Planning for Your Future Brought to you by
Saint Vincent College
Our Publishing Partner:
college facts
Foreword
Dear Prospective Student, Saint Vincent College is a small Benedictine College that focuses on the liberal arts. Catholic values, personal attention, and dedication of staff and faculty ensure a wellrounded education that will prepare you for your future. Picking a college that will ultimately prove to be a good “fit� is a process that will challenge you to seek answers to important questions. We have created this booklet to help guide you in selecting colleges, learning application tips, and most importantly making college affordable for you and your family. The Admission and Financial Aid Office of Saint Vincent College is ready to provide you with expert advice and information regarding the application process, aid programs, and the college experience. We are here to help you achieve your academic and life goals. We trust the enclosed information will assist you in the coming months as you embark on your college search. You will soon be making major decisions about your future, and it is important that all of your questions about Saint Vincent College and the college selection process are answered. If, after reading this booklet, you still have unanswered questions, we have a knowledgeable and friendly staff ready to assist you with your needs and concerns. Please contact us at (800) 782-5549 or e-mail admission@stvincent.edu. Saint Vincent College is also active on Facebook and YouTube. Best Wishes,
David A. Collins Assistant Vice President Admission & Financial Aid
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College Highlights KeyFacts® Contact 300 Fraser Purchase Road Latrobe, PA 15650-2690 www.stvincent.edu Admission: (724) 805-2500 Financial aid: (724) 805-2500 E-mail: admission@stvincent.edu
Admission Average GPA: 3.53 Average ACT score: 23 Average SAT score: 1100 Essay required: Yes Interview required: Recommended Application deadline: Rolling admission Application fee: $25 LINKS Admission: www.stvincent.edu/admission YouTube: www.youtube.com/saintvincentcollege Facebook: www.stvincent.edu/admission/facebook
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aint Vincent College provides opportunities for students to succeed in the world and to lead a life of purpose. On Saint Vincent College’s 200-acre campus in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, you’ll find people who inspire you and opportunities that invite you to take your talents and strengths to new heights and new places—from across town to across the world. Along the way you’ll discover more about yourself, your power to make a difference for others, and what it means to lead a life of purpose. As a student at Saint Vincent, you will learn in multimedia classrooms, in the 50-acre Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, in the Fred Rogers Center, and in places around the world. To foster the most effective learning environment, classes are kept small and faculty members place teaching as their highest priority. Since there are no teaching assistants, faculty members can get to know every student. Faculty members become mentors as they guide students in a search for truth in an increasingly complicated world.
Students in every major have an opportunity to conduct original research; all math and science majors conduct a three-semester research project and many go on to share their findings at national conferences. Students can choose to study abroad. In addition to options in dozens of countries, the college has affiliations with nine Chinese colleges and universities. With the breadth of our liberal arts curriculum and the excitement of hands-on learning, we aim to encourage a love for learning that endures. At Saint Vincent, we are proud of the Catholic, Benedictine tradition that has shaped life on this campus for more than 160 years. In keeping with the tradition of hospitality, Saint Vincent welcomes students of all faiths to deepen their spirituality here. Our campus includes places for prayer because it is an important part of life for many of our administrators, faculty members, and students—no matter what their faith traditions.
opportunities; and chart a plan for the future. By incorporating ethical reasoning into courses as diverse as business, biology, and education, Saint Vincent helps students develop a heightened sense of integrity and accountability, characteristics that seem to be increasingly rare—but increasingly needed—in today’s culture. Saint Vincent strives to expand the horizons of its students. We want them to be able to succeed in the workplace and make a good living. We also want them to see that their life is a gift for others and that they can make a difference in the world.
college facts
Overview Institutional control: Private School type: Four-year Academic calendar: Semesters Religious affiliation: Catholic School size: Small (fewer than 2,000 students) Average class size: 20 Student–faculty ratio: 14:1 Number of registered organizations: 57
2009-2010 Costs and Aid (Estimated) Undergraduate tuition (academic year): $25,350 Room and board (academic year): $8,422 Average additional fees: $1,141 Scholarships: Yes Grants: Yes Loans: Yes
With a strong advising program and career services that begin in the freshman year, Saint Vincent helps every student explore career options; gain experience through research, internships, and service
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Featured Student: Matt
Student Stats
college facts
Hometown: Loyalhanna, Pennsylvania Major: Catholic theology (with a minor in religious education) Year: 2009 graduate
At Saint Vincent, in and out of the classroom, you are not just a number or face in the crowd, you are a first and last name.
Why did you choose Saint Vincent College? When I first came to Saint Vincent, I really liked everything I saw. The professors and students seemed to always have smiles on their faces. Everyone was so welcoming. Everything seemed to fall into place when I visited the campus. My major is Catholic theology, so the resources and experience I could gain were phenomenal for my subject area. What had the biggest impact on your decision? When looking at colleges, I didn’t want to go to a large university with thousands of students. I looked at smaller schools, and when I looked at Saint Vincent, I realized that not only was it a small, Catholic school, but the class sizes were small too. The student– teacher ratio is 15:1, which is exactly what I was looking for. How does college differ from high school? When I first came to college, I was a little overwhelmed with everything that was thrown at me. Now, for the first time, I would have to do things on my own. No one was going to wake me up to go to class or make sure I completed assignments. The key phrase is “more responsibility.” It is the best opportunity for an individual to grow. What helped you adjust to college life? It certainly helped that I made friends on the first day I came to Saint Vincent. They helped me feel comfortable leaving home for the first time. The activities that orientation provided for us made it easier
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to make friends. I also learned that in college you actually have to study! So I eventually came up with a plan for studying that helped me focus more on what needed to be completed. Can you describe the classroom environment? Again, the classroom was a major point for me in choosing Saint Vincent. The average class size is about 17 students. At Saint Vincent, in and out of the classroom, you are not just a number or face in the crowd, you are a first and last name. The professors know each student personally and therefore can help each student grow individually as well as in a small group. There are classroom discussions, group activities, and presentations, as well as lectures. What has the coursework been like in your classes? Saint Vincent is a liberal arts college, so that means in addition to your major, a student must take classes in different subject areas. Many of the classes I took I really enjoyed; for example, Animal Behavior, Contemporary Europe, Spanish, Environmental Science, and more. Classes I wouldn’t have normally taken. Each professor has his/her own way of teaching. Some professors may want the student to do presentations, and other may require exams only as a grade. The coursework for me has been easy in some classes, and challenging in others.
Table of Contents Saint Vincent College 2 Foreword 3 College Highlights 4 Student Profile 6 Student Profile 31 Academic Majors and Minors College Search 7 Introduction: Step-by-Step College Search and Key Milestones Simplify the college search process for your student with these steps and tips.
10 Visiting Campus Learn how to make the most out of campus visits with tips from this article.
11 Making the Most of a College Tour This article provides readers with helpful tips to make their campus visits productive, from the timing of the visit to important places to see on each campus.
12 Finding the Right Fit: Your Teen and College How do you sort through the thousands of colleges and universities in the United States to find those that are a good fit for your student? Start with your student’s personality and goals, and use the factors listed in this article to make a “short list” of suitable matches.
13 Decision Time This easy-to-use chart helps students weigh the factors involved in choosing a college.
14 Tips for the Application Process Completing the application process can be overwhelming; use these tips to streamline the process as you complete your applications, write essays, and ask for recommendation letters.
Academics 15 No Major? No Problem! This article tells the stories of Chelsey, Alex, and Miriam—three students who entered college undeclared and eventually found their way into successful careers doing what they love.
Financial Aid 16 Financial Aid Calendar Use this timeline to help manage the financial aid process and all the milestones that should be met on a monthly basis.
17 Filing the FAFSA The FAFSA is your key to many kinds of financial aid. Learn how the FAFSA works and what you’ll need to get started.
18 Education on Loan Will you need to borrow money to pay your college bills? Learn about the types of loans available to determine what you qualify for and which loan option is best for you.
19 Picking the Best Financial Aid Package Make sure your student is getting the best financial aid deal possible with the tips in this article.
20 How Much Will College Cost? Be sure to consider all costs when setting a budget for your student’s education.
21 How Am I Going to Pay for a College Education? Worried about funding your student’s education? Learn how parents can use scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study programs to help tackle the expense of higher education.
22 Do Some Digging to Get College Financial Aid The article provides families with basic financial aid information and advice for tackling the costs associated with higher education.
24 The Secret of Your Financial Aid Success Financial aid can be confusing if you don’t know the details of the process. Learn about the financial aid available to you, when you should apply, and how to repay your loans.
