Best of Homschooling IRL: Affording College | Special Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A special replay in honor of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network’s 10th Birthday! << Click to enter giveaway.

When our students hope to go to college, the perennial question remains: how in the world will they pay for it? We decided to return to the topic of affording college with College Prep Genius Jean Burk because we know she has valuable information to share.

 

It’s that time of year again – graduation is upon us and college is looming into the future.  In this replay of the Best of Homeschooling IRL, listen in as Fletch and Kendra interview Jean Burke of College Prep Genius with tips for affording college.

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When our students hope to go to college, the perennial question remains: how in the world will they pay for it? We decided to return to the topic of affording college with College Prep Genius Jean Burk because we know she has valuable information to share.

We think you’ll be encouraged and feel equipped as you help your college-bound students get the education they are pursuing!

 


SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:
College Prep Genius

Follow Fletch/Kendra:
Fletch Twitter
Kendra Twitter

Follow the Studio Dogs:
Betty the Surf Dog – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website
Rasta The Chocolate Lab – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website

Previous Episodes Mentioned:
None

Music clips used on this episode:
None


ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS: Media Angels & the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network


LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

Post 2020 College | Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Post 2020 College: One of the concerns I hear all the time from homeschoolers is worry that their students won’t get into college.Post 2020 College/Post Covid College Decision

One of the concerns I hear all the time from homeschoolers is worry that their students won’t get into college. Look, it’s actually easier than ever to be admitted into college; homeschoolers traditionally perform extremely well on standardized tests and do a great job of competing and winning in National Competitions, such as the National Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, etc.

Getting into college might be easier than ever but considering the ROI of college costs is also more important than ever.

College costs has sky-rocketed and on average cost between $22,000 and $50,000 per year! It’s time for Parents and Student to take a hard look at the ROI of college financial, social and spiritual costs!

Resouces:

 

Must Take High School Course!

Marketable Skills Classes at True North

FREEBIES From True North Homeschool Academy

Replay – How to Prepare Your Homeschooled Teen for College

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Military Education Services Coordinator, Kelly Robinson, shares tips and insight on preparing homeschool students for college so they can get the most out of their college experience!Military Education Services Coordinator, Kelly Robinson, shares tips and insight on preparing homeschool students for college so they can get the most out of their college experience!

The subject of college is often at the forefront of every parent’s mind during the high school years. However, for military parents who homeschool, the thought can be a little confusing and even intimidating. Questions arise like: Can my homeschooled teen get into college? How well do homeschooled military kids adjust? How do I prepare my teen for college? Upper Iowa University specializes in providing quality, affordable education to service members and their families. UIU’s Military Education Services Coordinator, Kelly Robinson, explains how to take the stress out of college prep.

Kelly Robinson is a military spouse and proud mom to 3 great kids. Kelly earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Master of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She has worked in higher education for more than two decades in athletics, admissions, career and academic advising, and as an adjunct instructor. She is currently the military education services coordinator at Upper Iowa University, where she enjoys the opportunity to work with service members and their families to reach academic goals at UIU in both an admissions and advising capacity. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, painting, coaching her kids’ athletic teams, and sipping coffee on her front porch.

Resources:

Show Sponsor:

Upper Iowa University is committed to providing quality, affordable education to service members and their families. Service members, spouses and dependents qualify for tuition savings with their Military Family Grant on undergraduate and graduate degrees. UIU programs are available online, on campus and at one of their learning centers across the country. Work one-on-one with an advisor to reach your educational goals. Learn more at UIU.EDU/MilitaryHomeSchool

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

  1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
  2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
  3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or have show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

 Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

 

Must Know College Checklist | Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

must know college checklistMust Know College Checklist with Jean Burk

When you are ready to visit a college do you know what to look for?  Here is the must know college checklist of important information to find the very best college for your child.

Celebrate with us! Jean Burk is a Fox News Contributor – she was recently a guest on Fox and Family with Lisa Brady!

