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How Much Do Postsecondary Programs Cost?

This activity aims to help students determine how much typical postsecondary programs cost and how to budget for common expenses.

Discuss

Cost is only one consideration when comparing postsecondary programs, but it’s important. Tuition is usually the first cost that comes to mind when thinking about postsecondary education. There are usually other costs that students have to pay too. What do you think some of the costs are for postsecondary education? What factors might make one program less expensive than another? [Allow time for students to share their ideas and answer. Provide some prompts and/or examples if needed.]

Even if you are planning to enlist in the military, apply for an apprenticeship, or go straight to work after high school, it’s important to understand how to budget for postsecondary education. Many people decide to enroll in college courses or career education programs years after graduating high school to earn additional credentials or degrees to help them achieve their career goals. Knowing how to determine the costs and what options are available to pay for them will help you make smart financial decisions now and in the future.

Resource

Postsecondary Options Budget Worksheet

(Parts One, Two, and Three). Here are some options to help students complete this worksheet using online resources and information that they may already know. There will likely be items on the worksheet that students are unsure about such as how much their family could contribute or whether savings are available to help fund their postsecondary education. Encourage students to review their worksheet with a family member or other trusted adult to discuss options and add these details.

  1. Instructor Assisted: Instructors can complete a mock budget to review with students. The instructor will need to complete one in advance or use one from a previous service delivery.
  2. Guided Activity: Assist students to complete the budget worksheet for their desired postsecondary path.
  3. Independent Activity: Students can complete the worksheet on their own.

Students will also need to revisit the worksheet during Activity Four to add information about available scholarships.

Click and Explore

During this activity, students will look up general information for a postsecondary interest. Here are a few sites to help start this conversation. Feel free to add or change the ones listed:

  • Ohio Budget Calculators - these calculators offer the option to enter known expenses or estimate them based on the student’s lifestyle.
  • Estimate College Costs - provides estimates of Ohio universities, colleges, and more to help you plan for college costs.
  • Career Technical Education and Ohio Technical Centers - explores Ohio’s technical centers and their programs for high school students and adult learners.
  • GI Bill Comparison Tool – provides a summary of veteran’s benefits for specific schools and programs.
  • Apprenticeship Job Finder – provides details on specific apprenticeship opportunities.
  • Ohio Building Trade Apprenticeships - provides information about the various Ohio Building Trades apprenticeships programs and partnerships.
  • Search Engine – use Google, Bing, and other search engines to look for information about income and expenses not included in the sites above (generated AI responses may be particularly helpful for students). Be sure to verity source and information to ensure what you find is credible. You may end up searching the source of the information to help confirm what you find.