Helping future & current college parents with questions

10 Ways to Prepare Your Kids for College Life

2010-04-01T13:51:00.001-06:00

By: Julie Manhan

So much time is spent focusing on being academically prepared for college that sometimes I think we forget that a student needs additional, often non-academic skills in order to make a successful transition to college. This is an area where your guidance can help smooth the way for your student.

Photo by Wooley Wonderworks

Here are a few things you can do to help your student be better prepared for college:

Keep them focused on their school work. Some seniors begin paying less attention to their high school classes once they start getting accepted to colleges. Keep in mind that the earlier they do this, the more difficult their transition will likely be to doing college-level work.
Encourage them to be accountable. Students who accept responsibility for their actions and decisions tend to be more successful in their dealings with others and are more welcome study partners.
Help them keep their priorities straight. College students are faced with many choices. Helping your student to keep academics at the top of the list now, may prevent serious academic problems later.
Let them do the packing for college. This is a great opportunity for them to begin thinking about what they will need to have for classes, as well as for residence life. If there are things that need to be purchased, let them make the list. You can always make suggestions for things they may have forgotten while you’re shopping together.
Teach them the skills of daily living. Make sure they know how to do laundry and how to cook a few basic dishes that are simple, nutritious, and can be taken to a potluck if needed.
Have them take a CPR/First Aid class. These are skills everyone should have. It may also ease your mind a bit just knowing that your student knows what to do in an emergency.
Enroll your daughter in a self-defense class. Most college students never need to use these skills, but a woman who knows how to defend herself carries herself differently and is less likely to become a target.
Make sure they know how to use public transportation. Unless your student is taking their own car, they will have to know how to use alternate transportation to get around. If they have never used public transportation, help them learn how to read a bus and/or subway schedule.
Discuss what to do when you’re homesick. Practically no student escapes being homesick at some point. It’s one of the most common reasons why students drop out of college. Talking about this before it happens and giving your student some suggestions about how to deal with it can make all the difference. You can get a few helpful hints here.
Set the ground rules. Talk to your student about your financial and academic expectations of them once they are in college. Students tend to rise to the occasion if they know what is expected. Putting the ground rules in place before they even leave for college is a good way to get them used to prioritizing and living within a budget.

The above are only meant as a starting point. Since every student is unique, they will need your help in different areas. You know your student’s strengths and weaknesses. If you listen attentively, most students will also give you an insight into what concerns them about college. Helping them learn how to deal with those fears can go a long way toward giving them the skills they will need to cope with new situations and challenges thoughout their lives.

Author Julie Manhan is a private college counselor and a blogger for myUsearch.com, the Honest College Matchmaker, a site that helps students make the right college choice.

Recent Tweets from College Parents

2009-09-01T14:28:00.001-06:00

Tweet Watch 9/1/09:

We're following college parents on Twitter & posting their tweets about being a college parent here.

My youngest daughter starts college 2moro :-s Old, Feel I do @yeomanphill

My neighbor said "I wondered what was wrong and then I remembered your daughter left for college last week." Is it that obvious? @louisey

Wasn't on here much yesterday because my daughter keeps texting me from college with problems. @kklfan

Home again after dropping our daughter off at college. House feels different. A new chapter beginning... @spaciousself

cleaning a little bit...daughter left for college..i miss her so much! @bjuce

I wonder if it is too late to change my mind and make my daughter stay home for college? @wendyneu

All moved in. Walking around lots of unpacked boxes still. Missing my daughter. We dropped her off at her college last Saturday. @kathyharding

Really enjoying time with my son before he starts college in a couple weeks. @SpiritsCalling

Geez, just got paid and its already spent. My son had buy his books for college. @lshayden

Mumblings of a marred mom: Still can't adjust to son away @ college. Moms of Kindergarten kids are sad too but theirs come home every day. @knightcrane

Want more college parent info? Visit UniversityParent.com

College Survival Skills: 8 things you need to know before you go

2009-09-01T10:59:00.000-06:00

Here are a few tips to make the adjustment a little easier, whether you’re moving across the country or just across town.

Washing

The number one, infamous incompetence of new college students: laundry. That’s right, it’s time to start learning how to pre-treat your stained clothes (a little something called Spray ’n Wash), and then separate whites from colors. Learn what settings your clothes are usually washed in at home. And start to remember to check the tag of your new clothes. Is it machine washable? Can it be put in the drier? Pay attention or you’ll end up ruining a new silk blouse or shrinking a wooly sweater. It would be handy to learn how to pass an iron over those dress pants or sew on a stray button as well.

Driving

A surprising number of people actually come to college without a driver’s license. Luckily, you might not need to drive a lot once on campus, but it’s better to learn when you’re at home, in familiar surroundings. And living in a city is no excuse: even if you have no need for a car on a daily basis now or in college, it doesn’t hurt to have a license. You might travel someplace with friends in college and someone will need to do the driving, or you might choose to volunteer for a group or work at a summer camp that requires you to get van certified. And it’s always good to have one extra person available to be a designated driver. You’re going to want to know how to drive at some point in your life; now’s a better time than after graduation, when you’re applying for jobs and possibly moving again.

Paying

With your newfound freedom come new costs. Chances are, you’ll be the one paying for that burrito you picked up at 3am, and the pizza you ordered last night, and those flip-flops you just had to have. Writing checks, balancing a checkbook, and paying bills are all important lessons to learn before setting out on your own. You like buying—and nobody likes a mooch—so it’s time to figure out the mechanics of paying for it, from online bill payment to keeping up with your pricey cell plan. And even if your parents are generously covering many costs for you, it’s good to know how to manage your money, because you’ll have to eventually. You don’t want to be the 24-year-old who doesn’t know how to write a check, so start practicing.

Cleaning

You’ll set your room up just the way you like it when you first arrive—and then four wild parties, three exams, one all-nighter, and two pizza deliveries later, it’s unrecognizable. Sure, you probably have janitors who clean the hallways for you (have a little sympathy for them and make sure trash actually makes it into the right receptacle), but your room is all yours. This isn’t just about picking up after yourself (everyone can live with a little clutter); this is about giant dust bunnies, Oreos mashed into the carpet, unidentified spilled substances. Never run a vacuum before, or even heard of a dustbuster? Take a trip down the household cleaning section of Target and chances are you’ll pick up a lot, from Wet Wipes to room deodorizer. If you have your own bathroom, that’s a whole other story. A recommendation: make a cleaning schedule with your roommates in order to avoid one of those silent battles that take shape when each person waits for the other to give in and scrub the accumulating grime.

Marketing

Think you’ll be looking for a summer job or an internship after your first year? It’s time to learn how to make a professional-style resume. Take a look at some different templates to get an idea of what you’ll need: usually contact info, education, previous work experience, activities and leadership experience, sometimes special talents (like proficiency in a foreign language, or computer programming). Start compiling a list of things about yourself that would fit on a resume and try putting them together. You might be surprised how tricky it is to keep things concise, so start it now. When you’re going in for that interview in a few months, all you’ll have to do is click “print!”

Spending

Read and repeat: a credit card is not an unlimited allowance, a credit card is not…College might be the first time you’ve had your own credit card, or at least free reign over it (and responsibility for the bills). You might think you’d never be one of those people who would start spending out of control, but the charges can add up quicker than you’d expect. Take the time to read the fine print, as boring as it is, and ask questions when you get your card. You should understand how it works: what your limit is, if you can use it out of the country, and what happens if you overcharge. And check your balance online. Regularly. Your wallet will thank you.

Writing

You breezed through AP English Lit by reading Sparknotes and wrote your final US History paper with Wikipedia as your only source? That may have worked in high school, but chances are your college professors won’t let it slide. Before you get swamped with midterms and discover you’re in over your head, you need to learn how to write a research paper. Acquaint yourself with the library (that’s right, it’s still not possible to do absolutely everything online!) and how to put together a proper bibliography, MLA style. There are still some good resources on the web, like Google Books, which you can use to skim samples of books to decide whether it’s worth the trek to the library, and Google Scholar, where you can find full academic papers.

Sharing

Surprisingly, everyone doesn’t get this lesson down perfectly in preschool. Jokes aside, though it may sound simple, in college you’ll find yourself having to share things you never did before, with people who have different lifestyles and habits and who you might not have chosen as roommates. Compromise is key when it comes to the bathroom/kitchen/bedroom/storage space/you name it, because even the best of friendships can be seriously strained by choosing to live together. And don’t forget that sharing doesn’t just mean letting your roommate use half the closet—it also means not making her the only one who cleans the common room.

Need more help surviving college? Check out our essential college first aid kit.

Tips provided by Unigo.com

College Textbook Buying Mistakes

2009-08-25T14:33:00.001-06:00

As an incoming freshman, you’re under enough pressure, from choosing the right classes to surviving dorm life. Who has time to comparison shop for college textbooks? It’s tempting to go all-out with your (or your parents') credit card at the campus bookstore. But when you’re hit with a $600 bill for textbooks, that spring break trip you'd been looking forward to suddently starts to look a lot less attainable. We asked four current undergrads and recent alums for advice, and their consensus is to shop early and shop online. Here are the stories of their college textbook-buying woes and their top tips to spare you headaches and save you money:

Alan Zeng, CUNY Baruch College ’10: “Buying online is the most sensible choice for most students nowadays. The main problems are the accuracy of the book listing (i.e. volume number, condition, etc.) and shipping. Most of the online stores support expedited shipping, but if you choose ground, it could take weeks for you receive your order. If a class really requires the book, you'll will be behind in coursework due to sluggish shipping. To avoid this, buy from reputable vendors that are known for mass textbook-selling, such as textbooksRus.com, Alibris.com, and AbeBooks.com.”

Ashley Singh, Georgian Court University ’10: “One mistake I made was not double- and triple-checking the ISBN numbers and the edition of the books that were required for the course. This is important because if you don't pay attention, you have to go to the trouble of returning the book and scavenging for the right one.”

Related Video: Textbook Buying Mistakes

Vlada Reznikova, School of Visual Arts ’10: “The biggest mistake you can make is buying a textbook you need just for one semester and buying it new at full price. Some used textbooks are in perfect condition and they cost 30% of the actual price. Alibris.com is an amazing website, the textbooks I got from there were like totally new.”

Amanda Winters, Ithaca College ’07: “These are the top three college textbook buying mistakes:

Sometimes the seller of a used book doesn't really say how used it is: missing pages can make for some fast reading but really bad paper citations.
Shipping: sometimes you can receive your book days after it's been assigned to to use in class, so plan ahead. If you need overnight shipping for emergency reading, the money you were trying to save goes out the window!
Be careful with editions: there are usually variations between third, fourth, fifth, etc. that can mix you up and hurt your work.

Photo courtesy of wohnai

You'll find tons more bargain book tips and tricks in the Unigo.com Budget Student's Guide to College Textbooks:

Textbook Rentals and Used Textbooks

6 Money-Saving College Textbook Tips for Freshmen

College Textbook Buying Mistakes

Used Textbook Buyback: Don't get ripped off

For more information, check out college parent information on UniversityParent.com

Top Ways for College Parents & Students to Save

2009-08-20T08:26:00.002-06:00

College is expensive! We've been searching for the best deals for college parents & students to help you save money on products & services you might buy for your student. We have compiled a list below. If you know of any other great deals, please add a comment to this article!

This month's featured special:

Save over 75% off a student subscription to The Wall Street Journal today!

Available College Student Discounts:

For more information, please visit: http://www.universityparent.com/deals

Are you worried about your student contracting swine flu at college?

2009-08-19T12:52:00.000-06:00

The Center for Disease Control suggests parents encourage their students do the following to avoid contracting swine flu (H1N1) while away at college:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners* are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

For more information, click here.

