Tuition Aid- The Do’s and Don’ts

College is an expensive endeavor, and finding the funds for it can be stressful. Even if you get into the school of your dreams, whether you can go or not will often depend on how much tuition aid you get and whether it’s enough to make it feasible for you to attend.

Once you get that fat envelope in the mail, you will either cheer or groan. What happens if you didn’t get enough financial aid to help you cover the cost of attendance? Even after you’ve gotten that financial aid award letter, there is still something you can do if the only thing standing between you and your top choice is a tuition aid award: you can negotiate your financial aid package.

Many colleges and universities will be willing to work with you to help you attain your academic goals. Asking for a review of your financial aid package is okay; however, there is a certain way that you should do it, and there are things you need to avoid.

When asking for more money:

DO…

• Wait until you’ve received all aid offers from the schools you've been accepted to. You want to be able to compare awards and have an idea of what each school is offering you.

• Be nice, courteous and professional. This should go without saying; the nicer you are, the more willing people will be to help you.

• Explain why more financial aid is necessary. Be ready to show schools that there is an actual reason why you’re making your request.

• Have evidence to back up your request. (i.e. a better tuition aid package from a similarly-ranked school, proof of recent financial hardship, etc.).

• Explain how much you can realistically afford. Let them know that you’re willing to shoulder some of the financial burden.

• Consider work-study programs. This can help eliminate some of the cost of attendance and will give you good work experience as well.

• Have realistic expectations. Don’t think that a $5,000 scholarship will turn into a $15,000 scholarship. There is only so much a school can do.

• Have a backup plan in case your request doesn’t pan out. It may not always turn out the way you want; be prepared to consider other schools that provide you with more attractive tuition aid offers.

DON’T…

• Make demands. Remember, the school is actually helping you out; keep it friendly and realize that you’re both on the same side.

• Make threats. “If you don’t do this, I’ll go to another school!” This is not the way to get people to help you.

• Harass the school once they have given you their final decision on your request. Even if it’s well-meaning, continuing to ask the school for further consideration is more likely to frustrate them than help your case.

• Wait until the last minute to start the review process. Give the school plenty of time to see what they can do.

• Expect or demand merit aid if your stats are average or below average for the school. Merit aid is reserved for those with exceptional credentials; be realistic about yours and be willing to accept that the school makes merit determinations on its own.

• Expect that you will avoid loans or work-study. When you ask for more aid, it is very likely that these will be a part of your package. If you are unwilling to accept this, it will make it very hard for the school to help you.

Comparing offers from different schools

Not all tuition aid is created equal. The best types of aid are the ones that do not need to be repaid (like scholarships, most merit aid and grants). Work-study programs allow you to work off some of your tuition by taking employment on campus. Many of these jobs can be fun and they also help you build up your resumé. Out of all types of financial aid, the least “beneficial” are loans, because they accrue interest and need to be repaid; however, institutional and federal loans are often the best because they have the lowest interest rates and are often more lenient with repayment options. Private loans typically have higher interest rates and stricter repayment requirements.

When comparing offers, keep these things in mind: The package that offers you the most via scholarships, grants, merit aid and work-study will be the most beneficial for you. Institutional and federal loans trump private loans.

Choosing between packages

When it comes to choosing schools based on tuition aid packages, take some time to discuss each one in detail with your family and, if you need to, with a financial advisor. When making final determinations, you need to choose the one that combines both your academic expectations and your financial requirements.

Getting your financial aid settled can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be! Just in keep in mind that you can always request a review of your financial aid package; you’ll give yourself some needed peace of mind.

Anne Chaconas is the Director of Admissions Counseling for PowerScore Test Preparation (www.powerscore.com). Every year, she answers countless questions about college admissions and helps many students get into their top choice schools.

How to Apply for Scholarships

Colleges today come with a steep price tag, but you can whittle down that cost. Scholarships for college students — gift money that you don’t need to pay back — are no longer reserved for the star quarterback or the class valedictorian. Scholarships for college students are available based on many factors: talents, hobbies, academic concentration or community involvement. Some awards are even based on criteria you have little say in, such as your ethnic background or height. Still others award unique talents, like the ability to fashion clothing out of unusual materials.

If you have a tuition bill awaiting payment, invest some energy into learning how to apply for scholarships.  Here are some ways to get scholarships for college students:

Start right here!

Begin your search online by using NextStepU’s own scholarship search, which provides information on 3 million scholarships worth over $12 billion. You can also check out the Scholarships Galore section found in this issue ofNextStepU Magazine.

Gather your materials

Scholarships for college students all have some paperwork that you will have to fill out: an application and sometimes an essay or supplemental information is needed. But the good news is that once you’ve gathered and organized the basics, most of your work is done.

“Have your resumé, one or two essays, a letter or two of recommendation and a copy of your transcripts,” says Dr. Karyn Koven, director of college counseling at High Tech Los Angeles Charter School.  “Also, often a copy of your parents’ tax returns and FAFSA student SAR report [are necessary].”

Getting everything in place will free up time for you to address other requirements, such as videos, portfolios, photographs and more.

