(Chelsea Update would like to thank Karen Persello for the information in this story.)
Attending college without accumulating debt is more challenging than ever. According to the College Board, the average published tuition and fee price for in-state students enrolled full time at public four-year colleges and universities is $9,410 in 2015-16, while out-of-state tuition fees climb to $23,893. Room and board for students in any school is an average of $8,000 to $10,000 per year.
Making College Affordable, the first program in the 2016-17 Parent Education Series, will be held on Sunday, Sept. 18 from 2-4 p.m. at the Chelsea District Library, and will focus on helping families find solutions that fit their goals and their budget.
Presenter Katie Giardello has worked in higher education in various capacities for more than a decade and believes there are post-secondary education and training options for both high school students considering their next steps in life and adults seeking to better themselves.
As the Director of Veteran and Transfer Initiatives with the Michigan Center for Student Success, Giardello oversees statewide efforts to improve service to veterans in higher education and create low-cost associate degree to bachelor degree pathways among participating Michigan institutions.
Making College Affordable will explore a range of post-secondary education and training options available to high school graduates, especially state transfer agreements, which allow students to attend lower-cost community colleges, collect credits, and transfer them to the more expensive state and college programs.
Participants will discover how to search for the right college, get a better understanding of financial aid, and will leave the program understanding education and training options to fit all career interests and budgets.
The Parent Education Series is a series of programs on relevant parenting issues, presented by the Chelsea District Library, the Chelsea First United Methodist Church, and the Chelsea School District. Experts are brought in to speak on various subjects with the expectation of educating, supporting, energizing, and inspiring parents.
All talks are drop-in and free of charge.
Childcare is available at the Chelsea First United Methodist Church website at www.chelseaumc.org, select adults/special events.
For more information visit www.chelseadistrictlibrary.org.
