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The two most important questions you should ask before selecting a college
February 17, 2017
There are a lot of factors that go into deciding which postsecondary school to attend. However, there are two questions that you should answer before you make a decision.
The two most important questions you should ask yourself when considering a school are:
- Does the school offer a program matching my career interests?
- Can I afford to attend that school?
The first question should be an easy one to answer by checking the school's website. However, the second one may be a little more complicated and you probably won't be able to answer the question completely until you receive the financial aid award letter from the school. If you listed a school on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you should receive an award letter. (Note: You may not receive an award letter from every school you've listed on your FAFSA. The school may require that you be admitted and meet all eligibility requirements.)
To decide whether you can afford the school, you need to review your award carefully. The letter will include cost of attendance, which may include tuition, room and board, books and fees, and personal living expenses. It will also list any financial aid you may receive if you attend the school. The financial aid may include:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Work-study
- Federal student loans
Remember that grants and scholarships do not have to be re-paid, but you will have to repay federal student loans. Work-study programs provide jobs that allow you to earn money for educational expenses.
When you look at the award letter, subtract the financial aid being offered from the cost of attendance to get an estimate of what the school will cost. If you receive award letters from multiple schools and want to compare them, do so carefully. Remember, not all aid is the same. In addition to looking at the total amount of financial aid offered, compare how much financial aid being offered is loans versus financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid (grants and scholarships).
If you can answer "yes" to the two questions listed above and If the costs of the colleges you are considering are similar, you may want to use other factors to determine which school to attend. Those factors may include location, facilities, religious affiliation, school and class size, and campus environment.
More information about selecting a school can be found online on Mapping Your Future.