If you are a senior or parent of a senior, this blog is for you. The fall is all about admissions and financial aid. It seems as though we hurry up and wait (and wait). We advise you to touch base as a family once a week–talk about the acceptances and in some cases financial aid. For clients we ask you send us all the information they receive including acceptance letters, deferrals and financial aid offers. Once we receive the information from each school we will put together an apples to apples comparison.
Seniors the important thing is you need to make a choice by May 1. You’ll be overwhelmed by notices about enrollment fees, reserving space in a dorm, deposits, visits and so much more. We are here to help you sort through these things.
Senioritis is real, don’t let it derail your future plans. Sometimes scholarships are based on your GPA so keep up those grades. Each year there are news reports about students who made a poor decision and lost not only a scholarship but in some cases admission is revoked so stay focused.
We would like to wish a Happy New Year to you and your family… we hope that this coming year of 2023 is one of great success and happiness, and that there are many opportunities for you to take great strides toward accomplishing the academic dreams of your college-bound high school student.
Of course, each new year brings your child closer and closer to the day when he or she will graduate from high school and head off to an exciting new life as a college or university freshman… and time certainly does not seem to be slowing down at this stage of the process! If anything, as we work with tomorrow’s college students, it seems that things are speeding up exponentially as we do so.
One of the things that we have noticed over our years in this field of college preparation is that the students and families that tend to see the most success are often the students and families who grasp the importance of organization as they approach high school performance, college application, college financial preparation, and nearly every other element of the higher education process.
Now, rest assured, we are fully aware that some people just seem to have an “organizational gene” and they thrive on having everything “just so…” and other people are more challenged in that regard. Honestly, it is our experience that this sort of predisposition can be a benefit, but in the long run it really does not matter – as long as students and families can follow instructions and have a desire to make the right steps, organizational skills CAN be taught… and learned! We see it each and every year.
Along those lines, we have a series of tools in place to help with the organizational elements of college preparation and application, and we are definitely the experts in helping families with the management of these important tasks as well as preparing financially for the college years. But why do we bother?
We bother because it matters to us. The future success of your college-bound student, as well as the ability of your family to be able to make these dreams happen financially, are precisely the things that make the difference in everything that we do as college funding advisors. It is what we do.
Bearing that in mind, this month’s newsletter will focus specifically on the importance of organization in college preparation at all levels, both academic and with applications, as well as introducing some of the things that we make available to help families of all types to be optimally prepared for the coming realities of college application and college financial preparation. We hope that this will be a key in either cementing your resolve to organize the process, or to spark your interest in making it a reality for your family and your student.
1. Organizational Skills In High School
Ideally, tomorrow’s college students should start developing some excellent organizational skills during the high school years. Now, we know that some parents (OK… many parents) will take a look at the state of their child’s bedroom and shrink away in despair at that idea, but let us remind you that it is a PROCESS, and developing these organizational skills takes some time for many young people. The most important thing is that it happens, and this can be a huge benefit academically and in their future college career.
For most students, seeing a modicum of increased success by planning a project well helps to instill a desire to continue in that vein… even if it is not always consistent at the outset. A series of rewards and assistance in the process can make a big difference early on, and the results will begin to speak for themselves. Once a college-bound student – who is usually interested in his or her Grade Point Average – can see what organizing a project does for the end result, it can serve as a huge motivating factor.
There is no one correct way to organize high school academics. Some people swear by technology and smart phones. Others prefer to use a more old-school method of writing in a notebook or planner. It really does not matter which way works best for your child, as long as the process is in place. Regardless, the main thing is that the overall process gets started, and that the positive results instill a desire for increased organization.
Remember that most students who can slide by with decent (or even very good) grades in high school while procrastinating often find that such actions have a rather dire effect on their academic performance at the next level of their education… so help your student to start now, the earlier the better.
2. Organizing The College Application Process
This is an organizational effort that far too many families do not think about until they are knee deep in the process, and trying to dig themselves out of a confusing mess! Going into the college application season without an organizational plan can be frustrating, yes, but it can also actually be disastrous.
All it takes is one missed deadline at a dream school to actually submarine a student’s acceptance or financial aid offer, and we are sorry to report that this literally happens each and every year. Imagine a student working so hard and diligently for four years of high school, and then having a dream crash and burn because of something as silly as a missed deadline! For this reason, as well as several others, we seriously recommend having a separate application calendar for the management of the entire college application process – and it should be one of those large-sized wall calendars, ideally.
It is also important for students to have an organized application strategy, so that he or she is applying to the best schools for his or her interests, background, goals, and personality. All of these types of details are available to students, but they can only be optimally managed in advance when you work with an expert who knows the process, the specifics about each school that interests your child, and their admissions statistics. Obviously, as professionals in this area, we are uniquely well-equipped in this regard and are happy to assist with the organizational elements of college application.
Having a well-managed application process can actually lead to more acceptances, and it can help families to obtain the very best financial aid offers, as well. It really does make a difference.
3. Successfully Managing The Money Side Of Things
The bulk of the financial preparation for higher education naturally usually falls to the parents, since very few high school kids are able to fund a college education on their own and most forward-thinking parents want to help their children to stay out of student debt as much as possible. With this reality in mind, it is absolutely vital for parents to start their organization of finances with an eye toward college costs as early as possible.
Some parents (or grandparents, for that matter) will start a college funding account for a child at a very young age, and some families even manage to save some money in that account over the years leading up to high school. Many, alas, do not. But regardless, this is NOT the kind of organization that we are talking about when we discuss college funding organization. The subject is far too detailed and multi-faceted (not to mention, too expensive) to be effectively managed with a simple savings account!
We keep our fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing college funding scene and are uniquely qualified to help families manage their fiscal decisions in the years leading up to college to optimize their efforts. And yes, ideally, we mean in the years (plural) leading up to college. While we are able to help families from almost any circumstance, even later in the game, our hands are definitely somewhat tied when parents do not decide to plan until the last year of high school. By that point, many of the tried-and-true options available to families are no longer available. So yes, in this case, the early bird gets the worm… or at least, access to more worms.