Student Life 28 Help Your Student Survive the First Year of College Worried about your student being unhappy at school? Learn what parents can do to help their children successfully transition to college and have a positive college experience.
30 The Final Summer before College Read this article to learn more about the “to-do” and “to-buy” lists you should prepare before you drive your students to college.
Contributing Authors James A. Boyle is the president of College Parents of America (www.collegeparents.org). Erin Castrucci is a full-time instructional design project manager and is working toward her MBA at Xavier University with plans to graduate in 2009. Kimberly Hardy, MSW, LGSW, has been a clinical school social worker for many years. She has studied at Morgan State University, The Ohio State University, and The University of Chicago. William Morrison is a college counselor at Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Illinois. Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of communications for ACT. She is a mom and has a Master of Education in guidance and counseling. For more college and careerplanning information, visit www.actstudent.org. Brandon Rogers is the author of 10 Things You Gotta Know about Paying for College. He has more than ten years’ experience as an admissions counselor, financial aid advisor, and instructor at both the community college and university levels. Laurie Westrich is a managing editor for an educational publisher in Monterey, California. She has worked in publishing for 15 years. Sally Wood is a freelance writer and editor from Marionville, Missouri. She worked as a high school counselor in the Aurora R-VIII School District in Aurora, Missouri, from 1980–2000.
27 Scholarship Dollars Are All around You, but Don’t Wait to Look Want scholarship money? This article stresses the importance of applying early for financial aid.
© Copyright 2009 by Hobsons, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. © Copyright 2009 by Saint Vincent College Hobsons®, Hobsons logo®, KeyFacts ®, and CollegeView® are trademarks of Hobsons. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.
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Featured Student: Nettisha
Student Stats
college facts
Hometown: Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Major: Communication Year: 2009 graduate
I worked last summer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who hold their annual summer training camp at Saint Vincent, and this summer I am working with the Progress Fund Trail Town Program. Why did you choose Saint Vincent College? I was looking for a college close to home that provided a good education.
Do you participate in any activities or organizations? I am a co-founder and vice-president of the Minority Student Coalition.
What had the biggest impact on your decision? The educational reputation and the financial aid package.
Have you had any internships? Yes, two. I worked last summer for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who hold their annual summer training camp at Saint Vincent, and this summer I am working with the Progress Fund Trail Town Program.
How does college differ from high school? Time management and the freedom to choose to do or not do coursework. What helped you adjust to college life? First-year roommates and friends. Everybody relied on each other because we were all in the same situation. Can you describe the classroom environment? Small, laid back classes that allow you to have a one-on-one relationship with students and teachers. What has the coursework been like in your classes? A lot of work and very challenging, but very beneficial. What do you think about the faculty, staff, and advisors? They are friendly, intelligent, and always willing to help students. What are the students like at Saint Vincent? Friendly and approachable.
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Are there any campus traditions that make Saint Vincent unique? Freshman move-in day: The Orientation Committee provides valet service for all arriving freshmen. I also enjoy Orientation Week and Founders’ Day.
Introduction:
Step-by-Step College Search
You know the next step is college. Choosing the right college can seem overwhelming. Taking one step at a time can make the process exciting and fun. Follow the steps here to make the transition to college a smooth one. • See your counselor early and often. The counselor’s office has a wealth of information to help with every step of the decisionmaking process. • Picture your ideal college. • Go to www.CollegeView.com. Once you have decided on important factors, use this site to find colleges that meet those requirements. Narrow or broaden your search criteria as needed. • Take virtual tours. At CollegeView®, you’ll find KeyFacts® and a link for each college that may be a possibility for you. That link takes you to the college’s site, where you can take a virtual tour of the campus.
• Visit the colleges. Virtual tours are helpful initially, but you also need to visit the campus. If admissions and financial aid personnel meet you now, they’ll have a face and a story to match up with your application when it arrives on their desk. Walking around campus on your own is as important as taking a guided tour; you need to decide if it feels right. • Look into taking admissions tests. Do your selected colleges prefer the ACT or the SAT? • Be sure to apply early. Many colleges have early deadlines; some offer scholarships to those who apply before a certain date. • Stay focused on your senior year coursework. You’re excited about taking this next step in your life, but you can’t go to college if you fall behind in your high school classes.
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our senior year is full of excitement. As that longanticipated end nears, you realize why that final ceremony is called commencement. After the ceremony and the graduation party, you realize it’s only just begun.
The best advice for high school students is this: Don’t procrastinate. Begin early. Take one step at a time and have fun! By Sally Wood
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Key Milestones U
se this handy reference calendar to keep track of milestones that you must meet to get into your college of choice.
COLLEGE SEARCH
Freshman Year Fall Term • Plan ahead. Schedule time to meet with your guidance counselor and plan a strategy of courses that will meet college entrance requirements.
Sophomore Year September •Speak with your guidance counselor about taking the PSAT/NMSQT and the PLAN in preparation for the SAT and ACT. October • Take the PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN. Sophomore-year PSAT/NMSQT scores will not count toward the National Merit Scholarship Competition, but it is good practice. December • Receive results of PSAT/NMSQT and/ or PLAN. Consult with your guidance counselor to investigate ways to improve scores on standardized tests.
Junior Year September • Map out a testing schedule for the coming year, including the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT. Pick the test dates that will work with your schedule, taking into account family events, extracurricular activities, and holidays. • Register for the October PSAT/NMSQT. • Meet with your guidance counselor to review your course plan for the school year and plan your senior schedule. • Check your course transcript. Are you on track to complete all the credits required by schools you’re interested in applying to? • Begin to establish criteria for the college search: Are you interested in a small rural college or a large urban campus? Visit some local colleges to learn what you do and don’t like.
October • Take the PSAT/NMSQT. Scores are important, as they are used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement program; plus, it’s good practice for the SAT. • Start doing a search for financial aid. Options include grants, loans, and scholarships. December • Receive results of the PSAT/NMSQT. Consult your guidance counselor to consider whether an SAT prep course would be a good investment. February • Contact the colleges you are interested in to find out if they prefer the ACT or the SAT.
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Spring Break • Visit schools that interest you. April • Consider registering for the May and June SAT and ACT test dates; it’s not too early to start testing. • Re-evaluate your list of potential schools and eliminate those that no longer interest you. • Begin searching for financial aid. May • If you’re enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, you will take the appropriate AP tests. • Continue to visit colleges. Call ahead and ask for appointments with the departments of financial aid and admissions, academic advisors, professors, and students.
Senior Year
October • Meet with your guidance counselor to review your final list of colleges. • File early decision applications if you have made a decision. • Attend college fairs to further investigate the colleges where you would like to apply. • Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges on your short list. November • Start writing and editing application essays. • Complete your college applications (make copies before mailing). December • Mail all applications. • Schedule college admission interviews. January • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible. You can file the form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov or request a paper form by calling (800) 4-FED-AID (433-3243). Talk to your counselor about special forms your state might require. • Request that your high school send your grade reports/transcripts to the colleges you applied to. • Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible. Contact the colleges to see if they require any other forms. If so, contact the schools’ financial aid offices or your counselor. • Contact the colleges and confirm that all application materials (transcripts, recommendations, and financial aid forms) have been received.
Freshman • Plan a strategy to meet college entrance requirements. Sophomore • Take PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN in preparation for SAT and ACT. Junior • Review course plan with guidance counselor and plan senior schedule. • Start search for financial aid. • Visit colleges of interest. • Take SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and/or ACT.
Senior • Set up college interviews and visits. • Review final college choices with guidance counselor. • File early action or early decision applications. • Take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and/or ACT and send results to colleges. • Obtain federal and state financial aid forms. • Send all application materials to colleges. • Review acceptances, and then make a decision.
February • You will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks of completing the FAFSA online (longer for the paper application). Review the SAR, make any necessary corrections, and return it to the FAFSA processor. If you have not received your SAR and more than four weeks has passed, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center. • Complete scholarship applications. April • Review acceptances and compare financial aid packages. May • By May 1, you should make your decision about which college you will attend and send in your acceptance of the school’s offer along with any other necessary paperwork. • Notify other prospective colleges that you have selected another school. • If your first-choice college placed you on a waiting list, you should let them know that you are still interested in attending the school. June • You should ask your counselor to forward your final transcript to the college of your choice and let them know of any additional financial aid you will receive. Finally, contact the school and determine when fees are due for tuition and room and board.
