College Tuition Assistance

High School Grades Could Be Worth $100,000. Time to Tell Your Child? Most colleges and universities now use a “merit” aid strategy to solicit teenagers. Your eighth grader probably ought to know how it works.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/business/financial-aid-college-merit-aid.html

Northeastern University

If you think you’d like to attend college on the east coast, and you’re interested in history and culture in one of the country’s most beloved cities, it’s time to check out Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. This private research university is highly ranked with a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,4000-1,8000 in a uniquely urban setting. Northeastern is ranked #49 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 university rankings. Popular majors include business, economics, and mechanical engineering.

Established in 1898, the university offers both undergraduate and graduate programs on its main campus in Boston as well as regional campuses on the east and west coasts as well as in Canada. In 2019, Northeastern purchased the New College of the Humanities in London, England.

One of the most interesting things about Northeastern is its cooperative education program, commonly known as “co-op.” This allows students to integrate classroom study with professional experience in a variety of industries; more than 90 percent of undergrads complete at least one professional co-op during their time at Northeastern. Students can work for one or even two of more than 2,000 employers around the world and can choose to complete their degree in four years or participate in three co-ops and graduate in five years.

A large, highly residential university, Northeastern’s Boston campus covers 73 acres. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus, but upperclassmen have the option to live off campus. More than 76 percent of Northeastern students receive some form of financial aid. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll be pleased to learn that the university’s teams—the Northeastern Huskies—compete in NCSS Division I in 18 varsity sports including men’s and women’s hockey and rowing. More than 3,000 students also compete at the club and intramural level.

Northeastern also has its share of traditions, starting with Fall Fest, a celebration of the start of the fall semester featuring music, giveaways, food and drink, games, and a chance to learn more about student organizations, campus departments, and sports-and-rec teams. Later in the fall the university sponsors a 24-hour, city-wide scavenger hunt—the Husky Hunt—involving a series of riddles, crafts, and clues that send participants all over Boston. And during the winter semester, there is Winter Wonderland with food, entertainment, ice carving, and more.

Boston is home to a wealth of colleges as well as all sorts of activities for students, many of them free, and Northeastern has its own stop on Boston’s subway system, so getting around town is easy. You can attend a concert in the Hatch Shell, a venue for music, film, and other performances; visit the state capitol building; or walk the Freedom Trail, marked with a red line that passes 16 historical sites and almost 300 years of national history. Boston is home to several art museums, the Coit Observatory, and Faneuil Hall, an excellent place to gather to eat, drink, and see street performers of every kind.

There’s no doubt about it. You’ll get a premier education at Northeastern University, and you will find plenty to do no matter what your passion.

"Adjusting to 'new realities' in admissions process, College Board eliminates SAT's optional essay and subject tests. The College Board will eliminate the SAT's optional essay and do away with its subject tests amid a chaotic college admissions landscape marred by the coronavirus pandemic."

Now, more than ever, visiting colleges as sophomores, juniors, and seniors is very important. The website, www.virtualcollegefairs.org, makes this possible. Beginning on August 19, virtual fairs are available to you where you can interact with admissions counselors, students, and professors while touring campuses.

Your participation and interaction will show your interest in a particular college and admissions officers take note -- bonus points for you!

The scheduled dates are August 19, September 13, October 12, October 18, and November 8.

Get on it today. Register to attend. Visit! Visit! Visit!

With the school year grinding to a halt midway last semester, students across the globe had their activities put on hold. Competitions got canceled, sports seasons are over, clubs are no longer meeting, and even things like volunteer projects have stopped. Extracurricular activities are a great way to explore your interests, and colleges want to see what students are doing in their spare time. So what happens when all of those carefully selected activities are no longer happening? Keep in mind – activities are interrupted for EVERYONE right now. Admissions officers know this, and they want students to know that these interruptions in regular activities will not be held against them.

The Common App will provide a special option in the 2021-22 application for students to offer more context on their activities due to the coronavirus response, and the Additional Information section of the Common App will be available for students to elaborate on anything not covered in the app questions. This will most likely be the same on other online apps.

Students can also use their time to get creative with their extracurricular pursuits and continue to explore their interests from home. (https://www.pointsoflight.org/virtual-volunteering-opportunities/)

Amid all the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, two things are becoming clear for colleges. Most students yearn to come back to campus in the fall, in spite of the risks. And, if students wind up receiving online instruction come September, they don’t want to pay full tuition.

Colleges planning to offer mostly or wholly online instruction, can discount tuition in hopes of keeping students happy, despite the hit to their bottom line. Or, they can stick with full tuition for the fall, and still brace for the possible hit to their bottom line.

Some of the colleges that are going 'all online' have already decided to offer reduced, deferred, or even free tuition. Colleges that offer tuition breaks are driven by two key factors. First, many students and their families are suffering hardships, financial and otherwise, because of the pandemic. Second, the student experience will not be the same this fall, even if some classes are held face-to-face.