With that in mind, we can detail the best options available to parents, and help them to organize these efforts to maximum effect as the college years approach. An organized and knowledgeable strategy is the most effective way for a family to prepare for the college years, and we are able to detail each step of the process so that there is no need to feel overwhelmed. Simply contact us at your convenience and we can show you how.
If parents and students are willing to take the steps necessary to organize themselves in preparation for the future college and university experience, they will often find that they are much more successful in their endeavors than those people who did not do so. As students approach their application process, we have a number of services available to help them select schools for which they are ideally suited, as well as assisting them in organizing and managing the entire process from application to admission letter.
“Top Parenting Tips That Will Help With College Admissions, Funding, And Academic Success”
This month let’s focus on some basic tips that not only help your son or daughter with college readiness but are critical life lessons: personal responsibility, financial common sense, emotional intelligence, and the importance of planning.
CREATE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
One of the most important things surrounding college readiness is the development of personal responsibility in a student. Some parents these days tend to intervene with astonishing regularity in high school affairs (academic, social, and otherwise) – this can certainly be counterproductive at the high school level, but it is extremely damaging at the college and university level.
At college, students are required to manage their academic affairs effectively with their professors and classmates. They are required to be timely and reliable with their assignments, and to exhibit an appropriate level of integrity in their work. There is no room for outside entanglements with parents at the college level, and it is the job of the student to manage these things properly.
High school (and even junior high school) are the perfect time to develop these skills and a high level of reliability and responsibility. Teachers will appreciate the effort, certainly, and the level of stress for a family goes down considerably as high school students become more and more responsible as young adults.
We are huge proponents of students being responsible, not only academically, but also financially, which leads to our next tip…
LEARN FINANCIAL COMMON SENSE
Even the best-laid college financial plans can be completely and utterly destroyed if a brand new college student does not know have a clue about how to manage his or her money properly. We have (unfortunately) seen this happen more times than we care to remember, so trust us when we say… this is vitally important!
Each and every year there are students – even gifted, intelligent students – who undermine their academic futures with a simple inability to manage a budget. Bear in mind that there are plenty of adults who have similar problems, but for this reason it is all the more important for students to learn these skills in high school, or even well before that.
Students who can keep a budget will find that they are also able to function at the college level without the financial stress that plagues so many families during the years of higher education. That can honestly, in and of itself, improve a grade point average pretty significantly!
There is also little doubt that being able to organize, plan, and stick to a budget demonstrates a level of maturity that spills over to academic work at the next level. This is a skill, and it is something that can be learned… far too many schools no longer offer training in this, so if it is not available in your school district then it could be a very good idea to seek other resources to get these skills in place! It will serve a student well both during his or her college education, and later in life, as well.
DEVELOP EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Emotional intelligence may not be one of the standard skills taught in high school, but it is an incredibly important characteristic to have in one’s life – especially when entering the college years. Having a high emotional intelligence is something that should also be developed along with other parts of a child’s academic and extracurricular life.
The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, not to mention the emotions of others, is not only crucial in interpersonal relationships and college success, it is also a vital life skill. When it comes down to it, we are all in relationships, and this reality expands dramatically throughout high school and into college and university experiences. Relationships need to be maintained and nurtured throughout our lives. Navigating emotions, self-awareness and an understanding of the motivations and emotions of others can be critically useful in business and interpersonally. It affects the choices a person makes and offers important tools that are important for any highly effective and inspirational leader.
While some believe you are born with a certain degree of emotional intelligence, it can also a set of skills that can (and should) be learned during the teen years. Just like any other type of knowledge, emotional intelligence can be learned and developed experience and personal interactions, which must be a part of the educational process. Most importantly, emotional intelligence is a huge part of maturity – which is one of the key elements of success in college and beyond.
AND ONCE AGAIN… START EARLY!
When they say that it’s never too early to prepare your child for college, it is partially true. While showing a powerpoint slideshow of all of your personal top-tier colleges while your child is in the crib may seem like a good idea, that actually may be a *little* early. However, it IS a good idea to get a jump start on prepping your child for college at the beginning of his or her adolescence.
Adolescence is a great time because your child’s curiosity about the future is just beginning to blossom. Questions about life and the world can become topics of conversation for the average 10 or 11 year old. Colleges are interested in nurturing future leaders. If your child is curious about how the world works and what the future holds for him or her, then it is imperative to properly nurture that curiosity.
Recently, a group of incoming Ivy League freshmen were interviewed regarding preparing for the rigors of college, and also were asked to share what advice they had to share with younger students. The response was overwhelmingly, “start early.” Managing high school academics and activities can be difficult. Applying for college can be difficult. It is an advantage to start as early as possible getting acquainted with the process, helping your child establish clear goals, and finding help where it is needed.
Again, the ways that different families will go about instilling these skills and abilities in young people may vary significantly, but the proof is ultimately in the pudding, as they say. The most important thing is that any college-bound student is able to function appropriately and successfully at the next level. This builds a foundation for his or her future both during studies and afterward.
We have a keen interest in helping students and their parents to be well prepared in every way for the rigors and challenges inherent to higher education. Because of this, we make it our business to provide appropriate educational and informational avenues that help families to be extremely well prepared for this important step.
“Types of College Financial Aid – What is Available? What is Reliable?”
Dear Parent,
It is not hard to find information about the constantly increasing costs of higher education in this country. The news reports on it, neighbors with college-age children complain about it, and parents of high school students worry about it. The simple fact is that the days of easily-affordable highly education are pretty firmly in the rearview mirror for most people, and costs are not going down.
Because we are professionals who deal with all of the details of higher education preparation, from academics and application to (especially) college funding, we understand precisely how these costs affect the vast majority of the population. We are also, due to our experience and knowledge about these processes, able to offers families some insights into the workings of college application and managing the related costs after admission.
For families to understand the best ways to prepare for and successfully tackle the college years, it is vital that they know exactly what options are available to them. Of course, we keep our fingers on the pulse of this process at all times, but we find that the families who best navigate these waters are those who have taken the time to understand the possibilities and make informed decisions as to the best way forward in their circumstances.
