For a long time, applying to a community college was viewed as the “back-up” option for most high school students. Many students and families felt that enrolling in a community college was only necessary if they weren’t admitted to any of the four-year colleges where s/he applied. However, recently, these views have changed, and more and more students are applying to community college. Here are some tips that explain how to apply for community college.
One of the main reasons that more and more families are drawn to community college is cost. In fact, the New York Times recently ran an article about the growing numbers of middle-class families opting for community college.
To reduce college costs, you might consider encouraging your child to spend the first two years at a community college. These schools offer general education course requirements at very low rates. Moreover, your child can live at home, thereby saving money on housing costs.
Attending community college and then transferring to a four-year university is an excellent strategy for making a college degree much more affordable. Students are also eligible for financial aid at community colleges. Start by filling out the FAFSA.
So how much does community college cost? According to the American Association of Community Colleges, the average tuition for one year at a community college is $2,713. Books and supplies will cost approximately $800. If a student lives at home, the average cost of attending community college will be right around $3,000 per year. If you compare that figure to tuition costs for four-year schools, you can see that community college is an excellent financial deal.
Step-by-Step Directions to Apply for Community College
The first thing you need to do is to submit the community college application for admission. In most cases, this will be done online. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
Do not wait until the spring of 12th grade to apply
In previous years (when community college wasn’t as popular as it is now), high school counselors often advised students that they could nearly wait until high school graduation to submit their applications to community colleges. That is no longer the case. These days, students should submit their community college applications in the fall or winter of their senior year. In other words, applying to community college closely follows the traditional college application cycle.
Make sure your application is complete
Community colleges tend to ask for the same application materials: a high school transcript for high school seniors or proof of graduation for high school graduates. There will generally be an online application portal for you to fill out your personal information and schools attended and graduation date (or upcoming graduation).
Fill out the FAFSA and put the community college on the section that asks about which college you plan to attend
These days, it is pretty easy to complete the FAFSA. You can do it all online. The application becomes available the October of your child’s senior year, so fill it out early to ensure the best odds of getting financial aid. Much of the aid is handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it is a good idea to fill out the FAFSA as early as possible.
Here is our FAFSA workbook.
If you have questions about how to apply for community college during the application process, email, or call the admissions office at the college. They can provide all the help you need!