College Prep Guide 2020

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COLLEGE

PREP GUIDE 2 0 2 0 SPRING EDITION

FINANCIAL PROCESS CAMPUS SAFETY FIND A MENTOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION APPLYING FOR HONORS PROGRAMS


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INSIDE You’ve been accepted to college. Now what?.................................................. 2 Factors to consider when applying to honors programs ....................4 Don’t just bury your head in books ........... 5 Finding a mentor can help in college and beyond ................................6 There are ways to stay safe on campus..... 7 Mastering tools can help you succeed in college ...............................8 Tips to keep you from tanking your interview...............................9 Don’t forget to schedule a campus tour ...10 How to handle being on the waitlist ......... 11 Making that tough final decision ..............12 Now is the time to ask for letters of recommendation .................13

COLLEGE PREP GUIDE

You’ve been accepted to college.

NOW WHAT?

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Once you have been accepted to the school you applied for, there is still work to be done before starting your college career. Take advantage of the months leading up to your first day by tying up loose ends and ensuring your paperwork and finances are ready for the upcoming school year. This checklist from The College Board will prepare you for the next steps after being accepted by your dream school.

Read and respond

You will begin receiving multiple forms and documents from your future school that need a response. Make sure to check your email often and open all incoming mail. Paperwork may include orientation information, financialaid requirements and guidelines for housing. If these important documents

are returned after their deadlines, you may find yourself rushing to request an extension or stressed to reschedule.

Tuition deposit

Does your college require a tuition deposit? Make sure you pay it before the deadline. If you are unsure about when it is due, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions office. Being late to pay can cause serious delays and problems.

Choose housing

If you are leaving home for school, make sure your living arrangements are planned well in advance. Many universities offer dorms for their students to live on campus. However, if that isn’t an option, you may qualify for assistance for off-campus housing.

Pack

You likely already have a plan in mind regarding the items you will bring along on your new adventure. If you’re moving far from home, you should also have a strategy on how to get it to your new place. Will you hire a moving company or enlist the help of family and friends to execute the move? You should also consider the type of climate you will be living in. For instance, if you’re moving to a region with temperature differences from your current residence, it might be time to update your wardrobe.

Contact your roommate

If your university assigns you a roommate, it’s a good idea to reach out before you initially meet. Become familiar with one another and learn their expectations and be clear on your own.

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Factors to consider when applying to

HONORS PROGRAMS GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

If you’re still debating on schools to apply for, don’t forget to consider an honors college. Many schools offer these specialized programs within their university while others have independent facilities. When applying for this higher-learning opportunity, there are several factors to weigh.

What is an honors college?

According to American Honors, an honors education is defined as in-class and extracurricular activities that are more complex than comparable learning experiences typically found at institutions of higher education.

One of the largest differences that students experience is smaller class sizes and a more personal approach when teaching. Rather than attending class in a large, lecture-based setting, attendees are invited to discuss ideas and answer important questions together. Being invited to an honors program typically requires a stellar grades, high standardized test scores and an impressive application essay. With these factors covered, your submission will have a higher chance of landing a prestigious spot in these toptier programs.

Advantages

An advantage that students gain by at-

tending an honors college that provides housing is being paired with like-minded individuals. Your housemates will likely have similar goals and you can push each other to complete assignments or develop new problem-solving skills. Oftentimes, the tuition costs for this type of education are significantly lower than the price of a four-year university. This can mean you have much less student-loan debt after graduation if you don’t qualify for financial assistance or lack the funds to pay up front. Smaller class sizes mean faculty members can spend more one-on-one time with each student. This helps you absorb more information and discuss an issue until you fully understand it.

Disadvantages

While there are numerous benefits you can obtain by attending an honors college, there are some disadvantages you should consider. Since the programs include a small number of students, universities may be more likely to reduce scholarship funding or support if they are faced with budget cuts. The workload also is increased over a typical college education. You should expect more homework, deeper research and extra writing tasks. Being enrolled in an honors program is a privilege that requires a serious commitment to your assignments. You may find yourself lacking the extra time to participate in many oncampus activities.