 

Visit our sponsor – College Prep Genius 

Podcast #54

 

Must Know College Checklist Show Notes

  • Visit top two schools,
  • Ask yourself questions; Am I comfortable walking around? Can I be friends with these people?
  • Make a checklist to compare colleges
  • Apply to 5-6 schools, safe schools, reach schools, and dream schools

Links we discussed:

 

Remember there is no perfect college

  1. Check the school website for visit dates
  2. Contact the admissions counselor for a personal date
  3. Go on a weekday to get a feel for the campus
  4. Try to schedule an interview while you are there
  5. Ask if the school offers reimbursement for travel fees
  6. Make travel arrangements as soon as you can
  7. Arrange for an excused absence to take college visits
  8. Try to talk to the dean or professors
  9. Sit in on one or more classes
  10. Take a tour of the campus
  11. Visit the bookstore student center or library
  12. Spend the night in a dorm to get a feel for the housing
  13. Eat in the cafeteria to see if you like it
  14. Meet with the admissions counselor face to face
  15. Wander around the campus by yourself
  16. Talk to students at the college and ask about their experience
  17. Visit around the school to get a feel of the area

Questions to Ask Academic Advisor –

  1. What is the average class size for the freshman
  2. How many of those students returned the following year
  3. What makes this college program special
  4. How easy is it to switch majors
  5. How does the school help the student adjust to college life
  6. Is there Greek life or social groups at this school
  7. Is the Greek System important to this school
  8. What organizations are the school partnered with
  9. What does the tuition cover
  10. Are there hidden fees
  11. Work-study jobs
  12. How safe is the campus
  13. What does the housing scene look life
  14. Are freshmen allowed to live off campus
  15. Are freshmen allowed to have their own car
  16. Campus parking situation
  17. Does the school offer campus-wide tutoring
  18. How big is the average class size

Things to ask the students at the college

  1. Thing they like most about the college
  2. The worst thing about this college
  3. Why did they pick this college
  4. Would you pick this school again if you had the chance
  5. If I need help how acceptable are the professors here
  6. Are the professors down to earth
  7. What do you like about your department
  8. Do you like the professors
  9. Are the professors teaching the classes themselves or is it done by a TA
  10. How diverse is the student body
  11. How is the cafeteria
  12. What do you do for fun here
  13. How close are the shopping center
  14. How are the dorms
  15. Which dorm is best
  16. Are the dorms nice
  17. What is the one thing you wish you knew ahead of time

 

 

Affording College – HIRL Episode 126

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Affording College | special podcast by HIRL sponsored by CTC mathWhen our students hope to go to college, the perennial question remains: how in the world will they pay for it? We decided to return to the topic of affording college with College Prep Genius Jean Burk because we know she has valuable information to share.

We think you’ll be encouraged and feel equipped as you help your college-bound student get the education they are pursuing!

Affording College EPISODE TIMELINE

1:32 – Fluff : Discussion on tragedy, college visits, real life. 
8:01 – Interview with Jean Burk, Part 1
25:43 – Interview with Jean Burk, Part 2
34:30 – Goodbye! The Show Is Over!


SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:
College Prep Genius

Follow Fletch/Kendra:
Fletch Twitter
Kendra Twitter

Follow the Studio Dogs:
Betty the Surf Dog – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website
Rasta The Chocolate Lab – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website

Previous Episodes Mentioned:
None

Music clips used on this episode:
None


SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW:

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  1. Follow this link to our iTunes page.
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LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.


Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace and KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades.

Special Replay | Can Your Homeschooler Go To College – HIRL Episode 27

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

can homeschoolers go to college podcast with HIRL

Can Your Homeschooler Go To College?

The answer to this question is obvious: we all know that homeschoolers can go to college!

This episode is brought to you by CTCMath.com – a wonderful math curriculum for all of your homeschool needs, or to brush up on new skills.

On this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life, Fletch and Kendra get real and challenge their listeners to join them in a difficult discussion about fear and trusting God as they contemplate sending their children onto higher education.

Along the way, they sit down with two college admissions counselor. They ask them to share the experiences they have had when homeschoolers apply to college. How are we doing when it comes to academic preparedness, pride and preparing our kids for college?

