Every parent knows about tuition, room, board, books, and other college-related expenses once your student is accepted. But what about the costs prior to being accepted to college? How can your score some fee waivers, free advice, and free tutoring. Let’s face it—every little bit helps when you are saving for a college education and cutting these costs can put more in the college savings piggy bank!
Fee Waivers
With all the standardized tests, AP exams, and college application fees, those fees can add up. Not everyone qualifies for fee waivers, but it’s worth asking.
On top of those fee waivers, there are colleges that don’t require application fees:
America’s 25 Top Colleges With No Application Fees
http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/08/28/americas-25-top-colleges-with-no-application-fees/
348 Colleges with Free College Application Fees
http://diycollegerankings.com/290-colleges-with-free-application-fees/952/
Free Advice
If you have a computer or a smartphone, your resources are limitless. You can search on Facebook, browse Pinterest, and ask any question you might have on Twitter. You can also attend Twitter Chats to get free advice from the experts. You would be surprised how many are willing to offer their expert advice for free.
Here are a few resources that can help:
50 College Info Websites
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2010/02/02/50-college-info-websites/
50 More College Prep Websites
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2014/05/29/50-college-prep-websites/
25 School Counselors to Follow on Twitter
25 + 25 Twitter Accounts Every Parent Should Follow
Why You Should Attend Twitter Chats
10 Facebook Pages Every Parent Should Like
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2012/12/14/10-facebook-pages-every-parent-should-like/
How to Use Pinterest for College Prep
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2014/02/18/pinterest-for-college-prep/
Free Tutoring
Most every student needs tutoring help at some point during high school. Complicated subjects like calculus, physics, chemistry and others can stump even the brightest students. Before you opt to pay for a tutor, check out the high school’s tutoring department, talk to a teacher or ask for students who are tutoring as part of their volunteer service.
You can also check out these smartphone resources to give your student some added help:
Writing and Research Apps
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2014/08/19/research-apps/
8 History Apps
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2014/08/05/8-history-apps-college-bound-teens/
10 Math Apps
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2014/08/05/8-history-apps-college-bound-teens/
10 Study Apps for Students
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2014/08/05/8-history-apps-college-bound-teens/
SAT Prep to Your Smartphone
https://www.parentingforcollege.com/2014/06/10/sat-prep-smartphone/
For a list of pre-college costs and how they can save you money in the long run, read Wendy’s post:
7 Pre-College Costs That Can Lead to Big Savings Later
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Wednesday’s child may be full of woe but Wednesday’s Parent can substitute action for anxiety. Each Wednesday Wendy and I will provide parent tips to get and keep your student on the college track. It’s never too late or too early to start!
The bonus is on the fourth Wednesday of each month when Wendy and I will host Twitter chat #CampusChat at 9pm ET/6pm PT. We will feature an expert on a topic of interest for parents of the college-bound.
Wednesday’s Parent will give twice the info and double the blog posts on critical parenting issues by clicking on the link at the end of the article from parentingforcollege to pocsmom.com and vice versa.