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September • Continue to research financial aid options. • Make sure you have all applications required for financial aid and admission. • Check admission and financial aid deadlines for the schools you plan to apply to. • Register for the fall ACT and/or SAT test dates as needed. • Obtain letters of recommendation and plan college visits.
By Sally Wood
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Visiting Campus M
any students research various colleges, review Web sites, and talk to their guidance counselors, but they still don’t know where they want to go to school. What should they do? The answer, of course, is to visit the campuses of the colleges on their short list. No amount of information can replace visiting a college in person. In order to make the most out of a college visit, students should:
COLLEGE SEARCH
Going to the Fair During students’ junior and senior years, they’ll probably have the opportunity to attend a college fair. The fair they attend may be small, or it may be a larger regional event that hosts representatives from colleges statewide and even from out of state. Such fairs are helpful in the college selection process. Before the fair, students should describe their ideal college and determine the importance of the following factors: • Distance from hometown • Campus size • City size • Majors available • Cost of attendance • Sports and activities offered Take a business card from each representative with whom you talk, or note the representative’s name and phone number. If you are serious about attending a particular college, you should stay in touch with the representative. The day after the college fair, it is always nice to send the representative a thank you note. As soon as possible, arrange a visit to the college. By Sally Wood
• Research the college before the visit • Do some self-reflection and think about their likes and dislikes—after all, this will be their home for the next four years, and they want to be comfortable • Visit while classes are in session, if possible, to get a realistic reflection of campus life • Talk to a variety of people on campus— admissions representatives, faculty members in their area of interest, and students—to hear different perspectives • Consider an admissions interview; while most schools do not require one, it is a good way to learn more about the college and its programs • Visit the dorms and stay overnight, if possible, to find out what it’s like • Eat the food; better to find out what it’s like now than after they’re enrolled • Sit in on a class to find out about the atmosphere and if instructors interact well with students Some questions to consider: • Are freshmen allowed to have cars on campus? • What types of student organizations and recreational opportunities are available? • Are professors accessible? Do they teach their own courses, or are graduate teaching assistants used? • What is the average class size? • Does the school offer the academic programs of interest? • What type of safety program does the school have? • What housing options are available? • What type of career planning and placement services does the school provide? • What financial aid programs are available? By Laurie Westrich
No amount of information can replace visiting a college in person. 10 www.stvincent.edu
Come Visit Saint Vincent College! See for yourself all that Saint Vincent College has to offer during one of our Get Acquainted Days: Saturday, October 3, 2009 Sunday, November 8, 2009 Saturday, January 23, 2010 Sunday, April 18, 2010 Saturday, July 10, 2010 Sunday, August 15, 2010 Sunday, August 22, 2010 Please register for a Get Acquainted Day at www.stvincent.edu/admission or by calling us at (724) 805-2500. If you would to schedule an individual visit on another date, please call us at (724) 805-2500.
Making the Most of a College Tour C
an you imagine buying a home or a used car after just seeing a photo in a newspaper ad or on the Internet? Most of us hesitate to make a major purchase or decision without some investigation.
A campus visit can be exciting and informative, but not all teenagers will want to share the experience with their parents. My son insisted he visit colleges on his own, saying it was his decision, not ours. My daughter, on the other hand, permitted me to tag along on half of her campus visits. Whether they’re heading out on their own or with you, here are some helpful tips to get the most out of the visit: Call ahead. Most colleges and universities prefer about two weeks’ notice to set up a tour. Set up a meeting with an admissions counselor, with a professor or advisor in the major the student plans to study, and if possible, meet with a student from your hometown or with the same major.
Of course, not every family has the time or money to visit distant colleges. To help students narrow down their choices, there are things they can do from home to get an in-depth look at a campus. Take a “Virtual Tour.” Many colleges and universities now offer “virtual tours” on their Web sites, including pictures and sometimes video. Remember that the admissions offices design the tours, so they won’t always show you a complete picture. E-mail a student or faculty member. Most admissions counselors would be happy to put prospective students in touch with faculty members or students in their major. Don’t stop there. To get a true picture, contact someone independent of the admissions office. Look for names in an online version of the campus newspaper, or check out the Web pages of student clubs or groups. The purchase of a car—even some homes—can pale in comparison to the expense of a college education. If you can spend the time and money to do so, a good way to avoid “buyer’s remorse” is to visit the lot and take the school for a spin before signing on the dotted line. By Rose Rennekamp
Visit while classes are in session. Observe how the faculty and students interact. Are the teachers engaging and interested in the students? Are students satisfied with the classes? Give yourself enough time and take notes. One or two campuses a day is enough. It’s also a great idea for students to carry a note pad to write down comments, observations, and questions to help them make a decision later. Visit important places on campus. Tour a couple of dorms. Eat lunch in a dining hall. Get a true feeling of how students live. A young woman I know was having a hard time convincing her parents that a university three states away was right for her. But one visit to the hands-on journalism school, a talk with the advisor, and a journalism student from her home state convinced everyone that she had found the right school—even though it meant a more expensive plane ticket home.
COLLEGE SEARCH
One of the first major decisions for a young person is selecting a college, and it shouldn’t be made solely on information such as the school’s reputation, a guidebook, or a Web site. In order to find out what a college is really like, students should take a personal tour of the campus.
ask questions they really want answered without a parent around. Most college students will be more than willing to tell a prospective student why they love (or hate) their alma mater.
Find out what services are offered to students. More than a third of the students who took the ACT in 2003 said they needed help deciding their educational and occupational plans. Ask what kind of advising or career counseling services the college offers. Many also said they need help with study skills. Does the college offer tutoring or courses to help with this? Talk to everyone you meet on campus. Encourage your students to talk to as many students as they can. If you go along on the tour, urge your teenagers to walk around on their own a little and
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Finding the Right Fit: Your Teen and College
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COLLEGE SEARCH
ou can check out all of the slick college brochures, college Web sites, and collegeplanning resources you wish, but choosing the right college for your teen boils down to a few things: primarily personality and goals. For many teens, it seems to be an easy choice—they just want to go to the nearest college or the one their friends are planning to attend. However, finding a college that’s the “right fit” often isn’t that easy. It takes a lot of homework and legwork, and your teens may need your help. The secret is in finding a college that meets the academic, social, and career goals of a student. So, what should you consider when choosing a college? According to the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, the top qualities college freshmen seek in a school include: • Academic reputation • Availability of financial aid • College size • Job placement success In today’s brand-conscious world, academic reputation has become important to families. But just because a college has a stellar academic reputation doesn’t mean it’s the right one for your students. Thousands of colleges provide students with a quality education even if they don’t make national ranking lists. Your students need to answer many questions before a decision is made, and the decision should be based upon solid information. A good place to start is the college’s location. This will affect the number of choices you have. Is the college close enough to home? Your newly independent students might still want the family close enough for weekend visits. The size of the college may be a factor. One of the reasons students drop out of college is because they don’t feel as if they fit in. A small-town student who graduated from high school with 100 seniors may suffer from culture shock in a large university, or he might enjoy the educational or cultural offerings never experienced before.
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The secret is in finding a college that meets the academic, social, and career goals of a student. When considering size, look at the instructor–student ratio. How accessible are the instructors? Do they take an active interest in their students? Also, class sizes vary greatly. For example, at a large university, a freshman American history class might have 300 students, while at the same institution, a freshman English class may be limited to 30 students. Does the school offer academic support services for students, particularly freshmen who are adjusting to college courses? Also consider the rigor of the courses taught. College is an adjustment for all students, and you need to know the level of academic challenge your students are ready to handle. Visit with their school’s counselor for more information. Academically, it’s important that the college has a strong offering in your children’s chosen major. Find out the academic requirements for that major and what learning opportunities are available. What job-placement services does the college provide? And, of course, teens will be interested in the nonacademic and social life. Are there social and extracurricular activities that
appeal to your students’ interests? Find out the availability of athletic, social, academic, and recreational clubs. Last, but not least, consider cost. College is expensive, but almost all colleges have scholarship awards, loans, work-study programs, and other types of aid to help ease the financial burden. Contact the college’s financial aid office for more details. Before your students apply, visit the campus. It’s the only way to get a true picture of the atmosphere and to answer some of your questions. Talk to current students (and graduates, if possible) and faculty members, look at housing, attend classes, and spend some time in the community. College catalogs, Web sites, and videos are fine starting points, but they won’t tell you if the school is known for a party atmosphere, if students leave campus on the weekends, if there is diversity among faculty and students, or if the town is welcoming to students. Colleges want to recruit students who will thrive on campus. Armed with the right information, your children will make a good choice. By Rose Rennekamp
Decision Time etermining where you want to go to school involves a variety of factors. If you’re still figuring out which college or university to attend, let this pro and con chart help you along the way. The chart is easy to use. First, rate each factor—as it relates to the school you’re considering—as positive or negative. Second, add up the columns of pluses and minuses. The schools that have too many negatives should be eliminated from your list. Finally, you can begin researching the school with the most positive attributes.
