Pre-Qualified – Pre-Approved

Pre-Qualified – Pre-Approved

by | Mar 23, 2019 | Before, College Planning

Which major investment do you think individuals do not get pre-qualified, pre-approved for?
$400K Mortgage?  $35K Car Loan? $250K College Education?
The correct answer is “college”! But why?

Since the notion of going to college was invented, students and parents have been taught to search, visit, make their selection on what I call the “hope and dream” mindset. Students and parents are told, everyone can go to college? You can go anywhere you want. Unfortunately for many that are not realistic?

Higher education today costs between $120K to $250K for a four-year public or private education.  Although most never pay that much, it is still a very expensive consumer purchase. Higher education is the only industry where the average consumer does not fully understand their buying and spending needs and capabilities up front.

Although the “hope and dream” mindset is not wrong, today it is important to be financially prepared as it is academically and personally before going about one’s search. We search for large consumer purchases like buying a home, looking for a car and even remolding a kitchen, by first getting pre-qualified and pre-approved! 

Getting pre-qualified, pre-approved should focus on two important areas, the readiness of a student to attend college (written about in a separate piece, Am I ready and what path to follow) and by knowing one’s buying needs and capability. Both are critical to the college planning experience.

When Should I Get Pre-Approved

As early as the freshman year of high school, parents of students considering college should learn their spending and buying capabilities. Understanding what constitutes college costs, how financial aid is determined, and what a family will be expected to pay, all need to be in the forefront of college planning. A student and family should analyze their financial profile and build a list that includes the quest for the “best school for my child”, but is based on reality. Looking for schools and ignoring the ability to pay results in April tears, co-signing private loans and excessive debt.

College costs vary between institutions, public and private, in-state or out-of-state and typically increase on an annual basis. Colleges and universities offer tuition assistance in the form of scholarships and need-based financial aid to those who qualify. Understanding the range of awards based on student high school resume and institution admission criteria need to considered with size, majors and extra-curricular when building a list of college options.

 What Does Pre-Approval Look Like?

Digging into the process of determining what one can/could afford requires a few calculations. Number one; Expected Family Contribution, commonly known as the EFC. This mystical number that stimulates a love-hate relationship is used by everyone who awards need-based money. The Feds, state Board of Higher Education, colleges, universities and many who award private philanthropic scholarships. The EFC is derived from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA!! It analyzes an individual family’s income, assets, and household size to determine what that specific family can be expected to contribute towards their student’s educational cost. The difference between a college’s cost and student/family’s EFC is what is known as “need”.

This example looks at two colleges, different costs with the same EFC and demonstrates what the unmet need will be prior to seeking out and applying for financial aid.

Hold on. I can’t pay the “EFC”, never mind the balance! Understood, but for the purposes of getting pre-approved, you should have a benchmark, a line in the sand. Using one’s EFC, a fixed number, a student/family can examine what an initial need will be school by school.

Now with this new powerful information, it’s time to go shopping. Time to explore colleges and build a list of college options built based on a student’s high school resume, the classics (size, location, majors) and new information, need.

Knowing one’s financial need (and EFC) earlier shifts the college search from a “hope and dream mindset” to “I know” what is needed to make the match. A search should identify a wide range of options. A search for colleges should also look for institutions that award aggressively and those who don’t.

College Plan

Today, the college planning experience needs to be different. It must be realistic, based on examining a students’ readiness to go and a families ability to pay. College plans focused on these two areas create options for students after high school, those that are academically and personally challenging and affordable. Students need to be coached and motivated to excel to reach their aspirations and goals, understand the value of being their own authentic self as they begin to consider their educational – career path after high school. Add in the “money talk” and now students and families can create a college -career plan that is realistic and one that will position a young adult for financial and individuals success.

In the end, it all its all about establishing a college- career plan that is designed and focused on the individual student and family. Is it easy, no. Is it doable, 100%!!

Myths, Challenges and “AHA” Moments for High School Parents

Myths, Challenges and “AHA” Moments for High School Parents

by | Mar 17, 2019 | College Planning

UNDERSTANDING EDUCATION COSTS

For many, the idea of going to college conjures up thoughts of tuition and fees. Although tuition is a high percentage of the cost, other charges are known as direct (room and board) and indirect (health insurance) make up the total cost of education. But, just like tuition assistance (merit and need-based), there are a lot of differences. Differences between colleges, regions of the country and one’s actual enrollment status. Learning the differences early in the college planning experience is critical. In-state or out-of-state cost, public or private institutions, New England, Southeast or even Canadian schools, all present different variables to the question, why are there different educational costs. Understanding the true cost of attendance and how it differs is a very important part of the college search and selection experience. Learning about college costs is important to the evaluation of institutions and their affordability for students and their family.

EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO COLLEGE

YES, BUT

Going to college continues to be a rite of passage for high school students but one must ask themselves, what path should I be following? Yes, as an Educational Adviser I endorse that everyone should advance their education after high school. However, I also believe that the path followed should match the desires and aspiration of the individual.  The plain truth is that not every student is prepared or ready to take on college-level academic work or the personal responsibility of managing college life. Today, 20% of college students withdraw after their second year. For many, it is due to the cost, but for others, it is a laundry list of reasons including preparedness. The other reason to use caution when considering one’s path after high school is that many students do not graduate within 4 years or even at all. It is critical to investigate all options for students to pursue their education after high school. It takes courage and guidance to separate oneself from the pack!!

FAILURE TO PLAN is PLANNING TO FAIL

How did you go about finding your first job, renting an apartment or buying your first home? Did you dive right in or have a plan? You probably considered factors such as cost, readiness, and location.  Did you seek out assistance or go it alone? How did that all work out? Could a plan have helped?

Thinking about one’s educational path after high school is a major step. These next steps are huge, overwhelming and can create stress and anxiety. It can affect everyone, a student, parent(s) and extended family. Stress can be felt at school, work, while we’re driving or even when standing in the grocery store line. It can affect one’s health, performance, and relationships. Having walked the walk with my own four students and while working with countless others, I can say it is real. Having a plan and utilizing resources can take the edge off. A good plan will keep everyone focused and on track, aware of deadlines and provide direction. It could be a plan found on the internet, the guidance department or one managed with the assistance of a dedicated college adviser. Investing in one’s educational path after high school is a major step. Plan to succeed!!

LISTENING IN LINE

AHA Moments for Parents 

  • I’m a parent of a sophomore in high school. Is it, too early to start thinking about paying for college?
    • Never – Learning now about college cost and tuition assistance is the key to a successful and affordable college selection.
  • My middle school student is interested in technology. Are there options at the high school level?
    • YES- High school students can pursue an interest in technology at many technical-vocational schools and through STEM Program.
  • My high school senior didn’t apply yet! Can they still apply? College and universities are actively accepting applications for Freshman and Transfer students.
    • If your student is interested in attending in September call and set up a time for an introduction!!
  • Our income is too high, we won’t qualify for financial aid, so why apply?
    • Yes, income is part of the calculation. Other factors including household size are also part of the formula. It is important to learn and understand the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and how tuition assistance is determined before jumping to conclusions. Applying takes 30 minutes.
  • College is too expensive, I’ll never get my degree.
    • Not True – Multiple paths to higher education after high school is 100% possible. Associate to Bachelors, working and attending part-time or entering an apprentice program are just a few. Learning the paths and following the one that is best for a student and family is the key!!

Have a question, concern or have your own “AHA” moment, call, text [617-240-7350] or email tom@getcollegegoing.com