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COLLEGE PREP GUIDE

Don’t just bury your head IN BOOKS

‌Y

Student worker

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our college career can be enhanced by being active and involved in the extracurricular community. While focusing on your academics should be a top priority, engaging with your peers is both great for memories and opening the door for professional opportunities. Before attending college, do your research for clubs to join. You can usually find valuable information on a social media forum with current students or search on a school’s website. Try to find groups where you can contribute toward its growth with your familiarity on the subject. If you are unable to find a club that inspires you, try to start your own. You should

A great avenue to take when getting familiar with the student body and how a school operates is by taking a job with the college. Look online or in campus advertisements regarding positions that are available. You may join a sports team as an assistant or maintenance worker or apply to be a teaching assistant. Try to guide you part-time job toward the field in which you are planning to obtain a degree. This real-life experience can be an incentive on your resume that hiring managers will appreciate. STOCK.ADOBE.COM‌

meet with school officials to learn their process of creating a new group.

Here are some other fun ways to become involved in the college community.

Volunteer

Get in touch with your local community and college campus by volunteering your time. Many universities offer positions for students to contribute to the

curriculum. Some options to consider are tutoring young children, cleaning up neighborhoods or helping build homes for charity. Touch base with school officials to learn how you can help and the benefits you receive from donating your time.

Attend events

A great way to meet new friends and become a part of the campus life is by attending events with your peers. Whether a local music festival, a sporting event or a charity drive, you can network with other students and build lasting relationships. College-sponsored events are also a much safer alternative than attending parties thrown by students. Remember to stay safe when you are visiting an event with large groups of attendants.

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FINDING A MENTOR can help in college and beyond | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020

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alancing your work, education and social life can take a lot of dedication. It’s easy to get distracted or find yourself rushing to complete assignments. To keep yourself motivated, find a mentor who can provide you with compassionate guidance to reduce your stress levels. Finding someone you can trust to be a mentor doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, a potential mentor may already be a large part of your life. Try to network with upperclassmen or even professors for their advice. Their friendship will not only boost your college experience, but it can have a beneficial impact when you begin applying for jobs after graduation.

Asking for help

The initial conversation with a potential mentor may seem intimidating. It can be difficult to ask someone for friendship and

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guidance without becoming comfortable with them first. Instead of being blunt about your desire for their advice, you should be proactive in identifying a person who took a career path like yours and casually explain how you admire their achievements and ask if they would be willing to engage in a short meeting. Ideally, they will accept, and you can propose more frequent gettogethers if the meeting is a success.

Maintaining a relationship

Once you have found a willing mentor, nurturing

the relationship is important to maintain it. Be adamant about staying in touch where you share achievements and concerns. Over time, you will both become excited to express success stories and push each other to tackle more challenging tasks. It’s important to reciprocate the friendship if your mentor reaches out to you for ideas or problem-solving. Together, you can build a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Mentorship programs

If finding a mentor proves to be difficult, your university may offer a program where current students are eager to provide their assistance. Check with your career counselors

to find out if they have an alumni-mentoring program you can become a part of. Working with these individuals may inspire you to take a similar approach to offer your friendship to incoming students as you progress through college. If there is no available program, your school’s website will likely offer a database for alumni contact information. You can usually reach out to these graduates through email or a phone call to ask for a minute of their time for a casual conversation.


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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2020 |

D stay safe There are ways to

on campus

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epending on the size of your school, the campus can be a very busy place. The key to safety is being aware of your surroundings and looking out for your peers, both inside and outside the classroom. The United States Department of Education is committed to providing safe-school environments nationwide. Before heading off to college, obtain a copy of their Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting. It can be downloaded from their website and offers a perspective of the steps they take to enhance security.

Be familiar with the safety office

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In addition to the experts on campus who will guide you through your collegiate career, you should also familiarize yourself with the safety officials. Learn their procedures on addressing concerns and whom you should contact. It’s also important to understand the services that a security team offer. Some universities include options like campus escorts, emergency-phone stations and safety maps.

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Avoid being alone at night Data from the National Center for Education Statistics reveals there were 28,400 criminal incidents against persons and properties on campuses in 2016. One way to protect yourself is to avoid traveling outdoors alone at night. If you find yourself in a situation where you will be outside in the dark, make sure to tell someone where you will be or ask friends to take the trip with you.

