The cost of a higher education is on the rise.  The cost is being outpaced by just about everything in society today - the cost of food, gasoline, goods and services.  The three main reasons - the value of a college education is more important than ever, a college workforce is one of the most expensive to hire, and colleges are spending lavishly to try to attract your child.

The value of the education exceeds the expense

Recent studies have shown that workers with college degrees make on average 44% more than workers with only high school diplomas. According to U.S. News and World Report, the best estimate for what a student's college education is actually worth over an entire career is around $300,000. So even as the cost of tuition at schools increases, it's still more than likely that whatever you end up paying for college, your student will end up making it back and then some.

This fact hasn't been lost on students.  Today 7 out of 10 high school students enroll in college with the hopes of getting better jobs and earning more money.  Of course this leads to a natural supply and demand situation.  A college education is HIGHLY in demand.  Not just from employers, but from the students themselves that want it.

Colleges are of course well aware of what their services are worth and therefore as college graduates continue to be hired for better jobs with bigger salaries, it's their natural inclination to charge more.  After all, you can't argue with the numbers.  As long as the "value" of a college education is worth more than what a college charges you for it and because there's only a certain number of students schools can accommodate each year, they'll keep on raising their prices as long as the demand for those spots exists. 

A college faculty is one of the most expensive workforces to hire

The cost of putting together a qualified faculty to dole out that education to all these students is growing higher and higher. Remember what I just pointed out above.  The cost of hiring an educated workforce is rising every year.  And the workforce a college or university is hiring is among the most highly educated you can find.  The majority of instructors will have Masters degrees and doctorates.   And those accolades earn a healthy paycheck. 

According to www.salary.com, the median salary for a typical liberal arts professor is $80,000.  Those with tenure and who publish work can expect to earn much more.  In fact, in 2009, CNN ranked college professor as the 3^rd best job in America. Depending on the size of a school, a college faculty can number in the hundreds.  And with an average salary of $80,000 or more, that can add up to a hefty payroll very quickly. That's not to mention the hundreds of other jobs a college has to pay for.  Coaches, librarians, admissions counselors, dining staff, maintenance crews, etc... Managing a college's workforce is no less of an undertaking than managing one of a major company.  And no less expensive either.  Hence why your costs continue to rise...

Colleges are spending lavishly to try to attract your student 

Take a minute and think about all those glossy, beautiful looking promotional materials schools have been mailing you over the past few months. What's on the cover?  A new stadium?  Perhaps a modern looking student center?  Or a newly built academic building with all the bells and whistles you could imagine?  Well there's good reason for that.

Schools are spending more and more money on campus amenities in an effort to attract students.   Things like fitness centers, modern on-campus apartments, athletic facilities, computer labs, new cafeterias and other dining options... these are the new pieces of eye candy colleges are putting front and center in their marketing plans.

And of course, all of these fancy new attractions cost money.  And lots of it.  So where's that money coming from?   Sure there's private fundraising and donations... but much of that tab is paid for by you - the tuition holders.

Every student wants to attend a school with the best facilities, academic, athletic, living or otherwise... but keep in mind those pretty looking buildings aren't paying for themselves.   Not to mention things like organic fruit in the cafeteria, free Wifi all over campus or a new treadmill in the gym.  

These perks get passed onto you in your bill.  The more updating a college does, the more it'll cost you to attend. 

Remember, to weigh the cost of what a school offers next to what your student really needs to have.   A great education should be at the top of the list.  Everything else is a nice bonus... but one you'll have to be willing to pay for.

If you have any other questions about selecting a college, or the admissions process, feel free to contact me through my website at www.Prep4CollegeNow.com  or call me at 760.877.7200.  I'd love to answer your questions!

[1] Excerpts taken from Scott Weingold, College Made Simple - The Free Educational Resource of College Planning Network, LLC

Last week's blog spoke about the danger of the wrong information in a social media account.  This week's blog looks at how to use social media to help gain admission into your teen's top choice school.

With the ever growing popularity of Facebook,  80% of college admission counselors are visiting potential students' online profiles during their recruiting process (Kaplan survey of college admission counselors).  These recruiters are trying to actively engage prospective students online. 

