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![]() Higher-education costs are a growing concern for many freshmen, according to a 1996 survey of more than 250,000 college frosh by UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute. A record 33% of them cited financial aid as "very important" in selecting a school--up from only 13% in 1976. If you'll be a high-school senior in the fall, it's not too early to start lining up your postgraduation plans. |
Planning guidance on the web Students and parents preparing for the future can get help choosing a career, selecting a school, and paying for higher education through Mapping Your Future, a new Internet web site. Mapping Your Future offers guidance about:
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Which school can you afford? While you might expect that attending school A will cost $11,000 more than attending school B, financial aid--especially federal financial aid--may narrow the gap. The U.S. Government awards more than $50 billion annually. When you apply for federal financial aid (application is free), the U.S. Education Department determines how much it costs to attend the school you've chosen and how much you and your family should contribute toward this amount. Financial aid usually funds the rest. Your school or college will use this information to make a complete financial award package, which typically includes the following: |
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Whether you attend school B, with a $7,000 price tag, or school A, costing $18,000, your
up-front share is the same. Because grants and scholarships rarely cover the rest, expect to
participate in a work-study program or take on student loans. |
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If you're a dependent student (if you're still claimed on someone else's tax form), your parents/stepparents may borrow under the Federal PLUS loan program even if you don't qualify for other financial aid. Refer them to the credit union for an application. |
Is higher education worth the cost? You bet! Although you may pay more for your posthigh-school education than your predecessors did 10 years or 15 years ago, the earning advantage of college graduates over those not earning college degrees also has grown substantially. According to an analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, a degreed college student in 1980 earned about 43% more per hour than a peer with a high-school diploma. By 1994, this earnings average had increased to 73% more. |
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