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.

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: