How Much is My Test Score Worth?
It’s no surprise that paying for college is a top tier financial stressor. A June 2017 Gallup poll finds that, after healthcare costs and making ends meet, “college costs” ties with “low income” as the 3rd and 4th highest financial stressors for families. Sky-high college costs are motivating talented students to seek academic scholarships. The trick is knowing where to look. Years ago, we shared a helpful New York Times list detailing which colleges award the most merit-based aid. Digging deeper into the listed schools rewards a savvy student with a better idea of how her scores can pay actual dollars in the college marketplace. A look at college websites reveals that colleges vary widely in the way they publicize and award the cash. Most college websites list merit scholarship opportunities under “financial aid” (am I the only one to find this a bit misleading?), describing various “excellence” and “leadership”…
Need Blind and Need Aware Admissions
Many colleges are “need blind” for admissions, meaning that when the college makes an admission decision, it does not consider whether or not the student can pay the cost of attendance. Sometimes this information is on the college website, or students and parents may hear about it during college tours or information sessions. The College of the Holy Cross recently changed from need blind admissions system to a “need aware” admission system. Other colleges have done this in the past, including Wesleyan University and Haverford College a few years ago. At first glance, changing to a need aware admissions system may sound like a negative, but it actually is not such a negative if the college also meets 100% of need. When colleges are “need-aware,” they do not take need into account for most of the admitted students; but then, after some number of students have been chosen for admission,…
Admissions Tests and College Costs
Come to a free parent presentation at the Brighton Memorial Library presented jointly by Chariot Learning and College Assistance Plus. Now only will you have all your questions about the SAT & ACT answered, but you will also learn valuable tips about the college search, merit scholarships, the financial process and important cost savings strategies. NY’s Free-Tuition program, student loans and financial aid will all be discussed. Call the Brighton Memorial Library at 585-784-5300 to register.
Considering College in Canada
A college education may yield massive benefits, but no one can deny the massive cost that comes with it. College tuition, fees, and room and board have been steadily rising at a rate that far exceeds inflation, even though salaries have not. No wonder student debt in American just hit $1.5 trillion. Even if you’re in line for big scholarships based on your grades and test scores, you may still find the prospect of incurring six-figure debt for five-figure earning potential daunting. What to do? Do you, perchance, know the words (English, French, and bilingual) to O Canada? Other countries outside the United States have attracted attention for inexpensive or even free higher education. Germany and a host of other European countries love American students that meet their requirements. In addition, abundant opportunities for college bargains can be found south of the U.S. border from Mexico all the way to…
The First Rule of Successful College Visits
College visits are essential components of any thorough college search process. These thumbnail experiences guide informed decisions in many ways: they allow for a brief window into your child’s possible future and expose them to the many criteria ultimately involved in the final school selection. Visiting students feel the campus culture and interact with potential peers, professors and administrators. For both you and your student to get the most out of these visits, be sure to plan ahead and build an itinerary that touches on key aspects of college life. Be sure to gather and review all the information you can about admissions standards, degree programs, and academic rigor beforehand. Students need to find schools where they’ll feel comfortable and can see themselves socially, but also where they’ll find the academic rigor and programs they need. The research process will help you discover what kind of environment your child wants…
Where is College Free?
Nobody needs to be reminded that the cost of a college education in the United States is exceedingly high, at least if you’re not getting massive scholarship money because of your SAT or ACT scores. And unless Bernie Sanders becomes President, this dire tuition situation will likely continue to worsen. If the cost of college terrifies you, you’re not alone. Yet, there are many outstanding colleges and universities that offer four-year degrees at an extremely low cost or even free. The catch, however, is that these schools are not in the United States. In 2014, Germany made all public universities tuition free. Many other countries in Europe also offer free or very low cost college education. If the prospect of studying in Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Austria, or Slovenia excites you, your passport may be the ticket to your college degree. In fact, many of these schools are eager…