tuition

Who Should Pay For Private School Tuition?
School

Mommy Dearest: OK to Insist on Paying For Nephew's Tuition?

Mommy Dearest, I loved school, but my brother and sister-in-law were never into academics.
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Mommy Dearest,

I loved school, but my brother and sister-in-law were never into academics. Their son (my nephew) is going into third grade and always talks about how bored he is in class. His test scores are extremely high and though his teacher recommended placing him in a nearby private school where he would be challenged, my brother isn't interested because of the cost. He hasn't even looked into scholarships which I can't understand. I make a good living and want my nephew to take advantage of the opportunity because I know he will do well at the school. Is it out of bounds for me to talk to my brother about footing the bill?

— Auntie Who Wants to Pay

Dear Auntie Who Wants to Pay,

I don't think there's any harm in extending the offer to your brother and sister-in-law. It's very generous of you, but be prepared in case they decline. There might be reasons (aside from academics) that they want their son to stay at his current school — friends, demographics, his comfort level, etc.

— Mommy Dearest

I'm Asking: How Much Was Your College Tuition?
education

I'm Asking: How Much Was Your College Tuition?

Many of the Gossip Girl cast will begin the next chapter of their lives as freshmen at NYU next week, and I can't wait to see what happens when the drama goes to college.
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Many of the Gossip Girl cast will begin the next chapter of their lives as freshmen at NYU next week, and I can't wait to see what happens when the drama goes to college. If they were really attending the university, it would cost $52,000 a year in tuition and room and board. Approximately how much was (or is) your college tuition?



Photo courtesy of the CW

Unemployed Woman Sues College — Does She Have a Case?
Poll

Unemployed Woman Sues College — Does She Have a Case?

It might be a first.
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It might be a first. Twenty-seven-year-old Trina Thompson filed a lawsuit against Monroe College for $70,000, the total of her tuition, with the claim that her alma mater has failed to deliver on its promises.

She graduated in April with a bachelor's degree in IT and hasn't yet found employment, a fact that she blames on the lack of leads and career advice from Monroe. A spokesman for the school insists the lawsuit is without merit. Do you think Trina has a case?

Entire UCF Charter Class to Go Through Medical School For Free
News

Entire UCF Charter Class to Go Through Medical School For Free

The new medical school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando isn't yet fully accredited, but it has attracted some impressive students with its unique financial offer for the school's charter class.
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The new medical school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando isn't yet fully accredited, but it has attracted some impressive students with its unique financial offer for the school's charter class. All 40 students have received full scholarships totaling $7 million, and the chief academic officer with the Association of American Medical Colleges commented, "It's the first time that an entire class will go through medical school completely debt free. I've never seen anything quite like this. It's a pretty gutsy thing to do."

The scholarship money was donated by members of the community, including individuals, hospitals, banks, and law firms. While the availability of full scholarships for the entire class will certainly get the word out about UCF's medical program, the dean of the medical school hopes a debt-free future will inspire students pursue their passion and said, "We believe that when they're not in debt, they do their very best work, and they're not handcuffed to any particular specialty."

Medical students often pursue careers as specialists, partially for the more lucrative salaries that come with those jobs. Without the burden of debt, the administration at UCF is hoping more students will choose to fill some of the state's shortage of primary care doctors.

The school received more than 4,400 applications and had only 40 spots to fill — would you apply to an unaccredited school under these unique circumstances?

Did Money Prevent You From Attending Your Dream College?
Poll

Did Money Prevent You From Attending Your Dream College?

A new study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling reports that 71 percent of high schools are saying more of their students are forgoing their "dream schools" this year than in the past.
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A new study by the National Association for College Admission Counseling reports that 71 percent of high schools are saying more of their students are forgoing their "dream schools" this year than in the past. One high school official wrote, "With the exception of one or two students, [money] was THE determining factor in their decision."

Did money prevent you from attending your dream college?