Look to your destination

You may not think of it, but most colleges and universities have scholarship money available to incoming freshmen. Due to the timing involved, that may mean that even before you’ve made your final decision, you need to apply for scholarships at your potential schools.  Waiting until the last minute is NOT how to apply for scholarships successfully!

“Scholarships in music, theater, business or art are often buried in the department’s website instead of being listed in the admissions or financial aid sections,” says Amy Feins, college counselor and independent educational consultant at Seacrest Country Day School in Naples, Florida. If you don’t find anything listed, check in directly with the department you plan to specialize in.

It’s natural that you might not want fill out paperwork for scholarships at schools you might not even attend, but make the time, urges Feins. “A few hours in the fall can translate to thousands of dollars in the spring when scholarship awards are handed out.” And if you end up having a tough time deciding between a few schools, the answer may be clearer if one school comes through with cash.

Look local

Your own hometown loves to see its students succeed, so check with places that know you: where you’ve worked, sports clubs, restaurants and religious affiliations. Spread the word in your community about your college plans. Get on the computer and do a search for scholarships in your town and ask your guidance counselor for local sources as well. Local scholarships may be smaller than national ones, but every little bit helps; a few hundred dollars can offset the cost of books, clothing or travel. Be sure to also check the terms; local gifts are often one-time only, meaning the money is not renewable.

Throw out your net

National scholarships tend to be greater in amount and open to a wider audience. Find out what’s out there by running an online search for ‘college scholarships’; you’ll likely yield dozens of possibilities. But as with any online exploration, proceed with caution. “If you are on a site that asks for money, it’s not legit,” says Mary A. Gamache, college counselor at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia.

Once you’ve registered, most of these sites make it easy for you to come back and check for updates or to sign-up for alerts about scholarships for which you may be a good fit. It’s a good idea to include your parent’s email on any notifications so you are both working toward the same dates.

Check your details

“There are a lot of hoops to jump through and missing even one will prevent you from getting the aid you need,” says Feins. “The early bird definitely gets the worm. We have students every year who miss out…because they forgot a form or filed late.”

With so much money at stake, organization is key so put all the information on a calendar and to-do list. Be sure to work in extra time to prepare essays or supplemental information, or to allow teachers or counselors to write letters of recommendation.

Scholarship money is out there, so don’t miss out on your chance to trim down the cost of college. Start early, cover all your bases and watch the checks come in!

Debbie Swanson is a freelance writer who has published more than 100 articles in national and regional magazines.

How To Pay For College

Wondering how to pay for college? Ten Tips:

1. Apply for work study

Work study programs are one way to earn money that you can apply to pay tuition costs  and other funds for college.

According to ed.gov, “The [federal work study] program provides funds that are earned through part-time employment to assist students in financing the costs of postsecondary education.”

If you’re eligible for work study, you can apply for certain jobs, which are typically on campus. Work study is considered financial aid, though you must work the hours at your job to earn the money. You’ll receive a paycheck that can be applied to your college expenses.

Seth Johnson, 23, worked in the American University (american.edu) admissions office two or three days a week for about four hours at a time. “I usually prepared for college fairs, overnights or campus visits,” he said. “I was also on call to give tours to visitors should the crowds grow large. Some days were busier than others, but there was never a shortage of work to do.”

Johnson liked the work-study program because his job was on campus and easily accessible. “I got the feeling I was helping AU at the same time,” he says.

2. Search for scholarships online

There are plenty Web sites that can help you find how to pay for college and tuition costs. One is scholarships.com, which lists 2.7 million scholarships and grants worth more than $19 billion.

Adele Means, 17, plans to attend Elon University (elon.edu) in North Carolina in the fall of 2009. “I looked at scholarships.com at the end of the school year and plan to apply to some this year,” she says.

3. Fill out the FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a must if you need financial aid for school. Visit fafsa.ed.gov for information on how to apply for federal aid.

The site is extremely useful and offers step-by-step instructions on how to apply. The site advises you to apply early—as soon after January 1 as possible each year you’ll be in college.

4. Get a part-time job

Many of my friends in college worked part time to help pay for their tuition/college costs. A former roommate of mine took classes in the morning and nannied in the afternoons. My junior year roommate worked at Barnes & Noble, and one of the editors at my college paper worked as a waitress on weekends at Ruby Tuesday’s.

There are many options out there for part-time work. The classifieds section of your local paper is a great place to start. Looking to baby-sit? Check out sittercity.com. They feature pet sitting opportunities and tutoring positions, too.

5. Get an internship

Attending school in Washington, D.C., allowed my peers to gain plenty of internships. The lucky few were able to get paying internships. If you research paying internships in your field, you can put a dent in your college expenses.

Dezeree Hodish, 23, recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh (pitt.edu).

“My school encouraged students to get an internship for credit, but not for cash, but this was not an option for me,” she says. “I needed a job that would pay me a decent amount of money and that offered a flexible schedule because I needed to complete schoolwork and pay my bills. I applied for a state internship in June and in December, I received a call back for an interview.”

Hodish, who has worked for the state for the past three and a half years, has loved every minute of it. “I got great pay for a college job and my hours were completely set around my school schedule,” she says.

