Thrifty Thinking: Saving Money on a Summer College Tour

 

Summer is the ideal time to start with college tours that can be extremely beneficial, however, traveling long-distance can be very pricey too.

I’m writing to suggest a story on how parents can fully explore their child’s college possibilities without breaking the bank on an unnecessarily expensive trip. Scholaroo came up with 4 tips on how to save money on these trips and how they can actually increase child’s financial aid options once they do apply.


Tip #1: Start with a local visit
A huge part of the college evaluation process is uncovering the specific qualities you are seeking in a school. Is your kid interested in a big university with a variety of offerings or a small liberal arts college with more personalized attention?

The first few college visits will likely focus on sorting out these conflicting priorities.  Start this process well in advance of your trip by scheduling some visits to local colleges, even if they are not actively considering these schools.  This might help you eliminate some unnecessary (and costly) stops from your subsequent college tour.


Tip #2: Leverage other travel
One of the easiest ways to save money on a college tour is to piggyback on your other travel plans.  Have you promised to visit a certain relative this summer?  Can you or your spouse extend a business trip, include some college visits, and have your child accompany you?

This approach can help you save some extra money, but also a lot of time.


Tip #3: Know each school’s calendar
Many students tour numerous colleges during the summer months and then schedule term-time visits to their top choice schools once they’ve been accepted. It’s possible, however, to gain the same benefit without the need for multiple trips.

Because many colleges begin their school year as early as mid-August, try to schedule your college tour for late summer when campuses are bustling with activity, classes can be audited and dorms may be available for overnight stays. Needing one trip instead of multiple ones can save you quite a bit on travel costs.


Tip #4: Collect helpful contacts
If a college offers the option of an admissions interview during your child’s visit, sign up well in advance.  Schedule additional meetings with financial aid officers, faculty members, prospective coaches, and club advisers. Be sure to remind your child to collect business cards and send thank-you notes.

Not only does this help your child get a better feel for each school, but cultivating these personal relationships can enhance subsequent appeals that you may make for additional financial aid.

There are no guarantees, of course, but the amount of scholarship and grant money that you can potentially gain from having this on-campus advocate can more than pay for your entire trip.

To learn more about Scholaroo and available scholarships please visit: https://scholaroo.com/scholarships/