What should the student and parent be aware of?  How can these platforms make your application stand out?  Your teen should:

·         Follow the school online

Follow your prospective school's twitter feeds, "like" their Facebook fan page, and subscribe to other social media channels.  You can learn extremely interesting information about the college.  You can determine what issues matter to the school and incorporate that knowledge into your essays and interviews to show that you've done your research and know exactly why the college is the perfect place for you. 

·         Blog

A blog is a wonderful way to show prospective schools your creative side, in the form of art or music skills, your writing ability, your community spirit through activities that you mean something to you and your volunteerism.  Your blog can show off your personality, your "uniqueness".  Give links to your blog on your application so the admission officers can view it and make comments.

·         Create a YouTube video

Make a video on why you want to attend that school.  Include highlights about yourself, your extra-curricular activities, your commitment to your particular major.  Have people who know you well with high community standing give additional recommendations.  Post it on YouTube and include a link on your college application.  You will stand out from the rest of the applicants. Post it on YouTube and tag the school.  Give links to the video on your application. 

·         Remember - Privacy is important!

Set up your accounts so only those who you want to view them, will have access.  Set your privacy ratings high so you can control who views your Facebook, Twitter or YouTube accounts. 

“If you have any other questions about selecting a college, or the admissions process, feel free to contact me through my website at www.Prep4CollegeNow.com  or call me at 760.877.7200.  I'd love to answer your questions!”

It is important for students and their families to visit college campuses whenever possible.  Many times, this is not possible.  What is the student or family to do?  There are many options available today that allows visits while still in the comfort of your home or community. Here is some advice from experts who answered readers questions for U.S. News College Compass Best Colleges 2011.

Take advantage of "virtual" and local opportunities.
Nancy Meislahn, dean of admissions and financial aid, Wesleyan University
Get on the mailing list (or today's equivalent) so you'll be notified of nearby alumni and admission office-sponsored events in your area. Visit websites of the schools you are most interested in often. Look for announcements of online chats or other opportunities to connect with students and faculty. Find out who in your community attends schools that might be a good fit and meet with them when they are home on breaks.

Think globally; act locally.
James Montoya, vice president of higher education, The College Board
Visiting a few local colleges, even if they are not on the top of your list, will provide you with a better understanding of what's important to you, as well as what questions to ask. Such insight will serve you well as you investigate colleges located further away from home by visiting college websites, meeting with college alumni representatives and/or current students home on break, or reading college guidebooks. Save up your money for a few spring visits once you have your acceptance letters in hand.

Use the web, join the conversation, and connect on Facebook.
Daniel Parish, director of recruitment and communication, Dartmouth College
Visiting a campus in person is one way to experience how a community operates. Some colleges and universities offer funding to help students visit campus, either before you apply or after you are admitted. You might want to contact colleges to see if you'll qualify for one of these programs. However, visiting is not the only way to connect with a campus; social media can help you "visit" a campus without actually traveling there. Webinars, video chats, Facebook groups, and YouTube channels can all help you experience the community and start a conversation with people on campus.

If you can't visit campus, it's not the end of the world.
Don Fraser Jr., director of education and training, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
Many colleges have virtual tours on their websites, and there are also sites like YOUniversityTV where you can "tour" other college campuses. Additionally, CollegeWeek Live allows you to connect with college students and hear from admissions officers and even professors about life at a particular college. Of course, for the student perspective, there is no better site than Unigo.
Remember: applying does not mean going. After you are accepted to a college, you still have time to visit the campus (and you should) in order to make a final decision, and colleges may be able to provide some financial assistance to make that happen. Little-known fact: Amtrak offers discounted rates for college visits!

Visit the Unigo Expert Network for virtual campus visit advice from 30 more experts, and to have your own questions answered.

Another resource is a new service at CollegeSolved (www.collegesolved.com/students). They have a network of college students who will do a phone call with you to answer your questions. This can help you figure out what campus is like and tell you more about the student body without ever leaving your house.