The majority of colleges, however, seem to be staying with their sticker prices for the fall of 2020, even those going all or mostly online. Some institutions don’t have much choice. Public colleges’ tuition is often determined by the state or system office, and many institutions are bracing for cuts to state support.

Even though private colleges often have more autonomy in setting their prices, many of them are already struggling to bring in enough tuition revenue as a result of the increased competition for students. The cost of instruction, even online, hasn’t decreased — and may have increased because of the costs of adapting to Covid-19.

Like everything else in this corona time, colleges will continue to find themselves in a true "trial and error" mode. Let's hope the academes get it right.

College Tuition Assistance, Inc. focuses on the prime cuts – the scholarships/merit aid.

Eckerd College

You may never have heard of Eckerd College, and you might think it’s in the middle of nowhere, but actually this small liberal arts college is nestled in between two of the county’s best beaches in Florida’s gulf coast. Its 188-acre campus boasts not only a mile-long waterfront and white-sand beach, but also mangrove thickets, seven freshwater ponds and marshes, and its own marina. If you’re looking for a college experience with sun, sand, and beaches, Eckerd could be paradise.

But you won’t miss out on a top-notch education at Eckerd. The school is well regarded as an innovative liberal arts and science institution with a strong focus on small classes and high caliber faculty who get to know and care about the success of each student.

Eckerd College was founded as Florida Presbyterian College and opened in 1960 with 155 first-year students and 22 faculty. It became Eckerd College in 1972. Eckerd offers bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in close to 40 majors ranging from marine science, chemistry, engineering studies, international business to creative writing and environmental sciences. Students can also design their own majors. Eckerd athletes participate in men’s varsity baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis and in women’s varsity basketball, beach volleyball, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.

All first-year students at Eckerd take a two-course class called Human Experience. This fall course offers insight and ask questions about topics like justice, power, and freedom. During spring semester, students study other cultures as part of an immersion into global citizenship. The Class of 1968 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Endowment funds a program that brings a renowned expert to Eckerd to lecture and meet informally with students as well as faculty. This individual’s work is assigned as reading to students in the Human Experience course. Students at Eckerd are also required to do 40 hours of community service that focuses on what’s called “reflective service.” This involves actual classes where participants study a problem, create a solution, and then carry it out.

Eckerd College is extremely committed to environmental concerns and has a federal grant to reduce single-use plastics, a yellow bike-share program recognized by the National Wildlife Federation to reduce auto use on campus, and a white bike-share program that allows to students to ride off campus. Its cafeterias serve dishes made seasonal ingredients from local farms and ranches, and meat and dairy products come from animals raised without artificial hormones or routine antibiotics.

Eckerd has some unique traditions such as the annual blessing of the pets. There are 14 residence halls that allow pets on campus, including dogs, cats, ducks, chinchillas, rabbits, and ferrets as long as they are healthy and meet certain standards from their vets. A much-loved Eckerd tradition is the Kon Tiki Raft Race where students build and race their own rafts and race against their competition.

And if the swimming, boating and sunbathing on Eckerd’s beautiful beach isn’t enough, an Eckard shuttle can take you to Eckerd Day at the Dali Museum, raucous fun at Busch Gardens, to the mall, shops, or the Saturday Morning Market downtown.

This gem of a college is perfect for beach and water-sports enthusiasts who also want a comprehensive liberal arts education in a small-school environment.

Admissions officers are human, and they’re also encountering the same difficulties as everyone else – canceled events, working from home, inability to engage in regular activities, and more. They understand the toll this is taking on students and will take this into account when evaluating applications for the class of 2025.

Expect that admissions officers will “read in context,” meaning they will certainly take into consideration activities that stopped short or competitions that were canceled because of coronavirus. This applies to all aspects of the college application, from grades and test scores to activities, demonstrated interest, and more. Especially with many schools going test-optional for the admissions cycle, the process may become even more holistic as colleges evaluate applicants within the context that this was a very unusual school year.

While we don’t expect schools to dramatically alter their admissions rubrics, those guidelines will certainly become more flexible allowing admissions officers to weigh factors differently in order to give a more holistic review. For example, with extracurricular activities halted and spring semester grading that might not reflect students’ full ability, more weight might be given to recommendation letters that can fill in additional context. And with colleges visits and information session canceled, schools that rely heavily on demonstrated interest might rely more on essays for informed interest.

https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-ask-for-more-financial-aid-due-to-covid-19/

Janet Napolitano, president of the University of California, recommended that the system’s campuses suspend requirement of the SAT and ACT until 2024 and then move to a standardized test designed for the system. (Los Angeles Times)

A feel good story from The Chronicle of Higher Education

"Students in the Class of 2020 are celebrating graduation differently this year, for obvious reasons. That means their family members, too, are finding creative ways to acknowledge loved ones’ achievement.

