Education - College Articles

Is your child starting to think about college? If so, you'll find the following articles of great interest. They cover a range of topics from financial aid issues to college prep, and include special topics such as learning disabilities and gifted students. Other related areas at KidSource OnLine for you to review are K-12 and Trends in Education .

Our rating system for these articles is:

• - Best, in depth and most helpful overall
• - Very Good, but more specific in focus
• - Good reference material

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	Funding Your Education 1997-98 This handbook provides information about the U.S. Department of Education's federal student financial aid programs. It is designed for high school students, their parents and others considering entering a postsecondary school for the first time.
	Preparing Your Child For College: A Resource Book for Parents It's never too early to think about college--about the benefits of a college education and about ways to put college within reach academically and financially. Throughout their school years, students make academic and other decisions that affect whether they will be eligible to enter college. This resource book is designed to help you and your child with that process.
	Getting Ready for College- Advising High School Students with Learning Disabilities Increasing numbers of students with learning disabilities are enrolling in two- and four-year colleges and universities. In this article, from the HEATH Resource Center, there is supportive, legal and practical advice for students with learning disabilities who are choosing to continue their formal education beyond high school.
	College Planning for Gifted and Talented Youth Gifted and talented students often have problems beyond those of most other students who consider college and career choices. A systematic, collaborative approach is needed whereby students learn that college planning is part of life career development. This digest begins with specific activities and approaches for students in junior high-school and concludes with a description of what colleges will be looking for as they evaluate gifted students.
	Financial Aid The Student Guide tells you about federal student financial aid (SFA) programs and how to apply for them. Education or training after high school costs more than ever, and you need to learn about as many sources of aid as you can.
	Getting Ready for College Early Getting a college education is an investment that will pay back for a lifetime. However, what many families don't realize is that preparing for college begins even before a student first sets foot in school, and it continues through middle school and high school. Getting ready for college means planning for the future and making some very important decisions early. This guidebook will help you and your children understand the steps you need to take during the middle and junior high school years to get ready for college.
	How Can I Help My Gifted Child Plan for College? Children who are "gifted" demonstrate a high performance capability in intellectual, creative, or artistic areas, leadership ability, or specific academic fields. This brochure discusses early steps parents and their gifted children can take to prepare for college and to ensure that the college experience is positive.
	How to Study for and Take College Tests This brochure offers a plan to help you study for tests. It explains how to prepare for and take tests. Techniques for taking multiple choice, essay, and other types of exams are reviewed. Although these techniques may help you improve your test scores, other factors such as class participation, independent projects, and term papers also contribute to grades.
	Homeschooling Gifted Students: An Introductory Guide for Parents During the last 20 years, increasing numbers of families in the United States have chosen to educate their children at home or outside the conventional school environment. Current estimates range from 500,000 to 1.2 million students. Of that number, a significant percentage of families have chosen homeschooling as the educational option for their gifted children. There are many issues to explore when families consider homeschooling their children.
	Learning Disabilities Among High Achieving Students More than any other disability, learning disability (LD) dominates discussions with the HEATH Resource Center staff on the telephone and through mail inquiries. There is increasing interest in students with LD who attend selective colleges and universities, as well as graduating seniors, in many types of colleges, who are eager to continue on to graduate school or one of the professions (law, medicine, business). This article is a case study with remarks from the field illustrate the range of issues involved in the subject.
	A Lesson from CPAs on the New Education Tax Breaks The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 includes some education-related tax provisions that can benefit families with children in college.
	College Planning for Students with Learning Disabilities Since there are many more colleges seeking, or at least admitting, students with learning disabilities than actually have well-developed programs, it is imperative that professionals help these students act cautiously during the selection and application process. Simply finding a "good" program or the one with the most services is not the solution. A match must be made between the unique needs of the student and the characteristics of the college and its learning disabilities program.
	How Can I Receive Financial Aid for College? Too many students are denied their chance to go to college simply because they can't afford the rising costs of higher education. Unfortunately, many students and parents do not know that more than $35 billion in financial aid is available each year, or mistakenly assume they do not qualify. This brochure suggests steps students and parents can take to secure the financial help they need.
	How To Choose a Community College In fall 1993, nearly 6 million students were enrolled in one of the nation's 1,440 2-year colleges. This enrollment figure is an increase of approximately 600,000 students over the 1991 enrollment, and community college enrollments are expected to continue to increase. Why are more and more students choosing community colleges? What are the advantages of attending community colleges? What should students consider when deciding whether to attend a community college?
	Leading Education Researchers Highlight Top 10 Indicators of Quality Colleges "Overwhelmed." That's the word typically used by parents and students to describe the college selection process, which includes more than 3,500 accredited colleges and universities in the United States. To allay these concerns, top education experts and Peterson's, an education company, have developed a personalized college search system that helps students and their parents zero in on the college best for them.
	American Cancer Society Establishes Scholarship Program The American Cancer Society (ACS), Ohio Division, Inc. has established a scholarship program for students with a history of cancer. Details are provided.
	Hotline or Hot Site: Free Guidance on Paying for College Looking for free information and advice on planning and paying for college? Sallie Mae offers two services ideal for parents and students preparing for their college futures.
	Parents of Younger Children Should 'Get Ready for College' During Financial Aid Month Whether children are enrolled in elementary school or just preparing for kindergarten, it's never too early to begin planning and saving for college. This news story describes how parents can obtain a free booklet from Nellie Mae, the nation's largest nonprofit student loan provider.
	High School Students Graduating Now Are Anxious For Careers Graduating high school students are anxious to hit the career path, according to a Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. survey. Fueled by their perception of strong competition for good jobs in the American workplace, the majority of 15- to 17-year-olds say career goals should be set by age 16 or younger, and most believe they will need four years of college, or more, to reach their goals.