Be Smart About Financial Aid

Due to the recent economic downturn, families faced with paying $20,000 per year for college tuition are looking into financial aid opportunities. The problem, however, is that universities are also facing cutbacks throughout various departments. Still, universities are willing to offer aid to students in need and want the student to attend their university. Thus, financial aid is available; just be smart about receiving it.

In order to receive the best possible amount, remember to update your status with the financial aid office. If a main breadwinner recently lost his/her job, let the university know. Also, a student that defers and works for a year also hinders his/her chance of obtaining a larger amount of aid. Since financial aid applications ask for the student and parents’ income, with the addition of the student’s income, it can possibly lower the amount of aid. In addition, look towards lesser known private universities. Private colleges are more inclined to offer more aid in order to guarantee that the student will accept their offer of admission. Furthermore, high school seniors should actively seek out scholarship opportunities. Nowadays, anything big or small can contribute to defraying the high cost of attending college.

Adrienne Kwan
Director of Social Media
University Advisors

Cal State Univ. (CSU) Admissions Impacted by Budget Cuts

Since the budget cuts in CSU and UC system, both organizations are forced to reanalyze their admission requirements and include other measures. According to Jaschik’s article, due to budget cuts this year, the California State University (CSU) system is undergoing changes to its admission process. Last year, only six of the 23 campuses had to include “competitive measures” beyond the requirements to decide what students should be admitted. This year, however, 12 campuses have already adopted this practice and it is predicted that more campuses will follow. As a result, students that meet CSU’s requirements are not guaranteed a spot into one of the 23 campuses. Furthermore, there have been cases of high school guidance counselors who are handling 950 student cases—thus, each senior may not receive the individual attention needed to be accepted into a CSU. Guidance counselors are also encouraging high school seniors to look for private or out-of state universities as alternatives to CSU schools. Therefore, high school seniors need to have more than the bare minimum to enter into a CSU school; they have to go above and beyond everything they do.

Adrienne Kwan, Director of Social Media
University Advisors