Tag: private colleges


Most private colleges opt out of New York’s free tuition program

Posted on June 27th, 2017

There’s been plenty of talk (and controversy) over the Excelsior Scholarship program, which will provide students in New York from families under specific income levels with free tuition at state public colleges.

One new aspect of the new free college initiative that’s been overlooked by many is the Enhanced Tuition Awards Program, which provides up to $6,000 for students who choose to attend private colleges instead of one of the state’s SUNY or CUNY colleges.

But it hasn’t been all smooth-sailing for this program, either. In fact, a majority of the state’s private colleges are choosing not to participate, The Journal News reports.

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Private colleges offer record-high tuition discounts

Posted on May 27th, 2016

"There’s almost no one who’s paying 100%." -- Economist Lucie Lapovsky

While it’s no secret that college costs are rising, financial aid has been increasing too, providing more opportunities for students to take advantage of discounts at expensive private colleges, MONEY reports. According to The National Association of College and University Business Officers’ annual survey of tuition discount rates, the average freshman student at a private college only […]

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Catholic colleges increasingly out of reach for poor students

Posted on April 27th, 2015

"It’s disturbing that institutions give money in these very difficult times to students who don’t need it and don’t focus their resources on those who absolutely need it the most." -- Kati Haycock

One of the main tenants of Roman Catholicism is to help the poor, but a new study finds Catholic colleges and universities in the U.S. are doing a poor job. The New America Foundation found that five of the 10 most expensive private universities for low-income students, and 10 of the top 28, are Catholic. […]

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The top 10 best private colleges in the U.S.

Posted on April 15th, 2015

While we’ve touted community colleges and public colleges as a way to make college more affordable, private colleges definitely have their benefits–especially those with large endowments, which tend to be most generous with financial aid.

College Factual recently released their list of the top 10 best private colleges in the U.S., based on factors including student body caliber, educational resources, level of degree completion, and post-graduate earnings.

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College costs could rise to $334,000 by 2018

Posted on February 5th, 2015

As if college weren’t already expensive enough. A new report from Forbes projects that the cost of four years at a private college could rise to $334,000 for students starting college in 2018.

Considering that’s less than four years away, that’s a pretty huge spike from the already-high current cost of attending a private college. The average cost of attending a four-year private college is now over $59,000 per year, or $254,000 over four years, based on projections that have the cost rising 4.5% each year.

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These are the US colleges where tuition has skyrocketed

Posted on December 9th, 2014

We’ve written extensively how college costs, both public and private, have risen dramatically over the past two decades and continue to rise each year.

While nearly every college has raised tuition, some have increased much more than others. The charts from Quartz rank public and private colleges by the largest tuition increases in 2014 US dollars, after adjusting for inflation.

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8 things to remember about the FAFSA & Financial Aid

Posted on January 6th, 2014

Getting ready to go to college or have a child who is? It’s time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Many parents and students have misconceptions about what the FAFSA is and who should fill it out. Some families don’t bother because they assume they make too much money to qualify for federal aid.

But confusion about the FAFSA can cost you–you may lose out on financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and student loans.

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How 5 students are getting into college–and paying for it

Posted on December 17th, 2013

December is a stressful time for college-bound students and their parents. With the pressure to finish up scholarship and college applications, along with the impending doom of paying for it all, students and families’ anxiety can really build up.

Hechinger Report recently took a look at five students and their families to learn how they’re navigating the college admissions process, dealing with the pressure and stress of applying, and figuring out how to pay for college.

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Community colleges can save you money on your 4-year degree

Posted on October 29th, 2013

Community colleges aren’t just for taking summer classes or receiving 2-year degrees. In many cases, attending a community college can be a great way to save time and money on earning your bachelor’s degree.

Our friends at Erie Community College, located in Buffalo, NY, recently announced an articulation agreement with St. John Fisher College, a private, 4-year liberal arts college near Pittsford, NY.

This means that ECC students who follow specific programs will earn automatic admission to St. John Fisher after two years and, assuming all goes well, eventually graduate and receive bachelor’s degrees from the college.

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Costs aren’t rising at private colleges

Posted on October 28th, 2013

Despite the recent hype over rising college costs, the net price of a private college education has remained the same over the past decade, according to a new study from The College Board published in the New York Times.

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