Be discreet about your location It’s common for college students to use social media as an outlet for networking and to boast about accomplishments or to share memories. While it can be a great way to make both friends and professional peers, it’s also a way for strangers to know your location. If you’re attending a music festival or an event away from home, avoid posting pictures until you are back home as it could make an empty dorm or apartment a target for a robbery. You also should check your location settings on each social media profile to maintain privacy.


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MASTERING TOOLS can help you succeed in college GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

Regardless of your major, brushing up on your technical skills provides you advantages before college. Understanding how to use the required technology will allow you to focus more on learning rather than figuring out how to download content, prepare papers and decipher an email program. As you prepare yourself for your collegiate adventure, take the steps to brush up on your basic knowledge of tools you will rely on.

Master typing

Knowing your way around a keyboard will make it easier when long draft papers are due and navigating the internet for research. Mastering your typing skills can lessen the time you spend on each assignment and allow you to absorb more knowledge rather than being frustrated about how to transcribe it. You can find ample typing software with a quick search online or take lessons from a professional or friend. As you get started, practice on your accuracy before speed.

Consider your online persona There will come a time where you will reach out to a professor, administration and peers for assignment instructions or campus questions. A common type of communication will be email and online forums. Make sure to use a professional tone and proper grammar as those you contact may be future references you rely on during your professional career. It’s also a good idea to keep your social media free from offensive material and negative content.

is in the help menu where there are typically detailed instructions on features. Once you are familiar with different techniques, plan to create a mock spreadsheet or presentation to test your skills.

Resourceful research The internet is a beneficial tool to understand when you’re

conducting research for an assignment. However, preparing a credible document or presentation relies on sourcing credible content. Understanding how to find these resources can speed up the time you spend researching and discovering the material. Learn the shortcuts available from popular search engines to produce results from government, medical and other official sources.

Research required software

If possible, ask your college official if a particular software suite is preferred for spreadsheets, papers and presentations. Take the time to navigate each program to develop an understanding of how they work. A good place to start

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Tips to keep you from tanking your interview LEE SHULMAN BIERER

The Charlotte Observer‌

‌The college interview. It was once an important staple of the college admissions process. Young men dressed up in jackets and ties, young women wore short heels and pearls, and they sat down for a formal interview inside the college admissions office. Not so today. It’s just not possible with today’s application numbers. Here are some stats from “The Princeton Review’s 2019 Best 384 Colleges� guidebook on applications received last year: UCLA: 102,242 (up from 56,670 in 2010); UC Berkeley: 85,057; Boston University: 60,825, New York University: 64,007. Obviously, with these numbers, colleges no longer have the manpower to interview each applicant, so they have devised a variety of other ways for students to help set themselves apart. Many college admissions officers also feel that interviews had long favored the more well-off applicant who could afford to travel to campus and be prepped by professionals.

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Today local, volunteer alumni interviews are much more common. These interviews are not required, and students generally need to initiate a request to have one. They typically carry less weight than the old-fashioned face-to-face with the director of admissions, but they do help students demonstrate interest in a college. So, if you have the opportunity, here are some tips to ace that interview: Educate yourself about the school. The biggest downfall for most students is that they haven’t done their homework and prepared themselves for the interview. Students can count on an interviewer asking them what they think they’d like to major in and why they think the college is a good fit for them. Students need to make sure that their responses aren’t generic — i.e., “I’m looking forward to attending the football games and being a part of Greek life on campus.� Think of every question as an opportunity to share some slice of your life with your interviewer. Take a look at your resume or brag sheet and identify the two

or three things that you know you want to share in the interview. Spend time on the college website and make sure you’re comfortable being able to articulate the fit question. Resist the temptation to overshare. Some students are so eager to have their interviewer get to know them that they share inappropriate anecdotes that would be better left unmentioned. Identify questions you’ll ask the interviewer ahead of time. Don’t try to wing it. All interviewers will end the session with a final, “Is there anything you’d like to ask me or anything I didn’t ask you that you’d like me to know about you?� The only unacceptable response to this question is “No.� Send a handwritten thank-you note afterwards. Yes, parents, you are right about that one! Students may balk, but there is no question it is the right thing to do. Lee Shulman Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit her website College Admissions Strategies. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Don’t forget to schedule a

