Make it about value.

Ask them. When you talk with the 2001 graduates of private colleges, or those of 1981 or 1961, one of the last things they recall from their college experience is how expensive it was. Virtually all of them will say it was a worthwhile investment, one they'd make again in a heartbeat. Almost without exception, they claim those four years were crucial in shaping their careers and lives. They continue to value their experience...and that is our first Affordability Tip for you.

If you're going to make your college decision about value rather than about cost, then you first have to cut through two myths.

Myth One: All colleges are the same. NOT! They vary widely in everything from academic opportunities to community experiences. More important, as you'd expect if all college experiences aren't the same, the outcomes are different as well. Where you go to college makes a difference.

Myth Two: That any college (including Northland) can claim to be the perfect choice for you. For that to be true all colleges would have to be the same AND all students would have to be the same. We know that's not the case. You come with your own special set of interests, talents and dreams. We respect that.

Understanding these two points - that colleges are different and that YOU are different - doesn't make your college search any easier. You have to find the best match. The point is that finding the best match isn't about cost...it's about the value you receive for the investment of your time and dollars.

That's not to say costs aren't important...they're just not important in October. Find the right college, and proceed with confidence about costs. When you find a college that fits, there is ALWAYS a way to make things work financially. At Northland, for instance, we have some amazingly generous donors. Nearly all of our students receive scholarships that range from five thousand dollars to full tuition. Our scholarships can be based on financial need or simply on your academic record, extracurricular talents, concern for the environment or service to others. Most of our students wouldn't be here if those funds weren't available so be confident we can make it possible for you as well.

Northland's new Access Guarantee ensures that good students from lower and middle income families will pay no more than the stated costs to attend the primary public university in their home state. If you have a 3.0 GPA or higher and come from a family with an adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less, you'll qualify. Check out the details here.

Northland may or may not be your least expensive college option...and that shouldn't matter. Northland may or may not be the best fit for you...and that REALLY matters. The point is that finding the best match isn't about cost...it's about the value you receive for the investment of your time and dollars.

So, for now, make it about value.