The Truth About Scholarships

The majority of people believe that the way to offset college costs is through scholarships. There are a few problems with this: 

1. Less than 1% of students going to college get a full-ride scholarship. Those who do, still have to pay for room and board, so this means that it is not technically “free” and you may still have to take out loans. 

2. Students don’t know where to find scholarships. Loans seem to be the majority of how students pay for school. While this isn’t all bad, students should take advantage of the scholarships that are out there.

Perna writes, “Educational debt is the fastest-growing debt category in America today, and as of 2020, the average borrower owes almost $38k in student loans” (2021).

Finding and applying to scholarships takes work. This is hard to do since we know students are already busy trying to get through high school, get enough sleep, take accelerated courses, and maintain a job, sports, and leadership roles. However, students do need to put the work in if they expect to get scholarships. Contrary to our desires, scholarships do not fall from the sky or grow on trees. There are ways to get help with searching for scholarships. 

According to Forbes, 100 million dollars of scholarships go unclaimed every year (2021). This means that scholarships are out there and students either aren’t taking advantage of them, or don’t know where to begin looking for them! This is encouraging-there are scholarships for you and you don’t have to graduate with so many loans. There are ways to save for college if you begin looking. You can start applying for scholarships as early as middle school! Most scholarships, however, are catered toward Seniors. You can really start putting the work in around Junior year searching for scholarships and start to apply summer after Junior year.

If you want more information on how to skip the time of searching for credible scholarships, you can email me and I would be happy to provide more information!

References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/markcperna/2021/11/01/100-million-in-scholarship-money-goes-unclaimed-every-year-does-it-have-to/?sh=7b18d8ad3b6f

How to Save Money for College

1. Plan
   If you don’t have a plan, you will end up waiting until the last minute, which will result in less opportunity for money. There are timely scholarships that you may miss out on. Not planning to save will result in not having money for college. This could mean that you can’t go to your dream school or you may have less options on where you can attend.

2. Fill out the FAFSA every year.
   The FAFSA is free and should be filled out every year, despite your income status. Your financial situation may change year after year, so you can expect your financial aid package to look different each year.

3. Apply for scholarships.
   There are plenty out there-through different schools, companies, and communities. Don’t wait until the last minute for this, either! You can start as early as you want and continue to apply throughout college.

4. Sell text books
   You can rent text books to save a few dollars, sell them back to incoming students, or sell them back through Amazon. Find frugal ways to purchase your text books and school supplies. You don’t need any other “hidden fees” that aren’t included in your tuition/Cost of Attendance. Don’t forget to factor books and supplies into your college budget.

5. Get a job
   Don’t hold off on getting a job in your first semester of college. A lot of students wait until later to get used to the time commitments of college-level courses. However, this is counterintuitive. Students should learn what it is like to manage their time with a job on their plate. This actually makes students more productive when they have to learn to section out their time. This also allows them to have more connections and experience, which makes them more marketable for future jobs.

6. Financial Aid Appeal
   Did you know you can appeal your financial aid award? Your original financial aid offer may not be the best offer you can get. You can show a college the FAFSA is not accurately reviewing their financial situation.

The most important thing to know about saving for college is to PLAN! Plan ahead to save and to search for scholarships and budget out. This will save plenty of time and stress later! If this all sounds overwhelming and you don’t know where to start, feel free to reach out to me for questions on great companies that can offer expert assistance for each of these tips.

Things to Do Before Your Senior Year

1. Apply for scholarships!
   You can actually start applying before Senior year.
   

2. Create a budget.
   Start to understand what college will cost. Create a budget for your life to stick to the next year. This will help you understand finances more and prepare to have a budget in college and beyond.
   

3. Have a part-time job or shadow someone in the field you are interested in.
   This is great to help you understand if this is what you want to major in, but this will also be a great thing to put on your resume. Experience and curiosity in the field will look great on college applications.
   

4. Take or re-take the SAT or ACT.
   Take the SAT and ACT as many times as you need by the end of the summer before your Senior year. You will want a great score by the time you start applying for colleges. You won’t want to take this Senior year when you are focusing on applying for colleges.
   

5. Visit schools.
   Have your school visits done by the Fall and be ready to apply to your top schools-have a list of reach and target schools to apply to. If you need to visit your top schools one more time in the Fall, do so, but have your visits booked before Senior year begins.
   

6. Research application deadlines.
   Don’t wait to the Fall to know when things are due. Know what schools have priority deadlines and when you need to turn in your application.
   

7. Understand your class rank and GPA.
   Ask your college counselor for your class rank and be aware of your GPA to write a strong cover letter or resume to send to schools. Stay strong and keep your academics up even throughout Senior year.
   

8. Stay organized.
   It is easy to get your college admissions counselor emails lost, it is easy to forget when deadlines come up in-between college deadlines, FAFSA availability, college nights, scholarship deadlines, and Senior activities. Start using your calendar diligently and block out dates to apply for schools and scholarships. The more you plan, the less you will be stressed when things come up.

