Colleen: Hey Eric, what's up?

Eric: Hey, Colleen, what's going on?

Colleen: Can't get your locker open, huh?

Eric: Ah, no. I can't. Go ahead give it a try. Once again they've changed the locks. Harvey told me they changed his too. They changed them last week anyway. How are you doing?

Colleen: Eric, are you coming over tonight?

Eric: No, I can't. I've have a big family meeting with my parents and my grandparents and my little brothers and everybody. Here help me with this..

Colleen: So, you all are picking out a college?

Eric: I'm not picking out any college; I'm picking out the college, as a matter of fact, all those wonderful institutions of higher education.

Colleen: Bucknell?.... (fade out,).(fade in)

Show title-The Road to College- A Financial Aid Primer for Parents and Students- the 2001 edition

Eric: Mom, Dad, check it out.) I met with the guidance counselor today and he gave me all this stuff about school. ... all these catalogs. I’ve got to fill out all this stuff about the SAT and have that in by Monday. Here's this college planning kit he gave me. I also got all this neat literature on all these schools, Johns Hopkins... here's a money guide to show how you can pay it. I've got catalogs from all these major universities, Savannah College of Art and Design, Peterson’s ... I guess this is a guide, authoritative source on all the colleges and so on and so forth...Bucknell, ... I don't know where Bucknell is actually. John Hopkins, I got stuff from. Washington Lee ... I think want to go to Florida, man, in the Sunshine State. I don't know, there's plenty of other places we can look too. But most importantly we got to fill out these forms, cause I got to take them back in Monday so we can send 'em off.

Dad: Monday?

Eric: Monday. That's what they say. I think I'm gonna be a Art major, Dad, like Davin. I 've gotto re-take these tests again. I guess sometime next week. ....

Mom: Next week?

Eric: That's what they say. I don't even know .... fade out

(NARRATOR in caps)

WHEN THE TIME COMES TO SEND A SON OR DAUGHTER OFF TO COLLEGE MOST FAMILIES WILL DISCOVER A NEW KIND OF STRESS. MOST OF WHICH COMES FROM A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT JUST WHAT TO EXPECT ALONG THE WAY. DURING THIS PROGRAM WE ARE GOING TO TAKE YOU THROUGH THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF PAPERWORK AND INFORMATION THAT IS INVOLVED IN GETTING INTO COLLEGE. WE'LL LOOK AT WHAT TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A COLLEGE. WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN THE COLLEGE APPLICATION. WHAT NATIONAL TESTS YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE. WE'LL DISCUSS TUITION FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS AND WE'LL FOCUS ON THE BIGGEST WORRY OF ALL: HOW TO FINANCE THE COST OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION. ALONG THIS ROAD TO COLLEGE, WE’LL GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE OF THE CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, LIKE THESE IMAGES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO. ..

(Testimonials)-

BARBARA BUSH-Former First Lady

Well, I think college is very important. I think sometimes we misunderstand it a little bit. You know, college is not where you go to plan the rest of your life necessarily. I believe college is where you go to learn to learn, and that you continue to learn the rest of your life. I'm for lifetime learning.

RUTH SIMONS- President, Smith College

I grew up in the South in a very narrow social and economic environment, and had it not been for college I don’t know if I would have had the hope to pursue my dreams. It was really in college that I learned about the world outside my own neighborhood.

MADELINE KUNIN-Deputy Secretary of Education

The evidence is that the difference in earning power between those who have some education beyond high school and those who don't is greater than ever. What you learn really does determine what you earn. It is very, very clear. In fact, I think a rough estimate is that you can earn twice as much with a college education as without it.

CORNEL WEST -Prof. Afri-American Studies, Harvard University, and author of numerous books.

I actually come from a loving family, who had limited resources and it was through education that I was able to make my connections and links with others who suffered and provide different kinds of illumination and insight so that they could have the same liberating and empowering experience in education that I have been blessed to have. So I would hope that we never overlook the fundamental role that education play in making the world a better place -- and in bringing us together in a time in which so many are so deeply disillusioned and discouraged.

Drama -Eric and his parents gathered around the kitchen table

Dad: You know, both your mother and I went to City Community College. I think you'd really like it if you give it a chance. Hey, you wouldn't have to give up your room; you could take the bus to class. Now, wouldn't that be cool?

Eric: I already take the bus to class, Dad. I'm sick of it. I want to go someplace where I live close to school. We got to look at this other stuff too, you know.

Mom: Wait a minute ...

Eric: ... shut out or ...

Mom: Hold on, come on, we're going overboard here. What you need to do is decide what you want out of a college education. Big schools have their advantages, little schools have their advantages. You need to think about what you want to major in, your location. It might be better if you go out of town to a bigger school.

Dad: Or small one, close to home.

Mom: Well, the important thing is that you make a decision that you can live with for the next four years.

