SCHOLARSHIP SEASON Need-based aid is addressed through the FAFSA. Merit aid is usually determined by grades and standardized test scores. And scholarships can focus on anything – from the parent’s employer, to community service or leadership experiences, to hobbies and talents. There are thousands of scholarships. The strategy is to find ones that cater to … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 41
ARE YOU READY FOR THE PSAT? Juniors are in the spotlight this week. Most will be taking the PSAT in school on Wednesday, October 13th. Personally, I am a big fan of the PSAT. First, it gives you an opportunity to experience a standardized test without all the usual pressure. Your score is not sent … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 40
DO THE FAFSA! FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It’s the ONLY way to apply for federal student aid. Plus, it also impacts the financial aid you receive from state governments and most colleges & universities. And don’t forget: It’s FREE to apply. The 2022-2023 FAFSA is the one that the Class … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 39
THE FAFSA IS COMING! Yes, the FAFSA officially opens on October 1. That means that now is a good time to make sure that your family understands some key financial concepts: FAFSA, CSS Profile and IDOCSExpected Family ContributionTools – FAFSA4caster and College NavigatorCost of AttendanceNet Price CalculatorFinancial Aid – Merit vs. Need-Based; and why college … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 38
BUILDING A COLLEGE LIST If you are looking to build a college list that includes options beyond OU and OSU, you might want to consider liberal arts colleges. Still, finding a place to start may be overwhelming. A trusted resource has developed through the non-profit organization, Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL.org). The organization was founded … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 37
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS Labor Day Weekend marks the official end of summer. And if you haven’t already, now is definitely the time to start thinking about college admissions. Using Common App to apply to college is one of the most popular methods. With more than 900 colleges nationwide accepting this application, students are able to … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 36
INFORMATION OVERLOAD For high school seniors, information is currently flying in from every direction. Your dinner conversations might soon revolve around a variety of college admissions topics. Test optional. The need for one more ACT/SAT. Transcripts. GPA. Resumes. In-state. Out-of-state. Private. Public. Applications. Deadlines. Supplemental essays. Teacher recommendations. Early Decision. Regular Decision. Tuition. Other fees. … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 35
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS – AUSTIN I just returned from a long weekend in Austin and an in-depth look at The University of Texas. Yes, I know that it’s difficult for diehard Sooners and Cowboys to consider applying to UT. But it seems that every family has someone who wants to break out of the … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 34
EARLY DECISION vs. EARLY ACTION vs. REGULAR DECISION Decisions. Decisions. Decisions. One decision involves your student selecting the colleges to which he/she will apply. The next step is determining which decision process to use. For some colleges, ‘early’ is beneficial in that it increases your chances of being accepted. Various colleges use ‘early’ as a … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 33
SCHOLARSHIP SEASON IS HERE! One of my favorite scholarships just opened for the 2021/2022 season. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation offers one of the most prestigious independent scholarships in the nation. Typically, over 90,000 high school seniors compete to be selected as one of 150 winners. The perks include a $20k college scholarship, a weekend retreat … More NEWSLETTER – Edition 32
