Do you have a preschooler that you want to send to college? Now is the time to save! Do you have a high school sophomore who wants to go to college? Now is the time to research and prepare to apply for scholarships and financial aid. Wait a minute-you have a senior? It’s time to get started, now!
Things to consider:
The Fund of Mom and Dad
A good friend once told me that her ability to help her children go to college was her insurance plan--her insurance that some day she would have a life! The reality is that the Fund of Mom and Dad will probably need to contribute for a student to continue and finish their post-secondary education. When and how much the Fund of Mom and Dad contributes is completely up to the trustees-mom and dad. You may want to consider that students who are required to make some personal financial contribution certainly appreciate their education more than those who do not. In addition, those who invest their own money and sweat equity get better grades.
Early College & University Credit:
Student may take Advanced Placement (AP) courses, concurrent enrollment classes or participate in an early college program that enables your student to earn college or university credit while still in high school. Advanced Placement courses offer a course-end exam which colleges will then award credit or advanced standing to students with passing scores. Visit http://www.collegeboard.com/apstudents for more information. Concurrent enrollment courses are local college courses offered at the local high school, usually taught by a high school teacher with college credentials. Check with your high school to learn more. Many colleges and universities also offer an “early college” program. Early college students attend college and pay tuition but earn both college credit and high school credit. Your high school counselor will have more information.
Reimbursement Plan: The student pays his/her own tuition and if he/she maintains a certain GPA, the Fund of Mom and Dad would offer a tuition reimbursement after grades are posted to the transcript.
Start saving! It is never too late and a few months worth of saving is better than zero months! Try a matching percentage with your student, similar to an employee-matching program for a 401k. If your student has some time before college, perhaps starting a 529 plan (an educational savings plan operated by individual states) or joining Upromise (a rewards program for educational savings with an option to create a 529 plan) would help.
Federal Financial Aid
Apply for federal financial aid through http://www.fafsa.org/. Applications are due June 28, 2008.You must fill out detailed forms using income tax returns, bank account and investment account information. The Federal Government expects that each family will contribute financially to a higher education therefore they calculate an EFC (Expected Family Contribution). It takes time and effort to fill out, but the worst thing they can tell you is “no”.
Scholarships
Colleges & Universities-
Scholarship application deadlines at colleges and universities are usually between January 1 and February 1. Begin now to apply. Most institutions have applications online. Start now to complete applications, request letters of recommendation and transcripts, and write personal essays. Research and apply for both general school scholarships and departmental scholarships. Many university alumni associations also offer a scholarship.
Employers-
A large number of employers offer a scholarship competition. Check with both your student’s employer and your employer to see if a scholarship is offered. If so, apply!
Local Service Organizations and Cities-
Check with your local Kiwanis, Lions, and Elk’s Clubs. They, and some municipalities, generally offer scholarships as well. Your high school counseling office will have local information.
High School Counseling Office-
Most counseling offices produce a scholarship bulletin. Weary your counseling department with your face and pleasant requests for new bulletins or if any new scholarships have become available.
Public Libraries-
Public libraries will post advertisements from local entities who offer scholarships.
Online-
Several websites offer scholarship searches. Most offer free registration. My top three picks are:
http://www.fastweb.com/
http://www.finaid.org/
http://www.scholarships.com/
Word of Mouth-
Let family members, neighbors and friends know that you are on a scholarship and financial aid search. They may have resources and information that will help you.
Loans
Stafford-a federally subsidized loan program
PLUS-federal loan that a parent may obtain for a dependent undergraduate student.
Private-loans from any private lending institution
“Be willing to work diligently and make sacrifices to obtain learning. Education is an investment that brings great rewards. You live in a competitive world where a good education opens the doors of opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you.” (For the Strength of Youth, pg. 9)
One of the greatest blessings in my life is my education. Through it, I have been able to experience “being an instrument in His hands.” The work and sacrifice for my education has brought me amazing career, family and personal rewards. Make a plan with your student to work and sacrifice to obtain these blessings. The Church has a terrific website with more information on financial aid, Church-sponsored schools and more. Check it out at www.besmart.com.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Opposition in All Things
I received a C in my physical education class in 9th grade. How does someone get a C in P.E.? I could not perform the minimum requirements for chin-ups and pull-ups. Why not? A couple of reasons: first, a couple of broken arms, one very serious, had left me with some diminished strength and function in one arm and second, a very bad attitude about P.E. in general-I hated it!-and the teacher-I was scared of him. After grades were reported, my mom went to meet with Coach M. to see what could be done to change my grade. Nothing. My high school transcript reports a C grade. Coach M. was not willing to allow me to do anything to change that grade. The requirements were set and I had not met them.