Eric: Maybe even five! --fade out

KIMBERLEE GIBSON -Alumnus, Bridgewater College

I chose Wellesley College because it is a small college and the teachers know the students personally there. I visited a class, and it was a small class and most of them are this way, unlike a large university. In these classes students participate a lot in the discussions and it leads to a very active learning environment. And the teachers were very friendly too and that was something else I really enjoyed.

RICK LO -Alumnus, University of North Carolina

Choose because you want the school. Because you are attracted to it because of it's teachers, students, and it's programs. Choose because you want to go there.

Drama- Eric is using the computer in the guidance office with some help from the guidance teacher, after a short time Coleen comes in and watches over his shoulder

Guidance teacher: Okay you got it...okay

Eric: Fine, yeah, (The teacher exits, and two girls come past to see him, then Eric starts reciting as he looks at the computer)

Eric: Oberland, Rice, Gilford, Bethany, Chappel Hill, Florida State. Check out this action. New college in California, California State University, Bakersfield, University of California, Los Angeles. There's a lot of colleges in California. Columbia College, Hollywood. Design Institute of San Diego, Dominican College of ...

Coleen: Eric! You've picked too many colleges. You got to narrow down your choice. I mean, you've got to find a college that suits you. You have to find a school like ... what's your major? What do you want your major to be? You pick a school for that or location. Have you thought about location?

Eric: Oh, I've thought about location. Florida, man! Surf, sun ...and surf!

Colleen: Oh! Don't you want to go somewhere where you can come home to see your girlfriend on the weekends?

Eric: Oh, sure, yea, girlfriend. (Music, fade)

Sooner or later or later you will have to come up with a short list of colleges to apply to-say 5 or so. And when you do the experts will tell you, you should visit the schools. I think it’s a good idea. I’d recommend maybe checking out a lecture, or checking out dorm life at say 10 p.m. on a week-night. It’s a good idea to find out what kind of student goes there and whether you can fit in.

Eric: Okay, here's my final list. I've worked it out. It's the Reader's Digest version of colleges that I'd like to apply to.

Mom: Now this is a good list. We've got private schools, public, small schools, large....

Dad: Universities

Mom: Yea, medium sized... this one would be really good for your major!

Dad: You got any information on cost? Books? Tuition? How much this is going to set your old man back?

Eric: Yea....(they look at a college catalogue)

Dad: This is not too bad! (the dad is looking at the financial figures on one page in the catalogue)

Eric: Yea, that's actually room and board. With tuition it's down there. That's the (sound effects ...bong.....)

Dad: Twenty-three thousand dollars?

Mom: Oh, honey, I'm not really sure it's realistic for a family of our income.

Dad: Twenty-three thousand dollars?

Mom: Even with your father's and my income, that would be really hard to handle. (sound effects....fade out)

Many students and many families just look at the bottom line and they look at this tuition, and they say, "My God, I can never afford that. How can I ever take that out of my paycheck" Or, "How can my son or daughter ever earn that in the summer or even working in college?" But what you may not know is that there are lots of opportunities for financial aid. And I think that it varies a great deal as to what kind of advice you get. And, guidance counselors vary a great deal. They may encourage some students and discourage others. And especially if you're the first person in your family to think about going to college, you may not have that kind of advice handy in your own household or amongst your friends. I was the first person in my family to go to college.

FRED HARGADON-Dean of Admissions, Princeton University

I wouldn't decide where to apply or not to apply based on the cost of the college or on what one believes one can afford. You can always turn a college down if they admit you and don't offer enough financial aid. On the other hand, I think that the general rule is that the most expensive college such as our own, have the most generous financial aid programs. Apply to a college, apply for financial aid. If you get adequate financial aid, you'll be very happy. If it turns out it is not adequate, you can simply say no to the college. You cannot get financial aid you cannot get admitted if you don't apply either for admissions or for financial aid.

FINANCIAL AID IS AVAILABLE FOR MANY COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS AND WE'LL EXPLORE THAT TOPIC LATER ON. RIGHT NOW, LET'S GO OVER SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IN SELECTING A COLLEGE. WHAT LOCATION ARE YOU INTERESTED IN? DOES IT MATTER IF THE COLLEGE IS FAR FROM HOME? ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A COLLEGE IN A LARGE CITY, A SUBURBAN AREA OR A SMALL TOWN? DO YOU WANT A LARGE UNIVERSITY OR A SMALL COLLEGE? WHAT TYPE OF EDUCATION ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A TRADITIONAL CURRICULUM WITH MANY REQUIRED CLASSES OR A SCHOOL THAT ENCOURAGES COURSES DESIGNED FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY? HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A SCHOOL THAT SPECIALIZES IN ONE AREA, SUCH AS ART, MUSIC, BUSINESS OR ENGINEERING? HOW ABOUT YOUR MAJOR? DOES YOUR COLLEGE CHOICE EXCEL IN THAT FIELD? IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE AT A SCHOOL WITH ETHNIC AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY OR DO YOU PREFER A PLACE WHERE MOST STUDENTS ARE JUST LIKE YOU? IS A SCHOOL WITH A RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION AN IMPORTANT MATTER? HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT A SINGLE GENDER COLLEGE? DOES THE SCHOOL SPORTS PROGRAM FACTOR INTO YOUR DECISION? AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING A COLLEGE.