6 Money-Saving College Textbook Tips for Freshmen

2009-08-18T11:04:00.001-06:00

College textbook prices commonly evoke looks of disbelief from incoming college freshmen. $135 for a pre-calculus textbook and $65 for the supplement? That’s right, the cost of those new, glossy college textbooks has skyrocketed as publishers continue to crank out current editions almost every year. As a freshman, you’ll probably take at least four classes per semester, all in different subject areas. Additionally, textbooks for intro-level core classes often come with a higher price tag. Don’t have $600 to drop on books your first semester? By doing a little research, you can save the equivalent of a year's worth of late-night coffee breaks.

"Hi, my name is..." You might feel a bit awkward emailing your professor before even stepping foot inside the classroom, but get over that fear and you can save big bucks. As soon as you receive your class schedule and look up the professor’s name in the directory, send her a short, friendly email. Introduce yourself, explain that you'll be taking her class, and ask which textbooks will be assigned. If possible, get the textbooks' ISBN numbers. This will allow you to purchase used editions online or in the college bookstore before your classmates get a hold of them. Used textbooks can sell for half the price of new books, so copies of in-demand texts usually go fast. Your professor might even be impressed that you’re getting a head start on her class.

For more tips, please visit UniversityParent.com.

Article provided by Unigo.com.

Saying Goodbye: Helping your Student Transition Successfully to College - while maintaining your own peace of mind

2009-08-14T09:03:00.001-06:00

What does this mean for the parents who remain behind? The home is suddenly empty of the life that filled it now that their teen departed for school and begins the transition to adulthood.

How can you help your student handle this huge transition and prepare them to be successful when they're so far away?

Click here for full article

Help your student choose classes like a pro

2009-08-13T10:27:00.000-06:00

Here are a few tips to help your student register for the right classes:

Don’t duck your requirements: The more general requirements you can knock out early on, the fewer will still be around to haunt your senior year.

Look ahead: Figure out up front how the required classes will affect your entire four-year career—not just whether it makes you get up early on a Wednesday. For instance, if you’re planning on going abroad, or if your school requires you to take a time-intensive lab class or two, keep those things in the back of your mind early on.

Don’t overdo it: You’re a smartie, but that doesn’t always mean you’re ready to tackle a full load of grad seminars right off the bat. Mix a few challenging courses with lower-level classes that are easy-aces. That leaves extra time for mastering Space Physics.

Do your homework: You’re not the first person intent on piecing together an awesome semester. Take advantage of your advisors, whether they be RAs, faculty members, or older kids down the dorm hall. They’ve got the been-there, done-that wisdom you need. Some schools now encourage students to swap reviews of classes and professors, whether through a school network or an outside site, like www.ratemyprofessors.com. It’ll fill you in on all the information they couldn’t cram into the 50-word course catalog write-up.

For more tips, please visit: UniversityParent.com and Unigo.com.

Tween Attitudes and Behaviors, Advice from a University of Alabama professor

2009-08-10T09:39:00.003-06:00

Watch this short clip from Dr. Liza Wilson, a University of Alabama professor, who offers advice on handling tween attitudes and behaviors.

Before Your Student Leaves for College: Help Build Money Management Skills

2009-08-10T09:32:00.000-06:00

New college students have a lot to learn about life on their own. Simultaneously, they are facing many challenges as they adjust to new lifestyles and campus patterns of living and learning. Many college freshmen – indeed, some transfer students as well – will deal with day-to-day costs they never before experienced.

What a Parent Can Do

The majority of freshmen have had minimal experience dealing with money. Some students have a problem managing their money wisely and can end up spending more money than they have and then borrowing unnecessarily

Before Your Student Leaves for College: Help Build Money Management Skills

Teach your student how to maintain a budget.
If your student is getting a checking account for the first time, show them how to balance their checkbook and record their transactions to prevent bouncing checks.
Explain the need to build a good credit report by paying bills on time and avoiding debt.
Teach your student to save for emergency needs and how to use credit wisely.
Help your student to ask questions and learn to do things for themselves.

Visit UniversityParent.com for more college parent tips.

The difference between high school and college tests

2009-08-05T12:58:00.001-06:00

Every fall semester, hundreds of freshmen are shocked and disappointed by their first experience with university tests. Most students who enroll at the University have been good students in high school and are accustomed to performing well on tests. In college, they will attend their classes, read their textbooks, and study their notes. Yet, in spite of doing these things, many beginning students still do not perform as well as they would like on their tests.

One of the reasons that many beginning university students find tests difficult is that college instructors expect their students to really understand the material. Tests in high school often require only simple recognition or memorization. College tests, on the other hand, require thorough understanding. There is a difference between memorizing a definition and thoroughly understanding a concept. Oftentimes in high school, a student could memorize a bit of information, and then that piece of information would show up exactly the same way on the test. In high school, it might have been possible to merely recognize the correct answer because the other answers seemed obviously wrong.

High school students tend to develop test-taking skills that work well for high school tests but may be inadequate for university-level tests. High school students become good listeners, they become proficient at memorizing definitions, and they learn to recognize terms that their teachers have stressed. They also become good at eliminating obviously wrong answers. Unfortunately, these skills that were developed over many years do not work nearly as well at The University of Alabama and do not substitute for a thorough understanding of the course material. In general, most beginning UA students find that they need to devote much more time and mental effort to the learning process than they did in high school.

For more college parent information, please visit: http://www.universityparent.com/alabama/2009/04/23/the-difference-between-high-school-and-college-tests

Why should I be your Facebook Fan?

2009-08-04T10:22:00.001-06:00

Facebook Fan Pages are pages within Facebook for people to connect with common interests. We started a Facebook Fan Page for University Parent Media because we want to help you connect with other parents! Almost daily, we post helpful news and information for current & prospective college parents. Parents also submit questions and participate in discussions. We strive to build an online community that helps parents with questions about academics, career planning, college admissions, financial planning & expenses, and health & safety.

If you have a Facebook account visit the University Parent Fan Page to get started.

Do you need to join Facebook? Please click here to read how to get started: http://www.universityparent.com/2009/06/18/are-you-interested-in-connecting-with-other-college-parents

Career Planning Checklist from California Lutheran University

2009-08-03T11:13:00.002-06:00

Here is a checklist for students by academic year to help them prepare throughout college for their dream job.

Freshman Year

If you have declared a major, get a part-time job on or off campus that relates to your career field or that will help you to develop essential skills.
If you have not yet declared a major, visit your campus Career Services Center. Seek career counseling and testing to begin the process of exploring career paths and selecting a major.
Visit faculty during office hours. Get to know as many faculty as possible. This will come in very handy when you need letters of recommendation later.
Make a commitment to spend time on career development.
Do research in bookstores and career centers. Knowing more about different industries, companies, and jobs will help you make a better career choice!
Join at least one club or participate in a career-related activity.
Volunteer at an organization related to your interests.
Connect assignments, papers, speeches and projects to your career interests.
Visit Career Services for assistance in developing a resumé. Begin building your resume now. Update it at the end of every semester; and by the time you graduate, you will have an impressive portfolio.
Get a summer job or internship in your field.
Attend Career Services Workshops. Gather insight and advice on topics such as researching a career, resumé writing, interviews, salary negotiations, and applying for grad school, law school or med school.
Meet with a Career Services career counselor so they can keep an eye out for opportunities that suit your interests.

Sophomore Year

Visit your faculty advisor and/or a career counselor for help with choosing a major, minor, concentration or emphasis that will complement your career goals.
Join another club or organization related to your major or career field. Being involved demonstrates to employers that you have well-developed social skills and can work collaboratively and cooperatively.
Continue demonstrating your commitment to your community by participating in another volunteer activity or service-learning experience.
Contact three people from your field of interest.

Junior Year

Research companies, nonprofits, government agencies, schools and colleges to see where your passion lies.
Develop new or advanced skills through job and volunteer experience.
Look at job listings to know the skills and background needed to eventually reach your goals.
Get involved in an Alumni Mentor Program. Seek out people in your field of interest who are willing to act as mentors and advisors. Step up your involvement in the organizations you are a part of by running for office or get involved in the national organization. Experiment with different roles, develop strong relationships.
Continue to meet faculty on campus. They have so much to offer.
Narrow down career options to reach a job target and industry to pursue.
Prepare for your job search.
If you are considering graduate school, start applying now. Find out what admissions tests are necessary and start studying well in advance. Be aware of application deadlines and start collecting application materials such as letters of recommendation and transcripts.
Talk to more people in careers you are considering and pick up the Field Research booklet from Career Services.
Treat the job search like a class. It takes study, know-how and preparation!

Senior Year

Do another internship. Building your resumé while you are in school will give you experience to go along with your degree making you more marketable upon graduation.
Attend a workshop or schedule an appointment with a career counselor for assistance with salary negotiations.
Ask professors, employers, advisors and counselors to write letters of recommendation, and request permission to include them as references on job applications.
Write papers with an extra purpose in mind — try to publish in campus publications, in a professional journal, or in a popular publication. Ask your professors for suggestions. Include these writings in your portfolio.
Seek out people in your field of interest who are willing to act as mentors or advisors. Network with alumni in your field and people your professors have recommended.
Make time to do a real job search. It is a good idea to think of getting a job as a “job.” It takes time and effort to find a position that pays well.
Develop and customize a job search strategy.
Participate in on-campus interviewing workshops.
Gather application materials for graduate schools, such as letters of recommendation.

Tips provided by California Lutheran University.

Everything You Need to Know about AP Exams

2009-07-30T08:55:00.001-06:00

by Kathryn Knight, Admissions.com Staff Writer

Advanced Placements (AP) tests can garner you college credits before you've even enrolled (that's why they're called "advanced" placement). The tests measure what you learned in AP courses, although you don't have to take an AP course to take an AP exam. (But remember that admissions officers do look at your curriculum, and AP courses are often considered more challenging -- and that's a good thing.)

The exams are offered once a year in May. Time to get ready!
Before the exam…

Attend study courses.

Oftentimes, teachers, schools, or districts will hold Advanced Placement exam study courses. Check with your teachers or the local newspapers for more information. These sessions give students the opportunity to practice and to learn what answers the AP exams require.
Use outside resources for study. If you’re taking a foreign language AP exam, check out language books and films from your local library. Really immerse yourself in the language. For history and social science exams, read books that aren’t required coursework. It’s great practice that doesn’t have to feel like homework.

Read everything.

Forget skimming -- start reading everything. When you’re taking the exam, you’ll need to read the entire question and all of the answers to avoid choosing an answer that’s “almost right.”

Show everything.

Success on the AP exams is measured by the process it takes to come up with the answers. Think thoroughly and analytically, whether you’re writing, solving equations, or speaking aloud in a foreign language.
After the exam…

Scoring

After the exam, the multiple-choice sections are graded by a computer, while the free-response sections are graded by college professors at the annual AP Reading in June. Those scores are combined to form your composite score.
Composite scores are as follows:

5—Extremely well qualified
 4—Well qualified 
3—Qualified
 2—Possibly qualified
 1—No recommendation.

To earn college credit, students typically need to score a 3 or higher on the AP exam. However, some universities have stricter standards. It is also up to the university to award you with a semester or a whole year’s worth of college credit in that particular subject. Check with your school's policies for more detailed information.

So choose your test subjects wisely, and good luck! For more helpful college parent information, please visit UniversityParent.com.

Article courtesy of Admissions.com and FastWeb.com.

How can I help my student set a budget for college?

2009-07-28T15:46:00.001-06:00

As a college parent - its important to review and plan for unexpected college expenses. Here are a few ideas to budget effectively.

First, find a budgeting tool. You can use something like a low-tech spreadsheet or sign up for an online program like Mint.com. Mint has online budgeting tools and is FREE! It is my personal favorite.

