Ask the students what they want to do when they finish high school and actually listen to each answer. If you need to, take some time to think about how to link those goals to the need for college. If one student says he wants to travel, suggest enrolling in a study abroad program. If another student wants to open a business, let him know that a business degree can help him achieve a more successful and potentially lucrative business. Motivate the students by connecting their dreams with the reality of how to actually get there.
Plan a field trip to a local college and encourage the parents to attend, as well. Tour the grounds with the group. Show the teens the fun activities that college students participate in, such as hanging out in the quad, tossing a football around or sitting by the campus fountain. Plan to eat in the campus cafeteria, too.
Bring up the issue of money by planning a budgeting exercise. Talk about how college graduates usually, but not always, make more than individuals that do not have a college degree. Instruct the students to list the activities that they are interested in and tell them there will be more money to do these things if they get a better paying job with a college degree. Have them pull out their calculators to figure out how much the current minimum wage will earn them in a week and how much will be taken out for taxes. Then make a list of average living and monthly expenses. Make this issue real for the students by having them put it down on paper.
Explain the various educational options that are available. Postsecondary education can be a trade school, technical college, community college or university. If your high school offers programs where the students can attend college courses and receive college and high school credit at the same time, go over the details of this program with the students. Give them pamphlets and other information to take home so they can discuss these options with their parents. Mention that this route is often cheaper, or even free, for the students. Explain how it can help them finish college sooner than they would if they enrolled after high school.