If college or university education is important – and we are completely convinced that it is – then understanding the best ways to manage the financial side of the higher education years is absolutely vital… and that is true, no matter how much or how little a family earns. Starting earlier is always better, if course, but it is most important to get started at all, and not wait until the last minute.
Because of this fact, in this month’s newsletter we will focus squarely on the main types of financial aid that are available to students. Some of them are more readily available than others, based on individual, family, and/or financial circumstances. Some of them are – in our professional estimation – much more desirable or even more sensible than others. But regardless, it is important for families of college bound students to know exactly what is available out there to help with the ever-increasing costs of higher education. For a complete breakdown of which options make the most sense for your student and your family situation – remember, college financial aid is NOT a one-size-fits-all proposition! – please feel free to contact us at your convenience.
Sources of Financial Aid
So, looking forward to the day when your child is ready for college, it is good to determine exactly where some of those sources of funding are coming from. There are essentially four sources of aid from which funds are dispersed for college. These sources include:
The federal government
The state government
Post-secondary institutions – (meaning the colleges or universities themselves)
Private organizations
Money that comes from the federal government comes in the form of loans, work-study programs, and grants – we will discuss more about these later. If a family is interested in these types of programs’ then it is absolutely necessary to fill out a FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It should come as little surprise that the federal government is the largest distributor of financial aid overall.
Funds that come from individual state governments can also come in the form of loans, grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and other forms of assistance for tuition. The financial aid counselor at each college or university will be able to clearly inform families about the different offerings from within their state, and this is especially true if they are considering sending their child to an in-state college or university. State residents tend to pay less in tuition and may also be eligible for other forms of special aid.
Aid that comes from institutions themselves comes from the funds that colleges and universities set aside specifically to provide to students. Some schools will have a very large endowment for this aid, and others will not. This type of aid can come in the form of grants, scholarships, and work-study aid, etc. Each institution will have specific requirements as to who is eligible for which type of aid, and how much can be awarded. Researching each institution for possible types of offerings is the best option to discover exactly what might be available for your child. Your college funding advisor will have access to much of this information and can assist in making these sorts of estimations.
Private organizations also can offer funds to students by way of scholarships, private aid, etc. These organizations can include corporations, religious communities, professional clubs, and so on. More information about what may be available in your area can be researched in conjunction with your local college funding advisor, as well as through organizations with which the family is directly affiliated.
Types of Financial Aid
Now that we’ve identified the different sources of aid, we can now look at details regarding the different types of aid that are available. There are basically four types of aid available, as mentioned above:
Grants
Scholarships
Government Loans (these come in two types)
Private loans
Let’s look now at the different types of options available.
Grants are funds that are provided but do not need to be paid back. Grants can be offered by the federal government as well as by your state government. You may also find that many colleges and universities offer grant programs, as well. These grants will fall into different categories. They may be based on merit, need, or may even be specific to a student. Grants that are specific to the student might include grants that are awarded to those who are from minority group, a student with a disability, a student who is a military veteran (or dependent), and so forth.
Some of the grants that are currently awarded by the federal government include:
Pell Grants
TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grants
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants (for military veterans)
Scholarships, much like grants, also do not require that you pay the funds back. These types of aid are usually offered by single organizations or private institutions and are given based on a number of different factors. These factors can include high academic record, sports ability, affiliation with a specific religious organization, ethnicity, in addition to others. Scholarships often require that the applicant complete an application, try out, audition, or even write an essay to be considered.
Loans are (unfortunately, in our view) often the most commonly used form of aid when going to college. Loans are distributed both by the government and through private organizations. Remember, however, that loans – unlike the aforementioned scholarships and grants – DO require repayment. This repayment also comes with interest. There are two different types of loans to consider: subsidized and unsubsidized.
Subsidized loans are granted to students under more favorable conditions than unsubsidized loans. For example, the Department of Education is required to pay the interest while a student is in college and will continue to do so for 6 months after s/he graduates.
Unsubsidized loans can be distributed to students regardless of their level of need. The downside of this loan is that the student is responsible for the interest for the entire duration of the loan. That means that the interest that is accruing during the college years will need to be repaid by the student after graduation.
There are additional loans available, as well, namely PLUS loans and Perkins Loans.
Private loans can also be offered through private banks or financial institutions. These types of loans might be utilized by those who have not received enough aid through subsidized and unsubsidized loans… or by those who have a shortfall in financing due to insufficient planning. While they can help cover costs that will not be covered by the other types of aid that’s been offered, they tend to be expensive. Private loans are also generally available to those who have a good credit score. One of the downsides is that the interest rates for private loans are often higher than what is offered by the federal government. For this reason, a private loan should be considered a last resort.
As we mentioned above, there is no single best option for arranging college funding. We make sure to work closely with both the parents and students to find the best possible solutions that will fit with a family’s financial situation as well as the future goals and aspirations of rising college students.
Nothings says Fall like pumpkin-spiced lattes and college admissions. We are here to help you figure the admissions process. Our goal this month is to break down some of the components in the admission process to better help your family.
Strong GPA and Class Ranking
Overall GPA is important, but some schools will also take note of how your child did in his/her individual classes. Some high schools offer class ranking. If this is the case for your child’s high school, the college will want to take a look at this so see how s/he ranked among his/her peers.
Advanced Placement (AP) and/or Honors Classes
Taking difficult classes such as Advanced Placement or Honors classes can give a very good impression to admissions officers. However, it is actually doing well in these classes that shows the college that your child is serious about his/her academics.
Engaging in Extracurricular Activities
Colleges are looking for students who have passion, interest and drive. Participating in extracurricular activities demonstrates that the students have interests that extend outside the classroom. Developing talents and skills outside of the regular school day is something that helps to develop a well-rounded student. Remember, though, that the better schools want to see a real level of commitment and achievement in these activities – not just something that has been done to “fill in a box.”
