How to Make College Affordable

For most families, paying 100% of college tuition is just not possible. Most families need a discount with financial aid.

Colleges offer financial aid to families in one of two ways: need-based aid and merit-based aid.

Need-based financial aid, in most respects, is determined by your family's income and financial situation. Usually these things are beyond the control of the student.

On the other hand, merit-based financial aid like grants and scholarships are not only achievable, they are also within the control of each and every student.

Some scholarship money is even guaranteed depending on what ACT or SAT score a student achieves. Check out this post from PrepScholar that outlines exactly which schools offer guaranteed scholarships based on test scores.

Bottom line: students who demonstrate academic achievement with good test scores or high GPAs can access merit aid and earn free money with scholarships and grants to make college affordable.

Sure, test optional can be great for a student who is pursuing admissions at a wide variety of schools. But if affordability is essential to your college planning then increasing an ACT or SAT score will not only help a student get into a college, it will also make college more affordable.

Questions about tests and college planning? Hit up CROSSWALK here.