FINANCING A COLLEGE EDUCATION-FACT AND FANTASY B. R. STANERSON American Chemical Society, Washington, D. C.
INROUND numbers there will be about 100,000 intelligent and well-qualified young men and women unable t o start college next fall because of lack of finances. About one-half of these have no strong motivation toward college and perhaps would not attend if given an opportunity. The other 50,000 are sincerely interested in higher education, and many are exploring ways and means of obtaining such training. At certain times of the year it seems that most of these 50,000 write to the American Chemical Society for "a complete list of scholarships and fellowships available to high school graduates." The Society would like to comply with every request it receives. I t is especially anxious to furnish information-which will help young people get started in college. However, it cannot comply with the request for "a complete list of scholarships and fellowships." Theresa Wilkins of the United States Office of Education has said,' "Perhaps an agency which combined the investigative powers of the FBI with the tabulating skills of the Bureau of the Census would be able to ferret out all the big and little grants and produce a total that would be almost valid for a week ortwo, but it is doubtful if the changing statistics would justify the expenditure of time and money." She has explained concisely why the American Chemical Society or any other organization has not compiled a completely adequate list of financial aids available to students. Of course, such standard references as the Office of Education publicatiou2 and hooks by Feingold3 and Jones4 are good but they are not what is usually requested. References to fellowships for study abroad and assistance to graduate students are more complete than comparable information on aid t o undergraduates a t institutions in this country. Even if all information on financial aids could be compiled and printed in one volume, it perhaps would not be as helpful as many believe. Furthermore, this lack of information is not as serious a handicap as one might getting- the cart before the - think. Students are -
horse when they inquire about financial aids before selecting a school and a field of specialization. It is more logical for a student to proceed as follows: (1) Select the field for a career (science, engineering, education, law, etc.). (2) Identify schools approved for their training in the area of specialization. (3) Decide what other features of a college are important. (4) Eliminate from consideration those colleges which do not have the features required. ( 5 ) Select approximately a half dozen institutions and get more detailed information from them, especially about financial aids available t o entering students. (6) Apply for admission to and financial aid from schools considered most suitable. (7) Apply for financial aid from local industries, professional groups, alumni associations, service clubs, religious organizations, state departments of education, and other sources known to teachers, counselors, and experts in the field. (8) Consider the possibility of grants available for study in special fields, such as military science. (9) Investigate loan funds as well as scholarships, fellowships, and grants. (10) Once financial aid is granted, utilize it effectively by proving through accomplishments that it was given to the appropriate person. "First things first" may be a trite expression but i t has a lot of significance throughout life. It seems logical that the initial step in planning an education beyond secondary school is the selection of a field of specialization. At first this need not be a narrow field but certainly it is desirable t o select an area such as science as contrasted with law or business. Modern methods of measuring student aptitudes coupled with intelligent counseling should make it possible for most young people to make this selection. It is relatively easy to identify schools approved for their trainine in anv chosen area of studv. The most common source of information is the professional so' WILEKING, THEBESA, School Life, 3?,11&19 (1955). Ibid., "Scholarships and Fellowships A ~ ~ ~atI~ ~ ~~ ~, It ~i ciety t ~ that t i ~serves ~ ~ the particular field of specialization, of Higher Education," U. S. Government Printing Office,Bulletin like the American Chemical Society. The number of No. 16 (1951). a ~ ~ r o v einstitut,ions d will t.he --- varv " ereat,lv ~ ~ wit,h -~ ~ - ~~ - - -field - --- " a FEINWLD. S. N O R ~ N"Scholar~hi~s, , F e l l o w ~ h i and ~~ of specialieation. It would be impractical fora student Loans," Vals. I, 11, and 111, Bellman Publishing Ca., Boston, to search out detailed information about all, when cer.As, - - 2 .,.=c a "" .Y.,q, ones 4 JONES, THEODORE s., your ~ , , , , ~ ~ t , , ~ i t~i ~ ~ , ~h~ 9. tain ~ d can ~be eliminated ~ ~ by cousideratibn of such Jones, Milton, Massmhusetts, 1955. factors as the type of institution, geographical location,