Community Service
Taking time outside of high school life to volunteer one’s time is a special thing. If your child has done projects outside of school for any charities or did any sort of volunteer work at all, these things should be noted on the application. These are traits to demonstrate a strong character and these are the types of student’s college admissions officers would like to admit into college. It should be something that resonates with your child, so that it can be presented with honest enthusiasm.
Gathering Work Experience
Does your child have a part-time job during high school? Does s/he work during the summers? These qualities show independence, in some cases, as well as leadership and commitment. List any employment work that is applicable for your child
Standardized Testing (SAT/ACT)
There was a time that schools weighed the SAT and ACT quite heavily, and many still do, but not every school gives them the same weight these days. Regardless, however, it is advisable for your child to work hard and prepare to do as well as possible on these tests. They are still a valuable benchmark for colleges to use, and admissions officers can review these tests and compare with other test results (such as AP tests).
Strong Recommendation Letters
While a good recommendation letter can go a long way, a meaningful recommendation letter can go even further. For this reason, your child should try to secure recommendation letters from people s/he knows quite well
Demonstrate Passion And Drive
Colleges are most interested in seeing drive, interest, and passion for the activities in which an applicant is engaged. They certainly do not prefer seeing a student listing a page full of different activities with no demonstrated meaning, and without time invested to grow in those disciplines.
Growth Potential
The very best colleges and universities often go far beyond SAT scores and essays (which should be a given at the top levels). They want to determine whether your child is the type of person who learns and grows, and truly enjoys the process of learning and growing. They want to see how your child stretches him/herself
We recommend grabbing that pumpkin spiced latte and sitting down to talk with your son/daughter about college admissions. We’ve got another post devoted to admissions.
“Five Ways That Procrastination Can Undermine Both College Admissions And College Funding”
Dear Parent,
One of the most important elements of college preparation – both for admissions and for college funding – is simply being prepared in advance for the process. Even the best-laid plans are not fail-safe if they are implemented too late in the game, and this is a reality that we see year after year, time and time again in this business. For this reason, we are constantly encouraging students and their families to start their college preparations early on, so that they can be best prepared for every eventuality.
There is no question that it is a big job, however, and this is probably one of the biggest reasons that people can tend to put off their action steps until deadlines approach – and as we have seen many times, at this point it is often simply too late to have a significantly positive effect on the outcomes of applications and financial preparations.
As college funding advisors who understand the ins and outs of the application and financial aid processes, we stand ready to serve families with college-bound kids, and we also know exactly what steps need to be taken at each stage of the high school years. The simple fact is that ignoring these steps early on can have a deleterious effect on a young person’s college opportunities, both through the admissions cycle and through the realities of college funding.
We have decided this month to share some of the pitfalls that can be avoided by proper planning and preparation in advance, in the hopes that more families will take the steps needed to avoid procrastination and create the best options for their child’s experience in higher education. The good news is that this sort of preparation, when undertaken properly, dramatically lowers the workload for both parents and students later in the high school years. The better prepared a family is for college, both academically and financially, the more options are available after high school – and the less they will stress out during the senior year of high school! Starting early is honestly not that difficult, if you know what you are trying to accomplish and what you are trying to avoid, so we urge you to have a look at these viable and vital reasons to avoid procrastinating college preparation.
Should you happen to have any questions, of course we are always ready to assist – because it is certain that procrastination of these important steps can definitely come back to bite a family later!
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Not Starting The Process Early Enough
When a child is born, to the minds of the parents he or she is perfect, and represents all the best possibilities in the world. At that time, however, it’s often difficult for new parents to imagine that in only 18 short years, that baby will be heading off to college. Planning early will be the best decision a parent can make concerning his college funding.
It is no secret that, in many areas, college costs are spiraling out of control and they are overwhelming to many parents. One of the first things that parents can do is calculate what they think will be needed for college for their child. This can give a rough estimate on what needs to be saved each month. However, it is a good idea to have some reasonable input from a knowledgeable source before planning with these numbers.
With that said, this amount is not hard and fast. It’s there to give an indication. The point is, parents should start planning as early as possible for college, and the best way to do that is through consultation with a College Funding Advisor. Frankly, most people do not start really working on this when their child is small, but it certainly can make a huge difference later.
As the old Chinese proverb goes, however “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago… the second best time is now.” So if you have a college bound child – now is the time to take some positive steps!
Not Strategically Moving Assets Soon Enough
Retirement assets will usually (hopefully!) take decades to deplete. However, college funding will usually be used up in a narrow time frame – usually within 5 years, unless graduate or professional school is involved. This shortened amount of time means that one does not have the flexibility to ‘ride it out’ in the event of a major market fluctuation like they would a regular retirement account. This is one big reason that there are different types of college funding options to consider.
When it comes to preparing your child for college, having access to educational funds is vitally important. Regular, high-risk investments might be able to tolerate the ups and downs when one does not need access to the money in the near future. However, it is a good idea to discuss college funding options with an expert to find options with the most stability. If one procrastinates then those funds may not be there when they are needed.
Waiting Too Long to Apply for Aid
Filling out the FAFSA is not exactly something any parent looks forward to. However, waiting too long to fill out these types of forms, or simply getting them turned in by the posted deadlines may be a serious mistake. Many schools have a much earlier deadline than FAFSA’s and that could make it impossible to qualify for most financial aid.
The FAFSA form takes approximately 30 minutes to fill out. It is a good idea to simply do it as soon as possible to avoid have any complications with acquiring aid for the coming school year. It is also something that should be discussed with an expert to make sure nothing is missed and all of the information is properly completed.
Comparing the deadlines for all of the colleges and universities your child is interested in applying for and making doubly sure that all of the financial information is ready to go when filling out the FAFSA will pay dividends if done early. Of course, that will also assume that parents need to have their taxes prepared and filed so that all of the information is ready and can be provided on the appropriate forms. Whatever you do, do not miss these deadlines!
Forgetting the FAFSA is Required Every Year
Just because parents have dutifully filled out the FAFSA one time does NOT mean all is well in that regard moving forward to the following years. Your child’s eligibility for financial aid from one year, unfortunately, will not necessarily carry over to the following year. Each year’s decision is based on new financial information, so the form must be filled out each and every year of college. Remember that family circumstances can change from year to year and those changes may affect eligibility.
