Negotiating with Colleges to get the Best Financial Aid Offfer

College is very expensive in the United States. 

   While a lot of schools offer needs based financial aid which means schools provide you more grants and loans based on your income.  The less you earn the more aid you get.  If you make a lot of money the less assistance you get.  Sounds fair?  If your like many Americans who have survived the downturn in the economy your savings have evaporated.  The college may provide you more assistance if your earning less the amount of money your expected to contribute may no longer be possible.  And doesn't it feel like the more aid is available the more expensive schools become?  Many countries value education so highly that their governments contribute enough to make education either free or very affordable.  Parents do not have to sacrifice their children's education because they can't afford it.  Access to a college education is based on your academic ability.

   Colleges are in competition for students.  Colleges are investing millions to build better and better dorms, school buildings and recreational space to attract students.  Of course that has a cost.  Schools take out loans to build these facilities and pay those loans by raising tuition.  Since there is no law to stop schools from raising their tuitions, most schools raise tuition in the hope that financial aid will help students get into schools with these fancy new buildings. 

   How does the average parent pay for college living at a time where getting a job is more and more dependent on a college education and is getting more and more impossible to pay for it?  While we all wish for free or low cost college education, until that day comes in the United States you can either 1) study in Europe and avoid these outrageous tuitions or 2) negotiate between schools to get the best financial aid packages. 

Save Money on Colleges, Study Abroad

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/why-american-students-are-flocking-germany-staying-n515961

 

Families are opting to study outside of the United States after the crazy prices colleges charge here.  Click, read and listen to students going to Germany to study.

Immigration Advice for Immigrants Including Undocumented Students

For immigrants, especially undocumented immigrant students there are a lot of questions about the impact their immigration status will have on getting college financial aid.  EdducationRealSimple has written in the past about universities that accept undocumented students.  But there are a lot of questions that need the help of immigration experts.  Here is a list of organizations that can help immigrants with their immigration status questions.  Manny helps students even with Dream Act questions.  They speak your language, are happy to answer your questions and some are free.

For a List of Agencies who can help: Click here. 

Financial Aid for a Study Abroad Program

Adventure is the best way to learn!

WHAT TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID ARE AVAILABLE?

Federal and state governments, foundations, private and public organizations are primary sources of financial aid. Be sure to check with your financial aid office, study abroad office or bursar’s office about whether your financial aid can apply to study abroad. Note the following types of financial aid:

Grants and scholarships

• Federal Pell Grant is awarded to exceptionally needy undergraduate students. Part-time enrollment reduces eligibility. 
• Federal Supplemental Educational Grant (SEOG) is awarded to exceptionally needy undergraduate students. Must be enrolled at least half-time.
• Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  This scholarship program is only open to undergraduate Federal Pell Grant recipients who intend to study abroad for a semester, summer or year-long program.
• The National Security Education Program (NSEP) and the Fulbright Program funded by the Federal government have grants and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students for study and research overseas. Students should be aware that government organizations in other countries such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offer funding opportunities.
• Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship program funded by the U.S. Department of Education provides study abroad funding to undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing foreign language and area studies.  The Critical Language Scholarship Program, a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, funds intensive summer language institutes in thirteen critical foreign languages. 

Take a Year Off Before Going to College - Gap Year

Taking time off before you start going to college is becoming more common among high school graduates.  It is more common among European students than students from the United States.  

Students who take time off are living abroad learning a new language, doing an internship, volunteering or working in a potential career job.  There many reasons to take time off.  Here are some reasons you should consider taking a gap year:

Being the First to go to College

I was the first in my family to earn a Bachelor's degree.  I did not have anyone in my family or friends who I can turn to who could give me advise on what to do and not to do.  As an immigrant my parents and I did not really understand how the education system worked.  I felt confused about what to do or where to get help.  

My father and mother came to the United States to build a better life for myself, my brother and sisters.  They both worked hard in a foreign country, learning the language and trying to help in our education as best they could.  Like a well built house is built on a solid foundation, my parent's hard work gave me the foundation to study hard so that I had a chance to go to college. 

How to find money for College

The United Negro College Fund's Patterson Institute surveyed African American students and parents about preparing for college.  The study was funded by the Sallie Mae Fund after studies showed that white Americans are twice as likely as black Americans to earn a college degree by the age of 29. 

The survey showed that black Americans have high hopes for college but they don't know enough about how to pay for it.  The fund created the African American Initiative, as a way to improve student access to college. One of the ways is to provide a scholarship directory where people can look up information about scholarships.  Searching the directory is free.  The directory is geared for African American students, it has more than 300 scholarships.  You can search by requirements like GPA (grade point average), interests and by application deadline.    

There are also many organizations that provide scholarships and/or links to scholarship resources. Some sites to check out are:

• Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
• www.collegefund.org (Native American)
• www.college-scholarships.com
• www.fastaid.com
• www.fastweb.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.gmsp.org (Gates Millennium Scholars)

• www.hsf.net (Hispanic)
• www.uncf.org (African American)
• www.studentaid.ed.gov
• www.scholarships.com
• www.review.com

Paying for College Books

Paying for college books is expensive. Here is a list of places where you can get financial help to pay for those books.

