The slow economy has meant many college-bound students have been forgoing their “dream colleges”. A recent study conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, which surveyed high school counselors, found that 70 percent of counselors noticed this increase. Additionally, 60 percent agreed that more students are enrolling in public universities, which are typically more affordable.
“It’s discouraging to hear high school students are deferring their dreams when there is so much they can do to make college more affordable,” said Mark Greenstein, founder and lead instructor of Ivy Bound Test Prep. “Parents who plan, and students who follow through, will find their opportunities growing, even in a bad economy. Students who begin building their college resumes earlier, and work on improving their SAT and ACT scores, become eligible for more financial aid and merit-based scholarships. Good SAT scores alone can reduce a family’s four-year outlay by more than $50,000.”
Looking for ways to reduce your college expenses? Below are some tips provided by Mark Greenstein of Ivy Bound Test Prep.
1. Look at public colleges – The average tuition at a public college is $10,000 compared to a private college at $35,000.
2. Stay in-state – Students receive discounted tuition at public universities in their home state. The requirement is to live in the state for one year and then claim residency.
3. Enroll in summer courses – College courses can be taken at less expensive schools and credits transferred to the full-time school.
4. Take SAT and ACT prep courses – SAT and ACT scores play a critical role in determining financial aid. Good SAT courses can help improve scores by 200 points or more.
5. Improve your application strength – A strong application will help to secure tuition assistance. Keep building your application. Each school has a rating system which includes grade point average, SAT score, extra-curricular and volunteer activities and even enthusiasm about the college.
Ivy Bound Test Prep is a national provider of SAT, SAT II, PSAT, ACT and LSAT instruction, and study skills and college essay writing courses. Ivy Bound features first-rate instructors who take the SAT, ACT and SAT II regularly and maintain scores in the top one percent. In 2010, Ivy Bound students reported 170.6 point average improvements (Math and Reading, based on a prior SAT or PSAT), markedly improving their admissions and scholarship offers.
