Potential Magazine College and Career Organizer 2020

admissions college applications (and Mon ey! ) How to Save Time Applying for College The college application process can be over- whelming, time consuming, and expensive! Here’s what you need to make the process a little easier, and maybe save money, too! Common Application If it is accepted by the schools you are interested in, one way to save time is to use the Common Application. Students fill out one master applica- tion and that application can be sent to hundreds of schools nationwide, including these Alabama schools: Birmingham-Southern College Samford University Spring Hill College Tuskegee University The University of Alabama at Birmingham University of South Alabama For more information, visit www.commonapp.org. Don’t Go Overboard Every student should apply to at least a few different schools, but there’s probably no need to send in applications to more than six. Not only is it time consuming, but with application fees ranging from $50-90, the cost can start adding up before you even set foot on campus! Get a Waiver Students with financial need may qualify for an application fee waiver through NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counsel- ing.) For more information, visit www.nacacfairs.org/learn/fee-waiver/. Not all waivers are based on income, however. Some schools will waive the application fee when you visit campus for a tour or talk to a recruiter at a college fair. In addition, if you’re a student who scored well on your ACT or SAT, you may receive application fee waivers in the mail, so watch your mailbox and don’t toss those pamphlets without checking for an application waiver code! No-Fee Schools Not all schools have application fees; as a matter of fact, around 300 schools nationwide are no-fee colleges, including these Alabama schools: Auburn University at Montgomery Birmingham-Southern College (before Nov. 15) Central Alabama Community College Huntingdon College Coastal Alabama Community College Lawson State Community College Shelton State Community College Southern Union State Community College Spring Hill College Trenholm State Community College The HBCU Common Application A re you interested in attending an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)? Check out commonblackcollegeapp. com, where you can apply to any of the 50 member institutions at once, including Alabama State University and Tuskegee University, for only $35. Tip from Tuskegee University: Students who use the HBCU Common Application should follow up with the institution’s admissions office to ensure that their application has been received and processed to maximize financial aid options. Don’t Miss College Application Week College Application Week is a part of Alabama Possible and the Alabama State Department of Education’s Alabama College Campaign, which encourages students across the state to pursue their education after high school. National College Application Week 2019 was Nov. 4-8th. The dates for 2020 have yet to be announced. This past year, 55 colleges and universi- ties in Alabama and around the country waived their application fees to allow students to apply for free. Visit http://alabamapossible.org/ for more information. 20 | College Organizer 2020 www.potentialmagazine.com

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