North Central College in the News
North Central College financial aid director quoted in Money.com
Apr 29, 2021
Kevin Towns shares insights into financial aid and waitlists at colleges and universities
The end of college admissions season is approaching as high school seniors make final decisions about where to enroll for the fall. Or at least, the end is near for most applicants. After May 1, traditionally known as National Decision Day, thousands of others will stay stuck in limbo, hoping for a late acceptance off the waitlist at a coveted college.
Some families, meanwhile, are still coping with ripple effects of the pandemic, like financial pressures and health concerns, that may influence students’ decisions of where and even whether to enroll. So, while waitlists are nothing new, admissions offices have leaned more heavily on them than usual this year, packing them so they have backup options if students opt out.
Kevin Towns, director of financial aid at North Central College, interviewed with reporter Joanna Nesbit at Money.com, where he discussed what to know about waitlists and how best to secure a spot at your dream institution.
“Regardless of your financial profile, doing some cost research can help you understand if the college is worth waiting for,” said Towns. “It also doesn’t hurt to ask if a college will “pre-read” your financial profile if it’s complicated, though not all colleges offer this service. Most importantly, be prepared. Ask yourself these questions: What can we afford? What resources do we have at our disposal to cover costs? Make sure you’re looking at the cost for all four years.”
