship Training Program at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

What do I receive when I complete my Apprenticeship? At the end of an apprenticeship, the State of Montana awards a Certifi cate of Completion signifying that the individual has completed training which meets the industry standards of occupational profi ciency. These certifi cates are recognized throughout the United States as valid indicators of high quality training.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

TICESHIP OPTIONS

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What are the service academies for the military? The U.S. Military Academy (West Point, New York)

The U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis, Maryland)

The U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy (New London, Connecticut)

These institutions are among the best “deals” in higher education. Tuition, books, board, medical, and dental care are all fully paid for all four years. Plus, you get a paid monthly stipend as well. The “catch” is that the competition to get in is fi erce. Each Academy looks for the cream of the crop ( high achieving men and women with leadership potential). Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and a leadership job as a junior offi cer in all areas of the military. There is a minimum service obligation of fi ve years, but most academy graduates make their military obligation their career.

For more information visit the following web sites:www.military.com

Admissions criteria include: � High School Academic Performance

� Standardized Test Scores (ACT or SAT)

� Athletics

� Nonathletic Extracurricular Activities

� Leadership Positions

� Community Involvement

� Work Experience

� A Nomination by Your State Senator

SERVICE ACADEMICS

U.S. MIL





































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Reserve Offi cer Training Corps (ROTC)ROTC programs were designed to augment the service of higher education in producing leaders and managers for the armed forces. Upon graduation, members are commissioned to serve as a leader in active, reserve, or guard components of each branch. During college, students take a full course load including military science courses. ROTC candidates wear uniforms during military training activities. Also, ROTC summer programs off er a true taste of military life (such as, midshipmen cruises in Naval ROTC). ROTC scholarships are not necessary for participation in ROTC, but hundreds of ROTC students receive scholarships every year. All services off er four-year scholarships that include full tuition, books, fees, and a monthly tax-free stipend. However, three-, two- and even one-year scholarships are also available, so ask about them. Keep in mind that scholarships are competitively awarded on merit.

The main considerations are: � High School Academic Record � SAT or ACT Scores � Extracurricular Activities � Personal Interview

ArmyAs the most powerful ground force in the entire world, the United States Army upholds the ideals set forth in the U.S. Constitution and acts to support the interests of the United States.

Air ForceThe United States Air Force has the most sophisticated and technologically advanced aircraft in the world today. Combined with the best-trained pilots, ground crews, and other support personnel, the Air Force ensures air superiority and support for virtually every mission undertaken by the U.S. Military.

Coast GuardThe primary role of the Unites States Coast Guard is to protect the safety of our nation’s coast and waterways. Under this mandate, the Coast Guard performs a variety of critical missions, including Maritime Safety, Mobility and Security, National Defense, and the Protection of the Natural Resources.

Marine CorpsAs the smallest, most dynamic force in the American Military today, the Marine Corps serves as the aggressive tip of the U.S. military spear. It is also the only forward-deployed force designed for expeditionary operations by air, land, or sea.

NavyThe U.S. Navy is the largest and most powerful naval force in the world and is equipped to handle operations both on and under the sea, in the air, and on the ground anywhere around the world.

Reserves and the National GuardThe Reserves and the National Guard are a great way to serve the country while getting the training, skills, and qualities off ered by the Military—all for as little as one weekend a month. These options are available for the U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S. Air Force Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard

FULL TIME AND PART TIME SERVICE

ITARY OPTIONS


































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Considering that you have attended school full time for over a decade, you may be a little tired of the academic grind. You may also wonder why you should go away to college not knowing what you want to study. Or, you may be yearning to explore far-away places or a career that interests you. You may also be thinking about the huge price tag that comes with college. You might be asking yourself, “wouldn’t it be better to be focused once you get to college?”

If this sounds like you, perhaps now is the time to consider taking a year off between high school and college. Everyone knows that there are great experiential and educational opportunities that fall outside of the linear high school and college track.

Your “Gap Year” should be a constructive time out—it can be anywhere, anytime, doing anything. You could be building a school in Africa, getting work experience through an internship, or simply backpacking across Europe.

The point to a “Gap Year” is to realize that the world of opportunity can off er many learning experiences that you can’t necessarily get in a classroom. The essential component of successful time off is planning! There are plenty of resources for students, including books, web sites, and your high school counselor. At your school or public library, look through a guide book or two on travel, internship, volunteer, and other opportunities for high school students.

Find out what types of programs appeal to you: What do I want to learn? How much structure do I want or need? Where in the world do I want to be? What kinds of things do I want to do? What will I do when things get diffi cult or challenging? What is my budget?

Travel � Many organizations off er programs

with an emphasis on traveling or living abroad, or you may wish to plan your own adventure.

Internships � Spend some time working in a career

fi eld that interests you. If you enjoy it, you’ll have even more incentive to succeed in your chosen college major. If it’s not the fi eld for you, you’ll still have plenty of time to explore other career opportunities.

Volunteer� Work You Can Find volunteer programs

both in the U.S. and all over the world. You could build houses, work with children, work on environmental projects, or a host of other activities.

Work � Whether you find a job at home or away, a

year of work can give you extra funds to pay for college plus valuable, real-life experience.

For more information on Gap Year visit:

www.gapyear.com � www.interimprograms.com � www.timeoutadventures.org � www.dynamy.org � www.whereyouheaded.com

TAKING A YEAR OFF

IMPORTANT REMINDER!!Regardless of what you choose to do in your time off , don’t be tempted to put off your college search and application process. First, the college search and application process is much easier while you are still in high school. You have easy access to your school’s college resources, your guidance counselor and teachers, and several modes of communication. Second, having your college plans in place can go a long way toward convincing your parents that you will go back to school after your time off . So go ahead and complete the college admission process. Then, contact the college you plan to attend and ask that your admission be deferred for a semester or a year. Most colleges are very receptive to students who want to defer their admission for a short time.


It’s time to stop and think about what you’ll do in the future. Planning is important. If you take the time to plan your future, you’ll be able to enjoy it once you get there! Once you have taken the time to assess your personality, interests, skills, and abilities, you can see how those traits fi t with jobs and careers.

KING A YEAR OFF

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GAP YEAR





































OPTIO

NS A

FTER HIG

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L : : Gap Year and Research 13

2Determine Your Interests: Ask yourself some questions like: What

makes you happy? If you had spare time, what would you do? Do you like to read? What are your hobbies?

3Think About Your Skills: Are you the friend that everyone calls when they

have a problem? Do you excel in sports? Can you take apart a motor, put it back together, and have no extra parts? In English Literature class are you able to easily fi nd the meaning by the author?

4Take an Aptitude Test: Beyond just answering these questions and

asking yourself others like them, you can also learn more about your career-related (or “vocational”) skills by taking an aptitude test. One thorough test is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude test (ASVAB). Talk to your Guidance Counselor about taking this test.

5Use Your Resources: Guidance Counselors are trained to help you

get to know yourself. Teachers can provide great experiences about their college and career choices as well. Talk to your parents and other relatives about their jobs, and how they got them. Don’t overlook your friend’s parents, for they can off er a diff erent perspective about your future as well.

