XAP at NACAC: How We Can Help with College Application Challenges

September 21, 2016

“May you live interesting times.”

You’ve probably heard that expression before – it’s often credited as being a Chinese curse. However, researchers haven’t been able to find any evidence to support this, and, like many often-quoted expressions, there is some debate on the Internet about its origins.

One thing is certain: “interesting times” can be both a blessing and a curse. It all depends on how we respond! Just consider today’s postsecondary landscape. As we will hear repeatedly at NACAC’s national conference from September 22-24, today’s campuses face a lot of “interesting” challenges when students apply, including rapidly increasing demands for training in new fields, a greater emphasis on accountability, and financial concerns for both students and institutions. Read more…

A Parent’s Guide to Helping Teens Organize College Applications

August 26, 2016

You made it through the newborn days, handled the toddler and teen years with style, and now you’re facing the arduous task of helping your son or daughter apply for college or university. Does the fun ever end? Now is a good time to start the year off on the right foot so you avoid a last-minute panic looking for all the necessary documents.

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FAFSA

On Your Mark…Get Set… FAFSA Changes On Deck

August 17, 2016

Every January, many students start the new year by vowing to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (commonly called the FAFSA). To keep those students on task, educators often launch campaigns reminding students not to procrastinate on filling out the FAFSA forms.

But this year, students can start even earlier – and smart students will. Why? Because the FAFSA opens up on October 1, 2016. And because some financial aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis. That means filers who submit on October 1 could get more money – and that’s never a bad thing.
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New Skills For Youth

The New Skills For Youth Initiative, Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase & Co.

June 10, 2016

This year, a multi-disciplinary team of organizations created a new initiative which aims to create opportunities for economic success for those without high school degrees, and those who have graduated but do not have sufficient skills to begin a meaningful career. The New Skills For Youth (NSFY) program was created by the Council of Chief State School Officers, National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium and Education Strategy Group, and is funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
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Typing

Coding Camps: What to Look For

May 19, 2016

Have you considered a boot camp for your student this summer? We’re not talking about basic training, but a new kind of boot camp: coding boot camp. That’s right: there are camps that teach kids to code. As the name suggests, these can be pretty rigorous. But if your student spends a lot of time on computers, they might like a good way to keep them busy over the summer – while they learn. Read more…

Help Students Fall in Love With Their Career Plans

February 10, 2016

It is Valentine’s Day soon, so we’re going to hear a lot about love — whether we want to or not! There are many catchy phrases about love: all you need is love; love makes the world go around; love is friendship set to music.  In fact, some of the best quotes with the word “love” are actually about careers. A good one is from Confucius: “Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” In other words, if you love what you do, every day will be like a holiday. Isn’t that a great goal for students?

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