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Making College Enrollment Decisions During the Pandemic

One of the biggest conundrums facing today’s college-bound high school seniors is which college to choose among those that have welcomed them. Decision deadlines have been extended for many schools, in light of the COVID-19 crisis, and because of ongoing lagging enrollments, more colleges are extending their deposit deadlines. One large question mark remains at this point, though: Will colleges be bringing students back to campus for fall semester this year?
In my last article, I listed some colleges that are planning on opening up for the Fall 2020 semester. Of course, those plans are contingent on the pandemic tapering off and no “second wave” of virus infections emerging later this summer or early in the fall. Some experts have predicted a second wave for the US, and a number of countries — China and Germany, for example — have already experienced second waves and have reimplemented lockdowns.
One large university system has already made the bold choice to defer in-person classes to 2021 — the California State University system. In an dramatic announcement Tuesday (May 12), Chancellor Timothy White said that administrators plan to cancel all in-person classes for the fall and to continue instruction online due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision will affect all 23 of the system’s universities. “This virtual planning approach for the next academic year is necessary because of the evolving data surrounding the progression of COVID-19,” White explained to CSU trustees.
Online Classes Appear to Be Unpopular With Many
At this moment, about 70 percent of schools commenting on the Fall 2020 semester are planning to bring students back to campus. That percentage varies from day to day as more colleges and universities decide between in-person and online classes, and this brings us back to students’ decisions about where to attend college. The specter of fall online classes isn’t a popular one and the desire for a full return is reflected in this recent poll, which shows, among other things:
- 65 percent say they would attend in-person classes (even without a vaccine)
- 31 percent say they would only attend virtually
- 4 percent say they would withdraw from school.
As that poll indicates, a majority of college students don’t like distance learning. The margin of majority varies from survey to survey, but there are specific issues they dislike, or even “hate,” as noted in GetEducated’s survey: 5 Things Real Students Hate about Online Learning Degrees. While these comments reflect attitudes of online-degree students, they’re also applicable to this year’s residential collegians who have been forced online due to the pandemic. Here are three key points about their dissatisfaction:
Missing or Disengaged Professors
“Where’s my professor?” is the most frequent and vitreous complaint when it comes to online learning. Students sometimes feel online learning is impersonal, isolating, and non-interactive. They sometimes feel their online teachers are not particularly interested in neither them nor the instructional process …
Hate the Group Assignments and Team Projects
Our student blogger, David Handlos, once wrote about his first online learning program: “the words ‘group assignment’ filled me with dread.” … One of online learning’s dirty little secrets is that group projects are popular with some online schools not because they are educationally appropriate, but because they require less time to respond to, track, and grade. Group assignments are very cost-effective from an administrative point of view …
Poor Online Course Design
… Creating a great online learning course takes time, money, and talent in user interface and aesthetic design alike – things some universities may not be quite willing to splurge on. Online students are noticing problems in the overall quality of course materials and the integration of instructional materials with testing protocols …
Because of the above sentiments, I’m betting that a (yet to be determined) number of high school seniors will make their enrollment decisions based on what their admitting colleges decide about in-person classes vs. online teaching for the Fall 2020 semester. Uncertainty about COVID-19’s behavior will also cause anxiety. Some schools have noted that they will not be making a firm decision until summer (June or July). Enrollment deadlines falling before schools’ in-person vs. online class decisions will create yet another conundrum: What if a school reverts to online after a student enrolls under an in-person pledge? Imagine the ripples that decision would cause.
Of course, at this point in the “pandemic college process,” we’re dealing in pure speculation; what’s going to happen is unknown. We can hypothesize, however. In the scenario above, where a high school senior commits and enrolls in a college proclaiming “100 percent in-person classes this fall,” what can that student do if a COVID-19 second wave erupts and the college has to close and move to online classes, as they did this past spring? The student can transfer, withdraw or even choose to wait out the pandemic during a gap year, if the school permits such an option.
The University of Oregon announced during the last week of April that it would extend its enrollment deadline from May 1 to September 1. In-person classes there start in late September. This offers seniors who have been accepted by UOregon but are planning to enroll elsewhere a valuable, late-in-the-game fallback option, in case their first-choice school welches on their promise to go with in-person classes. Of course, UOregon could also flip on its in-person commitment, too, and that’s what makes this year’s enrollment decision process so roll-the-dice daunting.