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Cheaper Alternatives to Traditional College Could Become More Commonplace
Student

No Frills Universities Could Become More Commonplace

There's no question the cost of higher education has reached unaffordable heights for many American families, particularly now that middle-aged parents are dealing with the loss of their retirement savings.
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There's no question the cost of higher education has reached unaffordable heights for many American families, particularly now that middle-aged parents are dealing with the loss of their retirement savings. Some colleges are drafting new ways for kids to go to college without paying an arm and a leg or having to forgo college as an option altogether.

According to Richard Vedder, director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, the average cost of higher education has increased approximately 3 percent above inflation annually. And with salaries staying put or being stripped because of job loss or pay-cuts, there's just no way American families can keep up. Here are a few ways some colleges are trying to make higher education a more affordable option.

  • No frills: Students at a private university in New Hampshire can get a 50 percent cut in tuition or more if they skip amenities and take courses at a satellite campus.
  • Flat fee: Richard Stockton College in New Jersey is offering students a flat rate to take 12 to 20 credits.
  • Going Euro: Some colleges are offering three-year degree programs commonly seen in European universities.

Would you have taken advantage of any of these options when you were looking into colleges?

Source

49 of 50 States Fail College Affordability Test
education

49 of 50 States Fail College Affordability Test

Whether you paid for college or your parents did, there was more motivation to do well in school than to graduate with an impressive GPA.
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Whether you paid for college or your parents did, there was more motivation to do well in school than to graduate with an impressive GPA. Tuition bills were reminders that if we didn't go to class or study, we were wasting our time and a mountain of money.

The cost of college is a strain for most families, and the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education sought to learn more about this reality in its study, "Measuring Up 2008: The National Report Card on Higher Education." Here are highlights from the findings.

  • The only state that passed the affordability test is California, which only scored a C-minus.
  • California received a passing grade because, according Pat Callan, president of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, "The state's community colleges are the best educational bargain in the country."
  • Pennsylvania has the least affordable state schools — on average, one year at a public university takes up 41 percent of family income.
  • Tennessee has the most affordable state schools, but the lower cost universities have not received good rankings.

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The 10 Most Expensive Colleges in the US
News

The 10 Most Expensive Colleges in the US

Now that the 2008-2009 school year is in full swing, the College Board has released the official numbers for the average cost of attending college this year, and CNN Money has developed a list of the 10 most expensive schools in the US.
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Now that the 2008-2009 school year is in full swing, the College Board has released the official numbers for the average cost of attending college this year, and CNN Money has developed a list of the 10 most expensive schools in the US. Is your alma mater on the list?


10 Most Expensive Colleges

  1. Wesleyan University: $38,934
  2. St. John's College: $39,154
  3. Columbia University: $39,326
  4. Colgate University: $39,545
  5. Carnegie Mellon University: $39,564

See the five priciest colleges when you read more

How Much Does College Cost in the 2008-2009 School Year?
Quiz

How Money Are You: Cost of College in 2008-2009 School Year

Even as the economy flounders, the cost of the college experience is continuing to increase according to numbers for this year's bill, just released by the College Board.
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Even as the economy flounders, the cost of the college experience is continuing to increase according to numbers for this year's bill, just released by the College Board. Let's all take a moment to be grateful for the college education we may have received, because in this economy, it's tougher for students and families to find the money for higher education. Take the quiz and make educated guesses about tuition and room and board in the current school year. How money are you?

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Take the Quiz
Most Expensive Universities: How Money Are You?
Quiz

Most Expensive Universities: How Money Are You?

Is the value of education priceless?
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Is the value of education priceless? Let's hope so because the cost of college is projected to continue rising in years to come. Total tuition doesn't necessarily imply the quality of education delivered by schools, and there's something to be said for making the most of your experience no matter what school your degree comes from. Do you know what are the most expensive four-year colleges in the world? Take the quiz!

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Take the Quiz