If you are in fifth grade, you are not too young to start thinking about college in St. Paul.
A 12th annual college fair tailored not just to students, but also their families, is set for Feb. 27 at Harding High on the city's East Side.
JoAnn Clark, who founded the Thinking College Early Fair, said in a news release that she came up with the idea of a family-oriented event after attending traditional student-only college fairs and seeing students leave without important information to share with parents.
"Students need to have their family's support and input in the process," she was quoted as saying. "They need to have their family involved to fill out paperwork that is oftentimes very confusing."
Families will have an opportunity to meet with college representatives and learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Middle school students also will have access to a new Career Exploration Zone covering farming and bricklaying -- as well as possible futures in finance.
The fair runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open to students in grades 5-12. To see a video blurb, go to https://spps.eduvision.tv and click on 12th Annual Thinking College Early.