campus tour GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

Choosing where to go to college can be as significant of a decision as deciding on a major. If you’re weighing multiple options, taking a campus tour can help make up your mind. Before visiting, make a checklist of the most important factors in your decision. To find when a university is scheduling visits, check with the college’s administration office. You can typically take these tours with a group and gauge how others react or take a more intimate tour on your own to absorb the campus on a personal level.

Clear your afternoon

Since deciding on a school is one that will impact your future, it’s crucial to take your time during a tour. Clear your schedule so you aren’t in a rush to finish and make sure your guide is available to answer questions during and after the visit. Take notes throughout your walk, especially when deciding between a few options. You can compare advantages and disadvantages before you make a final decision.

What to expect

While each college may have their own procedure for tours, you should know what you may expect before your visit. The College Board suggests preparing yourself for these common experiences.  Information session: An admission representative will present you with a brief explanation of the campus.  Tour: Typically led by current students, they will show you the main parts of the campus and be available for questions.  Attend a class: Some colleges will invite you to sit in on a class, giving you a perspective on size, learning style and peers.  Meet a financial aid officer: These experts can explain the expectations for qualifying for financial assistance if required.

Prepare yourself

Before a tour, you should research the university to help you develop questions for both students and staff you may not think of on the spot. Check out a map of the campus too, so you’re familiar with its layout before your scheduled appointment. DUSANPETKOVIC1 —STOCK.ADOBE.COM


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How to handle

BEING ON THE

waitlist

LEE SHULMAN BIERER

The Charlotte Observer‌

‌ Don’t just wait!” “ That’s my best piece of advice for students who find themselves on the waitlist of a college that really interests them. Colleges rightfully assume that you’ve likely made other plans if you don’t communicate with them to let them know you are still eager to attend. You don’t need to do a lot, but if you do a little research, you’ll see that most colleges put hundreds and sometimes thousands of students on their waitlists each year. Past years’ waitlist-to-accepted percentages are not reliably predictive since colleges go to the waitlist only after they hear back from their accepted students. What this means is that when the number of accepted students who say “yes” (the yield) is very high — say, 50 percent or better — when their normal yield is only about 35 percent, then few, if any, students would be taken from the waitlist that year. What should you do? Follow instructions. Read the letter closely and do exactly as it requests by the stated deadline. Accept another offer of admission. Since you can’t count on the waitlist turning into an acceptance, you’ll need to say “yes” to someone else and make a deposit by May 1. Contact the admissions office and ask what they want and, more importantly, what they don’t want. Many students send in double-digit letters of recommendation from alumni in hopes that it will sway the decision in their favor, but many colleges just want an academic update. Don’t be too pushy. Manage this part of the process without your parents. Colleges

want to see students advocating for themselves. Don’t bombard the admissions office with sweet treats or gimmicks. Don’t send a package with one shoe saying “I’ve got one foot in the door — please accept me.” Submit any new/improved test scores if you tested after you submitted your application. Send an updated transcript. This is one of the reasons parents, counselors and teachers have stressed the importance of avoiding “senioritis.” If your grades have slipped, it will be more challenging, though not necessarily impossible, to get off the waitlist and be accepted. Write a letter to the admissions office. Inform them of any new extracurricular activities, leadership roles, accomplishments, honors, scholarships, awards, employment, internships, etc. Do more research on majors and identify a specific course or professor that interests you; convey your enthusiasm. The most important part of the letter should address why you feel the college is a good fit for you and how you will contribute to the college community. If you can comfortably say that if this one college offered you a spot in its freshman class at any time between now and the fall, you would jump at the opportunity, make sure you let them know. Don’t give up hope, but be realistic. Understand that if you are accepted, there is not likely to be any scholarship aid available. Lee Shulman Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit her website College Admissions Strategies. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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MAKING THAT TOUGH

