With a new school year quickly approaching,
many parents are figuring out how their child is going to afford college.
According to CollegeBoard, the average student budget for the 2019-20 academic
year was $26,590 for students attending a four-year university. This figure
includes the cost of living on campus, which may be required of incoming freshman students.
This means your child’s education could cost
well over six figures. And no parent wants their child to start their adult
life with that amount of debt.
As a parent, you can help guide your child to make smart decisions
that will impact their finances for years to come. This begins with choosing an
affordable school.
There are also other ways to help pay for the
cost of attendance and living expenses. Here’s how to help fund college costs
and ways to borrow wisely.
Apply for financial aid
opportunities before borrowing
Before you or your child
take on debt to pay for college, you should exhaust all other available
resources.
Your child can access financial aid opportunities, like grants, scholarships and work-study programs, by
completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA filing window
is October 1 to June 30 for each upcoming academic year. Keep in mind that some
financial aid is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and cutoff
deadlines vary by state. Encourage your child to complete their application as
early as possible.
Also explore third-party
scholarship opportunities through your employer, local community organizations and
online databases. Each additional scholarship or grant — even if it is only for
a few hundred dollars — can prevent your child from taking on more student loan
debt.
How to borrow wisely for college
Once your family has explored all financial
aid opportunities and pooled existing resources (e.g. 529 college savings plan
and other family contributions), your child may still need to turn to student
loans.
Whether your child is taking out loans in
their own name or you’re borrowing on their behalf, it’s important that your
family only borrow what is needed to fill the remaining financial gap.
The first way to approach student loans is
through federal loans. Federal loans have more flexibility and have certain
protections and benefits. This is why it’s best to maximize federal loan
opportunities before taking out private loans.
For example, your child can enroll in a
repayment plan that matches their financial situation and may be eligible for
loan forgiveness opportunities.
Your child should borrow funds in this order:
Direct Subsidized Loans.
Subsidized loans typically have the lowest rates, and the government will
cover any interest that accrues while your child is in school.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans.
Unsubsidized loans aren’t need-based, so any student can qualify for them.
However, your child is responsible for the interest that accrues during
school.
Private loans. Your child
will likely need a cosigner to qualify for a private loan. Shop around
with various private lenders to find the lowest rate and best terms for
your credit.
You may also have the option to take out a
federal Parent PLUS loan in your name to help fund your child’s
education.You’ll be solely financially responsible for the loan — not your
child.
Make a debt repayment plan
Student loan borrowers
should always be aware of interest charges that will accrue during school and
after graduation. These charges should be included in their overall financial
plan.
Your child should also start making a debt
repayment plan as soon as possible. Popular student loan repayment methods
include enrolling in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan or refinancing student loans after graduation to
get a lower interest rate.
When considering refinancing federal loans
into private student loans, it’s important to understand the consequences of
losing out on federal benefits and protections, like loan forgiveness and
forbearance.
The earlier your child plans for their educational costs, the more likely they can save money during their college experience and beyond.
Our guest post today is by Travis Hornsby, CFA, and Founder and CEO of Student Loan Planner. He lives with his wife in St. Louis, MO, where he loves thinking up new student loan repayment strategies and frequenting the best free zoo in America. As one of the nation’s leading student loan experts, he has consulted on $500 million of student debt personally.
Students of all ages around the world are currently facing a truly peculiar bump in the academic road. At what seems to be the pinnacle of the global COVID-19 pandemic, academic institutions are making large changes to their curriculums. Whether it be by moving to an online-administered program, cancelling events or classes, or shutting down entirely; students across the globe are coping with the changes of their school’s transitions during the pandemic.
Study abroaders of all ages are facing the ramifications as well. What does the pandemic exactly mean for study abroad students? In the past month here between in Italy and Spain, I’ve witnessed students being sent, both willingly and unwillingly, back to their home countries, students being sent to other countries to carry out the remainder of their study abroad where the virus has not yet reached, and students who choose to stay in these countries despite the situation. I myself identify as an international student and professional abroad, studying and working in Italy and Spain. I chose to stay, in spite of the pandemic. It is my hope to share with students and parents alike the effect that COVID-19 is currently transmitting onto the study abroad community, from here in Southern Europe.
