Library programs offer tips for paying for college
Housing, lab fees, books, tuition. These words can send shivers up a parent's spine.
On the one hand, we want our kids to have a good education, great experiences and opportunities such as a semester abroad, clubs, sports, fraternities or a career-boosting internship. On the other, we don't want our children, or ourselves, to be mired in long-term debt.
Additionally, students want and need to choose a major that will eventually provide income as well as personal satisfaction. Making it all happen involves planning, consideration of many factors, and making big decisions.
Whether you're facing this process for the first time or the fourth, the Schaumburg Township District Library has experts, resources and valuable programs designed to ease the burden of college planning for parents and students.
Each month, various college preparation programs are held at the library. Topics include choosing colleges and majors, finding scholarships, financial planning, housing, budgeting and writing admissions essays.
Parents are welcome to attend these programs with their students. Additionally, the library offers ACT and SAT practice tests, as well as expert advice on how to prepare for these tests.
"The library is an essential place to visit for parents and students thinking about college," said High School Outreach Librarian Anna Pederson. "Not only do we have useful resources, but there are also librarians eager to help you."
March programs include:
"Start Early, Start Smart: College Majors" from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the Central Library Adult Classroom. Parents and their high school-age children will learn what factors to consider when considering college majors. Georgia Koch of Career Vision will guide participants through the steps for successful college major selection and career planning.
"Financial Aid Award Letters" from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in the Central Library Adult Classroom. High school seniors and their parents will learn to understand the content of financial aid award letters with help from ISACorps. Using a work sheet, participants will use their newfound knowledge to evaluate their award letters, with one-on-one support from ISACorps members.
Skipping ahead to May, the library will offer "Prepare for College" from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, May 4, in the Adult Classroom. Thomas Jaworski of Quest College Consulting will provide high school families with advice on how to impress college admission officers.
Registration is required for all of these free programs.
Register by calling (847) 923-3347 or visiting the Teen Desk at the Central Library. Registration also takes place online at www.SchaumburgLibrary.org.
In addition to programs, the library has a plethora of print and online resources for students and parents alike. Adults are welcome to visit the reference area on the second floor to find books on saving and paying for college. Students can check out college planning and scholarship books from Teen Place on the library's second floor.
Schaumburg Library cardholders who embrace online materials may want to peruse some of the classes and tutorials available on the library's website.
Brainfuse and Gale Courses offer help with preparing for SATs, ACTs, AP tests, GEDs and college entrance essays. Students planning to take a language class in college can brush up over the summer with online classes from Mango, which covers more than 50 languages.
All of these resources are free and available to Schaumburg Library cardholders. You will need your library card number to access the online classes.
"Knowledge is power," said English philosopher and scientist Sir Francis Bacon. With the knowledge you'll receive from our college preparation programs and resources, you will have the power to make informed decisions.