The cost of college may be some of your first financial decisions.  These decisions may impact you for several years after college.  Keep in mind, the higher your education, the higher your earnings (usually).  We saw this scenario when we did the career research projects.  So how much are you willing to invest in brain power?  How much of a loan "on your brain" are you willing to take? Everyone's financial decisions will be different.  

Students will be able to find a state, out-of-state, private and community college of interest and compare the cost of tuition, room & board,  books & supplies, personal and transportation cost for each school.  Students will be able to explain that the comparing the costs of college should be done once when researching, and more importantly, again once financial aid packages are given!  See the actual cost for you once you are accepted!

Students will be able to create a budget for expenses (beyond tuition, books, room and board) at college and explain how they get their money!  Please use the following PowerPoint to assist with this assignment and see the Google classroom for the budget sheet you will need to go with this!  Have fun!  College Budget

Students will be able to decide if they would want someone to say "stop" once they hit a certain amount of student loan debt.  Who's responsibility is it to know when someone has amassed too much student loan debt and not allow them to get anymore?  Will we read the article "Placing the Blame as Students Are Buried in Debt"

Students will be able to explain the maximum amount of student loan debt considered to be manageable debt after graduation and explain the consequences of exceeding this amount.

 

Students will be able to explain how to pay for college.  What are the choices?

 

Students will be able to identify various types of loans available to students and explain the pros and cons of each. 

 

Wrapping It Up:

 

Students have looked at the increases in salary with higher education; compared the costs of community college, private college and public in-state and out-of-state college; examined college budgets; and researched the options for paying for college.  As we end this unit, we will look at examples of financial aid, emphasize the need to know how to maximize college aid from the FAFSA form, use a student loan repayment calculator, and watch a few videos.  The last assignment is posted to the Google classroom.