College fair guide 2015

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

2015 College Fair Guide Inside: Which college is right for you? . . . . . . . . 2 The new SAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Columbus students reaching higher . . . . 10

Monday, Sept. 21 Aladdin Shrine Center 3850 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 The official guide to the 2015 Kiwanis College Fair

2015 College Fair Guide

Deciding which type of college is right for you

PHOTO COURTESY THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

(BPT) — What’s the difference between a career college and community college? A public university and a private university? Knowing what makes them different can help students decide which is the right choice for them and their goals.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE Community colleges are designed to serve a diverse group of students, from recent high school graduates to those looking for educational and social enrichment. To meet the needs of this varied student body, community colleges tend to offer numerous programs and classes, but don’t necessarily focus on hands-on job skills.

Community colleges typically offer nondegree classes and two-year associate degree programs for those looking to later transfer to a traditional college or university.

Students who have attended a community college such as Columbus State Community College in Columbus can transfer their credits to a four-year public or private university, noted Michelle Houck, interim director of admission at Ohio Dominican University, a four-year private college in Columbus.

CAREER COLLEGE At career colleges, also known as technical schools or trade schools, the main focus is to prepare students for the workforce once they graduate. These career-focused schools want their students to have the necessary skills to hit the ground running their first day on the job.

They offer “a variety of vocational programs, such as welding, mechanics and computer programs, in a more streamlined way. These programs allow students to take classes that are

2

specifically linked to certain careers, and they have different timelines than a ‘traditional degree’ route,” said Jeff Robinson, director of communications for the Ohio Department of Higher Education. “Four-year colleges may have similar classes, but you will earn a broader degree in that program rather than go straight into certification.”

In addition to the traditional trades, career colleges also focus on graphic design, information technology, business, criminal justice and healthcare professions.

PUBLIC UNIVERSITY Public universities tend to be larger than private schools, and “some — such as Ohio State — are huge,” Robinson noted, adding that class sizes tend to be larger as well, with some public universities having upward of 200 students in certain classes.

Public schools also tend to offer more options for majors than smaller private universities, he said, and the demographics of public universities are also different.

“In-state students are admitted to public universities in far greater numbers (and pay lower tuition) than students applying from out of state,” he said.

Public universities are also funded in large part by the state government and are overseen by appointed boards of trustees, Robinson said.

“Most public universities and colleges were founded to give residents the opportunity to receive public college education,” he said, which means that tuition rates tend to be lower.

See COLLEGES, page 6

Fall 2015 | Special Advertising Section | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Vice President Sales Stephen Zonars

Special Sections Editor Rebecca Walters Special Sections Assistant Melanie Houser

Account Executive Elizabeth Mundy

2015 College Fair Guide is a publication of The Columbus Dispatch’s Advertising Department.

For more information, call (614) 461-7547 or send an email to emundy@dispatch. com.

The Columbus Dispatch 5300 Crosswind Drive Columbus, OH 43228 (614) 461-5500

Kiwanis College Fair Workshops 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. – Morning Session Meet with representatives from colleges and universities to discuss the admission process, financial aid, degree programs and more.

6 - 8 p.m. – Evening Session Meet with representatives from colleges and universities to discuss the admission process, financial aid, degree programs and more.

6 - 8 p.m. – Columbus City Schools College Access Presentations: • 6:30-7 p.m. – Accessing Free College Courses for Your 7th-12th Grade Student! • 6:30-7 p.m. – Supporting Your Student Athlete - OHSAA and NCAA Eligibility • 7:30-8 p.m. – Accessing Free College Courses for Your 7th-12th Grade Student!

K-12 students and their families are invited to participate in handson activities. Programs focus on college preparation and popular career and technical paths, including health care, computers and industrial trades.