To begin, we must remember that study abroad programs in both high school and college vary in style, teaching methods, topics, location, etc. Different students are facing extensively different situations as a result of the virus.
Institutions and programs with study abroad and/or international students in attendance are adapting massively diverse approaches as to continuing the education and safety of these students in particular. In Italy and Spain, study abroaders are generally being given the option as to whether or not they want to return home or stay in these countries. Schools and universities have been closed entirely for safety measures, and most (including my own!) have moved to providing online lectures and activities for their students.
While boarders have closed in several countries, nationals of these countries (including the USA) are able to return home from their study abroad programs if required/chosen.
This means that study abroad students are indeed able to reenter their home country, regardless of the closed boarders. Self-quarantine, aka Staying home, is generally requested or required at this time when returning home from abroad. Some European countries are taking precautions such as providing quarantine institutions to groups of nationals who have returned from abroad, for a span of 14 days before they are reintegrated into their family homes. Ultimately, what this means is that study abroaders are indeed able to return home at this point, if they so choose or are required to do so.
For those of us students who have chosen to stay in Europe during this period, life is continuing as normally as possible.
Instead of leaving the house and going to school, we set up at our desks at home with a laptop, ready for class. Instead of having a coffee all together after the lecture, we step out onto the balcony to see if any neighbors are in sight for a well-distanced chat. Perhaps the most difficult reality we face during this time is that the experience we study abroaders had envisioned is not going to be entirely brought to life at this time.
With that said, the community of international students and professionals is always unified, even more so in times of crisis. I’ve seen internet campaigns of support, tutors and teachers offering free language classes online so that we may continue to practice despite the consequences, and new forums for questions and concerns so that the international community may help each other. It’s not only extremely helpful, but also very uplifting.
Finally, we keep spirits high by knowing that study abroad can and will continue as usual once the pandemic has passed.
As the world changes, we must adapt with it. Study abroad professionals and academic leaders on this side of the ocean have already worked incredibly hard and quickly to make sure that students are safe, well-informed, and able to continue their education to the best of their ability. There are still, and will be, more opportunities to study abroad both in here in Southern Europe and beyond as we move forward in time.
For high school students who are looking to join us this summer with Abbey Road Programs, here’s some cool news:
Social Media Ambassador Scholarships are Abbey Road’s most popular Student Ambassador award. Designed to promote study abroad and cross-cultural awareness through student stories and images, scholarship recipients are asked to share their summer experiences with their peers by posting pictures, videos and blogs on their social media accounts. Outstanding contributors are profiled and their work is showcased on the Abbey Road website. We award 3-5 Social Media Ambassador Scholarships per summer program.
Today’s guest post is by Shannon O’Brien, European Coordinator at Abbey Road Programs.
Shannon is an American expat whose career in Europe began with a study abroad experience in Spain when she was in high school. She is still active in the study abroad community in Italy and Spain, and works as European Coordinator for Abbey Road Programs, assisting other students in pursuing international educations.
Studying abroad is an excellent way for students of all ages to enhance their foreign language skills, level of independence, and ability to think critically. These aspects fall within the heaps of knowledge and personality traits that are developed while embarking on a study abroad experience, unique to every student. Particularly for those individuals who have a certain interest in languages, international affairs, history or art, studying abroad is always a good idea for both personal growth and for the resume.
The term study abroadis generally associated with college students. It is very popular at this day in age for college students, regardless of their major, to spend at least a semester outside of the US, if not more. Less common are those students who choose to embark on an international academic experience when they are still in high school. This is the case for numerous reasons, starting with the fact that opportunities to do so are less frequent and less discussed; though the powerful impact of such experiences on a younger mind is incredibly valuable. In this article, I will share why study abroad experiences during youth and adolescence are critical for young students, both on paper and in person.
I make this claim as both a former study abroad student and a recruiter. My high school study abroad experience opened me up to a world of invaluable relationships, heightened cultural awareness, and fluency in a foreign language. As our world gets smaller and smaller, these aspects become more useful to us as students, professionals, and people.
