Editor's Note - Brief Article

Careers and Colleges, Nov, 2000

SCORE THE AID YOU DESERYF

Now in his first semester of his freshman year, my nephew N Peter Bordes is at his dream school--the State University of New York College at Cortland. The institution has everything he dreamed of--a respected elementary education program, a competitive hockey club (he lives for hockey), pizza delivery to the dorm, and a reasonable price.

To pay the bill, he applied for aid, and based on his family's finances, Cortland awarded him a package covering about one-third of the $10,554 cost. This financial aid package combines a state grant with both unsubsidized and subsidized Stafford loans. Plus, Peter won a New York State Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship, which provides an extra $1,000. The rest comes from family savings.

"The cost is definitely worth it," says Peter. "This is the No. 1 school in the state for teaching, and because it's small, I'm meeting a lot of new people; teachers are devoted; and the job placement office should definitely help me get a job later."

CAREERS & COLLEGES' How to Pay for College issue is dedicated to helping college-bound students, like Peter, get the financial aid and higher education they deserve. It's a comprehensive resource featuring essential information on applications, loans, scholarships, and grants, as well as cost-cutting tips and profiles of students who explain how they paid. If you have any experiences regarding college funding that you would like to share, please post your advice on our bulletin board at www.careersandcolleges.com or write to us at staff@careersandcolleges.com.

Don Rauf

Editor-in-Chief