Millions of teenagers around the country are preparing to go into college. Many of them are worried about how they will pay for two, four, or six years of schooling. For some of these individuals, their worries are compounded by living with adoptive parents. They may not have known their parents for long and may be uncertain that their parents can help with the expenses of college. These students need to be aware of their situations and of their many alternatives for affording a college education.
Choose the right school
Choosing the right school can be essential for adoptive children trying to afford college. Blake Rubin stresses that not all colleges are created equally or hand out scholarships equally. Some schools are particularly tailor-made for individuals attempting to attend with a limited level of family support. They have a large number of scholarships and need-based financial aid available.
For some schools, they offer extremely low-cost loans on top of their financial aid packages. The most beneficial schools for adoptive children or other children with needs are those with low tuition rates to begin with. In particular, state schools have both low tuition rates and numerous financial aid packages available. Many of these schools provide a higher quality of education than their much more expensive private counterparts.
Scholarships
Scholarships are enormously helpful for adoptive children attempting to attend college. Many scholarships are targeted for adopted students who do not have the means to afford college. They may be means-tested and combine need with a desire for the best academic performers. Adoptive children have to work studiously and carefully in order to obtain one of these scholarships. They may have to spend dozens of hours writing and editing a scholarship essay. However, all of that work may be worth it if a scholarship completely eliminates the need of an individual to take out massive student loans.
Parental guidance
Adoptive parents may be helpful with some college expenses. Blake Rubin emphasizes the helpful nature of many adoptive parents. The vast majority of adoptive parents view their adopted children the same way that they would view biological children. As a result, they are often willing to help with college expenses in the same way that most parents help their biological children. Some parents may not be able to give as much as a student needs. Other parents may only give money if an individual works at the same time as they go to school. But whatever the situation, adoptive children should always inquire about the lengths their adoptive parents are willing to go to in order to fund their education.
Conclusion
Adoptive children should always stay in close contact with their adoptive parents throughout the college application process. Those parents may be willing to financially help a prospective college student and ensure their college success. If their help is not sufficient, the student should make wise choices and always keep finances in the back of their minds. Paying for college may turn out to be more influential for a child’s future than the particular degree that they earn.