College Application Process – Take the Mystery out of Applying for Financial Assistance

Knowing how to get the financial assistance you need doesn’t have to be a big secret.

Parents worry about being able to afford their children’s higher education. When parents both work and earn a good income, they often feel they are always stuck in the “unhappy in-between” – too well-off to qualify for assistance, but not well-off enough to afford a good higher education for their children. Parents often ask, can’t colleges do more so that those in-between Americans can afford to send their children to college? Is there any chance that despite your parents’ income you can qualify for student aid?

The good news is: yes! Colleges can and do help and there are many student aid programs you can qualify for. They are not secret or exclusive, and the following is a guide to dispel the mystery.

Few families have the resources to easily pay the full cost of tuition, fees, dormitory, textbooks and spending money. If you and your parents would struggle to come up with the necessary funds, then immediately apply for financial aid. Investigate all scholarships and apply for every one for which you are potentially eligible.

You don’t have to meet low income guidelines to qualify for every grant and scholarship. Many are based on your academic performance and your community service activities, without regard to family income. If you are having trouble coming up with the money for college, then you should apply for every program that provides college assistance. Fill out every form and application to the best of your ability and be totally honest. The worst that can happen is they say “No”. But enough may say “yes” to make the difference between going and staying at home.

Your first step should be to complete the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The federal government created a program administered by Federal Student Aid, an office of the Federal Department of Education, to make college more affordable. Your FAFSA application helps the agency determine how much aid you qualify for. The aid can be in the form of grants, loans or work study programs. You can use Federal Student Aid to cover any of the costs of attending college, including paying for items like computers.

Your next step is to apply for institutional funds from private colleges or universities. You do this normally by completing the CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Financial Aid) forms as required by each college’s program. Again, don’t deny the application yourself! You have very little to lose – except for the application fee for the CSS Profile – and a lot to gain.

College is so expensive now that many folks can qualify – even two income families – especially in today’s economy. In fact, most of the selective colleges and universities are ramping up their financial aid budgets to help students and their families afford to go to college during this economic downturn. They are also reducing the sizes of the annual tuition increases.

Many factors affect aid eligibility calculations. * Number of children in college * Number of dependents * Extenuating circumstances * Equity in the parents’ home * Other assets * Savings and investments

Look for colleges and universities that do not overly burden you with student loans: they are more likely to approve grant aid for a higher percentage of your expenses. Private universities and colleges will often cover more of your costs than cash-strapped, state-run schools. If you are industrious and leave no financial aid stone unturned, you will find there is a lot of help available for the student willing to deal with the paperwork.

Princeton University was the first university to establish such a policy, and most of the Ivy league institutions and Ivy-caliber institutions have followed their lead. Of course, these institutions are extremely difficult to get accepted into, but excellent grades and SAT scores and the right college-admissions strategy spearheaded by the right college admissions consultant can get you there.

If you’re still in high school and are reading this, then you are already preparing for your college admissions experience. The effort you put into your high school academic performance, your activities within the community and your personal development will help you get into the college or university of your choice. By making yourself an outstanding candidate, you ensure that colleges and universities will go out of their way to help you afford their cost. They know that the quality of their students determines the quality of their university. If you apply yourself now and excel, you might be rewarded with a full scholarship from an excellent school.

Angela Arnold, a college consultant who has helped many students get into college, has published 7 free videos about the college admissions Get yours today.

Nervous About Your First Year Of Online College?

Congratulations you have taken the first step towards getting your college degree online. Now it’s time to make sure you have all the tools and skills needed to make this first year of college a success. You should take advantage of the time you have before you start to get those study skills up to top shape. Often your high school has classes that can help you focus on any weak spots in your study habits. If this is not an option for you go ahead and contact your future school because many colleges offer study seminars or classes that help you brush up on many basic skills you will need. This way you can come into your first year much more confident in your study habits and more relaxed in your abilities to succeed.

Going to college is stressful for everyone. You are one of the lucky people, if you are going to school online, who does not have to worry about moving to a new place to go to school. The fact that you don’t have to change your surroundings does not mean that you should not make sure you have the right environment set up for you to succeed. Online colleges have their advantage but they also require more discipline by the student to make sure that when they are “in class” they position themselves in a quiet spot where they can concentrate.

A common mistake that online freshmen make is to assume that because they are at home there will be fewer distractions; in fact the opposite is true. Courses taken on campus are usually held in classrooms where the focus of the student is centered on the professor and their presentations.

