Navigating College Applications: A Guide for Families with Seniors
Navigating College Applications: A Guide for Families with Seniors
As high school seniors approach the pivotal college application season, many families find themselves knee-deep in the preparations and decisions that come along with it. This time of year can be both exciting and overwhelming, as students begin to finalize their college lists, write essays, and secure recommendation letters. A recent survey from College Ave reveals insights into how families are managing this crucial period.
Understanding the Basics of College Applications
During this season, families typically apply to an average of six colleges. However, financial considerations significantly influence their choices. The College Ave survey highlights that around 36% of families were encouraged to apply to a school due to attractive merit aid offers, while high tuition costs deterred 43% from certain institutions. Cities with high living costs were similarly viewed as less desirable.
Dan Kennedy, Chief Marketing Officer of College Ave, recommends that families take a balanced approach. He advises applying to a mix of target, reach, and safety schools, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the student’s academic profile alongside financial factors and the overall fit of the school.
Making the Final School Choice
Once the applications are submitted, the focus shifts to the final selection of a school. In the College Ave survey, the governing factors for students included:
- - Availability of academic majors (68%)
- - Location (66%)
- - Campus environment (63%)
- - School size (46%)
- - Overall cost (45%)
- - Financial aid packages (45%)
Less critical aspects, such as prestige and social opportunities, were not as heavily weighed. Kennedy points out that while it is normal to focus on majors and location, financial considerations cannot be overlooked, especially since many families found college costs rising each academic year.
Parental Support in the Process
Communication is key when navigating the college application journey. Most parents (90%) actively assist their children throughout this process. Interestingly, the survey indicated that while 41% of families reported the student led the planning, 48% noted a collaborative effort between parents and students.
Parents also typically incur considerable costs associated with the college journey, averaging $6,731 on application-related expenses. They often take an active role in financial planning, frequently assisting with understanding payment options, loans, and managing overall college costs. However, these parents were less involved in certain aspects, such as selecting a college list or making the final choice (15%).
Kennedy emphasizes the importance of initiating financial discussions with students well before the college application phase heats up. Developing a game plan for scholarships, budgets, and financial responsibilities can ease future tensions.
Financial Tips for College Applications
As families submit their applications, College Ave provides several financial tips:
1. Complete the FAFSA Early: It’s crucial to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Many parents may assume they won't qualify for aid, but this could prevent access to significant grants or scholarships.
2. Apply to Diverse Schools: The survey states that 57% of parents found financial aid offers varied widely across different institutions, hence diversifying applications is beneficial.
3. Be Realistic About Aid: A surprising 61% of parents reported receiving less financial aid than expected. Understanding and preparing for this before entering the selection process can ease financial strain.
4. Continue Seeking Scholarships: Although many families find scholarship opportunities scarce, persistence is essential since every bit can help in covering costs. Easy applications like the College Ave $1,000 Scholarship Sweepstakes can boost financial support.
In conclusion, although the college application process might feel burdensome, families have access to various resources to help navigate these challenges. College Ave offers a plethora of tools, calculators, and guides to assist students and parents alike in making this critical transition smoother. With proper planning and support, students can pave the way for their higher education journey without undue stress.
Visit collegeave.com for additional resources and to alleviate some of the burdens of financing college.
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