I am re-posting a suggested reading item from Fenway South, because I am almost done reading it, and I agree with Fenway that this is a must read for students and parents who have financial concerns in the college process.
From his earlier post:
"The Financial Aid Handbook: Getting the Education you want for the price you can afford" (Fenway said) "I'm half way through it, and it is a quick and easy read. I really find the author's (Stock and Vedvik) perspective on the Higher Education industry interesting and refreshing. The authors hold no punches as former Directors of Admissions and Financial Aid. It is available on Kindle & paperback."
They really do lay out in plain language the process of developing a college list that considers up front the student's eligibility for stronger need and merit financial aid. Reading it brought me right back to my admission director days, with the concepts of leveraged financial aid and tuition discounting still drivong the aid packaging at most (not all) colleges. Much of what they describe in this book will be new and somewhat eye opening info for many families. Even if you are pretty aware of these practices, there is specific advice in here that will be of value, and it is also written with the student in mind, so you can pass it on to your sons and daughters to read!
Fenway, the only point I completely disagree with in this book is, they tell kids not to bother visiting campuses until after they are admitted (to save money, and to avoid falling love with reach schools where they are not likely to get any merit aid). I stress to students the importance of campus visits for 'demonstrated interest' (important in the admission decision process, in all but the most selective colleges, they do care if you have vsiited before applying and a 'stealth applicant' has a slight disadvantage vs. the student who has vsiited campus); and of course for the students to get a strong feel for the fit.
Other than that, these two authors offer a great approach to a 'net college cost-aware' college search!
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