If you have any other questions about selecting a college, or the admissions process, feel free to contact me through my website at www.Prep4CollegeNow.com  or call me at 760.877.7200  I'd love to answer your questions!

Your student is about to write one of the most important essays of her life.  Don't panic.  A great college admissions essay will present a vivid, personal, and compelling view of your student to the admissions staff.  It will round out the rest of the application and help your student stand out from the rest of the applicants. 

In order to stand out from the crowd, the essay must elicit an emotional response from the reader.  The focus of the essay should be narrow and personal, authentic, not superficial.  The essay must prove a point or thesis.  The reader should be able to find the main idea and follow it from beginning to end. It should be developed with vivid and specific facts, events, quotations, examples, and reasons.  The student should write as she speaks and use a relaxed conversational style. 

Be original.  Too many essays use the same tired themes.  Remember, what bores the writer will generally bore others.  Show genuine enthusiasm.  The student should pick a topic that genuinely excites her.  The enthusiasm will show through.  The writing will be invigorating and the reader will enjoy reading the essay.

Create some mystery. The introduction that surprises the readers and makes them want to read past the first paragraph will grab attention and help the essay stand out from the crowd.

Use stimulating action verbs.  They make the essay much more lively than passive voice, which comes across as cold and detached.  Use short sentences and simple words. Use simpler, concise language.  The student want the readers to understand the essay.  Using obscure terms needlessly, will not impress. Vary sentence structure.  Intermingle long sentences with shorter sentences to keep the reader from getting bored.

Avoid acronyms and abbreviations.  They have no place in your essay.  For example, use "and others" instead of "et al.," "California" instead of "CA." Avoid using exclamation points and parentheses.  Avoid asking questions or setting off words and phrases with quotation marks.  Avoid gimmicks.  Don't use puns, definitions, famous quotations, flowery descriptions, or overdone wordplay to get the point across.  Avoid controversy.  Avoid offensive tone or language.  Avoid sexist language.  Substitute asexual words for sexist words.  For example, use "chairperson" instead of "chairman" and "pioneers" instead of "founding fathers".

Be careful using humor.  It's more important to tell an interesting story and let any humor be inherent.  Write tight.  Choose nouns and verbs that are as specific as possible.  Use as few words as possible. 

Revise until it is perfect.  The essay will go through several drafts before it is ready.  Keep in mind that the essay must be more than interesting--it must be captivating.  Let the enthusiasm show through.  Adhere to the word limit. 500 word limit does not mean 600 words is okay. Proofread.  Don't rely solely on the computer's spell check. 

Show the essay to someone who can be objective.  To produce the best possible essay, the student needs a good editor. Use someone who knows English well but can also give the writer constructive feedback on how the message is coming across. 

Writing a successful college admissions essay is not a simple task.  Your student should plan on spending a lot of time writing, reviewing, and polishing so that it is just right.  With perseverance, your student will end up with an outstanding essay that will capture the reader's attention, reach an emotional conclusion about the student, and get that letter of acceptance.  

This blog is based on excerpts from "Tips for Writing Your College Admission Essay" by Gregory Lloyd and The College Application Essay by Sarah Myers McGinty.  

Today we are going to focus on how social media can affect college admission.  There was a poll taken in 2008 with over 500 selective colleges completing the poll, that said in about 10% of the colleges polled, the admission officers were checking the applicants Facebook and My Space profiles.  Imagine what the number must be in 2011.

It hurt the applicant 38% of the time.  It helped the applicant 25% of the time so it is hurting the applicant more than it is helping.   I don't think that people, students in particular,  are actually paying attention to what they are putting out there and how the information in their profile is viewed by others.  The student needs to assume college admission officers are looking and should modify the information posted on their pages.  A good rule of thumb is if you think your student's grandmother would be offended by the information, it shouldn't be on the page.

Your teenager needs to keep the information clean but it still should appear as if the teen is an interesting person who would be an appealing student for the school.  Your teenager need to strike a balance between being too clean and too off color or avant-garde.

Your teen is able to control who views certain pages on his Facebook page and he should set up  his profile to limit access to certain pages and photos. His Twitter feed should only go to people who are on an approved list and, if he blogs, it should be set up as an invitation only site.  Not everything your teen does needs to be viewed by everyone.

