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Here are descriptions of the most common types of education institutions and programs.

Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Four-year colleges and universities are typically larger than two-year colleges and offer undergraduate degrees, such as bachelor’s degrees. They also usually offer graduate/professional degrees in a wide variety of fields and often have research facilities and a lot of social opportunities. They can be public or private.

Community/Junior Colleges
Community and junior colleges are usually smaller than four-year colleges and universities. They offer two-year associate’s degrees across different programs. They may also offer certifications in career-related subjects. These types of schools are usually less expensive and have less stringent admissions criteria.

Vocational and Technical Training Schools
Vocational and technical training schools are privately owned and operated schools that teach skills required to get a job in specific fields. Programs can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to complete, and class schedules are often more flexible than those of colleges and universities. Students will typically receive a certificate of completion upon graduation.

Distance Learning
Distance learning is another term for online degrees and programs. Some online programs are run by traditional colleges and universities, where the student doesn’t have to be on campus for classes. Others are privately operated and are primarily run online. The costs of distance learning programs vary widely. Distance learning provides more flexibility with your schedule. But, pay extra attention to graduation rates of online institutions, as they can be lower than those of more traditional colleges and universities.

Service Academies and Senior Military Colleges (SMCs)
These types of institutions offer military instruction along with traditional academic programs. Tuition and other costs are usually covered by the academy or SMC, but students must become commissioned officers in the U.S. military for a specified period of time after they graduate. Admissions into these types of institutions is very competitive.

Apprenticeships
In an apprenticeship program you learn a skilled trade while working on the job and getting paid. Apprentices are trained by a master craftsman or an expert in the field. Registered apprenticeship programs usually last from one to five years, and at the end of the program, apprentices receive a nationally recognized certificate of completion.

Academic Programs
Seek out schools or distance learning programs that offer the education and programs you need for the occupations you’re interested in. For example, you’ll need to go to a school with a nursing program if you want to be a nurse.

Costs and Financing
Know how much your education is going to cost, including tuition, supplies, and living expenses. If you need to work while in school, think about what types of schools or programs will provide flexibility. Identify what financial aid is available to you, including family assistance and scholarships.

Your Learning Style
Do you like to learn in teams? Do you enjoy the classroom environment? Do you like large or small classes? Think about what environments you like to learn in and then identify what types of schools or programs provide those types of learning environments.

Location and Housing
Choose whether you want to go to school nearby or in another city, state, or country (or even online!). Remember that it will cost more, at least for the first year, to go to out-of-state schools. Think about whether you’d like to be in a big or small city. Finally, decide whether you want to live on or off campus (or at home) and what that does to your budget.

Campus and the Campus Environment
If you’ll be attending a college, university, or vocational school, decide what type of campus environment you want. Which institutions offer recreation and learning facilities, such as gyms and computer labs? Do a lot of students live on campus? You’ll be living your life within the campus community, so make sure you know what types of amenities and culture you want out of your environment.

Retention, Graduation, and Job Placement Rates
Look at each school’s retention, graduation, and job placement rates. Retention rates show how many students stayed in school. Graduation rates show how many students graduated. Job placement rates measure how successful students were in getting a job after graduating. These are important indicators of how successful and satisfied students are at each school. It also points to how long it usually takes for students to graduate. Keep in mind that rates can sometimes be lower for distance learning institutions.

Academic Programs
Seek out schools or distance learning programs that offer the education and programs you need for the occupations you’re interested in. For example, you’ll need to go to a school with a nursing program if you want to be a nurse.

Costs and Financing
Know how much your education is going to cost, including tuition, supplies, and living expenses. If you need to work while in school, think about what types of schools or programs will provide flexibility. Identify what financial aid is available to you, including family assistance and scholarships.

Your Learning Style
Do you like to learn in teams? Do you enjoy the classroom environment? Do you like large or small classes? Think about what environments you like to learn in and then identify what types of schools or programs provide those types of learning environments.

Location and Housing
Choose whether you want to go to school nearby or in another city, state, or country (or even online!). Remember that it will cost more, at least for the first year, to go to out-of-state schools. Think about whether you’d like to be in a big or small city. Finally, decide whether you want to live on or off campus (or at home) and what that does to your budget.

Campus and the Campus Environment
If you’ll be attending a college, university, or vocational school, decide what type of campus environment you want. Which institutions offer recreation and learning facilities, such as gyms and computer labs? Do a lot of students live on campus? You’ll be living your life within the campus community, so make sure you know what types of amenities and culture you want out of your environment.

Retention, Graduation, and Job Placement Rates
Look at each school’s retention, graduation, and job placement rates. Retention rates show how many students stayed in school. Graduation rates show how many students graduated. Job placement rates measure how successful students were in getting a job after graduating. These are important indicators of how successful and satisfied students are at each school. It also points to how long it usually takes for students to graduate. Keep in mind that rates can sometimes be lower for distance learning institutions.

Application Form
All schools require you to fill out an application form. They are usually available online, but some schools will provide you with a paper application if you request it. Carefully follow instructions and submit the application by the deadline. Make sure you fill out the entire form—don’t leave anything blank. If you need help filling out the application, ask a parent, guidance counselor, or another adult.

Application Fee
Many schools require you to pay a fee to apply. Fees are nonrefundable, so make sure you only apply to the schools you are interested in attending. If you can’t pay the application fee, some schools will waive the fee for you. Check with the school to see if they offer fee waivers.

