Frequently Asked Questions
Top College Myths
- An in-state college is cheaper than a private college – FALSE
- Merit scholarships are for A students only – FALSE
- My child can take out loans to pay for all of their college – FALSE
- Athletic Scholarships are only for top athletes – FALSE
- Saving for college hurts your chance for financial aid – FALSE
- I make too much money for my child to qualify for financial aid – FALSE
- It doesn’t matter which classes my child takes in high school, as long as they maintain a high GPA – FALSE
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a college planner?
A college planner can save a family thousands of dollars by helping position the student for the best opportunity to be admitted to their chosen school and helps the family save thousands of dollars by allocating the family’s finances to achieve the lowest out-of-pocket expenses.
What is a Certified College Planner?
A Certified College Planner is a designation given by the National Institute of Certified College Planners after a candidate passes the criteria necessary to be certified.
How much can I really save?
State colleges cost-of-attendance averages about $16,000 per year. The cost-of-attendance at a private school averages about $42,000 per year. However, working with the Lighthouse Staff, you can save thousands per year by selecting the ‘right’ school. Choosing the best fit school not only can help avoid transferring, but it also helps attain scholarship money that is available. Last year our students received $4.2 million in scholarship and grant money. Mastering the school selection process can also reduce your EFC, Expected Family Contribution, which then allows the students to have more financial aid.
Why not just send my child to a state school?
State schools and private schools can both be excellent choices. If a private school fits the needs and career aspirations of our students better, we want to show our families how affordable that choice can be. Let’s look at a student named Mary. Mary could have gone to University of Illinois for nursing school and her out-of-pocket cost would have been approximately $25,000 per year. Mary chose Wake Forest where the cost of attendance is $56,000. However, with the scholarship money she received, Mary is going to Wake Forest for $24,000. Both schools have great programs, however private schools give out substantial scholarship money and Mary wanted a smaller school with a lower student-to-professor ratio. She is now able to attend a private school for less money than the state university.
Aren’t private schools more expensive?
While the initial cost may be more, once scholarships and other aid is applied, private schools are often less expensive.