If your child is still in college then a form will need to be filled out for the following year. It’s just as simple as that. On the good side, if you have a College Funding Advisor – then you also have a built-in reminder service!
Not Curbing Procrastination Habits Early
Procrastinating high school students almost invariably will become procrastinating college students. Habits take time to form and if procrastinating to get things done while in high school is how things were accomplished, there is a very reasonable worry that the same behavior will continue at the next level. High school is often demanding and rigorous, but not nearly as much as students will see in college. The college or university life lacks the automatic structure of parents, as well as attendance requirement from high school. Students who don’t show up to class and/or procrastinate doing their course work don’t just get a bad grade, they’re wasting a lot of money!
For this reason, it is vital to curb procrastinating ways sooner rather than later, and high school is the place to get that done. If distractions are a problem, find a space that is free from distractions. Create a place where your child can study that is calm and will allow him or her to focus without being tempted to turn on the TV or the internet.
Staying focused, being disciplined and meeting deadlines is extremely important not just for getting into college, but for everything that will come after college!
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There is a lot of work and sustained effort that goes into getting a young high school student through to graduation and accepted into a good college or university… and that is only the beginning of the story. Once arriving on campus at his or her dream institution, college freshmen soon learn that they are facing a whole new set of exciting challenges at the next level of their education!
One of the most important things that we do as advisors is help families and students to optimize their efforts – both during high school AND during college – to make sure that they are prepared for the next steps on their journey to an excellent education and a rewarding career of their choosing. Yes, a huge chunk of this preparation is financial, but we are also extremely well-versed in how to make the college experience a successful one.
You see, getting through high school and into college is a great accomplishment, but it does not mean very much in the long run if the student becomes one of the roughly 32% of college freshmen who do not graduate with a bachelor’s degree. That is a statistic that, unfortunately, is not going away.
Equally important, however, is the sad fact that even many students who do graduate are quite poorly prepared to seek jobs in their fields of interest. Yes, many students have dutifully checked all of the boxes for graduation and receiving a diploma, which is great, but they have not focused on optimizing their college degree to help them afterward in the real world work environment.
With this sobering reality in mind, we have chosen to focus this month’s newsletter on some important steps that students can plan to take to make their college years truly preparation for entering the workforce. Young people who are able to prepare themselves well for their future careers will usually be able to avoid many of the frustrations that new graduates often face – having a diploma in hand, but not being able to find a rewarding job is an ever-increasing and disturbing reality!
After your review of this month’s newsletter, should you have any particular questions or concerns about how you’re your student can best prepare for the college years (and thereafter), please so feel free to contact us at your convenience. We are also able to assist with all of the financial elements involved with preparing for these college years, and the information we offer can boost your family’s preparations for all aspects related to the upcoming years of your child’s higher education.
1) Begin With The End In Mind
While some college students enter their higher education experience with a clear idea of what they want to pursue as a career, there are many more who finish high school and enter into the next level without any particular direction in mind. Neither path is necessarily better than the other, but those who enter with more of an “open slate” should endeavor to take advantage of some of the important opportunities to increase their academic performance early on as well as their marketability for later.
For example, starting college with a full slate of required courses can be a great way to buy some time and to free up the later years of university for more specialized academic work (which can also be helpful when internships and other opportunities arise). It is also a good way to get one’s feet wet at the college level, while gaining experience in learning how one can best manage the academic rigors that will define their GPA and other credentials – this can be managed best on a personal level, because what works for one student may NOT have the same effect for another student.
Of course, new college students who are beginning college with a pretty good idea of their future career already will also be required to take this barrage of mandatory coursework that is needed for graduation. These students will often also do well to take these classes in a planned manner that will best mesh with their degree requirements. In fact, some students may find that courses which mesh well with their major can also fit into some of the predetermined general requirements, so consultation with a good academic advisor can make a huge difference in planning their courses.
2) Work With GOOD Academic Advisors
Let’s focus on an important adjective from the last sentence of the previous paragraph. A GOOD academic advisor is worth his or her weight in gold, with platinum lining. Now, what actually defines a good academic advisor can vary depending on the person with whom you are speaking. We tend to define a good academic advisor as someone – whether working directly for a college or university, or not – who offers the best and most accurate advice to budding students in a particular field.
Many universities and colleges will have someone assigned to students almost at random (or, more accurately, often by the first initial of the last name). Now, while these individuals will definitely be able to offer a full spectrum of insights into which classes will meet which graduation requirements (and this is a very important detail, to be sure!), they may NOT be the best people to speak with about entering a particular career field after graduation has come and gone – or have knowledge about details for those entering a particular professional training track, such as medicine, law, or business school.
Be aware that most schools will have specific offices to help serve the particular needs of students who are entering these highly competitive fields, and a good advisor in these areas is an enormous help in the challenging process of application, interviewing, and admission to professional schools after college. It can also be a good idea to seek out advice from someone who is working directly in a student’s field of interest, to get insights and recommendations for the academic path. The most important thing is to gain accurate and timely information, regardless of the source!
3) Do Not Ignore “Minor” Things
While most students will be focused on selecting their college major (or even, for the extremely motivated, a double major!), it is often overlooked that students can also choose a related – or even completely unrelated – subject for a minor area of study. These are areas of academic emphasis that will require fewer classes than a second major, but are still then part of their academic credentials upon graduation.
Some students (and parents) will tend to look down on minor emphases as something “unworthy” of effort, but they can be extremely valuable in many cases. For example, one can complete a minor by simply taking a steady regimen of a favorite foreign language, or a secondary subject of interest, or even by completing course prerequisites for professional schools! (For example, pre-med students often find that they qualify for a minor in Chemistry simply by completing the pre-medical chemistry and organic chemistry requirements, and perhaps one or two other related classes over the course of four years). Minors can be completed in almost any field of interest, and can add to the college experience and to the credentials of any graduate later on in his or her life.
