PAYING FOR COLLEGE

We all know how expensive college is. When parents are on a tight budget, there are ways to lower your bill, so your child can get the higher education they have been dreaming about. Having an exceptionally bright student or gifted athlete could lead to scholarship money. If you have a 529 Plan already in place, that will certainly help. Every college and university are required to have a net price calculator on their website. Locate it and enter your household’s data to calculate their annual expenses. The College Board EFC (Expected Family Contribution) calculates your spectrum of need.

• The Community College Opportunity Grant - Students with an annual gross income of $65,000 or less can receive a tuition-free education (click the link for more criteria)

• The Garden State Guarantee Initiative - Students with an annual gross income of $65,000 or less can receive a tuition-free education for their first two years at any public college or university in NJ

• Community College - For those with an annual income over $65,000 per year, students can get a low-cost two-year degree, or save by going here first then transfer into a four-year college

• New Jersey Public Colleges and Universities - In-state tuition will save you a lot of money

  • Best Value Colleges in New Jersey

• Get Recruited - NCAA Divisions I & II Scholarships could provide up to a "full ride"

• Merit-Based Scholarships - Some universities provide these to over-qualified students

• Other Merit-Based Scholarships

• Grants - Colleges, states, and the federal government give out grants that don't need to be

  repaid

• FGLI - Some schools provide financial aid to First Generation Low Income students

• Work Study - While it's not "free" money, it will allow your child to earn money for tuition

• How to Win a Navy, Air Force, or Army ROTC Scholarship - Up to a full ride scholarship in exchange for serving in one of the branches of the U.S. military after graduating from college

• Colleges with Free Tuition (video - scroll down in the description section for link to blog version)

• How to Pay for College (video - scroll down in the description section for link to blog version)

• How to Pay for College Part 2 (scroll down in the description section for link to blog version)

• How to Pay for College Part 3 (scroll down in the description section for link to blog version)

• Negotiate - Tell the school of choice what other colleges are offering in aid

University Honors Colleges and Programs

• Top students

• Extra perks (Rutgers students live in one dorm, get renewable 4-year scholarship + more!)

• Some provide scholarship money

The 4 Best Honors Colleges in The U.S.

1. Barrett College, Arizona State University

2. Schreyer Honors College (SHC), Pennsylvania State University

3. Clemson Honors College, Clemson University

4. Rutgers University Honors College

The 6 Best Honors Programs in the U.S.

1. Plan II Honors Program, University of Texas at Austin

2. Echols Scholars Program, University of Virginia

3. University Honors Program, the University of Kansas

4. Honors College, University of South Carolina

5. Macaulay Honors College, City University of New York (CUNY)

6. The University of Alabama Honors College

7. QuestBridge - The National College Match. This is a program for low-income high school seniors who have excelled academically, but feel that top colleges are financially out of reach. Through this application process, you apply to be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship!

Read the FULL Honors College article here

SCHOLARSHIPS

101: The PHS College Fund

Scholarships for African Americans - Check the list to see if your family qualifies

Scholarships for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)