6. Look for company awards

Companies looking to reward young talent or academic prowess offer scholarships, too. Ask at your workplace, and ask your parents to ask at theirs.

7. Think about military service

Have you ever walked through a college campus early in the morning and seen men and women working out in camouflage? It’s likely members of ROTC, or Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. ROTC offers many scholarships, and you gain military training as well. Also, when you graduate, you are commissioned as an officer in the armed forces. For more information on how to pay for college through ROTC, visit goarmy.com/rotc, afrotc.com or nrotc.navy.com.

8. Consider loans

There are many different types of loans. The most popular are the Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students, or PLUS.

Loans typically need to be repaid over 10 years.

Keith Pentland, 17, plans to attend either Robert Morris University (rmu.edu) or Penn State University (psu.edu) in the fall of 2009. “I plan to apply for loans because there is no other way I know how to pay for college myself,” he says.

9. Ask your family

Do your family members tend to give cash as gifts? Set up a 529 plan or other savings account that grandma can contribute to instead of slipping you cash.

You’ll be able to use that money for your education expenses without blowing it all on prom.

10. Win free tuition

Next Step Magazine (nextSTEPmag.com) offers a chance to win a year of free college tuition, up to $20,000. Also on the site are tools for planning and how to pay for college. Search for scholarships, read all about the financial aid process at nextSTEPmag.com/FinancialAid, and commiserate with other teens in the community.

Kate Oczypok, 23, is a journalist in the Washington, D.C., area. A 2007 graduate of American University (american.edu), Kate likes reading, watching movies and hanging out with her friends in her spare time.

6. Look for company awards

Companies looking to reward young talent or academic prowess offer scholarships, too. Ask at your workplace, and ask your parents to ask at theirs.

7. Think about military service

Have you ever walked through a college campus early in the morning and seen men and women working out in camouflage? It’s likely members of ROTC, or Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. ROTC offers many scholarships, and you gain military training as well. Also, when you graduate, you are commissioned as an officer in the armed forces. For more information on ROTC, visit goarmy.com/rotc, afrotc.com or nrotc.navy.com.

8. Consider loans

There are many different types of loans. The most popular are the Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan and the Federal Parent Loan for Undergrad Students, or PLUS.

Loans typically need to be repaid over 10 years.

Keith Pentland, 17, plans to attend either Robert Morris University (rmu.edu) or Penn State University (psu.edu) in the fall of 2009. “I plan to apply for loans because there is no way I am paying for college myself,” he says.

9. Ask your family

Do your family members tend to give cash as gifts? Set up a 529 plan or other savings account that grandma can contribute to instead of slipping you cash.

You’ll be able to use that money for your education expenses without blowing it all on prom.

10. Win free tuition

Next Step Magazine (nextSTEPmag.com) offers a chance to win a year of free college tuition, up to $20,000. Also on the site are tools for planning and paying for college. Search for scholarships, read all about the financial aid process at nextSTEPmag.com/FinancialAid, and commiserate with other teens in the community.

Kate Oczypok, 23, is a journalist in the Washington, D.C., area. A 2007 graduate of American University (american.edu), Kate likes reading, watching movies and hanging out with her friends in her spare time.

College tuition costs keep rising, and if you’re headed to college, it’s inevitable that you’ll feel the impact.

In fact, your tuition is likely going to increase every year you’re in college. The average cost of a public college was $6,185 a year during the 2007-2008 school year, according to the College Board. That’s an increase of 6.6 percent from the previous year. Think that’s expensive? Private colleges’ average tuition increased 6.3 percent, averaging $23,712 per year. Multiply that by four years, and you might pay nearly $100,000 for four years of education.

And don’t forget about paying for books, lab fees, rent, food and emergency trips to the mall.

But don’t freak out just yet. You might get sticker shock from seeing the tuitions of colleges you’re considering, but there are scholarships, government money and loans to help you afford your dream school, whether it be an Ivy or your nearest state university.

Public vs. private
Yes, the published tuition is more expensive at a private college. Private colleges don’t receive state funding like public colleges, but they often offer higher scholarship amounts.

“For a student with decent test scores or financial need, in addition to federal aid that can be obtained at any school, almost all private schools offer grants and scholarships to lower the price,” says Dr. Jonathan C. Roberts, director of financial aid at Harding University (harding.edu), a private university in Searcy, Ark.

Private colleges also offer scholarships for talents beyond your SAT score. “Many private colleges offer aid for students involved in art, music, dance and theater performance,” says Evelyn Nelson, executive director of student administrative services at Lynn University, a private university in Boca Raton, Fla. (lynn.edu).

Like private colleges, public colleges also provide scholarships to deserving students. And if you attend a state college where you’re a resident, you’ll see lower tuition costs. “With state financial aid, there is often a benefit of staying in your home state,” says Ann Hendrick, director of college planning for the Education Services Foundation.

For example, the State University of New York system offers qualified residents $500 to full tuition with the New York Tuition Assistance Program, which is included on the FAFSA application.

Keep in mind there is more than $130 billion in aid and scholarships available to students. Chances are you can find a way to pay for your education, no matter how expensive it may seem the first time you see the overwhelming prices in the glossy brochure.