For more information, please visit UniversityParent.com.

What if I can't pay my student's college tuition?

2009-07-27T11:25:00.002-06:00

If you are unable to pay tuition this fall, here are a few tips:

Contact your student's bursar or financial aid office and ask to sign up for a payment plan.
Apply for a federal Stafford Loan. Federal Stafford loans are fixed-rate federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students attending college at least half-time. Stafford loans are the most common and one of the lowest-cost ways to pay for school.
Apply for a Parent Loan for Undergraduate Studies (PLUS). The Federal Parent PLUS Loan helps parents and guardians with good credit borrow up to the cost of attendance for their undergraduate children. Parent PLUS Loan funds can be used for tuition, supplies, housing, and more.

For more ideas, please visit UniversityParent.com

Many families are saving on tuition by encouraging students to graduate early

2009-07-27T08:55:00.001-06:00

http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/25491051/degree-in-three.htm#q=college

" In this country -- the unemployment rate is almost 10%. And one of the most heartbreaking things that you hear from families who are the most affected by his bad economy is that they're having a hard time affording college for their kids. I have found out something the kids are doing right now to help their families save big bucks on tuition.

How did they save thousands on college tuition? By graduating early in three years. Others are going to summer school the local community college where classes are cheaper and can transfer toward graduation.

" I think in the economy when you're looking at student loans and you're looking at the burden on your parents. -- it becomes difficult to justify seeing longer."

How Florida's Middle Class Familes Can Slash Their College Costs by $5,000-$30,000 (or more)

2009-07-24T12:21:00.000-06:00

Great advice for college parents from Emory University Professor

2009-07-24T09:47:00.000-06:00

During orientation, Emory University Psychology Professor Marshall Duke offers excellent advice for college parents. He helps parents anticipate what to expect during their child’s college years, and offers advice for adapting to changes at home:

Here are a few of his top suggestions:

• Think about your parting words.
“The closing words between parents and children are crucial. Whatever wisdom you have to offer, whether it is ‘I love you,’ ‘I’m behind you,’ ‘I’m proud of you,’ say it. If you can’t express yourself verbally, write your thoughts down and mail the letter to your child immediately after you arrive home. Your children will remember your messages and hold on to them.”

• Your lives will change.
“Younger siblings may be quite happy to see the older child leave home. I’ve heard stories of younger children who usually have stayed in their rooms suddenly appearing at the dinner table. If the college-bound student is your youngest, you’ll begin to reestablish a one-on-one relationship with your spouse after years of parenting.”

Read more tips from the professor here: http://www.universityparent.com/2009/07/22/great-advice-for-college-parents-from-emory-university-professor

What do I do now that they’ve left home? Learn to cope with Empty Nest Syndrome.

2009-07-23T10:29:00.000-06:00

When you've spent all your time, attention and money devoted to raising children for twenty to thirty years or more, life can seem more than a little empty once those kids are grown up enough to leave home. There's actually a feeling of emptiness, loneliness, and loss that's known as empty nest syndrome. Many parents have a difficult time getting used to the children being gone, and sometimes it can take awhile to adjust. Read more about the symptoms and effects of empty nest syndrome and ways to cope after sending your child to college.

Help us help you!

2009-07-23T09:01:00.001-06:00

We are building a forum for college parents to help each other. Are you interested in participating? http://bit.ly/KjuSi

First Generation College Students: Preparing for College

2009-07-22T13:23:00.000-06:00

It can be daunting for a student to become the first person in their immediate family to attend a college. Without help from family members, they might not know where to begin the college planning process, much less know what to expect once they get to college. The following information should give you and your student a better understanding of the navigating the college experience and help ease your student’s anxiety of being a first generation college student.

  Planning for college is often more difficult for first generation college students because they probably don't have assistance from a knowledgeable family member. If your student needs help with the college planning process, here are some tips:

http://www.universityparent.com/2008/12/22/first-generation-college-students-preparing-for-college

Learn more about the new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan for Federal Student Loan Payments

2009-07-22T10:09:00.001-06:00

Income-Based Repayment (IBR) is a new way to make your federal student loan payments more manageable. And if you're a teacher or work in government or at a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) organization, you might qualify for a new type of public service loan forgiveness after 10 years of eligible payments and employment. Read more information here: http://www.universityparent.com/2009/07/09/read-more-about-the-new-income-based-repayment-ibr-plan-for-federal-student-loan-payments

Help your student stay healthy on campus!

2009-07-17T11:58:00.001-06:00

Many students balance multiple responsibilities including work, school, family and social activities. Especially during high stress times of the term, your student may acquire poor eating, sleeping and diet habits. It is important for your student to keep in mind that an active mind requires a healthy body. A low immune system and a case of mono could set a student back many weeks in homework assignments. You may want to offer your student tips to stay healthy. Here are a few suggestions.

Dealing with out of state tuition? Learn how to qualify for In-state tuition.

2009-07-16T08:28:00.000-06:00

Sometimes attending a college in the state where you’ve raised your child is not the best option for your student’s career path or considering their academic achievements. Out of state tuition is expensive because as a non-resident, you have not been contributing to the funding of public colleges in that state when paying taxes, and therefore students are charged significantly more than in-state residents who have been making tax payments to the state. Read this article to learn more about how your child can work towards qualifying for in-state tuition rates.

Read the full article here.

Helpful introductory guide to 529 Plans for college parents

2009-07-15T14:51:00.001-06:00

There are two types of 529 plans: pre-paid tuition plans and college savings plans. All fifty states and the District of Columbia sponsor at least one type of 529 plan. In addition, a group of private colleges and universities sponsor a pre-paid tuition plan.

What are the differences between pre-paid tuition plans and college savings plans?

Pre-paid tuition plans generally allow college savers to purchase units or credits at participating colleges and universities for future tuition and, in some cases, room and board. Most prepaid tuition plans are sponsored by state governments and have residency requirements. Many state governments guarantee investments in pre-paid tuition plans that they sponsor. Click here to read more: http://www.universityparent.com/2009/07/13/an-introduction-to-529-savings-plans

Great packing lists for college parents and students moving into residence halls

2009-07-14T13:56:00.001-06:00

As students prepare to begin or return to college, making sure they have everything they need to be successful can be challenging. But now as you wipe the sweat from your brow and pat yourself on the back—your child is going to college! Then it dawns on you - What should they bring with them? Where should you shop? What do they need? What don't they need? Relax. While packing your student for college may feel like an overwhelming task, it doesn't have to be. In fact, you might even have some fun with it. We’ve compiled the Ultimate Packing Lists for residence hall life, classroom and studying needs and personal items they should bring along too - so that you can get your student off to school and ready to learn! Read more for tips and tricks to ease the headache of the big move.

Residence Hall Packing List

What your student should have for Classroom and Studying

Personal Items to pack for college

Tips from Parents Magazine on Saving for College

2009-07-13T12:12:00.000-06:00

College Search 101: The Role of Parents

2009-07-10T08:47:00.001-06:00

Check out the new income based repayment plan for college student loans!

2009-07-09T13:02:00.002-06:00

Read more about the income based repayment plan.

Interesting post on Student Loan Benefits

2009-07-08T14:35:00.000-06:00

Should a Recession Affect the Major that a College Student Chooses?

2009-07-02T08:37:00.000-06:00

Some careers maintain success and stability even during periods of recession and economic downturn. We explored whether a recession should impact what students were choosing as majors – and whether parents were encouraging their student into “safer” fields. We found that most college students choose to study what they are interested in rather than focusing on how “safe” their job future might be – and their parents generally support that decision.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.universityparent.com/2009/02/16/should-a-recession-affect-the-major-that-a-college-student-chooses

Parents, I want to help you!

2009-07-01T13:03:00.001-06:00

Do you have questions about sending your student off to college? Ask me! Please email sarah @universityparent.com with your question and I'll respond. For a list of frequently asked questions - please check here: http://www.universityparent.com/faqs

Are you interested in connecting with other college parents?

2008-07-25T16:43:00.002-06:00

Please become a fan of our Facebook Page for parents by clicking here: http://www.facebook.com/collegeparents. We want to provide a forum for college parents to talk with each other and discuss various issues they may be facing.

Not sure how to Get Started on Facebook? Here are a few tips:

Go to http://www.facebook.com/

Fill out the information in the Sign Up boxes
Once you've signed up, its time to create your profile:
To edit your profile at any time, click on the “Edit Information” link at the upper right corner of your Basic Info or click on the “edit” icons on the upper right corner of each of your profile fields.
- Each profile information section represents what people will see when they arrive at your profile. Start by filling out the info that will help people identify you—Basic, Education, Work, and Picture.
Filling out your Education and Work Info is especially helpful since it enables your former (and current) classmates and coworkers to find you via search.
Having a profile picture makes it easier for friends to identify you as being the real you, especially if you have a common name. In addition, the picture you select is another way to express who you are to your friends and family.
- When selecting a profile picture, we recommend picking a picture that best represents you—if you’re unsure what that means, check out some of your friends’ profile pictures to get a sense of how they represent themselves. Remember, nothing is set in stone on your profile; if you find a photo you like better, you’ll be able to change your profile picture later (as well as the rest of your information).
Why would I put my personal info on the internet?
- Facebook is known for its granular privacy controls, all of which mean you control who sees what information about you. Millions of Facebook users share their cell phone numbers on Facebook, knowing that they have full control over the list of people who can see it. People who don't see your contact information will only be able to get in touch with you through Facebook, and won't get access to your information unless you choose to add them as a friend.
- To edit your contact info—phone numbers, emails and addresses—click on the "edit" icon on the upper right corner of your “Contact Information” section on your Info tab.
If you have questions, we are here to help! Please email me: sarah @ universityparent.com

Make sure to check out our new blog!

2008-06-24T10:01:00.001-06:00

We have moved! Please visit our new blog here: http://www.universityparent.com/parents

Thank you for your support!

Sarah

Investing In Your College Student’s Housing

2008-06-19T10:24:00.000-06:00

For parents with children in college, or nearing college age, this video from NBC’s Today Show is worth watching.

Investing in collegiate housing is not for everyone, but if the angle interests you, don’t forget to purchase an accompanying personal liability insurance for injuries that may occur on-site.

For the full article, please go to:
http://tonygallegos.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/investing-in-your-college-students-housing/

Graduates Get Creative To Find Health Coverage

2008-06-19T10:16:00.001-06:00

This year, 1.4 million graduates are tossing their mortarboard caps into the sky and receiving bachelor's degrees. Almost immediately, many will face another rite of passage: getting dropped from their parents' health insurance.

For the full article, please go to:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121365626631779015.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The Role of Parents in Students’ College Choice

2008-06-19T10:08:00.001-06:00

A choice to attend a postsecondary education is one of the most important decisions adolescents make during their high school career. Institutions, activities, experiences, and individuals can all influence students’ college choice. Parents contribute significantly to that decision. Parents can be a positive influence on students’ college choice by providing support for higher academic achievement and postsecondary trajectory.

For the full article, please go to: http://throughcollege.com/blog/the-role-of-parents-in-students%e2%80%99-college-choice.html

Parent Involvement Does Make a Difference in Students’ Likelihood to Apply to a Four-Year College

2008-06-13T08:26:00.001-06:00

A recent study by Helen Janc Malone examined the relationship between parental involvement and students’ plans to attend four-year college.

For the full article please go to:
http://throughcollege.com/blog/parent-involvement-does-make-a-difference-in-students-likelihood-to-apply-to-a-four-year-college.html

Now parents get oriented, too

2008-06-10T16:45:00.001-06:00

Used to be that parents packed up the station wagon, drove their son or daughter to college, unloaded the boxes, made the bed, shed a few tears and headed home. Today, colleges cater to parents with lengthy orientation programs.

