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Start Planning for 4+1 Master’s Program Admissions in High School

By U.S. News & World Report

A growing number of colleges and universities now offer accelerated degree programs, which are sometimes referred to as “4+1 programs.” These programs allow a student to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just five years, rather than the usual six or seven.

Even after having been admitted to their college of choice, however, students must still seek admission to these programs separately. The admissions process for such programs typically begins during students’ junior year in college, but individuals who already believe that one of these programs may be right for them would be wise to begin preparing for this application process during their junior and senior years of high school. Here are three reasons that it is beneficial for high school students to start planning for 4+1 admissions now.

[Learn to use all four years of high school to prepare for college.]

1. Ensure your college of choice meets your 4+1 needs: While many colleges and universities offer 4+1 programs, most do not offer them in every field of study. If you are certain that you would like to pursue a 4+1 program while in college, conduct research as a junior or earlier in order to determine which institutions offer which programs.

For instance, if you plan to pursue a master’s degree in sociology, ensure your prospective college has a 4+1 program in that field, or a relationship with a school that does.

Financial matters must also be taken into account. Get an idea of what your fifth year at a given college will cost and if you can afford it. If you will be applying for undergraduate financial aid, ask whether financial aid packages can be applied to the final year of a 4+1 program.

[Get more tips and advice on paying for college.]

2. Cultivate a record of your interests: It is important to remember that admission to 4+1 programs is not guaranteed — even though you will already be attending the host school. Thus, it is highly beneficial to view your time in high school as an opportunity to pursue classes and extracurriculars that display your interest in and commitment to your prospective field.

Just as you should ideally begin thinking about your undergraduate admissions profile as a high school freshman, you should also start thinking about your 4+1 admissions profile several years ahead of time. If you hope to pursue a master’s degree in a science, take an Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or honors-level class in that subject. If you hope to pursue cultural studies, consider participating in a student exchange initiative. In short, aim to show your intended program that you have had a passion for and success in its subject for a number of years.

[Check out these 10 colleges that lead to graduate school.]

3. Investigate whether it is truly right for your future career goals: Choosing a college or university almost solely for its 4+1 program is a weighty decision, and such a choice assumes that you will not change courses once you begin college. Are you 100 percent certain that a master’s degree in a given program is truly what you want?

Furthermore, not all careers require a master’s degree. Before committing to a school on the basis of its 4+1 program, confirm that a master’s degree is absolutely critical to your future. For example, can you enter the business world without an MBA? Will you need an advanced degree to become a translator?

One of the best ways to gauge the necessity of earning a graduate degree is to speak with individuals who already work in your intended career. Did a graduate degree help them enter and advanced within the field?

If your high school employs a career counselor, you can also meet with this person. He or she may have professional connections or know of resources that can aid you in your research.

Pursuing a 4+1 program is not a step that every high school senior will be willing or able to take, but for those students who are certain that it is the right path for them, the benefits of a 4+1 program can be great. One fewer year of student loans and the opportunity to begin your career one year earlier are tremendous advantages, so be sure you do all you can to increase your chances of admission to the correct 4+1 program for you.

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Start Planning for 4+1 Master’s Program Admissions in High School originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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