Your student needs to pay attention to his social media profile, what goes out there and acknowledge how it can negatively affect him.  Remember, it is a reflection on your student and it can affect admission into college.

Applying to college used to be easy. You submitted an application, sent in your test scores and official transcript and a decision was made.
But things have changed. These days, application requirements vary, but most schools require that you submit more than just a form. The supporting documents help the admissions committee decide if you and the school are a good fit.

Application Form
Most schools have at least two ways to complete the application form: paper or online. Some schools allow you to submit the Common Application. The Common Application is an application you complete once and submit to several schools. Information about this form is available at www.commonapp.org. The information on your form will help the committee match materials to the correct person, so make sure the information is correct. 

The forms for 2011-2012 are available August 1, 2011.  You can see a preview of the new form on the website and after July 1, 2011 an updated list of all the colleges that accept the Common Application.

High School Transcript
You must request copies of your high school transcript to be sent directly to the colleges to which you apply. If you earned college credit in high school or are applying as a transfer student, you must request transcripts from any college or university attended. The transcripts should show classes taken and grades earned. Committees will look at your overall grades and the progress you have made.

Standardized Test Score
Most colleges and universities require that you submit SAT or ACT test scores. Test scores help admissions committees measure your probable success in college. Some schools take your highest composite score, while others take the best combination of scores from different sections. Contact each school to which you are applying to see how they consider scores. It may determine whether or not you take the SAT or ACT and how many times you take the standardized test.  

Letters of Recommendation
Depending on a school’s requirements, a guidance counselor, a teacher, or another adult may write a letter or complete a form about you. Give your recommender the form or instructions well in advance of the application deadline. The letter should include your full name, in what capacity they know you, and the length of time they have known you. The person should attest to your capabilities and character.

Personal Essay
A personal essay may be the toughest and most time-consuming document to put together. It is important to find your voice because this is the chance for the committee to get to know you beyond the numbers. Read the questions carefully and follow directions. You will want to brainstorm ideas, create rough drafts, and have others read your essay. Certain characteristics are true for a number of students, so talk about what makes you special. It is not enough to just say you have lived in an interesting place or had a unique experience. You need to elaborate on what you learned or how you have changed because of this experience. Most importantly, proofread! proofread! proofread! 
If you are using the Common Application and sending the same essay to several colleges, make certain the essay is written so that it does not matter which school receives it.  The admission committee frowns upon finding a reference to wanting to attend a different school in the body of the essay (this happens a lot according to admission committee members).

Interviews
While not required by all schools, an interview can be another way for the committee to get to know you. Contact schools to find out if they offer interviews. Most interviews are done with an admission representative, and it is that person’s job to get to know you. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself. “Yes/no” answers will make the interview quite boring, so be ready to elaborate on answers and to have a real conversation with the other person. The representative may ask you if you have any questions. It is best to have a few questions prepared.
Deadlines
Make sure you meet all application deadlines. In most cases, you need to have a completed application file by the deadline, which means that all documents must be turned in by that date. Applications postmarked by the deadline may be OK, but you will want to contact a school to find out what their policy is.

Most high schools require multiple community service hours in order to graduate.  Colleges also require hours in order to apply.  How can your teen marry the two so s/he can satisfy both?

Many teens have a pet project or area of interest that they developed while in elementary or middle school and have extended that interest into high school.  If your teen does not have one, s/he must focus on finding one during high school.  Activities abound, once you determine what excites your teen, and how to take that passion and turn it into a service project.  Before beginning your project, check with your high school counselor that the project qualifies for the  graduation requirement, complete the necessary paperwork, and get started.  I have put a sample list of ideas together to help your teen.  There are endless possibilities.  Remember, be creative and have fun!!

Helping the Environment:

• Plant trees or wildflowers.
• Plant produce. Donate the harvest to a local food bank.
• Plant seeds. Sell the flowers or plants and donate the proceeds to a local organization in need.
• Pick up litter at a park.
• Put on a play at your school, a fair or festival about local environmental or human needs issues.
•Improve the school grounds.
•Develop and maintain a recycling program at school.