Whether this relatively new phenomenon is a response to "helicopter parent" hovering or not, more information and services seem to be exactly what parents are craving.

For the full article please go to:
http://www.bnd.com/living/health/story/357834.html

The "Millennials" Are Coming

2008-06-06T08:11:00.001-06:00

The Age Of The Millenials

They are young adults and have been coddled by their parents to the point of being ill prepared for a demanding workplace. Morley Safer reports on the generation called "Millenials."

http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/common/images/v3/button_play.png
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/08/60minutes/main3475200.shtml

More colleges move toward optional SATs

2008-06-05T18:03:00.000-06:00

(CNN) -- Jen Wang of Short Hills, New Jersey, took her first SAT when she was in sixth grade, long before she would start filling out college applications.

Wake Forest University recently announced it would no longer require the SAT for admissions.

"My family thought it was very important for me to do well on this test, and I basically obtained nearly every SAT study guide out there by the time I was a junior in high school," she said. "For Christmas one year, I received an electronic device that allowed me to practice the SAT's 'on-the-go.' "

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/30/test.drop/

Quantitative data necessary for college admissions

2008-06-05T18:02:00.001-06:00

Colleges and universities, selective or otherwise, should continue using SAT/ACT scores in their admissions process even if it affects campus diversity. Standardized tests are not a perfect measure of a student's ability, but they offer an acceptable method of universal screening that should not be discounted. To eliminate this admissions criterion, as Wake Forest College is planning to do, would be shortsighted and would possibly create a pool of students whose knowledge base makes them ill-prepared for college level courses.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-080528sat_briefs,0,5492718.story

Class rank demoted in college admissions process

2008-06-05T18:00:00.000-06:00

What is still considered a great high school honor does not carry the weight it once did with colleges, according to a national expert and recently released report. Locally, however, traditional benchmarks of academic excellence like class rank and valedictorian and salutatorian honors remain significant in the admissions process.

http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080604/NEWS/806040320/0/FRONTPAGE

Out of the hole of college debt

2008-06-05T15:57:00.001-06:00

All around the country, parents are taking photos of grinning college graduates holding their hard-earned diplomas. But after "Pomp and Circumstance" is over, students and parents can start worrying: The debt season will begin.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/06/05/out_of_the_hole_of_college_debt/

Moberly to host special meeting to inform parents, student athletes about college recruiting and scholarship guidelines

2008-06-05T15:56:00.000-06:00

Area student high school athletes who are considering to enter college and continue their athletic career, along with their parents, are invited to attend an informational meeting in Moberly to learn more about college recruiting, college eligibility requirements, applying for athletic scholarships, and making sure prep athletes follow proper NCAA or NAIA guidelines before entering college.

http://www.moberlymonitor.com/sports/x955869874/Moberly-to-host-special-meeting-to-inform-parents-student-athletes-about-college-recruiting-and-scholarship-guidelines

Recruiting young people - meet the parents: the helicopter parenting phenomenon of Generation Y

2008-06-05T15:51:00.000-06:00

More and more employers are falling victim to the 'helicopter parenting' phenomenon. How can HR make the best of family ties? Virginia Matthews reports.

Read more at http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/05/28/45917/recruiting-young-people-meet-the-parents-the-helicopter-parenting-phenomenon-of-generation-y.html

Student's mom charged in Ft. Wayne stabbing

2008-04-28T13:47:00.000-06:00

Associated Press

FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A woman accused of fatally stabbing her daughter’s college roommate in her dorm room was formally charged with murder today.

Tina Loraine Morris, 36, Fort Wayne, was charged with murder, felony murder, robbery and auto theft. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 88 years in prison, said Robyn Niedzwiecki, spokeswoman for the Allen County prosecutor’s office.

Morris is accused of killing Liette “Lola” Martinez, 22, of Las Cruces, N.M., who was found stabbed in her Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne dorm room last Friday. According to court documents, Morris, the mother of one of Martinez’s two roommates, had been staying in the university-owned apartment for about two weeks.

Morris told investigators the stabbing happened after she confronted Martinez about an argument Martinez had with her daughter, according to court documents.

Morris was being held without bond at the Allen County Jail tonight. No court appearance has yet been scheduled, Niedzwiecki said.

Helicopter parents continue to fly

2008-04-17T15:23:00.001-06:00

College administrators say they have noticed an emerging trend over the past couple years – overly involved parents who remain highly influential in their children’s lives, from class selection, to their social life to their problems at school.

Early reports on the phenomenon, dubbed “helicopter parents,” suggested the behavior had mostly negative consequences, mostly keeping young adults from learning to solve problems on their own and taking responsibility.

For the full article, please go to: http://media.www.ecollegetimes.com/media/storage/paper991/news/2008/04/17/News/Helicopter.Parents.Continue.To.Fly-3329724.shtml

Report tells how to improve college educations

2008-04-14T09:18:00.001-06:00

American undergraduate education needs to change if college students are going to learn more than just practical skills for chosen careers, according to a report by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

If the United States wants highly educated people who understand how to engage in their communities and act responsibly in the world, the undergraduate curriculum must do more than teach them how to carry out a profession competently, conclude authors of "A New Agenda for Higher Education: Shaping a Life of the Mind for Practice."

"It's important for students to learn to think, to reason, to interrogate text and understand it; but that is not enough," Carnegie President Lee Shulman said in a statement. "It's also important that students learn to act, to do, to perform - but this still is not enough. Today's undergraduates must learn to think and act responsibly, with integrity, civility and caring."

The report was the result of meetings over two years among 14 scholars from public and private, secular and religious higher education institutions. They represented scientific disciplines, traditional liberal arts, and professions such as law, medicine, teacher education and engineering.

In their report - which is also a book - they paint a portrait of a compartmentalized higher education system where liberal arts educators are asked to be more "practical and relevant" and professional schools are criticized for focusing too narrowly on the technical aspects of their fields. Instead, higher education needs to integrate itself better, the report concludes.
An engineer working with engineers from other countries, for example, needs to know how the profession and its history differs across nations, said William Sullivan, a Carnegie senior scholar and co-author of the report. Or take a human biology course in this time of rapid scientific discovery when people face more decisions than ever in things such as end-of-life care.

One way for campuses to begin changing how they teach undergraduates is for their faculty to engage with each other in conversation and writing, the report advises. Faculty members need "a place to ask hard questions about the relationship between their own teaching and its practical contexts."

-- To buy a copy of the report go to: links.sfgate.com/ZCYZ
E-mail Carrie Sturrock at csturrock@sfchronicle.com

This article appeared on page B - 3 of the San Francisco Chronicle

College Decisions: Graduating Class Notified

2008-04-11T14:51:00.002-06:00

By Ali Cooper ’09
http://thenews.choate.edu/2008/04/11/News/College_Decisions_Graduati.php

News Reporter

To Choate seniors, April is anything but a picturesque time for blooming flowers or fantasies of a summer of fun. Instead, April 1st represents the tolling bell when college decisions roll in, the final day of college decisions culminating the long “college process” for the class of 2008.

College admittance decisions for Choate seniors this year have been consistent with previous years—some students have done remarkably well while others have not. “It is a hard time of the year because there are some people who have gotten good news, and there are also those who haven’t,” observed Director of College Counseling Dean Jacoby. However, it is also a time of great relief because the end of the college process for the class of 2008 is imminent. Soon nearly every senior will have plans for next year firmly in place.

In the interest of preserving confidentiality, the college office would not provide The News with college entrance statistics for the current seniors.

On a national scale, this past year has been “the most competitive year ever” for college admissions, said Mr. Jacoby. This increased competitiveness comes from a spike in applications to most colleges across the country. For example, Swarthmore, a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania, has seen a fifty percent increase in applications in the past three years alone.

“Applications for the Ivies exploded—the numbers were up fifteen to twenty percent,” Mr. Jacoby noted. “Other college admissions directors… have noticed this increased competitiveness as well. The process is getting harder.”

The spike in applications can largely be attributed to how easy the Common Application, especially in its online form, makes sending applications out to numerous schools. The Common Application describes itself as a “general application form used by over 150 independent schools.” With a simple click of the mouse, it is now possible to send the same application to ten schools simultaneously, with very little additional work for each school. This enables students who otherwise would not bother trying to garner an acceptance at a school like Amherst to “give it a shot” with a quick movement of a mouse.

The increased competitiveness of most schools nationally meant several things for the seniors, and will mean several things for younger Choate students who will soon be faced with college applications. Rising numbers of applications to schools places more importance on testing as a possible screening mechanism for applicants. SAT scores are likely to play a larger role in decisions, although other aspects of the application such as course rigor and transcript will remain the most important factors in acceptance decisions. “Colleges are interested in students who have pursued rigor and who have an ability to discuss intellectual ideas,” commented Mr. Jacoby.

The new trends in application numbers have led some seniors like Andrew Silberstein to feel that the college process is “a game of luck based on what colleges want and need at the moment, not necessarily how bright you truly are.”

Another change in the college admissions landscape is the fact that both Harvard and Princeton are no longer taking Early Decision applications. This has led many other colleges to increase the sizes of their waiting lists to ensure that they have students to fill their classes, because they don’t know what their yield will be. It is “possible that schools will go to their waitlists to fill their classes,” continued Mr. Jacoby, a fact that has many students who didn’t get into their favorite school optimistic for May.

To meet students’ needs in light of these trends, the college office is working with students to help them put together “the best possible applications and lists,” according to Mr. Jacoby. The college counselors are also visiting colleges, as well as speaking with other college counselors and admissions officers, to stay on top of trends. Next year, Ms. Tina Grant, a current counselor, will replace Mr. Jacoby as head of the college office; Mr. Jacoby observed, “Tina Grant’s work for helping students in the future is exciting.”

Mr. Jacoby encourages students not to worry about recent trends in the college process: “In an enormously competitive environment Choate students have done well. Choate kids will go to colleges that challenge them and make them happy, and they will be successful.”

Senior Anne Kearney agreed: “[The college process] was, in a way, something that taught me about myself. I learned a lot about myself and discovered that there are a lot of schools out there besides the Ivies that provide wonderful college experiences academically and socially.”

Recruiting 101: How to navigate the college process

2008-04-11T14:49:00.000-06:00

Recruiting 101: How to navigate the college process

April 11th, 2008 by Tom Kovic
http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2008/04/11/recruiting-101-how-to-navigate-the-college-process/

The college experience is, in many cases, the most important four years in our children’s lives, as it will shape their future personal and professional direction. That being said, securing admission to a college or university that best match a student’s desires, strengths, and aspirations is essential.

Student-athletes bring a unique quality to the table when it comes to college admissions. They offer a “special talent” that can improve the institution’s visibility and raise the level of popularity among future attendees. College officials understand this and in many cases, offer strong support to student-athletes both in admissions and financial aid.

The college recruiting process can be a daunting effort if it is not well planned and executed with organization and enthusiasm from start to finish. As an Ivy League head coach for 19 years, I would say that roughly 75% of my athletes gained entry to the university because, in part, they were viewed as “special interest.” I’ve learned, first hand, what works and what does not. What follows is a “snapshot” on how prospects and families can begin developing strong awareness about college recruiting.

Develop Your Plan

A knowledgeable consumer will have a clear edge in the pursuit of the attainment of any worthy product. I believe that the same holds true in the college search and I encourage families to make every effort and commitment to organize pertinent information regarding this process and to execute well-designed plans.

Gathering information is critical in successfully navigating college recruiting and the sooner you begin, the more familiar you will become with the process. Building a college recruiting information base can begin as early as the ninth grade as a family hobby and increasingly grow into a highly organized, disciplined project by the end of the junior year.

