The Cost-Conscious College Search: Avoid Staggering Student Loan Debt
We all know that student loan debt can be crushing. But earlier this month, Mark Kantrowitz, the publisher of FinAid.org (a great resource website) published an analysis of student loan debt in which he points out that extreme borrowing – $100,000 or more – is far less common than we might think. Well, OK – [...]
The Cost-Conscious College Search: What Does Affordable Mean?
Last month we wrote a piece about using the concept of return on investment in the college selection process. We think that is a great way to start thinking about making the investment in your child’s education. We also recognize that another step in the process requires that as parents, you clearly “name your price” [...]
The Cost-Conscious College Search: Return on Investment
Within the past few months there has been much conversation in the popular press about the ROI – return on investment –for a college education. While much of this analysis rests on a simple average salary to cost of education ratio – we believe that there are more, and more nuanced ways to determine the [...]
Paying for College: Initial Steps for Parents of Juniors
For many parents, covering the cost of college for their children is a “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it” topic of conversation and planning. Well, for those of you who are the parents of high school juniors – that bridge is right in front of you. Even if you haven’t spent the last [...]
Continuing the Process of Paying for College: Comparing Aid Awards
Here it is – late March, and you and your student are in the final stretch to make the college selection decision. And as the way in which colleges explain costs and offer aid varies widely, you’ll need to “routinize” the information. This is the stage we call “metrics meet emotions” as you’ll need to [...]
Continuing the Process: Advice for Students in Scholarship Competitions
It’s late February and now is the time that many colleges and universities host on campus competitions for scholarships. If your teen has been invited to participate in a program like this you no doubt have one question: how can your child win? The answer is simple – by giving a strong presentation of himself. [...]