I was pretty interested in Elmira College until I saw their cost of attendance. Given the high price tag, can anyone speak to if the cost is worth it? Or maybe share some suggestions on ways to potentially decrease the costs?
Sure, I can understand why you might be taken aback by the cost of Elmira College—it's definitely not a small amount. However, like with most colleges, very few students pay the full sticker price. Usually, college scholarships and grants reduce the actual amount that students and their families end up paying. You can use the Elmira Net Price Calculator to get a closer estimate of what you might pay: https://tcc.ruffalonl.com/Elmira%20College/Net-Price-Calculator. The tool takes into account full cost of attendance as well as likely aid and loans.
My suggestion to lower the cost would be to apply for financial aid and scholarships. Elmira College, for instance, offers a range of merit scholarships that can substantially cut down the cost of attendance. These scholarships are awarded based on your academic achievements (think GPA, class rank). You might also want to look into external scholarships. These are offered by organizations outside of Elmira, and you can use them at any college. An Internet search could help you find a swath of these opportunities.
Elmira College also offers a Tuition Remission program for the children of employees—if you have a parent working there, that may be worth investigating.
Finally, you'll want to fill out the FAFSA to be eligible for any federal or state aid. If you qualify, federal grants, work-study opportunities, or low-interest student loans can help make college more affordable.
In deciding if Elmira, or any college, is worth the cost, consider the potential return on your investment. Think about the strength of your desired program at Elmira, the post-college employment rates, starting salaries and so on. Reach out to the Career Center at Elmira for information. This can help you evaluate if the cost can be offset by future earnings and opportunities.
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