Finally, Fletch and Kendra wrap up their show with a special edition of the HIRLer’s Treasure Chest. Tune in to see what these two are recommending for you now!

 

Homeschool College Success

Not only can homeschoolers go to college, they can succeed when they are there. Time and again, we have seen the statistics. There are a wide variety of college prep opportunities for homeschool kids.

Episode Timeline

03:45 – Fletch/Kenj talk begins the discussion about parenting from a place of fear.
15:13 – Grand Canyon University Admission reps Nick Chandler, and Carrie Fox-Buttram joins the discussion.
45:29 – HIRL’ers Treasure Chest


 

Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from Preschoolers and Peace) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every two weeks as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades of Homeschooling In Real Life.


Enjoy This Podcast? Listen in to more:

MBFLP 94 – Choosing A College

College Prep Genius Introduction

Special Replay: Rethinking College

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

But whether you and/or your student have a clear plan or not, CLEP-ing out of their gen-eds is always the wisest way to go. Rethinking College

Welcome to this episode of Life Skills 101! This week the topic of this podcast is Rethinking College.

With the rising cost of college, it’s important for parents to take time to evaluate with their students, the academic, financial and world view Return on their Investment (ROI) of college costs and debt. The average college graduate (does not include students who do not graduate but still have debt), takes 6 years, not 4 to graduate, with an average of over $35,000 in debt

A college degree is no longer necessary for a rewarding career or to ensure an upwardly mobile life-style. In fact, crippling college debt can make the American Dream an impossibility!

As parents, how do we guide and direct our young adults as they plan for the future?

In this episode, we explore ways that students can get a head start on college, by starting by taking CLEP or  Dual Enrollment courses, specifically targeting Gen Ed Courses.

General Education Requirements:

    • 6 credits of English.
    • 3-6 of Math
    • 3-9 of Science
    • 3-6 of Social Science
    • 3-6 of Diversity
    • You can get an associate’s or even a bachelor’s from the Big Three of the CLEP world. These are
      • Thomas Edison
      • Excelsior
      • Charter Oaks

It makes good sense for young adults to learn how to navigate the digital world. Starting an online business in high school can set them up for future success; setting up an online educational business is even better as the online education market is estimated to be an over $350 billion dollar market by 2025.

Students should consider what kind of lifestyle do they want to have as adults and work backwards from there. What kind of training, income and skills will they need to attain that? The future will demand that our young adults have Critical Thinking Skills, Adaptability and Flexibility and the ability to Collaborate.

Below are resources offered by True North to help families navigate the rapidly changing world of college.

Surviving the Break with Your College Students – MBFLP 287

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

The holidays are upon us and we are looking forward to having our college students home again! But to be realistic, there’s always a transition to bringing our young adults back into the household – and often both the student and the family ends up frustrated. This episode we’re talking about things you can do – on both sides – to make the visit as smooth and pleasant as possible for everyone!

Parent Understanding

If you went to college, you remember the rush of exam week – and the mental and physical exhaustion at the end of it! Especially at Christmas and the end of the spring semester, your student will be arriving after a really tough week or two. We try to keep that in mind for their first several days home.

Expectations

Our unspoken hopes and preferences can set us up for disappointment and conflict. Maybe we parents look forward to seeing our young adult, but we’re also looking forward having his help around the house again! For his side, maybe he’s hoping for some relaxation from the stress of college — or possibly, he has projects or homework to finish during his holiday. Maybe the younger siblings want a lot of attention from their big sister, when she really needs some peace and personal space – at least at first.

The best way to deal with these issues is to communicate ahead of time – gently, in love – and be willing to listen to one other and seek to accommodate everyone. All of those expectations are common and valid – the difficulty is how to address them all. If we cultivate patience and understanding together, we can probably find a mutually agreeable pathway.

Changing Channels

When Hal was working a corporate job, he had to remind himself on the commute home, “I have to leave the office door closed behind me and put on my family hat now.” No matter what stress or disaster he’d left at work, when he came in the door, he knew the kids would be excited to see him, Melanie would be tired and need compassion, and he’d have to be ready to show love and concern to everyone at home.