6:30 - 7 p.m. – I Know I Can Workshop Financing Your College Education for families with 8th-12th grade students 7 - 7:30 p.m. – I Know I Can Workshop Financing Your College Education for families with K-7th grade students 7:30 - 8 p.m. – I Know I Can Workshop Financing Your College Education for families with 8th-12th grade students

5$1.(' 7+ ,1 7+( 1$7,21 )25 *$0( '(6,*1 6KDZQHH 6WDWH¡V VWXGHQW IRFXVHG IDFXOW\ VPDOO FODVV VL]HV DFDGHPLF SURJUDPV DQG DIIRUGDEOH WXLWLRQ PHDQV HYHU\ VWXGHQW KDV D FKDQFH WR VWDQG RXW ² QR PDWWHU ZKLFK RI RXU SURJUDPV LQWHUHVWV \RX

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

3

The new SAT: What students and parents need to know to prepare (BPT) — The SAT is widely considered one of the most important exams a student will take in his or her academic life, and it is changing drastically.

Students will encounter a completely redesigned format that places significant emphasis on college and career readiness and skills such as reasoning, data analysis and critical thinking.

And, it will impact the class of 2017, said Darnell Heywood, director of college counseling for Columbus Academy, noting that the new SAT will be administered for the first time in March 2016.

The SAT, which impacts high school students’ college admissions success, scholarship dollars and futures, will affect nearly 2 million students. In order to tackle the test with the right amount of knowledge and confidence, students (and their parents) must approach how they prepare for the exam in an entirely different way. “The redesigned SAT will demand

PHOTO COURTESY THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

more from students than ever before,� said Dr. Raymond Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center, a tutoring and test prep company. “Students must have deep foundational knowledge and demonstrate the ability to reason, analyze and think critically in real-

world contexts,� he said. “They’re trying to update the test to be more relevant to what students are learning in school,� said Kate Webster, a high school resource counselor with Columbus Continued on next page

4

Fall 2015 | Special Advertising Section | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

City Schools, adding that the new SAT focuses on what makes students successful in college, as opposed to who the smartest kid is.

To prepare properly for the exam and achieve the desired result, here are tips for both parents and students: • Understand the changes: The exam has been overhauled with changes to both format and content. Test length, timing and score components for the redesigned SAT will be different than its predecessor.

One of the biggest changes? “There will be no penalty for wrong answers,�

Heywood said, which means students can now guess if they are unsure of an answer.

With regard to content, students will be expected to master concepts that address college and career readiness, and key skills such as analysis and reasoning.

In addition, “the essay is becoming optional, mirroring the ACT,� Webster said.

However, she noted that many colleges do require the essay, so students should check with the schools they are interested in ahead of taking the SAT. If they are unsure about all the schools they want to apply to, Webster recommended doing the essay portion of the SAT.

Webster added that some other changes include an increase in emphasis on algebra in the math section, with less of an emphasis on geometry, and more data analysis involving real-world problem solving. • Know the dates: The first administration of the redesigned SAT is scheduled for March 2016. The class of 2017 and 2018 are most affected by the change, but the class of 2016 still has an opportunity to take the current SAT in January 2016, which is likely the safest bet.

Regardless of the format, it is never too early to start preparing for these exams, as it is the best way to ensure success and avoid last-minute and ineffective cramming. Some students begin preparing a few months in advance; for others, it’s several months or longer.

And to help students prepare, Webster said Khan Academy has provided “access to great test prep for students who can’t afford expensive test-prep courses or tutors.â€? Khan Academy provides free online SAT prep courses. • Be aware that tips and tricks won’t work: The redesigned SAT requires a mastery of core academic concepts and an ability to apply these concepts in real-world

scenarios. For example, in the evidencebased reading and writing section, reading questions will feature charts and graphs similar to ones students will most likely encounter in science and social science majors as well as their careers. Math questions will also test more complex skills, and questions will build on one another.

There will also be a move away from vocabulary words, Heywood said. Instead of memorizing vocabulary words for the SAT as students have done in the past, the new SAT will provide words in a sentence or paragraph so students can infer the meaning. • Know your options: As the SAT will see significant changes, which could cause uncertainty on the part of students and parents, the ACT is another viable collegeentrance-exam option. The ACT, which focuses on core high school curriculum and what a student has learned, is accepted at all four-year U.S. colleges and has overtaken the SAT in popularity, especially in the Midwest, Webster said.

