How to Save on Application Cost
Alright. So today, we're diving into something that I think a lot of families stress about.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 1:College application fees. Yeah. It feels like just another thing on the giant to do list.
Speaker 2:Right. And those costs, they really can add up, especially if, you know, if you're aiming for multiple schools.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And wouldn't that money be better spent on, like, I don't know, a campus visit? Maybe even books once you're actually in.
Speaker 2:Exactly. That's what we're talking about today. How to find those colleges that don't charge those sometimes pretty hefty fees.
Speaker 1:So we're talking about, like, well respected colleges. Yeah. Not just, you know, some random schools nobody's ever heard of.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You might be surprised how many great colleges offer this. Public universities are a great place to start.
Speaker 1:Really? Like state schools?
Speaker 2:A lot of them. Especially, I've noticed the ones that are really focused on making education accessible.
Speaker 1:Okay. That makes sense.
Speaker 2:Like, have you heard of Colorado Mountain College?
Speaker 1:I haven't. No.
Speaker 2:Well, they have fee free applications, like, all year round. And then there's the University of Louisiana System. They keep their fees super low, like, between $20.25.
Speaker 1:Okay. That IS low. So if you think about it, if you're applying to, like, 5 schools, that's a potential savings of, what, like, $300?
Speaker 2:At least.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And that could be a plane ticket to visit a campus.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Making those dollars work for you. And here's another thing to keep in mind. A lot of states have this thing called, like, free application week.
Speaker 1:Oh, like a flash sale?
Speaker 2:Basically. Usually in October. So many public colleges just completely waive the fees. Definitely worth looking into.
Speaker 1:Okay. Public universities got it. What about private colleges? Those are, like, notoriously expensive. Right?
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, they can be when it comes to tuition, but a lot of private colleges, especially smaller ones, are really trying to get a wider range of students.
Speaker 1:So they're like, hey. We want you to consider us.
Speaker 2:Right. And they're willing to waive those application fees to make that happen.
Speaker 1:So you're not sacrificing, like, quality or prestige to save some money?
Speaker 2:No. Not at all. I mean, look at Colorado College or Smith College or even Cornell College.
Speaker 1:Wait. The one in Iowa?
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah. Not the Ivy League one. All great schools, all fee free applications.
Speaker 1:I love that. And, I mean, are there other ways private colleges make things a little easier?
Speaker 2:Oh, for sure. Some of them will waive fees if you apply online or even if you visit the campus. They want you to see what they're all about.
Speaker 1:Okay. So we've covered public universities. We've covered private 4 year colleges. What about, like, community college?
Speaker 2:Community colleges are great. Almost always free applications and open admissions. Like, anyone who applies gets in.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow. That takes a lot of pressure off.
Speaker 2:Right. It's a really good way to, you know, start exploring higher education without, like, all the stress of admissions and crazy application fees.
Speaker 1:So we've got all these options, but, like, how do you actually find these colleges? It seems overwhelming.
Speaker 2:Well, there are some websites like Common App and CapEx that let you filter your search by cost, and they often have info on fee waivers too.
Speaker 1:Okay. So it's like having a little helper for the whole college search thing.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And don't forget about just checking the college websites directly. A lot of them will advertise their no fee policies right there on their admissions page.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. They wanna make it easy for people to find that info. For
Speaker 2:sure. And that brings us to, you know, fee waivers.
Speaker 1:Oh, yes. Tell me more about those. Like, they sound almost like, like a secret weapon.
Speaker 2:Kinda. Yeah. Fee waivers are basically like, hey, You don't have to stress about the cost. We want you to apply. Most colleges offer them, and it's usually pretty easy to request 1.
Speaker 1:So how do you get one? What are the requirements?
Speaker 2:Well, it's not, like, just asking, but the criteria often tie into things families are already dealing with. Like, if your kid qualifies for free or reduced lunch at school, that's often enough.
Speaker 1:Okay. That makes sense. Yeah. It's a way to make sure the students who need financial assistance get it.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And, you know, your child's high school counselor is also a great resource. They know a lot about these programs.
Speaker 1:It's amazing how much support is out there if you know where to look.
Speaker 2:Right. Oh, and then there's the college board's fee waiver program, which is super helpful for students taking the SATs.
Speaker 1:Oh, yeah. The SATs. Another thing that can add to the cost. So this program helps with that.
Speaker 2:Yep. It can cover those test registration fees, which, believe me, can really add up.
Speaker 1:That's huge EE. It's, like, double the savings.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And don't forget about those national initiatives we talked about, like free application week and college application month. They often work with public colleges to waive fees for in state students.
Speaker 1:So it's, like, all these different things working together to make college more accessible.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's really encouraging to see and to think all this started with just, like, a simple conversation about avoiding application fees.
Speaker 1:Right. It just goes to show you never know where a conversation might lead you.
Speaker 2:It really is amazing.
Speaker 1:Well, I think we should take a break here. And when we come back, we'll talk more about how families can navigate all of this and find the best options for them.
Speaker 2:Sounds good. You know, it's really inspiring to see the shift toward making college more affordable.
