April 2011 Counselor News
share this pageAbout 80 counselors joined campus admission representatives at an informational breakfast in Maple Grove on April 18. Campuses shared what's new or unique at their institutions and gave updates on affordability and other information for counselors. View the presentation and other resources for counselors. Planning for future counselor events is in the works.
This annual event is coming up June 20-24. It's a great chance for students — whether they're going to be sophomores, juniors or seniors — to get started with a college search. Students and parents often come together to these free introductory sessions, offered twice daily at all 17 of our campuses. Running about two hours, these sessions are also shorter than the typical open houses that our colleges organize individually and give students just enough information to get started and decide which schools to revisit.
Request: Consider sharing this opportunity with your students and families, through newsletters, Naviance, handouts or other means. You can find information on the week and order free postcards for your students.
By this fall, all colleges will be posting a net price calculator or estimator on their websites. "Net price" refers to what a student actually pays to attend, after subtracting grant aid. Families often are not aware that the listed price of a college isn't the price they'll actually pay. At Minnesota's Private Colleges, nine out of 10 students receive aid that they don't have to pay back; the average student pays about half of the posted price. So that students and parents don't eliminate colleges too soon that might be a good fit - encourage them to make use of these new tools. Check our list for the institutions that already have a calculator in place.
Here's an example of what's possible in terms of undergraduate research at our colleges. In 2011, 37 students and faculty advisors presented posters describing their research in various disciplines in the Capitol Rotunda. This event showcases the breadth and quality of undergraduate research happening on our campuses. View the abstracts of this year's Private Scholars at the Capitol projects.
A key factor in the decision of what college to attend is the financial aid award letter. See our recent story that includes these 10 tips compiled from advice by financial aid directors at three of our campuses.
- Contact the college first, before you talk to your friends, neighbors or a bank.
- Start early, as comparing letters and talking to colleges about financial aid can be stressful if time is limited.
- Keep a spreadsheet to compare the comprehensive cost, the total aid in grants and scholarships and the loans offered at each school. Then you can consider value and find the best fit.
- Ask about outside scholarship policies at each institution, so you know how aid might change if the student receives private, non-institutional scholarships.
- Determine the deadline for accepting your financial aid award and confirming attendance at your college of choice. The national deadline is May 1, but some schools have a later deadline or will continue to work with students as needed.
- Ask about renewability of scholarships, grants and loans for each year so you can have as realistic a four-year picture as possible. This will be challenging because many factors, like whether a student has siblings in college, determine aid eligibility.
- Apply for federal loans first since they generally have the best interest and repayment terms for students and parents. The federal student loan programs have funding limits, however. Be aware that you have many options with private loans, but colleges can help — for example, some schools give a list of preferred lenders or a selection of loans their students have chosen in the past.
- Remember to file the FAFSA every year. If there are major financial changes during the year, let the school's financial aid office know.
- Follow through over the spring and summer by signing promissory notes for loans and by either accepting the work study position given or applying for jobs. This varies by college.
- Ask the college for the exact amount you'll owe each semester; then ask what your payment plan or financing options are.
As a counselor, you play an important role in guiding students as they sort through their options for college. Here are four ways our new website can help. Consider using these tools and sharing them with your students and families.
- Find out about the value of an education at our colleges — including academic excellence and career preparation.
- Learn more about our 17 options by viewing easy-to-scan college profiles.
- Use the College Finder to identify the colleges that have the majors, sports and arts programs that fit the needs and interests of your students.
- Get the facts on cost. It's important to look beyond listed prices; we recommend three steps.
We have a new resource for counselors — the 2011-12 College Guide. It includes general information along with individual college profile pages. A mailing of the guides will go out to counseling offices in September. If you would like some copies sooner, download or order them.
