Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees!

It is usually about this time of year, as college acceptances start arriving, that the realities of financing a college education truly begin to settle in.  Even for families who have planned ahead and are fortunate enough to have some money saved toward college, every bit of extra financial assistance is appreciated. Ideally, scholarship searches start much earlier than February of senior year, but it’s not too late. (BTW, it isn’t too early, either – looking at you, 9th graders!) Yes, there are many scholarships open to students throughout all four years of high school (see the Courageous Persuaders Video Scholarship, for example), but finding and filtering scholarships can be overwhelming. Just check out this list of scholarships with February deadlines, published by SCHOLARSHIPS.COM!  Finding scholarships, managing scholarship applications and deadlines, and understanding how outside scholarships impact financial aid awards are just a few ways ARC assists families.  Let’s face it, college is expensive! If you’re concerned about college expenses, ARC can answer your questions and help you get a plan in place that best fits your family budget. You may even find some money you did not even know was available, but you have to be willing to put in the work – money doesn’t grow on trees!

The Value of College Consultants

“ROI” is mentioned in college information sessions quite a bit these days, but what about when considering a college consultant? How do you know what to expect for your money, what potential savings can a consultant help you realize, is your investment “worth it?” Families choose to work with a college consultant for many reasons, and each student’s process is unique. It’s important for families to define their expectations and understand how a consultant might help them as a first step. Take a few moments to watch this video produced by IECA, an international organization of professional consultants. It provides insight to potential benefits so you can begin the college planning process with confidence. If you’re interested in learning more, contact ARC Education Planning. Let’s get started!

College Admissions Help from IECA on Vimeo.

High School Registration Already?!

catchingfireregistrationThe school year is barely half way over, yet here we are, signing up to register for next year’s classes. If you want advice about course selection, summer enrichment opportunities, and admission test schedules, now is a great time to get started! Maybe you’re unsure of stepping up to honors level work, or maybe you’re weighing AP vs IB coursework. Maybe you have questions about foreign language requirements for college. Maybe you just want a “check-up” to evaluate the strength of your high school transcript and experiences.  ARC can help you sift through your options and chart a 4-year high school plan that maximizes your college potential. You may not have a clue about what you want to study, or where, or you may have your dream school targeted already. Either way, ARC can make sure you have a sound high school plan that helps you realize your post-secondary dreams. Don’t stress! Contact ARC to set up an appointment.