RATE IMPORTANT FACTORS
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IMPORTANCE OF FACTOR
NOTES
Major available Location Financial aid available Public Private Disability friendly Campus demographic Housing
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Extracurricular activities Cost Religious affiliation Transportation Student–faculty ratio Other TOTAL To continue your college search, visit www.CollegeView.com. The automated search engine features many of the criteria listed in the chart.
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Tips for the Application Process COLLEGE SEARCH
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ompleting the application process can be an overwhelming task for even the most prepared senior. Extracurricular activities, social engagements, and homework in increasingly difficult courses all compete for your precious time during senior year. To survive this process, keep the following five tips in mind: 1. DO YOUR “HOMEWORK” BEFORE SENIOR YEAR. As just mentioned, senior year will be a very hectic time. Not only will you be applying to colleges in addition to all of your other activities, but many of the schools you apply to will place a premium on senior-year grades so they must not slip. Complete as much research as you can before senior year so you can worry about the most important things at that time—applications and grades. 2. APPLY TO AN APPROPRIATE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS. Don’t believe the hype; applying to more colleges will not necessarily give you better options. In order to give yourself the best chance at the colleges and universities you really want to get in to, do your homework up front and find the schools that fit. Having a solid set of schools will afford you the opportunity to spend quality time on each of the applications. The number of schools that are appropriate can vary by student and the major you may be applying to, but six to ten is a good guide. 3. KNOW YOUR DEADLINES AND USE THEM TO YOUR ADVANTAGE. Know what kind of deadlines the schools have and take full advantage of them. You can then group your applications by deadline and tackle them a few at a time instead of stressing while trying to complete them all at once. Schools that admit on a rolling basis should go first along with any early action or early decision applications.
Schools that have a set deadline and do not admit any applicants until that date can go out later. 4. DON’T SLACK ON ANY PART OF THE APPLICATION. The reason that schools want essays, short answers, or recommendations is because they value them as part of the process. Many students make the mistake of thinking that their numbers will be good enough to get them in, or that the short answers are not as important as the longer essays. Don’t sell yourself short; be thorough on each and every part of the application. 5. HAVE A QUALITY SAFETY SCHOOL OR TWO. The most important thing that you can identify during this process is your safety school. Having a quality safety school can take a lot of pressure off during the process because you will know that at the end of the day, you will have a great school that you will be happy to have as an option. Most importantly, relax. There are more than 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States to choose from and, unlike most countries, everybody is afforded the opportunity to go to college. If you follow these five simple rules, you will be able to see this process for what it is—a truly exciting time in your life that will lead you into a whole new world of possibilities. By William Morrison
Let Us Help You! Do you have any questions about the application process or St. Vincent College’s admission requirements? We’re happy to help! Just give us a call at (724) 805-2500, or e-mail admission@stvincent.edu.
In order to give yourself the best chance at the colleges and universities you really want to get in to, do your homework up front and find the schools that fit. 14 www.stvincent.edu
No Major? No Problem! P
icking a major can be as overwhelming a task as picking a college. You ask yourself questions that you don’t have the answers to. What are the possibilities? How do I make sure I’m going down the right path? What can I see myself doing for the rest of my life? If you are one of the many college freshmen who simply don’t know what area of study to focus on, you always have the option of going in “undeclared.” In other words, it’s okay to begin your first and even second year of college without choosing a major.
Chelsey, Art Director Undeclared until: Junior year “When I started college, I had no idea what I wanted to be…but I had a pretty good idea of what I didn’t want to be. Science and math classes were my weakest point. I avoided them whenever I could. I was sketching in my notepad one day at the end of my sophomore year when a friend from the dorms suggested that I take an art or graphic design class. I decided I would take an Illustrator class as an elective at the beginning of my junior year and found out that I really have a knack for graphic design. I began picking up more classes in graphic design and multimedia development, and I finally got up enough nerve to apply to the program. I was accepted and made it through the program, graduating third in my class. I’m now an art director at a very prestigious advertising agency.”
Alex, Athletic Director Undeclared until: Sophomore year “I went to college on a basketball scholarship. My focus was on basketball practice and games, but I had to go to class to be eligible to play. My academic advisor suggested that I take all of my general studies classes during my freshman year. That way, I would get a better idea of what sparked my interest. The summer before
my sophomore year, I volunteered at a basketball camp for inner city kids. I really enjoyed working with the kids and teaching them about basketball and life. By the fall of my sophomore year, it was clear— I would combine my passion for sports and my love for teaching to major in sports communication. Now I’m an athletic director at a Catholic high school, where I teach, I mentor, and I play sports with the kids. I know I made the right decision.”
academics
Meet three students who are a lot like you. All three entered college undeclared, eventually found a major that suited them, graduated, and are now enjoying successful careers in their fields of choice. Read their stories for inspiration!
Miriam, Marketing Manager Undeclared until: Sophomore year “I didn’t get into the vocal performance program as a freshman in college, so I came in undeclared with the hope of auditioning and being accepted as a sophomore. I also had an interest in business, so I took some classes in marketing and management. I was accepted into the VP program my sophomore year, and I decided to continue my business studies, as well. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a minor in marketing. When I wasn’t auditioning and performing, I worked part time in the office of my local theater house. I became more and more involved in the marketing aspect of the business, and eventually I ended up taking the position of marketing manager. My job allows me to be around what I love—the performing arts—while making a living!” Take a lesson from Chelsey, Alex, and Miriam. They are living proof that starting college without a major is really nothing…well…major! By Erin Castrucci
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Financial Aid Calendar A
s a senior in high school, you’re poised to start the next phase of your education. You know college is a big expense, but you’re starting to get confused. What’s a COA? And how does the EFC on your SAR impact your eligibility for funding through FFEL or FSEOG (Confused? Don’t worry, we’re here to help— see the sidebar to this article for definitions of these terms).
financial aid
The financial aid process is complicated, and the best way to learn is to start with an overview of the key steps. Use the timeline below for guidance.
From September–December, you should: • Narrow your college choices down to several finalists and collect cost information from each school. • Gather information about scholarships offered at the colleges on your short list and note any you might qualify for. • Research scholarship opportunities with community organizations in your hometown. • Go online to find more sources of funding; try www.fastweb.com or www.finaid.org. • Attend financial aid workshops wherever available. • Apply for scholarships and grants and investigate student loans. • Request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) online at www.pin. ed.gov. You’ll need your PIN to file the FAFSA (more on that below) electronically.
In January and February, you should:
Acronyms Abound! There are a lot of big terms in college financial aid, and it’s good to learn the acronyms that represent these big concepts. Here are a few to get you started: COA: Cost of Attendance, the total cost of one year’s education, including tuition, room, board, books, and fees. EFC: Expected Family Contribution, a dollar amount determined by the information you provide on the FAFSA—this is the amount your family is expected to be able to pay out of pocket for college expenses. SAR: Student Aid Report, the report you get after filing the FAFSA that includes your EFC. FFEL: Federal Family Education Loan, one of two loan programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds for FFEL come from banks, credit unions, and other lenders, not the federal government. FSEOG: Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, a grant program for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
• File the FAFSA and other required forms; you can fill out the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. • Receive and review your Student Aid Report (SAR). • Complete any essays required to apply for financial aid offered through your university. • Submit corrections to the FAFSA if needed once tax forms are complete.
In March and April you should: • Contact the financial aid offices of the schools you applied to and ask if all materials have been received; send any outstanding materials in promptly. • Review financial aid packages; they’ll look something like this: Award Letter Scholarship College grant State grant Student loan Employment Total package
$ 750 3,000 640 3,500 560 $ 8,450
In May and June you should: • Accept and return the financial aid package from the school you’ve chosen. • File the Master Promissory Note if taking out Stafford Loans. • Contact the financial aid office to determine the details of any work-study arrangements, if necessary. By Kimberly Hardy, MSW, LGSW
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Filing the FAFSA W
FAFSA Help Saint Vincent College’s FAFSA code is 003368. If you enter this code when filing your FAFSA, the results of your form will come straight to our Financial Aid Office, which lets us put together a financial aid package especially for you.
