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PARENT RESOURCES
Planning and succeeding in college is a family effort.
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The transition to college represents a significant step towards adulthood.

Whether a student lives at home or goes away to attend college, the transition represents a social and emotional change for both the student and the parent.

Once a student applies to college, the waiting game and decision-making can be challenging, stressful, and overwhelming. However, it is important to remember that college is not only the path to success, but also the opportunity to explore career options. These resources focus on helping families understand the transition from high school to college and prepare for their first year.

Nearly half (40%) of low-income, first generation students [leave] college without earning their degrees. Thus, working as a family to support your college student increases the likelihood that they will graduate from high school and college. CALSOAP encourages families to support their children in navigating the path to post-secondary education and ensuring college graduation.

Graduation Rates

National 6-year College/University Rates

National Association of Colleges & Universities, 2011
Public 57%
0%
Private 70%
0%
For Profit 32%
0%

Summer Melt

Summer Melt is when students who have completed key college-going steps (i.e. applying for college and financial, being accepted, and intending to enroll) fail to attend college the following fall. Rates of Summer Melt range from 10% to 40% of college intending students.

(Harvard University Research: Summer Melt Handbook, 2013)

The family’s role

  1. Set high expectations.
  2. Meet with your child and their college counselor in high school.
  3. Get involved in the application process.
  4. Encourage and support your child during their senior year of high school and first year of college.

The Student’s Role

  1. Share the application and selection process with your family.
  2. Determine what help you will need during your senior year.
  3. Seek support from your family, school, and community to reach your goals.
  4. Allow for mistakes; they are part of the learning process.

FINANCIAL aid and decision making

  1. Apply for financial aid each year you are enrolled in college/university.
  2. Apply for scholarships early and often.
  3. Calculate the net price of your college/ university options.
  4. Determine the cost of graduating in 4, 5, 6 years or more.

free family learning tips

Welcome! Thank you for your interest in fun and friendly family learning tips. You can click on the documents below to access tips to support your child’s learning and career exploration.

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