One thing that a minor offers is an opportunity to show that a student has broad interests and abilities, and if their minor is in something that can provide practical experience as well (such as speaking Spanish, French, or Russian… or computer programming… or anything else), then that looks great on a resume later.
4) Diversify Your Options
One of the things that we are quick to recommend to students is that they work hard toward their goals, while also diversifying their goals to a reasonable degree. This means planning and working toward a specific graduate school or career, for example, but also being able to seek alternate pathways to their goals.
In general, success does not come along a straight line, and many students will find divergent pathways to their goals, or even new goals that emerge completely unexpectedly over time during and after their college years. The more open students are to exploring and finding out what options exist for them in their lives, both academically and professionally, the more they are likely to discover enriching and exciting opportunities that they might not have even known about earlier in their lives.
For this reason, we urge students to make exciting plans, aim high, and always keep their eyes open for the opportunities that tend to arise over time – but are only seen if one is actually willing to be looking for them.
The sooner students start thinking about and preparing for their efforts in higher education, the easier it can be to plan for success. This true not only when it comes to academics, but also (and especially) when it comes to the financial side of things. Preparing for college or university studies is a process that ideally starts long before the first day of college on an autumn day (usually) at the age of eighteen. In fact, the best-prepared students have often found intelligent ways to prepare and affect their college experience even several years in advance. We think that this is highly advisable, because it can positively boost the student’s academic experience as well as saving their family a significant amount of money over the long run!
How is that possible? Well, by seeking out ways to shorten their required stay in college or university, a student can shave of a semester (or even more) of tuition, fees, and living expenses from the overall college bill. This can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in many cases! This year, there are some motivated students who are graduating from high school and heading off to college… where they will begin as college students with advanced standing, when based on their accumulated college credits.
For this month’s newsletter, we are providing parents and students with some practical and important thoughts and suggestions on how to shorten the amount of time spent (and paid for) in college, but leading to the same degree for which other students will have to work longer… and yes, other students will wind up paying more tuition for the same piece of paper at graduation. Please remember that as college funding professionals – with expert insights into the entire process of higher education – we are especially qualified to offer this type of important information for the benefit of your college preparation and planning. Your child’s circumstances can certainly benefit from an individual analysis.
Completing AP Courses
When your child is in high school, s/he can already begin to make headway in college. If you are child qualifies or is able to choose to take Advanced Placement classes, this is a great way to begin to earn college credit while still attending high school. Many colleges and universities will allow AP credit to take the place of required “core” classes during freshman year. In this case, a bit of extra effort during the high school years can have a big payoff later!
Another way that students may sometimes earn college credit is to take International Baccalaureate classes, if available in your area. Completing college credit in this manner, and doing so in advance, can also provide some flexibility when it comes time for a student to choose a major. AP and IB classes are high-level high school courses, and they also give your child a taste of what to expect in college or university classes.
There is no guarantee that AP or IB coursework will be accepted at the next level, so it is always important to review individual school policies on these types of classes. However, there can be no question than the increased level of academic rigor pays dividends when college days begin in earnest.
Community College Credit
There are some community colleges that will allow high school students to take their college-level courses. If this is available for your student, and the community college credits are accepted at a university, it can save a ton of time and money. Many core classes can be taken at a community college and they will almost always be much less expensive than university classes. It may be a good option if your child is unsure about which direction to go during college. Taking some core classes in community college would buy additional time in college for determining a major course of study and/or a career for the future.
Usually community college credit is accepted as transfer credit at public universities within the same state or region, which can be a tremendous benefit for students who are interested in these schools. Some highly motivated students have actually graduated high school with an Associate’s degree in hand, meaning that in the right circumstances they can theoretically start university with junior status! Talk about saving time and money over the long run…
Take Core/Elective Classes Strategically
OK, so it is clear that not every student is able to make a firm decision regarding a major right away. That is just fine. One way to combat the threat of losing time due to indecision is for freshmen to focus on completing any remaining “core curriculum” classes during the freshman year in order to stay on track and make sure the basic requirements for graduation are being met.
Remember also that students can use electives to “test out” different fields of specific interest that could become a major. Even if he or she decides to go in a different direction, the elective then still fills the space of a course for graduation later.
Proper Consultation
One way to be able to assist your child in getting through college quickly and smoothly is for your child to meet regularly with his or her college academic advisor. Each school will have its own requirements for graduation, and the academic advisor can often offer valuable insights into the best way forward – therefore, it is important that they develop a plan together. Your child specifically should let the advisor know that it is very important to him or her to graduate within four years (or less, if possible).
Of course, as mentioned above, many students enter college unsure of which major to choose. That is ok, but meeting with an advisor early on to prepare and develop a plan is helpful to turn that undecided time into productive time. An advisor can offer guidance on what courses to take that will help to point your child in the right direction. They will know which courses are appropriate to consider to and take that will help to develop their passions. They can also connect them with other older students or faculty members will be able to offer additional guidance and understanding that might be helpful coming from a peer.
Not all academic advisors are helpful, but many are, so this is an important resource to investigate during the early college stages. Also, many schools will have specific advisors for particular careers, such as pre-law, pre-medicine, or pre-business studies. Students who are interested in these professions should always seek input from the experts so they do not miss any requirements for their professional schools!
Thorough Research
Having realistic expectations is important when your child goes to a college or university. It is also important to know if the university or college that your child will be attending is committed to his or her success. If you and your child visit colleges, it may not be a bad idea to go to the admissions office – or even faculty in a field of your child’s interest – and seek out a chat with one of the staff. You can ask them directly what their rates of graduation within 4 years are and if they are unwilling or unclear about it then that might give you some pause.
It does not necessarily mean that it is not a good institution, but it may deserve additional research. Most colleges do not post these rates so in order to uncover graduation rates and related information, parents often need to ask directly. Having a low rate of graduation within 4 years could mean a variety of things. If there are a great number of students who only go to school on a part-time basis, then this might be a red flag. This is a great time for us to remind you that your college funding advisor can also provide loads of valuable information regarding these details, which can be enormously valuable in selecting which school to attend.