On paper – What value does study abroad in high school add to a resumee?
1. International experiences set you apart.
In a world where test scores and athletic achievements are seemingly the most common ways a high school student can excel on paper, international academic experiences provide a curveball opportunity for standing out. It’s especially valuable for students who may not be interested in pursuing a future of college sports or strictly academic vigor, and want to contribute something more diverse to their profiles. Since study abroad experiences are more exclusive to college students or graduates, their presence on a high school student’s resumee is highly unique and telling of the student’s probable personality characteristics. Which brings me to our next point…
2. Studying abroad at a young age shows initiative and ambition.
There’s a difference between the inferences made about a student who studied abroad in college versus in high school. As a former student recruiter, when I came across a profile of a student who had embarked on an academic experience abroad before starting college, I always wanted to know more. Due to its less prevalent nature, making the decision to study abroad before college shows a unique level of initiative and self-driven ambition in a young student. Taking the initiative to travel at length and put oneself out of their comfort zone to pursue a curiosity allows someone to infer that they are dealing with a notably brave, flexible, and self-starting person. Especially at a young age, when taking advantage of an opportunity to go abroad often entails application forms, collaboration and convincing of the parents, and time away from home, the experience is much more reflective of these strong personality traits.
3. Fluency in a foreign language stands out.
This is not only because our world is getting smaller and therefore naturally, the more languages you know, the more value you may serve. Studying a foreign language is time consuming. It puts the student in embarrassing and confusing situations. It forces you to let your guard down and laugh at yourself. We can even put aside the valuable display of ambition and drive that study abroad creates; learning a foreign language takes it a step further. It shows wit, perseverance, and the ability to think critically about oneself. People are left impressed when a young person explains to them that, no, the reasonI speak Spanish isn’t because I learned it at home. I studied it and went abroad to perfect it, and now I’m fluent. It’s a wow factor.
In person – What valuable impact does study abroad in high school have on a young mind?
1. Being abroad heightens our sense of self-awareness and critical thinking.
The ability to exhibit elevated self-awareness and think critically about oneself are hard to come by even in adulthood. By partaking in the experience of studying abroad, young people get a kickstart to growing in these crucial aspects of knowledge and emotional intelligence. Studying abroad in high school made me reconsider the way I think; it prompted questions about myself in relationship to my own culture and upbringing. Suddenly, my 17-year-old brain was actively exploring parts of my psyche, like why I was so afraid of failure, or why the Spaniards are not disgusted by jealousy whereas Americans are. These are thoughts that inhibit us to become more considerate, self-correcting people both in adolescence and adulthood.
2. We are more impressionable when we are young.
Young brains are highly impressionable when it comes to both knowledge and mindset. The fact that we absorb more information with less effort at a young age is a given; it’s why a five-year-old can learn a new language just by listening to it, whereas a 35-year-old must put in seemingly endless amounts of effort to reach the same fluency level. In youth and adolescence, it is easier for our brains to grasp foreign concepts like languages and diverse ways of thinking. That’s why the younger we are exposed to them and forced to make sense of them, the better they stick. I’m talking about languages, yes, but also the ability to keep an open mind. By facing foreign concepts when we are young – for example, eating dinner in Spain at 10pm instead of 6pm back home in Massachusetts – we train ourselves to be open to adaptability and to maintain a flexible outlook.
3. Authentic exploration is more precious at a young age.
International experiences that take place in that special time between childhood and adulthood are invaluable. In this phase of our lives, it is more likely that the experience abroad will be less centered around finding bars where other Americans hang out, and more about discovering oneself and the culture around us through meaningful friendships, letting our guards down, and getting to feel more independent. At this age, an authentic experience is longer lasting in the impressions it has on us. Even in the age of social media and connectivity, it allows a deeper connection with the place we visit and the people we meet. That value is continuous into our college application process, during college, and beyond.
Today’s guest post is by Shannon O’Brien, European Coordinator atAbbey Road Programs
Author bio: Shannon is an American expat whose career in Europe began with a study abroad experience in Spain when she was in high shcool. She is still active in the study abroad community in Italy and Spain, and works as European Coordinator for Abbey Road Programs, assisting other students in pursuing international educations.
