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Why Should You Go To College?

If you're not sure about continuing your education past high school you MUST read this information. We feel that everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their education beyond high school and GAcollege411 can help.

What can college do for me?

The college experience can enhance your life in many different ways. Primarily, studies indicate that college graduates enjoy significantly higher earnings over their lifetimes than do non-graduates.

Information from the U.S. Census shows earnings increase with higher education:

An associate degree can mean 35 percent more income than just a high school diploma.
A bachelor's degree can mean 74 percent more income than just a high school diploma.
A master's degree can mean 115 percent more income than just a high school diploma.

On average, with a bachelors degree you can make $21,000 a year more than your friends with just a high school diploma. At this rate, you will earn approximately $1,000,000 more over your lifetime than someone with just a high school diploma.

In addition to the financial benefits of pursuing higher education, college graduates experience many other everyday life benefits, ranging from greater health insurance coverage and better housing to longer life expectancy and greater participation in leisure activities. From almost any perspective, college is one of the best investments a person can make in his or her future.

I'm not sure I can afford it.

After reading the information above, the question should be how can you NOT afford to go to college? College is an investment in your future. True, the up-front costs are considerable, and in most cases, it is difficult for a family to pay the entire cost of college. That is why there are many different options for financing your education. To begin learning more about financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, and loans, please see our Paying for College section.

I don't have the grades to go to college.

Grades are important. Better grades can mean a better chance to get accepted into the school and program of your choice. Good grades can also open up additional opportunities for scholarships and grants including Georgia's HOPE Scholarship. However, colleges don't just look at grades and test scores when making admission decisions. Extracurricular activities, talent in arts or sports, and community service can also play a part in their decision. So, you aren't going to be the valedictorian next year? Plenty of successful college students weren't either!

Don't discount your chances of pursuing higher education just because of your grades; there are many options for you in Georgia. Make sure to check out our GA Colleges section for information on all types of schools that are available in Georgia and speak with your high school counselor.

To learn what GAcollege411 is, click here.

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