Three Things to Know Before You Go
- College is No Longer the Only Path
- One Path Can Be Extremely Expensive
- Life After HS Planning Begins Now
Life after high school shouldn’t be just one thought, go to college. Students and families can follow six pathways after graduation. Sure, you might hear someone talk about it, or politicians and educators express the need, but few pathways are supported and celebrated as intensely as college. Now, don’t get the wrong idea: college is an essential future path for students and families. As a college advisor, I recognize the need for more skilled trade professionals, more people willing to serve, and more young entrepreneurs who are reskilling. We have an unfortunate gap in how we invest in early awareness, education, and counseling to expose and support students in middle school and the early days of high school. Let’s start holding signing sessions and raise a glass to all destinations after high school. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/is-there-a-counseling-gap-for-non-college-going-students/2026/08
To pursue a college education after high school, students and families need to budget and plan. The sticker price now averages $70K to $100K a year to purchase a year’s worth of education at leading colleges in Massachusetts, New England, and across the country. While few pay the sticker price, many students and families can expect an annual funding gap of $20K to $30K. A gap that reflects choices. What college we investigate, select, and attend, and what influences our decision. A gap ultimately paid from monthly disposable income, savings, and potentially credit-based financing. HINT: Financial aid DOES NOT cover the whole gap.
September of a student’s senior year is a time of excitement and joy, as twelve + years of structured education come to an end. For many, it is a time of stress, anxiety, and emotions as they worry about what’s next. Many parents, caregivers, and guardians feel the same. The reality is, September doesn’t have to be this way. Too many students and families wait until September to start thinking about life after high school. We leave it to the professionals who surround students daily, but in reality, they are overextended and under-resourced to meet every student’s needs. Parents, please take the reins and begin planning the end of 10th grade. This process involves education and awareness, conversation and goal setting, assessing academic and financial strengths and weaknesses, and applying resources to help. Creating a student and family plan and working through it at a life-balanced pace can lead to a stress-free, successful outcome.
Closing Thought – Op-Ed Comment
If this September is an example of how our educational and business community is supporting and advocating for change – the dial is moving ever so slowly. In my work as a college and career school advisor, I continue to experience a growing number of students and families scrambling to figure out what to do after high school. Their questions are the same as my parents’ generation, but now come with an increasingly high level of stress and anxiety that is negatively affecting school and work-life balance. These questions span all socioeconomic statuses and neighborhoods. Unanswered questions can lead to risky personal and financial decisions.
If what you’re reading strikes a chord, reach out and share your thoughts. Email me at tom@gtcollegegoing.com. If you’re a business leader or educator and think your workplace might benefit from a seminar or friendly employee Q&A session, let’s get something on the calendar.