One of the most common worries that a lot of parents tend to experience is that they aren’t going to be able to afford to send their kids to college. After all, college is one of those things that’s pretty much essential to get a competitive edge in their careers but it’s also one of the most expensive things that they will ever do. Of course, it’s not particularly productive to spend your time worrying about it. Especially because there are actually plenty of things that you can do in order to make sure that you’re in a financial position to send your kids to college. Here are just a few things that you may want to consider.
Start saving
The simplest and most obvious thing that you can do in order to make sure that you can afford to send your child to college is to start saving your money as early as possible. Having money stored away in a savings account means that when the time for college rolls around, you’re already prepared for it and you don’t have to worry about the ways in which it will impact your finances overall. Even if you’re just putting away a little bit here and there where you can, if you’re focused and disciplined about it, that kind of money can end up growing far more quickly than you might expect.
Grow your money
One of the best things that you can do in order to bring in the kind of extra money that you might need to send your child to college is to find ways to invest it. There are plenty of investment options out there for those looking to grow their money. Property is one of the safest and most profitable. Working with agents like William Pitt Sotheby’s Realty can help you find the perfect properties that are the perfect place to invest your money. Of course, investing always comes with risks so it’s worth being as cautious as possible so that you don’t wind up making any mistakes with your money.
Borrow
Taking out a loan in order to fund your child’s college experience is one of the most common options and for good reason. The truth is that a lot of people simply don’t have the means to pay it themselves so taking out a loan can be a great option. You just need to be sure that you’re borrowing carefully. Do your research and make sure that any loan you take out is fully accredited and that you’re not falling prey to any predatory practices.
One of the most important things to remember is that financing is something that you should think about from the very start of the college application process. The last thing you want is for your child to be attending their orientation and you’re only just thinking about how you’re actually going to be able to afford to finance their college experience. It’s something that requires planning and preparation. In all likelihood, it’s something you’ll be thinking bout far longer than your child.
Do you need money to pay for college? Are you having trouble
motivating your student to study and prepare for standardized tests?
What you may not know is that there are GUARANTEED
scholarships available for students based on their standardized test scores. And
in case you think they are only for perfect scores, think again. Many colleges
award automatic scholarships for scores of 1100 for the SAT and 22 for the ACT.
Of course, the higher your score, the more scholarship money you receive.
Automatic National Merit scholarships
Perhaps one of the best sources of money based solely on a
standardized test score, is the PSAT. If your student is a National
Merit finalist (based on the scores in your state), they are eligible for
scholarships. Apart of earning a $2500 scholarship through the competition
itself, students can score some big money from colleges by listing them as
their first choice when they take the test.
With just a little preparation and study (most students don’t
prepare for this test), your student can score well stacked up against other
students in the state. It’s completely achievable and pays off in huge
scholarship dollars.
To learn more about sponsoring universities, read here.
Automatic scholarships based on SAT/ACT scores
Colleges offer automatic scholarships based on your student’s
test scores. These scholarships don’t require an extra application or
information, but there may be a college application deadline. Check with
each individual college for deadline information.
These scholarships are usually posted on the college
websites. For a short list of some of the colleges and their scholarship
opportunities and how to search for any college, hop over to PrepScholar
for a detailed explanation of how to search for these scholarships.
Of course, don’t stop here. Encourage your student to apply
for the scholarships that fit them well and keep applying all throughout
college. Free money means no debt after graduation. Your son or daughter should
appreciate the benefit of that.
I’m not a fan of college rankings. Most are bought and paid for by the colleges and always have the Ivies at the top of the lists. You should never judge a college solely on its ranking, but there is one non-profit organization that ranks colleges based on the economic value added as being the improvement in earnings and employability of graduates; measured against the total cost of the education. Quite simply, colleges are ranked on their ROI (return on investment) by the Nonprofit Educate to Career.
Of course, your student won’t base their college choice solely on this information, but these rankings can help you and your student determine the value of your educational investment.