High School Transcripts
Schools will want to see more than one set of your high school grades. When you initially apply for admission, schools will ask for a copy of your report card or official high school transcript to make sure you meet their minimum admission requirements. They will also want to see an official transcript once you graduate high school to make sure you kept up with your studies. If the college or university requests an official high school transcript, check with your high school counselor. Your high school may have to mail it for you.

Copy of Your SAT or ACT Test Scores
Some schools require that you take a college admissions test such as the SAT or ACT. If they do, they will want an official copy of your score. When you register for the test, be sure to designate the schools you are interested in attending so the testing organization can mail your test scores directly to them. If you’ve already taken the test, log into the testing site’s website to select which schools should receive your test scores.

Letters of Recommendation
Many schools require letters of recommendation. Ask a teacher, counselor, coach, or other adult that would give you a good recommendation. And don’t be afraid to ask—they’ll be glad to provide you with it! Just give them advance notice so they have time to write it. And don’t forget to send them a thank you note.

Essay
Some schools require you to write an essay about yourself or a specific topic. If you have to write an essay, make sure you check for spelling and grammatical errors. Have someone else read it before you submit it.

Portfolio or Audition
If you are applying to an art school, you’ll need to provide a copy of your work, called a portfolio. If you are applying to a music school, you’ll have to audition.

Interview
While not common, some colleges will want to interview you. Practice interviewing with a friend or parent before the actual interview. Research what types of questions you might be asked and the best ways to answer those questions.

Read each school’s application instructions carefully. Each school will have different requirements and deadlines. Make sure you know what those are. Schools may also require that you submit materials online, while others might require you to submit materials via mail. Make sure you know how each application item needs to be submitted.

Make a checklist of application requirements for each school and a calendar of deadlines. Keeping a checklist of what you’ll need to submit to each school will help you get all your materials ready to submit on time.

Follow up with the school once you’ve submitted your application. Once you submit your application and all required materials, contact the school to make sure they received all your materials.

Don’t be intimidated by creating a budget. Here are just a few simple things you’ll need to do to get your budget together.

Set Your Education Time Span
Decide whether you’re going to create a budget for each month, semester, quarter, or calendar year. Monthly budgets are particularly helpful if you think money is going to be tight, which is often the case when you’re in school.

Involve Your Family
Talk to your family to see if they can and/or will be providing you with any financial assistance. This can include help with tuition, school supplies, and/or living expenses. Clearly identify how much your family will be helping, and what might be expected from you in return.

List Your Income
Estimate and list how much money you will have coming in each month. That includes money from:

• Working
• Financial assistance from family
• Financial aid from scholarships, grants, work-study, or loans
• Financial aid credit balance refunds (money left over after your financial aid is applied toward tuition and fees)

List Your Expenses
Make a list of everything you spend money on. Then list how much money you spend on each thing. Make sure you include your college costs in your list. Those costs should include:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Books and supplies
• Equipment and room materials

Once you’ve listed your expenses, break them out into expenses that will stay the same each month/semester/quarter/year and expenses that will change. Fixed expenses often include car payments, insurance, cell phone bills, and rent. Variable expenses often include groceries, clothing, and entertainment.

Save for Emergencies
Set aside savings as a fixed expense so that you can pay for any unexpected expenses.

Balance Your Budget
Subtract your expenses from your income. If you have a positive balance, it means you’re not spending more than you’re earning. As long as you stay within your budgeted income and expenditures, you should be OK. If you have a negative balance, you’re spending more than you’re earning. You’ll need to figure out how to balance your budget (either by bringing in more income or lowering your expenses).

There are many types of financial assistance that may be available to you.

Federal Grants
The federal government awards grants. Grants are different from loans in that they don’t have to be repaid. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will determine your eligibility for federal grants as well as some state financial aid options, so make sure you fill out the FAFSA completely and on time. You’ll need to fill out a FAFSA each year.

Scholarships
Scholarships are available from countless sources. Individual schools have their own scholarships you can apply for. Make sure you pay attention to each school’s deadlines for scholarship applications. Government entities, nonprofits, and public corporations also often offer individual scholarships. Talk to your school counselor about finding and applying for scholarships. Use the Scholarship Finder tool to learn about scholarship opportunities nationwide.

Student Loans
You might consider taking out a student loan if you’ve exhausted all other financial assistance options. Education loans are available to students attending school at least part-time (6 to 8 credit hours a semester). The federal government offers student loans, and you can also get loans through private lenders.

• How much are you going to take out?
• What is the interest rate?
• How long will it take for you to complete your program?
• How likely will it be that you can find a job after graduating?
• How much will you likely earn once you’re working? What is the starting salary and will it cover your current expenses and monthly loan payment?

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward getting financial aid for college or training programs. You can fill out your FAFSA online or submit a paper FAFSA. Even if you’re unsure about your next steps beyond high school, it doesn’t hurt to see what financial aid could be available to you.

• Use the FAFSA4caster to estimate how much aid you’re eligible for. Start using this tool while in your sophomore year of high school.
• Fill out your FAFSA during the winter of your senior year of high school. You’ll need your parent’s tax returns, so encourage them to file their returns early that year. Make sure to fill it out as early as possible so you don’t miss out on any financial aid opportunities.
• Once you submit your FAFSA, the colleges you were accepted into will use it to determine how much aid you can receive.