Occupational Research

Job OutlookWhat does the future hold for your interests? What are the odds of getting a job in that fi eld?Will there be plenty of jobs available when you are ready to graduate from college, or will those positions be highly competitive? You can fi nd the answers to these questions at the U.S. Department of Labor which publishes 10-year projections for U.S. workers in its Occupational Outlook Handbook. For more research on job outlook check out : www.bls.gov

Discovering Job Skills In your research, you may discover you need to develop some important job skills depending on your career choice. You may be able to gain these skills in your high school classes. However, it is likely that the skills you will require for many jobs in the future will be gained in college or by on-the-job training. One way to fi nd out about a job is to “shadow” someone in the fi eld. If you are looking to go into medicine, volunteer at your local hospital. If you want to be an auto mechanic, fi nd a job at a local repair shop. Whatever you choose, you’ll be able to interact with professionals who work in that fi eld and have a great background to answer your questions. This way you will see fi rst-hand what they do on a daily basis.

...ANDRESEARCH

Training ResearchWhatever you choose, you’ll be able to interact with professionals who work in that fi eld and have a great background to answer your questions. This way you will see fi rst-hand what they do on a daily basis. To fi nd out more about jobs and the training and education that is required to reach your occupational dream, try using the Montana Career Information System (MCIS) to aid in your research.

To access this tool visit: www.mtcis.intocareers.org

Research Yourself 5 Steps to Take!

1Examine Your Personality: Are you shy or reserved? Thoughtful or impulsive?

Outgoing? Logical? Sensitive? Your personality traits are signifi cant factors in determining which careers are best suited to you. Take a personality inventory test like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI). Talk to your Guidance Counselor to fi nd out more about personality inventories.

PREPARE | D

iscover Your Personality Type 14

DISCOVER YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE

Another way to think about what you are good at is to fi gure out how you are smart. Everyone is smart in diff erent ways. You could be good with words, numbers, pictures, athletics, or music. You might have a gift for working with people or a special love of nature. Most people are gifted in more than one of these areas, but usually have a couple of areas in which they really shine. And knowing how you shine can lead to the kinds of careers that would most interest you. Use the checklist below to discover the ways you are smart.

WORD SMARTYES NO

� � I love to read.

� � I love telling and hearing stories.

� � I write stories or poetry.

� � I enjoy learning foreign languages.

� � I have a great vocabulary.

� � I am good at spelling.

� � I enjoy talking about ideas.

� � I have a good memory for names and facts.

� � I enjoy playing word games like word scrambles, Scrabble, or crossword puzzles.

� � I have fun playing with words—puns,tongue twisters, rhymes, or rap.

� � WORD SMART TOTAL_______

� � I enjoy doing puzzles and mazes.

� � I like taking things apart and puttingthem back together.

� � PICTURE SMART TOTAL_______

MUSIC SMARTYES NO

� � I enjoy singing.

� � I enjoy listening to music.

� � I play an instrument.

� � I easily remember melodies and tunes.

� � I make up or write my own songs or raps.

� � I sing to myself when thinking or doing tasks.

� � I always notice sounds around me, like birds singing, rain falling, clocks ticking, traffi c, construction, and other sounds in daily life.

� � I can always tell when music sounds off -key.

� � I can read music.

� � I can hear the diff erent instruments when listening to music.

� � MUSIC SMART TOTAL_______

BODY SMARTYES NO

� � I always look forward to physical education class.

� � I like to move around and be active.

� � I learn physical skills quickly and easily.

� � I do well in one or more sports.

� � I love doing things like mechanics, carpentry, hair braiding, sewing, typing, or working with clay or other things I can do with my hands.

MATH SMARTYES NO

� � I do math easily in my head.

� � I love science, especially doing experiments.

� � I think numbers are fascinating.

� � I love to organize information on charts.

� � I love solving mysteries.

� � I enjoy games like chess and checkers.

� � I ask a lot of questions about how things work.

� � I like discovering how computers work and I use computers for more than playing games.

� � I enjoy fi guring out riddles or brainteasers.

� � I look for patterns in everything, from numbers to facts to nature to human behavior.

� � MATH SMART TOTAL_______

PICTURE SMARTYES NO

� � I love working with art materials suchas paper, paint, markers, or clay.

� � I daydream a lot.

� � I think in pictures and easily seeobjects in my mind.

� � I enjoy building things.

� � I notice styles, colors, and details ofcars, clothes, hairstyles, bikes, furniture, packaging, and other everyday things.

� � I draw and doodle a lot.

� � I learn better from pictures, maps,charts, and slides than from books.

� � I am good at reading maps andfi nding my way around unfamiliarplaces.

PREPARE | D

iscover Your Personality Type 15

English teacher, author, talk show host, translator, etc.

Math Smart : accountant, astronaut, chemist, computer programmer, forensic scientist, automotive design, inventor, mathematician, software engineer, pharmacist, science teacher, video game designer, etc.

Picture Smart: computer animator, graphic designer, artist, architect, fashion designer, cartoonist, movie director, photographer, map maker, urban planner, web developer, airline pilot, interior decorator, etc.

Body Smart: physical therapist , auto mechanic, dancer, sculptor, actor, physical education teacher, construction worker, athlete, surgeon, choreographer, dentist, sign language translator, computer repairer, etc.

Music Smart: audio-video technician, music critic, singer, music therapist, song writer, musician, sound engineer for recording studio, music teacher, speech and hearing therapist, TV broadcast technician, movie sound eff ects artist, composer, music producer, etc.

People Smart: manager, business person, counselor, social worker, training specialist, politician, police offi cer, researcher of human origins, clergy person, nurse, school principal, college admissions offi cer, etc.

Nature Smart: astronomer, veterinarian, environmental scientist, bug scientist, wildlife illustrator, ocean scientist, environmental lawyer, volcano scientist, forest management specialist, plant scientist, agricultural engineer, zoo keeper, weather scientist, etc.

Excerpted from You’re Smarter Than You Think! A Kid’s Guide

to Multiple Intelligences. Used with permission of Free Spirit

Publishing, Inc., Minneapolis, MN; 1-800-735-7323; www.

freespirit.com. | All rights reserved.

� � I like to act in plays.

� � I am good at imitating the way other people move and talk.

� � I move, tap, or fi dget while I think, study, or read.

� � I am a good dancer.

� � I enjoy karate, bike riding, cheerleading, skate boarding, ice/roller skating, gymnastics, surfi ng, rock climbing, or other physical hobbies.

� � BODY SMART TOTAL_______

PEOPLE SMARTYES NO

� � I make friends easily.

� � I always off er help or give advice when someone needs it.

� � I am always organizing activities for my friends and me.

� � I like to volunteer for causes that help other people.

� � I enjoy group activities and lively conversations.

� � I can guess how people are feeling just by looking at them.

� � I know how to get people excited about working together on various projects.

� � I prefer to study and play with others rather than by myself.

� � I am good at helping friends resolve confl icts.

� � I like to tutor other classmates or younger brothers and sisters.

� � PEOPLE SMART TOTAL_______

NATURE SMARTYES NO

� � I like animals.

� � I am good at growing plants.

� � I care about recycling, animal protection, saving the oceans or the rainforests, reducing litter, and other nature and environmental causes.

� � I like going to parks, zoos, and aquariums.

� � I enjoy taking care of pets either at home or in the classroom.

� � I notice trees, squirrels, clouds, nests, plants, rock formations, and other parts of nature whenever I am outside.

� � I like to learn about plants, animals, volcanoes, weather, the ocean, the environment, or other subjects about nature.

� � I like to collect leaves, bugs, rocks, seashells, feathers, or other objects found in nature.

� � I sometimes think I can relate to animals as well as or better than I relate to people.

� � I can recognize and name many kinds of plants and animals.

