Composing songs and verses about paying for college

Updated Jul 28, 2022

Students write a song, rap, or poem that captures some key strategies people use to pay for college.

Big idea

Financial aid — in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study options, and loans — can help pay for higher education.

Essential questions

How can financial aid help pay for higher education?
What might be the best option for me when planning to pay for higher education?

Objectives

Identify ways to pay for higher education (e.g., savings and financial aid)
Create an informative song, rap, or poem

What students will do

Review basic information about paying for college (if necessary, they can research financial aid on selected government websites).
Write a song, rap, or a poem about paying for college.

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Teacher guide

cfpb_building_block_activities_composing-songs-verses-paying-college_guide.pdf

Student materials

cfpb_building_block_activities_composing-songs-verses-paying-college_worksheet.pdf

Note: Please remember to consider your students’ accommodations and special needs to ensure that all students are able to participate in a meaningful way.

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Key information for this activity

Building block

(What are the building blocks?)

Financial knowledge and decision-making skills

Topic

Save and invest (Saving for college), Spend (Paying for college), Borrow (Getting loans)

School subject

CTE (Career and technical education), English or language arts, Fine arts and performing arts

Audience

Grade level: High school (9-10), High school (11-12)

Age range: 13-15, 16-19

Student characteristics: English language learners, Special education, Low income, Rural, Urban

Activity characteristics

Activity type: Individual, Small group

Teaching strategy: Cooperative learning, Project-based learning

Bloom’s Taxonomy level: Apply, Create

Activity duration: 45-60 minutes

National standards

(What are the national standards? )

Standards: I. Earning income, III. Saving, IV. Investing, V. Managing credit

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