PLUS loans carry a 7.9% fixed interest rate.  Unlike Stafford loans, eligibility is based on credit score, and unrelated to financial need.

Interest will accrue while the student is enrolled in school; however, payment is not required until after graduation.

Information contained in this post as well as other content that may appear on the Site may be out-of-date or not accurate. Readers should independently verify all relevant information prior to making any decisions (e.g. educational or educational financing) based on such information. InLikeMe content is offered on an “as is” basis for general information purposes only. Phrazorp LLC takes no responsibility for the veracity of the Site’s content.

Subsidized Stafford Loans*:

Subsidized Stafford loans are the least costly and should be taken out before any other type.   Stafford loans carry a 3.4% fixed interest rate.  Typically,  the U.S. government covers interest payments until graduation.   Interest starts to accrue after graduation and generally payments are not required until 6 months after graduation.   Undergraduate students are currently limited to take out a maximum of $23,000 in subsidized Stafford loans.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans*:

Unsubsidized Stafford loans are federal loans that carry a  6.8% fixed interest rate.  Unlike subsidized Stafford loans, interest accrues for unsubsidized Stafford loans while the students is enrolled in school.   Like subsidized Stafford loans, your first monthly payment will not be due until 6 months after graduation. Unsubsidized Stafford loan limits vary based on your education status.

Information contained in this post as well as other content that may appear on the Site may be out-of-date or not accurate. Readers should independently verify all relevant information prior to making any decisions (e.g. educational or educational financing) based on such information. InLikeMe content is offered on an “as is” basis for general information purposes only. Phrazorp LLC takes no responsibility for the veracity of the Site’s content.

It is a system of  surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Like the Common Data Set, IPEDs is a standardized statistical source for college admissions, enrollment and student aid data.

IPEDS and Common Data Set  (CDS) data is published in a variety of college admissions-related publications and web sites.

For more information see: www.nces.ed.gov/ipeds

Colleges and Universities report admissions, enrollment and student aid data in a standardized (CDS) format.

Common Data Set information can often be found through Internet search (e.g. Google name of institution and common data set)

See commondataset.org.

The term “Ivy League” was coined in the 1930′s by a newspaper columnist to describe a football competition at ivy-covered northeastern universities. During the 1940′s these eight universities agreed to similar academic standards, eligibility rules, and need-based financial aid practices with no athletic scholarships for their football programs. During the 1950′s the Ivy League was officially founded and athletic-related agreements were extended to all sports.

Admission to all of the Ivy League institutions is very competitive.

The SAT Subject Tests are designed to measure specific knowledge in a particular academic area such as chemistry or world history. Typically, colleges that require the SAT Subject Tests will ask applicants to take two or three tests.

Each test is one hour long. Students can take up to three exams on the same day. Students cannot take the SAT on same day. Subject Tests are available in the following areas: Math Level 1, Math Level 2, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, United States History, Literature, World History, Chinese with Listening, French and French with Listening, German and German with Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening, Latin, Spanish and Spanish with Listening and English Language Proficiency.

SAT Subject Tests are scored on a scale of 200 to 800 with the exception of the English Language Proficiency Test, which is scored on a scale of 901 to 999. Tests that do not involve writing are scored by computer. Like the SAT, students are penalized for incorrect answers.

SAT Subject Tests are administered in October, November, December, January, May and June. With some exceptions, registered students can decide which tests to take on exam day. Check the College Board website for details, additional information and test locations.

Designed to simplify and streamline the process, the Common Application contains various sections that are typically completed online.  The application includes areas to fill out: personal, family, and educational data, future plans, standardized testing information, academic honors, extracurricular activities, work experience, a short answer essay, a longer personal essay, criminal background, those providing teacher and counselor evaluations and additional information such as a high school resume or an explanation.

All member colleges and universities agree to use a holistic evaluation method that takes essays, activities and recommendations into consideration. Colleges that base admissions decisions primarily on GPA and entrance exam scores cannot be members of the Common Application group.  Almost all of the most selective colleges and top universities use the Common Application.

In addition to the basic elements of the Common App, many member institutions require supplements (e.g. school-specific additional questions and essays) that are typically integrated with, and submitted via, the Common Application website.