Speaker 1:It is. Like, we were just talking about all these programs and initiatives. It's amazing.
Speaker 2:Right. Fee waivers, those national weeks. It's all about, like, breaking down those financial barriers.
Speaker 1:And, ultimately, it's about making sure finances aren't the deciding factor in someone's education.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And that brings us back to, you know, our listeners. Those families out there facing these costs, feeling overwhelmed, where did they even begin?
Speaker 1:Right. What's the, like, the biggest takeaway for them?
Speaker 2:Don't let application fees limit your choices. Seriously, there are so many ways to navigate this.
Speaker 1:It's about being proactive. Right. Doing the research, not being afraid to ask for help.
Speaker 2:Exactly. You don't have to do this alone.
Speaker 1:And at the end of the day, it's about finding the right fit for your child. Right? Not about how many applications you send out or how much money you spend.
Speaker 2:A 100%. It's about finding that place where they can thrive academically, socially, personally, where they can pursue their passions, discover their potential. You know?
Speaker 1:That's what it's all about. And, I mean, it's worth investing in, right, both financially and emotionally.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Okay. So before we wrap up, I wanna leave our listeners with something to think about.
Speaker 2:Okay. I like this.
Speaker 1:Imagine for a second that the financial barrier of application fees was just gone. Poof. What doors would that open? What dreams could your child pursue? What impact could they make on the world?
Speaker 2:Wow. That's powerful. It really gets to the heart of why this matters. It's about leveling the playing field, giving every student a chance regardless of their background.
Speaker 1:It's about empowering that next generation, the thinkers, the creators, the leaders.
Speaker 2:Who knows what amazing things they'll achieve when we remove those barriers?
Speaker 1:Well said. Okay. I think that's a perfect place to end our deep dive today.
Speaker 2:It's been a great conversation. I hope everyone listening feels empowered to, you know, tackle this process.
Speaker 1:And remember, there are resources out there to help you, fee waivers, national initiatives, and even, you know, amazing tools like College Journey with their AI guide, Alice.
Speaker 2:Yeah. College Journey. That personalized support sounds incredible. You have to check that out.
Speaker 1:Definitely do. You can find them at collegejourney.ai. And remember, signing up is free. You've got nothing to lose and a world of possibilities to gain.
Speaker 2:Thanks for joining us, everyone.
Speaker 1:Until next time. Keep those college dreams alive. Your future is bright.
Speaker 2:Really makes you think, Like, what if those fees were just gone? What could students achieve?
Speaker 1:It's not even just Nate about the money, though. Right? It's almost like sending a message.
Speaker 2:Oh, totally. Like, if you can't even afford this, how can you afford college? But that's so messed up.
Speaker 1:It is like saying only those who can already afford it, are welcome here. And that's that's the opposite of what college should be about.
Speaker 2:A 100%. Colleges are missing out on so much talent by putting up that financial wall right at the start.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Think about it. A student, super smart, motivated, but maybe their family's struggling. That fee could be what stops them from even trying.
Speaker 2:Breaks my heart to think about it, but, you know, it is changing. All these colleges, they're starting to get it.
Speaker 1:They are. All those initiatives, the fee waivers, it shows a real shift.
Speaker 2:It's like they're finally saying, come on in.
Speaker 1:Show us what you've got. Judging you on your potential, not
Speaker 2:your bank account.
Speaker 1:And that's what makes things fair. Right? Yeah. Success should be about hard work, not whether you could afford a $50 fee.
Speaker 2:And it's not just about being fair. It's smart. Colleges benefit from having, you know, a diverse group of students.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. Different perspectives, different backgrounds. It enriches the whole learning experience for everyone.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It prepares students for the real world, you know, world that's all about collaboration and understanding different viewpoints.
Speaker 1:So removing those fees, it's not just a nice thing to do. It actually makes colleges better.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I really feel like we're at a turning point with all of this.
Speaker 1:I hope so. We've come a long way from, like, this idea that college is only for the elite. Right?
Speaker 2:Right. Now it's about opening those doors wide, seeing who walks through, ready to learn, ready to grow.
Speaker 1:And who knows? Maybe the next amazing scientist or artist is out there right now just waiting for their chance.
Speaker 2:And maybe all they needed was that one less barrier to get started.
Speaker 1:Well, I think that's a perfect note to end on. A note of hope, a note of possibility. It's been a fantastic conversation.
Speaker 2:I agree. I hope everyone listening feels, you know, ready to tackle this whole application process.
Speaker 1:You are not alone on this journey. Remember, there are resources out there, those fee waivers we talked about, and, of course, incredible tools like College Journey with their AI guide, Alice.
Speaker 2:Oh, yeah. College Journey. That personalized support sounds so helpful. Definitely check them out, everyone. It's college journey dot ai.
Speaker 1:And signing up is free. Seriously, you've got nothing to lose and a world of possibilities to gain.
Speaker 2:Thanks for listening, everyone.
Speaker 1:Until next time, keep those college dreams alive. Your future is bright.
