Expert: Bruce - 1/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: My son is an A student and currently a junior at a academically challenging Christian high school in Indy.  He had high grade in the AP Physics, has a high aptitude for math and also aced and loved Chemistry.  He's thinking about chemical engineering.  He wants to play college soccer as well.  My brother, engineer turned Harvard MBA and pharma marketing/strategic specialist, has encouraged him to attend a school that is not strictly engineering in the event that he changes his mind midway through so he doesn't get stuck (as he did).  I agree.  We (his parents) would also really like him to attend a Christian school.  He is the oldest of six (youngest is 2).  While I am a successful professional, I have told the kids they are responsible for their own college expenses as we have so many currently in private schools and they should not plan on our financial support (plus they will value their education more if they truly own it).  While he is not Div 1 talent, he may be D2 or D3.  D3 often will find non-athletic money for their student athletes in need -- especially bright ones.  Can you give some colleges for us to encourage him to evaluate.

ANSWER: Based on what you've outlined here, I would take a look at these schools;

Wheaton
Calvin
Taylor
Houghton
LeTourneau

All of these are Christian schools with good academic programs. LeTourneau has a fine niche as the Tech School of the Christian college world. The others all offer fine educations and have the sciences your son will need; and some will also do engineering or have 3-2 arrangements in place with good engineering schools.

Athletically, you'll want to take a look at the NAIA in addition to the NCAA level schools. NAIA often is comparable to D2, but does not meet D2 standards in certain ways (by not having a specified number of sports or full-time asst coaches, that sort of thing). NAIA schools, like Taylor and Houghton, can offer athletic aid.

Regarding paying for school, I have to be upfront and say that you place your son(children) in a potentially awkward place when you indicate that you will not likely provide funds for college.

From the college perspective, it is in part your responsibility (along with your child) to help pay for school, and colleges do not necessarily have the $$$$$ around to make up the gap, even if they admire your conviction.  I can tell you that some financial aid person is going to say to you along the way - "it was your choice to send your kids to private school, rather than hang onto that money for college. It seems like that's been a good decision, but we are not in a position to subsidize that choice."

The financial aid process is going to require that your child's eligibilty for need based aid be based on your family income. I do hope that you will at least complete the FAFSA for your child.  Here's how the aid process may will work.

The FAFSA will determine what your family can pay for your son's first year of college - let's say that figure comes to 7K.  The college will subtract that from the total cost, say 28K, and ocme up with need - in this case 21K.

The most that this school can award based on need is 21K. So even if your child got gift aid up to that level, there is still going to be that 7K gap remaining. If there is federal aid involved in any form, the college can not award aid in excess of demonstrated need.

It may be then that your child will need to look for a school where he can get a full ride, including R & B. There aren't alot of those out there, and to be honest, the better schools he looks at will have higher profiles and offer less $$$. He could get a big offer from a less competitive place - so it's gets tricky.What matters more, the better school or the better package??

I suggest you look at College of the Ozarks, which has a unique student work program and so is inexpensive. Also, if there is a state school your son could commute to, that should be on the list, if only as a backup. And keep the local 2 year college on the back burner.

There are some wealthy private colleges that meet 100% of a students' demonstrated need; Carlton, Hamilton, U of Chicago - places like that. They should be on your list, too.

Have your kids take both the SAT and ACT tests.

It would be a good idea for you to go online to one of the EFC estimators, to find out about how much your family contribution will be for college. This is probably the amount that's going to be an issue, even in the best aid package your son gets (unless he reels in one those full rides somewhere).

Good luck. I'm glad to answer more questions if you have them.

Bruce

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your insight.  My wife and I are DePauw alumni and appreciate a top level education and place that value over a less expensive choice.  We actually are looking at the Wheaton-Case Western 3:2 program as a possibility.  Taylor is a great school but no engineering of which I'm aware.  We'll take another look.  I look forward to checking out the other schools you listed as well.  We ARE active in helping him find money and guiding him through the process.  On another point you made, I understand that society has evolved to where it thinks children have a right to a college education and it is their parents' responsibility to finance it.  However, our slant on that is that it is the parents' responsibility to raise that child with the skills, talents and abilities to provide for himself and earn his/her own way (give them fish or teach them to fish?).  While we don't expect the schools/government to "subsidize our choices" I do feel that these children should be able to compete for the same scholarships as every other child.  If that child is such that the school would really desire to make him a alma mater supporting alumnus someday, they'll put their money out there to bring them in.  My son's high school is tough and does have a great guidance program.  57/80 2007 graduates of Covenant Christian High School earned merit-based scholarships totalling over $3.5 million.   A figure that has gradually risen over the last 4 years (the school is 12 years old). That's big money for even the best large public schools. That's not why my kids attend there but we are hoping that the investment reaps dividends (for them) financially as well as spiritually.  -- Roc

Answer
Roc,

Your point about giving your son the tools to compete for top dollars is well taken. I hope it works out that way for you. I'm just noting that from my experience, those full rides are hard to come by - but certainly go for it!

You have a couple of subtle things going for you - first, if this is your eldest child colleges may make a special effort, since they know that siblings often follow. Secondly, potential chem majors do not grow on trees, and that can help to secure $$$ from schools.

Let me talk athletics for a minute. I have a high school senior of my own who is receiving interest for soccer. He's had a nice career, 4th team all state NY even, this year, for small schools. And therein lies the problem. I have found that a definite small school bias exists. Even if your child stands out at that level coaches may not show the interest you will like to see. So, you will have to be proactive. Go to the college soccer team sites and fill out the recruiting survey, even now.

If your son plays travel or club soccer, that will help. But be prepared for coaches to not be as active as you might like, perhaps only becuase thay haven't heard of his high school.

I suggest that if you narrow the search to a serious top choice, send your son to that school's soccer camp this summer. That can be the best way for him to be seen by the coach you want recruiting him. Then in the senior year the schools will have recruit weekend events to which he may receive invitations.

BTW, you may want to add Princeton to your list. If your son gains admission, he will benefit from PU's no loan policy. Demonstrated need is met entirely with grants and scholarships. Princeton has the highest endowment per student in the Ivy League, I've been told, and has decided to use it this way. Good for them!

Also, Grove City is worth a look. Nice campus, great school, low cost - but be advised that they generally don't do much with financial aid. Division III sports.

Best wishes. Let me know if I can be helpful.

Bruce