Often times a great deal of the conflict between parent and student throughout the college search process will come as a result of money. A lack thereof, typically, as few families are truly prepared to face the costs associated with attending college. That said, there are various ways to pay for college, to cover expenses beyond what the family contributes and beyond institutional scholarships. Federal grants, for example, can be rewarded to a student based on financial need and do not need to be repaid. Federal student loans, in contrast, are fixed-interest loans which must be paid back to the U.S. government after graduation from college. Students and their parents/guardians may also be able to borrow from private institutions to pay for college if federal loan award amounts are insufficient to cover college costs. Your student’s eligibility for federal loans and grants is determined each year after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A college may also offer a work-study award based on the FAFSA, providing an opportunity for your child to work part-time on campus while attending college. All of these opportunities give way for students to be able to attend college and make a meaningful change for their future. To learn more about the financial aid process and how to navigate it, please check out the resource accompanying this post.
The Parent-Student Relationship In College Searches for more information on the college search process, be sure to check out the Encourage App
