1 alpharetta high school october 10, 2012 paying for college

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Alpharetta High SchoolOctober 10, 2012

Paying for College

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Agenda

Introduction Difference between Need-based and Merit-based Aid Sources of College Scholarships How Your Student Can Increase Their Scholarship Opportunities Scholarship Resources

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Introduction

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About Me

Educational Consultant in Atlanta since 2003 Certified Educational Planner since 2010 Certificate in college counseling from UCLA

in 2006 Chartered Financial Analyst Member of the NACAC, SACAC, IECA, HECA,

the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners and the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute

Serves on Board of Directors & as treasurer of HECA

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Need-Based Aid

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FAFSA is completed

EFC is determined

Can include grants, loans and work-study programs

CSS Profile Can be found at www.collegeboard.com

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Merit-Based Aid

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Is usually awarded on basis of meritAcademicAthleticArtistic

Some colleges require FAFSA be completed

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Sources of College Scholarships

and Grants

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College Financial Aid

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Factors to Consider:

Each college’s financial aid policy differs

Does college offer need-based and merit-based aid?

How generous is the college’s financial aid policy?

Colleges That Meet 100% of Financial Need

BostonConservatory

(MA)

ColumbiaUniversity

(NY)

Davidson College

(NC)

DukeUniversity

(NC)

EmoryUniversity

(GA)

GeorgetownUniversity

(DC)

HaverfordCollege

(PA)

NorthwesternUniversity

(IL)

OccidentalCollege

(CA)

RiceUniversity

(TX)

StanfordUniversity

(CA)

Universityof Chicago

(IL)

University ofDayton

(OH)

University ofRichmond

(VA)

WashingtonUniversity

(MO)

WilliamsCollege

(MA)

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Merit-based College Financial Aid

What are the criteria for scholarship awards?

When are the deadlines?

When will recipients be notified?

What eligibility factors are included?

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College-Sponsored Scholarships

Some require high school nomination, such as: Emory Universityo Emory Scholars and Goizueta Scholars

Programs Davidson Collegeo John Montgomery Belk Scholarship

University of Virginiao Jefferson Scholars Program

Washington Universityo Danforth Scholars Program

Villanova University Presidential Scholarship Program

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“Sticker Price” vs. “Net Price”

Sticker Price Cost of Attendance

Net PriceCost of Attendance minus

average scholarship/grant aid

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Net Price ComparisonsSource: meritaid.com

University of Alabama

Net Price $25,443

Avg. freshman grant

$8,338

COA $33,781

% of freshmen receiving grants

46%

University of Richmond

Net Price $22,646

Avg. freshman grant

$33,374

COA $53,470

% of freshmen receiving grants

56%

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Net Price ComparisonsSource: meritaid.com

Clemson University

Net Price $29,987

Avg.freshmangrant

$6,793

COA $36,780% of freshmen receiving grants

41%

Wofford College

Net Price $25,529

Avg. freshman grant

$18,236

COA $43,765

% of freshmen receiving grants

87%

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Net Price Calculators

Tool to help families determine net price for first year of college

Idea True net price = COA - estimated need-

based financial aid award

Not easy to compare colleges

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Tips for Reducing the Cost of College

Consider in-state college options if your student will qualify for the HOPE ScholarshipAwards range from $71.94-$212.10 per

enrolled hours at public universitiesAwards are $1,800 per semester or

$1,200 per quarter at private institutions See gacollege411.org for more

information

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More Ideas

Consider public universities that offer tuition discounts for top out-of-state students

Consider colleges outside the Southeast

National Merit Finalists

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Academic Common Market Waives out-of-state tuition requirement for

students pursuing degrees not offered by in-state institutions

Examples: architecture, musical theatre, petroleum engineering, professional golf management, equine studies

See www.sreb.orgfor more information

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Employer Scholarships

Examples Atlanta Gas Light

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

UPS

Children’s Healthcare

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Private Scholarships Myth

Not many college undergraduates receive

Average is $2,000

Most are non-renewable

Downside

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National Scholarships

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Local Scholarships

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Ethnicity/Race/Gender Scholarships

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Specific/Unusual Scholarships

American Harlequin Dance Scholarship

Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship

Duck Brand Tape Stuck at Prom Scholarship

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

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How Your Student Can Increase His/Her Chances for College Scholarships

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Study, study, study!

Prepare for standardized tests

Do your research

Apply early

Pay attention to details & deadlines

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Congratulations – you have been awarded a scholarship!

Read the fine print

Work hard!

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Scholarship Resources College Navigator -

nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ General college, cost & financial aid

information Fast Web – www.fastweb.com

Free scholarship search website College Board – www.collegeboard.com

General college information & scholarship searches

Scholarships – www.scholarships.com Free scholarship search website

Merit Aid – www.meritaid.com College cost, financial aid & scholarship

information

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Contact Information

Joni TowlesTowles Educational Consulting, Inc.770-850-0910jtowles@towlesedu.comwww.towlesedu.com

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