Cost of living
Whether you decide to live in a dorm or stay off campus, you’ll have to factor in everyday costs to your college budget.

You might want to save off-campus living until your upperclassman years. You have enough to worry about adjusting to your new college life without stressing about rent and disappearing granola bars (also known as “spontaneous roommate food kleptomania”).

But what’s included in a college’s room and board? With the average cost at $7,404 a year, you get a place to live and a meal plan. That may not sound like a lot, but when you break down the numbers, you’re actually getting a deal. (Even cheaper: living at home with your parents!)

If you split rent, utilities, cable and Internet in a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate, you can plan on paying about $500 a month or more. Add to that the cost of groceries (or take-out), and you’ll end up spending more than if you were to live in the dorms.

“Many students move off campus because they think it will be less expensive, but instead find themselves eating out more often, and the expense is greater,” Hendrick says.

And you might even need to find a part-time job to help pay for your off-campus living expenses.

A part-time job might also help you with the high cost of textbooks and supplies. Consider this: According to the College Board, the national average for books and supplies at four-year private colleges during the 2006-2007 school year was $935.

Paying for your dream school
Affording your dream college is not out of your (or your parents’) reach. With financial aid, scholarships and loans, the money is out there. “Never rule out the possibility of attending the school of your dreams based on the sticker price,” Roberts says. “The sticker price almost always decreases after applying for financial aid.”

As you high school juniors prepare to apply for financial aid and go off to college after next year, decide which story you want written about how you handled your finances as a young adult.

Many young people graduate from college not only with historically high student loan debt despite financial aid, but also with thousands of dollars of credit card debt at very high rates of interest.

Too often, graduates don’t land that big job they counted on. So the burden of their debt, which they now have to repay in addition to their ongoing living expenses, leaves them struggling in ways that come as a real shock after living a pretty nice lifestyle through credit cards in college.

I wouldn’t want that to be my story.

Then there are the students who have to file for bankruptcy. And the students who handled their credit card debt so poorly and destroyed their credit by paying late, missing payments or exceeding their credit limits, that they lost out on jobs, apartments, car loans and student loans.

Who would want to be the subject of those stories? There are other stories, though, too. Much nicer ones. Stories of college students who stick to realistic budgets in college. Who know the difference between needs and wants, live within their means and work hard to minimize their debt. Students who work the highest-paying jobs they can find through college, use cash instead of plastic and always look for ways to save money.

Those stories would be my choice. Here’s how to make it yours, too.

• Ignore credit offers. When you get to college, you will be aggressively solicited by salespeople, e-mail and fliers to sign up for credit cards. You’ll be offered attractive free gifts, sometimes even iPods. You’ll be amazed at the credit limits you’ll be offered. But don’t get a credit card until at least senior year of college.

They want you to have those cards not because they think you will be financially responsible but because they hope you’ll use them irresponsibly and end up paying them a lot of interest and hidden fees.

• Set up a budget. If you don’t have a budget, you won’t know if you’re spending your money on needs or wants. Keep track of your charges, and you will be amazed at how quickly small amounts can add up. If once a week you have a Starbucks iced latte ($4), a pizza delivered to your dorm or apartment that you split with two friends ($4) and half-priced appetizers at Applebee’s with some friends ($12), that’s $20 a week or $1,040 a year. Over your four years in college, that’s $4,160 that you could owe on your credit card when you graduate.

A good way to avoid this debt is to follow a simple rule: If you can eat or drink it, pay cash for it. If somebody asked you how you built up so much credit card debt, you wouldn’t even remember those trips to Starbucks and Applebee’s, because they seem like such ordinary things to do. Add a few concerts and spring breaks to that, and you’re in trouble.

• Visit the CARE Program Web site, careprogram.us, to download the handouts on creating a realistic college budget and financial tips for students.

• Plan for emergencies. Save at least $500 in an emergency savings account for when you go off to college.

• Don’t give in to peer pressure. You will meet other people in college who have more money than you or who are willing to go into debt to have more stuff. Don’t let their choices affect your decisions.

Hon. John C. Ninfo is a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge. Visit his site at careprogram.us.

All high school seniors face the same issues: which college will they attend? Will they get financial aid? How will they know what school is right for them?

Now that I’m a senior in college, I am able to reflect on my high school senior year. I can remember being overwhelmed with all the preparations. One of the main issues I faced was the cost of higher education.

At the end of my junior year, I knew I had to start researching scholarships and financial aid if I wanted to obtain a degree from a highly accredited college. I knew I did not want to stay home to attend school, so I had to find a way to make college affordable for my family. I already had two older siblings in college and a younger sister in private school.

The summer of my junior year, I must have filled out about a hundred scholarship applications. Thanks to the Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship Foundation (gmsp.org), I was able to attend and dorm at a four-year college without having to take out student loans.

Once my financial situation was set, I started to look more closely into what colleges were right for me. One of the things we minority students look at when considering colleges is the student population: “How many people look like me?”

I wanted a school that was going to prepare me for corporate America, a school that was going to have a diverse student population, where I could learn new things about other cultures.

