By David W. Clark
A college education is an economic necessity. The numbers don’t lie; the income, over their lifetime, of a college graduate, is twice that of a high school graduate.
Make no mistake; a college education is not cheap. For most families, it is the greatest single expense they will encounter.
A caution: The college “marketplace”, a sellers’ market, has created a confused and complicated process. Colleges encourage this “ignore the sticker price” thinking but under prodding from the federal government, each is now required to post a net price calculator on its website to assist savvy consumers.
Some good news: There is roughly $185 billion available each year from all sources to help students pay for college. More than 50% of that is available to families without regard to annual income.
In fact, value is there for the savvy consumer who knows where to look.
– co-op programs (examples: Drexel in Philadelphia and Northeastern in Boston) where valuable paid internships in the discipline of your college major area are a requirement.
– service academies or on-campus ROTC programs where part/all of expenses are paid for by the US taxpayer.
– plenty of sources of cost reduction once on campus: most colleges forgive the room & board charge for dorm RAs. (resident assistants).
– government service: student loan debt obligation is reduced after ten years of federal government service.
Be an educated consumer. If you view a college education as an investment, why approach the college search any other way?
Next DELCO.Today topic? The agony of being placed on a college’s admissions waitlist.
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David W. Clark, Ed.M. is an independent college admission consultant with College Search Now offices in Ardmore and Paoli who has been working with high school students for more than thirty-five years. His website www.collegesearchnow.net is worth visiting and he can be reached there or at 610-304-7119.
