When selecting a college to attend it's helpful to visit as many colleges as possible. Scheduling an in-person visit allows you the opportunity to tour the campus and to see if that school is right for you. Make sure you choose a school that has your major so that you can get a better idea of what your college experience will be like at the school you choose to visit. To set up a college tour, visit the school's website to familiarize yourself with the school. Contact the school that you want to visit for more information on available tour times, directions, and to fill out any necessary paperwork prior to the tour. Make sure you write down all  the questions that you want to ask the tour guide, faculty, and other students you may meet during your visit.

College Tour Benefits:

1. You get to see the academic, residential, and administrative buildings, so if you attend you will know where they will be located.

2. You can talk to an admissions counselor regarding any questions you may have about your application, deadlines, and polices and procedures.

3. You many get a chance to meet the faculty, coaches, or directors of sports clubs you may want to participate in.

​5.  You many be able to meet with financial aid counselors to discuss scholarships and financial aid.
​
6. You will get an opportunity to talk to students about college life and the culture of the school.
​
7. The tour allows you to see the students' leadership, creative and original thoughts, independence, initiative, intellectual ability, and academic achievement.

​Many of you want to attend college but do not have the resouces to pay for it and don't want to go into debt either.​​ So, here are a few tips that can help minimze the cost of college:

• Get good grades. Your academics are going to play a huge role in you obtaining money.
• Get involved in sports and actvities in high school. Colleges look for students that are well rounded, so join activies and a sport while you are in high school.
• Get involved in your community.  Community service is not mandatory at some high schools, but it does look good to have done it when applying to collges. This shows that you care about your community and you gave your time to make it a better place. If you can demonstrate leadership while doing that is even better!
• Get started on saving. Your first source to pay for college should be money saved by you. Yes, you! Or your parents should have something saved for college for you. If not, it's not too late to get started; even the smallest amount helps.

Regardless of if there money saved for college or not, and if you have done the tips that were suggested above, research scholarships! Some scholarships are based on your major, a special skill, academics or financial need. You can also seek out private organizations such as ourselves for assistance with paying for college.

Apply for grants at local and national businesses. Loans should be your last option; only get a loan for the first year, then try to get an academic or merit scholarship from the college your are attending in your second year. This means that you'll have to work hard when you get there!

Don't forget to fill out your FAFSA form to help you get a better unerdestanding how much aid you'll be eligible for. Don't be discouraged, there is money out there - if you really look you can find it.