OLD SHOES: Put out notices and containers—and start collecting!!!

Ever thrown out a pair of worn-out athletic shoes? Did you know that IT TAKES ABOUT 1,000 YEARS for those sneakers to biodegrade? Wondering what to do with the ones you've already got? RECYCLE THEM.

 Every year, millions of pairs of athletic shoes are thrown away, not only wasting landfill space, but wasting tons of reusable material. Since 1993 Nike has been running a program called Reuse-a-Shoe. So far they've used 24 million pairs of athletic shoes to create sports surfaces. It’s part of the "Let Me Play" campaign, one of Nike’s longest-running environmental and community programs, where worn-out athletic shoes of any brand are collected, processed and recycled into material USED IN SPORT SURFACES like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, running tracks and playgrounds for young people around the world.

For information visit their website. To keep recycling equipment running smoothly, there are guidelines:

• Athletic shoes only (any brand)
• No shoes containing metal
• No cleats or dress shoes
• No wet or damp shoes
• Helping People in Need

•Collect food, warm clothing, toys, or personal care items for the needy. Deliver to shelters. Remember shelters are in need of supplies all year long!

•Hold a Teddy Bear and Friends (Stuffed Animals) Drive.

Donate the collected animals to a Homeless Shelter for new arrivals. Also...check with your local police station or fire station. Many are happy to take Teddy and Friends; a teddy bear can be a comfort to children in times of distress.

•Make treats for a local senior home.

Literacy Service Based ideas:
• Have kids practice reading a book and read it to a younger child who needs help learning how to read; a senior citizen who will benefit from companionship or a child in a special needs classroom in your school who is learning to read.
• Make a book on tape to contribute a local daycare center--or pediatric patients.
• Have youth read a book that will teach them how to do something to help others and then do it! Examples: building a birdhouse, making toys for animals at the animal shelter, or planting a garden).
• Read a newspaper to an elderly person who can no longer read the small print.

Adapted from Rahima Wade, service-learning instructor at the University of Iowa.

• LAMINATED BOOKMARKS for your school or hometown library

Make some pretty bookmarks; leave them in a basket on the library counter for other students to take one when they check out books. (Making Bookmarks page here...)

• Establish a PEN PAL PROJECT with senior citizens in a nursing home; children in a local hospital, or children in another country.

• Hold a USED BOOK SALE after school, or on an evening or Saturday at the school or the local library. Publicize the event to the school and local community.  Donate collected funds to a worthy cause.  

• A book drive can also be organized to collect new-- and excellent condition used books-- FOR CHILDREN WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS to many books (poverty or disaster areas in the U.S., other countries, a local Head Start or homeless shelter).

COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR ANIMALS AND ANIMAL SHELTERS

• Collect and donate items on animal organizations' wish lists: Example: Paper towels, dried dog food, milk substitute, portable cages, blankets and towels, cleansers, and food bowls.
• Raise money for homeless pets or sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife-- by collecting coins.
• Sponsor a walk-a-thon, bowl-a-thon, read-a-thon, etc. backed by pledges. Donate to local shelters or animal organizations.

Remember Service men and women ALL YEAR LONG---not just before the holidays!

There are three pages of suggestions for care packages at the adopt a platoon website.
They are listed by categories of: 
• Canned Items
• Condiments
• Ground Coffee / Tea / Hot Chocolate
• Microwavable Foods
• Powdered Drink Mix Singles
• Snacking Foods
• Items for Men
• Clothing 
• Items for Women

When considering colleges, the most important criterion for choosing a college should be the question: Will your teenager be both "comfortable and challenged" there? This criteria should be applied to every college or university that you and  your teen consider. You and your teen should also think about these three kinds of college environments:

• Physical environment - Is the college big or small, old or new? Which would your teen  prefer? It's important -- after all, he/she will be there for four years!

• Academic environment - Does the college have the programs and/or major your teen wants? Is it academically rigorous? What are the faculty's expectations of students? What's the overall academic atmosphere -- is it a grind or a party school?

