The Emotional Rollercoaster of College Planning: Why Institutions Need to Step Up Their Support

For those working in enrollment, the college planning process is familiar territory. We’ve navigated the deadlines, mastered the jargon, and understand the intricacies of financial aid. But for prospective students the landscape can be a bewildering maze

Our recent study with ZeeMee, Enrollment and the Well-Being of Prospective Students: Creating a Culture of Care, sheds light on the anxieties surrounding college planning. Here are just a few things we learned from this survey of more than 8,600 students:

• 82% of students worry about not knowing if they could afford college, highlighting the significant stress placed on students navigating the complex and often daunting financial aid landscape.
• 70% of students worry about understanding how to qualify for financial aid or scholarships, underscoring the need for clear, accessible guidance on these critical funding pathways.
• 68% worry about forgetting to submit a required form, and 67% feel anxious about doing an admissions interview.
• 65% feel stressed about filling out financial aid forms, and 58% worry about filling out the FAFSA.
• 56% worry about not knowing when they would hear if they got in.

These statistics paint a picture of a process that is not just complex, but emotionally taxing for students. The pressure to secure financial aid, fear of making mistakes, and uncertainty about the outcome can create a perfect storm of anxiety.

What are the top barriers keeping 12th graders from applying to college?

• 65% worried about knowing if they will be able to pay for college.
• 60% struggled with finding the right fit.
• 54% felt overwhelmed by the FAFSA.
• 51% didn’t know where to start.
• 50% were unsure about what they want to study.
• 50% worried they will not get in anywhere.
• 50% struggled with understanding how to qualify for financial aid or scholarships.

Financial barriers and navigating complex aid systems were top concerns. Finding the right academic and cultural fit and having clarity on a major were also significant hurdles. Admissions stress, including anxiety about not getting into any college and uncertainty about where to start the process, also loomed large.

What are the practical implications for institutions?

• Financial aid simplicity and support. Given the top barriers of affordability and navigating financial aid, institutions should prioritize simplifying their financial aid information and providing robust support. This could include clear, easy-to-understand webpages, dedicated financial aid counselors, and interactive tools to help students estimate their aid packages.
• Fit exploration resources. Recognizing the importance of finding the right fit, enrollment offices can provide resources to help students explore academic programs and campus culture. This might include virtual tours, student panels, and interactive quizzes to match students with potential majors and colleges.
• Emotional support. Institutions should acknowledge the emotional toll of the college process and provide support. This could include counseling resources, admissions staff trained to provide empathetic guidance, and messages reassuring students that it’s okay to not have all the answers.

It is our duty to ease the anxiety and empower prospective students. By alleviating the emotional burdens of college planning, we’re not just filling seats—we’re shaping the trajectory of young lives. Let’s strive to create a recruitment model that doesn’t just enroll students, but uplifts them, instills confidence, and sets them on a path to thrive not just in college, but for a lifetime.