FINAL DECISION LEE SHULMAN BIERER

The Charlotte Observer

The biggest question I get this time of year is: “How do we decide?” Being faced with multiple good choices is often as challenging as it is tantalizing. Here are some thoughts that go beyond the pro/con charts (which are always a good first step). Revisit, if possible. Most colleges host “accepted student days” where they welcome back families and treat you very well. The shoe is very definitely on the other foot now, and students will see an almost embarrassingly gushing display. The colleges aren’t likely to be pushy, but they are undeniably eager to convert an accepted student into an enrolled student. “Admitted students need to recognize that they are being subjected to theater — a carefully choreographed presentation by staff, faculty and tour guides designed to sell the experience,” says Peter Van Buskirk, author of “Winning the College Admission Game” and former dean of admissions at Franklin & Marshall College. Van Buskirk recommends budgeting time to go “backstage,” where the student is likely to spend a lot of time, and speak to coaches, faculty and staff. Students need to determine whether the life at the college is a good fit for them. Two of the best things to do are as simple as grabbing a cup of coffee with current students or spending the night in a dormitory, if possible. Ask a few

freshmen to be honest about their social and academic experiences. Then, find an upperclassman in your anticipated major and ask about career services, internship opportunities, grad school acceptance rates, etc. You’ll learn a lot. Parents should let their students process their visit independently. Don’t offer opinions until requested — or at least wait until you return home. It’s important for students to be able to visualize themselves on the college campus. Is this a place where they are certain they will feel at home? Not all students will walk away with a clearcut gut feel, and that makes this part of the process even more

challenging. You want them to love it or hate it; you want them to “know” if they’re making the right choice for them. Pete Edwards of Achieve Tutorials in Los Angeles had this suggestion: “Ask your son or daughter to

make a decision. A real decision, picking one school or the other. Have him/ her write it down, tell friends and family about the decision for five days, but DON’T actually accept at that school. See how it feels to live with that decision. If it feels good, go with it. If not, at the end of five days, do the same thing with the other school. I find that students who can really dedicate themselves to the process find that they are not so torn after all.” Lee Shulman Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit her website College Admissions Strategies. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


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LEE SHULMAN BIERER

L

The Charlotte Observer

etters of recommendation carry varying weight, depending on the perspective of the college or university and who writes them. The more selective colleges may ask for two or three recommendation letters. Questions abound: Who should you ask? What are they used for? Where do they go? When should you ask people to write them? Why are they important? And how do you prepare people to write the best letter possible?

Who?

Now is the time to ask for

letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are most powerful when they are written by teachers, coaches, club or internship advisers, youth group advisers, or employers who know you well. The people you ask should be able to describe your skills, accomplishments and personality. Colleges prefer letters from junior year teachers since they are the most familiar with your most recent work. Read instructions carefully since some colleges may specifically Please see LETTERS, Page 14

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Letters

How?

There’s a good chance that the more information you provide your recommender, the better the letter will be. I suggest that all students prepare an activity resume or a brag sheet that details the following items: extracurricular activities; community service involvement; leadership positions; honors, scholarships and awards; employment; internships and job-shadowing experiences; and what you’ve done during your last three summers.

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request a science or math teacher, especially if you’re applying to an engineering program.

What?

Since most letters of recommendation are glowing and full of praise for the applicant, colleges who take them seriously are trying to get beneath the surface of who you are. The letters that share personal anecdotes about you reveal the less tangible qualities that a college can’t deduce from grades and test scores. A well-written letter of recommendation will showcase your abilities and make you a compelling candidate.

Where?

Many colleges will now accept letters of recommendation electronically, either on their own applications or through the Common Application. Follow directions carefully and don’t send more than a college requests. Colleges who participate in the Common Application detail how many letters of recommendation they require and how many they allow.