Begin by gathering information on a “wish list” of college teams from all NCAA divisions. Collect information that includes: team and coach profiles, statistics, ranking, and academic offerings. Continue to update and maintain individual e-files on your favorite college programs and follow their progress diligently.

Build your Team

Parents, prospect, high school/club coach, college advisor, guidance counselor and a personal mentor can all be part of your team in the college recruiting process. Each team player will have a specific role to play in order to ensure the prospect’s best chances in finding the right match. Advance goals should be set with clarity and purpose that compliment the organizational structure of the recruiting process.

Not only will a team approach assist the prospect from an organizational standpoint, it will help him/her build confidence in an unfamiliar, yet very important life decision area. It can make the difference between finding a college and finding the right college match.

Communication

Effective communication between the family and the college coach can be critical to the level of support the prospect will receive. It can make or break a coach’s decision to offer an athletic scholarship or to provide that extra “push” in the admission process.

If your mission is clear, communication becomes the vehicle to move with definite purpose in your chosen direction. On the other hand, ill-prepared communication can cause confusion and misdirection. Your ship moves, but with a weak rudder.

College coaches are strictly bound by a myriad of NCAA contact rules that prohibit them from making contact with prospective student-athletes. This may be true, but what few families realize is that although college coaches may have their “hands tied” to some degree, families may initiate contact with the college coaches, early on and with few exceptions.

The college recruiting process is both exciting and potentially overwhelming. It requires a disciplined and yet flexible approach, especially when timelines get tight and situations become challenging. Developing and executing recruiting plans are crucial to success and no different from preparation for a championship game! Communication with coaches is vital and a proactive effort will only get you on the radar screen faster and more effectively. That being said, the family that approaches the college recruiting process with honesty and sincerity will build mutually strong and respectful relationships with college coaches and position themselves best as they navigate the college search.

Tom Kovic is a former Division I college coach and the current director of Victory Collegiate Consulting, where he provides individual advisement for families on college recruiting. Tom is the author of “Reaching for Excellence, an educational guide for college athletics recruiting. For further information visit: www.victoryrecruiting.com.

Opinion: Colleges Restrain Spending

2008-04-09T10:35:00.000-06:00

Colleges restrain spending
Blame rests with state lawmakers who squeeze education funding.

By Daniel J. Hurley

It's that time of year when newspaper headlines across the USA announce the latest tuition increases at the local public college or university for this coming fall semester — increases that could well be in the high single digits and, in some cases, double digits.

The steady stream of tuition increases raises the question: Can't colleges rein in their spending?

Rising prices have propelled a myth that public colleges and universities are not demonstrating sufficient fiscal stewardship of student tuition and public tax dollars. In reality, overall institutional spending has increased, but when factoring in enrollment growth, the per-student increase has been negligible.

The primary drivers behind increasing tuition costs are insufficient growth in state operating support for public colleges and, in many cases, decreasing financial support combined with growth in student enrollments. Public higher education has largely served as the go-to line item when state lawmakers have to make up for budget shortfalls, and in the process they have gradually transferred the burden of paying for a college education to students and their families.

A report just released by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and SunGard Higher Education affirms that colleges are capitalizing on cost-saving opportunities campuswide in an effort to contain costs, mitigate tuition increases, and reinvest in learning-related activities.

Millions of dollars are being saved through energy management solutions. Business processes have been re-engineered. Auxiliary services — campus bookstores, dining and residence hall operations — are being streamlined or outsourced. Colleges are harnessing the power of group purchasing to buy insurance, computers and other commodities. Administrative staffing levels are being cut. Academic programs are being merged or, if underenrolled, discontinued.

The quest for colleges and universities to restrain spending is never ending. The track record shows that identifying and implementing cost containment solutions have been, and will continue to be, as inherent to campus life as the fall Saturday tailgater.

Daniel J. Hurley is director of state relations and policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Posted at 12:21 AM/ET, April 07, 2008 in Education - Editorial, USA
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/04/colleges-restra.html

Make a family field trip out of choosing the right college for your kids

2008-04-08T13:45:00.000-06:00

Make a family field trip out of choosing the right college for your kids
By SHAWN GADBERRY - McClatchy Newspapers
FRESNO, Calif. - This time of year, high school seniors - or at least their parents - are anxiously awaiting acceptance letters. Yale. Harvard. Berkeley. Davis. It doesn't really matter which one says yes, as long as one of them does.

http://AggieFamilyPack.ucdavis.edu
http://www.fresnobee.com/
When the letters come in, you might just find yourself in unfamiliar territory. You've got options. Suzie and Bobbie have worked hard. They've earned the grades and it has all paid off. But which one of those accepting schools should you choose?

Now's the time to plan a family trip. Visiting a possible future campus is a great way to settle nerves for the student - as well as the parents. And turning a school visitation into a vacation is easy. It just takes a Google search and a couple of phone calls. Whether your student's school is across the state or across the country, most universities are located near cities that have plenty to offer for the traveler. While the schools themselves will be the primary focus of the excursion, it doesn't hurt to see what else is in the area.

It might just help you and your son or daughter make the decision of a lifetime.

CALIFORNIA

Schools within California offer a sense of nearness and familiarity. It's not many who haven't been to San Diego, Los Angeles or the Bay Area, home of several of California's more prestigious schools. They're only a few hours drive away. And in April, U.C. Berkeley is one of several schools in California having events to welcome new students.

"Cal Day is April 12," says Barbara Hillman, president of the Berkeley Convention & Visitors Bureau. "The university is open to the public. It's made for families to check out the university. It's a real fun day."

Most of the universities have Web sites with links to visitor information pages within the sites. Google can help you turn up visitor bureaus, like Hillman's in Berkeley, to offer guidance when planning your trip. Visitor bureaus are very familiar with the workings of the colleges near them as well as the cities they are in.

"Our visitor's bureau is a block from the university's west side," Hillman says.

UC Davis has a very family friendly visitor site, http://AggieFamilyPack.ucdavis.edu. It is geared specifically for families and answers questions about the school and helps plan trips to the campus. April 19 is UC Davis' version of Cal Day, Picnic Day. "We invite parents to come along with students to check out the campus," says Julia Ann Easley, UC Davis News Service and editor of Aggie Family Pack. "There's tons of stuff for parents and their students to do. Then, of course, there are our formal tours. Parents are always welcome on those." A preview day is also held in October for those wishing to apply to the school.

Tours are offered at most of the larger universities. Some schools, such as Berkeley, have regularly scheduled campus tours open to anyone, on a daily basis.

Of course, these California schools all offer experiences for the traveler beyond the campus. UC Davis may be in a small college town, but it's a short drive from Sacramento, which has plenty to offer.

"Berkeley is a neat walking town," Hillman says. "It's made up of all of these little districts." Berkeley is also in the middle of the East Bay Area, just across the bay from San Francisco and a short drive from the Napa wine country.

OUT OF STATE

Moving beyond California's border also offers families travel and educational options. Here's a sampling:

HARVARD

Harvard University is in Cambridge, Mass., right across the Charles River from Boston. "Generally, when families come out here to get a feel of the university, they stay at the university, right in Harvard Square," says Robin Bell, executive director of the Cambridge Office for Tourism.

Once on the campus, there are two separate tours available each with a different emphasis. "We offer student tours through the admissions office," says Diana De Los Santos, student worker in the Harvard Events and Information Center. "We also offer historical tours through this office. We have people just visiting from other countries come on the tours. The tours are free."

Harvard also offers parents, students and alumni a way to keep track of campus happenings with Harvard Magazine. The magazine is published bi-monthly, with updates available online.

Harvard is certainly historic, but so is Boston. From Bunker Hill to the bar that served as the inspiration for television's "Cheers," there is something for everyone's interests just across the river from the school.

"Our subway is called the `T' for `transit'," Bell says. "They can hop on the `T' here and be in Boston in 10 minutes."

YALE

Yale University is tucked away in New Haven, Conn. While New Haven does not have the population or attractions that Boston has, it still is worthy of a visit. In April, students that have already been admitted are invited for an orientation.

"On that weekend, which is known as Bulldog Days, you'll be hosted by a current freshman or sophomore, you'll sleep on the couch in their common room and get a feel of what Yale will be like," says Neil Chatani, former head tour guide for the Yale University Visitor Center. While non-student visitors are welcome any time and tours run daily, parents are encouraged to come the first week of school. Chatani says there are several activities that include families, including a reception. These activities are an informal way for families to say goodbye to their students and entrust them in the care of the school.

Suzette Benitez is the director of communications for the Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau. She says that every year new families come to New Haven to see their son or daughter settled in at school.

"They'll call in to get our visitors guide or ask for recommendations," she says. "Visitors also extend their stay and make day trips to New York City or Boston, or take advantage of the summer destinations like Cape Cod or Newport."

New Haven is a coastal town and offers plenty of activities, such as theater, restaurants and shopping. Chatani says the population of New Haven is about 120,000.

"Yale is about a quarter of that," he says. "New Haven has a lot to offer us, but it's not too big to be overwhelming. The city is a great support structure, but it's not a drain on campus life."

Having students go away to school can be the beginning of a great adventure-for the whole family.

http://www.centredaily.com/living/v-print/story/508742.html

Ritter signs textbook bill

2008-04-08T13:44:00.001-06:00

Ritter signs textbook bill

Measure aims at making book bills more affordable

By Brittany Anas
Originally published 12:23 p.m., April 8, 2008 - Dailycamera.com
Updated 12:23 p.m., April 8, 2008

Gov. Bill Ritter signed a bill into law today that requires publishers to be more upfront about the costs of college textbooks — a measure that proponents say will help keep the skyrocketing prices in check.

The measure -- which was carried by Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, and Rep. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins -- requires publishers to "unbundle" textbooks so students are no longer forced to buy expensive extras, such as CD tutorials, which come packaged with their books.

Both legislators' districts cover college campuses.

The bill also requires publishers to disclose a textbook's price to professors and the public, as well as reveal substantial content revisions between editions.

“This is a consumer right-to-know bill for students and educators alike,” Ritter said today. “It represents an important step toward transparency and will help students and their families plan their budgets. Textbooks cost students hundreds of dollars a semester, and with two students in college myself, I know that every dollar counts.”

Ritter’s oldest son, August, is a senior at Colorado State University and was one of several students who advocated in favor of the bill on behalf of the Associated Students of Colorado, a statewide higher-education lobbying group that works closely with the University of Colorado's student government.

A congressionally mandated report released last year showed that an average student at a public, four-year school pays $900 a year for books. That cost is often the toppling point for low-income students, preventing them from enrolling in college, the report says.

Students have complained that their editions frequently change, and they can’t sell their books back at the end of the semester.

Some CU professors raised concern about the legislation earlier, saying it undercuts their academic freedom and responsibility to choose the best materials for their students. And CU Regent Tom Lucero, R-Johnstown, criticized the measure, saying the government should not interfere with the free market.

http://dailycamera.com/news/2008/apr/08/ritter-signs-textbook-bill-law/?printer=1/

College Towns: Still a Smart Investment

2008-04-08T12:18:00.000-06:00

College Towns: Still a Smart Investment

By Prashant Gopal Fri Mar 14, 8:08 AM ET

A year ago, Jeff Shea began buying up rental properties around the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, from which he had only recently graduated with a business major. Shea, 23, who lives in Chicago, owns three rental homes near campus, including a four-bedroom house he bought for $138,000 and rents to four students for $1,800 a month.

"It's the best time ever to buy houses," Shea said. "The rent is inflated because so many people go to school here."

Shea said he'd be happy if Champaign-Urbana prices took a dive so that he could buy even more. But college towns have remained relatively stable in this slumping real estate cycle. Students, university employees, and faculty keep apartments filled and form a steady stream of home buyers. And retirees and professionals flock to college towns because they're attracted to the lifestyle and cultural activities.

