Career Voyages (continued)

Does Education Pay? How to Pay

There is real, independent evidence that shows education leads to higher earnings.

According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report, "college graduates age 25 and over earn nearly twice as much as workers who stopped with a high school diploma. College graduates have experienced growth in real (inflation-adjusted) earnings since 1979. In contrast, high school dropouts have seen their real earnings decline."

Good-paying jobs usually require at least a high school diploma. An employer may even request high school transcripts to view grades in certain subject areas. If your child did not get a high school diploma, they should seriously consider the GED as their first step.

How Do I Pay For Training?

The cost of education and training continues to increase. The good news is that there are a lot of financial assistance programs. These programs are available for college students and adult learners. There are a host of resources for you to investigate:

• The U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs are the largest source of student aid in America. They provide about 70% of all student financial aid. Visit Student Aid on the Web for more information.
• The American Council on Education's College Is Possible page has a glossary of financial aid terms, information on major programs, and links to additional resources.
• GovBenefits is a free, easy-to-use web site. It helps you to find ways to pay for your education and training. First, you answer a series of questions about yourself. Then GovBenefits gives you a list of government benefits for which you may be eligible. Finally, GovBenefits gives you information about how to apply.
• CareerOneStop's Financial Aid Center has information on financial assistance for college students. It also has resources for workers who need training.
• America's Career Resource Network (ACRN) consists of state and federal organizations that provide information, resources and training on career and education exploration. A resource you might find useful is their Financial Aid Resources for Post-High School Education (PDF, 2.8 MB).

Where to Look for Training?

We offer opportunities throughout Career Voyages for you to learn about the range of education and training opportunities available. Great jobs are available to people who are interested in becoming an apprentice, attending community college or a 4-year college as well as other options.