Drama-Eric is at a mail box mumbling to him self as he finishes signing and mailing off a letter.

Eric: Need information, application regarding course catalogue, scheduling, important dates, enrollment (paper shuffling, and puts the letter in the envelope and then mails it.).

ONCE YOU HAVE NARROWED YOUR COLLEGE CHOICES, YOU NEED TO ASK FOR AN APPLICATION. OF COURSE, THIS SHOULDN'T BE YOUR FIRST STEP TOWARD COLLEGE. THAT JOURNEY SHOULD BEGIN EARLY ON IN HIGH SCHOOL WHERE IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE RIGHT COURSES - MATH, SCIENCE, ENGLISH, HISTORY AND A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. AND, YOU NEED TO TAKE THE NATIONAL TESTS.

Teacher: Begin.

Eric: ( This is an interior dialogue to suggest what he is reading and thinking as he starts the test) Analogies. OK. Done these before. Which pairs of words best describe the relationship of the original pair? Postulate : theorem -- a) dog: mammal; b) fish: lake; c) foundation: house?; d) needle: thread. ) OHHH

MARGARET STURM-High School English Teacher and SAT, ACT tutor.

In the Analogy Problem you have just seen, you need to make a relationship between the two words. Postulate Theorem. You need postulates to build a theorem. So let's look at our choices. Dog: mammal. Do we need a dog to build a mammal? No. Fish: lake. Do we need a fish to build a lake? No, that doesn't make sense, either. Foundation: house. Do we need a foundation to build a house? That's a possibility. Needle: thread. Do we need a needle to build a thread? No. So, obviously you choice is foundation/house. When you are taking your SAT, you need to remember these pointers. First, do not feel like you need to answer all the questions. They do not expect that. So, don't try to do it. Slow down and relax while you are taking it. Questions are by the order of difficulty. Say there are twenty-four questions, the first eight are easy, the second eight are more difficult and the last eight are hard. Easy questions have easy answers. Hard questions have hard answers. So, if you are looking at a hard question and you come up with an easy answer, it's probably incorrect and you need to look at it again. Eliminate your wrong answers. Similar to what we did in the analogy problem. Lastly, guess if you can eliminate up to two choices. You have a pretty good chance of getting it correct. The very final thing I'd like to say is increase your score by learning vocabulary. Work on your verbal skills.

JUST ABOUT EVERY COLLEGE REQUIRES YOU TO TAKE SOME NATIONAL TEST. MANY SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BASED, IN PART, ON YOUR TEST RESULTS. YOU SHOULD PLAN ON TAKING THE "PSAT" IN YOUR JUNIOR YEAR. IT WILL GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THE TESTS ARE LIKE. "PSAT" RESULTS ARE ONE OF THE QUALIFYING ELEMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS. YOU SHOULD TAKE THE "SAT" OR THE "ACT" IN THE SPRING OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR AND, AGAIN, IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR. COLLEGES WILL TELL YOU WHICH TESTS THEY WANT YOU TO TAKE. (Music)

TOM BLOOM-High School Guidance Counselor

When working with my students, I explain that they are involved with four basic areas. Which courses should I take? (2) What are my grades in those courses? (3) Which standardized test should I take? and (4) Should I get involved in extra-curricular activities.? The more difficult the courses accompanied by good grades, will help you get into the college you choose. One other area I strongly recommend is for you to keep a college folder each year. Have your grades, activities and awards which you may have received because during the senior year, it will become a lot easier if you have that folder.

ROBERT SKINNER-Director of Admission, West Virginia Wesleyan

Here is what our application looks like. It's three pages long, requires you to complete some various information and it does have an essay component. We, also, require high school transcripts and either the "SAT" or "ACT" scores. I suggest on the application that you write or type neatly, check for spelling and everything being accurate. The essays need to be well written. I, also, suggest that you might want to practice with a sample copy and, above all, keep a Xerox copy of the application you submit.

LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT A TYPICAL APPLICATION. IT BEGINS WITH THE USUAL QUESTIONS; NAME, ADDRESS, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AND SO ON. THEY WILL ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR MAJOR OR ACADEMIC INTERESTS. THERE'S A PLACE TO CHECK IF YOU WANT CONSIDERATION FOR FINANCIAL AID. ALSO, A SPACE TO CHECK IF YOU ARE A VETERAN. ONE SECTION WILL ASK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY; PARENTS' NAMES, ADDRESS, OCCUPATION AND IF OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ATTENDING COLLEGE. TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER COLLEGE WILL HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS TO ANSWER. USUALLY, THERE'S AN ESSAY COMPONENT OFTEN ASKING YOU TO WRITE ABOUT YOURSELF. LIKELY, THEY WILL ASK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THOSE WHO KNOW ABOUT YOUR ACADEMIC ABILITY. THEY WILL WANT THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF YOUR HIGH SCHOOL. YOU WILL NEED TO SEND IN AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT OF YOUR GRADES. ALSO, YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR "SAT" OR "ACT" SCORES SENT TO THE COLLEGE AND ONE PAGE IS OFTEN DEVOTED TO YOUR EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.

MICHAEL CURRY-former Leadership Director , Woodlands Mountain Institute

When dealing with that portion of your application that covers extra-curricular activities, it is important to remember to include both the in-school activities and, also, those activities that you have taken part in your community. It's also critical that you not just simply list positions held, but that you describe, briefly, the activities you were involved in. This will make those things come to life and jump off the page.

Eric: Mom, check this out. I'm totally stumped. This is my essay about myself for college application here. I managed to point out that I was very good in school, friends with all the people, respected by my teachers, got very good grades and was very active in the clubs, sports,

Mom: OK, OK, come on, cut it, cut it.

Eric: Cafeteria patrol, and...

Mom: ( Laughter) OK. Really get serious here.

Eric: I know. I have no idea where to go.

Mom: HMO. OK. Well, why don't you start out by listing some of your accomplishments. Audio and video fade out)

What you write about in your college essay isn’t as nearly as important as what you write. And one key is a good introductory paragraph. Let’s say, for example, you are writing on this common topic: A Person Who’s Influenced You.

Now if this were your first paragraph, ask yourself, would it wake up a tired admissions official who’s just read 63 essays?

"Although, undoubtedly, many people have affected my life so far; the person who has most influenced me was my sophomore English teacher, Marlyn Lewis. Mrs. Lewis’ struggle with

It’s not going to keep you out of college, but it doesn’t have a lot of pizzazz. Now try this intro, same question same subject.

"Quiet! Here she comes" the cry echoed down the corridor. Everyone looked eager, all eyes

This intro. is introducing a person, a real person with a sense of humor, who has friends, it’s telling a story. It even suggests a little bit of a mystery, what is it that the author is keeping to herself? An admission official here will probably want to keep reading.

Drama-Eric and Colleen are at a coffee shop/hang -out he’s working on applications, she is eating.

Eric: Please send additional information concerning application, transfer application forms.

Colleen : You want me to type that up for you?

Eric: No. Actually. What, and risk you breaking a nail?

Colleen: Hey.

Eric: Hey. No. It's no problem. Ah. They're just drafts, so it doesn't matter.

Colleen: What do you think your chances are of getting into this school? They won't just accept anybody.

Eric: I don't know, man, I have no clue what my chances are. I've got loads of recommendations from Richter, from Davis, I even got that crazy Ms. Goldberg to write me one. And, I told her what my chances were and she said, you know, I'll never know unless I try. Are you going to eat that pickle?

Colleen: Of course, I'm going to eat this pickle.

Eric: Of course, you are going to eat that pickle!

Colleen: Here, do you want a pickle?

Eric: No. I hate pickles.

Colleen: Ahhh, oh. (Music)

A significant part of all applications is the recommendations. And, I really thought long and hard about mine. The important thing to remember is that teachers are people, too. So, if you have problems with this particular teacher, it's really important to go up and ask him or her whether or not they would be willing to write you a recommendation letter. It is important to get someone who really knows you and to get someone who will write you a good recommendation.

Drama- Eric and Colleen are at a copy center making Xerox copies of the applications. (music)

IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE COPIES OF YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS IN CASE THEY GET LOST. OF COURSE, DO THIS BEFORE YOU MAIL THE APPLICATION.

Drama- continues Eric and Colleen are at a mail box with an large folder-sized envelope, he is about to mail it..

Colleen: Did you sign it?

Eric: I don't know.

Colleen: Well, you'd better check.

Eric: I'd better check. (Papers shuffling) No. Turn around ( she turns around so he can sign the application )

Colleen: OK Fade out

MOST COLLEGES WILL RESPOND TO YOUR APPLICATION WITHIN FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS. THEY WILL ASK FOR YOU HIGH SCHOOL GRADES AND TEST SCORES, IF YOU HAVEN'T SENT THEM. SOME COLLEGES MAY WANT TO MEET WITH YOU FOR AN INTERVIEW. (Music)

Interviewer: Tell me about yourself, Eric.

Eric: . I'm a... I'm a senior in high school. Eighteen years old. Taurus. I'm looking forward to getting out of high school and moving on to college.

