February 8 - 12, 2010

This week

• Feature — Time to Tune In: Financial Aid Telethon Coming Soon
• Your turn — College is in reach for everyone
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Time to Tune In: Financial Aid Telethon Coming Soon

We live in a world of information overload. From the Internet to digital cable to smart phones, we are flooded with methods of gathering knowledge, so much that it can seem overwhelming. Especially when it comes to important decisions in life — like, say, choosing a college and figuring out how to pay for it —we just want someone to talk to.

The College Access and Affordability Telethon is designed for just that purpose. If you live in one of the Texas cities listed below, in the coming weeks you’ll have a chance to tune in to this program aimed at students and families who want to learn more about the college application and financial aid process.

The College Access and Affordability telethon is designed to encourage students to attend college and to offer viewers information and resources on the financial aid process. During February, TV stations across Texas will broadcast the program in English and Spanish. Volunteers with knowledge of higher education and financial aid will be waiting to answer your questions. The specific dates and cities include the following:

• Tyler (February 9, KLTV)
• Dallas/Fort Worth (February 10, Spanish-language station, KUVN)
• Austin (February 11, Spanish-language station, KAKW)
• San Antonio (February 17, KSAT)
• Laredo (February 18, Spanish-language station, KLDO)
• Houston (February 22, Spanish-language station, KXLN)
• Beaumont/Port Arthur (February 23, KFDM)
• San Antonio (February 24, Spanish-language station, KWEX)
• El Paso (February 25, Spanish-language station, KINT)
• Lubbock (March 4, KCBD)

During the broadcast, the number for the Texas Financial Aid Information Center (TFAIC) will be displayed prominently on the screen for viewers to call in. At the same time, reporters will interview financial aid experts to discuss the various ways students and families can pay for college. They will also direct viewers to other sources of help for navigating the financial aid process.

Tune in, make a call, and get the information you need.

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Your turn

College is in reach for everyone

A large majority — 83 percent — of low-income high school graduates who were classified as being college-qualified and who applied for college admission were able to attend a four-year institution. Financial or other reasons did not deter them from enrolling.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov)

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen and sophomores

Keeping up with current events can help you in high school as well as with your college application. By reading the newspaper on a regular basis, you will:

• Understand the issues that affect your community,
• Become familiar with the names of world leaders,
• Gain more in-depth information about an event than you can gather from brief TV news reports,
• Increase your vocabulary and improve your reading skills, and
• Be able to add pertinent comments to your academic classes by tying your learning to current events.

For juniors

Summer pre-college programs are a good way to learn about a prospective college. Here's the scoop:

• A summer pre-college program allows high school students to experience college courses in a college environment. Programs will vary in the length and type of activities available. There is a fee for these programs, but frequently scholarships are available.
• There are several places where you can get information about which colleges provide summer programs. Ask your counselor or go to your local bookstore to find out more. If you have a specific college in mind, you can call that college's admissions office or check out the school's Web site.

For seniors

Remember that completing the FAFSA, available online (fafsa.ed.gov), is always the first step in getting financial assistance:

• Grants:
  Funds awarded on the basis of financial need that do not have to be repaid.
• Scholarships:
  Funds awarded that do not have to be repaid. These may be awarded based on many different factors (financial need, academic merit, athletic or musical talents, etc.).
• Work-Study programs:
  The Federal Work-Study Program provides both on- and off-campus jobs for students. The pay will be at least the federal minimum wage. Most students work 10-20 hours per week.
• Loans:
  A variety of federal low-interest loans are available through a college's financial aid office. In most cases, payment can be deferred until after graduation.

For parents

Encourage your child to be more aware of important events and issues by reading the newspaper on a regular basis. Your child will:

• Understand the issues that affect your community,
• Become familiar with the names of world leaders,
• Gain more in-depth information about an event than you can gather from brief TV news reports,
• Increase his or her vocabulary and improve his or her reading skills, and
• Be able to add pertinent comments to his or her classes by tying classroom learning to current events.

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Take notice

Important dates

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web site (www.collegeboard.com) or call (866) 756-7346.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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All about AIEmail

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