Meet the FAFSA Every college-bound student should complete the FAFSA. Your answers to questions about your income and assets (and your parents’ income and assets) will determine your Expected Family Contribution—the annual amount that the government expects you and your parent(s) to be able to pay toward your college education. If your college costs (Cost of Attendance, or COA) exceed your calculated EFC, you’ll be eligible for need-based loans and/or grants to help pay your college bills. You should file the FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for need-based aid. If you want to take out a federal loan of any type—including the unsubsidized Stafford Loan, which isn’t based on financial need—then you’ll need to file the FAFSA. You can file your FAFSA as early as January 1 of the year you intend to enter school, and you’ll have to repeat the process each year as you pursue your education. The earlier you get started, the better; not only will you feel better that you’ve got this crucial step checked off your to-do list, but you’ll be at the head of the line for many of the first-come, first-served aid programs.
What You’ll Need The more organized you are, the easier you’ll find the FAFSA process to be. Here are some of the key pieces of information and documents you’ll need: • Social Security number • Driver’s license (if available) • Your tax forms (don’t worry if they aren’t complete yet—you can use estimated numbers now and adjust them later if needed) • Your parents’ tax forms (again, using estimated figures is OK for now) • Records of any untaxed income, such as Social Security payments, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare, or veterans benefits • Current bank statements • Information about any businesses you or your family own, investment mortgage information, business and farm records, and other investment records
Three Steps for Faster Response 1. The fastest way to file your FAFSA is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. 2. You can speed the processing of your FAFSA by signing the form electronically with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). You don’t have to wait until January 1 to request a PIN, so get this step out of the way early! If you’re a dependent student, one parent must also register for a PIN in order to sign the FAFSA electronically. Learn more at www.pin.ed.gov. 3. Get organized with the FAFSA on the Web worksheet, available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This form helps you gather all the information you’ll need so that you’re ready to complete the FAFSA January 1.
financial aid
ouldn’t it be great to pay your way through college with scholarships and graduate debt-free? Sure it would. But, this scenario is more fantasy than reality for most students. To cope with the reality that your future college bills will likely outweigh your income and assets, you’ll need a solid financial plan, and that plan starts with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Every college-bound student should complete the FAFSA. What Next? After you file your FAFSA, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) that contains your EFC. If you provided a valid e-mail address as part of your FAFSA information, then you’ll receive your SAR by e-mail, or you can view it online. You can also elect to receive a paper copy of your SAR by mail. Your SAR and EFC will be sent to the schools you indicated on your FAFSA, and these schools will offer you financial packages based on this data.
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Education on Loan H
ow will you pay for your college education? You can (and should) start with free money whenever possible; search out all the scholarships and grants you can find. But be prepared to add loans to your list of aid possibilities. It’s true this type of aid is not free (you’ll have to pay it back when you graduate), but the terms of many loan programs are quite favorable. Responsible borrowing for education is a great investment.
their bills. The relatively low interest rates and favorable repayment terms of Stafford Loans make this a good place to start borrowing and an ideal way for you to begin establishing credit.
Consider some of the primary sources of loans available to you and your family.
Responsible borrowing for education is a great investment.
Stafford Loans are the most common types of student loans, and everyone can participate. If you have financial need (as determined by the results of your FAFSA), you’ll be eligible for a subsidized Stafford Loan. For this type of loan, the government will pay the interest that accrues while you’re in school and for six months after you graduate or leave school. If you don’t have financial need (as determined by the FAFSA), you can still get a Stafford Loan—however your loan will be unsubsidized, meaning you are responsible for paying the interest that accrues while you’re in school. You can choose to defer this interest while you’re in school and add it to the principal of the loan; this may sound like a good idea when you’re a poor college student, but keep in mind that this will increase your loan payments once you graduate. So, how much can you borrow? As a first-year student you can borrow up to $5,500 (up to $3,500 of which can be a subsidized loan, if you qualify). The loan limits increase for upperclass students: sophomores can borrow $6,500 (up to $4,500 subsidized); juniors and seniors can borrow $7,500 (up to $5,500 subsidized). Moreover, first-year independent students or dependent students whose parents are denied a PLUS loan (detailed below) can apply for an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized Stafford Loans to help cover
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Perkins Loans are offered to students who display great financial need as a result of their FAFSA calculations. Hint: If you’re eligible for a Pell Grant, you’ll likely qualify for a Perkins Loan, which has a fixed interest rate of five percent and deferred repayment of principal and interest until nine months after graduation. These loans come with some of the best terms available and offer a good way for students to borrow.
The PLUS Loan for credit-worthy parents of dependent students is another option to help pay for your education. Your parents may take advantage of this federal program to borrow all or any part of your out-of-pocket expenses that remain after other aid is deducted from the bill. One important thing to note: payments on PLUS loans can be deferred for up to four years upon request. Private loans are also available, with varying terms and limits. You may need a credit-worthy cosigner in order to borrow a private education loan, and you can typically borrow all or any part of the funds needed to cover your college bills. Regardless of your borrowing needs, you should talk with the colleges you are considering about loan processing procedures and the particular programs and lenders most commonly used there. Be sure to educate yourself about the options, limits, interest rates, and repayment plans so you can make the best choices for your future.
Picking the Best Financial Aid Package P
aying for college—the final frontier. It does not, however, have to be the most dreadful. After all, you have already sent your applications and have already been accepted. The hard part is over! The fiscal issues surrounding college, however, can be stressful if you don’t know what to look for. Many colleges and universities are very helpful—and generous—when it comes to offering financial aid, but become a wise shopper before you accept just anything. Simply because a package may meet 100 percent of your need doesn’t mean it’s the best deal
Another key is to look everywhere else. Thousands of sources of financial aid— Web sites, scholarship books, community organizations—exist. Did you know there is a scholarship for students who are left handed? If one of your parents works for the United States Postal Service, you may be eligible for a scholarship from one of their unions. Are you interested in studying women’s literature at a liberal arts school in the Midwest? Money is out there for you. Consider all of the sources that exist: the Internet, the library, or your counselors are all great places to start.
determined by your Student Aid Report from the FAFSA. The single most important thing you’ll want to consider is the amount of debt for which you a will be liable. Look at the chart below:
University 1
University 2
$1,200 Work-study job
$1,200 Work-study job
$2,000 Federal grant
$2,000 Federal grant
$1,300 Scholarship (from school)
$1,300 Scholarship (from school)
$3,500 Federal loan
$3,500—Scholarship (from other sources)
$8,000/year with debt
$8,000/year without debt
Both schools will meet your financial needs, but University 1 is offering $3,500 in student loans, which must be paid back with interest. Scholarship hunting may well have covered that expense in University 2. Reducing the amount of debt you will have upon graduation is important. You don’t want to be burdened with thousands of dollars of debt right out of school. It may not be possible to avoid loans altogether, but you want to hunt for every free dollar you can early on to reduce the debt later. If a school truly wants you in its freshman class, it will work with you to find funding sources. It’s never too early to start looking—a few hours spent hunting for scholarships now can save you lots of cash and anxiety later. By Kimberly Hardy, MSW, LGSW
financial aid
When looking for the right package, the key is to start looking early. Inquire about the types of financial aid offered by the school(s) you have applied to. You should be interested in the aid the school can provide beyond federal loans, grants, and workstudy jobs. You’ll want to know if a school has scholarships and grants of its own. Also, find out how dedicated to meeting your financial needs a school is. For instance, some universities are committed to meeting 100 percent of their students’ financial need. If you find this out in advance, it may help you narrow down your choices in terms of where you’ll consider applying for aid.
A final key to fiscal success in college funding is to complete and return the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 (the earliest it can be submitted) as possible. You want to know what federal dollars you will be eligible for as soon as possible because this will help you negotiate a good package with the school(s) you are interested in. Now, let’s suppose two schools have offered your financial aid packages that meet 100 percent of your demonstrated need as
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How Much Will College Cost? T
financial aid
he cost of attending college goes well beyond tuition. Other costs include housing, a food plan, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Be sure to consider all costs when setting a budget for your education.
Be sure to consider all costs when setting a budget for your education.
Use the total cost of schools you are considering to estimate how much you will pay to attend school for one year. Request a cost summary from each school to make sure you’re including all information, or look at each school’s KeyFacts in the college search section of www.CollegeView.com. Factors to Consider: • Tuition and fees • Housing • Food plan • Books and supplies • Personal expenses (laundry, medical, disability expenses) • Transportation • Activity fees • Cell phone plan • Long distance phone card • Credit cards According to the College Board, the average in-state tuition rate at a four-year public college for the 2008–2009 academic year was approximately $6,585, while the annual cost at a four-year private college averaged $25,143. You can assume a yearly increase of six to seven percent in order to estimate costs for future college expenses.
