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College & Career_Slover

Whether you're planning to go to college or get career training, there's money available to help you pay for it. There are Cal Grants and other student aid programs. Higher education is a smart investment and can open doors to a variety of career paths.

Occupation Outlook Handbook from the United States Department of Labor Statistics- One of the best websites to find information about any career is the. Use their search tool to find information about the nature of the job you are interested in, training requirements, wages, and much more!

CareerOneStop - A source for employment information and inspiration. The place to manage your career. Your pathway to career success. Tools to help job seekers, students, businesses, and career professionals. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Career Resource Websites

California Career Resource Network (CalCRN). CalCRN provides resources for anyone interested in developing the career self-management skills necessary in today's world of work. Follow the links below to explore our resources.  www.californiacareers.info

The California Career Center (CalCC) is your career planning website with tools to help you map your future, whether looking ahead to college, apprenticeship, the military or other options. It is focused on resources for students but also contains resources for counselors, parents, teachers, in short, anyone interested in developing the career self-management skills necessary in today's world of work. www.calcareercenter.org

The California Career Zone: Self-Assessments are available to help you choose a satisfying job or occupational field to explore. You can also look at career fields so that you can find related occupations within an area that you might enjoy. After High School you will need to work to pay for housing, transportation, and clothes... Find out how much money you will need and which occupations will pay for all your needs. www.cacareerzone.org

The California Reality Check: Don't know how much money you will need to earn in the future? Don't know which occupation to choose? You will buy "stuff" for a sample month. We total it up for a year. Then we help you find careers that pay what you need. If you already know the type of job that you want, you can find out more information about it. www.californiarealitycheck.org

Useful Links

www.fafsa.gov is where you go to obtain a PIN (Personal Identification Number), learn more about the FAFSA, including step-by-step instructions, file online, and check the status of your FAFSA.

 

www.finaid.org offers an overall look at financial aid, where to look for it and how to get it.

www.californiacashforcollege.org lists free Cash for College workshops in your area where you and your parents can get help filling out the FAFSA. You may even win an additional $1,000 scholarship at a Cash for College workshop.

www.icanaffordcollege.com for information on California Community Colleges and other kinds of financial aid.

www.csac.ca.gov has loads of information about Cal Grants and other programs available through the California Student Aid Commission.

www.edfund.org for planning for college and managing a student loan.

www.chafee.csac.ca.gov provides information on this exciting opportunity for foster youth and former foster youth.

www.californiacolleges.edu makes finding and applying to a school in California a no-brainer.

www.scholarshare.com provides valuable information about college savings opportunities.

www.studentaid.ed.gov provides information from the U.S. Department of Education.

www.fastweb.com provides free scholarship and college searches.

www.going2college.org to learn about the college and financial aid resources available in each state.

www.latinocollegedollars.org  provides a scholarship directory for latino students.

www.HealthJobsStartHere.com will introduce you to good jobs in healthcare that could be the right fit for you.

www.whodouwant2b.com helps determine what courses to take in high school and community college.

Financing Your Career

More education can make a huge difference in your life - and your family's. It can open doors of opportunity, financially and personally. Find out what going can mean for you. There are several options available to pay for your education after high school if you qualify. Speak to your counselor for more information on any of the options below:

Federal Grants
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. (In some cases, however, a student enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program might receive a Pell Grant). Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.

Cal Grants
A grant is money for college you don't have to pay back. To qualify, you must meet the eligibility and financial requirements as well as any minimum GPA requirements. Cal Grants can be used at any University of California, California State University or California Community College, as well as qualifying independent and career colleges or technical schools in California

Scholarships
A scholarship is money that does not have to be repaid. They come from a variety of sources. There are numerous reasons why someone would be awarded a scholarship; therefore there are several different types of scholarships. A merit based scholarship is probably the most common type.

Federal Student Loans
A federal student loan allows students and their parents to borrow money to help pay for college through loan programs supported by the federal government. They usually have low interest rates and offer attractive repayment terms, benefits and options. Generally, repayment of a federal loan does not begin until after the student leaves school. Federal student loans can be used to pay school expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies and transportation.

Federal student loans are delivered to students through the Direct Loan Program. Loan funds are provided to you through your school.

Private Student Loans
A private student loan is a nonfederal loan issued by a lender such as a bank or credit union. Private student loans often have variable interest rates, require a credit check and do not provide the benefits of federal student loans.

Family Support
Send your family and friends your high school graduation invitations, along with a letter explaining your college intentions. They may just send you contributions to your college fund.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities offers several scholarships for graduating seniors to assist them in defraying some of their college expenditures.  Click here to find more information.  Please review each scholarship's criteria carefully to see if you quality.