The college of my choice was not only going to be culturally enriching, but also prepare me to work in my field of study. I had a passion for children, education and criminal justice. I had to find a college that suited all of my needs.

I chose a college with majors that reflected both of my interests, which was a good idea. I now want to be a teacher, principal—and eventually superintendent of the New York City Board of Education.

Choosing a college, applying for financial aid and finding a major is not easy. But with a little bit of hard work and dedication, it is possible. Every student has the opportunity to attend college. It is our job to turn the opportunities into reality.

Nicole Amber Colon is a senior at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, N.Y., majoring in childhood education and special education with a minor in sociology. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in literacy.

You have a million questions about financial aid, some more difficult to answer than others. What forms do I have to fill out? How do I know how much money I will get? Who can help me understand all of my confusion?

First of all, don’t get overwhelmed. Use your prospective college’s financial aid office to your benefit. They know all the answers to your questions (even the complicated ones).
 
Who is available to help me?
“If you need assistance or information about student aid, contact a financial aid administrator in the financial aid office of the school you’re considering,” says Lee Harrell, assistance vice president for admission and financial aid at Ohio Wesleyan University (owu.edu). “Every school that provides financial aid has administrators who are available to help you complete forms, determine your financial aid eligibility and answer your questions. They are there to help you, and their assistance is free.”

Say it again: free
Having a financial aid administrator help you will not only take the stress off your shoulders, but is an amazing complimentary service that will help you (and your parents) get the most out of your money.

What can I ask?
Remember when your fifth grade teacher told you there’s no such thing as a stupid question? The same goes for asking questions about financial aid. (Except this time, you don’t have to raise your hand.)

“Some of the more common questions that students ask relate to costs, application procedures and eligibility determination,” Harrell says. More common questions he’s asked include: What does it cost to attend college? What types of financial aid are available? How do I apply for financial aid? Do I qualify for financial aid? The answers are different for each person.

Though many FAQs are answered on the financial aid section of your prospective college’s Web site, ask a financial aid administrator the questions specific to your situation.

When should I visit the financial aid office?
Simply put, whenever you need to and as early as possible!

“Students and families should feel free to contact the financial aid office with any questions or concerns,” says Julie Pier, financial aid director at The University of South Dakota.

Harrell agrees. “Remember that the financial aid office is the best resource to provide students with important information about financial aid programs and how they work.”

They’re also your best resource if you have a unique financial aid situation.

“If a student feels they have some special and unusual circumstances in their family that have not been reflected when determining aid eligibility, they may want to set up an appointment with their financial aid officer to discuss those circumstances,” says Pier.

What should I do before a visit?
Be prepared for your financial aid appointment.

“Two of the most important things students can do to ensure that their financial aid process goes as smoothly as possible are to complete financial aid applications and forms accurately and to submit them on time,” says Harrell.

It’s especially important to be prompt when sending in your applications, because colleges get flooded with them. “Don’t wait until the last minute to get started on your financial aid!” says Pier. “Financial aid offices tend to be very busy at the beginning of each term, and if students wait to apply for aid or resolve problems, they may find their aid delayed or even gone.”

Can I renegotiate my award?
“The old saying that it doesn’t hurt to ask may apply when students are comparing award letters from different schools,” says Harrell. “If students are disappointed with the awards offered from a particular school, the best approach may be to contact the financial aid office and request a review of their financial aid package.”

Though it doesn’t hurt to ask, you may be disappointed. “Many schools do not renegotiate financial packages simply because they’ve already made every effort to offer the best possible funding,” he says.

The financial aid office is your best resource to find out all you need to know about the financial aid process. Instead of just brushing off a question, visit a financial aid office to find the most accurate answer. They’re there to help you and your money!

Parents! What role do you play in the financial aid process?
Parents play a huge part in their son or daughter’s college planning and financial aid process.

“Although applying for financial aid is ultimately the responsibility of the student, parents play a very important role in their child’s financial aid process,” says Harrell. “For starters, they help complete financial aid applications such as the FAFSA.”

Parents can also guide their children in the right direction for their financial future.

“Parental input is valuable in helping students understand debt and future repayment of student loans. They can offer advice and guidance on how to use student aid money wisely,” Pier says.

A great example to start with (and one that will also help your student) is to fill out your taxes early. “FAFSA financial information is derived from the previous year’s income tax return, and students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible,” says Pier.