• Social/cultural environment - Is this university a rural school or a city school? Is it conservative or liberal? Is it religious? Again, we're back to the question: Will you be comfortable there? Students are encouraged to view diversity on college campuses as a good thing -- something between the homogeneity of high school and the wide diversity of the "real world."

Other considerations should include a frank look at the question: What are my teen's chances of being admitted to this school? It takes some homework to get the answer.  Start with a school's website, checking to see if it includes a profile of the entering class or discusses the kind of students it is looking for. Another revealing way to learn about a school is to visit it! You'll get a pretty good idea rather quickly about what the school is like. In fact, a campus visit is very often the decision-maker in cases where students are accepted at more than one desired college. (Check out Collegiate Choice's Walking Tour Videos for a look at 330 universities and colleges in the United States and abroad.)
Of course, You and your teen will need to consider the college's costs per year. Although that is certainly important, cost should not stop your teen from applying to a school he/she would really like to attend. "Don't let the 'sticker price' of a school keep you from applying. As a rule, the less you can afford a school, the more financial aid you can get there. You might be pleasantly surprised -- even without scholarships -- at what need-based financial aid can offer.

Students should apply to 10-12 colleges and universities. The list should include 2-3 "safety schools" (relatively easy for your teen), several "target schools" (places where your teen's chances of getting accepted are 50%), and the remainder "reach schools" (schools your teen would like to attend but may not be qualified to attend). But remember, all of the schools your teen applies to should fall within the "comfortable and challenged" category.

Students generally find it easy to pick their reach schools, but difficult to choose their safety schools. There are many wonderful colleges and universities where your teen can have as enriching and rewarding experience. A wonderful book about colleges is "Colleges That Change Lives," by Loren Pope. The book looks at about 40 small schools and focuses on how they're preparing students to go out and make a difference in the world.

Once the preliminary list is completed, the application process starts.  My next blog will deal with the application process.

Alternative Routes to a College Degree - GAP Year[1]

There are many opportunities for students who wish to attend college but who seek a longer transition than the traditional summer break between high school and college.  Taking a year to travel, study abroad, do volunteer work , or work are just a few of the many things high school graduates can do before entering college.  The preferred term for the time between high school and college is termed the GAP year.

Taking a break between high school and college is a great idea for some students.  Students tend to be more mature, and are ready and eager to start college when starting after a GAP year.  It is usually advisable for students who wish to take a GAP year to apply to college during their senior year of high school, deposit at a college, and defer for a year.

WEB Resources for GAP Exploration

Below is a partial list of websites where GAP students can find activities of interest. I advise all parents to thoroughly research these programs, and any programs of interest, including calling the Better Business Bureau.  

General Information Sites

ServeNet            

A program of Youth Service America (YSA)  where volunteers are matched with service opportunities according to location, skills, interests, and availability.

www.servenet.org

Study Overseas

A web site offering free advice and information on overseas programs

www.studyoverseas.com

Study Abroad

A web site offering similar resources as above with a more comprehensive directory of programs

www.studyabroad.com

Specific Volunteer and Service Programs

Americorps

Participants address community need in the areas of education, public safety, human services, and the environment. They also receive a stipend, health insurance and a financial award up to $4,725 for a year of full-time service to be used for further education.

www.americorps.org

AFS Intercultural Exchange

One of the largest community-based volunteer organizations, AFS seeks to build a more just and peaceful world through international student exchange.  More than 10,000 students, young adults and teachers participate in AFS each year.

www.afs.org

Habitat for Humanity International

A nondenominational Christian housing organization that welcomes all people to build simple, decent and affordable housing in partnership with those in need of shelter.

www.habitat.org

Experiential Learning Programs (Tuition/Fees Required)

Outward Bound

Programs in adventure and outdoor education are held throughout the U.S. and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

www.outwardbound.org

Audubon Expedition Institute

Based at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, AEI specializes in experimental educational opportunities in ecological leadership.

www.lesley.edu/gsass/audubon/index.html

Windsor Mountain

Known for experiential learning, it has introduced half-year and full-year programs for those between high school and college. There is a choice of one or two 16-week programs that combine travel, volunteering, internships and other options.

www.windsormountain.org

Federal Need-Based Financial Aid

Financial aid is a term that refers to any financial assistance given to students for any type of post-secondary education (four-year college, one-or-two year college, trade and technical schools).  It is generally divided into two sub-groups -- Need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships.