But, she suggested that students take both the ACT and SAT, see which fits better with their strengths, and then take that one again. n

Â?

Â?

 ­ �

Â

� €  €

Â?

Â?

Â? Â

€

­ €

‚ ƒ …

„  Â

  ­

 �

 �

Â?Â?Â?Â? Â? Â?

Â?   Â?   Â

 � �

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

5

COLLEGES From PAGE 2

PRIVATE UNIVERSITY Private universities do not receive funds from the state legislature, instead relying heavily on tuition and private contributions, Robinson said. This in turn leads to generally higher tuition costs. But, private colleges such as Ohio Dominican University have their own institutional funds to offer grants to make tuition more affordable, Houck said.

And while private universities may offer fewer majors, they tend to have smaller class sizes, which can be useful for students who prefer having more personal attention in a classroom setting.

Private colleges also tend to have greater geographical diversity among the student body, Robinson said.

The high school student’s guide to preparing for college Follow these handy tips to navigate your way through the college-prep process 9TH GRADE • It’s never too early to start thinking about your future. It’s a good idea to start narrowing down the types of careers you want to pursue, which can help you focus on colleges and programs to work toward, said Ashley A. Logan, college advising manager for I Know I Can, a college-access program helping Columbus City School students enter and succeed in college.

• Start to build your study skills and become a well-rounded student.

Start volunteering or getting involved in extra-curricular activities so you can include them on your college application.

Don’t wait until you are applying to start getting involved, Logan advised.

10TH GRADE

PHOTO COURTESY BRANDPOINT

TWO-YEAR VS. FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE According to Robinson, there are several differences students should be aware of, including the smaller class size you’ll find at a two-year community college versus a four-year college, and lower tuition — community colleges are less expensive than four-year institutions.

Living options are also different.

“Community colleges are for students who commute from their place of residence, while four-year institutions offer roomand-board options as part of their cost for those students living on campus,” he said.

Robinson said another big difference is the degrees offered. While students can typically work towards certificates and associate degrees at community colleges, they can receive a bachelor’s degree — and potentially a master’s and doctorate degree — at a four-year college. n

6

• Take the PSAT. The PSAT is good practice for the SAT or ACT your junior year.

• Start visiting college campuses.

This can help you get a sense of where you feel you fit in best and can help you eliminate schools from your list. Plus, Logan noted that college reps often share average SAT and ACT scores for students who get accepted, which can provide goals and motivation.

• Start looking for scholarships.

“It’s never too early to start looking for scholarships,” Logan said. Even though the scholarships will not be awarded until your senior year, you can start researching them and applying.

11TH GRADE • Take the PSAT. The PSAT is once again practice for the SATs or ACTs, but this time it also counts toward National Merit scholarships.

• Take the SAT and/or the ACT. You can take the SAT and ACT starting in December or January of your junior year, and you can take them again in the spring.

• Visit schools and attend local college fairs.

• Register for the NCAA Eligibility Center. If you want to play college sports and be eligible for a scholarship, you need to register. The NCAA Eligibility Center recommends applying at the beginning of your junior year.

• Do well in school. Your junior year is the most crucial for high school academics, because you use your junioryear grades when applying to colleges at the beginning of your senior year, Logan said.

12TH GRADE • Stay on top of deadlines. Keep an eye on when your college applications are due, and make note of early admission application deadlines.

• Get your recommendations.

During the summer before your senior year, “think about who you want to write your recommendations,” Logan said. “It’s not too early to send them a note and get the recs out of the way.”

• Write your essays. Logan also suggested getting a head start on your essays during the summer as the essay questions don’t change much from year to year. You can reference last year’s application for the topics.

• Don’t slack off. Try to keep senioritis at bay, as admissions offices will rescind offers if they see your grades drop off during your senior year, Logan said.

• Fill out the FAFSA for federal aid. Check the FAFSA deadline for each school you are applying to. The application becomes available in January.

• Choose your school. National Decision Day is May 1 every year. Logan suggested letting the other schools you applied to know that you will not be attending so they know they have room for other applicants.