Recession-Resistant Markets

Enrollments -- especially at large public universities -- are growing as more children of baby boomers (so-called echo boomers) graduate from high school. At cash-strapped public universities, dorm beds are limited and students are often forced to find private housing after freshman year, says Michael Zaransky, author of Profit by Investing in Student Housing (Kaplan Publishing 2006) and co-CEO of Northbrook (Ill.)-based Prime Property Investors, which invests in student housing.

"It's a resilient market and seems to be fairly recession-proof," Zaransky says.

BusinessWeek.com worked with OnBoard, a local real estate information specialist, to find out how college towns are doing in this slumping housing market. We selected towns with long-established, first-rate colleges and found that 17 of 25 college towns outperformed their respective states in terms of home price appreciation last year. Four towns performed as well, and only four towns underperformed.

In Palo Alto, Calif., which is home to portions of Stanford University, median home prices increased 15% in 2007 compared with 2006, according to OnBoard. (Overall real estate prices in California dropped 9%.) The area benefits not only from the university but also from its proximity to Silicon Valley. Similarly, Austin, Tex., home of the University of Texas, saw a 6% price increase in 2007, while home prices in the rest of the state remained flat.

But not all college markets have weathered the housing slump as well. Williamsburg, Va., the home of the College of William & Mary, which has restrictions that limit off-campus rentals, saw a 16% annual home price drop in 2007. Virginia's overall median home prices fell just 3%.

Not Just for Students

Zaransky says the houses located just steps from campus are seeing the most appreciation because that's where students typically want to live. But other areas of college towns also benefit from local academic institutions.

Sandy Wentworth, a Realtor with Jones Group Realtors in Amherst, Mass., says retirees -- especially former academics -- like the Amherst area, which is home to four liberal arts colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. "They want access to the culture and all the great libraries," Wentworth says.

Mark Waldhoff, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Champaign, Ill., says the market around campus is stable in part because the university brings buyers and renters to town from more affluent urban communities. "It brings well-paying jobs into the community and brings a lot of diversity," he says. "Professors are often surprised about what the average sales price is here compared to the community they came from. You can buy a single-family home for $155,000 to $160,000."

For those parents of college students who can afford it, buying a house close to campus often makes good financial sense because their children need a place to live for four years, after which the property can be sold or turned into a rental home. But Zaransky says parents should try to take their children out of the equation when deciding whether to buy. It's generally good to buy in college towns with low-cost real estate, rising enrollments, and a shortage of dorm beds, he says. And it's best to look outside of large, expensive cities where colleges have less influence on the housing market.

Risks for Investors

But like any real estate investment, buying in a college town comes with risks, particularly for investors. Think Animal House. Students are known to drink, punch holes through windows, spill beer on carpets, or just not be very responsible. Of course, it's possible to protect your investment by requiring tenants to provide security deposits and parental guarantees.

And though the pool of tenants in a university town is large, it's harder to find renters after the semester begins; the risk is that an apartment could go empty for a few months -- though there's always summer school.

A larger risk is that the subprime mortgage crisis could spread and the economy could fall into a deep recession. In that situation, home prices in college towns might not drop as much as other places, investors say.

In Austin, home prices near campus are already so high that investors can't necessarily expect to cover a mortgage with rental income unless they come up with a significant down payment, says Jay Carter, a Realtor with Livinginaustin.com. But buying a home can still make a good investment in terms of appreciation.

Carter says enrollment is growing, but there's a risk that the credit crunch could spread to the student loan market, pushing up interest rates and making college more expensive. "The area around the University of Texas campus is tighter than ever, and demand will always be there no matter what the economy is doing," he says. "UT students are competing (for apartments) with a large number of non-UT students who just want to live in that area of town. There's a huge urban boom in Austin."

A Tight Market

Home prices next to the University of Florida campus in Gainesville have been strong despite Florida's real estate downturn, says Dave Ferro, a Realtor with Bosshardt Realty Services. Foreclosures are more common farther away from campus, he says, but finding a good investment property close to campus is difficult because sellers are few and prices are relatively high.

"When the market is hot, it's difficult to buy a property that you can break even on in terms of renting," Ferro says. "Things have changed a little bit, but properties around campus are like waterfront."

If you want to invest in college towns but don't want to get involved with buying real estate, Zaransky suggests buying shares of real estate investment trusts. REITS that invest in student housing include American Campus Communities (NYSE:ACC - News), Education Realty Trust (NYSE:EDR - News), and GMH Communities (NYSE:GCT - News).

Check out the BusinessWeek.com slide show to see how well the housing markets in 25 U.S. college towns have fared.

5 Tips for Making College Affordable

2008-03-31T21:34:00.000-06:00

The pressure on parents and their children alike to choose the right college is as fervent as ever before. The competition has turned global and it’s imperative to make sure you’re ready to make the right decision. Subsequently, the costs of tuition have skyrocketed. In an uncertain economy it’s crucial you are prepared for the impending expenses associated with your child’s higher education in this country. Here a few ways you can be prepared:

Start planning now. The earlier you and your child begin the college search, the easier it will be to figure out expenses. Applying by junior year in high school allows families to take advantage of countless financial aid opportunities. If the search isn’t started until the last minute then the chances are that most grants and similar avenues of financial support will be gone. Engaging your child in the effort will make them aware of the huge undertaking that comprises this process.
Turn to the Feds. Federal student aid is available only by filling out a FAFSA. This is the only way you can tap in U.S. government loans, grants and scholarship money. The sooner the forms are completed, the better your chances are for receiving the crucial financial aid you need.
Check your employer for benefits. Many companies now offer assistance for their employees’ children’s college tuition costs. This is as simple as checking with your Human Resources office. Many corporate companies offer scholarships such as Pepsi and McDonalds. Take advantage of any available dollars out there. These are often ultra-competitive but are definitely worth looking into; you just never know how impressive your child may be.
Don’t be afraid to reveal your heritage. There are many financial opportunities around the world for people of distinct religious or ethnic backgrounds. There are many Web sites available that can help you sift through the different scholarships available. Many of these sites will allow you to simply fill out a survey of your child’s background and do the searches for you.
Let your community assist in the effort. Your local Rotary Club, American Legion Posts and Boosters foundations have specific funds set aside to help local students make college affordable. The big national scholarship funds are highly competitive, whereas the local opportunities are often disregarded. Your child’s guidance office will be able to work together a list to help find out what your community has available.

Susan Jacobs is a freelance writer as well as a regular contributor for CollegeDegree.com, a site helping students select an online college degree. Susan invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address susan.jacobs45@gmail.com.

Editorial from The Harvard Crimson on Improving Higher Education

2008-03-31T21:32:00.000-06:00

Improving Higher Education

Published On Monday, March 31, 2008 1:07 AM
By ROBERT L. FREEDMAN

There is considerable ferment in the academic world today—about the high cost of college, about the curriculum and what students actually learn and should learn, about teaching methods, and about the quality of student life. What can be done to channel these concerns constructively into improvements?

Insiders agree that the colleges cannot by themselves make the necessary changes. In “Our Underachieving Colleges,” former Harvard President Derek Bok has written that “it would be myopic simply to wait in the hope that reform will emerge spontaneously from within.” But engaged alumni, trustees and parents can make change happen. They have more power and influence than they realize.

Alumni elect the governing boards of many colleges, but relatively few bother to vote. At Harvard, less than 10 percent of the 330,000 alums vote. More should; and they should vote for those candidates who have a strong interest in improving higher education, who can work cooperatively with others, who are open-minded, who are seriously interested in the issues higher education faces today, and who are willing to express their views and not simply rubber stamp whatever is presented to them. These are not necessarily those alums who are the biggest cheerleaders or the biggest donors to their alma mater.

Most college trustees have taken a docile role regarding the issues involved in the current ferment in the academic world. They seem to think of themselves only as fund raisers who should leave all other matters entirely to the college administrators and faculty. But they are fiduciaries who should not abdicate their responsibilities.

Trustees should make it their business to speak up for the students when the occasion demands, because the students themselves come and go and have little influence. To cite just one small example, last year at Harvard an enterprising student noticed that the Harvard Coop was selling the required books at high prices. So the student decided to publish a list of required books with their ISBN numbers online to make it easy for students to order them from other sources. As the student made his way through the Coop writing down these numbers, he was threatened with arrest for stealing proprietary information! In the brouhaha that followed, some faculty members justified the Coop’s monopoly prices by citing the service the Coop performed in reminding the faculty to get their lists of required books into the Coop in time for classes. This illustrates in a small way the imbalance between the convenience of faculty and the interests of students. Students already pay high prices for books. To pay even more to remind the faculty to do their job is outrageous.

Parents of current students can and should play a role too. But today most parents work like dogs (and get their children to work like dogs) to get them into the “best” college, and then, as Tom Wolfe has written in a foreword to “Declining by Degrees,” do not show “the slightest curiosity about what happens to them once they get” to college.

Parents and trustees should ask questions. For example, what sorts of policies does the college have in place to prevent a rush to judgment such as occurred a few years ago at Duke and severely harmed its innocent lacrosse players?

Parents could insist that they be informed whenever the college believes their child is in trouble. While there are privacy rules to consider, we should never again see the tragedy that occurred at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology last year when the college denied a student’s mother access to her son’s dorm room and computer until she obtained a search warrant, even though the Federal Bureau of Investigation was searching for him as a missing person. The student was found dead a week later.

Trustees, alumni, and parents have no right to micromanage the faculty or the administration, but they should take an interest in whether students receive a broad liberal education, effective teaching, skilled advising, and an enriching and satisfying college experience. Too often today they don’t know and don’t care. I believe it’s time for a change.

Robert L. Freedman ‘62 is a petition candidate for election to Harvard’s Board of Overseers. His Web site is www.freedmanforoverseer.com.

Financial Options for College Students

2008-03-31T21:18:00.001-06:00

Many college students still rely on their parents for financial support throughout most of their college years. It used to be a bit more difficult in past years to “share” money but in today’s society there is many more option for making money available to far-away college students. One of the more common ways for parents to ensure students have access to funds is by establishing a joint bank account, either checking or savings, where both the student and the parent can make deposits and withdrawals conveniently. Students can write checks or use a bank card to purchase books or other supplies they might need.

Students may also be listed on credit cards as an authorized card user. Parents can set spending limits, often through the card company and must establish guidelines for responsible spending and credit card usage until the student is ready to begin building up their own credit.

Another option outside of traditional banking methods can be done through Paypal, where an account can be accessed by both student and parent nearly instantaneously. While a bank account is a requirement of the account setup process, parents of students who may attend school outside of the state or in an area where there are no branches of the banking institution, can utilize the service to transfer money into the student’s account, and the student can access the funds through the debit card at an ATM or most retail locations.

Obviously, cash is an easy option but perhaps not always a wise one. Having a large amount of cash on hand can leave the student vulnerable to thief or other criminal acts. Also, it may be a temptation for the student to spend it frivolously simply because it’s there.

Not matter what route you choose to take, parents and their children need to work together to develop a solid, working financial plan. Each party should know exactly what is going on and what is expected. If a student is given a credit card for use at school, there needs to be an understanding of who is paying the bill and what purchases are approved. Both parent and student need to keep an open line of communication about money matters and have realistic expectations. For many college students, this will be the first lesson in real world responsibilities. Having a solid foundation financially as a student will help to better prepare them for the future outside of the campus.

There are many options to consider during what is usually a hectic time. Being prepared before sending your kids off to the dorm is everyone’s best interest. Research the financial options available to college students and parents. Contact the college and ask for planning materials and other information that can help keep things in perspective. College educations are certainly not getting any cheaper and financial issues should not be kept hidden from the student. It is an excellent life lesson for the next generation of adults.

