The YMCA of Greater Boston's Tips for Applying and Saving for College

Perpetual Hayfron, the YMCA of Greater Boston’s Pre-College Access Coordinator, shares her Top 10 Tips and Tricks to help all students, of any economic level, get organized and save money while applying for and paying for higher education.

1. SATs & Fees: Most students who receive free lunch are also eligible to take the SATs at no cost. Additionally, some schools will waive SAT costs in exchange for community service and volunteer hours. Talk to your guidance counselor about the ways you might be eligible for a waiver.

2. Waiving Goodbye to College Application Fees: Not only is attending college costly, but applying for them can add up too. Submitting applications to five to 10 schools with fees up to $350 each can limit options for students and their parents. Fees can often be waived if the student is able to build a relationship with an admissions counselor at the school. Networking can never begin too early. Always remember to send thank you notes or emails after speaking with a college admissions representative, taking a tour, attending an open house or a college fair. By exchanging a few emails, and then explaining your financial situation during the application process, that counselor will more than likely waive the admission application fee.

3. First in line to file the FAFSA: No matter your financial circumstance, it’s crucial to apply for financial aid, and to do it early. These forms are a bit complicated so it’s good to get a handle on the information. Filing early also means that your child will be eligible for grants and unsubsidized loans. Parents can load their 2014 tax information into the system during the fall months, and add in their 2015 information when it’s ready in April. By creating the profile and account, parents and their child are loaded into the system where schools can access the information and allocate financial aid based on those figures. The longer students and parents wait to complete this step the smaller the school’s financial pot becomes.

4. Requesting Recommendations: Make a list of all of your application deadlines and contact teachers and mentors now (in the early fall) asking them to write letters. Remember that teachers are not required to give you a recommendation simply because you’ve asked. Always send thank you notes to teachers who oblige.

5. Thankful for Being Done: Have something to be thankful for at Thanksgiving by completing and mailing all of your school applications by this date. No one wants to spend the holiday season scrambling to finalize college applications. Set this goal now, and enjoy the holiday break.

6. Searching for Scholarships: Each year, hundreds of scholarships go un-awarded simply because no one applied for them. January through March is the best time to research, write essays, and send in submissions for scholarships and grants that you might be eligible for. This is particularly important if you are planning to attend a private college.

7. Employee Benefits: Many major employers of teens, such as grocery stores, fast food restaurants and local franchises have college assistance and higher education programs. Students who work for these big companies should inquire with their supervisors about scholarship, grant and tuition assistance programs for untapped money opportunities.

8. Don’t Discount Community College: Community College is a great option for students who need to bring up their GPA or for those who are unsure of their major. Taking prerequisite courses at a community college can also save thousands compared to a state or private college. An additional benefit of starting at a community college is that state schools will often honor your community college tuition rate after transferring, meaning graduates can walk away with little to no debt.

9. Making the Grade: No surprise here: free money follows academically strong students. AP students who do well on their exams are exempt from prerequisite courses in college, and those who achieve proficient or above average on their MCAS scores can also receive free tuition from state schools. Doing well while in college can also earn students merit based scholarships.

10. Earning Money Through Work Study: Work study programs through colleges provide students the opportunity to hold jobs without impeding on their class schedule. These flexible positions help students earn some book and pizza money while being flexible with each student’s course load and exam schedule.