Fall 2015 | Special Advertising Section | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

ohiobusinesscollege.edu

Begin Your Tomorrow Today Get started today. Visit us online or call 888.485.0039.

• experienced instructors.

OH Reg#08-07-1873T

Get on the fast track! Become a Medical or Dental Assistant and be in high demand.

• CAAHEP accredited MA program. • Day and evening classes available. • Career placement assistance for all graduates.

Financial aid available to those who qualify.

Giving you the power to earn.

4525 Trueman Blvd., Hilliard, OH 43026

For more information about our graduation rates, median loan debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at ohiobusinesscollege.edu/consumer-information.

 �

Â?Â? Â?

 ­

 �

€ ‚��

‚� ƒ„

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

7

KIWANIS COLLEGE FAIR PARTICIPATING COLLEGES Adrian College Air Force ROTC Alderson Broaddus University Allegheny College American University

Columbus State Community College Defiance College Denison University Dickinson College

Antioch College

Eastern Michigan University

Arcadia University

Education First Credit Union

Ashland University

Elon University

Assist to Succeed of Columbus Dental Assisting School AssistToSucceedOfColumbus.com Kindra O’Rielley Kindra@assist4dentist.com 740-602-1250

Everest Institute

Baldwin-Wallace University Ball State University Belmont Abbey College Bethany College Bluffton University bluffton.edu Derek Stemen Director of Admissions admissions@bluffton.edu 419-358-3257

Fairmont State University Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Lehigh University Malone College Marian University Marietta College marietta.edu Admission Department admit@marietta.edu 740-376-4600 or 1-800-331-7896 Marshall University Mercyhurst University Miami University

Ferris State University

Michigan State University

Florida State University

Mount Carmel College of Nursing mccn.edu Paige Kiley pkiley@mccn.edu 614-234-5419

Gannon University Georgetown College Grace College Harrison College harrison.edu Julianna Nemeth Julianna.nemeth@harrison.edu 614-539-8800

Bowling Green State University

Heidelberg University

Bradford School

Hillsdale College

Capital University

Hiram College

Case Western Reserve University

Hocking College

Central Michigan University

Hondros College

Cincinnati Christian University

Howard University

Cleveland Institute of Art

Illinois Wesleyan University

Cleveland State University

Indiana Tech

Coastal Carolina University College of Wooster

Indiana University–Purdue University

Columbia College Chicago

Johnson C. Smith University

Columbus City Schools Adult & Community Education

Kent State University

8

Kenyon College

Kentucky Wesleyan

Mount St. Joseph University Mount Vernon Nazarene University Muskingum University Norfolk State University Northern Kentucky University Oakland University Ohio Army National Guard Ohio Business College ohiobusinesscollege.edu Admissions Department awalker@ohiobusinesscollege.edu 888-485-0039 Ohio Center for Broadcasting Ohio Christian University OhioChristian.edu Admissions Office enroll@ohiochristian.edu 877-762-8669

Fall 2015 | Special Advertising Section | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Ohio Dominican University ohiodominican.edu Michelle Houck Office of Undergraduate Admission admissions@ohiodominican.edu 614-251-4500

Rally Cap

Ohio Northern University onu.edu Deb Miller Director of Admissons d-miller@onu.edu 419-772-2260; 888-408-4668 Ohio State School of Cosmetology Ohio University Ohio University Army ROTC Ohio University Lancaster Campus/Pickerington Center Ohio Valley University ovu.edu Kay Grofe k.grofe@ovu.edu 304-865-6230 Ohio Wesleyan University owu.edu Office of Admission owuadmit@owu.edu 800-922-8953 ext. 3020 or 740-368-3020

Ringling College of Art & Design

University of Dayton

Robert Morris University

University of Kentucky

Saint Leo University

University of Louisville

Salem College

University of Maryland

Savannah College of Art & Design

University of Miami

School of Advertising Art saa.edu Mariesa Bloom Director of Admissions mariesa@saa.edu 937-294-0592

University of North Carolina Charlotte University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of Scranton

Seton Hill University

University of Tampa

Shawnee State University shawnee.edu SSU Office of Admission To_SSU@shawnee.edu 740-351-4778

