In the September 2013 issue of Ebony Magazine in the Achieve: Business and Wealth Creation section, there is an article titled “7 Ways to Pay for College”, which asserts that “the price of a 4-year education can hit six figures. But scholarships and online resources can help”. Here is a brief excerpt from the piece:
“The value of a college degree may be priceless, but it is certainly not free. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees last school year was $29,056 at private colleges; $8,655 for state residents at public colleges; and $21,706 for out-of-state residents attending public universities. That’s more than $120,000 for a four-year education a private institution, with tuition increasing about 6 percent annually. With so much money on the line, parents and students need resources and a solid plan to help defray these rising costs”. Visit Ebony.com to learn more.
Clearly, we all want the best for our children. And, we all know that the road to college starts as early as birth for most parents who are heavily invested in their children’s schooling. Getting our children enrolled in pre-kinder programs to prepare them for K-12 is a very competitive and expensive undertaking. But, given the immeasurable benefits, which definitely outweigh the immediate costs, we’re committed, for the most part, to doing whatever it takes to ensure our children’s future success. According to a recent study, the average lifetime earning potential of someone with a college degree can exceed $1,000,000!
An excellent place to start researching colleges and universities is on the College Board website. They have a lot of helpful information and resources that you can access and learn about college and the financial aid planning process. They offer students and parents step by step advice and interactive tools. Just visit the website:
student.collegeboard.org to learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT tests to prepare students for the SAT and scholarship opportunity. It’s also a great place to record and store your test scores and take some assessments to see what majors fit your personality and learning style.
Also, did you know that you can earn college credit through the CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)? Well, yes you can! Just register and try a few practice questions to see whether you’re ready.
In addition, if you’re in grades 6 – 12, and you want to start taking some AP (Advanced Placement) courses to get a jumpstart in English Language Arts and Mathematics, take a look at Springboard©. And, if you’re in middle school, don’t forget to look into RediStep™ , which is a test that students and educators can use to measure students’ academic skills and the progress being made to help you stay on track for future success in college.
Again, all of this information can be found on the College Board website. http://collegeboard.org.
We can help you learn how to create a financial plan and strategy including: identifying scholarships, grants, work-study jobs, family resources and loans (the last resort) to help you pay for college. In addition, we can work with you to craft your personal statement and complete your school applications. We’ll take the stress out of the process and make it a fun and rewarding experience for you as well as you families. Contact Us to learn more.