Must-do’s:

Be certain to waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you haven’t seen them. Send a confirmation email to your recommenders thanking them and being When? make sure you provide your recommend- specific about next steps. Send thank-you notes once you know It is best to ask teachers in the spring of ers with at least a month’s time to write the junior year if they are willing and able to letters. the colleges have received the letters of write a letter on your behalf. If they say recommendation. “yes,” ask them about their preferred time- Why? lines. Some teachers like to take care of the Letters of recommendation can often be Lee Shulman Bierer is an independent colletters over the summer, and others want a the critical tipping factor when two can- lege adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit true summer vacation. If you have colleges didates present similarly and colleges can her website College Admissions Strategies. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. with early deadlines (Oct. 15 and Nov. 1), pick just one.

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Survey shows many don’t understand college financial process STEVE ROSEN

Tribune Content Agency‌

‌Many families mistakenly believe a college’s sticker price for tuition and room and board is the actual amount they must pay. There’s also confusion about work-study programs, interest rates on student loans and the meaning of a “tuition-free” education. That’s what researchers at market research firm Ipsos and Sallie Mae, the education financial services company, found in a survey released in mid-August. They asked a nationally representative sample of more than 1,900 undergraduate students as well as parents of college undergrads ages 18 to 24 a series of questions designed to determine their understanding of some of the jargon that comes with making financial aid decisions. The researchers found that when asked if work-study funds were automatically given to a student, nearly half the participants responded “yes.” There is nothing automatic about it, and the eligibility process starts with filling out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. More than 20 percent of families surveyed had the impression that “free tuition” means that college is free. Tuition is just one piece of the total cost of attending college, along with fees, housing, textbooks and other costs. About 18 percent said they thought the sticker price is the amount they will pay for college. A college’s sticker price is the full price before financial aid and discounts are applied. Sallie Mae recommends focusing on “net price,” which is the cost of attendance after all financial aid is factored in. On the flip side, nearly 80 percent of the students and parents correctly answered the question that middle-income families are eligible for financial aid. The results show that educating parents and incoming college students about the complexities of paying for college still has a ways to go. In particular, families of firsttime college students, as well as black and Hispanic families, scored worse on the jargon questions than other families surveyed. The “How America Values College” sur-

vey was conducted in the spring and is part of broader Sallie Mae-Ipsos research on how families pay for college. Why should we care about speaking the language of financial aid? Confusion over jargon can lead to poor decisions and disastrous financial consequences, such as higher levels of student-loan debt, not to mention missed opportunities for scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid that do not need to be repaid. It can easily be argued that college financial aid officers and college counselors in the high school ranks could do a better job of demystifying these complex financial decisions. But students and parents also share a responsibility to learn about the financial aid process so they can ask the right questions and make better choices on their college options. “Applying for college and financial aid, especially for the first time, throws families into a new world, with many terms and programs that are unfamiliar,” said Rick Castellano, a spokesman for Sallie Mae. While Castellano said researchers “didn’t go so far as to ask families whether they were unclear about what was in their financial aid package, the lack of understanding about work-study or how interest rates work, for example, illustrates that may be the case.” Castellano said having a plan to pay for college, being prepared and starting early “can take some of the mystery out of the process and help families avoid confusion.” According to the survey, 41 percent of the respondents “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that they had a strategy for paying for all the years of college. How can parents and would-be college students get up to speed on terminology? Many high schools hold college nights in the fall where admissions representatives are on hand to answer questions. Take advantage of these programs and pick up the free materials that explain the college selection and financial aid process. There are also ample financial aid resources online from Sallie Mae, the College Board and other organizations. With the FAFSA filing season set to open in October, it’s time to do your homework to get the language down.

THE ARGO ADVANTAGE Affordability.Value. Success. The Argo Advantage ensures that University of Providence students graduate on time and career-ready, as skilled and ethical leaders ready to help shape a better world.

LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM • LRAP helps repay federal, private, alternative, and parent PLUS loans. • If your income after graduation is modest, LRAP helps you repay your student and parent loans. • Visit MYLRAP.ORG/UPROVIDENCE or contact your ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR: (406) 791-5202 or admissions@uprovidence.edu.

CAREER READINESS COMMITMENT • Students participating in this program who have not found adequate employment within six months of graduation will receive additional career counseling and support at no additional charge.

FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION GUARANTEE • We want students to graduate on time, and we stand behind that commitment.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.UPROVIDENCE.EDU


16 | Saturday, February 29, 2020

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