Helpful Hints • Don’t miss out on financial aid opportunities by missing deadlines. The earlier you complete applications and forms, the better the chance that your full need will be met. • Keep a copy of all completed forms and applications. • Respond to all schools’ inquiries promptly and accurately. An incomplete file could result in a reduction or loss of aid. • Keep in touch with the financial aid office at all schools you are considering. Notify them immediately if there is a change in your financial situation. • You will need to reapply for financial aid and some scholarships each year.
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• You should be cautious when applying for and using credit cards. Debt accumulated while you’re in college can haunt you for years. You should charge only what you need to and pay off the balance each month. Interest rates on credit cards are high and add up quickly. • You can save money by sticking to your prepaid food plan and not eating at fast food restaurants. • You can buy used textbooks or ask to borrow books from students who have previously taken the course.
• You should always ask if there is a student discount at local stores, movie theaters, and sporting events. • You should avoid opening bank accounts that charge extra fees for using the ATM or have monthly transaction fees. • You should not exceed the allotted minutes on your cell phone or longdistance phone card. By Laurie Westrich
How Am I Going to Pay for a College Education? F
or a lot of parents, the first question that comes to mind when their teenagers prepare to attend college is, “How am I going to pay for this?” Let’s face it—college is expensive! The good news: more than half of all college students receive financial aid. Unfortunately, the financial aid process isn’t something most of us know much about until we have to dive right into it. Hopefully this column can help you understand what you’re getting into before you sign on the dotted line. on a first-come, first-served basis. You can find the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The government uses the FAFSA to formulate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC)—the amount of money that your family is expected to pay for college expenses each year. I was more than a little shocked when I learned how much the government thought we should be able to pay toward our kids’ college educations! You can get an idea of your EFC using the free financial aid need estimator at www.act.org/fane. Just keep in mind that colleges can have different ways of assessing need and awarding non-federal aid.
While scholarships and grants may be what you’re hoping for, there are never enough of those to go around. And, rising tuition could mean you will have to pay a larger share of the college costs.
Loans Loans are a form of financial aid that you will have to pay back. Loans based on financial need often have lower interest rates and are subsidized by the federal government. Loans not based on need are generally not subsidized, and you will end up paying a higher interest rate. Make sure you understand all of the terms of any loans—the interest rate, the repayment schedule, and when repayment must begin—before you commit.
Work-Study Programs Work-study programs require your student to work in order to receive money for school. Students typically work 10 to 15 hours a week but no more than 20. Work-study jobs are usually on campus, pay at least minimum wage, and can be related to your student’s major. A woman I know majored in animal science in college on her way to becoming a veterinarian. She worked at the university’s veterinary hospital as part of her work-study program. Because of that connection, she had a leg up when applying to the vet school.
Financial Aid
When you apply for need-based financial aid, be prepared to provide a lot of financial information. It’s a little like filling out your income taxes, and you’ll need many of the same records. The form usually required is called the FAFSA—the Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You want to fill it out as early as you can in order to get the best shot at financial aid because some aid is awarded
Financial aid is complex, confusing, and even frustrating. The good news is that it does get easier each time you do it. (Yes, you have to do it for each child and every year they are in college.) Just remember: start early, make sure that the information you provide is accurate, and meet every deadline. And, once you get those aid offers, compare them carefully. Most of all, be sure you read and understand everything before you sign anything!
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Scholarships and Grants Scholarships and grants are the best kinds of financial aid. You don’t have to pay them back. Scholarships and grants can either be “need based,” given because of the financial situation of the student and his or her family, or “merit based,” awarded to a student for strong academic skills or talents. Some scholarships are a blend of need and merit.
By Rose Rennekamp
Buzzwords A few more “buzzwords” you may see when sorting through financial aid information: • Financial need: the difference between the cost of attending a school and Expected Family Contribution (EFC); term used by the federal government and schools that use the FAFSA to administer grants and loans • Institutionally determined need: term used by schools to calculate EFC using information other than the FAFSA • Unmet need: the gap between the total cost of college, EFC, and the financial aid package provided by the school
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financial aid
Do Some Digging to Get College Financial Aid
A few years ago, my daughter graduated from high school and entered college with a full-ride academic scholarship in engineering. We were thrilled. But after experiencing the world of college engineering, she changed her mind—and her major. She also lost her scholarship. While I don’t recommend that students stick with a course of study they don’t like just to keep their financial aid, I do recommend that students and parents find out as much as they can about financial aid and the conditions that accompany the aid they do receive. Every family’s financial aid situation is different depending on family assets, student assets, how many family members will be attending college, tax decisions the federal government makes, state funding programs, and specific college funding opportunities. Yes, you’ll need to do some legwork, but I’ll get you started with some ideas and resources. First, the good news. The U.S. Department of Education reports that while the price of higher education is going up, so is the amount of financial aid you can get. One necessary and important step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA,
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as it’s better known. The FAFSA determines your child’s eligibility for student financial aid from federal programs. You can get the FAFSA application from your high school counselor or college financial aid office, or you can file online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Colleges and universities also use the FAFSA information, though some may require you to fill out additional forms. You can submit the FAFSA beginning January 1 for the upcoming school year. Fill it out as soon as possible and be sure your information is accurate. If you wait until too late in the year, the money may have already been awarded to other students. Make sure you meet the deadlines because there is absolutely, positively no flexibility. Financial aid resources are basically scholarships and grants, loans, and work-study opportunities for the student on campus. The financial aid package—a blend of these resources—is determined by the college to which your child applies. It’s important to understand and follow the school’s directions regarding the aid. Scholarships are based on merit or need. Merit scholarships can be awarded for athletic or academic abilities but also for categories
such as club membership, interests, ethnicity, talent (e.g. art, music, or dance), or career plans. Many companies provide scholarships to children of employees as well. Need-based awards are given by colleges and the federal government based on financial information the family provides. You hear a lot about scholarships: thousands of dollars go unclaimed or a student is paying his or her way through four years of college entirely on scholarships the student found and applied for. Both of these examples misrepresent what happens in most cases. Apply for scholarships, but don’t overestimate the role that scholarships will play in financing a college education. Many of the scholarships are smaller—and it takes a lot of them to add up. You may also receive offers to find scholarship information for a fee, but you never need to pay for that information or pay to apply for a scholarship.
Your high school counselor will have binders full of scholarship information, and a number of Web sites put thousands of scholarships at your fingertips. One, www.collegenet.com, provides a scholarship search of more than 600,000 awards totaling more than $1.6 billion in aid. If you will rely on student loans, you’ll have a lot of company. Make sure you and your child understand the loan programs. Federal Stafford loans (to the student) require payment to begin six months after the student leaves school. The parent PLUS loans require
Don’t assume that you are ineligible for aid or that a college will be too expensive. Check with your high school counselor or college financial aid office about special programs. In some states, for example, students entering job areas of great need—such as teaching in low-income areas—qualify for financial aid or forgivable loans. As you search for financial aid, don’t rule anything out. Don’t assume that you are ineligible for aid or that a college will be too expensive. Do the paperwork, apply to the colleges, and see what offers come in. Then make your decisions. By Rose Rennekamp
The federal government is a great resource for free financial aid information. You can visit http://studentaid. ed.gov to download Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid (Spanish version also available).
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financial aid
The Federal Trade Commission says warning signs include: • Requests for your credit card information • Scholarships guaranteed “or your money back” • Claims that you can’t get the information anywhere else • Claims that your student is a finalist in a contest he or she never entered
payment soon after the funds are delivered. For more information and current rates, check the Department of Education Web site at www.ed.gov/finaid.
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The $ecret of Your Financial Aid $uccess T
here’s an old joke among financial aid counselors about a man who develops a scheme to steal a large sum of money so that he can send his kid to college. Unfortunately, he’s caught and sent to trial. As the judge is about to sentence the man, he says, “Sir, you stand before this court guilty of trying to steal $100,000 to pay your daughter’s rising tuition bill, and I have only one question: Where were you planning on getting the rest of the money?”
