The Princeton Review Launches Online College Admissions & Financial Aid Courses

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Jul 29, 2010, 08:00 ET

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing to expand its position as a comprehensive provider of education services and products, The Princeton Review today announced the launch of its first series of admissions and financial aid courses.

Designed to deliver the lessons and skills that college bound students and their parents need to successfully navigate the college research, application and financial aid processes, the six courses will take place in a live online format. The courses will be interactive with specific Q&A time, and taught by national experts including Rob Franek, author of The Princeton Review's annual Best Colleges guide books, and Kal Chany, author of Paying for College Without Going Broke.

Courses are scheduled to begin in September 2010 and will be available on multiple dates that align with standard college admissions and financial aid process timelines. Additionally, classes will be recorded, allowing students to view entire sessions or specific concepts at their convenience. Costs for individual courses will range from $70 - $200 and various course packages will also be available.

"We believe these new services will allow us to continue to be a more comprehensive partner in helping high school students achieve their higher education goals," commented Scott Kirkpatrick, President of the Test Preparation and Admissions Services Division at The Princeton Review. "For more than 20 years, college costs have risen annually, far outpacing any gains in family income. To help students and their families learn how to successfully navigate the financial aid and admissions processes, we have created a series of courses to address this need head on."

Kirkpatrick noted that national statistics indicate that the ratio of students to guidance counselors in public high schools is 470:1, and that in many states that ratio is far worse. "The Princeton Review's new admissions and financial aid courses are intended to counter this trend," he said. "We want to actively help the many college bound students nationally who have little access to the necessary tools and clear guidance needed to demystify the college admissions and financial aid process from beginning to end."

According to The Princeton Review, college bound students and their families sometimes make costly mistakes during the college admission and financial aid process. "It can be an intimidating experience," says Robert Franek, Senior Vice President and Publisher, The Princeton Review. "We expect our new courses will diffuse the frenzy and provide clear and essential information about the college admissions and financial aid process."

Admissions Series

The Admissions track will include the following three courses:

Admissions 101: Overview of the College Application Process (one 2.5-hour session) -- This class reviews all aspects of the college admissions process from application to acceptance. Key areas include how to make an application stand out, what admissions committees look for, and how to prepare for an interview.
Admissions 201: How to Conduct an Effective College Search (two 2-hour sessions) -- This course focuses on all aspects of the college search process including how to find the right college match. Key areas include how to research schools, what rankings really mean, how to find the right financial fit, and getting the most out of college visits.
Admissions 301: Essay Writing Workshop (one 2.5-hour session) -- This class will deconstruct a series of essays written by real college applicants. Key areas include what makes a good essay, finding a topic for an essay, and how to avoid common essay writing pitfalls.

Financial Aid Series

The Financial Aid track will include the following three courses:

Financial Aid 101: Understanding the Financial Aid Process (two 2-hour sessions) -- This class demystifies the financial aid process and shows how to get a quality education at a fair price. Key areas include taking control of the financial aid process, short-term strategies for boosting financial aid award packages, and how to pick a financial safety school.
Financial Aid 201: Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) (three 2-hour sessions) -- This course shows how to fill out the FAFSA correctly to help maximize the opportunity for aid. Key areas include analysis of a typical FAFSA application and line by line review of questions on the form.
Financial Aid 301: Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer (one 2-hour session) -- This class focuses on how to compare aid award letters and evaluate the different types of financial aid offered. Key areas include how to read financial aid offer letters, understanding the different types of aid and college loans, and finding out about work study programs.

To learn more about The Princeton Review's new College Admissions and Financial Aid courses, visit www.princetonreview.com/AdmissionsFinAid.

About The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review (Nasdaq: REVU) has been a pioneer and leader in helping students achieve their higher education goals for more than 28 years through college and graduate school test preparation and private tutoring. With more than 165 print and digital publications and a free website, www.PrincetonReview.com, the Company provides students and their parents with the resources to research, apply to, prepare for, and learn how to pay for higher education. The Princeton Review partners with schools and guidance counselors throughout the U.S. to assist in college readiness, test preparation and career planning services, helping more students pursue postsecondary education. The Company also owns and operates Penn Foster Education Group, a global leader in online education. Penn Foster provides career-focused degree and vocational programs in the fields of allied health, business, technology, education, and select trades through the Penn Foster High School and Penn Foster Career School (www.pennfoster.edu), which are headquartered in Scranton, PA.

SOURCE The Princeton Review