Lesson
Researching & Comparing Colleges
Summary
The advertised price is never the whole story—colleges pitch you a number, not the truth behind it. Explore how to use the College Scorecard, decode financial aid letters, and weigh money against personal values before committing to a school.
Bellringer: Reading Past the Sticker Price
- Project the dueling car dealership flyers scenario.
- Prompt students to spot what the ad hides—monthly payment, loan term, total cost.
Instruction
- Introduce College Scorecard and the value check.
- Walk through comparison metrics and data you won't find on a school's own site.
Discussion: Maria's Two Offers
- Split class or pairs by university option; calculate estimated yearly cost from each award letter.
- Break down gift aid vs. loans/work-study to reveal the real cost gap.
Activity: College Alternatives
- Students finish the scholarships module if incomplete.
- Launch the College Alternatives game to carry into the next lesson.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Explain the College Scorecard tool.
- What elements are included in a financial award letter? What potential problems does this introduce?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6 min | Bellringer: Reading Past the Sticker Price |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 14 min | Discussion: Maria's Two Offers |
|
| 12 min | Activity: College Alternatives |
|
| 3 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
College Alternatives Pretest
Assess student knowledge before the College Alternatives unit.
College Alternatives
Students explore trade school, apprenticeships, boot camps, and other post-high-school options.
Class Presentation
Includes an 18-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 11: Planning for College
Work-Study & Student Employment
Work-study isn't a tuition discount—it's permission to earn an hourly paycheck while the government foots part of the bill. This lesson explores the Federal Work-Study program and weighs the trade-offs of working on campus versus off.
Researching & Comparing Colleges
The advertised price is never the whole story—colleges pitch you a number, not the truth behind it. Explore how to use the College Scorecard, decode financial aid letters, and weigh money against personal values before committing to a school.
Strategic Alternatives to College
The four-year degree isn't the only road to a good income—and often not the smartest one. Explore trade schools, apprenticeships, the 2+2 strategy, and going straight to work as legitimate paths to a financially secure future.
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