2 Nephi 2:11 says, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things…” and school is no exception. Every student will face some type of conflict in their school years; many with peers, some with teachers, maybe with an administrator. How parents help students manage conflict will not only determine the outcome of a current conflict but their future success in a career and family.
How can students and parents more effectively handle conflict at school? As a former student, teacher and administrator, I have experienced three different roles in conflict resolution. My recommendations are:
Students are their own best advocates.
Follow the chain of command.
Attitude makes all of the difference.
Students are their own best advocates.
When the conflict is between a student and a teacher, parents should first encourage the student to resolve it. Immediately! Don’t let an issue that is a molehill turn into a mountain. Conflict is best resolved between the immediately involved parties (i.e. student and teacher, student and student, student and administrator, etc.) Students must learn to advocate for themselves. To be able to respectfully converse with an adult is a life skill that will help children in situations ranging from school to church to community.
Role-play is an effective way to coach children and prepare them to respond to any of a number of situations. Parents can act as a coach and can role-play various situations with students to prepare to talk with a teacher. A phrase that has worked for me personally and one I have taught thousands of students is “I feel (state the emotion) about (state the situation) because (state your reasons)”. Do not use the word “you” at all. People can’t argue about your emotions because they are uniquely yours, and avoiding the use of “you” takes the blaming aspect away. This puts the emphasis on the issue and its resolution.
If students are nervous to talk to their teachers, parents should accompany the student, but allow the student to resolve the conflict. After the student has worked out the conflict with the teacher, parents should follow up with a phone call or email to the teacher to express thanks or clarify unclear details.
As a teacher, I admired and respected students who approached me with problems and concerns they had about lessons, assignments, tests and even me! I also observed that students who solved their own problems owned their problems. Often, students want their parents to solve the problem because they are avoiding the responsibility for inappropriate behavior. I have often wondered if a different resolution would have emerged if I had had the courage to talk to Coach M. during the course of the class, instead of having my mother do so afterword.
Follow the chain of command.
If a teacher is uncooperative or unwilling to work with a student, parents should intervene. Be prepared with several solutions-not just one. Rarely will an ultimatum result in the desired outcome, but being willing to compromise may result in a better outcome that you can imagine at the time.
Try to look at the issue from the teacher’s perspective. Remember that they are not teaching only your child. Teachers may have 15 to 40 students in a class and teachers must consider how all students may be affected. We are counseled in the church to consider the effects of change on others. The Guidebook for Parents and Leaders for Youth counsels, “When making any changes or exceptions for one person, leaders should consider the effect those changes may have on the other young women.” (p.19) Teachers consider those effects on their class or classes as well.
As an administrator, it was frustrating to receive a call from a parent about an issue with a teacher with whom they had not spoken. I then became nothing more than a messenger who asked the teacher to give the parent a call. If at all possible, speak directly to the person with whom you or your student has the conflict. If, after speaking to the teacher you are not satisfied, then call the school administrators, then the district officials. To resolve a conflict that goes all the way to the school superintendent, it will usually take a meeting with everyone from the student to the superintendent.
Administrators advocate for the best solution between students and teachers and seek for a fair solution. Do not expect equal solutions. Each student is different with different needs and no two situations are exactly the same. The real question is whether the solution is fair for your student and the teacher?
Attitude makes all of the difference.
I hated P.E. and that attitude influenced my ability to perform. I didn’t admit it then, but now I know I could have done it if I’d set my mind to it. There are exceptions to this philosophy but they are few in number. Teachers know that most students don’t usually love English, math, history or science; and they work to make learning engaging, interesting and fun. Students with positive attitudes and a willing disposition help in untold ways. When those “good attitude” students have a bad day, make a mistake or fail a test, a teacher is much more willing to do whatever it takes to help them resolve the problem.
In Alma 42:25 it reads, “What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit.” My personal belief is that very few teachers are simply insensitive or mean; their discipline style is centered on justice rather than mercy. They are going to be the teacher that teaches a student how life is really going to be or teach them a major lesson rather than be merciful. Much of the outcome may be based on the student’s cumulative behavior and attitude in class rather than the circumstance at hand. Not that it is right-it just is.
Jacob continues in 2 Nephi 2:12 “. . . there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation.” Opposition helps us grow and is the great purpose of our life here. What will we do with the opposition in our life? Will we grow through conflict or remain in a state of denial?
Twenty-plus years after graduation, I still can’t do chin-ups and pull-ups, but Coach M. taught me more about life than I realized.