Questions to Ask an Admissions Counselor

Now that college visit season is upon us, it is time to think of questions to ask at your visit. I highly suggest getting an opportunity to meet with an admissions counselor while you are at the school. You also should have an opportunity to ask a current student questions on a campus tour or by walking around campus. Here are some questions that you will want to know: 

How can I make my application stand out?

Admissions counselors are getting thousands of applications every year-you are going to want to make your application shine among the rest whether that is showcasing your skills in a creative way or going above and beyond in your recommendations and essays. Every school may be looking for something a little specific and unique to their school. 

When is your admission deadline? Do you have early admission?

Priority deadline, early admission, rolling admissions, decision day. There are so many terms! You don’t want to miss any early deadlines in order to be considered early at your top schools. You also may be eligible for more scholarship the earlier you apply.

What type of a student thrives at your school?

You want to know what is the ideal student, and hear first if this is a place you can see yourself! You want to find the right fit for you. College is not one size fits all, that is why there are so many choices.

What is the average class size? What can your largest classroom hold?

The average class size may not be a reflection of the lecture hall you may find yourself in first day of freshman year. You will want to see the largest classroom on campus. This could be anywhere from 50 students at a small private school to hundreds of students at larger state schools. Make sure you are understanding what a typical day in the classroom will look and feel like.

Do professors or teaching assistants teach the courses?

You want the professors-the experts to teach the courses. You are paying for your education. Make sure you have access to ask your professors questions and make connections. 

What is your school’s retention rate? 

Retention rate is the % of first year college students who continue on to their second year at the institution. It’s a measure of student satisfaction. **The national average retention rate is 77%**

What is the average financial aid received?

This will give you an idea of what is “normal”.

Do you have any additional scholarships I can apply for?
Make sure there is nothing you are missing! College offer their own specific scholarships that sometimes require separate applications.

Do you help students with finding internships? Is this required for graduation?

You want to get the most out of your education. See what career services are available and how the faculty and staff are going to help you with your goal of getting a job upon graduation.

What is your job placement rate?

The whole point of going to college is being prepared for a job, after all. 

What does your academic advising look like?

Are there tutoring services? Are the advisors active in helping students or do you just meet with them before graduation? 

How many students live on campus?

How many people actually live on campus and how many are commuting? This says a lot about campus life. 

What does a typical student do on and off campus to spend their time?

Can you see yourself here enjoying the activities on and around campus with other students? You may even end up living after your four years at this school in the same area-is this an area you can find a job and enjoy after college?

Is there an additional application process for my major?

Make sure you get all the details! You may have a separate application process for Engineering, Nursing, Music majors, etc. Don’t miss your deadlines!

What jobs are available to students?

Are there job opportunities on campus? Are there jobs or stipends available for students who do not qualify for work study? Where do students typically work? Can you get started looking for jobs on/off campus before heading to school in the Fall?

What Juniors Should be Doing Now to Prepare for College

Junior year is arguably the most important year when it comes to preparing for college. Of course, as we always say, high school is a three year audition for college, so Freshman and Sophomore year still matter! Once you get to Junior year, your list of to-dos keeps growing. Here are the top things your high school Junior should be doing:

1. Visit schools!
   
   You should be visiting colleges by the Spring of your Junior year. Students should be taking their spring breaks and even asking for excused absences to visit colleges. I highly suggest visiting while students are still on campus, be sure to make a visit when you can see the authenticity of campus life. This is something you will want to plan ahead in case tours fill up, so start planning those trips now! Your high school should be able to allow you to miss a day for a college visit. Ask the admissions office for a letter so you can get an excused absence. Be sure to plan ahead so you don’t miss any important tests or school work in your classes; you don’t want your GPA to suffer!
   

2. Write a resume
   
   Write a resume based on the different activities, awards, and jobs you have had. You may have volunteered throughout high school, you may have babysat, you may have made the Dean’s list a few times. Highlight your strengths and every experience you have had throughout high school to showcase you are a dynamic and involved student.
   

3. Complete the SAT or ACT
   
   Take the SAT or ACT by Spring of Junior year. You can take it multiple times if you would like to get the best score. You should schedule a test early on in Junior year so you can see what sections of the exam you need to study for and take it a second time for a chance to increase your scores.
   

4. Have a sample essay
   
   Look up different essay prompts based on the schools you are looking at or based on different scholarships that might be available. Write a sample essay and have your English teacher review it. You may have a class your Senior year where you do college writing; however, I would get ahead of the game and write the essay your Junior year. This gives you more time to edit and it allows you to apply to schools that open their applications as early as the summer before Senior year. You can also start applying for scholarships with this essay if it is applicable to the scholarship prompt.
   

5. Researching scholarships
   
   Speaking of scholarships, start looking up sights for outside scholarships. Ask your church, community, parent’s business, and high school Guidance Counselor if there are any scholarships that you can apply for. Keep your eye out, you may be able to apply for these before your Senior year. If not, check often so you can be prepared to apply when Senior year hits. Being prepared will allow you to not feel overwhelmed the first semester of your Senior year.
   