ETC President and founder Michael R. Havis states:
“Transparency and value in higher education is paramount – parents are telling us. Accordingly, we rank colleges by the outcomes of their graduates – including jobs and salaries, graduation rates, student loan payback rates, and other factors. ETC uses sophisticated statistical techniques to control for the quality of the students (we calculate the earnings value of high SAT scores and correctively weight our model for that value). Other rankings show a correlation between the SAT/ACT scores that a school accepts and the rank of the schools. They’re really ranking the students accepted by the colleges – while we are truly ranking colleges. Also, unlike other rankings – we do not accept any data from the colleges themselves, choosing to compile our data from only publicly available sources for the sake of transparency and impartiality”.
Some of the metrics used in calculating the ETC College Rankings Index are:
Percentage of graduates employed in occupations which utilize their field of study
Average salary earned by recent graduates, by school for each major category (adjusted for region, occupation and other variables)
Percentage of persons employed within one year of graduation
Major, referenced against similarly situated students at other institutions
Graduation rate and the number of years to graduate
Tuition- in state, net cost
Loan default rates
Other proprietary input variables which norm students to a common standard for each school and major
The ETC College Rankings Index is the standard for ranking colleges based on factors that families actually care about – ROI. Click the link to view the 2020 ETC College Rankings Index!
If you’re going to rely on rankings to make your college choice, ETC rankings are the ones to use because they are solely based on statistical data and not information the colleges provide.
My inbox is flooded with emails from parents asking
questions about college prep. While I encourage parents to ask questions and
find good advice, I marvel at the stressful tones coming across in those
emails. Why do parents stress so much about college prep? What can you do to handle
the stress?
My first piece of advice—relax.
It’s all going to work out and your student will attend a
college that makes him or her happy. It may not be the college you choose or
even their first-choice college, but wherever they land, it will work itself
out. Stressing over every single aspect of the college application can not only
drive you crazy, but put undue pressure on your student as well. The college decision
is stressful enough without you adding to the process.
My second piece of advice—do your research.
Before you start stressing over whether your student will “have
what it takes” to get into college, look at the college
statistics for each college on their wish list. What percentage of applicants
are admitted each year? What percentage of students receive financial aid? What
does the freshman class look like—average SAT scores, average GPAs, and other
factors? What does the college value the most in their applicants—demonstrated
interest, GPAs, extracurriculars or others?
My third piece of advice—be realistic.
Be realistic. Your student may aspire to the highly selective
colleges, but is it conceivable they will be accepted? It’s perfectly
acceptable to have a dream school, but if your student applies, they should
fall within the criteria of the applicants. Applying to colleges you simply can’t
afford or your student’s chances of acceptance are slim, will only set you and
them up for disappointment.
One parent, when discussing student debt, summarized it like
this: “It’s our personal opinion [as parents], but for us we would find it
irresponsible on our part to let any of our kids incur that much debt for a bachelor’s
degree. They will have to dream with the money they have available. Plenty of
great educations out there that won’t break the bank.”
You owe it to you children to be the voice of reason. There
are over 4000 colleges within the United States that will give your student an
excellent education. Do your homework and help them find the one that is the
best fit.
My final advice—ask for help.
It’s a given. You are going to need help. Luckily, there is plenty of help available online for parents to gather information and advice. You can consult the experts or search for help in social media. Just about every question you have can be answered and if not, you can message or email an expert for their advice. Never be afraid to ask for help.
I
received an email from a concerned parent whose student was going to be
attending orientation next week. In the email, he confessed that he might need
some help with information regarding financing his son’s college education. I was
surprised that he waited so long. Unfortunately, I had to advise him that at
this point his only options were private loans and advise his student to apply
for scholarships over the summer.
Parents should consider college funding even before their student applies to college. The inevitable result of lack of planning is parents and students borrowing to pay and usually borrowing more than they can repay after graduation.
What
do the statistics say?
With
school starting shortly, student loan borrowing often appears in the news. It’s
especially prevalent now with presidential candidates promising to erase
student loan debt. Wherever you stand in the political landscape, it’s clear
from the statistics that students have borrowed more than they can repay.