University of Toledo

Stetson University

Valparaiso University

Temple University

Virginia Tech

The Ohio State University

Waynesburg University

The Ohio State University – Air Force ROTC

West Liberty University

The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences go.osu.edu/visit Jill Tyson Tyson.46@osu.edu 614-688-4659

The Paul Mitchell School Columbus (The Ohio Academy)

Tiffin University Tougaloo College Trine University

Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics

Tusculum College

Pittsburgh Technical Institute

Union College (NY)

Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 189

University of Akron

Point Park University

University of Cincinnati

Queens University of Charlotte

University of Cincinnati – College of Criminal Justice, Education and Human Services

Radford University

University of the Cumberlands

Roanoke College

Otterbein University otterbein.edu/ futurestudents Ben Shoemaker Director of Admission uotterb@otterbein.edu 614-823-1500

Pennsylvania College of Technology

University of Cincinnati (Lindner College of Business)

Union College (KY)

University of Toledo College of Nursing Ursuline College

West Virginia State University West Virginia University West Virginia University Institute of Technology Western Michigan University Westminster College Wheeling Jesuit University Wilmington College Wittenberg University Wright State University wright.edu/ undergraduate-admissions Office of Undergraduate Admissions admissions@wright.edu 937-775-5700 Youngstown State University *List as of Aug. 27.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

9

Columbus students reach higher

By Carolyn Dix Remer DISPATCH MEDIA GROUP

On May 14, Columbus City Schools had its first Reach Higher College Signing Day at City Hall.

The signing day was part of Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative, the First Lady’s effort to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school.

While signing days usually refer to athletes declaring which college they will play for, this signing day was created to recognize and celebrate graduating seniors for their hard work and dedication to their future.

We asked a few of the students recognized to share their stories, looking back at their favorite memories from high school and looking forward to their college plans and career goals.

PHOTOS BY JOHN KNOUFF

Obse Gemeda

Lonnay Ferguson

When Gemeda first moved to Columbus from Ethiopia in 2011, she didn’t speak English. It was her first day of school, and she went to the cafeteria to get lunch. Not knowing what was going on or what the cafeteria workers were asking her, she simply left school. Security had to go after her, and the school ended up calling her father who came and took her home.

OBSE GEMEDA College: Columbus State Community High school: Columbus Global Academy College Favorite memory from high school?

Major: Biology

Januka Acharya

Why this college?

Gemeda lives on her own and has to work to support herself.

Columbus State was the best choice for her because her school schedule will fit with her lifestyle.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

As a mom with a great job, helping kids.

LONNAY FERGUSON High school: Eastmoor Academy Favorite memory from high school?

Being a member of the Impact Team, a school volunteer group that primarily served the homeless.

College: The Ohio State University Major: Premed, biology Why this college? OSU is very close to home, has a good premed program and Continued on next page

  �� �

Â?   ­ Â? € ­ Â? € ‚ Â? Â

Â? Â?

10

Fall 2015 | Special Advertising Section | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

she loved the size of it and the campus. She also received a full-tuition scholarship.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Ferguson sees herself being in residency as she pursues her goal of becoming a pediatrician.

JANUKA ACHARYA High school: Columbus Global Academy Favorite memory from high school? Acharya enjoyed learning English — she had moved to the U.S. from Nepal in 2011 — and hanging out with her friends.

College: The Ohio State University Major: Biology Why this college? Acharya likes what OSU has to offer for students interested in premed. She is also the first in her family to go to college.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? She hopes to be a doctor. n

Parents can help students’ college transition

(MCC) — College is the first taste of true independence for many young students.

Whereas mom and dad were always around to make sure kids were staying on track, that safety blanket is no longer there once kids move into their dorm rooms.

Parents who want to help their kids make as smooth a transition to college life as possible can take steps to help them adjust to their new surroundings and responsibilities more easily. • Let kids fly solo on school day mornings. New college students have to make many adjustments upon moving into their dorms, and getting themselves out of bed each morning and off to class on time is one such change. Let kids set their alarms, prepare their own breakfasts and get out the door on time all on their own. By the time their freshman year of col-

lege arrives, kids will know how to handle their mornings by themselves. • Teach kids how to develop budgets. Another problem many first-year college students encounter is an inability to effectively manage money. While they are still in high school, show kids how to budget their money. If they don’t have accounts already, open bank accounts in your youngster’s name, and insist that he or she start paying for his or her expenses via these accounts.

