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Can ACT and SAT Lower My Costs for College? In this article, we answer this question and more.
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Education will always be an important investment for a better future but the truth is- it's not a cheap one. On average, tuition fees for state colleges and state residents are $10,230. For non-state residents $26,290. We all know how valuable a College Education is. The value increases every year, but with these high costs attached, students must think of how to lower their college costs on to the good news. I can tell you how! One of the ways you can reduce your college fees is by preparing for the ACT and SAT. Here is everything you need to know about the ACT and SAT and lowering those high costs. If you're able to get strong ACT and SAT scores, you stand a great chance to lower your college cost. This opens up new doors to you, such as scholarships and financial aid rewards to help you have an easier time in college.
There are two types of financial aid cut down college costs.
1. Need-based aid
2. Merit-based aid.
This type of study revolves around a student's capacity to take care of the costs required for college study.
The assets and income of parents are usually analyzed to determine how much they can afford. If you need financial assistance, you would most likely qualify for need-based financial aid in the form of loans and grants.
Unlike the need-based option, this one depends on a student's academic achievements. This is where ACT and SAT come in handy. You are in full control of getting a scholarship! You can be your own College Funding Hero. (Which is my goal.) If you're able to prepare for these tests and get good scores, you'll qualify for merit-based financial aid.
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) states that most colleges rely on standardized test scores to determine the awarding of merit-based financial aid.
Here is the bonus for the Merit-Based Financial Aid. NACAC highlights that today, merit-based aid is more prevalent compared to need-based aid. This means the chances of needy students getting need-based financial help are fewer than before. So, you see, the best option is to sit for the ACT and SAT standardized tests to qualify for merit-based aid.
“Be an opener of doors."- Ralph Waldo Emerson
As you probably know, scholarships are a big step towards lowering college costs for students. Yes, you know getting a scholarship isn't a sudden flight. It is hard work. To qualify for a scholarship in either a public or private institution, you must have met the threshold score for that particular school.
Usually, the test scores will be evaluated together with your GPA. Individual institutions have their ways of calculating who gets a scholarship for a college program. Some of them will state how you can get a scholarship on their websites. You can get that information from admission materials. So you want to land a scholarship with your ACT and SAT scores at the school of your choice but can't get the information you need? It would be best if you then inquired from the school admissions counselor.
Even in colleges where the criteria for awarding scholarships aren't discussed, there is a common denominator. ACT and SAT scores play a crucial role in identifying the students who qualify for merit-based financial aid.
Here's why: colleges invest in this type of financial aid to attract a pool of talented students to their institutions.
If you have higher test scores, you boost your chances of qualifying for a scholarship. Okay, let’s talk about Guaranteed Scholarships.
Some public and private schools have well-defined criteria for awarding scholarships based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores. In other words, as long as you have attained the minimum requirements that these schools want, you are guaranteed a scholarship. Yes, you read that correctly. For instance, Baylor University applicants who get an SAT score of more than 1380 or an ACT of 31 qualify to receive a discount of $44,842 from their tuition costs. Similarly, the University of Mississippi applicants who get a 3.0 GPA plus a 1200 SAT/25 ACT is guaranteed $7,000 aid annually.
The good thing with guaranteed scholarships is that you are assured of getting financial aid as long as you have attained the required scores.
Okay, so we know preparing for these tests can lower your college costs. But how can we prepare? Here's some tips. Remember, you're not the only one preparing for these standardized tests. Many students looking for the same opportunity as you. So, you have to put in a lot of effort to qualify for the financial aid you're looking for. It takes months to prepare for these tests. Some students opt to hire tutors to help them prepare. These steps are not easy. They can be overwhelming and expensive. For instance, a 60-day test prep class can cost a student up to $1,200.
Whew, that was a lot. But stick with me. I am not trying to overwhelm you. I am here to help! This is why I put together this list of options that would benefit you.
This is a book that the College Board released in 2017 to help students prepare for the SATs. It has 7 SAT tests that students can prepare for and take at their own time.
This book provides the opportunity to prepare for the real tests and it gives students an idea of what to expect in the exam and how it's structured. Also, you can understand the level of difficulty that different questions have and how you can handle them.
The Official ACT Prep Guide also gives you the chance to prepare for your ACT. The guide contains 5 real ACTs that students take.
Like the SAT guide, you will be able to get familiar with the structure of the ACT. Here's a tip for you, you should time yourself as you do the 5 tests. If you sign up on the ACT site, you'll be in a position to get resources and materials that can help you get more equipped. A thorough interaction with this guide gives you an upper hand as you seek for a scholarship.
This is a great option you can rely on to offer you what you need to get ready for your test.
Through this resource, you have access to practice tests and answers to the same. Moreover, you can get private tutoring on their website at a fee.
Calling all Math students that don't particularly like Math. This one is going to help.
This is an online resource that helps students prepare for the SAT and ACT exams especially that need help with its particularly good for those who need help with the Math's section.
With this online platform, you will interact with videos that offer tutorials on maths questions from previous SATs. Also, you will find videos explaining how to prepare for the ACT exam.
Bonus: There is a section for questions and tips on how to get good scores in the test. The preciseness and thorough nature of the videos makes it a good resource for you.
The Critical Reader offers you an opportunity to interact with vocabulary and grammar. You will also get to learn more about reading comprehension. It contains practice tests to help students get acquainted with the tests. Also, teaches you the fundamentals of passing the standardized exams. Math formulas and facts are also present on the website to boost one's capacity to get high scores on the SAT. If you'll want to learn the tactics you need to do the test with more confidence, the site will offer exactly that.
These are websites that have the necessary resources to help students prepare for the ACT and SAT. From the websites, you'll be able to get the following: study guides, exam-taking tips, facts on SAT and ACT, and effective study methods.
A few points to take with you:
These tests are demanding and the competition for scholarships is high. But, you can do it! You can make your college experience as affordable as possible. I am rooting for you.
Good planning combined with an understanding of how merit based and need based financial aid work can significantly lower your college bill.
College has gotten ridiculously expensive. If you’re here, I probably don’t need to tell you that.
Many people pay the college sticker price and potentially jeopardize their financial future in the process. They do this all because they don’t realize that you should never pay full price for college!
You can get potentially 50+% discounts on degrees! It takes a lot of work and potentially some sacrifices but it’s entirely doable!
By the end of this course, you’ll have the tools and knowledge to save THOUSANDS on college costs. Click here for more information.
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