Athletic scholarships are rare. “Full Rides” even more so. Regardless of beliefs/misconceptions held by parents, even by the students themselves, only 4%-5% of high school athletes will ever play a sport in college. Of those that play for their school, only D1 athletes will receive a “full ride” and those rides are limited to 6 […]
While every school has its own financial aid formula and offers aid based on a family’s estimated financial need, schools now tend to dole out more aid based on accomplishment. A recent report suggests that schools spend more to attract wealthier students. According to a 2019 National Center for Education Statistics report, students in the […]
With the media focused on an “alleged” student loan crisis, parents and students fear student loans. This fear, however, may be somewhat misplaced. The crisis typically affects those: who have failed to obtain a degree, who continue on into graduate or professional schools, and who have taken on the burden for those who either have […]
Now that we’re tucked into our houses, apartments, or places of abode, either through quarantine or “stay-in-place” orders, enjoying the benefits of social distancing and at-home children, college planning likely occupies a lower position on the “honey-do” list than it once did. Makes sense. When considering the worldwide threat to our very existence and the […]
Most families believe that financial aid is need-based. Thus, many families mistakenly believe they won’t qualify for financial aid, basing that belief on the fact that they make a ton of money or have quite a few assets. Unfortunately, they fail to apply for aid. As a result, they lose out on money for which […]
Introduced in the mid-1990s, 529 Plans remain the flavor of the day. Touted by Wall Street, financial advisors, and the main-stream media, families that try to save typically utilize a 529 Plan. While the positives of a 529 Plan are the ability to invest in “high-return” assets, to avoid taxes on gains, and to use […]
Earning a college degree remains a major achievement. The greater the level of education, the greater the likelihood of a good job and decent income. The clock begins at birth, providing 18 years to prepare. Yet, families just aren’t preparing. Of those that do, most have saved less than one year’s cost of attendance. The […]
According to a recent study published in the Educational Researcher, high school GPAs are five times stronger than ACT scores at predicting collegiate success. Further, the study revealed that the predictive power remains consistent across high schools. Moreover, while the relationship between ACT scores and collegiate success depends on the high school attended, at times […]
When it comes to saving money for the expense of a college education, “conventional wisdom” espoused by Wall Street, financial advisors, and the mass media drive parents toward 529 plans and Roth IRAs. After all, 529 plans have the best “odds of having the most money when you need it.” Never mind the fact that […]
We have found that both parents and students immediately will eliminate a possible school based solely on “sticker price” – the cost of attendance published by the particular institution. And, while the 4-year cost of an education, ranging from $92,000 – $300,000 or more (depending on the institution), represents perhaps the largest lifetime investment parents […]