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~ Tuesday, January 24 ~
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Seniors: you can still help your chances for college admission and financial aid

Many families are scared that they may not be able to afford college costs. We don’t blame them- $13,000 to $60,000 is the range in annual college expense (least expensive in-state college to most expensive private universities and colleges).  The applications should be in by now- both the college applications and FAFSA form.  However, there may be opportunities to improve your eventual offers.

Smaller, private colleges may soon begin to have more open spots and be more willing to offer aid. Many have suffered endowment losses due to the economy and stock market, but filling slots is critical, even if it requires offering a scholarship.  So if this spring you’re not happy with your college choices or aid offers, you might approach less selective private colleges to see if they would welcome a late, spring application and if so, would they still have any scholarship money available. 

When applying for aid, be sure to update your financial situation if it changes. Relay any changes in your family’s financial situation this spring to the financial aid offices of the colleges that are considering you.  Be sure to ask as well about grants and scholarships, aid that does not need to be repaid.

Use this month to market your extra-curricular skill.  Get a video of you playing your violin- two minutes max- and attach it and a resume to an email for the Dean of the Music Department and Orchestra Director at each of your colleges.  Turn them into on-campus advocates for your admission.  If you’re a theater stud, do the same with the Dean of the Theater Department (‘theater’ is not spelled ‘theatre’ in this country.) Marketing your extra-curricular skill takes a little effort but thanks to email, little cost.

Delaying a year to work is not always a good idea, as the added income may decrease offered aid from schools.  Instead, consider applying for a foreign exchange gap year through the Rotary Club or American Field Service.  You’ll need to be younger than 18 ½ in mid-summer, but if so, a year abroad can give you the chance to reapply next year and retake the ACT and SAT, a mulligan in the event your options this April are unsatisfactory. Plus the cost should be anywhere from $4000 to $15,000 a year, an amount you can earn in the months before you leave in August and after you return eleven months later.

Now is the time to be tactical if you fear you may not have ideal college admissions and aid results this April.

 


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