Getting Creative about affording Art & Design College
Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009
by Patricia Boman
Art & Design Educational Advisors
Students who want to attend an outstanding, although often very expensive, art college are usually overwhelmed when faced with the reality of actually paying for four years of high tuition.
In this tough economy, as more students and families struggle to pay basic bills, their ability to pay college tuition, fees and related expenses may be extremely limited.
However, with some creativity and planning it is possible for cash-strapped students to earn their degree from a respected college art and design program in a financially manageable way.
Here are some practical suggestions to consider:
1. Start saving
If your family has been saving even a small amount on a regular basis for college tuition, thats great. State-sponsored savings plans and prepaid tuition plans are among the savings options that may also offer tax advantages.
Many families, however, find it impossible to save even a small amount of money regularly. To help, high school students can work during the summers and, if possible, maintain a part time job during the school year. The majority of this money should be saved for college and not spent for anything other than necessities. This is a good time to reassess financial priorities.
Once at college, students can work a part time job on or off campus to help pay expenses. Students should plan to work full time during the summer. In the best case, this work can be related to the students area of career interest, helping them to gain valuable work experience.
One student I know was hired as an art director with a major corporation right out of college. She had worked part-time with a small design firm throughout college. This experience, combined with her ability, drive and a BFA degree, paid off with a higher level job than she might have otherwise landed.
If your family has been saving for college, but is now watching that college fund lose significant value, check with the colleges to which you are applying. Some of them may be among those colleges that have recently launched special programs to help students whose college funds have suffered losses.
2. Upromise
It is possible to save for college while making everyday purchases through the Upromise program. Sign-up is free. Whenever a you make a purchase at a Upromise partner, each partner credits a portion of your eligible spending back to you in the form of college savings. To learn more go to http://www.upromise.com
And if you take out a Sallie Mae loan to help you pay for college, you can use Upromise rewards to pay down your eligible student loans. For information visit
http://www.salliemae.com/content/landing/upromise/index.html?dtd_cell=smup1
3. Take AP classes in high school
Many colleges recognize AP (Advance Placement) classes for college credit. By earning AP credits students may find it possible to eliminate one or more undergraduate semesters, a huge savings.
Colleges, however, vary in their handling of AP credits so check with the particular colleges you are considering. Additionally, your can visit the College Board website which provides information on the AP credit policies of colleges. http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp
4. Take CLEP exams
CLEP exams (College Level Examination Program) measure a students proficiency in general education or liberal arts required subjects taken during the first two years of college. (English composition, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences and history, business and foreign languages.) Students who pass a number of CLEP exams can save hundreds, even thousands, in tuition. For more information go to http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html
5. Apply for financial aid early
Financial aid tends to be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. The first step is tocomplete the required FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Students can submit their FAFSA as early as January of the year they are applying to college. Take care to provide all of the requested information and to meet all financial aid deadlines.
Also, be willing to invest the time to research all forms of financial aid on the Internet: scholarships (merit and need based), awards and grants, employment and educational loans. Check with a variety of sources: the federal government, state government, the college or universities to which you are applying, parents employers, etc. You will learn a lot about financial aid options and chances are you will find scholarships or other programs for which you are eligible for that you would not have otherwise known about.
But beware of scholarship scams. Sallie Mae offers a safe, free scholarship search database for students and parents. For more information about it go to http://www.collegeanswer.com/paying/scholarship_search/pay_scholarship_search.jsp
6. Consider two years at a community college
One smart, but too often dismissed, choice is to attend a community college close to home for your first two years.
Although not a new idea, it is an option worth serious consideration these days. Attending a community college is one sure way for students to substantially cut the total cost of their college education while still working toward their ultimate goals.
Community colleges often do not get the respect they deserve. They offer a solid education at an affordable price. In two years, students can take their foundation level art and design courses as well as many of their general education courses. At the end of their two-year program, students can transfer to a four-year college art program to finish their education, earning their BFA degree.
At one community college in my area it is not unusual for a few students every year to be offered full scholarships to transfer to top art colleges after receiving their two-year associates degree.
Surprising? People are often not aware that the quality of community college facilities and faculty generally matches and sometimes surpasses those of four-year colleges. With their friendly, student-centered environments and high educational standards, community colleges are an excellent option, particularly in this tough economy as more students and families struggle to pay basic bills, let alone tuition and fees.
Even if a student is not offered a full scholarship, there are many four-year colleges that offer automatic admission and partial scholarships to community college transfer students.
Another advantage to attending a community college first, before transferring to a four-year college, is that students are then able to use the career services of two colleges to assist them with career planning and job searches.
Students who choose to attend community colleges or other less expensive institutions for their first two years, however, may need to be flexible when selecting the college to which they want to transfer. Some colleges simply may not have openings for transfer students in particular programs. This is something students often do not anticipate, but need to realize.
Additionally, some colleges may not accept all of the courses a transferring student has taken at a community college or other institution. For this reason, it is advisable for students to discuss their plans in advance with the admissions offices of the colleges they plan to apply to as transfer students.
Students do not necessarily need to wait until they graduate from high school to start taking classes at community colleges. In some states, high school students can begin classes while still in high school. Amazingly, it is even possible for some motivated high school students to graduate from high school with an associates degree as well.
7. Consider a very good, but less expensive college
If your first choice college does not give you the financial aid you need, reassess your options. Take another look at the financial aid packages and the attributes of the other colleges to which you have been accepted. One of them may offer both a good education and a financial aid package that makes that college an affordable choice.
If it is possible to attend a very good college in your area and to live at home, seriously consider doing that. The savings will be substantial.
8. Work first, then attend college
Again, this is not a new idea, but in these challenging economic times it is a path more students may want to consider. There can be significant intangible benefits to staying home, working and saving. Students who take time out after high school to earn money for college, gain maturity, focus and job skills while adding to their college fund. Older, wiser and often more appreciative of the opportunity to attend college, these students typically work hard to make the most of their college experience.
9. Online Courses
Better yet, consider taking online courses from an accredited college or university while living at home and working. Students can then apply as a transfer student to four-year colleges when they are ready.
It is important to note that students still pay tuition for online courses. However, they will save commuting time and transportation costs. Flexible scheduling allows students to fit their classes around their work schedules.
Because art and design classes are hands-on and involve valuable interactions with the instructor and other students, I recommend taking them in the traditional classroom/studio environment at a college or university rather than online.
1 0. What can you sell?
Take advantage of Ebay or other avenues through which you can sell things you no longer need. You may also be able to collect donations of saleable items from supportive family and friends.
And remember, as an artist or designer, you can create things that can be sold. There are many websites that allow artists to post their work for sale at little or no cost to the artist. Research other venues through which you could sell your work.
If you have a particular artistic skill, trade or craft that is already well developed, look at the Craigs List classifieds in your area. Someone may be looking for exactly the type of skill you have to offer. However, be cautious and watch out for scams.
Combining several of these suggestions with a financial aid package comprised of grants, scholarships, loans and/or work-study can help to make your college dreams a reality.
And once you get to college, make the most of the opportunity by focusing and working hard. Keep in mind that in a few short years you will want to enter the job market as a professional. The quality of your college experience may mean the difference between being prepared for your future career or not.
Patricia Boman is the founder and Managing Partner of Art & Design Educational Advisors, LLC. Her firm provides independent college admission advising for art and design students applying to undergraduate or graduate programs. She assists them in finding colleges that are good matches for their needs and goals. She also guides students to develop their strongest possible admissions portfolio. Boman earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and a MFA from Yale University. More information about Art & Design Educational Advisors, LLC is available at www.artdesignea.com
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