Welcome to October!

A new month means that it is time, once again, to enter College Prowler's $2000 "No Essay" Scholarship Contest. [And while you are on the College Prowler site, be sure to check out the many other scholarship opportunities!] REMEMBER: If you don't apply, you won't get money! (And scholarships are NOT just for high school seniors!!!)

In other news, an "on point" article on college rankings, as appeared a couple of years ago in The New York Times, is just as relevant today. Check out, The College Rankings Racket. A good read and right on the money.

And speaking of money, if you want to get an estimate (as opposed to a "guesstimate") of what college is likely to cost you, check out the Net Price Calculator available on the website of the college(s) of your choice. [Typically found under Financial Aid or Tuition & Fees.] While not Gospel -- and often like comparing apples to oranges when attempting to compare one school's "real cost" to another's -- it should give you a rough idea as to what you'll pay out of pocket.

Last, but by no means least, to get an estimate of what in the way of financial aid you are likely to receive (again, an estimate), check out the FAFSA4caster.[Read more about FAFSA4caster by clicking HERE.]

Sticker shock? No doubt. That's why the hunt for scholarship money outside the institutional fin aid sphere is so very, very important. "Dig You Must!" And now is the time. . . [We can show you where to look and how to apply to maximize scholarship potential. All you have to do is ask!]

Application Update: READ, Ten Things The College Admissions Office Won't Tell You. Don't just rush to apply "early." Make certain your applications are accurate and complete.

Test Scores: Even though you may "self-report" SAT, ACT, SATII and AP scores on your applications, you still MUST submit respective scores to each college requiring test scores directly through College Board and/or ACTstudent. At most schools, your application will not be deemed complete without them.

Financial Aid: All colleges (I repeat, ALL colleges) require the submission of FAFSA (on or after January 1) in order to be considered for financial aid of any kind (this includes scholarships, grants, federal loans, Work-Study). Always (let me say this again, ALWAYS) submit FAFSA, regardless of whether you believe you will qualify for aid. [You never know!]

In addition to FAFSA, some colleges require the completion and submission of the CSS Profile, a long and somewhat convoluted financial statement (it would make a CPA's head spin) administered by no one's friend, College Board. [And as with most things College Board has its greedy little hands in, there's a fee to submit the Profile.] The Profile may be completed beginning in October, and should be submitted as soon as possible after submission of your college application to maximize potential aid. [We will help you with this, as well. Remember, it is not always what you say, but how you say it. Don't just "fill in the blanks!]

Finally, on the subject of financial aid, some schools have their ownproprietary financial aid forms, as well as scholarship applications, that must be filled out for them to show you the money. Check the Financial Aid pages on the websites of the colleges you've applied to. Leave no stone unturned!

$100 For Your Referrals: Refer your friends, classmates, relatives, and colleagues to College Connection. [We could all use a little help with those college applications, scholarship searches, and financial aid forms, right?] For each referral, you will get one entry into our random drawing (October 31) for $100 in cold, hard cash. READ, What They're Saying About College Connection.

For more application and admissions advice, be sure to read my blog at The College Whisperer™ , and to follow College Connection on Twitter @GetCollege.
- - -
At COLLEGE CONNECTION, We've Got Your Back. And Your Best Moves Forward!

Find Us on the web at 
College Connection
Check out The College Whisperer blog
College Connection on Twitter icon_sm_twitter.gif Follow Us
The College Whispereron Facebook icon_sm_facebook.gif Like Us On Facebook