Interviewer: What do you think your major is going to be?

Eric: . I would assume from the onset, I'm just going to go with a General Studies. It seems that my interests are a little, a little scattered right now and I don't know if I want to specialize.

Interviewer: What interests you?

Eric: Oh, ah, dirt bike riding, ah, poetry, fishing. I care a lot about the environment.

Interviewer: About how many hours a night do you spend studying?

Eric: Hours? Ah, I would say, ah, maybe I spend four hours studying a night.

Interviewer: How would you evaluate your high school education?

Eric: Oh, fine, fine. I think I've done well and I hold my instructors in high regard, but I'm looking forward to moving on to college.

Interviewer: What do you think you are going to do with your life?

Eric: With my life? Well, ah, I don't think I have ever really given it that much thought, per se. Ah, maybe, that's one of those questions I'll answer in college, hopefully.

Interviewer: Do you have career plans?

Eric: Career plans? Ah, we'll see. Talk to me in a year.

Interviewer: You don't have to know it all yet. Eric.

Eric: Thanks. I hope not. 'Cause I don't. That's what they say, though. You don't have to know it all now. I don't know if I ever will.

Interviewer: I understand. ( then she uses her pen to write something emphatically on her papers) (Music)

.

SALLY RUBENSTONE- co-author-College Admissions-A Crash Course for Panicked Parents

Always ask questions at the interview, if you don’t your interviewer will wonder if you really care about that college, and if you are an inquisitive person. It’s fine to bring the questions into the interview on a piece of paper and that will even make your interview think that you are well organized.

B.T. GESSNER-Alumnus, West Virginia University

You want a list of questions...I’ve got questions...here’s my list of what I wished I had asked someone before I paid my tuition.

1. What percentage of the classes are taught by GA’s, graduate assistants?...

In other words are you going to be taught by real professors?

2. What percent of the classes have over 50 students?

Or... how often are you going to be stuck in an auditorium with a hundred classmates?

3. What percent of the students graduate in 4 years? or even 5 years?

if that number isn’t high, what’s going on here, kids dropping out, transferring or what?

4. How much money does the average student get in Grants, not loans, but GRANTS?

5. How much money does the average student owe when they graduate? A real indicator of what to expect 4 years later?

6. And the really hard question...how many who graduate find good paying jobs within say 6 months or a year? In other words how likely are you to end up like cousin Bernie, who’s 29 and still living in his parents basement.?

You are the consumer here and you should ask some tough questions...after all, you, and your parents are going to be paying at least some of the costs.... Oh, ya,...when you ask these questions, be sure an smile, you don’t want the admissions people to think you don’t like them.

Eric: Hey, dad, look at this. I have been accepted to college. Let’s celebrate. I gotta call Mom at work. I’m going to call Grandma I've got to call Colleen.

Dad: This is great, Eric. I’m proud of you. I really am. But, (music ) Look son, this is really good new. It really is. But, before we get carried away here, I’ve got to be honest with you. I think we need to weigh the difference between the prestige of this school and the amount of debt we might go into. I mean we are talking about some serious money. We are still a long way from being able to afford this. I mean, whatever happened to scholarships? (music up full)

You're are not likely to win a scholarship if you wait until your senior year to begin your search. You need to start early. And, you need to utilize the resources that are available to you to assist you in your search. For example, the Scholarship Book by Daniel Cassidy is an excellent and exhaustive listing of all the scholarships available in the country. Your guidance counselor has the Counselor’s Handbook published each year by the federal government. It’s a step by step guide to the process. There’s even a college word publication for foreign students who need financial aid. The College Handbook, Foregn Stgudent Supplement Remember, utilize your resources and start early.

Drama-Eric, Mom and Dad are by the sink and stove area of the kitchen.

Mom: So what are we going to do?

Dad: (He is washing the dishes) Well, at least now it seems like we have some options. So, maybe we don’t buy that pair of matching Jags next year.

Mom: I’ll check with the credit union at work and see what I can find out.

Dad: Now, Eric, I think it is only fair that you help out here.

Eric: Fine

Dad: It’s up to you to find out more information about financial aid.

Eric: Great. I’m right on top of that. I’ll get on it right now, as a matter of fact. Going to fill these forms out as soon as I can find a pencil (he continues walking and looking as the parents look on). somewhere. Ahmmm there’s one here somewhere. Pencil? ( he continues pacing) (fade out)

The key and first step to completing the financial aid process is completing the free application for federal student aid known by many financial aid administrators as the "FAFSA". This is a very tough form. It’s long, lengthy, detailed. I tell families it’s very similar to filling out an income tax form and also doing a loan application at your local bank. Both the parents and the student will be completing information on this particular form. It is important for you to know that there are several allowable deductions on the FAFSA. And these include; federal taxes, state taxes, social security taxes, medical and dental expenses, the standard employment allowance., the number of children in college and, if you have a grandparent or an invalid at home and you are paying expenses on that, you can deduct that also. A real important step here is, you need to have your income tax records complete prior to completing this form.

