Choosing the right college: financial and geographic restrictions

See Robert K. Cooke, MEd's video on Choosing the right college: financial and geographic restrictions...
Choosing the right college: financial and geographic restrictions | Kids in the House
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Choosing the right college: financial and geographic restrictions

Comment
72
Like
72
Transcription: 
Parents sometimes worry that they're not going to be able to afford college for their children. And there's no doubt that the price of college has gone up dramatically in the last 20-30 years. However, there are things that families can that will help offset this skyrocketing cost. For instance, there is plenty of financial aid available, both in terms of merit scholarships - this is why it's a good idea to work hard and get good grades. Colleges like that. And if they like you, they're more willing to throw some money your way. And then also scholarships that are based upon need. So the federal government, state government, etc. can really provide some support in that way. Almost every school also has some low-cost options within it. So maybe there are a variety of dorms. Where my daughter goes for instance, there's one dorm that's un-air-conditioned. And frankly, we saved $1000s by having her stay in the non-air-conditioned dorm room for a fairly sweaty freshman year. But it did save significantly for the total cost for us. There are other options. Maybe a lower cost meal plan, or maybe students purchasing their own food instead of purchasing the meal plan at the school, that can really shave some significant dollars. Finally, there are really much less expensive options where maybe you spend two years going to a local junior or community college and then transfer those credits into a 4-year institution. You end up with a 4-year degree at a great university or college, and yet you save really dramatically by having the first two years be at a much, much lower cost.

See Robert K. Cooke, MEd's video on Choosing the right college: financial and geographic restrictions...

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Robert K. Cooke, MEd

Upper School Director

Robert has been in K-12 education for thirty years; for sixteen years he was a high school history and social studies teacher, teaching subjects such as AP US History, Western Civilization, World History, Economics, and Anthropology. His school administrative career has been equally varied, serving as Director of Activities at a large public high school, and a Middle School Director and Upper School Director at independent (private) schools in the Midwest and California. Robert earned his Bachelor's Degree in History from Carleton College, and his Master's in Education from Claremont Graduate University. He is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Robert has served on school accreditation teams in the Midwest and California. He has two children, one of whom is an acting and English Literature double major at a large urban university on the East Coast, while the other is a high school junior in Los Angeles.

 

More Parenting Videos from Robert K. Cooke, MEd >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter