<p>I qualify for the Tuition Exchange Program, and I am hoping to be able to take advantage of it for college; however, I am slightly confused about how it works. Could those of you with experience with this program explain it for me?</p>
<p>Where is this program-what state?</p>
<p>Well, my dad works at a college in PA but I have been looking at colleges in MA.</p>
<p>It can vary by school, both on the exporting side (the school your parent works at) and the importing side (where you’re applying). The first step is for your parent to talk to the person in charge of TE at their school. Make sure you understand all deadlines and paperwork. Look carefully at the list of schools that participate in TE (use the search function at the TE website). The percentage of applicants granted TE is very helpful (as you probably know, it’s not a guarantee). TE liaisons are usually very helpful with specific questions on what they’re looking for. What schools are you thinking of applying to?</p>
<p>BTW, my D (a very average student by College Confidential standards) applied to 6 TE schools. She got an early October acceptance with TE granted immediately at one school. Her top choice she applied to ED (after checking that she could back out if she didn’t get TE). She did get in, got TE, and withdrew her applications at the other four schools.</p>
<p>And you might find this thread helpful:
<a href=“Tuition Exchange Scholarship - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Tuition Exchange Scholarship - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Thanks for the help. I have been looking at a number of schools including Mount Holyoke and Smith. Wellesley was my first choice, but I don’t believe they have a tuition exchange program. I will probably apply their anyway and compare the Financial Aid packages with the other schools. I just don’t want to cut myself off from schools not on the TE list when there is a possibility I won’t even be granted TE. </p>
<p>Much better shot at Mount Holyoke (61-90% of eligible applicants receive TE). However, it is set rate. I have no idea what their tuition is, but that means they’re going to cap your award at $32500 for 2014-15 (it goes up a little every year). Typically you can’t get additional merit aid, but you do still qualify for need based aid if that’s not enough.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input, mamaduck! </p>
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<p>Wellesley is not in the program. See Tuition Exchange Participating Schools: <a href=“http://www.tuitionexchange.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Families|Member%20Schools”>http://www.tuitionexchange.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Families|Member%20Schools</a>
Search TE schools (It’s useful to search by Schoalrship Amount & Percentage of Award Offers):
<a href=“http://www.tuitionexchange.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Families|School%20Search”>http://www.tuitionexchange.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Families|School%20Search</a>
As mamaduck said, Mount Holyoke is in the range of 61%-90% (applicants receive TE); Smith is in the range of below 10%. Both schools are set rate.
If you are a strong applicant to the 3 women’s colleges you mentioned and your EFC is much less than $30,000, you may not need to use the TE. All 3 schools will meet your financial need. The TE can be saved for a younger sibling to use if you have any.
@mamaduck “Typically you can’t get additional merit aid, but you do still qualify for need based aid if that’s not enough.”
Well, it may depend on the individual school you are applying for. I heard that USC gave merit scholarships to the TE applicants who are National Merit Scholar Finalists.</p>
<p>@Bamboolong‌ “The TE can be saved for a younger sibling to use if you have any.” Some exporting schools don’t limit TE to one child (though it is common). Both my children are eligible for TE.<br>
“Well, it may depend on the individual school you are applying for” - thus the previous use of “typically”.</p>
<p>These two examples illustrate the importance of talking to representatives from both the exporting and importing school. I even found schools that use TE to increase geographic diversity and one that was first come first serve - so it’s not always a purely academic competition. I wouldn’t have known that without asking the school’s TE rep what they look for. Percentages can also change drastically from year to year - one school I’ve kept my eye on has gone from <10% receiving to 91-100% receiving. My rule for D was to apply to one safety school that she knew she’d get into, would be happy attending, and awarded 91-100%.</p>
<p>One other note - once you know where you’re going, don’t sit on offers from other schools. If you do, you may be denying another student their dream opportunity. Some schools make offers to a number of students and expect a yield, but others “move down the list” as people choose other schools.</p>
<p>@obkruse‌ - I’ve been thinking about your posts. Since you like women’s colleges, have you considered Sweet Briar, Hollins, and Mary Baldwin? All are in Virginia. Sweet Briar and Hollins give TE to almost everyone eligible. Mary Baldwin is a bit lower award percentage, but includes housing. Not as well ranked as Mount Holyoke, but may be great safeties. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. Actually, I have also been looking at Sweet Briar and Bryn Mawr, but I will definately keep Hollins and Mary Baldwin on my radar. Your posts have been very helpful, mamaduck!</p>