� � NATURE SMART TOTAL_______

WHAT I COULD BE?Now that you have fi gured out some of the ways that you are smart, use that information to think about career options. The chart below has some suggestions to get you started. The section(s) with the highest total score(s) are your areas of natural strength and interest!

Word Smart = advertiser, journalist, librarian, poet, radio or TV announcer, web editor, lawyer, movie script writer, public speaker, w w w.MontanaCol leges.com


































PREPARE :: Tim

e line and Checklist 16

TIME LINE ANFreshman and Sophomores� � Get to know your high school

guidance counselor.

� � Plan a family college discussion.

� � Develop good study skills.

� � Explore careers you fi nd interesting.

� � Get your Social Security Number (visit www.ssa.gov)

� � Start evaluating your personality, interests, and skills.

� � Take challenging courses.

� � Participate in extracurricular activities.

JuniorsSEPTEMBER

� � Visit College Websites.

� � Plan a family college discussion.

� � Review your courses with your guidance counselor.

� � Prepare a list of questions to ask college representatives.

� � Make a list of schools you might want to attend.

� � Collect college brochures.

� � Register for the PSAT.

� � Create fi les to keep copies of applications and correspondence.

� � Set up a calendar to track important dates and deadlines.

OCTOBER–NOVEMBER

� � Attend college fairs and fi nancial aid nights.

� � Take the PSAT.

� � Search for scholarships and student fi nancial aid.

MAY

� � Register and take the ACT and/or AP tests.

� � Ask about college prep programs and workshops off ered during the summer.

� � Search for scholarships and ways to pay for college.

� � Get a summer job to save money for college.

JUNE - JULY

� � Talk with friends who are home from college.

� � Create a list of schools you would like to attend.

� � Schedule college visits and interviews.

� � Talk to people in career fi elds you fi nd interesting.

� � Search for scholarships.

AUGUST

� � Request college applications.

� � Give thought to essay topics.

� � Consider whom to ask for letters of recommendation.

� � Schedule a family meeting to discuss your college plans.

SeniorsSEPTEMBER

� � Attend the Montana College Fair in your area! For more details visit: www.MontanaColleges.com | Scholarships!

� � Discuss your course load, college plans, and test scores with your high school counselor.

� � Request college applications.

� � Arrange campus visits.

� � Register to take the SAT/ACT,

� � Learn the basics about federal and private loans.

� � Schedule and make college visits.

DECEMBER

� � Review your PSAT results with your counselor.

� � Talk with friends who are home from college.

� � Take both the SAT and ACT at least once.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY

� � Montana University System Writing Assessment in February

� � Identify characteristics you want in a college.


� � Register and study for the SAT and/or ACT.

MARCH

� � Schedule and make campus visits.

� � Narrow your college list to a reasonable number.

� � Discuss ways to pay with each college on your list.

� � Estimate how much each college will cost.

APRIL

� � Compare college requirements to your course load.

� � Select senior year courses.

� � Visit colleges.

� � Register and take the SAT, if necessary.

� � If planning to attend a military academy or enrolling in an ROTC program? Meet with your high school counselor before leaving for summer vacation.

This Timeline and Checklist off ers helpful

reminders for tasks to complete during

high school to help you prepare for the

options after high school especially if you

want to attend college. As you review this

checklist, keep in mind your calendar may

diff er depending on the type of education

you pursue. This checklist should only be

used as a guide to creating your own list.





































PREPARE :: Tim

e line and Checklist 17

ND CHECKLISTJUNE – AUGUST

� � Save some of your graduation money for school.

� � Respond to requests from the college you will be attending.

� � Keep copies of everything you send.

� � Read and be familiar with your college catalog and semester class schedule.

� � Make sure to check your email and mail regularly for correspondence from your college.

if necessary.

� � Search for scholarships and ways to pay.

� � Stay organized. File copies. Update your calendar.

OCTOBER

� � Verify that your transcripts are accurate.

� � Find out which fi nancial aid applications are required at your choice colleges.

� � Ask for letters of recommendation to include with your admissions and/or scholarship applications.

� � Work on admission application essays.


� � “Early decision” candidates should complete college applications.

� � Take SAT or ACT, if registered.

NOVEMBER

� � Continue completing your college applications.

� � Determine which fi nancial aid forms your choice colleges require—when in doubt contact the fi nancial aid offi ce.

� � Search for additional sources of student fi nancial aid.

DECEMBER

� � Complete school applications ideally by December 1.

� � Print the “FAFSA on the Web Worksheet.” This form can help you gather the necessary information to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit http://fafsa.ed.gov.

� � Stay organized and watch deadlines.

JANUARY

� � Submit your FAFSA via the Web as soon after January 1 as possible because some student aid programs award funds on a

fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis.

� � Fill out and submit required fi nancial aid forms. Follow instructions carefully and make copies for your fi les.

FEBRUARY – MARCH

� � College acceptance and fi nancial award letters will begin to arrive.

� � Watch the mail/email for your Student Aid Report (SAR). Read results carefully!

� � MUSWA in February if their junior score was below 3.5 (or retaking the ACT or SAT to improve their writing scores)

� � Stay on top of important fi nancial aid deadlines.

� � Respond quickly to college requests for additional documentation.

APRIL

� � Make a decision (many colleges request your reply by May 1 and send your tuition deposit).

� � Register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if necessary.

� � Mark your calendar with important deadlines (housing, meals, transportation, fi nancial aid, etc.).

MAY

� � Verify that your fi nal transcripts have been mailed.

� � Notify other colleges of your decision not to attend.

� � Continue to search for scholarships.

� � Look for a summer job and save money for school.

� � Evaluate student loan lenders.



































PREPARE :: CA

REER RESEARCH

| Career Tips, Tools, and Resources 18

RESEARCH CAREERSBEFORE THECOLLEGE FAIRTo get the most out of a College Fair it is important to prepare in advance. Using the following tools will help you fi gure out what career interest you have. These tips will also help you decide which colleges you want to talk to at the College Fair and the types of questions you want to ask the school representatives.

Create A List Of Specifi c Career Questions It isn’t enough to ask admissions representatives how good a particular program is. They will likely tell you that it’s one of the best. Instead, your questions should be unique to you.

Some Questions To Consider Include| Is it easy or diffi cult to get into classes in the majors I’m interested in?

| What opportunities are there for students to gain hands-on experience?

| Is my particular extracurricular activity diffi cult to get into?

| What would you tell me that an administrator wouldn’t?

HELPFUL CAREER TOOLS, AND RESOURCES

What is MCIS?

MCIS is a comprehensive career exploration website that helps students and adults plan careers that match their skills, interests and fi nancial goals. MCIS includes assessments, 579 occupations, and information on thousands of colleges and universities as well as fi nancial aid. MCIS is available at no cost to all Montanans and can be used in every phase of a person’s career.

What tools does MCIS off er to help students?MCIS off ers interest assessments, skills assessments, occupation, education, fi nancial aid information, and a resume writer. It includes a course planner, application tracker and interview preparation materials.

MCIS Contact InformationWebsite: www.careers.mt.gov

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1-800-541-3904

At The FairOn the day of the fair, remember to bring:

| Your list of colleges and questions to ask

| A notebook and pen or pencil to take notes

| A backpack to carry all the brochures

| After you talk with a representative, write down your impressions and their answers to your questions. You should do this before moving on to other schools so that you keep your information straight.

