College Decisions - Where Will You Go!

By now, your student has done all the hard work. They've studied, volunteered, worked, completed applications, written essays, and pushed numerous submit buttons. It all comes down to the final decision, and often the decision of where to attend college is a matter of balance. Balancing hopes, dreams, and financial costs.

As you help your child make decisions, keep in mind these key points.

Make sure to examine each college's 4-year graduation rate.  Graduating in 4 years will not only save tuition but will also allow your student to get a jump on a promising future career. You can find this information on the Department of Education College Scorecard.

Review financial aid packages carefully. Make sure that you are aware of exactly what each award entails.  Packages typically include need-based scholarships, grants, merit scholarships, loans, and work study.  If you aren’t sure, don’t be shy about contacting each school's financial aid department to receive clear answers.  Keep in mind, federal loans are not typically forgiven…so research all aid before signing the dotted line.

Research how much college graduates earn for the colleges on your list.  This is new data that has recently begun to be shared.  Visit http://collegeresults.org/default.aspx to learn more.

Finally, remember that the final enrollment date is May 1.  All enrollment deposits must be submitted by then!

Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!