Our college students need to think about that, too. While they’re making the trip home, they need to consciously prepare themselves to be part of the family culture at the end of their trip. The way they live or even just survive on campus is a separate issue to what happens at home — and they need to change gears before they get here.

In both cases there will be time and opportunity to share their struggles and disappointments, to seek advice and sympathy, but that will come after the initial rush of returning. Everyone will be happier at the end if the wanderer is ready to greet and be greeted first, and then seek the serious conversations after!

We dig deeper into the questions in our blog post here

And a word from our sponsor, Affirm Films’ 5000 Blankets – coming soon to select theaters, December 12 and 13

Tickets and showtimes here!


Graduating from College Debt-Free, Interview with Kara Walker

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Graduating from College Debt-Free, Interview with Kara Walker.

Graduating from College Debt-Free, Interview with Kara Walker. She shares her debt-free college story along with tips for college-bound teens.

Graduating from College Debt-Free, Interview with Kara Walker

This has been a fun week because this week Vicki got to sit down with Kara Walker from Money and Mental Piece, who’s a homeschool grad and entrepreneur!

You and your homeschool high schooler may have thought about college, but have you thought much about the cost of college? Of course, you want your child to be whatever they want to be, but at what cost? Maybe it will be a lot cheaper than you fear! Because today we’re going to see exactly how your child can graduate debt free from college!

Kara’s Homeschool Story

Kara is a 20-something Christian entrepreneur who was homeschooled and transitioned to college after her homeschool journey. And, most significantly, she graduated from college debt free! 

Because of this feat, Kara’s on a quest to help other students do the same through her Money and Mental Peace podcast as well as her upcoming course called The Debt Free College Blueprint.

She’s an amateur snowboarder and recovering overachiever – something that she is working on wrangling even to this day. She likes goal setting, budgeting, and living a debt-free lifestyle. And her goal is to help kids, parents, and families to do the same. 

Kara’s mom is a public school teacher and was even a teacher back when Kara was homeschooling. During high school, she’d participate in co-ops and extracurriculars, which she believes was the foundation that set her up for college.

Kara and Financial Literacy

During high school, Kara took a Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, where she learned all about compound interest, investing, and making money. Through this course is when she realized just how impactful finances are and how much of a huge role they play in life. That’s when she fell in love with finances. (Shameless plug: take a look at 7SistersHomeschool’s interactive Financial Literacy course. Our teens find it life-guiding!)

As she was going through college, she learned ways to test out of courses with CLEP tests and SATs, among learning other neat tricks to save money, which helped her get the first two years of college free.

Savvy college credits and scholarships

She also got a full scholarship to her community college by simply calling the director and asking about scholarships. She says that initiating and bugging people politely is awesome in college when it comes to important decision makers of scholarships. Her friend ended up getting a full women’s scholarship, and he is a man – but no one else applied for that scholarship!

She also did an articulation agreement where she got to do two-thirds of her degree at her community college to transfer to a university. She ended up paying about $1,200 for her Associate’s degree in all because of her neat tricks that she’s going to share with us today!

When she did not know what she wanted to do next, she spent a gap year interning with the National Park Service, which got her an educational award scholarship. 

When she graduated from college at Eastern Michigan University with a BA in Marketing and minor in Math, she left with $10,000 in her bank account because she did not have to use that money she had saved for college tuition.

After graduation, she immediately became a business owner to help students find scholarships for college and guide them through. Since her graduation, Kara has found so many more options to help kids through college debt-free and that is what she is going to share with us today!

Tips For Graduating College Debt Free

Take advantage of doing CLEP tests

There are study guides specifically made for CLEP tests that aren’t that expensive ($20 or less) that you can find on Amazon. 

There’s also a website called Free-CLEP-prep.com to help kids study for these tests and probably a few other sites if you google. 

The company, Modern States, has CLEP test study guide programs online. If you sign up for them, they will give you a voucher to reimburse you for taking the CLEP test, which will also save you money for taking the test!

