College Myths

There are many myths about college that we’re sure you’ve heard before. Below are some of the more common ones along with facts and realities.

MYTH: I can’t afford college.
REALITY: Almost all students today can get low-rate education loans to help them pay for higher education, and most loans typically don’t have to be paid back until a student is out of school. In Delaware, if a high school student has at least a 2.5 GPA, and stays out of trouble, they’re eligible for a SEED scholarship.

MYTH: To make it in today’s world you need a four-year college degree.
REALITY: Someone with a four-year degree may have more career options, but there are many satisfying and good-paying jobs that are possible with certain technical or two-year degrees.

MYTH: Start planning for college in your junior year of high school.
REALITY: High school course decisions are made sometimes as early as the middle school years. Financial planning, saving for college, and finding out which colleges will be affordable also should be done well before the junior year. High school course selections and grades represent the single most important consideration in most colleges’ admissions decisions.

MYTH: There isn’t a lot of financial aid available.
REALITY: On average, over $100 billion dollars a year in aid is awarded. While most of it is provided by the federal government through loan, grant and work-study programs, colleges and states contribute too. In fact, over 70% of students nationally receive some kind of financial aid.