Maryland Higher Education Commission

February 2008 Press Release

 

 

 

Guide answering “Questions About College” available

 

 

Annapolis, MD (February 15, 2008)

 

Preparing to go to college can be an exciting, but also stressful experience for an 11th grader. The Maryland Higher Education Commission is trying to alleviate those concerns with its new publication entitled “Questions About College.” This extensive booklet was released recently by MHEC to 75,000 11th graders in Maryland’s public and private high schools.

“Questions About College” gives prospective college students invaluable advice and direction about virtually every aspect of the process of preparing for and getting a degree in higher education such as how to interview, what college life is like, how to choose the best college, how to pursue financial assistance and many other important aspects.

“I suggest every student and parent read through this very informative booklet,” Higher Education Secretary James E. Lyons, Sr., said. “It is a thorough, easy-to-read resource that will no doubt make pursuing the higher education experience much easier because it is so user-friendly.”

Included in the booklet are more than 40 websites students can access to gain information ranging from financial aid, accreditation, athletics, college searches and how to train for a craft or trade, among many others.

Higher education uses many acronyms. The guide lists numerous important acronyms and explains them fully, such as “FAFSA” (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) that students and parents must submit to the U.S. Department of Education if they are to receive college financial assistance from the federal government. This form is used for Federal Pell Grant awards and student loans, as well as Maryland State financial assistance.

“Questions About College” was made possible by a grant from USAFunds based in Indianapolis, IN.

This important publication is a complement to the Commission’s ever-popular College 411: The Student Guide to Higher Education and Financial Aid in Maryland which is distributed in English and Spanish each year to high school seniors.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It serves as an advocate for more than 325,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.