Consider This Plan for Deciding
What’s my advice to high school seniors hoisted on the horns of indecision about where to enroll? Here’s my four-point plan:
1. Don’t believe everything you read or hear. There’s a lot of misinformation out there, including those important-sounding proclamations from so-called “experts.” Stick to objective sources and avoid “opinion” and “commentary.”
2. Wait as long as you can before enrolling. Most colleges, out of compassion for your situation, have pushed back their deadlines, some as far as September 1. Rank your acceptances in deadline order and consider which is your true first choice school. Then you can select a later-deadline school as a candidate if your first choice flips from in-person to online classes before school starts. This will give you an escape route if you can no longer abide distance learning.
3. Be prepared for anything. Flexibility is crucial in dealing with this pandemic. We all make careful plans, but sometimes those plans get run over by a circumstantial steamroller. Create your plan in good faith, using careful judgment about the information you’ve gathered to make your decision(s), and act on it. If COVID-19 decides to pull the rug out from under you, move to Plan B, C or even D. That’s where flexibility comes in. It won’t be the end of the world as you know it (avoid catching the virus, though!). Sit back, regroup, consider alternative plans, make the appropriate choice and apply it.
4. Know that getting through this will make you a better person. You’ll be better able to deal with adversity in the future. Our muscles get stronger only by encountering resistance. Our lives are enhanced by meeting and making the most of difficult situations. Your college enrollment decision will likely not be the most difficult decision you’ll ever have to make. It’s not an easy one now, but once you’ve made an informed choice and enjoyed its success, you’ll be ready to build even bigger biceps with tougher choices!
——————
By: Dave Berry
Title: Making College Enrollment Decisions During the Pandemic
Sourced From: insights.collegeconfidential.com/how-to-pick-college-coronavirus
Published Date: Thu, 14 May 2020 14:18:25 +0000
Did you miss our previous article…
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I SOLD A.I. ART ON ETSY FOR 30 DAYS! – A.I SIDE HUSTLE RESULTS
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Apply Online For Student Loans

Apply Online For Student Loans
Applying online for student loans is a convenient and efficient way to secure funding for your education. Whether you are facing financial difficulties or simply want to keep your debts to a minimum, student loans can help alleviate the financial burden while you focus on your studies.
One of the main advantages of student loans is that they typically offer lower interest rates compared to other types of loans. Additionally, repayment is often deferred until after you graduate, giving you time to establish your career and increase your income potential.
By applying online, you have access to a wider range of lenders, allowing you to compare different loan offers and choose the one that best suits your needs. Look for lenders offering competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and any additional incentives that may be available.
Student loans can be used to cover various expenses related to your education, including tuition fees, housing, course materials, and living expenses. While your personal bank may be willing to provide a student loan, applying online gives you more options and potentially better terms.
However, it’s important to remember that student loans are still loans, and you should borrow responsibly. It’s advisable to budget regularly and avoid unnecessary purchases or luxuries to ensure you can manage your loan repayments in the future.
Before applying for student loans, explore other options such as scholarships, grants, or parental funding. These resources can help reduce the amount you need to borrow and minimize your financial obligations.
Lastly, it’s crucial to have confidence in your ability to secure a salary that will enable you to meet your loan repayments after graduation. Work hard to achieve the grades and qualifications necessary for your desired career, as this will increase your chances of finding a well-paying job.
In conclusion, applying online for student loans can provide you with the financial support needed to pursue your education. However, it’s important to borrow responsibly, explore other funding options, and plan for a successful career to ensure you can manage your loan repayments effectively.
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Webinar Recap: How COVID-19 is Affecting Financial Aid

Many families are facing new financial challenges in light of the coronavirus emergency, and College Confidential has fielded dozens of questions on this topic recently. To address those queries, we hosted a webinar on April 9 entitled “Paying for College Amid Changes Due to the Impact of COVID-19.”