A Few Career Steps and Tips According to Allison Cheston of FoxNews.com, high school students who work part time, volunteer or do internships usually fi nd a successful career path by their late 20’s. Cheston writes that there are fi ve things a student should know about careers as soon as possible. Those fi ve things are:

| Whatever you fi nd interesting is a clue to our career path.

| Having a mentor is critical to career success, fi nd one early.

| Internships are the best way to be exposed to

a possible career.

| Networking is still the best way to fi nd a job.

| Make researching career pathways a priority.

To read the full text of this article go to:

WEB | http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/02/12/fi ve-things-your-high-school-student-should-know-about-careers/

Thank you to MCIS and Pathways for their

team help in sharing this information!

CAREER RESEARCH





































PREAPRE :: Career Tips, Tools, and Resources 19


Steps For Career Success!1. Assess your interests

2. Take the Career Cluster Inventory

3. Pick a career cluster and pathway

4. Research occupations

5. Explore programs of study

6. Compare college information

7. Search for fi nancial aid

8. Apply to colleges

9. Don’t forget to Include your parents, counselor, mentors in your planning! You are surrounded by people who can help you on this journey after high school!

VISIT US ONLINE FOR MORE TOOLSAND CAREER RESOURCES!

What is Pathways?

Pathways prepare students for all the avenues they might pursue following high school graduate. Whether it be two or four year College, certifi cation programs, apprenticeships, formal job training or military service. A pathway promotes the connection between education and workforce/economic development; by off ering a seamless transition from high school to career or occupation preparation. Students master content areas such as mathematics, science, English and social studies through real-world application and applying their content to problems and situations that occur in the modern workplace. Pathways focus on high skill, high demand, and high wage careers; and provide students plans for attainment of technical skill profi ciency and an industry-recognized credential, certifi cate or degree.

Some Pathways may off er Dual Enrollment or High School for College Credit courses. Both Dual Enrollment and High School for College Credit are courses for which the high school student can earn college credit while still at the high school. For more information about these options go to: http://mus.edu/2yr/DualEnrollment.asp and http://mus.edu/BigSkyPathways/HSFCC.asp .

What tools does Pathways off er to help students?Academic and career counseling help students and their parents make informed decisions about which Pathway to pursue. To access career counseling tools and labor market information go to:

WEB | http://mus.edu/BigSkyPathways/CareerCounseling.asp

Pathways Contact InformationA list of approved Pathways can be found @

WEB | http://mus.edu/BigSkyPathways/clusters.asp .

For specifi c information about available Pathways in your area contact any of the Big Sky Pathways Coordinators @

WEB | http://mus.edu/BigSkyPathways/PathwayCoordinators.asp .

HELPFUL TOOLS


































SELECT | Selection Criteria and Cam

pus Visits 20

SELECTION CRITERIA SELECTION CRITERIACurriculum � � What do you want to study?

� � Do you have a specifi c subject in mind, like art or music, or do you want a more general education?

� � Do you want a range of potential majors and study programs?

� � Are you interested in a career that requires professional certifi cation, and does the school provide that necessary training?

� � Do you want to take advantage of special programs like study abroad and internships?

Quality of Education � � How much contact do you want with

your professors?

� � How much does it matter to you whether professors or graduate students teach your courses?

� � How involved do you want to be in research and learning outside of the classroom?

Size � � How large or small a school do you

want?

� � Do you prefer large lectures with hundreds of students or small classes with lots of student participation?

� � Do you want to be on a big campus with many majors, an impressive library, and lots to do?

� � Or would you prefer a small college where you know everyone’s name?

� � Do you want to stay close to home, so you can visit frequently?

Housing and ResourcesIf you plan to live on campus, make sure you check out the quality of the dorm life. Do not forget to check on the meal plan options.

� � Does the campus provide for special dietary needs in the dining halls?

Retention and Graduate Rates� � Retention rate is the percentage of

students who stay for four years.

� � Graduation rate is the percent who actually graduate within four years.

� � Both rates tell you whether students are satisfi ed with their experience at the school and get the support they need.

Cost � � How much can you aff ord?

� � What kinds of fi nancial aid does the school off er?

Others� � In addition to these and others you

come up with, you might also want to consider several other questions.

� � What percentage of applicants is accepted? What are the average test scores and grade point average of the students?

� � What services are off ered for job placement or career guidance?

Admission � � What does the school require for admission?

� � What does the school look for in prospective students?

� � What are your chances of being accepted?

Facilities � � What would you like to see on or near

your college campus?

� � Are restaurants, shops, and health clubs important to you?

� � What about laundry rooms?

� � Where’s the computer lab(s)?

� � Where’s the library and research facilities?

� � What about transportation on and around campus?

Campus Life � � How is life outside the classroom?

� � What special interest groups, activities, and fraternities/sororities do you want to be involved in?

� � Are they active in campus life?

� � What about Campus Security?

� � What is the local community like?

� � How safe is the campus and surrounding neighborhood?

� � Athletics -- Does the school off er intramural and varsity sports?

� � How are the sports facilities?

Location � � Which part of the country would you

like to experience?

� � Do you want a city or small town setting?

Your priorities for college selection

will likely be diff erent from your

friend’s priorities. However, there

are some things that all students

should consider. Read through





































SELECT | Selection Criteria and Cam

pus Visits 21

Determining QualityWhat is Accreditation?One way to help determine overall quality of a college or university is to make sure it is accredited. The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. Because there is no centralized authority exercising control over colleges and universities in the United States, institutions can vary widely in the character and quality of their programs. Therefore, accreditation is one way to protect the quality of education at various colleges and universities.

Two Basic Types of Educational AccreditationInstitutional: Overall, the institution is meeting its objectives.

Specialized / Programmatic: Normally applies to programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution.

For More Information About AccreditationYou should always make sure that the school you are interested in is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. It is one way to insure that you’ll get what you pay for. To check regional and national accrediting agencies that are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation

Visits Tips The only way to truly get a feel for a college campus is to actually visit. If you haven’t taken the time to narrow your choices, campus visits can be challenging because you:

� � May not have time to get to all the campuses.

� � You may not be able to aff ord a visit to each campus, and you won’t be able to distinguish the campuses when you have too many to chose from. Your best bet is to narrow your choices and visit your top 3-6 schools.

Goals of a Campus Visit� � Meet with an admissions staff member

and any other important staff or faculty (fi nancial aid offi cer, faculty member in your chosen academic area, etc.).

� � Get a feeling for the academic and social atmosphere.

� � See the facilities to be used for study, living, recreation, etc.

� � Talk with students currently attending the school.

� � Check out the surrounding community in which the college is located.

In order to make the most of your campus visit, you should spend some time planning your stay. � � Make arrangements for a visit well in

advance (preferably two or three weeks ahead of time). Many students like to just “show up” on campus when the time is good for them. If you haven’t taken the time to notify someone that you are visiting, you will probably not get to see and do all you hoped to do.

� � Inform the college of your special areas of interest (academic area, extracurricular interests) so the admission staff can plan a more meaningful visit for you.

� � Review the publications (view book, catalog, and web site) before you attend the visit. That information will help you develop a list of questions and issues you would like to discuss.

� � Plan to spend at least half a day (a full day is preferable) at each college.

In addition to a tour of campus, you should try to do the following:� � Attend a class to get an idea of typical

size, teaching style, and academic atmosphere.

� � Meet with the Financial Aid staff .

� � Obtain a school calendar and catalog, if available.

� � Browse through the library and other facilities you will use (recreation facility, dorms, dining halls, bookstore, etc.).

� � Engage students (other than the tour guide) in conversation.

� � Spend some time in the student center or student union to get a feel for the campus community.

