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Eleanor Roosevelt High School seniors are receiving decision letters from their top choice colleges, but whether or not they can afford the high price tag ultimately decides where they will attend in the fall.
Some seniors have broad prospects when it comes to their options for where they will receive their higher education.
“Right now I don’t know where I’m going to go,” says senior Joshua Thomas whose top choice college is the selective Duke University in North Carolina. “Everywhere I’ve gotten into has given me scholarships but I’m still waiting to hear from Duke which probably won’t give me any (scholarships).”
Other seniors have already narrowed down their search ahead of time to avoid future financial burdens. Senior Amandji Goito has resolved to attend Prince Georges Community College for two years and then transfer out.
“I was going to apply to like fifty colleges but I knew I couldn’t get scholarships,” comments Goito. “Now I won’t have to pay off loans (in the future) and I can live the life I want to live.”
However, instead of completely crossing out their many college prospects, most seniors that are planning on going to college are making the preparations necessary. Senior Ashlee Thomas reports all that she is doing prepare for the financial toll college will take, “I’m working and saving money and I have a little trust fund from since I was little and I’m applying for scholarships.”
Everyone seems to know about scholarships but they aren’t the only way to load up your pre-college bank. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is federal money given to families seeking aid for higher education based on an estimated family contribution amount, became available for the 2010-2011 school year on January 1st, 2010. Guidance counselors stress that it be filled out immediately, because the sooner the better when it comes to federal money. Also, many colleges offer their own financial aid and give out grants to students. A grant is helpful because it is free tuition money that does not need to be paid back.
Guidance counselor Mr. Patrick Murphy reassures worried seniors that “if you’re a good student and you’re looking for money, (colleges) will give you money”
And if the grants and scholarships still aren’t enough to cover tuition, many colleges are eligible for the Federal Work-Study program (FWS). FWS works a lot like the FAFSA but allows students to work while in college at the participating institution and earn their tuition by wages determined by the financial aid administrators.
Dr. William Coon, ERHS guidance counselor, expresses his outlook on why so many seniors are stuck with the issue of being accepted into the college of their choice but not being able to afford it. “Kids have so many choices, but they don’t make reasonable choices. Many of them talk about where they want to go, instead of where they can afford to go. I have so many students calling me years later [after they graduate] for transcripts because they have to transfer to a cheaper college because they can’t afford to stay at the one they're in."
Choosing a college that is right for you is a very personal decision and when you find the right one, you’re too happy to think about what financing you have to worry about to pay for it. The majority of seniors at ERHS are prepared for the financial burdens of college they just have to decide which one fits their personality.
ERHS ’97 alumnus and intern to Mr. Murphy, Virgil Barrow gives his wisdom to all ERHS students that “it doesn’t start from senior year, it starts from freshman year, so think about your future early.”