A Survey by MyCollegeOptions.org Shows Dramatic Lack of Understanding About Paying for College
Lee's Summit, MO, August 14, 2009 --(PR.com)-- According to an annual study conducted among students in the My College Options College Planning Program, a substantial percentage of students significantly overestimate the cost of college, and dramatically underestimate the amount of financial aid available to them.
This survey was conducted just prior to the start of the 2008-2009 school year, and included over 8,000 participants.
According to My College Options annual student research:
· A significant number of students believe they will not have any access to financial assistance: 33.6% of students estimate that they will receive no financial aid at all, including loans, when attending a major public university.
· Students rule out colleges based on cost without a complete understanding: 43% of first generation students report they would not consider a college costing over $20,000 per year.
· Students have a dramatic misconception about the cost of private And public colleges: 37.5% of students estimate costs at least 50% higher than the actual average cost of attending a major public university.
“There is obviously a deficit in financial aid information available to high school students. This could very easily have a negative impact on higher education this fall as colleges and universities across the country face the possibility of not meeting their enrollment goals,” said Ryan Munce, Vice President, My College Options. “However, the reality is that many financial assistance programs have actually increased or expanded.”
MyCollegeOptions.org is scheduled to reissue this study this month to measure any impact that the current economic conditions may be having on students’ perceptions of paying for college.
About MyCollegeOptions.org and NRCCUA®
MyCollegeOptions.org is a comprehensive, free online college planning service that is part of the National Research Center for College & University Admissions™ (NRCCUA®). NRCCUA is a non-profit education research organization based in Lee’s Summit, MO. For 38 years, NRCCUA has conducted the largest nationwide survey of high school students, which serves as a communications link between college-bound high school students and public and private colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.nrccua.org.
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This survey was conducted just prior to the start of the 2008-2009 school year, and included over 8,000 participants.
According to My College Options annual student research:
· A significant number of students believe they will not have any access to financial assistance: 33.6% of students estimate that they will receive no financial aid at all, including loans, when attending a major public university.
· Students rule out colleges based on cost without a complete understanding: 43% of first generation students report they would not consider a college costing over $20,000 per year.
· Students have a dramatic misconception about the cost of private And public colleges: 37.5% of students estimate costs at least 50% higher than the actual average cost of attending a major public university.
“There is obviously a deficit in financial aid information available to high school students. This could very easily have a negative impact on higher education this fall as colleges and universities across the country face the possibility of not meeting their enrollment goals,” said Ryan Munce, Vice President, My College Options. “However, the reality is that many financial assistance programs have actually increased or expanded.”
MyCollegeOptions.org is scheduled to reissue this study this month to measure any impact that the current economic conditions may be having on students’ perceptions of paying for college.
About MyCollegeOptions.org and NRCCUA®
MyCollegeOptions.org is a comprehensive, free online college planning service that is part of the National Research Center for College & University Admissions™ (NRCCUA®). NRCCUA is a non-profit education research organization based in Lee’s Summit, MO. For 38 years, NRCCUA has conducted the largest nationwide survey of high school students, which serves as a communications link between college-bound high school students and public and private colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.nrccua.org.
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Contact
My College Options
Cara Strothmann
800-862-7759
www.mycollegeoptions.org
Cara Strothmann
800-862-7759
www.mycollegeoptions.org
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