If you’re up to date on current events, you might not find the joke too funny. The highest priced colleges these days really will set you and your family back well more than $100,000 for a bachelor’s degree. Without a financial aid plan, earning your college degree is about as likely as paying off a brand-new home mortgage in five years. The good news is that all the work you put into planning your college finances will pay off, and the more you know about the financial aid process, the more rewards you will reap. In spite of all those scholarship scammers who assure you of all the free money that’s available, the truth is that the financial aid pot remains quite limited. The students who work the hardest on developing a financial aid strategy will get the biggest share of the pie. That’s probably because with all those numbers, cryptic acronyms, and intimidating forms, many students drop out of the race well before the finish line.
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Speaking the Language of the Financial Aid Officer FAFSA—Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form necessary in order to determine eligibility for federal financial assistance, as well as for most state and private forms of aid. EFC—Expected Family Contribution. The lower your EFC, the higher your eligibility for financial aid. There are several ways to reduce this number. COA—Cost of Attendance. The amount of tuition, fees, and expenses associated with one year of college. These costs can include room/board, books, supplies, equipment, transportation, and personal expenses. Financial aid offices subtract your EFC from your COA to determine your “financial need.”
Timing is Everything The most preventable mistake students make in building up their college financial aid nest eggs is putting off until tomorrow what they should have finished yesterday. For all the warnings against absolute statements, one guarantee does hold true in financial aid: “The longer you wait to get started, the more you’re going to pay in the end.” For high school seniors that means at the very least logging on to www.fafsa.ed.gov and establishing a Personal Identification Number (PIN). This will give you a head start over everyone else completing the FAFSA, since the PIN process can take some time. The FAFSA is the key to more than $80 billion in financial aid doled out each year
Without a financial aid plan, earning your college degree is about as likely as paying off a brand-new home mortgage in five years. by the federal government and is also the primary form used by almost every college in the country to determine a student’s need for financial assistance. Financial aid offices distribute much of this assistance on a firstcome, first-served basis, so getting at the head of the line is the only sure way of maximizing your award. Although you cannot complete the FAFSA until after January 1, here are some steps you can take in the meantime:
Financial aid officers have two categories for financial assistance: gift aid and self-help aid. Gift aid includes money you don’t have to repay, such as grants and scholarships, while self-help aid includes various forms of loans, as well as work-study awards, which must be earned through employment. Since financial aid is so limited, most financial aid offices have a secret formula not generally shared with the public known as the gift aid to self-help ratio. Colleges will try to make you take on as much self-help aid as possible in order to share the wealth. There are a few ways you can use this formula to your advantage. GIFT AID Grants—Depending on your Expected Family Contribution, you might be eligible for several thousand dollars of grant aid, money that does not have to be repaid, so long as you continue to stay enrolled as a student in good academic standing. Applying for these sources of money is usually automatic. As long as you complete your FAFSA and college financial aid application, you will likely be considered for grant assistance. The largest grant program, the Pell Grant, can bring you up to $5,350 in the 2009-2010 academic year (this amount changes annually). Some grants, such as the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), and many state grant programs are very limited and are only awarded to those who complete their financial aid applications early. Continued on the next page
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• Find out from the financial aid office what other forms need to be completed and get those done. • Be prepared to complete your income tax returns as soon as possible. The FAFSA is based on your and your family’s income from the previous year, and although the Department of Education allows you to estimate those income and asset figures, the college financial aid office may ask you to verify your answers by submitting copies of your tax returns. • Before completing your FAFSA, use all those cash gifts you received for college to pay down debt or buy all your needed college equipment, clothes, furniture, and supplies. The less you have in cash on hand when you complete your FAFSA, the higher your financial need will be. • Since most colleges will not complete your financial aid package until you have been accepted for admission, make sure your admissions applications are also complete.
Types of Aid
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The $ecret of Your Financial Aid $uccess
financial aid
CONTINUED Scholarships—These competitive awards are the rock stars of the financial aid world. Much of the hype is overblown since scholarships are scarcer than their publicity would have you believe. However, there are steps you can take to improve your chances of receiving your share of this free assistance. When applying for scholarships at a college, ask to see how the scholarship applications are rated. It doesn’t hurt to ask, and you might even be given a copy of the scoring sheet or a sample of a past successful application. You might even go so far as to contact a past scholarship recipient to get some free inside advice. At the very least, don’t be afraid to take a chance with your essay. Rather than merely listing your qualifications, tell an engaging story that demonstrates your qualities. A little creativity could help separate you from the pack. Other Types of Gift Aid—Gift aid is not limited to scholarships and grants. AmeriCorps (www.americorps.org) offers awards up to $4,725 for a year of community service that can be used for college expenses or to repay student loans. Also, many colleges offer tuition waivers to certain students, which can reduce costs. Plus, many colleges employ fee waivers as incentives for students to apply, and financial aid or admissions officers can often reduce or eliminate numerous expenses, such as application fees, at their discretion. Also, while not technically considered “gift aid,” another way to reduce your college costs is to take proficiency tests, such as the CLEP or AP exams, which can be a great way of earning college credit. You can also earn credit through a program known as “prior learning from experience,” which awards students college credits based on their past, relevant experience. Ask your college to see what other options exist for students to earn free credit. SELF-HELP AID Loans—Although no one wants to rely on loans to pay for college, they have become a fact of life for many students. But student loans do not have to be a painful experience. Some loan programs can actually turn out to be pretty good deals, with low interest rates, favorable repayment options, and federal tax deduction opportunities. The Perkins Loan, for example, a federal need-based loan, charges no more than five percent interest, and students have up to nine months after they graduate or drop below half-time status before they have to make payments. Also, the federal government will pay the interest on Perkins Loans while you remain in school in good academic standing. The largest loan program, the Stafford Loan, comes in two flavors: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized Stafford Loans are awarded based on financial need, allow students up to six months to begin repayment, and like the Perkins Loans, exempt students from interest payments as long as they remain in good standing. The Unsubsidized Stafford Loan does not come with this interest payment benefit, so students are responsible for paying the interest that accrues on these loans as soon as they are borrowed. Most students choose to defer these payments until after graduation. For both Perkins and Stafford Loans, there may be ways to repay or have forgiven parts of your loan balances. Some of these options are AmeriCorps, employment as a teacher in a high-need area, and participation in the Peace Corps or U.S. Armed Forces. Talk to your college about specific repayment or forgiveness options.
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Work-Study Awards—College work-study positions might seem like just another job, but the benefits can be huge. For one thing, earnings from the work-study program, unlike other part-time jobs, do not negatively impact your financial need. That’s because those earnings are exempt from the FAFSA calculation that determines your Expected Family Contribution. For another, many of the best jobs on campus, including those in your major, are open only to students with work-study awards. For many students, their first realworld experience in their field of expertise actually originated as a work-study job. Like the Perkins Loan and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, however, work-study is a need-based award and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t think that just because it’s categorized as self-help that it will be available indefinitely. You need to complete your application early if you want this award. OTHER WAYS TO PAY Enterprising students have a host of ways to take some of the sting out of the college tuition sticker shock. AmeriCorps members, for example, can earn both college credit and money for tuition. Those who decide to join the armed forces can take advantage of ROTC scholarships or the GI Bill. Other students have earned free college credit through internships and co-operative work experiences. And each year thousands of students save money on tuition by taking advantage of reciprocity agreements that allow non-residents to pay resident tuition at public colleges. To find out even more ways to pay, as well as how to avoid being the punch line in some sick college tuition joke, visit the Financial Aid section of CollegeView (www.CollegeView.com). OTHER WEB RESOURCES Financial Aid in General: www.finaid.org Scholarships: www.collegenet.com Federal Financial Aid Programs: www.students.gov By Brandon Rogers
Scholarship Dollars Are All around You, but Don’t Wait to Look I
you and your family should familiarize yourselves with the potential availability of scholarship dollars that could be all around you, if you only knew where to look.
children, but to their customers’ kids too. It’s good, old-fashioned community relations, and it could bring you some good, old-fashioned cash.
Unless your children chose the early decision route, they are anxiously peeking in the mailbox, hoping for some “thick” packets to arrive any day from colleges and universities. The thicker the envelope, of course, the greater the chance is that the contents will contain an acceptance letter and an explanation of what impact that freshman year will have on your wallet.
Fortunately, the clues for your scholarship search are pretty simple, and they can be found all around you:
Clue #5: Log on. Visit Web sites such as www.collegeparents.com and www.CollegeView.com for help and advice on where to look for scholarships and when to apply.