� � Spend some time in the outside community--eat at a restaurant, do some shopping, tour the surrounding neighborhoods.

� � Read the school and local newspapers and browse the bulletin boards around campus.

� � Keep notes on your visit and discuss your impressions with your parents and/or counselor.

the sample list of criteria provided

here. If something is important to

you, make sure you include it in

your own list. Here is a good list to

start with!


CAMPUS VISITS


































SELECT :: College Fairs and Scholarships 22

COLLEGE FAIR TIPS

FIND MORE ONLINE TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR THE COLLEGE FAIR @

WWW.MONTANACOLLEGES.COM

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A COLLEGE FAIR We are celebrating 27 years of helping students connect to so many amazing options after high school. Join us for another year of Montana College Fairs!

College Fairs can be overwhelming…a lot of noise, people clustering around tables, fi lling out cards, leafi ng through brochures, and competing for the attention of admission representatives. It’s easy to get caught up in the crowds, fun, and confusion. It’s also just as easy to stop at every booth that catches your eye or seems popular. When that happens, you end up with a lot of pretty brochures, but not a good idea of which colleges you may be interested in.

It pays to be prepared before the college fair!

FIND A DETAILED SCHEDULE OF THE MONTANA COLLEGE FAIRS ONLINE To see a detailed schedule of all 19 Montana College Fairs in September, visit us online @

www.MontanaColleges.com/schedule.pdf

� � Do think of some good questions to ask.

� � Do map out a strategy for the fair (have some paper and a pen to take notes or bring a copy of the “College Comparison Worksheet” in this Guide Book.

� � Do team up. If you can bring your parents to the fair, they can be a big help because they will often ask different questions than you would have thought of.

� � Do leave some time for browsing. You may find that you are interested in somewhere you had not thought about.

� � Do some follow-up. Look through your brochures and your notes and start weeding through them. For those that you are interested in, follow up by fi lling out the information cards in the brochures or by starting to schedule college visits.

� � Help keep Montana’s student reputation STRONG! Show respect, be polite, and enjoy yourself!

College Fair Don’ts� � Don’t be rude to the colleges! You

represent Montana, your school, and yourself. These colleges will remember you, and it may mean an extra scholarship if you take this seriously and are respectful, polite, and well-mannered!

� � Don’t waste your time today!

BEFORE THE FAIR � � Visit: www.MontanaColleges.com! See full profi les of many of the colleges attending this year’s fairs.

� � Check out the Online Guide Book for further details and tips about your options after high school. This will help you prepare for the fair! Discuss your college plans with your guidance counselor, family, teachers, and friends. � � Research your colleges of interest on the Internet, on our website, and in your guidance counselor’s offi ce.

� � REGISTER ONLINE Before The Fair! Visit: www.MontanaColleges.com to register and print your bar code.

AT THE FAIR� � Pick up a bag and a fair directory at

the entrance! Bring your Bar Code! � � Scan your Bar Code at the fair entrance for a chance to win a $1000 Scholarship. � � Visit with colleges and universities which you feel meet your criteria. Stop by the information table if you have questions.

AT A COLLEGE FAIRCollege Fair Do’s � � Do make a list of the colleges you want to find out more about.

� � Do research the colleges you like by checking out their brochures, catalogs, and websites.





































SELECT :: College Fairs and Scholarships 23

Show Your College Spirit and Support For Montana Students!We are in our 6th year of celebrating September as “College Spirit/Pride Month” in Montana! Here is your chance for your high school, community, and beyond to celebrate and support your local students in their journey after high school. Wear your college gear the same week as the student’s local college fair to show your support! Donate a dollar to the student sholarships or post your support on facebook. On how you can join this celebration and show your support of Montana studetns go to:

www.SupportMontanaStudents.org.

Join the Montana celebration to support Montana students!

REMIINDER: REGISTER ONLINE BEFORE THE FAIR AND PRINT YOUR BAR CODEDo not forget to register before the fair @ www.MontanaColleges.com. Once you register you will then print the bar code to bring to the fair. This will get you into a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship and also save you lots of time in not having to fi ll out contact cards at each college table. See you at the fair in your area in September!

We look forward to seeing you at the Montana

College Fair in your area!

Remember when you are interviewing the colleges for the right fi t, they are also interviewing you taking notes for admission and scholarship potential. Use this time wisely to impress!

� � Don’t go to the fair without a plan and some idea of the types of colleges that will be at the fair.

� � Don’t collect every brochure available at the fair; but instead, be selective in what you choose based on what you will actually use and look at later.

� � Don’t just follow your friends around to the tables they want to visit. Be adventurous! Have fun!

� � Don’t sit outside the fair unless you have seen everything you need to see.

� � Don’t just let the brochures and info pile upon the fl oor of your bedroom.

REPRESENT MONTANA AND YOUR HIGH SCHOOL WITH CLASS! You are representing Montana! Your attitude and representation at the Fair could encourage a college to come back again next year or also cause them to never want to come back to visit Montana High Schools. Thank you for being courteous and respectful to the representatives at the College Fair!

SCHOLARSHIPSEach fair will have an opportunity to win a $1,000 scholarship for any instition you would like to attend. You must resigter online before the fair, print the bar code, bring the bar code to the fair to be scanned to be included in these scholarhship opportunties. Register @ www.MontanaColleges.com.

Questions To Ask At The College Fair� � What are classes like in the major I am

interested in?

� � What is your institution’s specialty, or what makes your school unique?

� � How large is your campus and student population? How large is the surrounding community?

� � Do you off er advising or tutorial services?

� � What is the typical size of the freshman class, and how diffi cult are fi rst choice and core classes to get into?

� � What is the cost breakdown of your school and is fi nancial aid available?

� � What kind of on-campus and off - campus living options are available?

� � What are the costs of housing and food services?

� � What extracurricular and club activities does your campus off er?

� � Do you provide career placement services for your graduates?

� � When do I need to apply for admission, fi nancial aid, and scholarships?

� � How can I arrange for an on campus visit?


SCHOLARSHIPS


































SELECT :: College Com

parison Worksheet 24

COLLEGE COMPARISON WORKSHEET

General School Information Offi cial Name

City and State

Public or Private

Admission Offi ce Contact Information

Student Body Type (Co-Ed, All Female, All Male)

Enrollment / SizeTotal Student Enrollment

Total Undergraduate Enrollment

Total Graduate Enrollment

Number of Resident Students

Number of Out-of-State Students

Number of International Students

Location / EnvironmentDistance from Home

School Setting (Urban / Rural)

Location and Size of Nearest City

Nearest Airport

Admission RequirementsDeadline

Grades and Tests Required

Average Test Scores, GPA, Rank

Process for Admission

Academics Your major off ered

Special Requirements

Accreditation

Typical Class Size

Student-Faculty Ratio

COLLEGE A COLLEGE B COLLEGE C





































SELECT :: College Com

parison Worksheet 25

CostAnnual Tuition, Fees, and Room and Board

Estimated Total Budget

Application Fee and Deposits

Financial AidDeadline

Required Forms

Percent of Students Receiving Aid

Scholarship Process and Availability

HousingResidence Hall Requirement

Desired Residence Hall

Off -Campus Options

Meal Plan Details

Student LifeClubs and Organizations

Greek Life

Athletics, Intramurals

Performing Arts

Other

Student ServicesTutoring

Career Services

Academic Advising

Health Service Options

Counseling Services

Campus VisitsBest Time to Visit

How to Arrange a Visit

Special Visit Programs or Opportunities

COLLEGE A COLLEGE B COLLEGE C


































Credits: Statistics and data is shared from

the Montana Departmetn of Labor and

Industries Report

Montana Employment Projetions 2013:

Job Growth to 2015 and 2022.