2 Nephi 2:11 says, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things…” and school is no exception. Every student will face some type of conflict in their school years; many with peers, some with teachers, maybe with an administrator. How parents help students manage conflict will not only determine the outcome of a current conflict but their future success in a career and family.
How can students and parents more effectively handle conflict at school? As a former student, teacher and administrator, I have experienced three different roles in conflict resolution. My recommendations are:
Students are their own best advocates.
Follow the chain of command.
Attitude makes all of the difference.
Students are their own best advocates.
When the conflict is between a student and a teacher, parents should first encourage the student to resolve it. Immediately! Don’t let an issue that is a molehill turn into a mountain. Conflict is best resolved between the immediately involved parties (i.e. student and teacher, student and student, student and administrator, etc.) Students must learn to advocate for themselves. To be able to respectfully converse with an adult is a life skill that will help children in situations ranging from school to church to community.
Role-play is an effective way to coach children and prepare them to respond to any of a number of situations. Parents can act as a coach and can role-play various situations with students to prepare to talk with a teacher. A phrase that has worked for me personally and one I have taught thousands of students is “I feel (state the emotion) about (state the situation) because (state your reasons)”. Do not use the word “you” at all. People can’t argue about your emotions because they are uniquely yours, and avoiding the use of “you” takes the blaming aspect away. This puts the emphasis on the issue and its resolution.
If students are nervous to talk to their teachers, parents should accompany the student, but allow the student to resolve the conflict. After the student has worked out the conflict with the teacher, parents should follow up with a phone call or email to the teacher to express thanks or clarify unclear details.
As a teacher, I admired and respected students who approached me with problems and concerns they had about lessons, assignments, tests and even me! I also observed that students who solved their own problems owned their problems. Often, students want their parents to solve the problem because they are avoiding the responsibility for inappropriate behavior. I have often wondered if a different resolution would have emerged if I had had the courage to talk to Coach M. during the course of the class, instead of having my mother do so afterword.
Follow the chain of command.
If a teacher is uncooperative or unwilling to work with a student, parents should intervene. Be prepared with several solutions-not just one. Rarely will an ultimatum result in the desired outcome, but being willing to compromise may result in a better outcome that you can imagine at the time.
Try to look at the issue from the teacher’s perspective. Remember that they are not teaching only your child. Teachers may have 15 to 40 students in a class and teachers must consider how all students may be affected. We are counseled in the church to consider the effects of change on others. The Guidebook for Parents and Leaders for Youth counsels, “When making any changes or exceptions for one person, leaders should consider the effect those changes may have on the other young women.” (p.19) Teachers consider those effects on their class or classes as well.
As an administrator, it was frustrating to receive a call from a parent about an issue with a teacher with whom they had not spoken. I then became nothing more than a messenger who asked the teacher to give the parent a call. If at all possible, speak directly to the person with whom you or your student has the conflict. If, after speaking to the teacher you are not satisfied, then call the school administrators, then the district officials. To resolve a conflict that goes all the way to the school superintendent, it will usually take a meeting with everyone from the student to the superintendent.
Administrators advocate for the best solution between students and teachers and seek for a fair solution. Do not expect equal solutions. Each student is different with different needs and no two situations are exactly the same. The real question is whether the solution is fair for your student and the teacher?
Attitude makes all of the difference.
I hated P.E. and that attitude influenced my ability to perform. I didn’t admit it then, but now I know I could have done it if I’d set my mind to it. There are exceptions to this philosophy but they are few in number. Teachers know that most students don’t usually love English, math, history or science; and they work to make learning engaging, interesting and fun. Students with positive attitudes and a willing disposition help in untold ways. When those “good attitude” students have a bad day, make a mistake or fail a test, a teacher is much more willing to do whatever it takes to help them resolve the problem.
In Alma 42:25 it reads, “What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit.” My personal belief is that very few teachers are simply insensitive or mean; their discipline style is centered on justice rather than mercy. They are going to be the teacher that teaches a student how life is really going to be or teach them a major lesson rather than be merciful. Much of the outcome may be based on the student’s cumulative behavior and attitude in class rather than the circumstance at hand. Not that it is right-it just is.
Jacob continues in 2 Nephi 2:12 “. . . there would have been no purpose in the end of its creation.” Opposition helps us grow and is the great purpose of our life here. What will we do with the opposition in our life? Will we grow through conflict or remain in a state of denial?
Twenty-plus years after graduation, I still can’t do chin-ups and pull-ups, but Coach M. taught me more about life than I realized.
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