Textbooks can be a huge expense every semester. I know this year my son's books would have been over $600 in his college bookstore (bought new).
I probably spent 10 hours looking around for the best deals on textbooks. Sometimes you can find used books, but other times you just have to shop around.
I found cheap textbooks @ http://www.affordabook.com
This website checks multiple suppliers and will show you all the prices available for a textbook you need.
This tool is exceptional and such a timesaver!
Seeing all your choices on one page is so helpful and makes it so much easier to find the best deal for your student.
It is definitely worth your time to Visit Affordabook.com .
Brought to you by our friends at www.affordabook.com
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Financial Aid and Costs
College can be so expensive! Tuiton and Room/Board are obvious costs, but there are tech fees, books and miscellaneous expenses as well. I don't think anyone would dispute the absolute value of a college education, but the average student needs help to pay for school.
Financial aid is a must in this day and age. Most students will have to look at student loans to help finance their education. Some loans are offered automatically when a student works with the Financial Aid office, while others have to be sought out.
Always be on the lookout for information about financial aid and student loans.
Good luck!
brought to you by our friends at http://www.snhu.edu
Financial aid is a must in this day and age. Most students will have to look at student loans to help finance their education. Some loans are offered automatically when a student works with the Financial Aid office, while others have to be sought out.
Always be on the lookout for information about financial aid and student loans.
Good luck!
brought to you by our friends at http://www.snhu.edu
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Dorm in a Box
I will soon be posting a checklist of items to take to college. There are quite a few companies that will sell you a "Dorm in a Box". The college will usually send you flyers in the mail, and at orientations there is usually a table or booth with representatives from these companies.
Most dorms use an XL twin bed, so you have to get new sheets. Some of the package deals can be pretty good for sheets, comforters, etc.
Some of the packages are more expensive, but can be worth it. I found that I did not need all of the items these packages included. I did buy a sheet set from the company that the college recommended, and I bought a shower caddy set.
Just take a good look at what you are being offered. Do you need all of the items in the package? Could you buy the items cheaper yourself? Take into account all the running around you may have to do to make these purchases. Then decide!
Most dorms use an XL twin bed, so you have to get new sheets. Some of the package deals can be pretty good for sheets, comforters, etc.
Some of the packages are more expensive, but can be worth it. I found that I did not need all of the items these packages included. I did buy a sheet set from the company that the college recommended, and I bought a shower caddy set.
Just take a good look at what you are being offered. Do you need all of the items in the package? Could you buy the items cheaper yourself? Take into account all the running around you may have to do to make these purchases. Then decide!
Monday, June 11, 2012
ACT vs. SAT test
Well, test season is just over, but this is my two cents on college admissions tests. Your student would normally take these tests in their Junior year of high school. My daughter just took both this month. I do recommend having your child take both, because you don't always know which test they will do better on. Most colleges will accept either test score.
If your child knows the college they want to go to for sure, then check to see their requirements. I also recommend (for most kids), to take the June tests, as there is material that schools cover during the Jr. year and if you take a test in Feb/Mar. they may not even know all the material.
If your child does not do as well as they'd like, there is still time to retake one of the tests in the Fall.
There are great tips and practice test on the websites as well:
http://act.org/ and http://www.collegeboard.org/
If your child knows the college they want to go to for sure, then check to see their requirements. I also recommend (for most kids), to take the June tests, as there is material that schools cover during the Jr. year and if you take a test in Feb/Mar. they may not even know all the material.
If your child does not do as well as they'd like, there is still time to retake one of the tests in the Fall.
There are great tips and practice test on the websites as well:
http://act.org/ and http://www.collegeboard.org/
Thursday, May 24, 2012
11th grade action plan
Junior year is so critical. This is the year that grade transcripts and volunteer or job info. will go with your college applications. We have had some drama with my daughter's grades being incorrect due to an illness, but it is finally getting straightened out!
I wanted to share some good information from Big Future (formerly collegeboard.com).