According
to a 2018 report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as many as 44.7
million Americans have student loan debt, that’s one in five adult
Americans. The total amount of student loan debt is $1.47 trillion as
of the end of 2018 — more than credit cards or auto loans.
How
do you make wise financial choices?
Before applying to college, you and your student should investigate the cost. You can gather the information either on the college website or by using College Navigator. When viewing these figures, you should also research the college’s financial aid statistics—what percentage of students are awarded aid, how much aid is awarded and how much do students typically borrow. Since every family’s financial situation is different, these figures should help determine if the college is affordable to attend.
How
does financial aid play into the equation?
If
you complete the FAFSA, your student will receive some form of financial aid.
The most common is student loans, but colleges also award grants and merit aid
as well. Always complete the FAFSA, even if you don’t think you will qualify
for aid. Colleges use the information on the FAFSA when awarding scholarships
and grants. No FAFSA, no aid.
What’s the key to avoid borrowing too much?
Use repayment calculators before you sign on the dotted line. The rule of thumb is that students should only borrow as much to pay for college as their first year’s salary. By keeping your debt under one year’s salary, you won’t have to put more than about 10% of your income towards student loan payments. Borrowing more than your student can afford to repay sets them up for overwhelming debt after graduation. Your student can look at salary comparisons for their anticipated career at PayScale.com.
How
can you avoid borrowing to pay for college?
The key to not borrowing to pay for college is to receive merit aid, grants, and outside scholarships. Your student should apply to a college at the top of his or her applicant pool. This means the college will be more likely to award aid to attract your student. Grades and standardized test scores are also a key factor in awarding aid. Your student should focus throughout college to pursue excellence in these areas. And, don’t forget outside scholarships. Your student should focus time and effort in applying to every scholarship he or she qualifies for. This means starting early and planning to submit the best application. Click here for scholarship application tips and see how your student can win enough money to pay for college.
Finally, borrow wisely. Only borrow what you need. Your student can borrow the maximum amount, but only borrow what is necessary. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Choose the loans with the lowest interest rates first.
Potential Magazine is sponsoring two scholarships for high school students grades 9-12. It’s never too early to start searching and applying for scholarships.
National Don’t Wait to Reach Your Potential Scholarship* Hosted by: Potential Magazine Deadline: 01-04-20 Award: $500
Qualifications: This scholarship is for college-bound teens in grades 9th-12th. It does not require specific test scores, GPA, or class ranking. Parents can also register but will need to designate a student to receive the award. Description: Winner will be notified via e-mail! You will also be receiving Potential Magazine’s free weekly “Countdown to College” (C2C) eNewsletter with additional scholarship opportunities, ACT/SAT prep tips, college prep info, and more. Application: https://www.potentialmagazine.com/countdown-to-college-scholarship-sign-up/
National Countdown to College Scholarship* Hosted by: Potential Magazine Deadline: 05-04-20 Award: $1,000
Qualifications: This scholarship is for college-bound teens in grades 9th-12th. It does not require specific test scores, GPA, or class ranking. Parents can also register but will need to designate a student to receive the award. Description: Winner will be notified via e-mail! You will also be receiving Potential Magazine’s free weekly “Countdown to College” (C2C) eNewsletter with additional scholarship opportunities, ACT/SAT prep tips, college prep info, and more. Application: https://www.potentialmagazine.com/countdown-to-college-scholarship-sign-up/
When parents and students enter the college-bound process,
issues arise. It’s the inevitable clash of what parents think is best for their
kids, and what the kids want. Over the past 18 years the clashes have been over
such things as food, friends and entertainment choices. As college approaches,
the parent-student conflict intensifies.
Following are six areas that typically cause conflict along with some advice on how to handle it and work toward a compromise.
1. Junior college vs
4-year college
Parents often approach the college prep process from a
financial standpoint; students do. They make their decisions based on all types
of criteria that might not seem logical to parents: location, campus
activities, the look of the campus, friends, and even popularity of the college
with their peers. While those aren’t necessarily the best criteria, they should
play into their final decisions.
Here are just a few questions to consider:
Would a
4-year college be better for your student?
If your student is independent and knows
what he wants, a 4-year college might indeed be the best choice. Students who
are focused and are ready to pursue a specific major can benefit from attending
a 4-year college starting with their freshman year.