Tony Amelse, assistant director of admissions at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSB/SJU) in Minnesota, sees it time and time again: The students who want so badly to get athletic scholarships that they overlook the main reasons they are attending college: to be educated and become adults. Though almost every high school athlete dreams of playing big-time Division I athletics, earning a full scholarship and playing in front of thousands of fans, the reality of college athletics is that most students will not be playing in the limelight. Instead, you’re more likely to play for the love of the game and a chance to continue your athletic career another four years. That’s not always an easy reality to accept. “I have worked with students who could have received a financial aid package that would have made it equally affordable to attend a private Division III school, but they just see that athletic scholarship as such a prestigious accomplishment, they can’t turn it down,” says Amelse. Indeed, being a star athlete is the dream of just about anyone who has played competitive sports. The focus of many athletes is not always on getting good grades to get academic scholarships, but rather it is on getting an athletic scholarships to play football at Notre Dame, women’s basketball at Tennessee or baseball at Miami (Florida). Those are the frustrations Amelse sees at CSB/SJU, both NCAA Division III institutions, where no athletic scholarships are given, and where tuition, room and board costs more than $22,000 per year. However, 90 percent of the degree recipients from CSB/SJU earn their degree in four years or fewer. Athletically, the school competes in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, which is made up of private Minnesota schools known more for academic excellence than athletic success. However, The St. John’s football team is nationally acclaimed and started the 2002 season ranked number one in many national polls. But that combination of academics and athletics still isn’t always good enough. “While many students take the athletic scholarship, there are those who know they are not going to go pro and truly make decisions based on what’s best for them academically,” Amelse says. “Sometimes that still means the Division I or Division II school is a better fit because of the academic programs offered, or desire to be in a certain size school in a certain location. But people who have not followed Division III fail to realize that Division III athletics is still very competitive and played at a high level. Division III is not junior varsity.” Understanding the differences between Division I, Division II and Division III sports, and the types of athletic scholarships available are what student-athletes, parents and guidance counselors need to understand during the decision making process. Keep these points in mind: A scholarship doesn’t always include the coveted full-ride, even at Division I schools. A full-ride—tuition, books, room, board and other fees—is more prevalent in sports that generate revenue for a school, such as football and basketball. However, sports that do not bring in a lot of money –wrestling, tennis, soccer or swimming, for example, often divide athletic scholarships among team members. This even happens in Division I, although it is more common in Division II, where athletic budgets aren’t supplemented by the dollars that big-time Division I football and basketball programs bring in. An athletic scholarship will never happen if you, a prospective student-athlete, do not meet the school’s academic requirements. That’s why it is important to start the process early, and check with the NCAA (www.ncaa.org) about the procedures, policies and paperwork required. Also make the sure you’re up to date on the core class requirements needed for eligibility. Remember, while NCAA Division I and II schools do offer scholarships, Division III schools do not. The can, however, offer scholarships based on academic accomplishments. DIII schools do consider athletic achievements when deciding to offer grants, financial aid packages and academic scholarships. Many Division III athletes could play Division II and sometimes Division I athletics, but instead attend a Division III school because of its academic reputation or programs. In the book How To Win a Sports Scholarship, authors Penny Hastings and Todd Caven talk about how student-athletes can discover thousands of dollars in athletic scholarship money, get the attention of college coaches, and how the entire recruiting and scholarship process works. Caven, Hastings’s son, earned a scholarship to play soccer at Stanford by using a proactive method to contact coaches and recruiters. He made the first move, not the coaches, and the result was four wonderful years playing soccer in the competitive Pac-10 Conference. He also earned an economics degree in the process. “While Todd spent hours excitedly pouring through college catalogs and talking with coaches, other talented student-athletes in our area to whom we spoke sat back and waited to get noticed,” says Hastings. “As a result, most were never contacted by a single college coach! These young men and women who could have helped many college sports programs while getting a college education, but went completely unnoticed.” Hastings says it is important to research the school’s academic programs just as thoroughly as its athletic programs—for good reason. “I give seminars to high school students and their parents, and many are often surprised that, just because a school is classified as Division I, it might not be as strong academically as a Division II or Division III school,” Hastings says. “Division I is only an athletic level, not a measure of quality of academic programs.” Are you really good enough to play Division I sports, or will you be stuck on the bench or practice squad when they could be playing at another school at the Division II or III level? Hastings says it is important to remember that you don’t have to be a superstar athlete to get a scholarship. And, just because you are the best player in your region doesn’t mean college coaches know about you automatically. “A lot of kids will transfer or come back home after that first year because they didn’t plan the right way, and just looked at the level of competition, not how much they might play, what the academic programs are like, and where the school is located,” says Hastings. “Take the time to assess every aspect. Otherwise it’s going to be very frustrating for everyone involved.” HOW TO GET AN ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP Make a highlight film of your varsity experience. Contact the athletic departments of colleges of interest to you. Participate in national camps, festivals, tournaments and clinics. Inform your high school coaches of your interest in playing at the collegiate level. Meet with athletic recruitment services. Register on Internet sites recommended by your coach for collegiate athletics. Fill out and return the athletic questionnaires sent to you by colleges. Source: 100 Ways To Cut The High Cost of Attending College, by Michael Viollt, Cooper Square Press Reprinted with permission.

College Help

Overwhelmed by the FAFSA, loan applications and schools with costs topping what your family earns in a year? Think your family will never be able to pay for college?

Think again. There is college help, if you know how and where to look.  Here’s what to do before, while and after applying to college to ensure your family’s financial road to higher education is smooth.

Tips for Applying to College

Before applying to college

Tip: Have a family conversation about college costs

Regardless of what your plan is to help your teen pay for college, share it as soon as possible. Planning to pay for it all? Define “all,” and start developing your boundaries. (Must they earn a minimum GPA? Does “all” include room, board and spending money? Will you pay for more than four years of college?) If you plan to pay for part, little or nothing of college, have that discussion, too. Help your teen search for other solutions, such as student loans, scholarships or part-time jobs.