Express Interest
Another way to help your child to stay on track is to express your interest in their education. Parents who express their desire for their child to have a meaningful college experience are more likely to have children who are also vested in their college experience, as well. It is important not to become extreme “helicopter parents,” which serves no positive purpose in the educational process, and no parents should insert themselves into tasks that students are fully capable of doing for themselves. However, parents can communicate their interest and their wishes for a helpful and meaningful college education to their child. Educators have noticed that the students who have the best outcomes are ones who come from households where the parents are vested in their college experience and want them to succeed.
Bear in mind that it may not be possible for every student to implement every suggestion listed above – some students may not have a firm grasp on exactly what they want to study as early as others, for example, and other students may not have access to college credit courses in the area where they attend high school. However, we make it our goal to assist our students in finding the best options for their speedy success in higher education. If even a couple of the suggestions listed above can be implemented – and there are others, as well – then the chances are good that a student will begin to cut down the amount of time (and money) spent on completing a college degree.
This is an interesting time in our modern world, and we live in a period when many people are questioning the “prevailing wisdom” on a number of topics. College is no exception. There are a great many things that we tend to hear time and again, especially as we College Funding Professionals keep our ear to the ground and our eyes on the horizon of higher education. One of these recent ideas includes some occasional grumblings that for modern young people, a college or university education is simply not worth it any more… that higher education will only offer someone an expensive piece of paper to hang on a wall, and that it is no longer the key to a brighter future.
Now obviously, WE don’t believe this – not for a nanosecond – but we hear it. And we are secure enough to also freely acknowledge that there are some very real reasons that certain groups of misinformed (or even embittered) people might start to buy into it.
With that in mind, let’s be frank… young people today who attend college or university without properly planning for their educations can often end up in circumstances that are less than ideal – as do their parents, who are usually on the hook for the bill. There is no doubt about that. Very few people go through the effort and expense of college hoping to land a really lousy, dead-end job, or even no job at all. Tragically, it happens. However, that sad reality usually has a heck of a lot more to do with a family’s overall lack of advanced planning (academically, professionally, and financially) before college even began, than it does with the inherent value of college and university training itself.
For a variety of excellent reasons, we remain firmly convinced that there is a great and ever increasing need for well-planned, organized, higher education in this modern world – and this reality is one of the things that keeps us so excited and motivated to help families achieve their goals for the education of their children.
This month’s newsletter, then, is focused on outlining the reasons that support the value of college and university studies in today’s environment. Some of these ideas will be extremely practical, others will be more philosophical, but all of them will clearly demonstrate that a well thought-out, properly-planned, and intelligently-organized college education is one of the best investments that we can make – for ourselves, yes, but also for our communities, our nation, and our world at large.
Sometimes It’s A Requirement!
America is a country where much value is placed on a college education. It’s often associated with part of the American Dream and it becomes an expectation of many parents. There are, however, some exceptions out there. We find that many of these exceptions are mentioned by people who have become disenchanted with the concept of higher education. Some famous, very wealthy people did not end up getting a college degree for one reason or another, including Steve Jobs, Dave Thomas, and Michael Dell, just to name a few.
While there are some rare possibilities for some highly motivated and highly intelligent folks out there who want to have a go at in the entrepreneurial realm, it is also important to look at the (much longer) list of people who succeeded with a college degree (or several) in hand!
Remember also that there are many professions that absolutely require the successful completion of formal education and training in order to be considered for employment. People who enter these are often among the most respected and successful professionals in our society. Just some of these fields include:
Medicine – Physicians (and other professionals) in the medical realm cannot simply ‘skip school and work hard’ and then expect to find a job in the field of health care. There are stringent requirements in order to receive a license, and in order to be considered employable… and that’s a very good thing for the populace! One can easily imagine that a prospective patient might get pretty nervous if the biography for his or her physician read something like this: “Dr. So-and-so skipped out on college and medical school, and sort of just tinkered around in his garage until he figured it out.”
Engineering – Back in the day, one could parlay experience in the field (usually through the military if it was civil engineering) into a job in the private sector. Those days are gone. One now needs a solid, bona-fide engineering degree in order to be taken seriously in the field of engineering, and these programs are competitive.
Law – There is no other pathway to bar certification and a rewarding career in law, besides completing an undergraduate degree and then graduating from law school… and then passing the bar exam for the state in which one wishes to practice, of course. That is the only option!
Finance – While not all jobs in the financial realm require a college education, many do. If one wants to go into the investment arena, a college education is almost always a must. This sector enjoys a lot of growth opportunities, but for leadership roles an advanced degree in business (like an MBA) can make a huge difference, as well.
Achieve More Work Satisfaction
A study done by The College Board online resource showed that college graduates are more likely to be ‘very satisfied’ with their jobs. In fact, the study shows that college graduates are 9% happier in their jobs than counterparts who had completed a lesser amount of formal education.
It might seem taboo to talk about these days, but it is also possible that college graduates tend to move “up the ladder” socially in life more easily and more quickly that those who do not have any formal education. College teaches social skills in addition to bringing academic knowledge, and it can also foster social, professional, and mentoring relationships that bring dividends for a lifetime.
Confidence Booster
Let’s face it… the very process of learning makes you smarter. It, also, apparently makes you more confident, as well. Studies have shown that those who have gone through college and came out the other end with a degree tend to have more confidence than those who did not finish or never went to college at all.
It is not an easy thing to finish a college degree. This comes with a sense of accomplishment and it should! Setting a goal and seeing it to the end can be incredibly rewarding. The study showed that college degree holders were more likely to handle mental challenges, and they are even shown to have a deeper level of satisfaction while in the process of doing it.
Healthier Choices
While having a college degree will often give one a feeling of self-confidence, apparently it helps to make one healthier, as well. Many studies show that college graduates tend to be healthier than those who do not have a degree. Higher socio-economic status, which is often linked to higher education, has been shown worldwide to be connected with increased health, wellness and a longer life expectancy.
