Diamond Career & College Planning
(coming soon)
Education is one of THE MOST important factors in overcoming poverty. It goes hand in hand with two other main factors: mindset & mentors, knowledge of hidden rules of the middle class, & soft skill training.
Now, I don't advise just going and getting a degree for the sake of it and racking up a bunch of student loan debt. No.
If you're going to get your degree, it has to benefit your situation now- meaning, it has to have a return on investment. It has to pay off short term. Don't just go get a liberal arts degree for the sake of having a degree. The specialization of your degree will absolutely affect you getting into your career field after graduation. If you don't have to take out a student loan, don't! The safest bets are ones that you know are always needed: doctors, lawyers, accountants, dental hygienist, RN's, welders, mechanics, electrians, plumbers, cosmotology (if done right), & pilots.
Finally, take a personality assessment (or all of them) to narrow down the overwhelming feeling of having to figure out what you want to do with your life. It's not going to be 100% accurate, but it's going to give you really good direction for what career field you'd be the happiest in. Take a test here.
Community College or University
NWA:
-Northwest Arkansas Community College
-John Brown University
-University of Arkansas
Central Arkansas:
-Arkansas Tech
-University of Arkansas LR
Funding & Scholarships
-Arkansas Department of Higher Education
- these are state dollars and is a one stop location, if you're searching for state scholarships
- you can apply for the YOUniversal scholarship (this includes the Arkansas Lottery scholarship). Be sure and fill this out before April of every year, usually after you've completed your taxes (or your parents have filed, if you're a dependent)
- these are federal dollars that automatically get sent to the college/university that you will be attending, if you get approved
- above is their official site. You should NEVER have to pay to fill out applications for student aide
- you will also have to fill out this form annually as well (April), usually after you complete your taxes
- Single Parent Scholarship of Benton County & Arkansas
- are you a single parent? This is a program that offers a hand up, not a hand out. Our president, Keri, has personally been through this program
- get aid whether you're in Benton County or in another county in the state of Arkansas
- help with paying monthly bills, while you're in school. Also, free counseling sessions for you and your children
Careers
Funding & Scholarships