Could you
justify a 4-year college if it was more affordable?
Although junior college is more affordable
based on cost for credit hours, there are other factors to consider. For
instance, scholarships are more readily available to incoming freshmen than to
transfer students. Financial aid awards could be enough to offset the higher
tuition fees.
Does your student understand the benefits of junior college?
Perhaps the greatest benefit of attending a
junior college is getting the basics out of the way, especially if they are
unsure about a major. The financial benefits can be great as well, especially
if the student lives at home and works while attending.
Is it possible to reach a compromise?
Talk with your student and make an effort to
understand their reasons for wanting to attend a 4-year college. Be open to the
possibility. Explain your concerns about cost and going to college without a
decided major. A compromise might be for them to take courses over the summer
before college and get a few of the basics out of the way.
2. A profitable major
vs a major that embraces their passions
Parents think logically—they want their kids to graduate and
be able to secure a job that pays well and has future career advancement
possibilities. While there is nothing wrong with that line of thinking, their
kids want to study something that interests them.
Have you considered these realities?
Your
child would be more likely to embrace college if he has a passion for what he
is studying.
Statistics show that nearly half of all
college students drop out before receiving a degree. If your student is
pursuing something he is passionate about, the likelihood of him sticking it
out for 4 years is much higher than if he is pursuing a major that doesn’t
interest him simply because he will be more employable after graduation.
There are
lucrative majors that embrace all areas of interest and could be a good
compromise.
Investigate majors and research the ones
that have a good rate of return. Encourage your child to look at the degree
plans and perhaps add a minor to their degree embracing their passions. Some
colleges even allow students to create their own degree plans, choosing courses
that interest them and pertain to their areas of study.
Those who
are happiest in life have careers that they are passionate about.
Of course you want your child to be
successful and be able to make a living. But even though they get a job after
graduation that pays well, it doesn’t guarantee they will stick with it,
especially if it is not something they are passionate about.
Explaining
the consequences of choosing a major that’s unemployable might help your child
understand why you are concerned.
Graduating with debt and being unemployable
is a big concern for parents. But your student may not understand the
consequences of their decision. Its four years down the road and all they see
is dollar signs because they have a college degree. Encourage them to do some
research on the major they are considering and the expected salary and hiring
potential after graduation. It just might open their eyes and help them move
toward a more logical major.
3. Extracurricular
activities vs free time
Parents look at the big picture. Students focus on the “here
and now”. It’s hard for teenagers to comprehend the importance of proper
planning and preparation. They want to enjoy high school and not be pressed day
in and day out to focus on the future. It’s a delicate balance between applying
themselves, managing their time and enjoying their free time.
With a few simple tactics you and your teen should be able
to reach a compromise:
Set
aside time each day to work on college related activities.
Parents who are over achievers expect the
same from their student. But all work and no play makes for a very stressed out
teenager. Make a plan with them to spend x amount of time each day on
college-related activities. Once they complete their daily tasks, you will feel
better about letting them have some free time.
Encourage
your teen to focus on one activity throughout high school.
Many parents think that piling on the
extracurriculars during high school will impress college admissions officers.
But it’s not entirely true. Colleges are looking for focused applicants. They
are much more impressed with a student who has devoted four years in high
school to one particular activity than one who has piled them on just to
impress. Consistency is more appealing than numbers.
Allow
your teen time to have fun while helping them to find balance.
Teaching your teen to balance their time
will go a long way in helping them to manage their time in college. Students
who know how to keep a balance between studying and social activities do much
better in a college environment. Help them prioritize their activities.
Work with
them to establish goals and the steps needed to reach them.
Before they leave for college, students need
to know how to set goals and how to take steps to fulfill them. Help them make
a list of goals, both short term and long term, and encourage them to evaluate
those goals on a regular basis adjusting their time to stay on track.
4. Hand holding vs a
quest for independence
Perhaps the most difficult part of parenting a college-bound
teen is when to help and when to let them take the reins. It’s hard because for
the past 18 years we have been in control. Relinquishing control over such a
critical process in their life is harder than you might imagine. Looking at the
process from the college’s standpoint, the student needs to own the process.
