Salt Lake Community College President Deneece G. Huftalin appeared on Fox 13's The Place to talk about Utah College Application Week, which begins Nov. 9 and actually goes until Nov. 20. It's an annual Utah System ofHigher Education event when elected officials, college and university
presidents and school leaders speak to almost 20,000 high school seniors in
over 120 schools throughout the state about the value of a college education. It's also a time when seniors in participating high schools apply to college during the school day.
SLCC President Deneece G. Huftalin talks with The Place's Brittany Graham.
The information below includes some of what Huftalin touched on during her segment on Fox 13.
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The weeklong event focuses on first-generation,
underserved and low-income students who might be less likely to apply to or
enroll in college.
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Throughout the week officials at school are
available to guide students through the college application process.
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Almost 100 percent of the students who applied
to a college during the weeklong event last year applied to an institution in
Utah.
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More than 85 percent of high school seniors who
took part in the 2016 event reported that their interest in attending college
significantly increased
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Every state participates in some kind of College
Application Week event.
During the weeklong event, seniors are given information
about why college is important, what it can lead to and how to go about the
process of applying.
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Good-paying jobs for those with only a high school
diploma are no longer plentiful.
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Employers increasingly require some sort of
college degree, certificate or training
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College is valuable for teaching skills in
communication, critical thinking and social awareness.
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College graduates earn $830,000 more in a
lifetime than those with only a high school diploma.
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College experience can consist of earning a
one-year certificate with quicker entry into the job market, a two-year
associate degree or a four-year degree and beyond.
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To begin working as an electrician, for example,
you can get started with just a one-year certificate.
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A respiratory therapist, also a good-paying job,
you just need a two-year associate degree.
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In other words, there is a college or university
program of study somewhere in Utah that will be a right fit for a high school
senior who is currently contemplating a higher education.
This special week is also a chance to talk with students
about taking advantage of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).
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Submitting a FAFSA form is the only way for
students to determine if they qualify for federal and state financial aid.
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Every student who completes a FAFSA form will
qualify for some type of financial aid.
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By not submitting FAFSA forms, Utah students
last year left $36.5 million in unclaimed federal Pell grant money.
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And Utah is last in the nation for the
percentage of eligible students who complete the FAFSA.
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In other words, students, maybe with the help of
their parents, legal guardians or school officials, need to start the FAFSA
process today.