There has been a fury of panic over the last several weeks as students and families received the news of federal funding freeze. Students all over Reddit were having meltdowns fearing they would not be able to finish college without this funding. That is not the case.
Continue reading Will the Funding Freeze Impact Federal Direct Loans and Pell Grants?Category Archives: FAFSA
Understanding the Nuances of Applying for Financial Aid
Navigating the financial aid process can feel like wading through a maze of forms, deadlines, and unfamiliar terms. It can seem overwhelming for many parents, especially first-time or first-generation college families. But with a little guidance, you can make a significant difference in your student’s ability to afford college. Let’s break it down step by step to help you confidently tackle the process.
1. Know the Key Financial Aid Forms
The first step in applying for financial aid is understanding the forms you must complete. The most common ones include:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This is the gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Many states and colleges also use FAFSA information to determine their aid packages.
- CSS Profile: Some colleges, particularly private institutions, require this additional form to award institutional aid. It digs deeper into your family’s financial situation than the FAFSA.
Make sure to check the requirements for each college your child is applying to and note whether they require just the FAFSA, or both forms.
Continue reading Understanding the Nuances of Applying for Financial AidWhen Your Financial Aid Award Isn’t What You Expected
As parents, we often have high hopes and expectations for our children’s education, and financial aid plays a crucial role in making those aspirations a reality. However, what should you do when your student’s financial aid award isn’t what you anticipated?
In this guide, we’ll explore steps you can take to address the situation and ensure your child receives the support they need for their academic journey.
Continue reading When Your Financial Aid Award Isn’t What You ExpectedAnother Delay for the FAFSA
Another FAFSA delay, yet again.
The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday that colleges and universities won’t receive students’ FAFSA information until at least early March. The delay, they said, is the result of the department’s decision to fix an error in how a student’s eligibility is calculated.
In its statement announcing the latest delay, the department also acknowledged that students can’t currently make corrections to their forms and wouldn’t be able to do so until the first half of March.
“With this last-minute news, our nation’s colleges are once again left scrambling as they determine how best to work within these new timelines to issue aid offers as soon as possible,” Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Aid Administrators, said. “Financially vulnerable students shouldn’t be the ones to pay the price for these missteps.”
An Education Department website lists a host of other issues on the new form that are affecting applicants, echoing parents’ frustrations over the last month.
Continue reading Another Delay for the FAFSAFAFSA Frustrations and Questions
It’s been a busy holiday season culminating with the availability of the new FAFSA. Let’s just say it’s been anything but seamless for parents and students.
Monitoring Facebook groups, I’ve noticed so many frustrations with the new form. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s new and everyone is not too sure about the simplified format, or the instructions just aren’t clear, which is a distinct possibility. Whatever the case, the questions online are prolific.
My best advice: take it slowly. Read every section carefully and if you don’t understand, search for answers at StudentAid.gov.
From NerdWallet, here are its five most-confusing aspects, and strategies to deal with them — so you can submit your form ASAP.
Continue reading FAFSA Frustrations and Questions6 Financial Aid Mistakes
Financial aid is on the minds of every soon-to-be college student and their families. Will you qualify? How much will you receive? How do you apply? How do the colleges disperse the aid? No matter where you are in the college application process, you should avoid these six financial aid mistakes that could cost you thousands.
Continue reading 6 Financial Aid Mistakes100+ College Prep Resources
It’s exhausting searching and scouring the internet for the right information when it comes to helping your student prepare for college. But what if you could use ONLY ONE RESOURCE and find everything you ever wanted to know about college prep? Wouldn’t that be amazing?
Here it is. I’ve done the research, examined the links and their resources, and compiled a list of 100+ college prep resources for you. (If you know of others, please leave them in the comments and I will add them to the list!)
Continue reading 100+ College Prep Resources10 Reasons to Complete the FAFSA
The FAFSA for the 2022-23 school year will be available on October 1. The earlier you file, the better your chances of getting some of the money colleges allocate for financial aid. In order to help parents understand the FAFSA and answer some of your questions, this week is FAFSA week.
According to a new SallieMae study, 70% of families reported submitting the FAFSA for AY 2021–22. This figure represents the first time in four years that FAFSA submission rates did not decline-last year it was 68%. Low- and middle-income families submitted the FAFSA® at a higher rate than their higher-income counterparts.
Many families believe their income is too high to submit the FAFSA. Most families who didn’t file the FAFSA® said it was because they believed their income was too high (36%). While families earning more than $150,000 annually were most likely to select this reason (74%), 26% of families making less than $150,000 also believed their income is too high to qualify for aid.
Here are the other reasons for not submitting the FAFSA:
Continue reading 10 Reasons to Complete the FAFSAStep-by-Step FAFSA Filing
Completing the FAFSA® form is the first step to obtaining federal student aid to pay for your college or career school. Follow these eight simple steps for FAFSA filing to set your student up for success and submit the form on time.
Continue reading Step-by-Step FAFSA FilingJust for Parents: Understanding the FAFSA
For many parents, understanding the FAFSA can be complicated. It’s not meant to be, but as with all government forms, it can be daunting.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is the student’s responsibility, but when a student is considered a dependent student for FAFSA purposes, parents have a large role in the application process. Educate yourself about the process and opportunities so you can provide the guidance your child needs to do their part.
Continue reading Just for Parents: Understanding the FAFSA