Teens Get Early Start Towards College

November 14, 2008, News 14 Carolina

Going to college has been Jones' dream since she was a little girl. Now she's one step closer to making it a reality. On Friday the high school senior went online and applied for college as part of Smith High's College Application Week.

"I thought it was a great opportunity to apply to colleges for free," she said.GREENSBORO - High school students across the country are starting to delve in to college applications during a time of economic uncertainty.
Last week, more than 500,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits. Despite that, one school is giving its students an edge. It's something Cynthia Jones appreciates.

Program coordinator Camille Cates says the program, sponsored by the College Foundation of North Carolina, is designed to encourage students, particularly minorities and those from low income families, to go to college.

"We're just targeting any students who may be first generation college students," said Cates. "They may not know the process because they may not have anyone quite close to them who's been through it recently or just having college potential."

Nicholas Burns is one of those students. The senior plans to be an engineer, and would be the first in his family to graduate from a four-year college.
"That was one of my main goals, so you can make something out of yourself and actually so you can get a good job in the future," said Burns.

According to Cates, 260 students graduated from Smith last year. But of those only 89 actually went to college.

"Graduation is fine but we all know the value of a high school diploma these days," said Cates. "With the economy and such and there are just higher standards and we are coming into an economy or world where we need a higher education."

And students like Jones plan to be prepared for whatever the future may hold.

"Right now I know I don't have the money to go to college. But that's not stopping me. I'm going to file for financial aid and look for scholarships and anything I can."

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