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VOLUME 33. NO. 1, JANUARY 1956
environment, cost, and the size of student body. For instance, a student having difficulty financing his education perhaps would do little more than look longingly a t a college all the way across the'country although it may be well suited to his educational needs. Another student may eliminate from consideration a liberal-arts college in his home town because of his preference for a technological institute. Factors of this type usually will help eliminate a fairly large proportion of the list of schools. Numerous helpful articles and booklets bave been written on the subject of selecting a college."*6 Once the number of institutions that seem appropriate has been brought within bounds (a half dozen or so), it is suggested that the student then obtain as much detailed information as possible about these schools. The first step may he the collection of college catalogues and literature from the department of specialization. Talks with alumni are helpful; many schools provide for such contacts. Finally, a visit to the campus, preferably while school is in session, should be arranged. To be really worth while this must be more than a drive through the winding roads of the campus. Interviews with the head of the department or other professors in the area of specialization are highly desirable. Inquiries about financial aid should also be made during this visit. Many schools have grants that are given little or no publicity but are reserved for needs revealed through interviews. If such assistance is required for matriculation, this fact should be made clear at the time the application is submitted. This must not be intended as a threat to the institution but simply as a statement of fact to help SHOSTECE, ROBERT,"The College Finder," B'nai B'rith Vocational Service Bureau,Washington, D. C., 1955. Dwswoon, CLARENCE C., AND OLIVERC. DAVIS,"HOWto Choose That College," Bellman Publishing Co., Boston, 1951.
it determine the relative merits of the numerous similar requests it receives. It is only natural that young people refrain from going in debt any more than necessary. For that reason there is not the demand for loan funds that there is for scholarships and fellowships. Loan funds should not be overlooked by those who cannot finance their education by other means. The low interest rate, if any, and the length of time given to repay loans will come as a surprise to many. Once financial aid has been secured for a year or even a semester, the best way to insure its continuation is for the student to show through accomplishment that he is worthy of help. This will require diligent planning and hard work in most cases. Comments thus far bave been general and apply to any high-school graduate wanting to go to college. An article in THIS JOURNAL may be expected to make some special mention of those who expect to major in chemistry and chemical engineering. While these students are of particular interest to the chemical profession, their problems are essentially the same as for those going into other fields. Those interested in careers in chemistry and chemical engineering are urged t.o consult with members of the American Chemical Society and its local sections, divisions, and representatives of chemical industry. The Society has vocational-guidance literature to help guide young people in the selection of careers. Several local sections and chemical industries give awards and scholarships, and a few have loan funds. The JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION and Chemical and Engineering News intermittently carry notices of financial aids to students. The chemical profession is always looking for outstanding young talent and has much support to offer. It wants to be asked.
MERCK GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY APPLICATION^ m e again being received for the Merck Graduate Fellowship in Analytical Chemistry, financed by Merck & Co., Inc., and administered by the A. C. S. The annual stipend is $2500. The dace of studv must be an institution whose undereraduate course of instruction in chemistryis Lpproved by t6e Society. In Canada, the institution-selected must be approved by the Chemical Institute of Canada. and the A. C. S. A fellowship will he awarded to the applicant believed capable of contributing most to the sdvancement of the theory and practice of analytical chemistry during the fellowship and in the future. It will bo voted contingent upon the successful csndid~te'sobt,aining acceptance from the in3rirution xnrl rhr profr?wr erlwrwl fm the srudv pn,gr:iui ejronsnred. .\fq,lirntion bl:nlke I n R \ b?ohtnint%1from thll .\meril%n (Ol(.nlicdSol.irf?., 113.5 Sixteenth Street, N. \V..\Vashinero~rI;. 1). C. They should bc. wnwlrted nnd rvrurnrd 10 the lfrrrk Frllu~sloin Committee, a t i h e sake address, %"longwith letters bf reoommendatiou and transcripts of oredit;. Deadline date for receipt of all material is February 1, 1956.