Dad: State, federal and social security taxes.

Mom: And here’s the figure for the rest of our allowable deductions.

Dad: Let me make sure that we’ve got all the right records: W2 Forms, current bank statements, current mortgage information, records of stocks and bonds, student driver’s license and social security card.

Eric: Right, Dad. Both of them. Also, this photocopy needs to be filled out. It needs to be filled out in pencil. We can double check it for errors and then w’ve got fill out the original in black ink. Otherwise, they won’t accept it.

Mother: OK, Let me fill out the form and you guys can double check my figures....( fade out audio and video)

LET’S TAKE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT FORM JUST ABOUT EVERY FAMILY SEEKING FINANCIAL AID MUST FILL OUT. THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID. OFTEN CALLED THE FAFH-SA BY COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS. THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE WILL HELP YOU QUALIFY FOR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

TO HELP IN FILLING OUT THE LENGTHY FORM YOU AND YOUR PARENTS SHOULD HAVE ON HAND THE FOLLOWING RECORDS

Drama-Eric and family in another area of the kitchen, Eric opens up an envelope and they pass the SAR from person to person .as they say

Eric: Wow, My student aid report.

Mom: This looks like the information you filled out on the FAFSA. (she passes it to dad)

Dad: FAFSA, SAR ...How many of these are we going to have to fill out !( sound effect).

NARRATOR

YOU ARE ALMOST DONE. REMEMBER SEVERAL WEEKS EARLIER YOU MAILED YOUR FAFSA TO A GOVERNMENT PROCESSING AGENCY. THEY TOOK THAT DATA AND CONDENSED IT TO WHAT THEY CALL THE STUDENT AID REPORT (SAR). ON THE FRONT PAGE , THERE WILL BE A NUMBER NEXT TO THE LETTERS "EFC" WHICH STANDS FOR YOUR EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION. THE COLLEGE WILL USE THAT FIGURE TO HELP DETERMINE YOUR AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL AID.

YOU NEED TO GO OVER THIS REPORT, LINE BY LINE, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND MAKE CORRECTIONS ON THE SPACE PROVIDE.

IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE YOUR EXACT INCOME TAX FIGURES, NOW IS THE TIME TO PUT IN THE ACTUAL ONES. IF YOU MADE CHANGES, SEND THE CORRECTED STUDENT AID REPORT BACK TO THE ADDRESS GIVEN. BE SURE AND SIGN IT.

NOW, THE SAR PROCESSOR WILL SEND YOU A NEW CORRECTED SAR. IF YOU MADE NO CHANGES THEN YOU CAN SEND THE SAR DIRECTLY TO THE COLLEGES YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. THE SAR WILL, ALSO TELL YOU ABOUT YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL GRANTS.

Drama-Eric, Mom and Colleen are in the kitchen, by the table

Eric: I’m not sure what they want to know on this Student Air Report (he is looking at it ). We don’t need to make any changes in our information, do we? And, then if we don’t do that, why do we even have to send it back? Pell grant? If (he seems to be reading) all the information on this is correct , you may be eligible to receive a Federal Pell grant. I don’t think I am eligible for a Pell grant, am I? Do I even qualify? I don’t know what they want on this thing.

Mom: Why don’t you call the financial aid people? Here’s the number.

Colleen: You know, it doesn’t hurt to ask questions. My brother had to send in his form three times because he didn’t fill in the right information (Eric is phoning)

Eric: Hmm...)

Mom: Here’s a list of questions you can ask.

Eric: Hi, yes, I need to speak to some for information about,... ah, Student aid report.

Mom: Don’t forget to ask them what you are supposed to do with the report and where you are suppose to send it..(fade out)

BETT ALTER- College Counselor

Applying for financial aid can feel like a paper chase. It can feel very impersonal. It’s very important to nurture a relationship with a financial aid officer at each of the schools to which you have applied. Tat Human element, that personal relationship can serve you well as you negotiate a financial aid package at your first choice school.

Drama-Eric and Colleen are by a mail box

Colleen: Okay, This is your student aid report. And where do you send this to?

