When asked about tuition and financial aid, which approach should an OL take?

• A. Provide general information and direct to the Financial Aid office or official website
• B. Provide precise numbers from memory
• C. Tell them there is no aid and everything is expensive
• D. Ignore the topic and redirect to another question

Answer: (A)

When someone asks about tuition and financial aid, the best approach is to share general information you know and then direct them to the official resources for precise details. Tuition and aid specifics can vary greatly by student, program, residency, and year, and official sources have the most current numbers, deadlines, and eligibility criteria. This approach shows professionalism, helps ensure accuracy, and guides them to the right place for personalized information.

Providing precise numbers from memory can be misleading if figures change or don’t apply to that individual. Saying there is no aid is inaccurate and discouraging, and ignoring the topic misses an important student need. By pointing them to the Financial Aid office or the official website, you help them get accurate, up-to-date information and the next steps, such as how to apply, what documents are needed, and who to contact for an appointment.