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02.08

IEEE Partners with College Parents of America

By IEEE Financial Advantage Program Staff

IEEE understands how stressful and expensive it is for parents today to plan and pay for their children’s college education. The admissions processes at American colleges and universities can be complex, confusing and extremely competitive – and all the more so for international families.

The reason for this is simple economics: over the past several years, the number of students seeking advanced degrees has far outpaced the capacity of the country’s higher learning institutions. High school graduates recognize that their life-long earnings potential increases by an average of 40 percent with a college education – and that the demand for skilled labor is greater than unskilled labor.

With this increase in demand comes an increase in cost. And, in the case of college tuition, the cost continues to outpace the rate of inflation. The typical public university now costs approximately $12,000 per year, while private colleges average $30,000 per year in tuition. This does not include room and board or other necessary living expenses.

It is no wonder that college aspirants and their parents face the college application and financial process with trepidation. That is why IEEE has partnered with College Parents of America, the only national membership association dedicated to advocating and to serving on behalf of current and future college parents. Established in 1998, College Parents of America members include not only parents, but also colleges and universities, local school systems, corporations, associations and other organizations dedicated to making higher education accessible – and successful – for all.

This partnership entitles IEEE members to free membership in College Parents of America and free access to all of the resources and services it provides in the way of information and guidance; discounts on products and services; and representation in legislative and regulatory matters.

For information and guidance, College Parents of America offers a one-stop shop for parents during the years leading to and through their children’s college graduation. The “Parent Resource Center” provides comprehensive information on everything from college savings plans and test preparation to on-campus security and career planning. The “Decade of Decisions” quarterly e-newsletter provides timely information, resources and deadlines that correspond with children’s school years, from 7th grade through college graduation. And “Ask the Experts” enables members to receive personal advice from nationally recognized authors, educators and college consultants.

College Parents of America also helps parents to minimize the cost of preparing and sending their children to college by offering thousands of dollars of discounts on useful products and services. These include savings on financial planning services, tutoring and test prep courses, study abroad programs, student health insurance, emergency transportation services and much more.

Finally, College Parents of America provides parents with leadership in Washington on issues like increasing tuition tax deductions, raising the cap on federal student loans, reforming student health insurance policies and making college more accessible. Members stay informed on the key issues that affect their families and children through weekly e-mail reports and a blog by the president of College Parents of America.

Sending a child to college is a formidable undertaking today, and with so much invested and at stake, parents of future and current college students are far more involved in their children’s college preparation and performance. The good news is that studies show that parental involvement can contribute to children’s success, both academically and emotionally, along the path to and through college.

IEEE and College Parents of America want to encourage and support this with easy and free access to key resources and services that help members to make the best choices for their families.

Sign up for membership today. To get more information about this or other IEEE Financial Advantage Program products and services, visit us on the web at http://www.ieee.org/fap.

Comments may be submitted to todaysengineer@ieee.org.