Choosing a college or other education program is one of the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. School is a big investment of time, money, and effort, whether it's a four-year university, a two-year program or a trade or professional school. Carefully evaluate your options.

• Does the school offer the courses and type of program you want?


• Does the school offer services you need and activities you're interested in?


• What are the school's graduation and transfer-out rates? A school is required to disclose this information to prospective students.


• What percentage of recent graduates is working in their chosen field of study?


• What is the school's loan default rate? In other words, what percentage of students who took out federal student loans later failed to repay their loans on time? You might not be able to get federal aid for a school that has a high default rate.


• What kind of crimes happen on campus, and what programs are in place to protect your safety? The school must provide you with a summary of its annual security report. The Department of Education posts crime statistics for many schools at www.ope.ed.gov/security.


• What financial aid is available at the school? Ask for specifics such as the types of aid available, how to apply, how recipients are selected, plus how and when aid will be received.


• What are the school's refund policies? If you enroll but change your mind or are not able to finish a class, can you get some of your money back?

Most of this information is covered in a school's catalog, brochures or website. If you know others who have recently attended a school you're considering, ask about their experiences and opinions. Talk to a high school counselor and local employers. To find out if any complaints have been filed about a school, contact the Better Business Bureau or higher education agency in the state where the school is located.

Choosing a school is not limited to a college education. There are many resources that provide information related to school choice for K-12 education. You can contact the U.S. Department of Education or try these resources:

• Council of Chief State School Officers, www.ccsso.org, links to state education agencies where you can learn about school performance and supplemental educational services providers.


• The National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, nces.ed.gov/globallocator, can assist your search for public and private schools.


• The Office of Non-Public Education, U.S. Department of Education provides links to non-public school organizations, along with a private school locator and other information about non-public education.


• The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) provides articles and reports on topics related to school choice.


• GreatSchools.net, www.greatschools.net, is an online resource of school profiles and comparative performance data.


• The Parental Information and Resource Center, www.pirc-info.net/pircs.asp, provides a directory of centers to assist parents across the country.

For performance and comparative data, visit www.schoolresults.org.

For information about U.S. Charter Schools, visit www.uscharterschools.org.