And the Winner Is. . . It's Time to Pick a College

Will It Be College A or College B?

If you're like many parents, you're watching the mailbox very carefully these days. Will the mail carrier deliver a fat manila envelope (Congratulations! Welcome to College A!) or a skinny, anemic one (Thank you for applying at College B . . .)?

April is the month most colleges send out offers to incoming students who have applied for financial assistance. These acceptance letters cover the cost of tuition and fees plus the amount of financial aid available through the school. For more information about financial aid, please read the next article, "A Closer Examination of Financial Aid Awards."

Money aside for the moment, how can you ensure a college is the right fit for your teenager? If your student receives just one offer, that decision is rather easy. But what if you have several offers from which to choose?

Once you've pored over the financial aid offers, you need to consider other aspects of university life to make informed decisions that will affect your teen's life for the next four or more years. Consider the following questions as starting points for a discussion. Clearly, some will be more important to you than others.

1. What aspects of each campus most appealed to your teenager when he or she first applied? Talk about these with your teen.
2. What was your impression of the academic and/or the advising department? If your teen decides to change majors or add another major, will he or she receive the guidance necessary to make a smooth transition?
3. What is the total college enrollment? If your son or daughter attends a large high school, he or she might want to enroll at a small college. Or your student may love a large campus environment. Begin discussing campus environment early in the college decision process.
4. What type of freshman orientation or seminar is offered? These programs are often very important as students make the transition to college.
5. What is the average class size? Most college students will need to take some large lecture hall classes, but if small class size is important for courses in their major, factor in the professor-to-student ratio.
6. Does the college offer on-campus housing? Visit campus dorms to help select the safest and most appropriate location for your student.
7. What types of campus transportation are available? If none are offered, will your student need a car? Car insurance, gas, maintenance, and registration fees add up quickly and will factor into your decision.
8. What, if any, special academic courses and accommodations are available? Whether your teen is gifted or has learning disabilities, are there specific courses to help him or her succeed?
9. Will your student be able to play sports? Whether it's on the official school team or playing intramurals, sports are an important consideration for many students.
10. How far is the college from home? Is your teenager ready for full independent living or does it make more sense for him or her to stay closer to home base? How often will your student visit home; what type of transportation will they require? Needless to say, airplane trips cost more than car trips.
11. What are your teen's favorite hobbies, activities and clubs? Make sure they're offered at the college your son or daughter chooses.
12. What role, if any, does the college play in helping students find employment after graduation? Just as transitioning into college is important, so too is landing a job after graduation.

These questions should serve as a good springboard for some healthy discussions. Once you've made clear your expectations and level of support, it's critical to talk about and debate college choices. However, the final decision must be your teenager's choice.

Put Your Financial Aid Offers Under the Microscope

A Closer Examination of Financial Aid Awards

It's exciting to receive financial aid offers. And while your first inclination might be to celebrate, it's important to study each package carefully. What appears to be a fantastic deal from one college may actually be less than what another university offers.

Consider grants and scholarships first. Grants usually come from federal and state sources and do not have to repaid. Scholarships are usually merit-based and also don't need to be repaid. However, student aid--like the Stafford, Perkins, PLUS, and private loans--must be repaid, and the repayment dates vary.

Student financial aid brings with it certain obligations. In the case of federal, state and many institutional aid programs, your student must reapply each year. Further, many scholarships require a minimum course load and a minimum grade point average (GPA).

It's important to read all financial aid and loan documents carefully and understand their terms and conditions. You need to consider the requirements of any loan--both the interest rate and when repayment begins. Make sure both you and your teen completely understand the rules before you sign any documents. If anything is unclear, phone your college financial aid office. Ask questions until you can make an informed decision. For more information, visit the Financial Aid Packages page on the ACT student site, or check out the ACT Financial Aid Estimator. Best wishes to you and your student!

Spring Has Sprung; Have You Thought About Summer Plans?

Free of Four Walls, Let the Learning Continue During Summer

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "Skill to do comes of doing." And if ever there was a season for doing, it's certainly summer.

March is here and is a perfect time to begin planning exciting and educational activities for the upcoming summer months. Don't leave your pre-teen or teenager parked in front of the television, game console, or computer during the glory days of June, July, and August. Begin brainstorming ideas to promote learning outside the classroom.

If your teen is old enough, talk about possible part- or full-time employment. Skills learned on the job pay big dividends both in school and in career planning. Alternatively, encourage your student to arrange an internship in a field they're considering. Your student may find he or she loves the work, or just as importantly, hates it!

For younger students, explore classes and clubs that challenge them to learn new skills. Team sports teach important life lessons, and besides, they're fun, no matter what your child's skill level. Whether it's the swim team, a baseball league or soccer lessons, encourage your student to get out in the sun and soak up some fun.

Summer is a perfect time to seek out new hobbies and passions. Have a budding shutterbug? A creative writer? A public speaker? A painter? Or a drama queen? Check out programs at local community colleges, universities, parks and recreation departments, YMCA branches, or private schools. If your teen is faithful about bringing home school papers, you've probably already noticed summer fliers appearing in his or her backpack. If not, jump online or read your local paper for more ideas. You needn't pay a lot of money for these enrichment programs. In fact, some offer scholarships to those who qualify.

Summer school or private tutoring are also options to consider. If your student needs a little extra help in a subject area, enroll him or her in a class to get up to speed. Balance this work with a large dose of summer free time. Come fall, your teen will be ready to get back in the swing of things at school.

Camp--whether it's the old fashioned kind with cabins, sleeping bags and campfires or more targeted like cheerleading, engineering, or basketball camp--is a great way to give your teenager a small taste of independence. Do some research to find just the right program for your teen. Make sure the camp has a good reputation and is financially feasible for your family. Again, don't be afraid to ask about scholarships or financial aid.

However your teen spends the summer months, make sure they're memorable, exciting, and filled with new experiences. Remember, skill to do comes of doing!

ACT Test Date Reminder

The next nationwide ACT test date is April 4, 2009. Although the regular registration date has passed, you can still register until March 13 by paying a late fee. Another national test date is available June 13. Students registering online should register early to avoid heavy Web traffic and delays.

ACT offers an optional Writing Test. Visit the ACT student website to find out about the Writing Test, including which colleges require or recommend it.

The website also provides test prep aids including free sample questions and ACT Online Prep™. You'll also find test day tips, a list of items to bring to the test, and details on what type of calculators are allowed on the Math Test.

For all questions about the ACT test, visit the ACT student website.

See also:

ACT's Information for Parents

The ACT

PLAN

EXPLORE

Financial Aid

College Search

Careers