Accepted to College?

Now that your child is accepted to the colleges your child and you hope to gain admission to, what is next?

1) Look at ALL the offers.

2) Visit the school again.

3) Discuss who is footing the bill.

4) Consider buying a home in the town where your child is going to school.

5) Ask about starting salaries of graduates.

6) Consider Work-study programs.

7) Look for paid internships.

Be honest.

9) Consider taking a gap year.

10) Don’t forget your tax credit of up to 2500$ each year for the tuition you pay.

College and Recession

It is not a surprise that everything costs more each year.  College tuition, on the average, has risen four times since the 1980’s.  Some students get loans.  Some parents tap into the equity of their homes

And now we are in a recession with the job losses, decline in home values and investment portfolios, the tightening of financial aid belts, it is becoming more and more difficult to pay for college.  Most colleges are now back for the Spring Semester, but more students than ever before will extend their winter break, not being able to return to school because they can not pay the tuition.  The amount of unpaid tuition bills has increased over 65% this year according to a survey by American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

Some colleges are calling on their alumni for donations to help keep the students in classroom. Brown University has increased the amount of back tuition students can owe and still stay on campus by 50 percent.

Lawmakers are talking up tuition tax credits at the state and federal levels. It’s essential to the dreams of millions of families that lawmakers make these tax credits a reality.  Still much financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. With the prospect of increased Pell Grants being discussed as part of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan, families should help themselves by getting in line and submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) ASAP.

FAFSA application available

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application is now available.  The FAFSA is the federal application for financial aid, but it is also used to apply for aid from other sources, such as your state or school.

FAFSA deadline for federal aid is midnight cental daylight time June 30, 2009.  State and school deadlines differ and usually are much earlier. Check with your local state for its deadline. March 2, 2009 is the deadline for California.

Before, filling out FAFSA application, you will need PIN.  “Your PIN can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your Federal Student Aid records online. If you receive a PIN, you agree not to share it with anyone. Your PIN serves as your electronic signature and provides access to your personal records, so you should never give your PIN to anyone, including commercial services that offer to help you complete your FAFSA. Be sure to keep your PIN in a safe place.” Student and parent each needs to create a PIN.  You can get started creating a PIN at the PIN website.

Good luck to you, all.

high school counselor

When I was in high school, I met my counselor only prior to the registration time each semester.  At least that is what I remember at the public school that I attended.  After moving to a small christian school, I had a more personal relationship with the counselor at the school.  He might have been motivated in getting me to transfer to his small school, or maybe he was genuinely interested in helping not so good students like me.  Either way, large urban public school counselors seem to have too many students on their lists.  I wonder if they even get meet every student they are responsible for if students do not have to have the counselors’ signatures for class registration.

Counselors, however, are the experts when it comes to college application and financial aid.  I do not know how active they are in promoting the services they provide.  There are some good websites managed by some high school counseling departments.  One that I know is Arlington High School in Riverside, CA.  I do not send my kids to that school or live in the area.  Here is the link to the web site On the web site, you may find a lot of helpful information, even if your children do not attend that school.   For example, there I learned that US congressmen hold art competitions in their districts and invite winners to DC and acknowledge their achievements.  I do not know if all congressmen do that, but this information led me to learn that my  district’s congressman has an annual art competition.  Since my children were taking art lessons, I thought they should participate in the competition when they are older and ready.

That is an example of what counselors can do, providing information on anything that any students or parents might find interesting.  So, go ahead and call your children’s counselors or check out their websites.  You will find SOMETHING useful.