New Year’s Resolutions for High School Seniors
January 11, 2012
It’s 2012 – have you made your New Year’s Resolutions yet? In this series of posts, we’re offering some resolutions for students in each year of high school. Feel free to adopt one or two!
Senior year in high school is exciting, and gone all too soon. Before this calendar year is through, you will have completed your first year of college! However, that’s a ways away, so let’s focus on the here and now. Here are some New Year’s Resolutions for high school Seniors to consider:
- Remind your parents about the FAFSA. Your parents should submit their FAFSA in as early January as possible in order to realize the best outcome. In this economy, everyone is looking for financial aid, so make sure your family is meeting with someone who specializes in financial aid, as your family accountant may not be your best resource. For more information about financial aid, check out this podcast.
- Decide which college you’ll be attending. By now, all of your college applications should have been submitted, or you’re submitting them tomorrow. The waiting game has begun! Soon, however, you will start to hear back from the colleges with their decisions about your applications. With any luck, you’ll have more than one college that accepts you! Once you hear back from all of your schools, weigh all of your acceptances carefully. Revisit the campuses, chat with college students about their experiences, and review the financial aid packages. As soon as you decide where you want to go, make sure to let the colleges know and write down important deadlines for course selections, financial requirements, dorm room survey dates and the like.
- Enjoy your Senior Prom. Even though you’ll be off to college in seven or eight months, take the time to enjoy this last year of high school! Go to the prom, enjoy the school play, hang out with your friends. Don’t forget to keep your grades up, though!
To read our New Year’s Resolutions for high school freshmen, click here. For Resolutions for high school sophomores, click here; and for high school juniors, click here. All you High School Seniors, what are your resolutions? How are you doing with them? We’d love to hear from you!
Private School College Education at Public School Rates
October 5, 2011
Three distinct phases exist in the world of college applications. First, taking the SAT or ACT. Second, filling out college applications. Third, submitting the FAFSA for financial aid. Then comes the hoping, dreaming, anxiety, stress while awaiting the colleges’ decisions. Denials, while bitterly disappointing, are swift. Acceptances, on the other hand, come in two-steps: the actual college acceptance and then the financial aid package. Many decisions about where to enroll hang in the balance of the latter.
In one brilliant move, Seton Hall University has removed a majority of the financial burden aspect of college acceptances for highly qualified applicants. In an unprecedented decision, Seton Hall is offering nearly a two-third discount off its tuition to members of the Class of 2012. The over $21,000 discount makes this private school education comparable in price to the public Rutgers University for New Jersey residents, and much cheaper than Rutgers for non-New Jersey residents.
Recognizing the current tough economic times, Seton Hall’s President, Dr. Gabriel Esteban, states: “This initiative reflects Seton Hall’s commitment to serving our community and putting a high quality, personalized education within reach of more students and their families. In this way we make a first-class, private Catholic college experience as affordable and accessible to students as a public university, with the added benefits of smaller classes, close mentoring faculty relationships and a 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio.”
The fine print? The discounted tuition will be available to applicants who either have a minimum of a 27 ACT composite score or a combined 1200 on the SAT (Critical Reading + Math), with not less than 550 on either SAT section. In addition, the applicant must be in the top 10% of his/her high school class. Applications must be received by Seton Hall by its December 15, 2011 Early Action deadline; however, no special application need be filed – if you meet the qualifications, you’re automatically eligible for the discounted tuition! In addition, still file your FAFSA, as you could qualify for financial aid. This tuition rate will apply for all four years of schooling.
Seton Hall also has some other terms and conditions that must be met in order to qualify for the discounted tuition. For much more information, click here to go to the website.
If you’re looking for help with the college application process, Top-Tier can help you! Just send us an email or give us a call at 973-243-1212.
March 30 – Free Workshop Offers the Complete College Planning Edge!
January 30, 2010
On March 30, 2010, Mike and Rhonda Rivera of Top-Tier Tutoring and A1 College Funding will present a free workshop, “Get the Complete College Planning Edge” at Verona High School.
Parents and students in high school are welcome to come and learn insider tips and strategies to being accepted into the college of their dreams - and how to pay for it!
The workshop will take place at Verona High School, 151 Fairview Avenue in Verona, NJ, starting at 7 pm. While the workshop is free, registration is a must – call 973.243.1212 to reserve your seat today!
Free Workshop Gives You the Complete College Edge!
January 30, 2010
On February 23, 2010, Mike and Rhonda Rivera of Top-Tier Tutoring are teaming up with A1 College Funding to give students and parents the Complete College Planning Edge!
This educational two-hour workshop will offer insights and insider tips on how to get into the college of your child’s dreams – AND how to pay for it. The workshop is free, but the information is invaluable! Registration required – call 973.243.1212 today to reserve your seat!
College Financial Aid: How To Get Your Fair Share
July 13, 2009
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In this podcast, Mike introduces our listeners to the world of college financial aid in his interview with Marie Mayer of Garretson Financial. Whether you think your family “makes too much” to receive financial aid, your family consists of divorced and possibly remarried parents or you simply don’t know how to begin the process, this podcast addresses both the urban myths and stark realities of financial aid.
Marie holds a degree in accounting, and is a College Financial Aid Counselor with Garretson Financial, located in Cranford, New Jersey – www.garretsonfinancial.com. Marie’s interest in the field stemmed from very personal reasons – her children were of college age! Now she helps parents understand the process and receive the most aid for which they are eligible – and even illustrate how a private school could be less expensive than a public institution!
During the podcast, Marie discusses the FAFSA form – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is through this application that the “expected family contribution,” or the minimum amount a family can pay, is calculated. All colleges receive this report and some also have their own separate supplements, which Marie also touches upon.
Marie’s advice is to plan early. The best time to meet with a financial aid counselor is when your child is in freshman or sophomore year; no later than junior year. Marie stresses the importance of the deadlines, noting that the system is based upon a first come, first served model. So, be quick to download this podcast and get all the information about this very important aspect of college selection!