During the event, moderated by Aaron Murphy, manager of learning and development with Inside Track, the following panelists offered their perspectives on the issue:
- Denise Trusty, director of financial aid with Morehead State University
- Laura Reisert Kalinkewicz, associate vice president of college partnerships with RaiseMe
- Amy Nelson, director of sales at International Scholarship and Tuition Services
- Charlie Javice, founder and CEO of Frank.
Check out the following topics that the panelists discussed, along with their views of how things may unfold amid the financial challenges brought on by the coronavirus outbreak.
Family Finances Changed? Contact Your Schools
If you plan to start college in the fall as a freshman — or return to school as an existing student — and your financial situation has changed since you applied for financial aid, you should contact the colleges on your list immediately. Financial aid departments can consider appeals for more money, but must base these decisions on each individual student’s situation, Trusty said.
“I know with Morehead State, where I work, we will be doing professional judgement calls on all students who say they’ve been affected,” she noted. “We will reach out to those students to see what we can do to help them maybe obtain additional funding, additional grants, scholarships, whatever they would be eligible for. We do professional judgment all the time for our students, because things happen all the time. This year will be an especially large amount of those, I’m sure, but those are up to individual schools to make that call for their students.”
In addition, she added, the Department of Education has set aside over $6 billion for additional grants and scholarships that the universities will be able to use. “Currently, I don’t know how that’s all going to play into this,” Trusty said. “So that will be up to each individual university on how they lay those out. I know it will be beneficial, I just don’t know how available that will be to each student.”
Keep in mind that schools are accustomed to reviewing financial aid appeals, and they all have processes in place for to do so. “It is really, really important to know that schools typically leave a budget from 10 percent to 20 percent or so of their financial aid dollars for what would be called a professional judgment bucket,”Javice said. “Therefore, there is additional money to be had, and it’s up to you to request it. You should approach your school as soon as you know you might need more money, and be prepared to show supporting documentation demonstrating how your finances are different from when you filed your FAFSA initially. This might require proof of a job loss, medical bills, a cut in pay or another such issue, Javice said.
In addition, if another school gave you a better financial offer, you can petition the school that gave you the lower offer for more money, Javice noted. “This typically works better for private institutions versus public state schools, given the fact that they have a little bit more discrepancy and more dollars to put to work in terms of a tuition discount,” she added. “This is solely up to the school on a case by case basis.” In some cases, the money is distributed on a first come, first serve timeline, so don’t wait if you know you need more aid.
Although financial aid can be a stressful topic, try not to be emotional when you request more money, Javice added. You’ll get a lot further by having organized documentation to present than you would by getting angry or upset, she noted.
Consider Outside Scholarships
The coronavirus situation has changed plans not only for incoming freshmen, but also for current college students, Nelson said. “Organizations are stepping up and trying to find ways to provide additional scholarship opportunities this year,” she noted. Students should be proactive in seeking those options.
Raise Me is offering new micro-scholarships for students who are seeking additional funding sources, Kalinkewicz said. In addition, she encourages students to ask colleges for more time to make decisions, even if the school hasn’t extended its deposit process. You can always try and request additional time to get your financial aid package right, she noted.
Finding more money is not relegated to younger students, Javice added. “Adult learners comprise the biggest group of people actually going to college today,” she noted. It’s very common for people to be seeking new types of skills and going back to college to gain additional degrees. Financial aid is available to adult learners, and they may even get aid to pay such costs as rent, she added. In addition, they can seek outside scholarships or employer-matching funds to pay for their educations.
Not Necessarily Too Late to File FAFSA
Students who didn’t file a FAFSA already should do that as soon as possible so you can get access to financial aid funds, Javice said. Federal FAFSA deadlines are usually in June, but states make their own deadlines for state aid. Some states, such as New Jersey, have moved their deadlines back for this year, so check to make sure you stay on top of your deadlines.
And if you file for financial aid and you decide you don’t want it, you can always decline the financial offer or portions of that offer, Nelson said. Your best bet is to apply so you can take what you need and decline any amounts you don’t need. Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should apply anyway because you could be surprised at what you’re offered. “You really need to complete that [FAFSA] process every year,” Nelson said. “The process is very easy, and jobs can come and go. It’s your safety net and you want to make sure you’ve completed it. It makes it a whole lot easier when situations like this arise.”