Eric: I send this to the financial aid administrator of the college that I am applying to. ( she hands it to him, and he puts it in an mailer and then he puts it in the drop box) (FADE-OUT)

FOR SOME STUDENTS, THIS IS THE LAST MAILING. HOWEVER DEPENDING ON THE COLLEGE. THERE MAY BE OTHER FORMS. THESE SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS MAY BE CREATED BY THE COLLEGE ITSELF OR BY ANOTHER FINANCIAL AID PROCESSOR. IF YOUR COLLEGE WANTS YOU TO FILL OUT A SUPPLEMENT, BE SURE AND MATCH IT TO THE ONE THEY WANT. FILLING OUT ANOTHER FORM WILL BE A LOT EASIER IF YOU MAKE USE OF THE FAFSA. THAT’S WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE COPIES OF YOUR RECORDS. THE ONE KEY DIFFERENCE IN MOST SUPPLEMENTAL FORMS, THEY WILL ASK ABOUT YOUR HOME ASSET VALUE OR HOME EQUITY. THE PEOPLE WHO PROCESS THESE FORMS WILL THEN SEND THE COLLEGE THE RESULTS. FOR EXAMPLE: The CSS/Financial Aid Profile is processed into the CSS Acknowledgment and it ends up as a data sheet sent to the colleges as a Financial Need Analysis Report (FNAR). THERE WILL BE A FEE TO PROCESS THIS INFORMATION. COLLEGE AID OFFICIALS MAY USE SEVERAL FORMS TO HELP THEM DETERMINE WHAT FINANCIAL AID YOU MAY RECEIVE.

LANA GOLDEN-Financial Aid Administrator, West Virginia Wesleyan College.

This is what happens in the college financial aid office. First we check to see if the student is accepted to our school. Our next step is to look at the results of the FAFSA, remember filling it out, the long form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The actual results of that form is translated into the SAR, the Student Aid Report. Remember this form it has all those small lines with numbers and data, you had to review this material then eventually send it to us.

This form will have an important dollar number next to the initials EFC- which stands for the Expected Family Contribution--this amount is what the federal government has determined you and your parents could be expected to pay toward your college education. It also tells us if you qualify for federal money such as a Pell grant, a SEOG grant, federal work study, or any of the federal student loans.

Now,- like most colleges we have our own institutional grants . But in order to be eligible for them we ask you to fill out a supplement.

We use our own Wesleyan supplement but other schools may use a standardized supplement which is processed into a data sheet which looks like this .

We also take into account any special information you tell us --such as a death in a family, divorce, loss of a job or unusual medical costs .

THE KEY TO GETTING AID LIES WITH THE EFC-THE EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION NUMBER. THE LOWER YOUR EFC NUMBER THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

Drama-Eric and Colleen at the mail box again

Colleen: What are we mailing this time?

Eric: It’s a sup.

Colleen: What’s a sup?

Eric: Supplementary,. It’s additional information about my family’s income. You wouldn’t know anything about it. you are only a junior (she looks annoyed, he starts to mail it, she pulls it back from the box)

Colleen: Want a stamp?

Eric: No, (but he accepts one she put on it anyway)

Colleen: Patsy Cline Fade-out

This is an award letter. This is the end result of the financial aid process. The Student and the family will receive the award letter in the mail sometime after all the results have been finalized. This simply tells the student what moneys he is eligible for an the dollar amounts. This particular student received a Federal Stafford Loan, a Federal Pell grant, Federal Perkins loan, Plus Loan and Wes Lynn grant. Federal Pell grant. The student and family can decide whether to accept the whole package, just a portion of it or not accept it at all.

Drama-Eric, Dad and Mom again at the kitchen table with some papers and a calculator

Eric: Look, dad. See, I qualified for a student work study. And that helps. And, this is the amount to be covered by student loans. And, if I can get that summer job with Colleen’s dad, that will help out too.

Dad: So this is the amount of financial aid you qualified for and ..this is the amount (he is using the calculator) we have to cover with. Well, it’s not that bad. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Loans. I’m just a little nervous about these student loans. But, if you are determined to work hard and apply yourself, then maybe it will be worth the investment.

Mom: Let’s get some information on interest rates. Eric, where did you put that student loan information packet?

Eric: Wait a minute,. Does this mean that I am going to college?

Mom: Well, if we can work out the details, I guess you are.

Eric: Yes, yes, yes. You guys are the greatest. I’m going to go clean my room. (up and out with the corny music). Fade-out

THE USUAL FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE HAS THREE INGREDIENTS GRANTS-THESE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY BACK; WORK STUDY-YOU GET PAID FOR A JOB YOU ARE ASSIGNED AT THE COLLEGE; AND LOANS. THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF STUDENT LOANS AND IN WASHINGTON CURRENTLY THERE ARE LOTS OF CHANGES TAKING PLACE OVER HOW THESE LOANS WILL BE HANDLED.

MADELINE KUNIN-Former Deputy Secretary of Education

There has been a new law passed called The National Student Loan Reform Act, and what it means from the student’s point of view is that there really will be a much more simple process. Instead of having to make many stops, go to your school, go to a bank, go to a guarantee agency; you can basically have one stop shopping that you can apply for your loan at the school, and then if you qualify, you would receive your student loan. Now, this will be phased -in over a period of five years. And this Fall.... ( fade out audio and bring up NARRATOR)

THE NEW NATIONAL SERVICE AND LOAN REFORM PROGRAM HAS BEEN MUCH DEBATED IN CONGRESS AND ANY NEW IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE DIRECT LOANS IS IN QUESTION, WHICH PROBABLY MEANS SOME OF THE NATIONS COLLEGES WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER DIRECT LOANS ,THE OTHERS WILL PROCEED THE OLD WAY- THROUGH A LENDING INSTITUTION, USUALLY A BANK. BUT YOU SHOULD STILL START WITH THE COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.

