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Plan your crown journey to college


Out-of-State Doesn’t Mean Out-of-Reach

Think staying close to home is the only affordable option? Think again.
Many out-of-state colleges offer lower net prices, higher graduation rates, and stronger student support than local schools like ESU or NCC — and some even offer full-tuition aid for families earning under $75,000.
The Crown Hub has carefully researched a wide range of universities based on two key factors: • Travel time (1–2 hour flights from Allentown or Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) • Driving distance (within 10 hours from the Poconos)
We intentionally excluded schools in Manhattan, Philadelphia, and much of New Jersey due to their high cost of living, which can make the overall college experience more expensive — even if tuition is comparable.
This isn’t about going far. It’s about going forward.Use the data below to compare outcomes and decide what’s possible for your future.

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  • Need-blind means a college makes its admissions decisions without considering your family’s ability to pay. In other words:You’re judged on your talent, drive, and accomplishments — not your bank account.
    If you’re accepted, these schools typically commit to meeting your full financial need with scholarships, grants, or work-study — not loans.
    👑 Why It Matters for Crown Students
    For students from low- or middle-income families in the Poconos, need-blind schools are game-changers. They open doors to: • Elite universities you might have assumed were out of reach • Degrees that come with zero or very low debt • Equal footing in the admissions process — no bias based on income
    These 116 colleges don’t ask how much money you have before deciding if you belong. They ask: Are you ready to thrive here?
    And if the answer is yes — they’ll help make it happen.

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For More Information

College Tuition After Financial Aid & Median Salary 6-years Post-graduation

How to Read This Graph:
The bars show the average net price students pay after financial aid (including Pell Grants), for families earning $75,000 or less per year.

The lines show the average salary a graduate earns six years after finishing school.

Use this chart to see how much college could actually cost — and what kind of paycheck might come after.

Common pocono myths regarding college

  • Reality:If your household earns under $75,000 a year, most colleges in our comparison list offer enough financial aid to bring the total cost of a 4-year degree down to less than $20,000 — that’s less than half of one year’s income.
    Some of the best schools in the country (like MIT, University of Chicago, and Berea College) offer free tuition or full-ride packages for students from low- to moderate-income families.
    But the real reason to consider college isn’t just the cost — it’s the cost of not going.
    A student who earns a bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University could make: • $600,000 more than a high school graduate over their lifetime (even at average salary levels) • Over $2 million more if they land in the top 25% of earners
    College isn’t a luxury — it’s a long-term investment that opens doors for a better life.

  • Reality:We understand — sending your child away for college can feel overwhelming. But “far” doesn’t mean gone forever, and in many cases, a short flight opens up life-changing opportunities.
    From airports right here in the Poconos — Allentown (ABE) and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AVP) — students can reach cities like: • Chicago (home to UChicago, Northwestern, UIC) • Boston (MIT, Northeastern, Boston University) • Charlotte (UNC Charlotte, Queens University) • Atlanta (Georgia Tech, Emory) • Washington, D.C. (Georgetown, GWU) • Orlando & Myrtle Beach (UCF, Coastal Carolina)
    Many of these schools offer far better graduation rates, stronger alumni networks, and lower costs after aid than local options — sometimes even free tuition for low-income families.
    Your student can be just a 1–2 hour flight away — and come home for breaks, holidays, or even weekends. But the education and opportunity they gain from going “a little farther” could carry them much further in life.

  • Reality:Your family business is a powerful legacy — but giving your child a college education doesn’t mean losing them. In fact, it could be the best investment in your business’s future.
    With a degree in business, marketing, accounting, IT, or management, your child could return with skills that: • Help you grow the business • Modernize operations • Handle finances, branding, or expansion more strategically • Take on leadership roles that keep it going into the next generation
    And if the business ever struggles, their degree becomes a safety net — giving them economic options beyond the shop or the field.
    College doesn’t have to replace the family business. It can elevate it.

  • Reality:There’s pride in hard work. In building with your hands. In showing up early, staying late, and earning every dollar. That's pride. That's Pocono. That's Pennsylvanian — that legacy — is real, and it matters.
    But college doesn’t take anything away from that.
    In fact, for many students from blue-collar families, college is about carrying that work ethic further, not replacing it. It’s about learning how to: • Start your own company • Lead a job site • Manage contracts, payroll, and bids • Take control of your future, not just survive in it
    Plenty of “blue-collar kids” graduate, come back home, and run the business their family once worked for — only now, with confidence, tools, and options.
    College isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming more of who you already are — with more freedom to choose how you live.

