Virginia Private College Week is back for 2015

Washington and Lee University

The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) recently announced that Virginia Private College Week is back.  This year, the event will take place from Monday, July 27 through Saturday, August 1, 2015.

And this is your opportunity to ‘tour and save.’

Several years ago, CICV launched an incentive program designed to bring high school students and their families to Virginia’s private college campuses by giving away application fee waivers.

In a nutshell, if you visit three or more participating colleges during Virginia Private College Week, you will receive three application fee waivers.  This means NO application fees for three Virginia private colleges of your choice.

And hundreds of students take advantage of the offer each year as groups of families drive from campus to campus on summer vacations that double as traditional college tours.

It works this way:

1. Decide which schools you want to visit. There are 23 from which to choose, and they are located in virtually every corner of scenic Virginia.
2. Register for tours at each of the schools you plan to visit. Yes, register. It’s not required, but it really helps the schools plan for materials and tour guides. And it’s really VERY easy.
3. Organize your travel plans. Transportation information and driving instructions are available on individual college websites. Note that this is not an organized bus tour.
4. Make sure the admissions office knows you’re there—be sure to sign in.
5. Complete your visit and the school will notify CICV electronically.
6. After three visits, you will be sent three application fee waivers certified for use at any of the Virginia private colleges—not necessarily the ones you visited.

For example, if you visit Marymount, Shenandoah, and Lynchburg, you can use your application fee waivers at any of those three colleges or at Randolph-Macon, Washington & Lee and the University of Richmond. Your choice!

By the way, Virginia’s private institutions often get overshadowed by the Commonwealth’s strong public colleges and universities. But you really should take a closer look, as these schools offer wonderful opportunities for students with a variety of college criteria and interests. Much more information, including an interactive listing of colleges by majors, may be found on the CICV website.

And as you’re considering Virginia private colleges, don’t forget about the Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG). This wonderful program offers financial awards to Commonwealth students attending any of Virginia’s private colleges or universities. The sole eligibility requirement is that you live in Virginia. It’s really pretty sweet.

Also keep in mind that Virginia529 College Savings Plans can be applied to tuition at Virginia private colleges.  All four savings programs offered by Virginia529—Virginia529 inVEST, Virginia529 prePAID, CollegeAmerica®, and CollegeWealth®—can be used at any of the colleges you visit during Virginia Private College Week.

Start making plans now.  If you have questions about the tour or the advantages of Virginia’s private colleges, you can call 540.586.0606 or visit the CICV website.