How Much Will College Cost?

We have been talking a lot about college on this blog-the application process, scholarship resources etc. We try and find resources that will help students and their parents handle the college process.

One resource that we found out about is the ‘Net Price College Calculator” which gives you a very easy way to calculate what you can expect to pay for college and how much federal financial aid you can expect to receive.

If a college participates in the federal student-aid programs, they are now required by law to provide a “Net Price College Calculator” on their website. The law goes into effect at the end of this month.

Most calculators can be found on the financial aid section of the college website. Some are hard to find, you have to dig around the website a little bit. For example to find the calculator on the University of Texas-Austin website, I had to do the following:

Go to website www.utexas.edu
On Home Page, scroll down the page to the section “Apply Here”
Click on “Financial Aid”
Click on “Quick Links”
Click on “Net Price Calculator”

When you have narrowed down your college choices, make sure to use the calculators to figure out how much you can expect to pay. If you find that you have to pay more than you can afford, don’t hesitate to call the schools and find out what other options are available to you.

Parents can also use this tool to help them plan how much to save for their children’s college costs. The earlier you start saving, the less stressful the college application process will be.

20 Most Generous Schools for International Students

According to the research done by The Overseas Association For College Admission Counseling (OACAC) these are the US schools that have the most generous financial aid packages for international students.

1. Berea College
2. College of the Atlantic
3. St. Lawrence University
4. Connecticut College
5. Kenyon College
6. Williams College
7. Vassar College
8. Mount Holyoke College
9. Bates College
10. Colby College
11. Washington and Lee University
12. Gettysburg College
13. University of the Ozarks
14. Providence College
15. Whitman College
16. Wabash College
17. Harvard College
18. Hamilton College
19. Dickinson College
20. University of Richmond

Tips to help you stand out in a scholarship application

1. Understand what the scholarship specifications are and tailor each application based on these requirements. Make sure you follow directions carefully. 

2. Gather the information you need to show that you are outstanding; think hard about things you do well, interview teachers and other people that know you well to gather your data. 

3. Personalize your application, tell your story

4. Highlight your strengths at every opportunity and do not be afraid to shine. 

5. Write a few drafts of the application and have some others review your application

6. Allow enough time to make any necessary corrections

7. Send in your application as early as possible to avoid missing any deadlines

8. Proofread your applications carefully

Sources: http://www.careersandcolleges.com/

              http://new.oacac.com/