Radio Commentary
Many
parents would like their children to attend college, but are concerned about
the costs.
While
paying for college can be a challenge, it is important to know that there are
financial aid opportunities for everyone.
The
factors that influence the cost of a basic college education are the type of
school (public or private, in-state or out-of-state), the time it takes your
child to finish (the longer he or she stays, the more it will cost), and the
location.
Location
affects the cost of housing, food and transportation.
Federal
and state governments both offer help, along with private sources and
foundations such as the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.
Your
high school is the best single source of information about financial aid.
Here
are tips that help reduce college costs:
• Reduce the number of classes needed at
college by taking Advanced Placement classes or courses at a community college.
• Enroll in a community college and then
transfer to a four-year school.
• Take part in a Tech Prep program that is
formally linked to a college.
• Take advantage of federal programs such as
the HOPE Scholarship tax credit.
Remember
the guiding principle: Where there is a
will, there really is a way.
