So I’m done with all of my college applications. That’s right. D-U-N. Done. Done. Finished. Fini. Done. Done. Done.

No more essays. No more forms to fill out. No more transcripts to send, no more recommendations to be written.

Well, for college applications, at least. Now, we’re on to scholarships. Sigh.

And to think I almost thought I could see the light…

The whole financial aid thing (and yes, that is a professional term) is one of the most import parts of all of this college application stuff. (With all this jargon I know, I think I could be an admissions officer.) And, not surprisingly, it is not a subject which garners particular favor among students, parents, or counselors.

Students conduct "The College Search" because (a) they are obviously interested in attending college and, therefore, (b) they are looking for colleges or the college that suits them best. Choosing your "ideal college" requires you consider a number of factors: location, type of college (junior or four-year), academic rigor, academic focus (liberal arts, sciences, fine arts, etc.), unisex or co-ed, social environment, student organizations, study abroad opportunities. And the list goes on.

I’ve been told many times that figuring out which college is "the one" for you is ultimately emotional; when you walk on campus, you will immediately know if you would like to spend the next four years of your life there. 

I mean, if you were to enter a four-year relationship, you’d want to make sure you actually liked the person first, right? Otherwise, you’d probably be very miserable.

But for many families, the "emotional factor" is not a necessity, never mind the most important reason for choosing to attend a certain college. For many, it is a nice plus. Not because they don’t consider their student’s happiness when helping them choose a college, but because they simply can’t afford to. Literally. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard the question "Will my child be happy here?" be superceded by "Can I (or can my child) pay for this?"

Finances are a harsh reality. We can’t ignore them.

Because, you know, being in $20,000, never mind $50,000 or $100,000 worth of debt when you graduate doesn’t exactly make anyone very happy.  

My parents and I frequently discuss the issue of finance when it comes to paying for college. I asked them how they paid their tuition. After graduating from high school in 1978, my father attended Fordham for a year before attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The money he earned working at a supermarket over the summer paid for the year at Fordham. (I know, right?) Eight years of military service paid for the four years on Long Island.

My mother, a 1976 graduate of East Lyme and a 1980 graduate of CCSU (when it was CCSC) received some financial help from her family, but footed a percentage of the bill.

I am very fortunate and very, very grateful to have parents who have offered to help me pay for college, as they are doing for my older sister. I know, and I respect, that my family’s financial needs are at the forefront of this decision-making process. Many of my friends are in my position – they will be receiving financial assistance from parents, and (hopefully) scholarships.

Some of my friends will be paying for college out of their own pocket with little financial assistance from their families – a decision I highly respect, but I can’t say I would want to be in their position. Some are taking up with ROTC. Others are banking (no pun intended) on receiving some other sort of federal or private financial assistance.
Money can’t buy happiness. And it can’t buy me love, either, apparently. (Hey, everybody tells me so…) But it sure would make this whole process a lot easier.

Sigh. Oh, if only my plan to marry a Jonas Brother had worked.