6. Researching admission deadlines
   
   Know the deadlines for each school you are applying for. Some schools have early admission deadlines, so research these so you don’t miss your chance to apply early. This could result in additional scholarships or early acceptance. If you do all of this your Junior year, you can make a plan for your Senior year and never miss a deadline!

Five Things to do When Visiting a College

College visit season is here for Juniors! Spring is the most popular time for colleges to host high school Juniors.

Visiting a college is vital to choosing a college-and it can be overwhelming when you show up and don’t know what to ask. Don’t miss these five things: 

1. See what students are up to
   
   Look at the posters of different clubs and organizations that are offered. Are there things you would want to participate in? Ask a current student what they love about the school. They will be honest! Make sure to plan your visit for the school year so you can see where students study, where they hang out, and how they spend their time. The atmosphere on a random Tuesday is an authentic view of what the school is like rather than an admissions-led tour on a summer when all the students are gone. How will you know if students actually use the volleyball courts?
   

2. Visit a class lecture
   
   Shadow a current student or sit in on a class lecture if you can. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a class that is within your major, but get a feel for the college level lectures and workload. You will likely take some general education courses in college, so sitting in on a general course can be helpful to get a glimpse into the types of professors, size of the class, and teaching styles that are offered. Ask for a professor’s email in the field you are interested in and try and meet them when you are on campus.
   

3. See the dorms
   
   This is where life happens on campus, you will be spending the majority of your time hanging out in your dorm creating community. What are the living situations like? This is where almost a third of your cost is going to. Again, check out the different activities that residence life is putting on and what dorms offer traditions you want to be a part of.
   

4. Speak to admissions
   
   Express interest by talking with your admissions counselor. These are the experts that are going to be reviewing your application, ask for tips on the type of student that thrives at their college. Helpful tip: you can also ask for a free application waiver code for visiting and you may even be able to interview in place of your essays!
   

5. Eat the food!
   
   Don’t leave campus without checking out the cafeteria and trying the food that you will be eating for the next four years. How could you pass up an all you can eat buffet?

After your visit, make a pros and cons list-it can be easy to forget what you saw and how you felt on campus when you are doing multiple school visits in one trip. Don’t just consider the facts, but remember how you felt when you were on campus. You will call this place home for the next four years, you want to remember if it felt like a comfortable place to be. Were there places you could see yourself studying at? Could you see yourself living in the dorms and participating in the activities students are involved in? Most people say they chose a college, not just for their major, but because they felt a sense of peace when walking around campus. Many colleges may offer the major you are looking into, but not all will be the right college for you. The only way to find out is by visiting.

When should I visit? Plan to book your college visits by the Spring of your Junior year. Make sure you visit both a state school and a smaller private school-or an in-state and out of state school so you can compare and get a wider view of what is out there. Parents-be open to different types schools for your kids! Don’t pressure them to going to your alma mater, trust that they will end up there if it is right for them!

Why College is Worth the Investment

There is no doubt that Covid has changed not only our personal world, but also the world of higher education. There has been a decline since 2019 of students attending college. This could be because of the lack of in-person learning opportunities or due to student and parent’s economic struggle. According to NPR, there are more than 1 million fewer students in college since the beginning of the pandemic (Nadworny, 2022). Tuition and fees have gone up 180% just in the last twenty years. The average student loan debt across America is about $33,000. 

This begs the question, is college even a worthwhile investment? I strongly believe the answer is, yes. 

These stats might scare you, but consider these: 

• Nearly 70% of all jobs will require at least a Bachelor’s degree, according to Georgetown University’s study on job openings (2020).

• College graduates earn almost twice the amount of those without continuing education after high school.

• More likely to get health insurance.

Unemployment rates are twice the amount for high school graduates compared to college graduates (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).


Though college tuition is increasing, the benefits still outweigh the cons. The rate of return is still very high. Preston Cooper says, “For students who graduate on time, the median bachelor’s degree has a net ROI of $306,000. But some degrees are worth millions of dollars, while others have no net financial value at all” (Cooper, 2021).

So as you consider whether college is worth the investment, remember that college degrees are still highly valued. You can’t put a price on the connections that you can make with your peers and professors to land the right job. The community that comes along with college will always be worthwhile. So if you are college bound and ready to make the investment, consider getting some help to lower your student loan debt. 

References:

Carnevale, A., Smith, N., & Strohl, J. (2022, February 15). Georgetown University Center on Education and the workforce. CEW Georgetown. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://cew.georgetown.edu/

Cooper, P. (2021, October 20). Is college worth it? A comprehensive return on investment analysis. Medium. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://freopp.org/is-college-worth-it-a-comprehensive-return-on-investment-analysis-1b2ad17f84c8 

Labor Statistics, B. of. (2021, April 7). Unemployment rate 3.7 percent for college grads, 6.7 percent for high school grads in March 2021. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/unemployment-rate-3-7-percent-for-college-grads-6-7-percent-for-high-school-grads-in-march-2021.htm

Nadworny, E. (2022, January 13). More than 1 million fewer students are in college. here's how that impacts the economy. NPR. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2022/01/13/1072529477/more-than-1-million-fewer-students-are-in-college-the-lowest-enrollment-numbers-