decisions and investments

Well, March is here. Colleges and universities regard this month as the beginning of "financial aid season." For most higher education institutions, March is marked by the sending out of our award letters to all students who are accepted and have completed a FAFSA. Bluffton is no exception. Over the past few weeks, I have had many different conversations with students and parents wanting to know more about how to compare the award letters they've received, which institution provides the best personal and financial fit, and next steps as they make their final decisions.

At Bluffton, once a student has made the choice to attend in the fall, we ask that their family submit a housing deposit. This reserves the student's place in the incoming class, and allows them to complete our housing questionnaire and register for a summer orientation. Both of these steps are extremely important, and are great things to take care of as soon as possible.

As you begin receiving your financial aid award letters from various colleges, take some time to sit down and compare everything. How much is tuition at each institution? How much scholarship and grant money are you receiving? What is the bottom line to attend each school, and how feasible is that for your family? Each college and university has a financial aid department that is ready and willing to answer your questions, as well as admissions counselors who can help sort things out for you. Remember: this is one of the most important decisions you will make. You are choosing your home for the next four years, and the place you will grow in many different ways. Especially in these uncertain economic times, it is helpful to look at your college decision as an investment in yourself. Where you attend will help shape you into the person you are becoming even now, and I wish you all the best as you continue to journey toward that decision.

-Andrea