Students

How can I make it happen?

Everyone has fears and obstacles to conquer when making decisions about the future. Unfortunately, these concerns sometimes cause students to assume they can’t go to college, so it’s important to recognize these challenges and develop a plan to overcome them. Remember – nothing can keep you from going to college when you’re equipped with the right tools!

Take a look at the truth behind these common college-going myths:

College is too expensive. There’s no way I can afford it.
OK, college can be expensive, but it’s an investment in your future! If higher education is your goal, financial aid options are available to help you get there. Financial aid comes in many forms, including grants, scholarships, work-study and student loans. When you’re preparing for college, visiting Fafsa.gov to learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a must. You submit the FAFSA to learn what types of financial aid you can get.

I don’t know what I want to do with my life, so there’s no point in going to school.
No career plan, no problem! Most college freshmen haven’t decided on a major, let alone a career. Look at college as an opportunity to explore your likes, dislikes and talents. By taking different classes and exploring new activities, you can learn a lot of surprising things about yourself. Check out the list of Oklahoma colleges and universities at OKCollegeStart.org to explore your options.

I don’t need a degree. I can make more money if I get a job right now.
Can’t decide between getting a job and earning a degree? Consider this… 75-85% of today’s jobs require some form of degree or certification beyond a high school diploma. Higher education increases your chance of making more money and having more job perks when you enter the workforce. If you need to earn money right away, you can work AND go to school.

Your concerns may not be identical to the ones listed above. A school counselor can help you find answers to your questions and help you explore your options.

Check out these helpful materials!

News

Need info about the FAFSA? Check out our FAFSA page to find out what it is, why it's important and how to complete it.

Helpful links

• ACT Financial Aid Need Estimator
• FastWeb Free Scholarship Search
• Federal Student Aid
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Mapping Your Future
• National College Access Program Directory
• OKCollegeStart.org
• Oklahoma College Savings Plan
• Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)
• Smart Guide to Financial Aid

Where can I get more information?

If you can’t find the answers you need on this site, give us a call at 866.443.7420 (toll-free) or e-mail your question to UCanGo2@ocap.org.