Even the most well-prepared high school kids and their parents may be taken aback by the amount of money required to submit a college application. Even though they may have done a significant amount of study to learn about the cost of attending college and the fundamentals of college financial aid, very few people fully realize how much money is invested in a student before they even begin the application process. There is a plethora of tiny amounts and fees, all of which have the potential to build up very rapidly and make a difference in the financial plan of any home. The following are the expenses that need to be accounted for in your budget.
Travel
For a student who is considering applying to a college that is located in a city or town other than their own, there may be a number of excursions necessary before the start of the academic year. A student should pay a visit to the campus of any potential colleges they are interested in attending, as this increases their chances of being invited for an in-person interview. After acceptance, there might be a freshman orientation weekend, which would add even more to the expense of attending. The cost of transportation for the student multiple times throughout the academic year, in addition to the possibility of weekend transportation for the parents, is another thing that needs to be taken into consideration. All of these things can add up, and if they were not factored into the initial estimate of the cost, you could be in for a bit of a shock.Exams
The majority of educational institutions in the United States demand that prospective students demonstrate their intellectual prowess by taking either the SAT or the ACT. There is a fee associated with taking these exams, and the student may also be required to pay for preparatory classes or study guides in order to be adequately prepared for the examination. If a student has a demonstrated need for financial assistance, they may be eligible to have their testing fees waived.Transcripts
It is possible that a student will be required to pay a fee in order to have their transcripts sent to the many institutions to which they have applied or when they transfer from one institution to another.Application Fees
The majority of schools require a fee to be paid in order to submit an application. A survey conducted by U.S. News & World Report found that application prices range from $44 to $78 on average, with schools such as Stanford, Duke, and Columbia having application fees that are more than average. Student who applies to a large number of universities in the mistaken belief that doing so will increase their chances of being accepted into one of those institutions can rack up hundreds of dollars in application costs. This can be avoided by using a selection procedure that is more selective or by looking on purpose for universities that charge an application fee that ranges from zero to a very tiny sum. Although it is possible that certain colleges will waive application fees, particularly for prospective students who can provide evidence that they have a significant financial need, the vast majority of candidates should not count on receiving this benefit. Students who have a relative who previously attended the educational facility may be eligible for further fee waivers. If you are a student who is likely to be heavily recruited, it may be worthwhile to inquire about the possibility of a school waiving the application fee in specific circumstances. Those who have the highest GPAs or certain athletic abilities have a better chance of being accepted without having to pay the application fee.Help and Sustaining Advice
There are circumstances in which it is beneficial to pay for assistance with the application process for college, and there are other circumstances in which it constitutes fraud. You have the option of enlisting the assistance of a consultant to better comprehend the procedure; nevertheless, the application expenses should not be affected by this decision. It is important to be informed about the costs of attending college so that you are prepared. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should never require a cost, but a college financial help advisor may charge a fee to explain the many types of financial aid available to students. Because there are so many programs that are free, conducting scholarship searches online should not require any payment on your part. Before beginning the college application process, students and their parents should sit down together to create a budget for the process and reach a consensus on it. This will ensure that there are no unpleasant financial surprises along the path to college admission.