Thank you for sharing your data for this

Guide Book.

SELECT :: Montana O

utlook | Dem

and and Wage 26

MONTANA JOB OUTLOOK | Montana Department of Labor and Industory Projections

Montana Economy Overview and Factors Infl uencing Future Growth

Montana is expected to add 8,300 jobs per year in 2014 and 2015, and then slow to job growth of 6,700 per year from 2016 to 2022. The faster growth in the near term is expected because of strong job and wage growth momentum from 2012 and 2013, improving national and global economic conditions, and the construction industry fi nally recovering and contributing to stronger job growth.

Montana had strong job growth prior to the recession, especially during the bubble years of 2004-2006, with over 10,000 payroll job gains per year. Total job growth during these years averages roughly 8,700 per year.

MONTANA OUTLOOKAnnual Projected Occupational Demand 2012-2022

by Large Occupational Group

Occupation

Total

Annual Open-

ings

2013 MT Annual

Average Wage

1 Food Preparation and Serving Related 2,525 $20,536

2 Offi ce and Administrative Support 2,400 $31,070

3 Sales and Related 2,325 $32,410

4 Construction and Extraction 1,175 $44,434

5 Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 1,175 $68,367

6 Transportation and Material Moving 1,125 $35,737

7 Management 1,100 $78,845

8 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 800 $42,221

9 Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 725 $24,377

10 Education, Training, and Library 725 $43,099

11 Production 650 $35,743

12 Business and Financial Operations 600 $57,735

13 Personal Care and Service 600 $23,939

14 Healthcare Support 450 $26,933

15 Protective Service 350 $38,659

16 Community and Social Service 325 $36,230

17 Life, Physical, and Social Science 300 $54,589

18 Architecture and Engineering 275 $63,911

19 Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media 275 $34,318

20 Computer and Mathematical 225 $57,337

21 Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 125 $30,799

22 Legal 125 $60,379

TOTAL 18,500 $37,900





































SELECT :: Montana O

utlook | Dem

and and Wage 27


Jobs Earning over $45,000 with the Most Openings, 2012-2020

Occupation

Min. Requirements Before Entering Total Annual

Openings

2013 MT

Annual

Average

WageEducationWorkExp.

1 Registered Nurses Associate's 349 $60,698

2Sales Reps, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientifi c Products

HS or GED MT-OJT 178 $56,625

3 Accountants and Auditors Bachelor's 172 $63,280

4First-Line Supervisors of Offi ce and Administra-tive Support Workers

HS or GED <5 years 157 $49,120

5 General and Operations Managers Bachelor's <5 years 144 $89,598

6 Elementary School Teachers, Except Spec. Ed. Bachelor's Int/Res 144 $47,910

7Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

HS or GED MT-OJT 144 $45,832

8Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Bachelor's Int/Res 99 $49,483

9 Electricians HS or GED Appren-ticeship 98 $56,227

10 First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades HS or GED 5 years+ 89 $62,719

Jobs Earning over $65,000 with the Most Openings, 2012-2020

Occupation

Min. Requirements Before Entering

2013 MT

Annual

Average

WageEducationWorkExp.

Total Annual Openings

1 General and Operations Managers Bachelor's Less than 5 years 172 $60,032

2 Civil Engineers Bachelor's 144 $89,559

3 Lawyers Prof. 89 $61,337

4 Physical Therapists Prof. 65 $64,879

5 Managers, All Other HS or GED <5 years 62 $74,122

6 Pharmacists Prof. 52 $66,863

7 Dental Hygienists Associate's 51 $69,306

8 Medical and Health Services Managers Bachelor's 49 $102,872

9 Physicians and Surgeons, All Other Prof. Int/Res 42 $67,434

10 Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers HS or GED LT-OJT 39 $74,704

MONTANA WAGE OUTLOOK | Montana Department of Labor and Industory ProjectionsFor more detailed information from this report, visit: www.dli.mt.gov

Abbreviations

Prof. = Professional Degree

HS or GED = High School Diploma or General Education Degree

LT-OJT = Long-Term On-the-Job training,

Int/Res = Internship or Residency

DEMAND & WAGE


































*Credits: Statistics and data is shared from

the Montana Departmetn of Labor and

Industries Report

Montana Employment Projetions 2013:

Job Growth to 2015 and 2022.

Thank you for sharing your data for this

Guide Book.

SELECT :: Montana O

utlook | Degree and Career Clusters 28

MONTANA OUTLOOKMost Openings for Jobs that Require a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2012-2020

Occupation

Minimum Requirements Before Entering Profession Total

Annual Openings

2013 MT

Annual

Average

WageEducationWork

Experience

1 Accountants and Auditors Bachelor’s 172 $63,280

2General and Operations Managers

Bachelor’s <5 years 144 $89,600

3Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Bachelor’s Internship 144 $47,910

4Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Bachelor’s Internship 99 $49,480

5 Coaches and Scouts Bachelor’s 76 $26,320

6 Civil Engineers Bachelor’s 65 $66,157

7 Lawyers Prof. degree 62 $75,351

8 Cost Estimators Bachelor’s 57 $54,600

9 Physical Therapists Prof. degree 52 $68,845

10 Substitute Teachers Bachelor’s Internship 52 $22,467

Jobs Requiring Some Post-Secondary Education, but Less than a Bachelor’s Degree, 2012-2022

Occupation

Minimum Requirements Before Entering Total

Annual Openings

2013 MT

Annual

Average

WageEducationWork

Experience

1 Registered Nurses Associate's 349 $60,698

2 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers PS Award ST-OJT 238 $42,735

3 Nursing Assistants PS Award 174 $24,786

4Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

PS Award 113 $38,180

5 Teacher Assistants SCND 93 $24,603

6 Forest and Conservation Technicians Associate's 74 $23,854

7 Dental Assistants PS Award 59 $32,777

8Medical Records and Health Information Technicians

PS Award 58 $33,242

9 Computer User Support Specialists SCND MT-OJT 55 $40,368

10 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, & Cosmetologists PS Award 43 $27,372

MONTANA DEGREE OUTLOOK | Montana Department of Labor and Industory Projections

For more detailed information

from this report, visit: www. dli.mt.gov

ABBREVIATIONS

PS = Postsecondary Award

SCND = Some College, No Degree

ST-OJT = Short-Term On-The-Job training

MT-OJT = Moderate-Term On-The-Job training






































Worker Demand by Career Cluster

Career ClusterMin. Education Requirement

Before Entering OccupationTotal

Openings

Hospitality & Tourism

<HS 2,970HS or GED 393

Bachelor’s 22

Total 3,385

Marketing

<HS 1,627HS or GED 635Bachelor’s 90

Total 2,352

Business Management &

Administration

<HS 168HS or GED 1,669Bachelor’s 318

Total 2,155

Health Science

<HS 79HS or GED 218

Assoc. or PS 1,014Bachelor’s 77

Master’s 66Phd or prof. 238

Total 1,692

Manufacturing

<HS 50HS or GED 741

Assoc. or PS 104Total 895

Education & Training

HS or GED 21Assoc. or PS 149

Bachelor’s 464Master’s 101

Phd or prof. 57Total 792

Human Services

<HS 223HS or GED 276

Assoc. or PS 52Bachelor’s 143


Total 792

FinanceHS or GED 302Bachelor’s 308

Total 610

Law, Public Safety, Corrections

& Security


Bachelor’s 11Phd or prof. 70

Total 525

Agriculture, Food & Natural

Resources

<HS 97HS or GED 105


Total 364

Information TechnologyAssoc. or PS 82

Bachelor’s 143Total 225

Science, Technology, Engineer-

ing, & Mathematical


Master’s 20Total 204

Arts, Audio/Video Technology

and Communications


Bachelor’s 88Total 180

Government & Public Admin-

istration

HS or GED 78Bachelor’s 71

Master’s 17Total 166

Abbreviations: <HS = Less than High School, HS or GED = High School Diploma or equivalent, Assoc. or

PS = Associate’s Degree or Postsecondary Award, Phd or Prof. = Doctoral or Professional Degree

Note: Associate’s or Postsecondary Award includes the category “Some college, no degree,” which is a

small portion of the category.

