The higher education reckoning is upon us

Spring is a time of renewal. The Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom, the Mountain Laurels deliver their famous grape Kool-Aid scent, and 18-year-olds across the country lay awake wondering if they’ll be admitted to their first-choice college.

Yes, Spring is the season for hope and new beginnings, but it is also the time when financial aid and scholarship awards paint a fuller picture of students’ college options. It’s in the springtime that the spectrum of emotions are felt — from anger and disappointment to pride and elation.

Congratulations! You have been accepted to the class of 2025. Cue the tears, the hugs, and the fist pumps.

Now what?

You read through the admissions details to review your “acceptance package.” Did you earn a merit scholarship? Did you qualify for financial aid? What exactly will attending this institution cost?

Students and families face the realities of textbook expenses, meal plans, and room and board costs. Suddenly, the first-choice college may slip from the ranks and the unpacking of “college value” begins to weigh on the minds of everyone involved.

Pursuing a college degree has always been a significant commitment— whether it’s financial or emotional. Like all investments of money and time, you unpack the value of your future degree and reassess the…