  • Reality:Times have changed, and the plan your parents followed may not hold the same promise today.

    Local Cost of Living Has Risen:
    • Pennsylvania’s overall cost of living jumped 23% between 2018 and 2023, tied to higher prices in urban and rural areas alike .
    • In places like Pocono Pines, home values rose about 7.4% year-over-year, with other cost categories (food, housing, transportation) climbing yearly too .

    What your parents paid—or saved—can’t stretch as far today. That same life requires more planning and resources than ever.

    ⸻

    Why This Matters For Your Child

    Even if your dream is a “simple life,” the reality is more complex:
    • Inflation compounds—something affordable today can become out of reach tomorrow.
    • AI and automation continue transforming the job landscape, leaving many earnings vulnerable without a degree.
    • A college credential helps your child adapt, earn more, and protect your family’s future—without losing the lifestyle you value.

    ⸻
    The Bigger Truth: Education + Tradition

    College doesn’t erase your values—it amplifies your legacy.

    By combining a hardworking mindset with modern skills, your child can:
    • Stay local if they choose
    • Earn well above inflation
    • Build a life that’s both fulfilling—and secure

    Your goal wasn’t just to live like your parents—it was to give your family more freedom, stability, and choice. A degree helps make that possible.

The Crown Guide to College: A Step-by-Step Plan to Success

Whether you’re a freshman just finding your rhythm or a senior finalizing essays, college success starts with preparation — and support.

The Crown Guide to College walks you through every year of high school with practical tips, milestone checklists, and community encouragement.

This isn’t just a plan — it’s a pathway built for students from the Poconos and beyond to rise, shine, and claim their place.

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SAT / Act Dates 

Don’t miss registration deadlines. Start early and plan ahead.

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SAT / Act Waivers 

Standardized testing shouldn’t be a financial burden. If you’re eligible for free or reduced lunch—or face other economic challenges—you may qualify for fee waivers for the SAT and ACT.

Fee waivers cover the full cost of the test, let you send your scores to colleges for free, and can unlock college application fee waivers later on.

SAT Waiver ProgramACT Waiver Program
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College Planning Resources

From scholarship search engines to college access organizations like QuestBridge, we’ve curated resources to help you navigate the next steps — with confidence.

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QuestBridge Website

  • QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that helps high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds connect with top colleges — and graduate with little to no debt.

    Through its College Prep Scholars Program (for juniors) and National College Match (for seniors), QuestBridge opens doors to some of the most selective schools in the country — including full four-year scholarships at places like Yale, Stanford, and Brown.

    👑 Why it matters to Crown students:
    If you’ve worked hard, maintained a strong GPA, and come from a household with financial need, QuestBridge could be your path to a life-changing college experience — with support, mentorship, and a powerful community.

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PowerSchool: Naviance Website

  • Naviance is an online platform that helps students explore careers, plan coursework, build resumes, and manage college applications — all in one place.

    Through Naviance, you can track your GPA, match with colleges based on your interests, and submit application materials directly with counselor support. Some schools may also use SCOIR, Xello, or another local tool — all designed to guide you from high school to higher education.

    👑 Why it matters to Crown students:
    These portals are your college planning hub. Whether you’re looking for scholarships, logging volunteer hours, or choosing a major, Naviance helps you stay organized and on track — with your goals front and center.

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FAFSA Website

  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key to unlocking financial aid for college — including federal grants, scholarships, work-study, and low-interest loans.

    Every year, millions of students complete the FAFSA to qualify for support based on their family’s income. Submitting it early gives you the best chance at aid — and it’s required by most colleges and scholarship programs.

    👑 Why it matters to Crown students:
    FAFSA is step one to making college affordable. Even if you think you won’t qualify, applying shows schools you’re serious and opens the door to thousands of dollars in financial support.

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©2025 Created by Crown Roots Foundation | All rights Reserved

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Proudly rooted in the Poconos, The Crown Hub highlights academic elite students, youth athletes, celebrates school pride, and connects our community through sports and storytelling.

©2025 Created by Crown Roots Foundation | All rights Reserved

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Proudly rooted in the Poconos, The Crown Hub highlights academic elite students, youth athletes, celebrates school pride, and connects our community through sports and storytelling.

©2025 Created by Crown Roots Foundation | All rights Reserved

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