During the college prep process, communication is key. You and your teen will need to discuss all sorts of topics from school choice, to finances, to college majors, and other college-related topics. Communicating with teenagers can be both rewarding and challenging. You know, as a parent of a teenager, there are times when both of you struggle to communicate.
Here are some tips to help you connect with your teenager:
Continue reading Communicating With Your College-Bound Teenager
My son was an unmotivated student. He skated through high school with average grades and didn’t begin to think about college until the spring of his senior year. He decided he wanted to go to a military academy, and of course, it was too late to meet the requirements for application. Panicking about his future, he made the decision to join the Marines; and believe me, I was not a happy parent. In the end, however, it was a good choice for him.
Entering the realm of college preparation can be an overwhelming journey for many students. Some may find themselves unmotivated, dragging their feet, and questioning whether they are even college material. As parents, it’s essential to recognize this struggle and provide the necessary support and encouragement to help your student unlock their full potential.
Continue reading Motivating an Unmotivated Student Toward the Future
Government student loans play a significant role in providing financial assistance to students who aspire to achieve their academic goals.
Education is a key investment in one’s future, and for many students, financing their education becomes a crucial aspect of pursuing higher studies. With so much confusion these days over which government loans are best and what the difference is, I felt it was time to simplify it for you and create a list along with the specifics on each.
Following are the various types of government student loans available to students in the United States.
Continue reading Exploring the Various Types of Government Student Loans
Navigating the college prep journey with your teen is a transformative and sometimes challenging experience. As your teenager embarks on the journey towards higher education, parents need to provide guidance, support, and a nurturing environment. This article aims to offer practical tips and insights on how to navigate this crucial period in your teenager’s life.
Establishing open and honest communication is the foundation for successful parenting during college prep. Encourage your teenager to share their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations. Actively listen and provide a non-judgmental space for them to express themselves. This will foster a strong parent-teenager relationship built on trust.
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Choosing a college is a significant decision that can shape your student’s future, so it’s crucial to approach it with careful consideration. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when making this important choice:
This is #1 because it comes before your student even starts their college list. It’s essential to have a clear understanding of your budget and how to manage your finances during college. Evaluate the cost of attending each college, including tuition, fees, and living expenses. Research scholarship opportunities, financial aid options, and work-study programs.
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UVM is excited to announce the Vermont Pitch Challenge, a new entrepreneurial-focused competition that gives high school students in grades 10-12 from across the world a chance to pitch innovative and impactful business plans–all while competing for cash prizes and full-tuition scholarships to UVM. The new program is free to enter and offers young students a unique opportunity to learn from UVM faculty and alumni as well as top entrepreneurial experts about how to write a business plan, create a compelling pitch, and achieve their ultimate career goals.
The Vermont Pitch Challenge gives high school entrepreneurs from across the globe the chance to pitch innovative businesses that make a difference in their communities. Along the way, participants will learn from top experts during monthly webinars about how to write a business plan, create a compelling pitch, and achieve their goals–all while competing for cash prizes and scholarships to the University of Vermont. Learn More.
Continue reading UVM to Offer Scholarships and Cash Prizes in New Pitch Challenge for High School Students
As the cost of higher education continues to rise, pursuing financial aid has become a crucial aspect of the college application process for many students and their families. Merit aid, awarded based on a student’s achievements and abilities rather than financial need, can significantly alleviate the financial burden associated with attending college.
Both my children received merit-based aid because of their academic performance. The best path to this type of aid is to focus on academics. Start when your child enters high school by stressing the importance of a strong academic performance.
Continue reading Navigating the Path to Merit Aid
It’s been a busy holiday season culminating with the availability of the new FAFSA. Let’s just say it’s been anything but seamless for parents and students.
Monitoring Facebook groups, I’ve noticed so many frustrations with the new form. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s new and everyone is not too sure about the simplified format, or the instructions just aren’t clear, which is a distinct possibility. Whatever the case, the questions online are prolific.
My best advice: take it slowly. Read every section carefully and if you don’t understand, search for answers at StudentAid.gov.
From NerdWallet, here are its five most-confusing aspects, and strategies to deal with them — so you can submit your form ASAP.
Continue reading FAFSA Frustrations and Questions
Almost half of a school year is behind you. Whether your teen is waiting to hear back from their college choices, or continuing the decision process as they approach senior year, it is helpful to understand and evaluate college size and student population.
The answer to this question is complicated. Size really doesn’t matter as far as the quality of education your child will receive. Some of the best institutions of higher learning have large campuses with enormous student bodies, and some have fewer than 3000 students. What does matter, and always matters, is whether or not the school is a “perfect fit”, after examining a few factors:
Continue reading Does Size Matter (When It Comes to College)?
Going to college is, for many, one of the most important experiences you will have in life. It’s also the kind of thing that can take a lot of your time and which requires your dedication to succeed. If you also have a baby or child, then you might well be wondering what you can do to ensure you are looking after them as well as pursuing your college degree. As it happens, it is possible to do both at once, though it might take some awareness of what approach to take. Here is some advice on doing that.
Continue reading How Parents Can Pursue Their College Dreams