College Admission & Scholarship FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Could it be cheaper to go to an out-of-state college?
Is in-state college always cheaper than private or out-of-state colleges?
No. Many families are surprised to learn that some private and out-of-state colleges can actually cost less than in-state public universities after scholarships and grants are applied. The “sticker price” is often very different from the final net cost parents actually pay.
What numbers should I look at when comparing college cost?
The most important number is the net cost, not tuition. Net cost equals the total cost of attendance minus scholarships and grants. This gives families a more accurate picture of what college will truly cost out of pocket.
What does COA or “cost of attendance” mean for college?
Cost of attendance is the full estimated yearly cost to attend a college. It includes tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, books, transportation, parking, and other college-related expenses.
How can I get my kid a large scholarship for college?
Why do colleges give some students large scholarships?
Colleges award scholarships to attract students they want to enroll. A student may receive more scholarship money if they help the college improve rankings, fill underrepresented majors, increase geographic diversity, strengthen programs, or meet enrollment goals.
How can students win bigger college scholarships?
Short answer: Colleges often give larger scholarships to students they actively want to recruit.
Students may receive more scholarship money when they strengthen areas the college values, such as:
- academics
- leadership
- intended major
- geographic diversity
- extracurricular involvement
- showing intent
What does my student need to do to get more scholarships from a college?
How can students “position themselves” for more college scholarships?
Students can increase scholarship opportunities by showing colleges what makes them valuable. This may include strong academics, leadership, extracurricular involvement, intended major, demonstrated interest, service, talent, work experience, or unique background characteristics.
How many colleges should I apply to?
Why should students apply to multiple colleges instead of just a few?
Applying to multiple colleges increases both admission opportunities and scholarship leverage. When families compare several financial aid offers, they may be able to negotiate or appeal for additional scholarships from colleges that want the student to enroll. Ideally apply to 5 to 10 colleges that you have a higher probability of acceptance.
If I am not offered enough scholarships to go to that college, can I ask for more help?
Can you appeal a college scholarship or financial aid offer?
Yes. Many colleges allow families to appeal for more scholarship money or financial aid. A strong appeal letter that includes competing offers, financial changes, or new accomplishments can sometimes result in additional aid.
Does applying to college early increase scholarship chances?
Often, yes apply way before deadlines. Many colleges award scholarships and admission spots on a priority or first-come, first-served basis. Students who apply early may have a better chance of receiving merit scholarships, honors college invitations, and stronger financial aid packages.
Should I apply Early Decision?
Do I really increase my chances applying early decision?
No. When a student applies Early Decision, the student give the college all the power. Realistically most colleges are struggling to fill freshman seats. Early Decision data is manipulated into thinking you will have a better chance of admission. Early Decision candidates typically do not get the most advantageous scholarships.
We make to much money to qualify for need based aid, do we need to fill out the FAFSA?
Should high-income families still complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile?
Yes. Even families who think they will not qualify for need-based aid should complete the FAFSA and, when required, the CSS Profile. Some colleges require these forms for merit scholarships, institutional grants, honors programs, or future financial aid consideration.
Do college care about demonstrating interest?
What is demonstrated interest in college admissions?
Yes, colleges track this. Demonstrated interest is how colleges measure whether a student is seriously interested in attending their school. Campus visits, attending college fairs, opening emails, meeting admissions recruiters, virtual events, and follow-up communication can sometimes improve admission and scholarship chances.
Should I apply for outside scholarships, private scholarships?
Are private scholarships the main way families pay for college?
Yes, consider outside scholarships. However, private scholarships, outside scholarships make up only a small percentage of total college financial aid. Most funding typically comes from college institutional scholarships, federal financial aid, state grants, and university endowment funds.
I have a few Cs on my grades; can I get into college with scholarships?
Can students with average grades still win college scholarships?
Yes. Many colleges award scholarships to students who are not perfect academically. Leadership, extracurricular involvement, intended major, work experience, geographic diversity, service, talent, and showing intent can all influence scholarship opportunities.
I got admitted to college but no scholarships, how can I find my scholarship?
What is the difference between a college acceptance letter and an award letter?
A college acceptance letter confirms that a student has been admitted. An award letter explains the student’s financial aid package, including scholarships, grants, loans, work study, and the estimated net cost to attend that college. The award letter, award offering is posted on the college website student portal.
How long does it take for the average student to graduate college?
Why do many college students take longer than four years to graduate?
Students may take five or six years to graduate because of changing majors, missing required classes, poor academic planning, transferring schools, or attending part-time. Choosing the right major early and following a clear graduation plan can help students graduate faster and reduce college costs.
I want to visit the college campus but I can’t, should I?
Should students visit colleges before submitting applications?
Ideally yes. Visiting colleges helps students compare campus size, academic environment, housing, culture, student life, and overall fit. College visits can also help students make more confident admission decisions and may demonstrate interest to some colleges. You can start with a virtual visit. Check out the college website for virtual visit options.
I don’t know which admission plan I should choose, rolling admission, early action, early decision, regular decision?
What is the difference between rolling admissions, early action, and regular decision?
Rolling admissions means colleges review applications as they are submitted and release decisions continuously. Early action has earlier deadlines and may improve scholarship and honors college opportunities. Regular decision follows the standard college application timeline and deadlines. Ideally apply as non restrictive early action to multiple colleges so that you have options. We never recommend early decision because you won’t have options as early decision candidates must withdraw applications from other colleges.
Does the major I pick impact admission decisions, should I apply undeclared or undecided?
Does a student’s intended major affect college admission and scholarships?
Yes. Some college majors are significantly more competitive than others. Students applying to underrepresented or less crowded majors may sometimes improve their chances of admission, honors programs, and scholarships.
What is the difference between a merit scholarship and a need based scholarship?
Are there different types of scholarships?
Merit scholarships are awarded to students based on the student’s merits which can include good grades, good test scores, leadership, community service, talent (music, theater, dance, art). Need based scholarships are based on if the student qualifies for need aid which is calculated from the college’s need assessment formula and the FAFSA.
Should I care about how high a college is ranked?
I want to go to a highly ranked college, should I?
Why are college rankings so important to universities?
College rankings help universities attract more applications, media attention, prestige, and revenue. Many colleges strategically use scholarships and financial aid to recruit students who strengthen categories the school values, such as academics, diversity, leadership, geographic representation, or specific majors. Bottom line, no, as a student it should not matter to you. What should matter is if the college has the majors and programs you want to study and if the college is a good fit for you.
Is AZCollegePlanning.com a good company?
What does AZ College Planning help students and families with?
Yes, AZCollegePlanning.com is a highly rated 5 star compassionate company. AZ College Planning helps students and families with college admissions, scholarship strategy, career and major selection, financial aid planning, essay coaching, test preparation strategy, show intent, award letter comparison, and college decision guidance. We have helped thousands of student get admitted to great colleges across the nation and get great aid packages.
What do we get from the free consultation with AZCollegePlanning?
What happens during a free college admissions consultation?
During a free consultation with AZ College Planning, families meet one-on-one with a college counselor to discuss career interests, majors, college selection, scholarships, financial aid strategies, admissions planning, and personalized next steps for your student.
Schedule your free consultation today.
Call 888-237-2087 or click https://azcollegeplanning.com/contact-us/
About J.D. Wyczalek
J.D. Wyczalek is the founder of AZ College Planning and has helped thousands of students and families with college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and career planning since 2007.