* * * *

Tisha Kulak is a writer for www.creditorweb.com, where she writes about student credit cards and responsible credit card use.

Students Urged To Know Their Rights

2008-03-26T17:09:00.001-06:00

Students Urged To Know Their Rights

By:Karen Forman
03/26/2008

When it comes to getting a college loan, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is looking to make sure high school students know their rights. In order to bring attention to the Student Bill of Rights, Cuomo's staff members have been traveling around the state to educate area high school teenagers about the ins and outs of student loans, making a stop in Suffolk on March 18 to meet with Longwood High School students.

Read more: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19424619&BRD=1776&PAG=461&dept_id=6363&rfi=6

Credit woes put student loans in jeopardy

2008-03-26T17:07:00.000-06:00

March 26, 2008, 12:14AM
Credit woes put student loans in jeopardy

By LISA SANDBERG
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN — The nation's credit crunch is taking a toll on a sector of the population that tends to be unemployed and untested when it comes to repaying debt: college students.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5648864.html

College parents must steer students towards financial independence

2008-03-26T17:05:00.000-06:00

READY TO CHARGE?

By Tom Hartwell, The Vicksburg Post

[03/26/08]

Some teens prepared to use plastic, some not

Felicia Jacobson said alarm bells rang when a student came into her office one day elated: she had just gotten a credit card.

"She said, 'Ms. Jacobson, Ms. Jacobson! Guess what?'"

Jacobson, director of Vicksburg High School's career center, said she was troubled to learn the student celebrated getting her new credit card by going on a small spending spree with her boyfriend.

"I said, 'OK, do you know how that credit card works? And she really didn't.'"

Worried that other students had a weak grasp on the concept of credit, Jacobson contacted bankers and credit workers and asked them to speak to the school's seniors about good credit management and the dangers of getting into debt.
"We're into the age where we want instant gratification and instant everything," Jacobson said.

As teens prepare to enter the working world or go off to college, parents must think about how to steer them into financial independence.

Read more: http://www.vicksburgpost.com/articles/2008/03/26/news/schyth01.txt

Helicopter parents hover over children's lives

2008-02-20T09:47:00.003-07:00

"Helicopter parents," is the new label given to parents who pay very close attention to their child's lives, especially when their kids are away at college.

Students with helicopter parents were happier with their college experience and excelled in critical thinking and writing, according to a study conducted by the National Survey of Student Engagement.

For http://media.www.royalpurplenews.com/media/storage/paper1225/news/2008/02/20/Lifestyle/Helicoptor.Parents.Hover.Over.Childrens.Lives-3219781.shtml

A parent's guide to college prep

2008-02-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

When Marie Pinak Carr began tearfully sending her three daughters to college, she feared she would flunk her first tests as a college parent.

By asking questions, getting organized and sharing responsibilities with her daughters, Carr, 53, eventually emerged an ace. In her self-published book, "The Prepared Parent's Operational Manual: Sending Your Child to College," the Washington, D.C., mom and Syracuse University alum presents what her family has learned "the hard way."

For the full article, please go to: http://www.nj.com/business/expresstimes/index.ssf?/base/business-1/1203397512230720.xml&coll=2

Sex, Drugs And Alcohol: Parents Still Influence College Kids' Risky Behavior, Study Shows

2008-02-18T12:14:00.001-07:00

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080210094643.htm

New research shows that parents influence their child's likelihood of involvement with drugs, alcohol and risky sexual activity even after their child leaves for college. Specifically, students who said their fathers were in the loop had a lower likelihood of doing drugs or engaging in risky sexual behaviors. When mothers were in the know, students were less likely to drink alcohol. The protective effect of mothers' awareness was more pronounced when the students also felt close to their mom. Under those circumstances, the researchers found that students were less likely to be involved in any of the three risk behavior categories studied: drugs, alcohol and risky sexual activity.

Readers Digest ranks the "Safety Preparedness" of various campuses

2008-02-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

In the wake of Thursday's Northern Illinois University shootings, campus safety is back in the spotlight. RD did its own research and found many colleges are getting smart about new risks. Reader's Digest gives out grades and tells parents what to study up on.
Article By Lisa Collier Cool With Fran Lostys
Read the full article here: http://www.rd.com/family/parenting/parenting-and-education/is-your-college-student-safe-at-school/article.html

Mother knows best: parents still influence college freshmen’s behavior

2008-02-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

The study, conducted at Brigham Young University (appropriate!), found that students who talk regularly with their fathers were less likely to do drugs or engage in risky sexual behaviors. When students kept in touch with their mothers, they were less likely to drink alcohol. Those who were reportedly tight with their moms engaged in less risky behavior overall. No word on the relative effect on Rock and Roll.

For the full report, please go to: http://andreabartz.com/2008/02/10/mother-knows-best-parents-still-influence-college-freshmens-behavior/

Tuition Assistance for the Middle Class

2008-02-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

An analysis from Business Week.com:

Why recent moves by Harvard and other educational heavyweights to lighten the financial load for middle-income families won't be copied at many schools

http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/feb2008/bs2008023_374181.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

Helicopter Parents and Other Exaggerations

2008-02-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

In a refreshing anti-bogus trend story, Eric Hoover reports the following($) in The Chronicle of Higher Education about the alleged growth of "helicopter parents" who supposedly can't let go of their darling children and hover over them in college, thus spoiling them into adulthood and beyond. This meme has grown so prevalent that it was the topic of a week-long series of Tank McNamara, and there is of course no more reliable filter and promoter of bland conventional wisdom than the daily comics.

For the full report, please go to:

http://www.quickanded.com/2008/02/helicopter-parents-and-other.html

National Survey of College and University Parent Programs

2008-02-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

As colleges and universities nationally are considering the development or restructuring of services and programming for parents of their students, questions arise about how to establish, staff, and provide appropriate services. Since 2003, the University of Minnesota Parent Program has conducted a biannual National Survey of College and University Parent Programs. The survey includes questions to track trends in parent services and structures, staffing, and best practices.

For the complete article please go to: http://www.parent.umn.edu/parentsurveys.html

Survey finds most freshmen satisfied with close parental involvement

2008-01-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

While college officials nationwide say they have seen an increase in parents who are heavily involved in the college experiences of their children, a strong majority of today's college freshmen believe their parents are involved the "right amount," according to UCLA's annual survey of the nation's entering undergraduates.
For the full article, please go to: http://newsroom.ucla.edu/portal/ucla/xx-42995.aspx

Parental Involvement Wanted

2008-01-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

For all the talk of “helicopter parents” making too many college-related decisions, perhaps today’s students are happy with the hovering. The overwhelming majority of freshmen at four-year institutions think that their parents are involved the “right amount” in key college decisions, according to the annual survey of college freshmen, being released today by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California at Los Angeles.

For the full article please go to: http://insidehighered.com/layout/set/print/news/2008/01/24/frosh

Study: Colleges shouldn't fret over hands-on parents

2008-01-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

More bad news for college officials who say too many parents are micromanaging their children's lives: Most college-bound kids seem to welcome the involvement.
About three-quarters of this year's college freshmen reported that their parents were involved the "right amount" in a variety of activities related to choosing and enrolling in college, a survey released today says. The rest, meanwhile, were more likely to say their parents were involved too little than too much.

For the full article please go to: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-01-23-helicopter-parents-freshmen_N.htm

Helicopter parents? Kids don't mind

2008-01-24T08:16:00.001-07:00

The conventional wisdom has it that so-called helicopter parents are annoying their children by hovering over their every move as they apply to college. But it turns out most freshmen are happy with how involved mom and dad were during their college search.

For the full article, please go to: http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/756088,heli012308.article

New Study Gives Hovering College Parents Extra Credit

2008-01-17T09:42:00.001-07:00

Despite the negative reputation of "helicopter parents," those moms and dads who hover over children in college and swoop into their academic affairs appear to be doing plenty of good.
That's the conclusion of one of the nation's most respected college surveys in a report, to be released today, that experts call the first to examine the effects of helicopter parenting

For the full article, please go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/04/AR2007110401754.html?referrer=emailarticle

Giving Parents Credit Where It's Due

2008-01-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

A new survey confirms what college parent offices across the country have known for years: Parents’ support does make a difference in the lives of students!
According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, students with involved parents – also known as “helicopter” parents – are more active in and happy with their college experiences.

For the full article, please go to: http://www.smu.edu/audience/parents/ask-deanie/AskDeanie-2007nov.asp

Parents keep closer tabs on college students

2008-01-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

CHARLESTON — When Anna Saylor, now a senior at Eastern Illinois University, first learned her father would be keeping tabs on her via quarterly meetings of the EIU Parents Club, she surprisingly voiced no objections.She simply replied, “That’s four times a year you can buy me dinner,” said her father, Jeff Saylor, a Georgetown resident and president of the Parents Club.Such increased involvement in their children’s college experience motivates most of the 2,000 or so members of the EIU Parents Club, according to officials, who would like to see even more participation by parents — especially those living near the Charleston university.
For the full article please go to: http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2008/01/07/news/doc4781a86d49697602597187.txt

Curbing Student Drinking with More Friday Classes

2008-01-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

From the Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2008

By DEAN TREFTZ
January 7, 2008
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- What to do about college students who drink heavily on Thursday night? Put a price on their heads.

University of Iowa officials are so concerned about binge drinking among students, they're offering departments extra funds to hold more classes on Fridays. The spur for that? A study that found early Friday classes reduced heavy drinking the night before.

Only around 1,400 classes are held on Fridays, compared with about 2,400 on Mondays through Thursdays. Because professors often schedule classes between Monday and Thursday, many students are free to make merry on Thursday night and recover Friday, thus allowing them to get drunk again that night.

"Sometimes a Thursday will definitely beat out a Saturday," says University of Iowa sophomore Greg Meyer, 20, bouncing outside a bar in the popular downtown district near campus.

The plan will take effect in fall 2008, but it's not mandatory. And the extra money is the only thing to persuade departments to change schedules. The liberal arts college has said it will give departments $20 for every student in each class that is changed to include Friday lectures or discussions. While some administrators say the money won't make much of an impact, departments with large lectures of 300 or 400 students could stand to gain more than $10,000.

Pushes to curb student drinking are nothing new in this college town: A recent city referendum to ban underage patrons from bars after 10 p.m. would have passed if not for a suddenly robust student turnout. The bar curfew here already expels those under 19 after 10 p.m., and some residents have been calling on the City Council to increase that age to 21 for several years.

The university has long talked of increasing the number of Friday classes, but didn't take action until this summer, when a University of Missouri study found that early Friday classes reduced binge drinking on Thursdays. About 54% of men and 43% of women were likely to binge drink on Thursdays without the threat of Friday classes, according to the study.

Largely through its lively downtown bar scene, the University of Iowa has garnered something of a drinking reputation, ranking No. 12 on Princeton's 2008 list of party schools.

Iowa officials tried to promote nonalcoholic alternatives in 2001 by subsidizing passes to an arcade near downtown, but the idea never caught fire and the arcade left in 2003. Now the school is taking a more direct approach.

"It's always more effective to offer people more incentives to do the right thing," says Vice Provost Tom Rocklin. "The primary goal is to send a clear message to students on what it means to be a full-time [student] seriously."

Some professors argue they need Fridays for nonclassroom work, and while Mr. Rocklin hopes the change can cut into three-day weekends, he says that "I don't have any illusions -- this won't be a silver bullet."