• Rent – Some campuses facilitate book rental which provides one of the most cost effective textbook solutions.
• Online Resources – You can save money by buying books from online stores or even eBay. 
• Used Books – The perennial hand me down method has served generations of college students, who recycle textbooks until course material requirements are updated.
• E-Books – Technology is opening this door for some college textbooks.  If your required textbooks are available for your e-reader it is the least expensive road to travel.
• Library - ask the teacher if a copy of the textbook has been reserved at the library.  

Familiar Resources Cover Books

College budgets contain entries for tuition, meals, housing, transportation, fees and of course; books.  For students assembling college financing packages, where the money goes is not nearly as important as covering the total cost of a college education.  Filling the financial aid pool follows a standardized protocol that starts with filing the most important catch-all financial aid request: the FAFSA.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the standardized federal application that is also used by states and other financial aid guarantors.  Textbook scholarships don’t always require data provided on the FAFSA,  but so much financial assistance starts with filing the form that it pays to submit the completed application well before the filing deadline.

Federal, state and private financial aid is generally not restricted for use buying textbooks, so scholarships, grants and loans are fair game for textbook financing.  If money remains after tuition is paid, use Pell Grantsand Federal Direct Loans to underwrite bookstore bills.  And include targeted textbook scholarships as part of your plan.  These examples illustrate the range of textbook philanthropy sponsored by associations, foundations and other student benefactors.

Helping Hands Book Scholarship Program

One-time awards of $100.00 – $1,000.00 are awarded to college/university, technical, vocational, and graduate students. High school students (over the age of 16) are invited to apply for aid directed toward one of these institutions of higher learning.  Applicants must attend an institution in the United States, Canada, or Mexico. Funding is available for fall and spring semesters.

The Passageway Scholarship Program

Passageway Scholarship Foundation helps challenged youth groups gain footings in higher education.  Scholarships and book grants help neglected and delinquent students reach their career and educational goals.  Funding applies to programs at 4-year universities, community colleges and trade schools.  Recipients have attended schools like Pepperdine, University of Utah and Mesa Community College.

WIHE Book Scholarship

To help offset the cost of college textbooks for female college students,Women in Higher Education helps raise money and grants its own book scholarships.  Several scholarships are distributed annually at multiple college campuses across the U.S. 

Barnes and Noble Book Scholarships

Corporate philanthropy funds campus-based book scholarships sponsored by the retail book giant.  At Pace University, each Barnes and Noble award is valued at $500 per semester.  Successful applicants are full-time undergraduate students with grade point averages above 2.0.  Financial need, as demonstrated by FAFSA results is required for application.  Each participating campus provides multiple awards annually.

Carl A. Scott Book Scholarships

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) awards two $500.00 scholarships each year to students completing their final years of study in CSWE-accredited Bachelor’s and a Masters Degree programs in Social Work.   Applicants from these diverse student groups are encouraged: Puerto Rican, Asian American, American Indian, African American, and Mexican American.  Equity and social justice provide the scholarship’s theme.

NACE Book Scholarship Program

The NACE Foundation invites graduate students who are Student Members of NACE to apply for book scholarships worth up to $1,000 each. The purpose of the scholarships is to help graduate students establish or add to their personal libraries of corrosion-related books. North American and International students are eligible to apply with qualifying GPA information, and two written recommendations. Successful applicants wishing to accept their award in person, at the NACE Annual Conference, are eligible for financial assistance to help defray the cost of travel.

Re-Entry Student Book Scholarship

Utah State University provides unique textbook resources for students returning to college after an absence.  The school’s book scholarships are reserved for students who have experienced five-year absences from college, within the previous six-years.  Returning students exhibiting commitments to academic success are evaluated for the award based on scholastic performance and other metrics.  The program specifically benefits students on the USU Tooele Campus, and awards may not be transferred to other schools.

Casimiro Foundation Book Scholarships

Business students from two and four-year programs benefit from Casimiro Global Foundation assistance. Under the organization’s book scholarship program, applicants enrolled full or part-time must maintain college GPA standards of at least 2.0 to remain eligible.  Awards are distributed based on the financial needs of qualified applicants.

Applying for Scholarships

A college education is an expensive but importnat investment.  The best time to research college scholarships is in the freshman year of high school when you have time to plan.  Learn what scholarships are available beyond need based grants. Many schools, foundations and not for profit organizations provide merit based scholarships, like performing arts, ethnic, geographic, academic or sports scholarships and more. Below are some links to various scholarship options:

Chicago Area Scholarships:

University of Chicago has a special scholarship program for Chicago Public School students who get accepted into their school.  Click on the link for more information. 

https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/search/node/cps

Scholarships to study abroad:

Studying in a foriegn country is a great way to broaden your education and there are scholarships for people interested in going out of the country to study.  

Try: http://www.studyabroad.com/scholarships.aspx

Scholarships for all students including undocumented students:

Try : http://www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/index.html

Scholarships for International Students:

If you don't live in the United States, you can do some research on colleges and financial aid opportunities at EducationUSA.  This service of the U.S. Department of State and the Insititute of International Education provides a lot of information.  There is also a frequently updated list of financial aid opportunties and a guide to advise centers in countries around the world where you can talk to experts in person.  They can help you search schools, translate information and learn about options.  You should take a look at ForeignBorn.com for useful information on applying to schools, obtaining a student visa and more.