Greetings Students and Families,
Whether you’re just getting ready to Selecting High School Courses, Electives, AICE vs AP vs IB as you begin high school, or you’re a Rising Senior (2020) starting the college application process, all families have many questions about financial aid and paying for college. Many questions surface including:
- Is our family eligible for financial aid?
- When and how do we apply for financial aid and what’s a FAFSA or CSS Profile?
- What Scholarships are available?
- Under what circumstances should we consider a private college in lieu of our state’s public universities-?(especially if you’ve participated in your state’s college planning 529 plan such as the Florida’s Pre-Pay program.)
In COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TIPS: FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS–PART 1- WHAT TO KNOW?! I spelled out many of the important considerations and factors to understand how financial aid and merit based scholarships are awarded. In particular, in Part I clarified the importance of early academic planning because doing so will increase a student’s chances of acceptances that will include scholarship assistance.
FINANCIAL AFFORDABILITY
The past few weeks I’ve been speaking with parents of rising seniors as we hone in on their list of colleges for the 2019-20 application season. One of the questions most often raised is whether a student should be applying to private colleges if a family has participated in their state’s pre-paid tuition plan? The short answer to the question is that there are many outstanding universities offering both financial need-based and merit based assistance.
Knowing how evaluate your financial situation and how to plan your high school student’s academic path in a way that creates scholarship opportunities is essential.
Yes you can afford college!
Little known facts about financial aid and scholarships….
Here’s some really great news– ! Click to read:
Discount Rates Hit Record Highs
and Private Colleges Set New Record on Tuition Discounts
What is the real cost of a four-year undergraduate degree? The short answer is to avoid sticker price misconceptions.
IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TIPS: FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS–PART 2- THE DETAILS! FAFSA, EFC, CSS PROFILE?! The key take-away- early academic planning increases your chances of acceptances that will include scholarship assistance.
Need based financial aid
Financial assistance can originate with the college or from a third party (federal/state governments or private scholarships).
A number of privately funded merit-based scholarships are also need-based, including the prestigious QUESTBRIDGE full scholarship for students with demonstrated financial need and outstanding academic achievements.
- There are scholarships for a variety of majors and these are VERY competitive.
Ron Brown Scholarship is an example of a private scholarship.
Some competitive colleges offering full-rides include Penn State, Miami, Boston, Washington University, Emory, Vanderbilt
- The chances of receiving a lucrative scholarship increase with higher GPA and demonstrated research/competition in your intended field of study.This is just one of the reasons why I encourage students in 8th-10th grades to focus on setting their educational goals early and taking steps to realize these goals.Earning a 4.0 GPA is impressive but insufficient to earn prestigious merit based awards! Scholarships are given to students with impressive accomplishments both within and outside the classroom. DO YOU HAVE A COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PLAN?
- Private colleges will offset and reduce some or all of any grants awarded by the amount of external scholarships received.
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS and FINANCIAL AID:
It is heartbreaking to receive a well-earned acceptance letter only to open the financial award letter and see LOANS rather than grants.
DON’T JUST LEARN WITHIN THE CLASSROOM. EXPLORE & ROAR!
Confidence Creates Success!
Every academic year is an opportunity for transformative experiences both within and outside the classroom.
Success is not only measured by college admission acceptances, but is evidenced by learning, motivation, personal character and the impactful connections young adults assume within “communities”.
Likewise, no middle or high school student should become so lost in an overloaded calendar of courses and activities as to have overlooked the joy of the actual learning taking place in coursework and carefully selected extracurricular pursuits.
Experiences both within and outside the classroom greatly impact the likelihood of a academic and college admissions success and a seamless transition to the undergraduate experience.
WHO ARE YOU?
My approach guides each young adult through a process of self-discovery to learn more about their academic and personal strengths and assume responsibility for their path ahead. Academic “advising” begins way before high school. Yes, all students need to reach their highest academic potential but, if the entirety of the message they hear focuses solely on maximizing their GPA, we miss an opportunity to help each student have experiences that prepare them for personal and academic success.
Young adults have long days and they work hard at school. There should be opportunities for them to find joy and direction in their personal lives. It is my hope that your student’s passion for learning and involvement in activities outside the classroom continues throughout the school year and prepares them for a seamless transition from high school to their undergraduate community. Independence and intrinsic-motivation are achieved over many years; they aren’t provided in the freshman dorm welcome package!
Experience gives each young adult the power and confidence to be themselves!
SCHEDULE YOUR EDUCATIONAL and COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT
Do you have a STRATEGIC EDUCATIONAL AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PLAN ?
There’s no magic formula for being accepted into a selective university, but I can guide each family through the college application process as well as increase the likelihood that your student will be successful throughout high school, and have a seamless transition to their undergraduate community.
RESULTS
Motivated, Self-Directed & Confident Young Adults
Ready to Succeed as High School and Undergraduate Students!
In our June and fall WRITERS’ BLOCK WORKSHOP SERIES you will dedicate time to completing your college essays within a supportive small group setting guided by College Admissions Counselor Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D. and her team of educators.