The father of Brandon Truett, who is finishing his Ph.D. in English at the University of Chicago, raised the bar for families of graduates: He rented a billboard to mark his son’s commencement. The digital sign features a portrait of the younger Truett.

“It felt weird, maybe even futile, to celebrate my achievement at home, esp as the pandemic exacerbates an already vanishing job market,” Brandon Truett tweeted. “But, I gotta say, this ostentatious display of support from my Dad, who didn't graduate high school, has got me feeling proud of myself today.”

One commenter wrote in the replies to Truett’s photo that, while his father hadn’t graduated from high school, “he has a PhD in being a Dad.” Honk twice if you pass the billboard — once for Truett and once for his father."

The SAT or ACT test I was planning to take was cancelled. If I am applying for fall 2021, am I still required to take the test?

The University recognizes the challenges that students are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, in response, UC is temporarily suspending the standardized test requirement for students applying for fall 2021 freshman admission only.

Can I take the SAT or ACT and submit scores if I would like to?

Students applying for fall 2021 are not precluded from taking standardized tests (SAT or ACT) and sending scores if they are able. Doing so can support their statewide UC eligibility, application for certain scholarships, and help them fulfill some University graduation requirements. Campuses will adjust their internal processes accordingly to ensure that no student is harmed in admissions selection should they not submit a test score. This modification to the test requirement is not intended as an admissions policy shift but is rather a temporary accommodation driven by the current extraordinary circumstances.

Does this apply to applicants for later years (e.g. Fall 2022)?

This modification to the test requirement is not intended as an admissions policy shift but is rather a temporary accommodation driven by the current extraordinary circumstances.

I am a current high school student. How will Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit) grades impact my ability to be eligible and competitive for UC in the future?

The temporary suspension of the letter grade requirement for A-G courses applies to all A-G coursework completed in spring and summer 2020, including coursework completed by students currently in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. The Pass or Credit grade in spring and summer 2020 will continue to meet A-G requirements for any student currently enrolled in high school during the 2019-20 academic year.

My high school is giving me the option of choosing a letter grade or Pass/No Pass grade for each of my classes this semester. Should I take classes for letter grades if I am able? Is it OK for me to choose letter grades for some courses and Pass/No Pass for other courses?

UC cannot instruct individual schools or districts on how to choose to implement their grading policy. If your high school allows different grading options for different courses, you can choose the grading option that you feel is most beneficial for each course. Keep in mind that Pass grades will not be included in the GPA calculation, nor will they receive an extra point in the GPA if they are approved honors, AP or IB courses. However, UC-approved honors courses, including AP and IB, will be included in the honors course tallies, ensuring students are considered in comprehensive review as taking a challenging curriculum.

Does this mean it will be easier for some students to get into UC?

This does not lower the bar for admission, but accommodates the real barriers students have faced as tests have been cancelled and classes have moved to Pass/No Pass grading. Admissions to UC campuses is highly sought after and will continue to be just as competitive.

Is UC lowering its grade requirements?

UC is not suspending minimum grade requirements, but rather allowing students whose schools have moved to Pass/No Pass grading systems this term to continue to earn the credit they need to be eligible for UC. Students will still need to achieve the minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.4 for nonresidents) with classes for which they are able to earn letter grade credit. High school A-G courses completed with a letter grade must be passed with a C- or better grade.

How will UC calculate my GPA if I receive Pass/No Pass grades in A-G courses?

Pass (P) or Credit (CR) grades will meet A-G subject requirements but will not be calculated in the GPA. UC will continue to calculate the GPA for admission purposes using all A-G courses passed with letter grades in grades 10 and 11, including summer terms following grades 9, 10 and 11. Extra points in honors-level coursework will continue to be capped at 8 semesters of honors points in A-G courses completed with letter grades of A, B and C in grades 10 and 11.

10/21/19 © 2019 The Chronicle of Higher Education

"It’s no secret that the number of humanities majors has taken a serious dip in the past decade. Now economists are making the case for why students can and should still major in humanities fields (where they learn to be storytellers). For example, in the economist Robert Shiller’s new book, Narrative Economics, the Nobel laureate argues that the stories people tell one another can affect the marketplace. His work focuses on gathering narrative-based information that indicates why someone was or wasn’t motivated to buy something. Another top economist, Phillip Lowe, head of Australia’s central bank, told colleagues at an economics conference this year to spend less time on spreadsheets and more time working on becoming better storytellers."

Maybe some of you spreadsheet guys and gals should take some "touchy-feely" classes... Just Say'n...

Don’t fall for the extremely aggressive tactics by some colleges. You need a “poker face”.

Before leaping, strategize closely with Lana! This will lead to a winning hand.

Students may feel they are learning in a lecture hall, but they would be surprised to find that they really learn significantly more in an interactive classroom. Several studies have been made on this topic. Check out https://www.chronicle.com/article/Do-Students-Really-Learn/247433