The Center for Houston’s Future believes in your potential, and is leading the My Degree Counts Initiative to increase the region’s college graduation rate 1% by the year 2013. Your Degree Counts!! Go for it!!! We publicly launched this campaign at a press conference on April 2nd, 2012 at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel. Mayor Annise Parker kicked off the launch, together with our spokespersons, Houston Texan Fullback James Casey and local rapper, Baby Jay, and our partners from various universities, community colleges, ISDs and nonprofits.

Act Now - Local universities are ready to take your call!

Did you know?

According to a report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the share of postsecondary jobs (needing an Associate's, Bachelor's degree or higher) will increase from 59% to 63% over the next decade. Don’t get left behind!!

• You are less likely to be unemployed if you have a degree. While just 4.3% of Americans with four-year degrees are unemployed, 15% of those without a high school diploma currently do not have a job. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2011)
  
  
• The likelihood that children go to college increases if at least one parent has gone to college. (Source: National Center for Education Statistics, 2001)
  
  
• You will make about 84% more over your lifetime with a Bachelor's degree than with only a high school degree (2007-2009 American Community Survey.) Employers increasingly use diplomas and degrees as a way to screen applicants. And once you’ve landed the job you want, your salary will reflect your credentials.

What is YOUR obstacle to starting or going back to college? What’s your monster?

• Financial? There’s help out there – government and private loans, grants, scholarships. Federal Student Aid | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | Scholarships, etc.

• Math? Yeah, Math can be hard, but there’s help – Math Labs at colleges, tutoring, online help. Khan Academy | Virtual Math Lab | Math Videos
  
  
• Fear? Age? Disabilities? You can do it. There are many like you who are already doing it!

• Family? They should be what drives you, not holds you back! They’ll thank you and will be proud of you. Do it for them and for yourself! HCC Childcare | Lonestar Community College Childcare | 

• Lack of time? We all need more time, but the effort to get your degree will be worth it!!!
  
  
• Legal Status? If you live in Texas, you may be eligible for in-state college tuition Texas College Online

Your Degree Counts!! Enroll in Dual Credit classes in high school, get that Associate’s, Bachelor’s or go for that Master’s degree, and you’ll be changing your future forever!

Better late than never!!! Act today!

These local universities are ready to help you!

• Alvin Community College - or call 281-756-3527.

• Brazosport College (Lake Jackson) - or call 979-230-3020

• College of the Mainland (Texas City)- or call 409-933-8663.

• DeVry University - call 713-973-3010.

• Galveston College - call 409-944-1221.

• Houston Baptist University, or call 281-649-3299.

• Houston Community College, or call 713-718-8883.

• Lee College (Baytown) - call 281-425-6396.

• Lonestar Community College, or call 281-290-2754.

• Prairie View A&M University - or call 936-261-1056

• Rice University

• San Jacinto College or call 281-998-6150.

• Texas Southern University 

• Texas Woman's University or call 940-898-3405

• University of Houston, or call 832-842-9041.

• University of Houston-Downtown or call 713-221-8522.

• University of Houston - Clear Lake or call 281-283-2637.

• University of Houston - Victoria - call 361-570-4310.

• University of St. Thomas - or call 713-525-3500.

• Wharton County Junior College or - call 979-532-6303.

OR

• Apply to several universities through one form.

ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS: 

• Finish @ UT

• Texas Woman's University

• University of Houston Downtown

Special thanks to Houston Public Media, Lonestar Community College - North Harris, San Jacinto Community College, and University of Houston Downtown, for their assistance in the shooting and production of our student interviews.