Resist the urge to give high school kids money if they have already spent their allowances so they can learn how to effectively manage money between paydays. Also, teach kids the right and wrong ways to use credit cards, including the importance of paying balances in full and on time. • Let kids handle more

standard responsibilities.

Adults tend to take more mundane responsibilities like making doctor’s appointments or grocery shopping for granted. But kids likely have no idea how to handle such tasks. Parents can encourage their high schoolers to make their own medical appointments. In addition, take kids along on grocery shopping trips, explaining how to find sale items and which foods to buy and which to avoid. • Emphasize time management. Today’s high schoolers are busier than ever before, so many may already be prepared for the juggling act that is college life. But college students have more free time than their high school counterparts, so parents can emphasize the importance of managing that free time wisely as opposed to spending it lounging on the couch or napping. n

 ­  �

€ ‚ ƒ

„ � � ƒ

Â?

Â? Â?

 �

� � �  � ­�

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

11

What you need to know about FAFSA Federal aid is an easy, free alternative for many students trying to reduce tuition costs MET — According to the College Board Annual Survey of Colleges, the average published tuition and fee price for full-time, in-state students at public fouryear colleges during the 2014-15 school year was $9,139.

That marks a nearly 3 percent increase from the preceding year, but it’s still a considerable bargain when compared to the tuition and fee costs that full-time, out-ofstate students attending four-year public colleges will have to pay. Such students paid $22,958 for the 2014-15 school year, a 3.3 percent hike from the year before.

Such figures do not include the cost of room and board, which averaged roughly $9,800, for the 2014-15 school year at

PHOTO COURTESY THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM

It is important to submit your FAFSA by the deadline, and each school has different deadlines, so check beforehand. public four-year colleges (in-state and outof-state).

Private, nonprofit, four-year colleges

remained considerably more expensive Continued on next page

DENTAL ASSISTING SCHOOL

You don’t have to quit your day job to earn your education for your dream job!

• Ten Saturday classes, 8am-5pm • All inclusive cost under $6000 • 97% success rate at getting students employed

• Financial assistance available • Eligible for the Workforce Investment Act Grant through ODJFS • Board Approved

Contact Kindra O’Rielley for more information.

1960 Bethel Road, Suite 240, Columbus, OH 43220 740-602-1250 Kindra@assist4dentist.com

www.AssistToSucceedOfColumbus.com Registration Number: 12-09-1998T

12

Fall 2015 | Special Advertising Section | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

than their public counterparts, costing students an average of more than $42,000 per year for tuition, fees and room and board during the 2014-15 school year. The 3.7 percent rise in tuition and fees at such institutions also represented the highest average increase of any four-year colleges or universities.

And while those numbers may feel overwhelming, parents don’t have to worry about having all that money on hand to send their kids to college. In addition to scholarships that students can apply for, there is also federal aid, and applying for it is free.

“FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is the first step toward getting federal aid for college, career school or graduate school,” said Tamika Braswell, financial aid program manager for the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

The FAFSA uses information such as your household income, the number of people in your family and the number of people in your family attending college to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), said Tara Schneider, associate director of financial aid for

Ohio Dominican University.

Students list the schools they want to receive the FAFSA information, and then each of those colleges uses the EFC determined by the FAFSA, in addition to the cost of attendance and a student’s enrollment status at the school, to determine how much need-based aid the stu-

Apply online at fafsa.ed.gov.

Applications are available each year in January. dent could receive.

“The school decides how much money you get,” Schneider said, so a student may receive different amounts of aid from each school.

But according to Braswell, a school’s financial aid staff might also consider other factors in determining your needbased financial aid, including unusual medical expenses or unemployment information.

It is also important to submit your FAFSA by each college’s deadline. Each school is different, so Schneider said

GO SOMEWHERE...

