According to a new report issued jointly by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and the College Board, Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State, Income and Race/Ethnicity, the high school senior class of 2008 will be the largest (more than 3 million), most competitive, and most diverse ever; and the class following them will be even more so. In addition, the majority of graduating high school seniors in 2008 will come from families earning between $20,000 and $100,000 annually. And, while the 2008 class will be racially diverse, it is projected that in just 6 more years, by 2014, only half the seniors will be White; Hispanics are expected to be the fastest growing group in the United State by that time.

These projected demographic shifts will most certainly affect what educators provide in both high school and college. As Cynthia B. Schmeiser, senior vice president at ACT, points out, the research "tells us that the earlier we can provide academic and career-planning support to all students, the better prepared they will be to enter college and the workplace."

Tip: Are you a high school freshman who wants to be ready to compete for college scholarships in 2008? If so, then be sure to check out Reference Service Press's line of award-winning financial aid directories, particularly the High School Senior's Guide to Merit and Other No-Need Funding.