College graduates also may make healthier food choices. This could be a result of the information learned while in college, or just an openness or willingness to seek out accurate and important information related to health in general. Having completed a college degree is often correlated to making better choices as it relates to health habits. This includes eating, exercise, and other matters related to public health. Finally, people with a higher level of education are more likely to exercise and less likely to engage in smoking or other risky health behaviors.
Positive Family Traditions
It’s always nice when generations of children can follow in positive footsteps. That is another terrific and lesser-known benefit of going on to college and getting a degree. Children of parents who attended college are far more likely to go to college than children who have parents without a college degree. Studies have also shown that children of college graduates tend to have a better quality of life and also go on to get college degrees. Children of college graduates often tend to do better in school, as well. Some studies show that their test scores can trend higher and they may also have better grades. It is possible that these students may be generally more motivated because of their own parents’ academic backgrounds and successes.
They also tend to get into college easier because the parents are able to guide them through the process and emphasize the importance of education along the way. Most importantly, however, regardless of whether or not a parent ever attended college him/herself – it is never too late to start a positive new academic family tradition!
We often talk of securing your student’s future financial health. There is no question that student debt is increasing to staggering amounts for an enormous amount of college students. Often the case whether these students graduate or not, remember, because the debt does not disappear if a student drops out of college. This can have a sobering effect on young people who are just getting started in life. We focus on this because we have seen how proper planning with regard to the financial aspect of college preparation can save both college students and their parents from incurring unnecessary debt, even at “expensive private schools.” A debt-free start to a career post-college is one of the most important advantages that we can offer to a young person.
College debt is now being viewed by far too many people as a “normal part” of the educational process. Far too many families think nothing of racking up tens of thousands of dollars (or even more than that!) in pursuit of a college degree. We could not disagree more! There are ways to avoid college debt.
Because of the importance of this task, we have decided to devote this month’s newsletter to some of the many opportunities and strategies that we employ wherever and whenever possible to specifically help students and their families avoid student debt while they complete their years of higher education. Of course, the individual situations can be extremely different for each family, depending on a vast variety of considerations, so when it comes to avoiding college debt there is really no better partner than a college funding advisor… your resident expert on all details related to the management college costs.
Old Fashioned Savings
There is something to be said for all of those students who take the initiative to work during the summer vacation – or even during the school year in some cases – in order to save up money for their future college education. Perhaps surprisingly, aside from obviously applauding their excellent work ethic and forethought regarding college preparation, the other thing that is to be said is: BE CAREFUL!
Yes, even with something as seemingly benign as saving money for college, students need to be aware and recognize that they really need to obtain good advice and keep a close eye on their savings. This is because there are actually strict federal limitations on the amount of money that a student can earn and put away toward college before it begins to adversely affect their eligibility for college financial aid!
There are many, many good things that can come from being willing to work and save for college. The lessons that can be learned from that experience can play a huge role in their future successes later on in life. But we urge you to confer with a qualified college funding advisor so that you know how much of their hard-earned savings can go toward college, so as to avoid disappointment later.
«Good» Financial Aid
Student financial aid sometimes can get a bad reputation in some circles when people only focus on the student loan side of things. Well, as we mentioned above, student loans for college are something that we very purposefully aim to avoid! However, it is important to understand that there are many different elements to student financial aid and they are NOT all detrimental to the future money management of a young college student.
Without sugar-coating things, student loans are, quite simply, loans… which means that these funds need to be paid back after college graduation (with interest, as well). The fact that student loans are so prevalent in America does not in any way mean that they are a good idea! In July federal student loan rates will increase to 5.05% for undergraduate loans and 7.6% for the parent plus loans.
On the other hand, student aid in the form of grants are what we like to call «free money» because they DO NOT need to be repaid after graduation. Grants may be given to a student for a variety of reasons ranging from financial need, to the encouragement of higher education among certain groups, to students who are service veterans, etc. The amount of money can vary, sometimes substantially, but regardless, they do not need to be repaid!
Scholarships are another – perhaps better-known – form of «free money» that are offered to a student directly because of his or her high performance and/or promise in academics, athletics, the arts, or other areas. Like grants, they also can vary in size from relatively small sums (which still look great on a resumé, by the way) to the so-called «full-ride» scholarships which cover all – or nearly all – costs!
While grants and scholarships are great, and it is gratifying to receive one or more of them, the simple fact is that most students will find that it is NOT possible to fully fund their college education based on these sources of « gift aid ». Because of this, it is extremely important to look at all of the college funding options available in order to avoid racking up student debt during the college years.
Work-Study Programs
Some students are scared away from «Work-Study» programs either because they are afraid that they will have no life away from class and an on-campus job, or because they have heard some (usually unsubstantiated) rumors about students being forced to work at terrible jobs at their college or university.
In actuality, there can be some truly inspiring and exciting options available to students who are willing to look for them. Work-Study is a program that offers students financial aid based on their willingness to work on campus in some capacity. Students who start the process early enough can find work options in departments that are of great interest to them, which can lead to experience in their area of study, not to mention valuable working interactions with faculty members and professors.
Even those who come later to the process and accept more menial positions will often find that the hours are flexible (or sensibly planned) and that a part-time job can be a great opportunity to have a regular, temporary escape from the stressors of college… and one that helps to keep them out of student debt, to boot !
Family Financial Foresight
One of the most important ways for students and their families to avoid student debt is by implementing a solid and well-thought-out financial plan – preferably as early as possible – with the insight of a college funding advisor.
A college funding professional can help with all aspects oft he college application and funding process, including the optimized planning of financial decisions – because remember, these decisions, many of which will not seem to have anything to do with college at all – will directly affect aid determinations in the future.
Determining a timeline for college applications and admissions can also help with the overall (and ever-increasing) cost of the admissions process, and a similar timeline covering major financial decisions and management can literally save families thousands of dollars within a very short period of time.
Because of this, we always recommend seeking insights from someone who knows all of the details surrounding the college process best, and someone who specializes directly in these areas. We have seen it pay dividends and assist in the fulfillment of college dreams time and time again, so there is no question in our minds that it is an important step to take. We certainly urge the families of future college students to begin early with this all-important process, regardless of current circumstances !
