Preparing For College Over The Summer

As the school year winds down, and our thoughts turn to summer, it’s a wonderful time for you and your teen to consider future college plans as you both prepare for college!
 
For those with graduating High School Seniors, congratulations!!!
The tuition deposits are likely in and it's now time for you to start thinking about finding even more Scholarships and applying for Student Loans to help pay for the cost of college!  But also, consider if your financial situation has taken a recent potential downturn.  There may still be money to save on the cost of college!
 
For those with rising High School Seniors, buckle up!!  
Now's the time for the fun to begin!!
 

Encourage your child to take the ACT or SAT.  Many schools still award merit scholarships based on the scores received on these tests. This is true even if the colleges themselves are “Test Optional.”  This summer - sign up for a course, hire a tutor or study for free with Khan Academy.  You may choose to only send the scores to certain colleges, if you wish!
 
The Common App is where your child will likely begin applying to colleges.  This application opens on August 1.  Before then, start brainstorming the essay!  Find the essay prompts HERE. 

Have you and your child started to develop their College List?  Consider the programs and majors offered by different colleges, geographic locations, size of colleges and more. Make sure to include plenty of safety schools on the list that your child would enjoy attending!  Acceptance rates this year were lower than usual!
 
Parents, this one's for you… College Finances.  Think about how much you can afford to pay for college each year for each of your children.  Estimate what the colleges on your child's college list will likely cost your family.  (Not the listed sticker price.)  Do you have any extenuating circumstances?  Divorce, job loss, widowhood?  Find some more financially friendly colleges to apply to.  
 
Scholarships, time to start the search!  There are many places to look.  These include the colleges, the government and private opportunities.  

This summer, enjoy the time with your child and start taking some Road Trips to visit colleges.  Perhaps look at a rural campus as compared with a college in a city.  Visit and consider colleges of different sizes with different size student bodies.  Schedule tours online in advance of your trip so that you can see both the academic buildings as well as the dorms and make sure to ask the tour guides plenty of questions!  Consider what type of college will allow your child to best thrive!

Caveat:  If a college will cost your family $80,000 plus per year, and this is something that is not affordable, do not visit the college.  (You can work with College Financial Prep on your college list to make sure that it is financially friendly for your family.)  The goal is to visit and apply to schools that are real possibilities.

For colleges that may be further away, find the official and unofficial campus tours online.  Start with the college’s website and YouTube videos.

If you're interested in help with any of the above as you and your child prepare for college, or you would like to learn about College Financial Prep's services and packages, schedule your free introductory call with College Financial Prep using this link.  
https://CollegeFinancialPrepCalendar.as.me/?appointmentType=32070906

College Financial Prep is now offering a great 12th grade Financial Aid, Scholarships And More package that begins now with our bonus offer!  Call us at 516-225-5224 or contact us today using the link above to inquire!
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College Financial Prep guides parents as they navigate college planning, college affordability, financial aid, scholarships and student loans.  While we serve all, we specialize in the area of Divorce and College and work with either parent or both for the benefit of their children.  College Financial Prep is a proud member of The National Association of Divorce Professionals, Females & Finance and the NYSFAAA.


Visit College Financial Prep's Homepage to learn more.