Associate Director of AdmissionsRadford University

Douglas Brady

How college can change your life

College is important• Unemployment rates are directly tied to

your level of education• Studies consistently show that attending

college adds to your lifelong earnings• Difference between a high school graduate

and a four-year degree – between $800,000 and $1 million

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College is important

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College is important• People who have attended some

college• Report higher levels of job satisfaction• Typically live healthier lifestyles • Enjoy benefits such as insurance, paid

vacation, a retirement plan, etc.• Are more involved in their communities

through higher levels of volunteering and voting

• It’s true—college is important!5

Choosing the right college

Many choices• There are over 6,000 colleges to choose

from in the United States• With this many choices, where and how do

you start to look for the college that is right for you?

• Before you start searching, think about your goals

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What are your goals?• Some students already know they want to

• Learn a trade or enter a specific profession• Obtain a degree, maybe in a specific field

• Not sure about your goals? • College is a great place to explore your

options

• Goals can change while researching colleges

• About 80% of college students change their major at least once

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Choosing a college• Narrow down your list of potential colleges

by identifying the characteristics important to you

• Factors some students consider• Program or major you are considering• College size• Class size• Location or distance from home• Support programs

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Choosing a college• Additional factors to consider

• Campus culture• Extracurricular activities• Religious or cultural affiliations• Cost of attendance

• Ultimately cost matters but• Think about cost when making your final

decision, not as much when starting your search

• Consider your net out-of-pocket cost, not just the sticker price 10

Researching college choices• Parents and school counselors can help• There are many college search web sites

• www.CollegeProwler.com• www.CollegeBoard.org• www.PrincetonReview.com• www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator• www.vawizard.org

• All these sites allow you to search for colleges based on the factors that are important to you

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Your college applications• Each college has its own requirements for

completing the application process• These can include

• Completing a short form and taking a placement test at a community college

• Submitting test scores, essays, reference letters and a portfolio at some colleges

• Check each college’s web site for requirements

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Your college applications• Determine college application due dates

• Postmark date or arrive by date• Note on your calendar

• Read the directions carefully• Ability to follow directions correctly is

part of the acceptance criteria

• Meet the application deadlines• Each college sets its own deadline

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Your college applications• Application fees

• Most colleges have an application fee• Many colleges will waive the fee

• You may have to submit• SAT or ACT scores• Transcripts• References/recommendations• Essays• Other evidence of talent

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College entrance exams• For many students, the admissions

process includes taking college entrance exams• PSAT or PLAN – “Practice” tests for the SAT/ACT• Placement tests• SAT or ACT

• Disability accommodations and fee waivers are available

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College entrance exams• SAT

• Measures conceptual thinking rather than facts• Critical reasoning, math, and a required writing

test

• ACT• Measures what you learned in high school• English, math, reading, science and

optional writing test

• Depending upon your learning style, you may perform better on one test versus the other 16

Your college applications• Transcripts

• Official high school transcript needed for each college application

• College transcript also required if you’ve taken any college courses

• Transcript is used to document your GPA, class rank and the rigorousness

of your high school program • Many acceptances contingent on

maintaining GPA• Most require a final high school

transcript

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Your college applications• References

• Usually from teachers, other adults and peers• Allow plenty of time• Give as much information as possible• Include stamped, pre-addressed envelope• Write thank you notes to your references and

let them know when you get accepted

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Your college applications• Admissions essays

• Stay on topic• Essays should be error free• Don’t exceed the word limit• Be yourself

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Your college applications• Other evidence of talent

• Portfolio• Audition tapes• Writing samples• Contact specific program

for more information

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Any questions?

Paying for college

Sources of college funds – 2012

23Source: “How America Pays for College”, Sallie Mae, 2012

Your college costs• Which college would cost you the most to

attend?• Example private college - $55,850• Sample state college - $19,619

• The answer seems obvious, but it isn’t as simple as comparing these numbers

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Your college costs• When you look at the costs listed on the

previous slide, you are looking at the college’s “sticker price”• More formally known as “Cost of Attendance”

(COA)

• Consists of direct and indirect costs• Direct costs are paid to the college

• Tuition and fees• Room and board if living on campus

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Your college costs• COA also includes indirect costs

• Room and board if living off campus• Books and supplies• Personal expenses• Transportation• Allowance for dependent care• Loan fees• Cost of a personal computer• Costs related to disability• Reasonable costs for study abroad

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Your college costs• Comparing COA – the “sticker price” – of

various colleges does not give you an accurate picture of what it will cost to attend

• Can get an estimate of net price by using your college’s “net price calculator”

• You find out the actual net price by applying for financial aid

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About the FAFSA• FAFSA = Free Application for Federal

Student Aid• Determines eligibility for

• Most federal financial aid programs• Many state financial aid programs• Much of the aid colleges award from their own

funds• Some scholarship programs

• Colleges may require additional forms to collect more detailed data

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About the FAFSA• FAFSA asks you questions about

• Income• Assets• Family size• Number of family members attending college

• Number one reason people don’t file a FAFSA • They assume they are not eligible for aid

• This may be a costly assumption

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Cost of not filing• Each year 1.7 million students who would

be eligible for financial aid do not file a FAFSA • 33.1% would have qualified for a Pell Grant• 17.1% would have qualified for the maximum

Pell Grant award

• Also missed out on potential aid from the state, the college and many scholarship providers

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Source: Mark Kantrowitz, “Reasons Why Students Do Not File the FAFSA”, January 2011 www.finaid.org/educators/20110118nofafsareasons.pdf

About the FAFSA• Three versions of the FAFSA

• Online – www.fafsa.gov• PDF FAFSA – Print from your computer• Paper FAFSA – Call 800.4.FED.AID• It is always free to complete the FASFA

• Online version is best• Built-in edits make it easier to complete

accurately• Sign it electronically with your PIN obtained

from www.pin.ed.gov• Faster results 31

FAFSA help is available• You can receive in-person help in

completing the FAFSA at a “ 2013 Super Saturday” event

• Financial aid professionals will help you complete the FAFSA online

• The date for 2013• Saturday, February 9, 2013

• Details at www.vasfaa.org

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Navigating financial aid• After completing the FAFSA, the student

receives the Student Aid Report (SAR)• Correct any errors and return• SAR contains Expected Family Contribution

(EFC)

• FAFSA information is also sent to the colleges you listed to receive the data

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EFC determines aid offered• COA (Cost of attendance) — EFC =

financial need• Financial aid office will then determine the

student’s eligibility for federal and state financial aid, and for any aid the college may be able to offer from its own funds

• Financial aid office may ask for additional information

• Student will receive an award letter34

Types of federal financial aid

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Need-based federal aid

Non-need-based federal aid

• Pell Grant• SEOG• Work-study• Perkins loan• Subsidized Stafford loan

• Unsubsidized Stafford loan• PLUS loan• TEACH grant

There are additional Federal financial aid programs, most of which require you to file a FAFSA

Virginia grants summary

Virginia Commonwealth Award

VGAP VTAG

Award based on

Need Need and merit

Attending a VA private college

Eligible schools

VA public colleges

VA public colleges

Participating VA private colleges

Maximum 2012-13 award

Up to tuition and fees

Up to tuition, fees and books

Approximately $2,800

Other information

Neediest get largest awards

Must maintain a 2.0 college GPA

Must be full-time student

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Understanding award letters• Read your award letter carefully

• Could be either on paper or online• Follow instructions for next steps

• Meet all deadlines• Inform college of changing financial issues

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Understanding award letters• What if it’s not enough?

• Research private scholarships• Consider any potential employer benefits• Check into college tuition payment plans• Make financial aid office aware of changes in

your financial situation

• Reminder – you must complete the FAFSA to be considered for most types of aid

• Consider part time employment during college

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Any questions?

Scholarship searches & scams

Scholarships• A form of gift aid – money given to

students that doesn’t have to be repaid• There are lots of different types of

scholarships• You don’t always need

• a very high GPA• to be the greatest athlete

• Diligence and perseverance are great tools when applying for scholarships

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Scholarships• An estimated 45% of college students

receive scholarship funds• Average scholarship amounts received

• 4-year public college = $4,876• 4-year private college = $14,016• Community college = $2,929

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Source: How America Pays for College 2012 https://www1.salliemae.com/about/news_info/research/how_america_pays_2011/

Popular scholarship sites• Three good and legitimate sites

• Fastweb – www.fastweb.com• College Board – www.CollegeBoard.com• Scholarships.com – www.scholarships.com

• Many other scholarship search sites but• Avoid paying a fee• Keep an eye out for possible scams

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Other scholarship resources• A successful scholarship search extends

beyond the Internet • High school counselor

• May have a list of local competitions• Check with other area high schools

• College/University• Financial aid office• Check within your major

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Other scholarship resources• Family and friends• Employers• Religious, civic, and

community organizations• Foundations• Military• Public library

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Successful scholarship candidates• Apply for many different scholarships• Request application allowing plenty of

time to complete application requirements• Turn in error-free applications

• Follow all application directions• Watch out for the fine print

• Keep copies of completed applications• Be thankful and gracious

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Scholarship applications• May need to provide

• Proof you have filed the FAFSA• Essays/personal statement• Letters of recommendation • Examples of work in specific study

area/portfolio• SAT/ACT scores• Transcripts• Interview – in-person or phone

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Watch for scams• You’re guaranteed to win or your money

back• You can’t get this information anywhere

else• Give us your credit card number to get

started• The scholarship will cost some money• You are a finalist (for a scholarship

you didn’t apply for)• If it sounds too good to be true• Come to a free seminar • We’ll do all the work for you

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Tips to remember• Scam mailings often sound and look

official• Expect winning notification from

legitimate scholarships via mail not by phone

• Watch out for 900 area code telephone numbers

• Always walk away from high pressure sales

• Be wary of endorsements 49

When you win• What to expect

• Congratulations letter – keep a copy for your records!

• High profile scholarships may include follow ups• May need to send transcripts and proof of

enrollment• Fulfill obligations –

such as thank you letters• Check may be sent to you or

your college• College may adjust your

financial aid award50

Any questions?