Potential Magazine College Organizer 2019 | Page 52

community colleges Sponsored by: benefits 5 REASONS TO CHOOSE COMMUNITY COLLEGE Community colleges are increasingly becoming a primary option for many high school graduates and adult learners ready to return to school. Regardless of what career field you are interested in, here are the top reasons you should consider exploring the community college option: FLEXIBILITY: For students whose lifestyles include working while in college, community college schedules often are more flexible than a four-year institution. They are familiar with catering to students of all ages and back- grounds. Evening, weekend, and online options give students flexibility to take a full load or a few classes. ACADEMIC QUALITY: Community colleges strive to offer quality education by focusing on new technology that improves the student’s experience. Students can explore new and traditional majors from a different, hands-on perspective. TRANSFERABILITY: Community colleges make it easy to transfer to a four-year college. The STARS (Statewide Transfer Articulation and Reporting System) program helps students in Alabama make a smooth transition to a four-year college, and seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree. For more information, talk to an academic advisor. DID YOU KNOW? Many universities offer special scholarships to transferring community college students. SMALLER CLASS SIZES: Smaller classes support individual learning and increase the supportive environment to ensure that students succeed. Students will be able to have a more personal relationship with their professors and peers. AFFORDABILITY: Community college tuition is on average four times less than private college, so students can easily finance their education with significantly less debt. Most scholarships are based on high school GPA (not ACT score). Many students save money on room and board by living at home. DID YOU KNOW? If you transfer from a community college to a university, you may still be able to earn that associate degree. Using a process called Reverse Transfer, or Reverse Articulation, a community college can award you an associate degree after reviewing your transcript. 52 | College Organizer 2019 www.potentialmagazine.com DID YOU KNOW? If your community college is not SACS certified, your credits will not transfer to a public university. Could I Earn More with a Degree from a Community College? According to Payscale.com, the average salary range for recent graduates: BACHELOR’S DEGREE Montgomery $29,000-$89,000 Birmingham $31,000- $91,000 ASSOCIATE DEGREE Montgomery $29,000-$82,000 Birmingham $29,000- $80,000 DID YOU KNOW? The STARS (Statewide Trans- fer and Articulation Reporting System) program allows public two-year students in Alabama to obtain a Transfer Guide for the major of their choice. This guides the student through their first two years of coursework and prevents loss of credit hours upon transfer to the appropriate public four-year university in Alabama.