GENERALLY,

THE BEST INTEREST RATES ARE WITH THE FEDERAL LOANS

THE PERKINS LOAN, THE SUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN-SUBSIDIZED MEANS THE GOVERNMENT PAYS THE INTEREST WHILE YOU ARE IN SCHOOL. UNSUBSIDIZED STAFFORD LOAN MEANS YOU HAVE TO PAY INTEREST WHILE IN SCHOOL OR HAVE IT DEFFERRED UNTIL LATER. THE PLUS LOANS-DESIGNED FOR PARENTS WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE DEPENDENTS. YOU CAN BORROW UP TO THE EDUCATIONAL COST, MINUS YOUR FINANCIAL AID.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMMERCIAL OR INSTITUTIONAL LOANS AND YOU CAN CALL SOME OF THESE NUMBERS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

Eric: There. It’s done. After filling out all those forms, and application, writing the essays, and licking those stamps. I now have the financial aid I need to go to the school I want. And, that’s pretty cool.

Colleen: Well, since that worked out so well, now you can start applying for graduate school. (they both start to walk off)

Eric: Graduate school? I don’t even know what I am wearing to Freshman Orientation.

Now for those tax credits you've heard about...will that help families facing college this year? Yes, but the help will be in tax relief when you fill out your 1040.
Families who have students in college or qualifying vocational schools can claim up to $1500 dollars per student as a tax credit. A tax credit is much better than a plai old tax deduction...this new, tax credit, called the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit will lower the tax you would normally have to pay by $1500 dollars.

You simply subtract that $1500 dollars off the taxes you owe the IRS.
Now for the fine print. This $1500 dollar tax credit will only apply for the college freshmen and sophomore years. For education expenses after that families can claim up to $1000 a year per taxpayer. This is the Lifetime Learning Credit. It too is a tax credit. And it works for Grad students too.

It is important to take full advantage of the tax credit, and that may mean paying tuition early. Be careful, the tax credit applies only for tuition. It doesn't apply to room and board, or textbooks.

Also take note, only one tax filer can take these credits, so if you were thinking as parents you could take the credit, and then your college bound child could also take the credit…no, the tax man isn't going to like that… only one filer gets the credit. Not both. Of course if more family members are in college that will mean more tax credits. You have to read all the instructions on that 1040.
Because there are some factors which may disqualify you and your family....
If your adjusted gross income on a joint return is over $100,000, or $50,000 on a single return then you will find this credit phased out

This new tax law will also allow you to deduct certain interest on education loans, just like a home mortgage interest deduction except you don't have to itemize to use it. You can even use it on the short form.

Another change, your other IRA accounts can now be tapped penalty free to pay for qualified education expenses.

You should get professional advice about the merits of doing this sort of thing.

But one thing is clear, most middle income families with children in college will get a nice income tax reduction when you file your 1040. Just read the instructions, or get professional help.

In my last year of high school my mother lost her job, and she had my two younger bothers to also think about. So my college plans didn't look very promising. But she was watching the Today show one morning and they were doing a story on a school in Kentucky that charges no tuition and accepts a large percentage of students from the Appalacian region . It's called Berea College and it's where I applied and ended up at. Even though they don't charge you tuition, students are required to work 10 to 20 hours a week for the college. There are some charges for room and board and book fees. And students do have to show a strong financial need to get in. But it is worth checking into. I've also heard of other colleges that don't charge tuition . So you might want to check those out as well.

Drama-Eric, walks into frame, looks off to his right at a campus building, he puts on his (I’m cool, sun glasses) and walks toward a campus building..CREDITS

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V.O. HEY KIDS NEED HELP GETTING INTO THE BIG UNIVERSITY? WATCH THE ROAD TO COLLEGE.

We're here on the campus of Princeton University.One of the most prestigious and expensive schools in all the world. Did you ever dream of going to an Ivy League school like Princeton, but were afraid you couldn't affort it? Watch "The Road to College. A Financial Aid Primer for Parents and Students.

SAT's were hard. ACT's were hard also.

It was horrible, it's a very stupid test

Financial Aid Forms now there's a problem

Seems like they make you run around and fill out all these forms and then they lose them.

My mother filled them out.

Financial Aid process? Pain in the butt

The college entry process was confusing at first.

There has been no financial aid for me at all.

V.O. GET A CLUE, WATCH THE ROAD TO COLLEGE