College Advice: Middle of Summer and Can't Afford College?

Recently, I received a call from a new client with a 3.0 high school average and strong test scores.  She had applied to several colleges, received acceptances, and then found that her family could no longer afford any of the schools on her list. 

Oops!  Financial safety schools should always be part of the application decision, but in this case, they weren’t.  So what should sweet Marie do now?  She’s been accepted to schools that she would like to attend, but because of a change in the family finances, she cannot say “yes” to any of them!

Here is the advice I gave her:

1. Ask for more financial aid. Call the school that you would most like to attend and explain that your financial situation has changed.  Ask if you can adjust your FAFSA and still receive financial aid for the fall.  

2. Defer your admission for a year.  If there is a school that you will be able to afford in a year or so, call the school and ask that your admission be held for one year.  You can then get a job and work, but you may not attend school during that time.  If you attend classes, you will not be a freshman anymore.  You will be a transfer student and will have to reapply to your favorite school.

3. Attend PCC and then transfer later.  PCC is a wonderful school if you are in the Honors or Scholars Program. Inquire immediately about applying to the honors or scholars program because those students are assured of their classes and have the best chances of attending a UC or other school as a transfer later.

4. Apply to another school for the fall. There are many schools that have excellent academic programs and will still accept your application for the fall.  Unfortunately, there may not be any scholarship money left at these schools (but ask, anyway!)  The price for attendance at these schools will be about $30,000 per year. Some choices are: U New Mexico, Oregon State U, Nevada, Reno, U of Idaho, U Arizona, Arizona State, and more in the Western University Exchange program.

For those applying to college in the fall, keep in mind that having a diverse list is like having a diverse financial portfolio.  Always keep high-end and low-end affordability in mind.  Never assume that the money will just come to you. Anything can change for better or worse.  Plan ahead and be prepared and you’ll have choices when the time comes!

All the best for your college future from www.PerfectFitCollege.Net