During Virginia Private College Week from Monday, July 28 through Saturday, Aug. 2, Sweet Briar will welcome rising high school juniors and seniors and their families for campus tours and special information sessions about the College.

The sessions will be held at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily through Friday. Only the morning session will be offered Saturday. Optional tours of the riding center also will be available at 11:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Each session will begin with a tour of campus and include an overview of the distinctive aspects of a Sweet Briar education, as well as information on admissions and financial aid, said Ken Huus, SBC dean of admissions.

Virginia Private College Week is an annual open house program held by 24 member institutions of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia. The collaborative effort promotes both the benefits of attending an independent college or university, and the importance of personally visiting campuses as part of the search process.

"I encourage parents to explore which college will be the best fit for their son or daughter," Robert Lambeth, CICV president, said in a press release. "Our institutions are different from many state universities because our classes are small and students receive personal attention."

Huus agrees and advises students to take advantage of the program.

"It is a great opportunity to explore a variety of colleges and to discover what is distinctive and special about each college option," he said. "Visiting a college campus is the best way to assess whether that place is a good fit for you.

"Among Virginia's private colleges are three women's colleges, a men's college, and several co-ed places, any of which are within a few hours driving distance from any corner of the state."

Scholarships, grants and loans help make a private education more affordable than many families think. According to the CICV, Virginia private colleges distributed more than $200 million in scholarships and grants last year.

Additionally, in-state students attending a Virginia private college are eligible for the Tuition Assistance Grant. The commonwealth's TAG program provides an annual grant for four years at the undergraduate level. The grants will be approximately $3,200 next year.

During Private College Week, each participating school will offer daily campus tours and information sessions. Prospective students who visit at least three campuses will receive three application fee waivers.

For more information on Virginia Private College Week, please visit www.privatecollegeweek.org or contact the participating institutions. The CICV may be reached at (540) 586-0606.

Reservations are encouraged but not required to visit Sweet Briar. For information, please contact the admissions office at (800) 381-6142.