Since the creation of the World Wide Web by computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee in 1990, young people have constantly been scolded about the importance of unplugging technology and burying their heads into books rather than cell phones. Today, a cell phone can help students obtain their college degree by using Trip to College Alerts.
Created by the Indiana Youth Institute, students will receive three to four monthly text messages to help keep them on track in their pursuit of a higher education.
According to Pew Research, 78 percent of teens own a cell phone and 75 percent text daily.
Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO Bill Stanczykiewicz said it’s an alternative way to reach students and parents.
“We hope ‘Trip To College Alerts’ helps families gain the knowledge they need to explore all educational options available for their children, resulting in graduates prepared to meet the demands of the 21st century economy,” he said.
To sign up for alerts, students need to text the word “grad” and their high school graduation year as one word to 69979. Once the student has signed up, he or she will begin receiving alerts pertaining to discovering career interest, when to sign up for college assessments, and how the Federal Work-Study Program functions. It is recommended that students age 13 and up sign up to receive the alerts.
“The alerts also provide information about certificate programs, military training, apprenticeships and associate degrees, in addition to the traditional college route, which all open paths to jobs,” said Stanczykiewicz. “This is a critical time in Indiana, where the need for a better educated workforce is evident in the tens of thousands of jobs currently available for workers with the right type of education.”
Parents can join in by signing up to receive the Trip to College Alerts themselves. Since the texting program was created for students, the alerts will be worded as advice specifically to students, but parents are able to use this as a way to remind their children of upcoming deadlines. If a parent has more than one student between the eighth and 11th grade, both alerts can be utilized by signing up each child.
Karen Daniels said she’s likes that there is a smart and educational way for students to use their cell phones.
“I never heard of the program but I think it’s great because it gives students an alternative way to learn about higher education,” said Daniels, who has two children ages 13 and 15. “I will make sure they sign up. I want them to earn degrees and be the best they can but it’s hard to constantly focus on college when it won’t be coming up for a few more years. This will be a great reminder.”
To learn more about college planning and Trip to College Alerts, visit triptocollege.org.