Hospitality & Tourism

<HS 2,970HS or GED 393

Bachelor’s 22

Total 3,385

Marketing

<HS 1,627HS or GED 635Bachelor’s 90

Total 2,352

Business Management &

Administration

<HS 168HS or GED 1,669Bachelor’s 318

Total 2,155

Health Science

<HS 79HS or GED 218

Assoc. or PS 1,014Bachelor’s 77


Total 1,692

Architecture & Construction



Total 1,654

Transportation, Distribution

& Logistics



Total 1,277

CAREER CLUSTER OUTLOOK | Montana Department of Labor

and Industory ProjectionsFor more detailed information from this report, visit:

www. dli.mt.gov

SELECT :: Montana O

utlook | Degree and Career Clusters 29

DEGREE & CAREER

HIGHER EDUCATION FOR MONTANA STUDENTS

Supporting Quality Access to Higher Education

HAT

’SFT

ERIG

HCH

OO

Lwww.MontanaColleges.com

Attend College Fair | W

ho Will Be A

t The College Fair? 30





































APPLICATIO

N PRO

CESS : : Tribal College Admissions 31

Students who are more than ¼ Indian blood should be eligible for Bureau of Indian Aff airs (BIA) scholarships. BIA/OIEP funds may only be awarded to a person who is a member of a federally recognized Native American tribe. Native American students must apply for a BIA/OIEP Indian Education Grant through their tribe, home agency, or area Offi ce of Indian Education.

Indian Health Service (IHS)Twinbrook Metro Plaza, Suite 100 12300 Twinbrook Parkway Rockville, MD 20852(301) 443.6197www.ihs.gov

*The IHS website provides information about the IHS Scholarship Program and the IHSLoan Repayment Program.

American Indian College Fund 8333 Greenwood Blvd. Denver, CO 80221 (800) 776.3863 www.collegefund.org

American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) 121 Oronoco Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 838.0400

Tribal College InformationTribal Colleges are able to provide personalized attention to students and are committed to fostering a family –like atmosphere and strong personal relationships between students and faculty. All parts of the Tribal Colleges’ academic mission are designed from an American Indian perspective. Some characteristics of Tribal Colleges are as follows: o Tribally specifi c language, culture, and history classes are core requirements for students:

� Teaching styles are fl exible and participatory unlike many other colleges.

� Learning styles of tribal students are respected; students learn at their own pace.

� Input and teachings from elders in many aspects are sought.

� Talented community members are invited to tribal colleges and are encouraged to participate in higher education.

� Tribal Colleges have created positive changes for the Indian community.

� Graduates of Tribal Colleges and universities go beyond the traditional baccalaureate degree areas and onto master and doctorate programs.

This Montana Guide Book outlines each of the seven Tribal Colleges in Montana. However, for more information contact the Tribal Colleges directly and / or utilize the following resources:

Tribal Offi ces Another good source of fi nancial aid is the student’s tribe. Each tribe handles its own funding diff erently with varying award amounts and deadlines, so it is best to contact the tribe directly.

Colleges and Universities Many schools off er free tuition, room, and board to Native American students. Be sure to ask each school you are considering what incentives they off er. There may also be special awards for students wanting to pursue a degree in Native American Studies.

US Bureau of Indian Aff airsOffi ce of Education 1849 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20240-0001 (202) 208.4871 or (800) 332.9186 http://www.bia.gov/

TRIBAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

TRIBAL COLLEGE


Trrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiibbbbbbbbbbbbbaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll CCCCCCCCCCCCCCollTribbbbbbbbbb

TRI

FINA

NCE :: Cost of College and Financial A

id 32

COST OF COLLEGE A

There is money out there if you are willing to search for it! Don’t let money stop you from your dreams!

WHY DOES COLLEGE COST SO MUCH? You and your parents may be suff ering from college cost “sticker shock”! The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the total amount it will cost you to go to school—usually expressed as a yearly fi gure. Each school is responsible for determining the annual average COA for its students using a standard defi nition established by the U.S. Congress. This fi gure is used to calculate your fi nancial aid eligibility. Remember, once you are in school, your actual expenses will vary based on your lifestyle! Some expenses will depend on the choices you make—public or private, in-state or out-of-state, live on or off campus. And other expenses, such as the total cost of your books, stay relative regardless of which school you choose to attend.

Direct CostsThis category typically includes tuition, fees, and room and board. You pay the money directly to your school, and the fees vary by college. If you have selected a public (state) school, your tuition will depend on your residency status. The diff erence between in-state and out-of-state tuition can amount to thousands of dollars per year.

TuitionSome schools base your tuition, which is the cost of your classes, on the number of credit hours you will take during an academic period, while others rely on your enrollment status (full-time vs. half-time).

Personal ExpensesYour lifestyle can have a big impact on this cost category. Consider such living expenses as clothing, laundry, haircuts, phone, entertainment, etc.

Special CircumstancesIf you have child care costs or expenses related to a disability, be sure to include them in your budget.

Other CostsYou can plan on some expenses (such as, special lab fees for certain science courses), and other costs may be unexpected (such as, drop-and-add fees that you may have to pay if you decide to change your course schedule). And, don’t forget athletic, sorority, fraternity, or other organization expenses! Always try to keep a little extra money in your budget to cover emergencies.

***Information adapted fromwww.wiredscholar.com by Sallie Mae Corporation

FeesSome schools base your tuition, which is the cost of your classes, on the number of credit hours you will take during an academic period, while others rely on your enrollment status (full-time vs. half-time).

Room and Board Living and eating on campus will cost money too. You will choose between a variety of room options and meal plans, and the cost will vary signifi cantly based on what you select.

Indirect CostsSome schools base your tuition, which is the These expenses are not paid directly to your school but are associated with attending school. You and your family can control some of these costs.

Books and SuppliesIndividual book costs vary greatly depending upon the courses you are taking. You may be able to purchase used books to lower these costs. Some classes also require more supplies than others. Some schools also may require a student to have a personal computer (PC). You will need to plan for related expenses, such as, software and network charges.

TransportationThese costs depend on your school’s location. If you commute, make sure to factor that into your costs (i.e. public transportation, gas, car insurance, parking fees). Some schools provide parking while others may require you to pay for a permit. Remember, you will likely want to go home (or other places) during school breaks and holidays.


FINA

NCE :: Cost of College and Financial A

id 33

AND FINANCIAL AID� � Your own resources (such as

savings, bonds, and other assets).

� � The money you can receive in scholarships and other gifts.

� � Free money from the federal government in the form of grants.

� � Borrowed money from the federal government in the form of loans.