Need-Based Financial Aid

Need-based financial aid is financial assistance given to a student to attend any type of postsecondary institution.  The need-based component means the student and family's financial status is measured by a formula called the Federal Methodology, which analyses a family's income and assets to determine its expected family contribution (EFC) toward the cost of college.  Generally no academic requirements are attached to federal and state need-based financial aid.  Need-based financial aid can come from the federal government, state government, colleges and universities, and private sources.  It can be awarded in three forms: grants, which do not have to be repaid; loans, which do need to be repaid; and work-study, which provides income from a part-time job through the college the student is attending.

Federal Need-Based Aid

The federal government provides financial help to qualified students enrolled in eligible programs at participating colleges and universities to cover school expenses which include tuition and fees, room and board, supplies, and transportation.  The federal government requires families to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) during the student's second semester of senior year and EVERY year the student is in college.

Federal Grants

A grant from the federal government is a type of gift aid, it does not need to be repaid.  The amount of the federal grant is based on the EFC, the cost of the college or university, and the student's enrollment status.  Two types of federal grants are:

            Pell Grants:  These are designed for lower-income families to cover the cost of tuition and fees and room and board at any eligible college or university in the USA.  For undergraduates only, Pell Grants currently range from $400 - $4310, depending on the EFC of the family and the enrollment status of the student.

            Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): FSEOGs are designed for undergraduates with exceptional financial need.  These grants range from $100-$4000, depending on the student's application date, the funding level of the college, and the policies of the financial aid office.  Colleges actually control to whom they give FSEOG and how much is awarded.

            Academic Competitive Grants:  These grants are for full-time undergraduates receiving Pell Grants who are enrolled in their first or second academic year of study. Grants up to $750 first year and up to $1300 second year are based on a rigorous secondary school program of study and have not been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program.  Students in their second year of study must have a GPA of at least 3.0.

            National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (Smart Grant):  Smart Grants are for undergraduates receiving Pell Grants who are enrolled in their third or fourth year of an eligible degree program.  Such students majoring in physical, life or computer sciences; engineering; technology; math or a critical-need foreign language, and who have a GPA of at least 3.0 will  receive up to $4000 for each of their third and fourth year.

            Since grants are considered gift aid, they will not hurt a student's financial aid potential for the following year.

Federal Loans

A loan from the federal government is a type of financial aid that must be repaid with interest.  For both undergraduate and graduate students, the maximum amount of loans depends on a student's year in school.  Parents may also borrow money to help finance their undergraduate student's education.  The following are four  types of federal loans:

            Perkins Loans:  These low-interest student loans are for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need.  Student do not need to pay any principal while in school, and the government pays the interest during this time.  Colleges decide who receives the loan and the loan is repaid to the school.

            Subsidized Stafford Foans:  These loans are awarded to half-to full-time students on the basis of financial need NOT MET by Pell Grants, FSEOGs or other financial aid.  Students do not have to pay any principal while in school, and the U.S. Department of Education subsidizes (pays) the interest during this time.

            Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: These loans are awarded to half-to full-time students on the basis of need.  Students do not pay any principal while they are still in school, but they are charged interest from the time the loan is started until it is paid in full.

            PLUS Loans:  Plus loans are given to parents with good credit rating who want to borrow money to pay for their half-to full-time undergraduate student's education.  The annual borrowing limit equals the student's cost of attendance less any other financial aid received.  Families usually want students to take out student loans first, because PLUS loans require immediate repayment of both principal and interest.

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study program provides money for both undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money as a way of self-help for their education expenses.  The majority of jobs that qualify for federal work-study are on campus and generally salaries start at minimum wage.  The amount of hours scheduled is determined by student's level of need, w hen they apply, and the funding level of the college.  Because money earned from work-study helps to meet this year's financial need, it will not hurt the student's potential for financial aid the following year.