ACT SCORES CAN LOWER COLLEGE TUITION COSTS

Over the years, my students have reported impressive scholarship awards based on higher classroom grades and ACT scores.  To motivate students to aim high and work hard, I mention that a scholarship or tuition reduction is a gift to give to the parents.  For parents, an investment of a few hundred dollars in test preparation can significantly lower the cost of tuition.

Here are some examples of Freshman awards given to former students and renewable annually. Each of these were "automatic," based solely on exam score and GPA.
 
School                                 Past Awards             ACT            GPA
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Hope College (Michigan)              $3000                  25            3.6
Hope College (Michigan)              $6000                  28            3.75
Illinois Wesleyen                       $10,500                   28           Top 25%
Roosevelt                                     $1500                   24           3.2
Roosevelt                                      $6000                  28           3.5
Indiana University                         $8000                  30           3.8
Indiana University                         $5000                  29           3.8
Carroll University                        $15,000                 27           3.75
Carroll University                         Full Ride               34           3.9
U of Colorado-Boulder                  $6250                  29           3.85
University of Iowa                         $7000                   26          3.6         

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From a strictly business standpoint, preparation for the ACT has visible return-on-investment benefits.  Even a small improvement could have tremendous financial advantages across the 4 year college experience.  To get the quest for scholarship money underway, follow a few easy steps.

1.  Have the student take a verifiably accurate test to determine the current level of competence.  That means taking a test by the actual publisher, either a retired version from a previous student or from a study manual by ACT (ACT exam) or College Board (SAT exam).  Do not rely on a manual published by any other source since the questions may be mere facsimiles and not truly representative of the type or format of the real exams.  (Using authentic, published retired exams, Tutoring Resources-Barrington, IL offers a nationwide ACT/SAT Readiness Evaluation to help students analyze current strengths, knowledge gaps, and potential strategies for success.  This narrative report can be used by any qualified tutor to design a personal study program for the individual student.)

2.  Identify weaknesses for the student to mitigate through either independent study or tutorial assistance.  See "Getting Ready to Study for a College Entrance Exam" in Thenormalgenius@blogspot.com, Tuesday, June 5, 2018 -- or read suggestions for finding study help at tutoring-resources.com/test preparation/when, what, how to study.

3.  Establish a goal score that supports the student's GPA** and aims toward a result that will earn the highest potential scholarship or tuition reduction amount based on guidance from the student's college choices.

4.  Set interim benchmarks and don't forget to CELEBRATE incremental steps toward improvement. 

**Check out the next blog for suggested ACT goals based on GPA.