Meanwhile, most student barflies scoff that the measure will merely increase in-class misery. "I go to class on Friday; they're all [messed] up and hungover," says Krista Farnsworth, perched on a barstool on a recent Thursday night. "They hate class, but they're there."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119680917665613624.html?mod=hpp_us_inside_today

2008-01-07T10:35:00.001-07:00

Study: Parents Main Influence in College Choices
A recent report from the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative, Deciding on Postsecondary Education, concludes that parents play a significant role in their children's college aspirations and selections.From the report:>A variety of individuals interact with students in multiple ways, shaping their predispositions, assisting in the college search, and influencing their choices. Regardless of socioeconomic status (SES) or ethnic and racial category, parents play the strongest role in the college choice and decisionmaking processes for traditional-aged students.>
For the full report, please go to: http://historicalpresent.blogspot.com/2008/01/study-parents-main-influence-in-college.html

In they swoop to direct their children's career: the helicopter parents have landed

2008-01-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

Meet the helicopter parents, so-called because they hover over their children, interfering and directing their lives in a way that would probably have embarrassed standard pushy parents.

For the full article, please go to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2234317,00.html

We need your help!

2008-01-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Parents -

We have received a media request about a story on baby boomer parents and the challenges they face in saving for retirement and, if so inclined, helping to pay for their children's college tuition. If you are a parent currently preparing for or dealing with this situation, and would be willing to talk to a reporter - please email me at sarah@universityparent.com

Thank you for your help!

Sarah

Nine-week course helps parents navigate college readiness process

2008-01-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

SANTA CRUZ -- Mexico-born handyman Hugo Palafox knew the best way to prepare his teenage children for college was to go back to school himself."I wanted to give them something better that I never had," said the father of four, who was among 29 others to graduate Thursday night from Harbor High School's first-ever class designed to help multicultural parents navigate the transition to college.The nine-week Parent Institute for Quality Education, or PIQE, which Harbor High officials launched primarily to reach out to Latino families, taught parents how to prepare their students for college-placement exams and weave through the complicated college financial aid and admissions processes.

For the full article, please go to: http://texasedequity.blogspot.com/2007/12/nine-week-course-helps-parents-navigate.html

Helicopter Parents

2008-01-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

ARE YOU A HELICOPTER PARENT? You've heard of them. They're in constant contact with their children and make most of the big decisions for them. And when things get tough, they're all too ready to take their children's side and fight their battles for them. They're the ever-hovering helicopter parents.
For the full article, please go to: http://www.wptv.com/content/segments/smartwomen/story.aspx?content_id=f8a81636-472c-4b1b-bc35-e794cfbaa54d

College Admissions, Financial Aid, and All That Jazz

2008-01-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Colleges should have figured out by now that the parents of schooled children are, by necessity, homeschooling college admissions. Parents take an interest, a profound interest, in everything associated with getting their children launched into successful futures, and when public high school counselors are each serving 250 or more students, parents are aware that they need to look out for their child's interests, because if they do not, who will?

For the full article, please go to: http://historicalpresent.blogspot.com/2007/12/college-admissions-financial-aid-and.html

Great article to engage students as partners in parent's quest to pay for college

2007-12-21T09:29:00.001-07:00

Paying for College a Team Effort

Parents and children should share education costs. The key is to find the right balance for each party.
By Janet Bodnar
December 19, 2007

Regarding your recent columns on paying for college: Parents need to discuss college financing with their children and be honest about how much they can afford to pay. It's not right to let your child believe that you can afford his or her dream college. A child should be a partner in his or her future, not a spectator.

Read the article online at http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/drt/archive/2007/dt071219.html

Helicopter parents

2007-12-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

These days, they are as much a part of college life as all-nighters and the freshman fifteen. Helicopter parents -- parents who hover over their kids, not ready to completely let go. Many parents may have one of three helicopter styles when it comes to their young adult children.

For the full article, please go to: http://news14.com/content/headlines/590732/helicopter-parents/Default.aspx

Helicopter Parents: Are You One of Them?

2007-12-20T09:34:00.001-07:00

The term "helicopter parents" has gained some prominence over the past few years to describe some parents of Gen Y young adults. These parents are always hovering over their children, hence the reference to helicopters. Rather than allowing their children to make the mistakes which are necessary for them to become independent, these parents are in constant contact with their children and make most of the big decisions for them. To compound the problem, whenever their children face adversity, they know that their parents will be at their side and that the fights will be carried out by the parents, ostensibly on behalf of their children.
For the full article, please go to: http://www.collegerecruiter.com/weblog/archives/2007/03/helicopter_parents_are_you_one_of_them.php

The Perils and Perks of Helicopter Parents

2007-12-20T09:11:00.001-07:00

"Helicopter," "hovercraft," "hummingbird." They're terms used to describe parents who micromanage their children, especially during the college application process. Although the slang is not meant to be complimentary, some parents take pride in their helicopter status. "I acknowledge that there is a very fine line that separates a parent who is 'involved' from one who is 'overinvolved," confesses Sally Rubenstone, a self-professed helicopter mom to be and senior counselor at College Confidential. "And, often, it is better to err on the side of the latter, rather than to not provide adequate guidance and support to kids who need it.... A student who is a brilliant scientist or an amazing artist isn't necessarily a super secretary."
For the full article, please go to: http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/2007/12/18/the-perils-and-perks-of-helicopter-parents.html

Helicopter parents' role up in the air

2007-12-13T09:19:00.001-07:00

So-called helicopter parents, tethered to their college students by cellphone and computer, may not be holding back their kids after all. Despite college administrators' concerns that hovering parents keep students from learning to manage their own affairs, "students who report frequent contact with their support system are, overall, more engaged" in college, says George Kuh, director of the National Survey of Student Engagement.

For the full article please go to: http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2007-11-04-nsse-helicopter-parents_N.htm

Are you a helicopter parent?

2007-12-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever rewritten your son’s college term paper?
Or called his English professor to argue for a better grade?
Perhaps you’ve interfered in his roommate troubles?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might be a “helicopter parent.” The term refers to moms and dads who hover over their children and swoop in to fix their problems.
So-called “helicopter parents” have earned a bad rep for their meddlesome ways, such as scheduling their children’s classes or calling them daily before their morning class.

For the full article, please go to: http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=280103

Harvard Moves to Cut Prices Amid Worries About Affordability

2007-12-10T17:04:00.000-07:00

BY JOHN HECHINGER
Harvard University sweetened its financial aid for middle class and upper middle-class families, responding to criticism that elite colleges have become unaffordable for ordinary Americans.

The Ivy League school said undergraduates whose families earn up to $180,000 would be asked to pay 10% or less of their incomes annually for the cost of Harvard, which this year totals $45,456. The university said the initiative would ...http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119731017194819610.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news

Here's the statement directly from Harvard:
http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/12.13/99-finaid.html

Cambridge, Mass. – Harvard President Drew Faust and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Michael D. Smith today (Dec. 10) announced a sweeping overhaul of financial aid policies designed to make Harvard College more affordable for families across the income spectrum. The new initiative focuses on ensuring greater affordability for middle- and upper-middle-income families through major enhancements to grant aid, the elimination of student loans, and the removal of home equity from financial aid calculations.

This initiative builds on Harvard’s recent pathbreaking policies to ensure that families with incomes below $60,000 are not asked to contribute to the cost of sending their children to Harvard...
--
What do parents think about this move by Harvard?

Not Enough Taking Advantage of College 529 Savings Plans

2007-12-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

According to TheStreet.com, The typical American family is on track to cover 24% of the cost of its children's college education, based on their current and expected savings, according to a survey by Fidelity Investments.

Check out the article at: http://www.thestreet.com/s/dont-use-a-529-college-savings-plan-maybe-you-should/funds/saving-money/10393099.html?puc=_googlen?cm_ven=GOOGLEN&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA

Colleges Move Boldly on Student Drinking

2007-12-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

Today, the Wall Street Journal published an article which details how colleges contact parents of students who are caught drinking underage.

The article discusses a few interesting points - such as - (1) Is it appropriate for a university to notify a parent if the student is over 18? Does this create a partnership or adversarial relationship with the parent? What is the purpose of notifying the parent especially if it is a one-time occurrence? (2) Is alcohol abuse really a health issue? If it were deemed a "health issue," then the university would not be allowed to notify a parent under HIPAA.

Do you think colleges should notify parents about student's underage drinking?

Read the Wall Street Journal article online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119690910535115405.html?mod=hpp_us_editors_picks#

Students, their parents see adulthood as far off

2007-12-06T10:29:00.001-07:00

More and more parents consider their college kids just that — kids still, not adults — and their 18- to 25-year-old children actually agree with mom and dad, according to a Brigham Young University study published Wednesday.
Children are delaying adulthood deep into their 20s, creating a new group between teenagers and adults that BYU researcher Larry Nelson calls "emerging adults" and that others have called Peter Pan kids. The shift in American society is causing some growing pains for children and parents alike.

For the full article please go to: http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695233656,00.html

CBS News Explores "Generation Rx"

2007-12-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

WEEK NOVEMBER 19 - GENERATION RX - Teen abuse of prescription drugs has TRIPLED in the past ten years. We go inside this epidemic for an intimate look at the users, dealers and people trying to fight it.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, PART 1

THE NEW CAMPUS HIGH - We meet a college kid abusing ADHD drugs to stay focused and to compete. We visit a town that lost several kids, including the Police Chief's own son. Katie Couric reports.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, PART 2

CAN MARK BE SAVED? We go to rehab with a 23-year-old addict, whose habit cost his parents everything they'd worked for. It killed his best friend. His video diary takes us on his journey to clean up. Katie Couric reports.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, PART 3

THE DEALER AND THE DOCTOR: An attractive young drug dealer shows us how he worked the strip of pain clinics so prevalent in Florida. He tells us all about his partnership with a doctor. The dealer may LOOK like a movie star, but operated like a stone cold drug lord.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, PART 4

NEW TREATMENT: A medication that promises to make treatment for prescription drug abuse easier, more private. Suboxone controls cravings like methadone – but has none of the stigma because addicts can get it from their doctors, rather than methadone clinic. The hope is that Suboxone will do for drug addiction what SSRI's like Prozac did for depression, convince primary care physicians that addiction is a chronic brain disease, not a character flaw. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.

Check out: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/26/eveningnews/main3541082.shtml

Current College Admissions Practices

2007-12-03T17:25:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Chronicle
Joanne Levy-Prewitt
Sunday, December 2, 2007

College Bound
A weekly guide to higher education

Question: My wife and I are guardians of our grandson, a sophomore in high school. He plays football and, despite several moves and family turmoil in the past few years, gets good grades. An acquaintance told us that to get into college, our grandson must do more, such as do civic volunteer work, be active in our church, or play multiple sports. She suggested he get a job after school, too.

Is this true? We are retired and are dedicated to giving him everything he needs. We realize that times have changed since our own children went to college.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/02/BAFUTJBAB.DTL

‘Helicopter parents’ increasing at colleges

2007-12-03T09:03:00.000-07:00

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, wait, it’s a parent. A helicopter parent.
They are named for their tendency to hover over their children, micro-managing every aspect of their lives from academics and extra-curricular activities to volunteer work and social relationships.Faculty and staff at Penn State Schuylkill are noticing a trend of growing parental involvement in the lives of college students.

For the full article please go to: http://www.republicanherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19077024&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=532624&rfi=6

'Helicopter parenting' not negative, survey says

2007-11-15T16:46:00.002-07:00

The survey, conducted by the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), found that students whose parents were heavily involved in their lives at college reported a better overall college experience and engaged more frequently in "deep learning activities."
For the full article, please go to: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2007/11/15/helicopter_parenting_not_negat.aspx

Some parents just won't let go

2007-11-15T16:46:00.001-07:00

College administrators grumble about the rise of "helicopter parents," moms and dads who keep hovering over the lives of their children even after they leave for college.
For the full report, please go to: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Nov/15/ln/hawaii711150318.html