While applying to college

Tip: Don’t be afraid of private schools

However daunting their published tuition figures can be, remember that most private schools have larger endowments than public schools, which translates to more money to give away to worthwhile students. If your teen finds a private college that is a good fit, it might just match—or cost less than—a public school’s cost to attend.

Tip: Consider a community college

Have your teen consider spending a year or two at a community college to save money. Community colleges are affordable places to earn associate’s degrees and take courses required of any degree, allowing you to transfer into a four-year degree later. Planning to transfer for a bachelor’s? Be sure your teen meets with an adviser ASAP so his credits will transfer.

Tip: Look for little-known secrets

Did you know that Cornell University actually has New York state public colleges under the umbrella of the university? Students who attend Cornell’s College of Agriculture or College of Human Ecology receive an education partly funded by the state of New York, so they pay roughly half of Cornell’s usual tuition, even though they can major in the same subjects as they would at Cornell’s regular undergraduate college.

Ask the colleges you’re interested in if there are similar setups. (Hint: Also check out the New

York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y.)

Harvard and Yale just started programs that ax tuition for families with incomes of less than $40,000 (Harvard) or $45,000 (Yale) a year. If you meet this fiscal requirement, you might have a shot at a free Ivy League education.

And another “secret” to consider: programs through which you can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. That will save you a year’s tuition in grad school.

Tip: Have your teen apply to an honors college

Many schools offer honors colleges—programs for students at the top of the applicant pool—that usually offer tons of perks: research opportunities, higher-level courses, internships, the ability to get into popular classes, and more grants for school. Encourage your teen to call the admissions department to see if his potential university has an honors college, and if he’ll automatically be considered.

After applying to college

Tip: Fill out the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, online at fafsa.ed.gov) is used to determine your family’s eligibility for government student loans and grants. Many colleges also use it to determine eligibility for their own institutional financial-aid programs. It doesn’t take long to complete—about 20 minutes—but it could be your ticket to free money from the government or your college, low-interest loans or a work-study job.

Your family should fill out a FAFSA every year you have a teen in college, no matter how much aid you think you will (or won’t) receive. The bottom line is, you’ll have a hard time getting any tuition help if you don’t apply.

Tip: Know what you’re getting
A grant is free money that doesn’t have to be paid back, like a scholarship. Loans must be paid back in full with interest. The lender will spell out the terms of the loan agreement, including when your student will start paying it back, how often payments will be due and how much each payment will be. Student loans are common and effective ways to pay for college. Encourage your teen to borrow conservatively, and make sure your student is clear about how much and how often payments will be.

Tip: Follow all deadlines
Check the Web sites of your teen’s prospective colleges for school-specific financial aid forms you may need to fill out. Questions? Call the financial aid office and ask to speak to a representative. When your teen receives an award letter, make sure you adhere to the deadlines. To reserve a spot in the college’s freshman class, a tuition deposit will likely be required by May 1.

Tip: Apply for school scholarships
Most schools offer scholarships to current students, and many students don’t realize they’re available. Your child should find the college financial aid office online and research the scholarships available. The awards often reward leadership or community service or are major-specific. One of your teen’s talents or passions could end up paying off...literally.

Tip: Leave the car home
One of the biggest unexpected college costs can be when a student takes a car to college. Insurance, parking fees, gas and maintenance adds up fast. Don’t let your teen pour time and money into a vehicle in college; insist that the car stays home.

Tip: Encourage your teen to get a job
Colleges respect teens who successfully manage part-time jobs while maintaining their academic and extracurricular commitments. Encourage your student to perfect time management skills and help pay for items like textbook costs, phone bills and dinners out, by getting a part-time job in high school and college.

With a little help, college may be more affordable than you think.  Consider these tips for applying for college as a starting point
 

Pay for College

As you prepare for college, ask yourself this: who is going to pay for the dorm room, the classes, the books and the food? In this day and age, education does not come cheaply, and most families are unable to pay for college directly out of their pockets. Luckily, scholarships, grants and loans can help relieve the financial burden. Still, many students cringe at the prospect of applying for finaid, ( financial aid.)

It may seem overwhelming, especially when you are bombarded with information to sort and decisions to make regarding this new step in your life. Yet upon closer inspection, any high school student can easily tackle the finaid process. It’s simply a matter of getting answers to the right questions. Why should I participate in the finaid process? Why bother with all that financial aid paperwork when you can just leave it up to your parents, right?

You will quickly find out that this is not the case. "When a student is here on campus, they are the ones we contact," explains Anne Barton, associate director of financial aid with Hobart and William Smith College. "They need to be knowledgeable of the information and the paperwork." What you do now will determine how much money you will owe later.

"Because a good deal of the financial-aid package is borrowed with the student as the primary borrower, they are fully aware of the potential debt," says Elaine Yednak, vice president of marketing of PNC Bank.

Rick Ross, the New York state customer relationship manager for educational loans with M&T Bank, agrees: "In today's college finances, most will borrow a student loan. That's their debt, not their parents." Taking an active role in applying for financial aid may also make your time in the classroom seem more valuable.

