This class discusses the economic aspects of current issues in education, using both economic theory and econometric and institutional readings. Topics include discussion of basic human capital theory, the growing impact of education on earnings and earnings inequality, statistical issues in determining the true rate of return to education, the labor market for teachers, implications of the impact of computers on the demand for worker skills, the effectiveness of mid-career training for adult workers, the roles of school choice, charter schools, state standards and educational technology in improving K-12 education, and the issue of college financial aid.

Students will be able to
- Explain the role the FAFSA plays in the financial aid process
- Understand the importance of submitting the FAFSA
- Apply for the FAFSA
- Identify misconceptions and challenges students have that prevent them from submitting the FAFSA
- Read a Student Aid Report (SAR) and understand the role of their Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

Watch this short video to get your bearings in a seemingly endless sea of financial-aid options. Grants, scholarships, loans—you name it—we cover it in this informative clip.

The cost of college should never discourage anyone from going after a valuable degree. –Arne Duncan, former United States Secretary of EducationLEARNING OBJECTIVESBy the end of this section, you will be able to:Establish financial goalsIdentify strategies for creating and maintaining a budgetDescribe available options for paying for collegeDescribe the benefits and risks of creditDevelop financial literacy skills to prepare for your financial future

A High school student guide to their Individual Graduation Plan: resources to being College and Career Ready

To be considered for any type of aid—grant, scholarship, or loan—all aspiring post-secondary students must complete a FAFSA. This video provides a general overview of the Free Application for Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Over the course of this five lesson unit, students will explore how their preferences, interests, needs, and strengths (PINS) connect to a future career. Lessons can be taught as stand alone or as a comprehensive unit. 

In this mini-unit, students begin by creating a career plan and an education plan. After learning financial aid vocabulary concepts, students will play an online game called “Payback” to apply knowledge learned about paying for college. The activity concludes with students creating a personal resume and taking notes on job interview tips.

College is an Investment
We want to be sure you get your time and money's worth and graduate with little to no debt.

There's money out there to help you pay for college — some of it you may not have to pay back — and we want to help you get it.

In this section, we'll walk you through:
How much college costs and what your money goes to
How to get money for college
The kind of money that's available
Descriptions and links to funding programs
Whether your goal is to get started on a bachelor's degree and transfer, or to train for an in-demand job, you'll get an outstanding education for the lowest tuition.

Note: This is a Washington resource but has many resources that are useful for Oregon and Idaho students.

Welcome To The Student Success Library!
Each subject below links to a student success “chapter” of content which includes videos, readings, activities as well as tools for educators. At the bottom of this page, you’ll see a big button that says Student Success Textbook, which has all of the content on each of these subjects compiled into a downloadable PDF. Enjoy and have a great experience.

N.B.: The Student Success Library was customized for Santa Monica College (SMC) in Santa Monica, CA. If you come across an SMC that does not apply to or is not useful to you, search your local resources for similar tools that can help.