UN-

EXPECTED

to check the FAFSA deadline for every school you want to send it to.

So, how do you access the FAFSA? The online application is available at fafsa.ed.gov.

The new application becomes available in January each year, and the student or parents need to fill out the application every year they need the financial aid, Schneider said.

But applying is relatively easy — in addition to information such as your Social Security number, you need to include your tax information. You can supply estimated taxes if you are applying before you have done your taxes, and then adjust the number later if necessary, Schneider said. Filling out the FAFSA has become even easier, she noted, because now you can link directly to the IRS to automatically fill in the information on your application.

And if you need help, Schneider said financial aid offices at colleges are always willing to help, or you can attend College Goal Sunday, a program that provides free help for filling out the FAFSA. It occurs on the Sunday after the Super Bowl every year, and there are locations throughout Ohio. Next year’s College Goal Sunday will be on Feb. 14. n

Only a campus visit can give you the true picture of what Ohio Northern University has to offer. Register for one of our special visit days or schedule an individual visit to campus.

VISIT NOW!

| onu.edu/visit

OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

13

Dorm dwelling? Tips to make the move go smoothly (BPT) — There’s no traveling light when you’re moving into a dorm room. Smart storage options can help you find a place for everything once you’re there, but transporting your belongings from home to campus can be a challenge, whether you’re doing it for the first time or the third.

Many families with collegebound dorm-dwellers rent a moving truck to make the job easier. “We definitely see a spike in rentals in later summer, as college students return to their campus residences,� says Don Mikes, senior vice president of rental for Penske Truck Leasing. “Moving everything in a rented truck is a lot easier than packing stuff into multiple personal vehicles.�

Mikes offers some tips for packing a rental truck with

everything you’ll need for college: • Be realistic about what you’ll really need.You may be tempted to take every piece of clothing, pair of shoes and favorite book you own, but will you really need all that? Probably not. Pare down to what you’ll need most, such as clothes and shoes you wear all the time.

Many colleges also provide students with a checklist of essential items that you can use to trim down what you’re taking. • Pack in stages. If you wait until the last minute to try to pack everything, you’ll create stress and confusion. Start early by packing things you’ll need at college but don’t necessarily need at home, like extra-long sheets, towels, bath accessories, etc. Use sturdy boxes that aren’t too large to handle, seal them with packing tape and label each

with its contents. Keep one box open for last-minute items; that box will go on the truck last. • Label wisely as you go. Put your name on the box (in case it gets separated from you) and a general list of the contents.

Make an inventory list of all your boxes and what’s in them.

Remember, thousands of kids will be moving in at the same time you are, and unlabeled boxes can easily get lost in the confusion. • Plan ahead ‌ far ahead.

Truck rental companies get busy during back-to-school season, so reserve your truck at least two weeks in advance of moving day. For most college moves, a 12- or 16-foot truck will do the trick. • Drive safely. Driving a truck can take some getting used to; they’re taller, wider and heavier than your car or even your

 �

Â?

�� ­€  ‚

14

Fall 2015 | Special Advertising Section | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

SUV. You’ll need more stopping distance to halt a rental truck, especially when it’s loaded with weight. Beware of low-hanging tree branches and building overhangs, and give yourself more room to turn corners. If you have to back up, it’s a good idea to have a reliable friend guide you from outside the vehicle. If your trip will require an overnight stay or a break in your journey, park in well-lit areas, padlock the rear of the truck and lock the cab before leaving the vehicle.

Finally, keep important documents like registration information, dorm confirmation, your driver’s license and credit cards with you — never packed in a box in the back of the truck.

Stock up on water and healthful, energizing snacks to keep you alert, hydrated and satisfied on the road.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | Fall 2015

15

Our Student Loans Feature: Low Interest Rates Deferment of Payment While In School Convenient Line of Credit Flexible Repayment Terms

Student Loan A PP RO VE D

for more information or to apply go to:

http://educu.studentchoice.org 1-866-465-2171 Subject to credit qualification and annual credit review. Student must also meet the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. Credit union eligibility is required. Some restrictions may apply.