Obtaining a superior SAT/ACT score can be the “greatest part-time job any High School student can have”. In our experience, at College Assistance Plus, we have seen increases in SAT scores translate directly into thousands of dollars of additional grants and scholarships. When multiplied by four + years of college attendance, the four hour test [...]
“Early decision” allows a Senior to apply early (usually in November) and receive an admission decision before the college’s usual notification date (usually Spring), not to be confused with “early admission” – beginning college before high school. It is VERY important to understand the terms of an early decision. It is a binding agreement, which [...]
shopping to outfit the dorm room, buying outrageously expensive textbooks and packing everything you “need” for life away from home. Over the next few months CAPlus will be sending information to college freshman through our newsletters and emails, on what to expect and how to help soften the financial blow in acquiring what’s truly “needed” [...]
Two avenues of savings to pursue with a child away at college, are through your auto insurance carrier. Some insurance carriers provide “good student” driver discounts. If the student has a 3.0 or better GPA (this may vary depending on the insurance carrier), you can receive a reduction/savings in costs associated with having him/her listed [...]
High school guidance counselors are invaluable assets. They are knowledgeable, accessible and helpful. The problem is, there are approximately 295 students for every one counselor according to NACAC “State of College Admission 2007.” High school counselors will spend an average of 38 minutes per student, per year on college counseling according to “Counseling and College [...]
When you receive a financial aid award letter, you might be drawn to the amounts of “aid” you are getting. Your aid total will probably be made up of grants, scholarships, loans, and Federal Work-Study. Getting a scholarship for $13,000 means you’re getting a good deal, right? But it isn’t always the case. So what [...]
It has become very popular lately to author online strategies or books, on how scholarships can finance an entire college education. The cruel facts are that the average college scholarship is worth $271, OR 3% of the total cost of college!! My experience is that most parents AND guidance counselors vastly over-estimate monies available through [...]
Financial aid package letters are often confusing and filled with numbers and information that may look foreign to you. Here are some things that you will probably see in your financial aid package letter.
With the economy going through a recession during the past few years, financing a college education is a major concern for most parents. It is becoming increasingly clear that the traditional methods of financing college are not working. Learn what strategies we suggest, particularly when budgets are tight or non-existent.
How can you help a naïve teenager, with very little financial and life experience, be interested in carefully analyzing a $100,000+ decision? How do you impress upon your student how important and life-changing this decision might be, especially if there are student loans involved?