Some colleges also have supplemental applications to fill out for particular types of aid, so always reach out to your financial aid office for information on which documentation you should be completing, Kalinkewicz said.
Could Families — Not Schools — Be in the Driver’s Seat?
Because many merit scholarships are based on test scores and GPAs, some high school juniors are concerned that they won’t have access to those in the coming year. With test dates being canceled and grades moving to pass/fail, they fear they won’t meet the criteria to earn such scholarships.
“It’s clear to me that colleges and universities know the extraordinary circumstances we’re under,” Nelson said. “All schools are leaning forward and considering all options as the situation develops. I would continue to encourage juniors to stay engaged and stay informed.” You should also watch to see what happens with test dates, she said. The ACT and SAT dates could change, and some schools may forego the need for a test score altogether, she added.
In addition, some merit scholarships that have traditionally been based on test scores may become test optional, Kalinkewicz noted.
Keep in mind that in many cases, families are in the driver’s seat rather than having the colleges be in charge, Javice said. Some schools have lost revenue and are very eager for students right now, “so if you are scared because you thought you could never get into a specific school from an admission criteria standpoint, this is your year to stretch, this is your year to think about the schools that are your reach category and go for it, because schools need the money and need the students. So the power that used to be in an admissions office is in you, the student or the family’s hands,” she said.
She also advises juniors to request application waivers from schools to save the $50 to $100 or so per application that they would normally pay. The schools may say no, but it won’t hurt to ask, she advised. “Persistence is key when dealing with schools,” Javice noted.
Federal Student Loans Payment Suspended
As many families are aware, payments on federal student loans are automatically suspended from March 13 through September 30, 2020 thanks to the government’s CARES Act. This is essential to keep in mind, particularly for families that have multiple children in various stages of the college process.
“You will stop paying your loans and you will have zero interest from now until September 30, and that’s important for parents to know,” Nelson said regarding existing federal student loans. “If you had an auto draft, the auto draft has been shut off and will not continue. You can, however, continue to make those payments if you’d like, and any interest you had before March 13, once that interest is paid up, all your payments will go directly toward your principal.” She advises families with federally-backed loans to check with their loan servicing agents, because they have a lot of information for both parent and student borrowers on how the CARES Act will impact payments for the next six months.
Student Job Gone? Colleges Might Help
For students who expect to earn money via part-time or full-time work to pay for college, but can’t do so due to the coronavirus, colleges may have resources to help. “There are many colleges and universities that have put together emergency grants for students to cover expenses that they were maybe not expecting because of COVID-19,” Nelson said. “They are making accommodations to try and make up for that lost income for students.”
Trusty said Morehead State is continuing to pay students who were on federal work-study. “If they had a job, we are still paying them right now as if they were working, although they are not. In the summer, those funds will be flipped over to emergency grant funds. So we will make sure that our students are covered and can live as if they were employed with the work-study position.”
Some colleges have even made remote work available to students, Kalinkewicz added. Therefore, contact your financial aid office to determine if any accommodations are available to make up for lost student income whenever possible.
Consider Other Options to Save
If you are seeking ways to save money on college, you should also consider other resources, whether that means less expensive colleges, in-state options or potentially transferring down the road, Janice said. You can also save money by taking classes at a community college to pay a lower cost for your credits that can be transferred to a four-year college later.
“If you have that target institution in mind — maybe you’ve already been admitted there but your family has determined a year of community college will really help stretch things further — work on articulation agreements or a plan so you are taking the right classes that actually have the ability to transfer toward the degree you want at your target institution, not necessarily just as credit,” Kalinkewicz said.
In addition, many colleges offer merit aid for transfer students, she added. So always look for every potential financial aid and scholarship resource to best maximize your package and allow your dollars to stretch as far as possible.
Resource: To review the entire hour-long webinar, you can watch the replay here.
Share Your Thoughts
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Check out our forum to contribute to the conversation!
By: Torrey Kim
Title: Webinar Recap: How COVID-19 is Affecting Financial Aid
Sourced From: insights.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-amid-covid-19
Published Date: Fri, 10 Apr 2020 15:22:20 +0000
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https://getinvestmentadvise.com/student-loans/former-georgetown-ao-demystifies-elite-admissions-in-new-book/
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