Sweet Briar College will join 24 other members of the Council for Independent Colleges in Virginia at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 in hosting special CICV-sponsored “WRAP Sessions” for prospective students and their parents. The WRAP meetings – WRAP stands for Within Reach and Personal – will focus on reassuring families that even during times of economic uncertainty, Virginia private colleges remain within reach financially and provide a valuable, personal education.

Dean of admissions Ken Huus will lead Sweet Briar’s session in meeting rooms A and B at the College’s Elston Inn & Conference Center. At their respective WRAP sessions, Huus and his counterparts at Virginia’s independent colleges and universities hope to alleviate some of the stress families feel over meeting tuition expenses. They also aim to dispel common myths about the cost of a private college education, including:

Myth: Tuition at a private college is beyond reach, and a state school always costs less.
Reality: Many students pay considerably less than the published tuition price at a private college. The difference between public and private college tuition can be reduced through significant merit and need-based grants and the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG). Last year, private colleges awarded more than $270 million in grants and scholarships.

Myth: It’s easy for a high-income family to afford a private college education. It’s much more difficult for a middle-class family.
Reality: Now more than ever, private colleges are protecting their financial aid budgets and enrolling students from all income levels. National studies have shown that students attending private colleges, on average, have a similar family income as those attending public colleges. In Virginia, private colleges enroll a higher percentage of federal Pell Grant recipients (typically students from families with incomes of $40,000 or less) and minority students than public colleges.

Myth: Public or private college – it doesn’t make any difference.
Reality: Parents should compare the time it takes to graduate as well as overall graduation rates, class size, student-faculty ratio and personal attention received by students. Private colleges will rank favorably.

Myth: There will be less assistance from government sources.
Reality: Last month, Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine’s proposed budget protected funding for the undergraduate TAG award, which provides an annual grant of $3,200 to Virginia residents attending a private college in the state. Furthermore, federal loans and grants are unlikely to be affected by the recession.

In a press release, CICV president Robert Lambeth acknowledged the financial concerns facing families but noted that anxiety about affordability shouldn’t prevent students from choosing the college that is the right fit for them.

“We want to help, and we urge families to talk to us first before making a final decision,” he said.

In addition to the 10 a.m. WRAP Session, Sweet Briar’s financial aid office will hold its third annual “Financial Aid Super Saturday” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Benedict Hall computer lab. The purpose of the event is to provide assistance to college-bound students and their families as they complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid, otherwise known as the FAFSA.

All high seniors and their parents – regardless of the college they hope to attend – are welcome, said SBC financial aid director Bobbi Carpenter, and no appointment is necessary. Several staff members and students will be volunteering to help with the online applications.

At the end of the session, the financial aid process for any college will be initiated and FAFSA deadlines for most colleges will be met, said Carpenter, who encourages students not to wait until they are accepted at a school to apply for federal aid. Carpenter added that Sweet Briar’s financial aid office is always available as a local community resource.

“We’re right in your back yard,” she said, speaking especially of Amherst and Nelson residents who might need guidance on obtaining financial aid, wherever they are bound for college. “I’m right here. Please come in or call me, and I’ll be glad to help you.”

For more information about CICV or the WRAP Sessions go to www.cicv.org/withinreach.html. For information about Sweet Briar’s WRAP session or Super Saturday, please contact Sweet Briar’ admissions office at admissions@sbc.edu or (434) 381-6142 or financial aid at financialaid@sbc.edu or (434) 381-6466.