During Virginia Private College Week from Monday, July 27 through Saturday, Aug. 1, 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.

Virginia Private College Week is an annual open house program held by 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.

The program also is a way to save money in the application process. Prospective students who visit at least three campuses will receive three application fee waivers that may be used to apply to any CICV member college for free.

"Visiting campuses in person is one of the most important steps in the college search process," said CICV president Robert Lambeth. "I encourage parents to explore which college will be the best fit for their son or daughter, and I want to reassure them that a quality education at a Virginia private college is affordable and within reach."

Sweet Briar dean of admissions Ken 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, private colleges distributed nearly $300 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 state budget passed by lawmakers earlier this year provides for a $3,000 TAG award in 2009-10.

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 strongly recommended but are not required to visit Sweet Briar. For questions or if you are unable to visit Sweet Briar during Virginia Private College Week, please contact the admissions office at (800) 381-6142 and the staff will be happy to schedule a visit at another time.