“Students succeed when someone is willing to support us and believe in us.”
Families are one of the most important ingredients in a student’s success. The resources and information below are intended to help you propel your student toward their dreams.
Why College?
The case for college is clear. People who earn a postsecondary credential are more satisfied with their careers, wealthier, and better prepared to achieve their dreams.
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor’s degree holders are 24% more likely to be employed than those with only a high school diploma.
Poverty
Those with only a high school degree are 3.75 times more likely to live in poverty than those with a bachelor’s degree.
Lifetime Income
Workers with a bachelor’s degree make $1.2m more over a lifetime than their counterparts with just a high school diploma.
Higher Education Matters
In fact, it can be the bridge your student needs to get from high school graduation to the future they want. College continues to be a proven way to move up the socio-economic ladder. People with college degrees are more likely to have a job, earn more money, and tend to be more satisfied with their job than those without college degrees. And research shows a postsecondary degree is also associated with positive health outcomes and a longer life.
Getting to College is a Family Affair
Parents and caregivers have an important role to play in helping students along the path to college. The conversations you have in high school about grades, testing, dreams, and goals are important in preparing your student for this transition. And your involvement in the college and scholarship search will be key to finding the funding and support your student will need. They’ll need you more than ever once they step on campus for advice and encouragement on academics, a new social environment, and finances. College is an opportunity for the entire family to succeed.
You Can Afford It
While the cost of college can be daunting, with careful planning, your student can afford to attend. First, it’s critical that you apply for financial aid and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Every year, millions of dollars in student aid are left on the table simply because students don’t apply. Take advantage of grants and scholarships like the Achieve Atlanta Scholarship, which may provide up to $20,000 to pay for school. Finally, apply to multiple colleges so you can compare financial aid packages when making the decision on where to attend.
"Thank you, Achieve Atlanta, for supporting me
throughout my college experience."
"Thank you, Achieve Atlanta, for supporting me throughout my college experience."
Find Scholarships
There is over $3 billion in scholarships available every year. Some recommended places to start are GAFutures scholarship search and College Greenlight.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This application is required for your student to receive any federal financial aid (such as Pell Grant, Perkins, and Stafford).
Getting Started with FAFSA
This overview article shares the steps you should take to complete the FAFSA application. (https://studentaid.gov/articles/steps-to-fafsa-form/)
Compare Your Financial Aid Awards
Use award comparison tools like those on the Big Future College Board and Consumer Finance websites to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools and better inform you of college costs.
Action Plans to Help Your Student
The College Board has created useful Action Plans for parents by student grade level.