RowCollege

A Must Read (And Listen To) If You Are Looking For Financial Aid

Counting on financial aid for your college year(s)?

Then you should really visit the FinancialAidPodcast.

Great site, get tips, very helpful information.

A Worthy Place to Visit.

Progressing through this recruiting year an observation has come up—many recruits seem to be putting themselves at a disadvantage when it comes to their financial aid prospects.

I've noticed frequently, and have heard the same from coaches at other schools, that many applicants are hesitant about visiting the Financial Aid office on campus.

I am not sure why—maybe they are worried about the message they might receive, or because it is not a glamor stop on their campus tour, but not visiting could be a mistake.

The Financial Aid office at an institution has a mission—to help students and families successfully navigate the process of paying for a college education. The office is a place that a prospective student, and the parents or guardians, should visit, and do so well before the deadline of financial-aid forms.

In fact, visiting the office in the junior year of high school is not a bad idea. The worst that could come out of visiting early is a dose of reality that might impact your decision about that institution (in other words, how much it might cost). 

And what if you do go to the office and don't like how you are treated or if they are not helpful? Well, if you will be getting financial aid you will be working with that office for your tenure at that school, and maybe many years after. If you don't like the way they treat you as an applicant that might be an indication that the school is not a smart choice for you.

Make a visit. You might find it worth your while in more ways than one.

Photo credit: Jenn Jenn