� � The ability to earn money through federal-subsidized work-study programs.

� � Benefi ts and programs from military service (GI Bill, Veterans benefi ts).

� � Assistance (loans, grants, and scholarships) from your selected college.

Being that everyone falls into a very diff erent fi nancial category, and there is no “one-size-fi ts-all” ideal for fi nancial aid, we recommend for more detailed information on each option to talk with your parents, counselors, and the college fi nancial aid offi ces. These specialists can help create a plan that is right for you!

What’s the FAFSA Deadline?By law you cannot fi le the FAFSA before January 1. However, you should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of the year for which you are requesting fi nancial aid. Aid is generally awarded on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis, and a late application may cause you to miss out on possible funding. Talk to The Financial Aid Offi ce at the College Most importantly, take the time early on to talk with the colleges you are interested in to fi nd out what is available and what steps need to be taken to receive the best fi nancial aid award possible. Every college is diff erent, so talk to each fi nancial aid offi ce to fi nd out what opportunities you have at each school!

BASIC FINANCIAL AID TIPSScholarship Tips� � Carefully follow instructions! If the

application asks for a 500-word essay, make sure that you do not exceed that limit, or it could disqualify your application.

� � Strictly observe deadlines and even strive to submit your applications early.

� � Only apply when you meet the scholarship’s minimum requirements. If you know you do not fi t the scholarship’s required elements, do not apply. Instead, spend quality time on the scholarships for which you are truly qualifi ed and have a good chance of winning.

� � Proofread everything before you send your application! Look out for typos!

� � Supplement your application with personal letters of recommendation.

� � REMEMBER to send thank you notes! This is very important, for this small courtesy is always extremely appreciated (and sometimes even required).

Scholarship Scams� � Beware of scholarship scams!.

Generally speaking, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some common scam lines are:

� � “You can’t fi nd this information anywhere else.” Yes you can! They do not know about anything that you cannot learn about on your own.

� � “You are a fi nalist!” or “You’ve won!” to a contest you never even entered. The caller off ers to hold your award funds in return for your credit card or bank account info. Hang up!

� � “First come, fi rst served.” This may apply to some legitimate forms of fi nancial aid but not to scholarships usually. However, legitimate scholarship sponsors do impose deadlines.

� � “It’s guaranteed!” What’s usually guaranteed is search “results” – not scholarship money.

� � “We’ll do the work for you, for a fee.” You should never have to pay for access to scholarship information. There are millions you can fi nd for free on your own!

Mistaken Myths About Financial AidYou or your parents can not get any fi nancial aid because your family income is too high.

FALSE: Income is only one of the criteria on which fi nancial aid is based. If the school’s costs exceed your family’s means, you will qualify for some form of fi nancial aid (grants, work-study, and/or loans). Also some scholarships are based on merit.

You shouldn’t even consider your fi rst-choice college if it costs too much.

FALSE: Generally, the higher the total college costs, the easier it is to demonstrate eligibility for fi nancial aid. Also, the stated costs at a school can be deceiving. Financial aid is often available to off set some of the costs. You should apply to the college of your choice fi rst and wait to see the fi nancial aid award letter before you make up your mind. You may be pleasantly surprised!

How Can You Pay for the Cost of Attending College? Even though the cost of attending a college or university can be staggering, every student and their family has a variety of resources to help pay this expense. You should consider:

STUD

ENT PRO

FILES :: ww

w.M

ontanaColleges.com 34

Alyssa Morren Conrad, MontanaCarroll College “Staying in Montana for college was never one of my priorities. But the more I thought about leaving, the more I realized everything I wanted was right here.”

Chevaz Givens: New Orleans, LouisianaDawson Community College“Make sure they know what major you want to take so you can schedule your classes. You need to make sure you have time for yourself. Faculty, staff and coaches have made the experience better than I ever expected!”

Jessica Miller Havre, MontanaMontana State University Northern“Find one that you fi ts you, not your parents or friends, you. And you don’t have to know your fi rst year what you want to be when you grow up. “

Chris MartinezFort Peck, MontanaFort Peck Community College“Everyone is so encouraging and personal. All students get the support they need.”

James FlansburgHarlem, MontanaFort Belknap College“I realized that without a college education, there would be a permanent ceiling on what I could earn in my lifetime. I keptworking in jobs where I couldn’t advance because I did nothave the required higher education or degree.”

Eric FisherBillings, MontanaMontana State University“What I love most about Montana State is the people. No matter if it is the administration, the professors, the working staff , or the students, everyone is very friendly and personable.”

Krissy Murnin Miles City, MontanaMiles Community College“College can be a complex issue, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, don’t stress more than necessary, and look into places that will off er you more than they will cost you.”

Matt AllenDillon, MontanaThe University of Montana Western“I love the area. I like to camp, hike, and fi sh-- and you can drive 15 minutes in each direction and you are in the wilderness.

Cara LudwigBillings, MontanaMontana State University Billings College of Technology“Explore your heart wisely and choose a fi eld of study you have a passion for.”

Rebecca HaagMissoula, MontanaThe University of Montana“Do not procrastinate when fi lling out forms and applicationsfor school. Get them done right away and sent in, so you donot have to worry that you will miss the deadlines. Also, takeresponsibility for your education.”

Chris FisherHelena, MontanaThe University of Montana Helena College of Technology“Find a college that meets your needs. Don’t freak out, you can always change majors or schools, but you can’t recoup time lost not learning.”

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Angel FrisingerHelena, MontanaThe University of Montana Helena“College is fun! Look carefully at all the options and apply for fi nancial aid early. There are lots of scholarships out there that can make college more aff ordable.”

Nick GasowskiDillon, MontanaThe Unversity of Montana Western“I’m a Montana resident, so I get in-state tuition. And Montana is awesome.”

Linsay DutyBillings, MontanaMontana State University Billings“The major diff erence between high school and college is freedom. Also, you have to keep yourself more accountable for school work and studying.”

Kevin ChollmanKalispell, MontanaMontana Tech “Know what you want to do, not what your family or friends or girlfriends want, but what you want to do and where you want to go. This is what will defi ne the rest of your life. Make sure you know what you want.”

Ashley LalumKalispell, MontanaMontana State University“As you prepare for college it is good to keep yourself informed of important dates with college applications, schol-arships, and fi nancial assistance. Apply for more than one college and fi ll out as many scholarships as you can.”

Joshua AllenMissoula, MontanaThe Univesrity of Montana“I love the people I encounter the most. It is becoming harder and harder for me to get across campus without running into multiple acquaintances. It makes things very enjoyable!”

Cole Conners Great Falls, MontanaMontana State University Great Falls College of Technology“I went to college in Montana because it is a lot cheaper for me to go to school here than to pay out of state tuition somewhere else.”

Melissa Morris Alberta, Canada Dawson Community College“The amount of trust and respect from the teachers and college staff . They truly want what’s best for us.”

Curtis Cotton Butte, MontanaMontana Tech College of Technology“The staff has been incredible in helping me, being friends, and teaching me more than I thought possible..”

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Kendra Hapke Vanguard Saskatchewan, Canada University of Great Falls“I learned three important things in college - to use a library, to memorize quickly and visually, and to drop asleep at any time given a horizontal surface and fi fteen minutes.”

Brittany VanderslootHavre, MontanaMontana State University Billings“I love the people that work here. They are always willing to go above and beyond to help me and everyone else with whatever we need.”

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* VISIT US TODAY @ www.MontanaColleges.com | MPSEOC

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