In a culture where thin is considered beautiful, this is one exception to the rule. A “skinny” letter usually means rejection. But when the fat letters do come (and most actually arrive in April, only prolonging your family agony), you and your children will probably be focused on different parts of the contents. The “congratulations” sentence will likely be the focus of your children, and rightfully so. You will be particularly interested in the attachment that says “Please send $xx,xxx dollars by May 1 to secure your place in next year’s class.” You may also be surprised to learn that your children, despite their impeccable credentials, have not been awarded a scholarship or grant by the school that they are intent on attending. You may be able to exert some leverage if you sincerely believe, and can back it up with numbers, that your children are “above the norm” at a particular school. You can appeal the financial-aid award, or lack thereof, and in some rare cases, you may be successful. But for the vast majority of situations, you are simply going to have to suck it up and figure out how you are going to pay for the next year, indeed the next four years (or more), of college. This is where a scholarship in hand from an outside source would come in very handy. And, if you are the parent of a high school junior or sophomore, this is the time when
Clue #1: Look in the mirror. Some scholarship dollars are available based on ethnicity alone. Clue #2: Look at a piece of mail on your kitchen counter. Your hometown address can mean a lot. More than 1,100 U.S. communities have “Dollars for Scholars” chapters, usually meaning that a pooling of public and private resources has created a scholarship fund for students from that locale. Clue #3: Open your wallet (you’re going to be doing that a lot in the next four years anyway). Look at your business card or employee ID. Your company may indeed make available scholarship dollars for the sons and daughters of workers.
The list I’ve outlined is only the start. Your place of worship, your community associations or clubs, your union status, your professional standing, your banking relationships, and your insurance company are all touch points in your life that could be sources of scholarship funds. Best of luck! By James A. Boyle
financial aid
f you are the parent of a highschool senior, March really is the cruelest month.
Clue #4: Look through old receipts. I won’t name specific names, but you are likely to have made purchases at one or more of the major national chains in recent weeks and, believe it or not, they offer scholarship dollars in many cases, not just to their employees’
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Help Your Student Survive the First Year of College “I’m dropping out.”
student life
No parent wants to hear those three words. But, unfortunately, thousands of parents hear them each year. Too often, parents watch excited college freshmen leave their homes in August, only to have them return disillusioned and dejected a few short months later. According to national data compiled by ACT, more than one out of four college freshmen doesn’t return to the same college for their sophomore year. Some enroll at another institution, and some take a break before returning to school—and many never return to college at all. Students leave college for many reasons. Whatever they are, dropping out is damaging to a young person’s self-esteem, tough on parents’ hopes for the future, and hard on everyone’s wallets. There are several things you can do to help your students make a successful transition to college: Choose a college that’s a good match. Not many people would choose a home just by looking on the Internet or reading a brochure; students shouldn’t choose a college that way either. And parents need to remember that the college choice is the student’s—not theirs! It’s important that your teen visits campuses and asks a lot of questions. Help your students get connected to people at the college. Students are more likely to succeed when they feel connected to others. During college visits, your students should meet faculty members of departments in which they’re interested. Encourage them to attend all orientation events so they get to know academic advisors, housing staff members, and other college officials. Keep encouraging them to get out and meet others on campus. Promote involvement in campus life. Not only do students need to feel connected to
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Did You Know? Saint Vincent College’s freshman-to-sophomore retention rate is 85 percent! That’s ten percent above the national average of 75 percent.
others, but also they need to feel connected to their schools. If they become involved in campus organizations, attend events, or work at a job on campus, they become invested in their own college experience. Know and understand campus support services. Colleges offer many different kinds of services to aid students in adapting to college life. You can become familiar with these services by attending parents’ orientation, reading brochures, checking the college Web site, or calling campus staff members. That way, you can provide knowledgeable advice and point your students in the right direction if they appear to need help. Reshape your relationship. This may be the hardest transition that you and your children will ever make. By reshaping your “parentchild” relationship into a “parent-young adult” relationship, your teens will develop the freedom to make their own decisions about college and the future, as well as the confidence that comes with knowing that you are always there to help when needed.
As my husband and I sent each of our children off to college, they had their own unique transitions and challenges. We had ours as well. However, the most important contributions that we made to their successful transition to college started long before they even entered high school. From their earliest years, we allowed our kids to make independent decisions appropriate to their ages and then held them accountable for the results. For example, when our children had homework in grade school, we didn’t constantly remind them nor did we do projects for them. When responsibility for completing homework is the student’s, they learn valuable time-management skills that serve them well into college and beyond. Our children received modest allowances beginning in kindergarten. They learned to allocate their money and to save for bigger purchases. College students who aren’t used to budgeting and managing finances may soon find themselves seduced by readily available credit cards.
We didn’t impose curfews on our children. Rather, we asked when we could expect them to be home and counted on them being there. Quite frankly, I think they set earlier curfews for themselves than we might have established and they made good choices that were their own.
student life
Colleges offer many different kinds of services to aid students in adapting to college life.
Preparing academically for college begins many years before students take college admissions exams. And, in the same way, preparing for the independence of college living takes place over many years. As the wise saying goes, parents need to give their children both roots and wings. If, in the end, your students do decide to drop out of college, keep it in perspective. Dropping out is not an irreversible decision. Sometimes a student’s first-time college experience simply doesn’t work out. Help your students step back, re-evaluate, and start a new journey. Remember, there are many paths to success. By Rose Rennekamp
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The Final Summer before College F
student life
or those of you whose children are preparing to go away to college this fall, a sense of anticipation is already in the air. You may have a checklist that you’re following; maybe even a few checklists.
First, there is the list of all the things that you have to buy, all the “stuff” that you need to outfit the students in your family for school. This list has grown since you and I landed on campus a generation ago. Laptop computers have replaced the typewriter, cell phones are the norm, and there is no longer a Sunday afternoon line at the pay phone in the lobby. Many dorm beds have gotten longer and skinnier for some unknown reason; check with your school first, but a good percentage of you will have to purchase specially sized sheets to fit these unusually shaped mattresses. The “to-buy” list can get quite lengthy, so you may want to attack at least part of it before it starts to feel like summer is almost over. Then there is the “to-do” list, or maybe there are two “to-do” lists, one for the head and one for the heart. The “to-do” list for your head deals with the practicalities of your children leaving for college. There are insurance issues to be sorted; for instance, you will want to verify that your children, if they are living away from home but full-time students, will still be covered on your health insurance policy. Almost certainly, they will be covered, particularly if they are under 24 and a dependent, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. There may also be property/casualty and/ or auto insurance issues, as well as the everpopular problem of the need to secure your students’ permission if you want to be able to see their grades. The “to-do” list for your heart deals with all the emotional parts of your life and the connection of those emotions to your children. For instance, you may want to
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set aside an afternoon for a trip down the memory lane of schools your children attended, from preschool all the way to high school. Your students may think it is corny, but what about going to visit the very first bus stop from elementary school days, the salon where they got their first body-part piercing (just kidding), the field where they scored their first soccer goal—or where the first tears of disappointment over loss were shed?
These may be places your children never want to see—or step foot in—for the remainder of their lives. But there is an equally good chance that these may be places that bring back for your children a flood of meaningful remembrances and, for you, memories that you may want to share one last time before you start to load the trunk—or trailer—for the ride off to school. By James A. Boyle
Academic Majors and Minors at Saint Vincent College Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government
Minors Accounting Entrepreneurship Finance International Business Management Marketing Operational Excellence Economics Political Science Public Administration
School of Humanities and Fine Arts Majors Art Administration Art Education Art History English French Graphic Design History Liberal Arts Music Music Performance Philosophy Spanish Studio Arts Theology
Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing Majors Biochemistry Bioinformatics Biology Chemistry Computing and Information Science Environmental Chemistry Environmental Science Mathematics Mathematics/Engineering Physics
Cooperative Programs Accelerated Osteopathic Medicine Program Accelerated Podiatric Medicine Programs Occupational Therapy Pharmacy Physical Therapy Physician Assistant
School of Social Sciences, Communication, and Education Majors Anthropology Communication Elementary Instruction Psychology Sociology Minors Anthropology Communication Education Criminal Justice Psychology Sociology
college facts
Majors Accounting Business Education Information Technology Finance International Business Management Marketing Business Administration Economics Environmental Policy Political Science Public Policy Analysis
Minors Art History Children’s Literature Latin English French German Graphic Design History International Studies Italian Music Music History Philosophy Public History Spanish Studio Arts Theology
Minors Biochemistry Biology Biotechnology Chemistry Computing and Information Science Environmental Chemistry Environmental Science Mathematics Physics
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Learn Broadly. Live Fully. Lead Confidently. When you graduate from Saint Vincent College, you ll be prepared to succeed in your career and make a difference for others by leading a Christian life of purpose and integrity.
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