At home you must set aside a work environment and tune out annoyances such as the neighbor’s music, barking dogs or the incessant ringing of the phone.

Many students who decide to go to school online enjoy the ability to build a study schedule around their needs. If you have children and other family obligations this may be the only way that you can get your education. Although the flexibility is a blessing, it may also be a curse. Often it is hard to “buckle down” and get your classes and coursework completed in a timely manner. It is very important to set aside the time needed each day to keep all of your studies on schedule. You may find it easier to leave the house so that you can keep away from the distractions your normal environment presents.

It is almost a necessity to buy a laptop if you are going to take classes online. This way you can move locations to find a quiet spot conducive to studying. There are many options but as long as you have a wireless connection you should be fine.

Take advantage of the fact that you are on-line and have your web browser, along with your word processor running in the background for quick access to references and note taking. If you are participating in a ‘live-feed’ situation where the course is being presented via webcam, where your participation is expected, then make sure that you are located in a quite space so that you can hear what is being asked. Sitting at a table in Starbucks can be relaxing but it is no place to be when you have to ask and answer questions on line!

It is important to realize that just because you are taking your classes online does not mean that you don’t have to have all the necessary school supplies. You should get your notebooks, textbooks pens and highlighters the same way you would for a normal class. You will need to print documents and papers too so having a good supply of paper and a working printer and ink is also important.

Congratulations on starting the first year of your online college degree. If you prepare now and work hard you should have a great overall experience and get everything you want out of your college education. Remember if you are falling behind or you don’t feel comfortable with something about your classes, make sure to bring it up to your advisor or a college representative as soon as possible. There are many ways that the school can help you have a more positive experience including tutoring and making adjustments to your schedule. Don’t be afraid to speak up and good luck.

11 College Research Questions

Do your parents tell you to move out of the house? Go to college. Even if you go to online college you will get out of the house sooner and stay out on your own with the great job you will get. According to the most recent US Government census, Americans with a bachelors degree earned 51% more than those with just a high school diploma. Those with a bachelors degree earned over $52,000 per year on average.

Once you realize that college is your next step, you need to find one. Here are some questions you might find helpful to find the college for you.

1. Should you go to college near home or in another state? What options are available online?

2. Is smaller better, or do you like big schools?

3. Will you need financial aid?

4. Is a suburban or rural setting better or a city based campus?

5. Which programs fit your career goals?

6. How does your school rank overall with other schools?

7. How good is the college’s career services office? How many people get jobs through the career center every year?

8. Are you interested in extracurricular activities? Do they have the one for you?

9. What type of campus housing is available? Will the school help you find an off campus place to live?

10. Can you find a professor that can help guide you on your desired career path?

11. Extra Bonus: Does the school have enough money to stay open until you graduate? It’s sad but in today’s economy you should ask these questions.

Once you start thinking about the answers to these questions, you can help focus on the college that is best for you!

Strategies for Getting Ready for College

Going to college is one of the most exciting times in a teenager’s life. They’re on the verge of being an “official” adult and then have an opportunity to live out on their own, going to the school of their choice, and building their destiny one day at a time. However more than just a pack of the bags goes into preparing for the move from high school senior to college freshman.

The preparation for college should begin in the early years of high school. It’s important to begin saving for college as early as possible as the bills tend to accumulate fast, if a plan hasn’t been made. Also, it’s important to begin volunteering and being involved in activities or sports that could be included in an entrance application. Be sure to also take classes that are challenging and stretching to help prepare you for college courses. It is recommended that this list includes four years of English, three years of Math, Science, Social Studies as well as a year or two of a foreign language.

During the junior year of high school is when the heavy planning begins. Active college searches and visits are important to be sure you find the right school you want to attend. Speaking with other friends and family who have been off to college can also be a good idea for finding the right school. Also, preparatory testing should take place. The college entrance exams can be rough, and practice makes perfect. The actual tests should be taken during the summer before the senior year. Also, beginning to research college costs as well as student loan, scholarships and other payment options is a wise move.

Once a college has been selected its important to work closely with the admissions office within the university and the guidance counselor from your respective high school during your senior year. Both staff groups will help make sure you meet essential deadlines and requirements. Be sure to also work with the guidance counselor at your high school as you submit admittance applications. The guidance counselor can help prepare you for essay questions and required written portions of the application. They can also provide helpful outlets for loan, grant and scholarship information.

Four years of preparing for college can seem like a long time. But it’s important to remember that each small step can improve your chances of getting into the school of your choice and succeeding there.