Once you study for a few weeks, you can schedule to take the test at a local college campus. The test is pass or fail. If you pass, you use those credits for college.

Find which colleges accept the most transfer credits

There are a few colleges that accept more transfer credits than others. You can check to see which colleges take the most transfer credits (for instance, credits from community colleges) and then work towards gaining these transfer credits.

Some kids go to specific colleges just because they accept the most transfer colleges, which helps them graduate from college a lot earlier. For example, one friend Kara knew got his Bachelor’s degree at the age of 19, a year after he graduated high school, because he specifically went to a college that accepted the most transfer credits.

A few colleges that accept higher transfer credits than others are namely:

  • Excelsior College
  • Thomas Edison State University

You can also google which colleges accept higher CLEP transfer credits and then see which programs they have, so your high schooler can start having a plan!

Look for internships and volunteer opportunities

AmeriCorps has internship and volunteer opportunities you can apply for. You can take awesome opportunities and all these rich experiences to help save on tuition.

Several companies and internships have scholarship opportunities, so just do google searches for companies like these.

By doing internships, you can trade time for tuition! 

Talk to Kara at Money and Mental Peace

Kara guarantees to find each child between $10,000 and $30,000 in opportunities and scholarships. 

  • Listen to Kara’s podcast called Money and Mental Peace, which is full of free information on saving money for college. You will discover scholarship and school hacks for Christian college girls to graduate debt free!
  • Learn more about her upcoming course where she will reveal all of the in’s and out’s of graduating college debt free.
  • Follow Kara on Instagram and Facebook to gain more knowledge about graduating college debt free.

On top of that, Kara will teach you how to go find scholarships, so you will be able to take this skill and use it for the rest of your life. (As in, the “teach a man how to fish” expression.) 

It is completely possible to graduate debt free from college. It sets your child up for life where he or she can focus on other avenues of life and not worry about being in debt from college. 

Connect with Kara

You can connect with Kara at Money and Mental Peace podcast, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Free Tools for Researching Colleges and Universities

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Free Tools for Researching Colleges and Universities

179: Free Tools for Researching Colleges and Universities with Holly Ramsey

Holly Ramsey from Thoughtful Homeschooling shares a number of free tools for researching colleges and universities in this episode. All the tools she suggests during the interview are listed below, but you can request her full free guide here.

Know Yourself: Tools to explore interests and aptitudes

Scoir: You Science assessment
Dr. Steven Antonoff’s exploration surveys: self-survey for the college bound, college planning values assessment, audit of college success traits

Know the Schools: Tools to build a list

Loper: new personalized list builder app
College Essay Guy Guide: How to Choose a College
College Matchpoint: monthly newsletter and blog with “Hidden Gems”
Collegewise Runway: free senior year course

Know Your Budget and the Cost: Tools to evaluate financial fit

Thoughtful Homeschooling:: “Best Free Tools to Find a Good School That Will Give You Money”
Thoughtful Homeschooling: “How Good is that Scholarship?”
Net Price Calculator
Estimate any Student Federal Aid
ROI of 4500 Colleges & Universities: Georgetown’s analysis

Know Your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Concerns: Tools to refine a list

College Equity Index: assesses campus climate & culture for BIPOC students
Autism-Friendly Colleges: lists of schools adept at serving those with learning
differences.
First Gen College Partners

Know the Social Fit: Tools to evaluate the feel of a campus

● Look up a school’s mission and values
● Read the student newspaper
Campus Reel: student-driven virtual college students
Niche: includes student reviews of the colleges & universities

To get your teen to start researching and preparing for college, sign them up for sponsor FundaFunda’s annual summer High School Challenge for homeschoolers in rising 9th – 12th grade. This contest gamifies the learning and offers gift card rewards – as well as an overall cash prize.

If you as a homeschool parent want to interact with other homeschool parents on these topics, join the Homeschooling College-bound Teens Facebook group run by FundaFunda – Holly is one of the many members there with wisdom to share!

You can find Holly at her website, Thoughtful Homeschooling, and on Facebook and Instagram.

—————————————————————————————————————-
Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

Free Tools for Researching Colleges and Universities