"It helps to broaden students' understanding of finance and gives them an appreciation for the education," says Liz Henry, marketing director of Key Education Resources.

Finaid- When should I get started?

It's never too early to begin thinking about financial aid. But if you weren't filling out applications as soon as you could grasp a crayon, don't worry. There is still plenty of time.

Your junior year in high school is the best time to get into financial aid mode. You can do some research on schools to see what is available. Henry says that early awareness of your options is the key to making the most of what's offered.

What do I do?

Taking action is perhaps the most intimidating part of financial aid. You know you should apply for money, but you just don't know how to go about it. Simply follow these steps and you will be well on your way to creating a beneficial financial-aid package.

Step #1: Research and make contact

Make use of your high school counselors, college financial-aid offices and websites. Ross recommends making early contact with colleges. "Contact the top three schools of interest to you and talk to the finaid office and maybe the admissions office, and ask what is needed to apply," says Ross. He also suggests making the office aware that you are an incoming freshman, so you will be transferred to the correct department.

You don't need to be planning to attend a specific school in order to call and ask questions or even set up a meeting with the financial-aid office. "We encourage students to call the financial-aid office long before they've even applied to the institution to find out what their options are. We prefer that," Barton says.

The Internet is another resource of which you should take advantage. "Talk to your high school guidance counselor," suggests Melissa Marks, product manager for UNIPAC, a company that processes student loans. "They often have compiled lists of Web sites to help." UNIPAC's Web site, www.attheu.com, is one of many sites geared towards high school students in search of answers.

If you won't go in search of the information, it will probably find its own way to you. "We as lenders try to put all sorts of information together," says Henry. Be on the lookout at your high school for packages concerning financial aid, and take the time to look over them.

Step #2: Fill out the FAFSA form

The FAFSA form, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is as important as filling out your college application. "It determines a student's eligibility for Stafford loans, grants and scholarships," explains Pam Hayes, manager of customer service at Fleet Bank's educational loan division. "You must file FAFSA before you can apply for loans," says Yednak. In other words, without the FAFSA form, there is no financial aid. Check with your high school guidance counselor for the form and filing deadlines, or apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Step #3: Apply for scholarships

No one can argue that the best money is free money. Scholarships are one way to cover the cost of education without getting into debt. "I don't think students are taking advantage of scholarships. There are so many types of scholarships. They don't take the time to explore and shortchange themselves," says Henry.

Indeed there are scholarships with criteria that can be applied to almost any student. You can get a scholarship based on ethnicity, academic achievements and extracurricular activities, just to name a few. "Look into scholarships as early as possible," says Yednak. "There are a lot of scholarships out there and a lot of scholarship money goes unclaimed."

Step #4: Apply for grants.

Like scholarships, grants are a source of funding which need not be repaid. The Pell Grant, a grant through the federal government, is the form most taken advantage of by college students. However, you may also receive a grant through the college you will attend or through an educational grant foundation.

Step #5: Apply for federal loans.

Due to the high cost of paying for college, scholarships and grants often aren't enough to cover the cost of education. In this case, you may find yourself relying on loans. Federal loans, such as the Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan and PLUS Loan, are examples. Because they are awarded through the government, these loans fall under federal regulations. You won't have to repay them until after graduation, but they will need to be repaid.

The Stafford Loan may be subsidized, meaning you won't have to pay interest on it while enrolled in school, or unsubsidized, meaning the interest payments fall on your shoulders even while you attend classes. Both the Stafford and the Perkins loans are taken out in your name. Your parents, on the other hand, borrow the PLUS loan to help pay for college, the amount of which is based on their income.

Even though federal loans are available, shop around to find a lender willing to work with you to meet your specific needs. "We recommend working with a school's financial-aid office, and they will tell you their preferred lenders," says Yednak. "Apply early and stay in touch with them."

Unfortunately, even while utilizing federal loans, you may still fall short on cash to pay for college. "The most common misconception is that a student can take out as much as they need in federal loans to cover the cost of education," says Barton. "Then, they are forced to fill the gap with private loans. It's a rude awakening."

Step #6: If necessary, apply for private loans.

If you must take out a private loan to pay for college, pay close attention to differing interest rates and repayment terms. For starters, make sure the loan won't need to be repaid until after you graduate from college. Secondly, be aware of any forbearance or deferment options. A forbearance or deferment will allow you to delay repayment if you don't have the money immediately upon finishing school. This may come in handy while you are looking for a job and coping with new living expenses.

Be aware that once you've applied for a loan, whether it is federal or private, your work is not done. Barton expresses her concern over the debt many college students accrue. "It's very easy to sign on the bottom line. It's important to keep track and monitor your loans, projecting if you will be able to afford it based on the job you are going into."

What if I don't apply in time?

Your ultimate goal should be to cover as much of the cost of education as possible with scholarships and grants. If you delay in applying, you may miss your chance to take advantage of free money.

"Timing is everything," advises Yednak. "Don't miss any deadlines." While people at financial institutions and schools are very willing to help you, they will be busy processing information from early applicants if you wait too long to get in touch. "Those who wait till the last moment may run up against a hurdle," says Ross. So do yourself a favor. Get out there and apply for financial aid!