They will be the one going to college and they should be the one making the
decisions. But you can certainly guide, encourage and offer help when asked.
Parents can help with
these tasks:
Staying organized-keeping track of deadlines and test dates.
Explaining the financial plan-discuss what you will pay and what you expect them to pay toward college.
Providing documents as needed, especially concerning financial aid.
Offering advice about college choices-offer advice but don’t dictate choices based on your preferences.
Accompanying them on college visits- listen to their likes and dislikes afterwards while staying objective.
Providing tutoring help if needed.
Help with studying for standardized tests.
Guide them with the final decision helping them take into account financial aid awards
Help with locating scholarships.
Parents should let
their student take the lead with these tasks:
Compiling a list of college choices
Talking during college visits and interviews
Communicating with colleges via email, social media, and telephone
Gathering letters of recommendation
Applying for scholarships
Completing the application
Completing the FAFSA
Making the final decision
5. Gap year vs going
straight to college
Parents cringe when their teens bring up the gap year. The
concept seems like procrastination and parents fear that once out of school,
the student may never go to college at all. Taking a year off to lie around and
do nothing is never an acceptable option. But taking a year off with a focused
purpose might be what’s best for your teen.
Before you put your foot down and forbid them to do this,
consider the reasons a gap year might be beneficial:
They
could use the time to pursue career interests.
A gap year could be the perfect time for
your student to learn more about specific careers that would help them choose a
major. Internships and apprenticeships during the year could provide them with
more information about the types of education needed and the specific degree
plan best suited to their chosen career.
They
could take the time to travel and work abroad.
Taking a year off to travel and work abroad
can be beneficial when they do attend college. Being exposed to different
cultures and getting to see the world helps them in their future careers. There
are many programs
that offer students the opportunity to work while abroad and some that offer
them the opportunity to volunteer for room and board. Scholarships are also
available as well.
They
could simply use the time to mature and gain focus.
Many high school graduates simply aren’t
mature and focused enough to attend college. Taking a year off means a year to
grow and mature. But it should never be used to sit around the house, play
video games, and hang out with friends. A gap year, to help with maturity and
focus, should always include a plan such as working part-time while taking a
few courses at the local community college.
Work full
time to save money for college.
For many students, working full time for a
year will help them save money for college expenses. It’s definitely something
to consider, especially if this money would be used to avoid taking out student
loans.
Parents should understand that college right after high school is not the best path for every teen. There are other alternatives, even ones that could include taking a course or two at a community college. The most important role for parents is to help their teenager find a path to success.
6. Considering alternatives to college
In a recent article I wrote for Collegiate Parent, Alternatives to Traditional College, I explained that not every student is meant to take the 4-year college path:
“When my son was a senior in high school, he had no idea what he wanted to do after graduation. College seemed out of reach and of very little interest since he coasted through high school on the bare minimum of effort. His involvement in NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) in high school led him toward the military option. When he left for boot camp after graduation, he was happy with his decision to avoid the traditional college route.
My daughter, on the other hand, knew she wanted to go to college and where she wanted to go. When she graduated and left for college in the fall, she was content with her decision and looked forward to four years of education.
Each of my children chose a different path. If I had forced my son to attend college it would have ended badly. If I had pressured my daughter to join the military, it would have been a disaster. But since I let them decide for themselves and didn’t push them in any one direction, they found the paths that were right for them.”
While a college degree is an impressive achievement and has undisputed value, it’s not for everyone. There are many meaningful paths after high school graduation that don’t include a traditional four-year college experience. If your student is vacillating about going to college, or is currently in college but regrets the decision, don’t panic. Your student may need to follow one of these alternative paths.
Parents and teens take on new roles during the college prep
process. The parents are attempting to let go and trust that the decisions made
will be the best ones. The teens are attempting to exert their independence and
make their own decisions. As senior year progresses, teens should move toward
independence and parents should relinquish control and trust their teens to act
as they have been taught over the last 18 years. It’s not easy, but the ideal
situation is parents guiding their teens to become independent, self-advocating
adults.