Check out this action plan for High School Juniors and parents:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-11th-grade?ep_ch=CO&ep_mid=10539007&ep_rid=2065094
I wanted to share some good information from Big Future (formerly collegeboard.com).
Check out this action plan for High School Juniors and parents:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-11th-grade?ep_ch=CO&ep_mid=10539007&ep_rid=2065094
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Great High School Graduation Gifts REpost for 2013
There are so many graduations coming up, and we are always trying to think of useful, but wanted, gift ideas. Later this month I am going to publish a 'what to take to college" list, but here are some grad gifts that they can also use when they move to college:
Shower Tote filled with body wash (girls and guys!), lotions, shaving items, shampoo and conditioner.
Towel set with washclothes
Laundry Tote with laundry supplies (I LOVE the Purex 3 in 1 sheets for a college student)
Rolls of quarters (if needed)
NetFlix membership
Portable speakers
Noise-canceling Headphones (students LOVE these)
Underbed storage
Locked box or lockable filing cabinet (especially when sharing a room)
Small set of washable dishes
small wastebasket and garbage bags
Fan (the majority of dorms are NOT air conditioned)
small microwave
small fridge (be careful here, as many colleges only allow a certain size)
Tide to go, sewing kit
Money and gift cards are always appreciated, of course. If you know where the student is going to school, check to see what restaurants are in the town, as all kids get tired of the school food options after awhile.
Shower Tote filled with body wash (girls and guys!), lotions, shaving items, shampoo and conditioner.
Towel set with washclothes
Laundry Tote with laundry supplies (I LOVE the Purex 3 in 1 sheets for a college student)
Rolls of quarters (if needed)
NetFlix membership
Portable speakers
Noise-canceling Headphones (students LOVE these)
Underbed storage
Locked box or lockable filing cabinet (especially when sharing a room)
Small set of washable dishes
small wastebasket and garbage bags
Fan (the majority of dorms are NOT air conditioned)
small microwave
small fridge (be careful here, as many colleges only allow a certain size)
Tide to go, sewing kit
Money and gift cards are always appreciated, of course. If you know where the student is going to school, check to see what restaurants are in the town, as all kids get tired of the school food options after awhile.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Don't Miss Deadlines!
Deadlines, deadlines, and more deadlines! I just had to remind my son to reapply to one outside scholarship he got last year. It is $1500, and while that does not sound like a lot, it has made a world of difference.
I have a spreadsheet created with all kinds of scholarships and deadlines, but I think I will have to add a tab with deadline dates for renewable scholarships.
The other deadlines to watch out for are application dates and acceptance dates. May 1st is the traditional 'decision day'. If your student has not decided you can usually let a college know that you might miss that date. You may also be waiting for all the financial aid and scholarship information. I know for my son, he decided on April 30th! Nothing like the last minute. For him it was down to 2 schools, based on the best financial deal.
My daughter will be a High School senior next year, so the Fall starts with all the applications. For her, there is an additional component to applications,since she will also have to have an audition for music.
Whether you use a spreadsheet, or some other organizational tool, the best thing I can tell you is to be organized! There are so many moving parts to this process, and you don't want to forget to do something!
I have a spreadsheet created with all kinds of scholarships and deadlines, but I think I will have to add a tab with deadline dates for renewable scholarships.
The other deadlines to watch out for are application dates and acceptance dates. May 1st is the traditional 'decision day'. If your student has not decided you can usually let a college know that you might miss that date. You may also be waiting for all the financial aid and scholarship information. I know for my son, he decided on April 30th! Nothing like the last minute. For him it was down to 2 schools, based on the best financial deal.
My daughter will be a High School senior next year, so the Fall starts with all the applications. For her, there is an additional component to applications,since she will also have to have an audition for music.
Whether you use a spreadsheet, or some other organizational tool, the best thing I can tell you is to be organized! There are so many moving parts to this process, and you don't want to forget to do something!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)