Category Archives: financial planning

FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning

Understanding the Nuances of Applying for Financial Aid

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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.

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college costs, college planning, financial planning

The True Cost of College

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Photo by Godisable Jacob

Starting college is exciting. It’s a chance to learn, meet new people, and prepare for your future. But along with the excitement comes a long list of costs. College can feel expensive fast. Luckily, by understanding the key expenses and planning ahead, you can handle them without too much stress. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to manage the college costs.

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financial planning, Student debt, student loans

Tips for Finding the Best Student Loan

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Image by 3D Animation Production Company from Pixabay

For many students across the country, taking out a student loan is the only way they can afford to get the education they want and need.

While other options, like scholarships or financial aid, are available for students meeting the criteria for others whose parents can help them or can’t cover the entire four-year tuition, student loans can bridge the gap and are a necessary evil.

However, not all student loans are the same. Understanding the financial agreement you’re signing up for and knowing how to find the best student loans can empower you, giving you the control to avoid some of the common pitfalls of student loans and make more informed decisions. So here goes.

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college costs, college guidance, college planning, financial aid, financial planning

Are You Worried About Paying for College?

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Image from Pixabay

As a parent, I would say paying for college was on my top 10 lists of worries as my children entered high school. We were caring for my elderly father and great aunt, along with battling with breast cancer. It was all we could do to stay afloat with medical and elder care expenses breathing down our necks every month.

My son was looking at a military career, but I knew he wanted to go to college. He also knew that we could not afford to contribute. My daughter was two years behind him, and I knew she had her heart set on Boston University, an expensive private college in the northeast. I worried day and night that her dreams would not materialize, and my son would have few options other than joining the military out of high school.

My children were not first generation students. However, I did not attend college, and my spouse attended a local college that basically accepted anyone who applied. I was lost. My circle of friends were not college graduates and were not encouraging their kids to apply to college. My parents did not encourage me to attend college, so I was clueless about the process. I had no idea where to turn for help and the school counselor was responsible for hundreds of students at a large public high school. She had little time to advise students about colleges and even less time to help with figuring out how to pay.

Dealing with all the family drama and concerned about finances, my son made the decision during his junior year to join the Marines. I was supportive but worried the decision was forced on him because he felt he had no other option. The day he signed a letter of intent, I decided to focus the next few years on my daughter’s dream—attending college.

I knew I had to research colleges, look at finances, and make sure she had a stellar academic and extracurricular record to back up her applications. When she entered her senior year, we had a plan. Here’s what we did:

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back to school, college guidance, college prep, financial planning, giveaways, parenting

Back to School Bundle Sale

back to school

Ah Back to School…. 

It’s a million degrees outside and the aisles at the store are crowded and bare of the exact supplies your student needs to start the year.

You want to set you and  your student up for the best possible school year, but are finding overwhelm at every turn. They are sold out of the twin XL dorm sheets your daughter had her heart set on. Your son wants to visit every college on the west coast and the east coast and all the ones in the middle as well. You found out you were supposed to keep your “Band Mom” t-shirt from last year, but you painted your fence in it and now….

Or maybe you are taking your baby to college and are wishing with all your might you could wear that ratty “Band Mom” t-shirt in the concession stand just one more time.

Feeling your frenzy (because we’ve all been there), I jumped at the chance to contribute my Parenting for College Crash Course eBook to help you set your student up for college to the BACK TO SCHOOL BUNDLE.

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college costs, financial aid, financial planning, parenting, scholarships

Top 10 Questions Parents Ask About Paying for College

paying for college
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Navigating the financial aspects of sending a child to college can be daunting for many parents. From scholarships and loans to budgeting and saving, there are numerous considerations. Here, we address the top 10 questions parents commonly ask about paying for college, along with comprehensive answers.

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college guidance, college planning, college prep, financial planning, high school, mom approved tips, parenting

Tips for Parents of a Soon-to-Be High School Freshman

high school freshman

Entering high school is a significant milestone for both students and their parents. This transition can be exciting, nerve-wracking, and filled with opportunities for growth. As parents, your support and guidance are crucial in helping your student navigate this new phase.

Here are some tips to help you and your soon-to-be freshman plan for a successful and fulfilling high school experience.

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college costs, college planning, financial planning, scholarships

Top Tips for Affording College

affording college

A college education is one of the biggest investments you could ever make. College costs money, and it’s not often as cheap as you think it could be. The good news is that it doesn’t have to cost you everything you have, and you do not need to live on ramen the entire time you’re studying. 

Your education is important, and you have to look at it as the investment that it is. If you’re planning on studying a useful degree, then you’re going to know that whatever you put into it now is going to pay you back later.

Low interest student loans are out there for those who want to use them, but you must also consider other ways to contribute toward affording college. You get to crunch the numbers now and plan for your future to make it as bright as possible. 

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college costs, financial aid, financial planning

Navigating Net Price Calculators

Net price calculators


Before your student applies to any college, it’s important to understand the cost of attendance as it applies to your family’s financial situation. Many disappointments can be avoided if this is the first step before applying to any college. We made that mistake with my daughter and although she got into her first-choice college, we simply could not afford it. If we had been realistic about the cost, we would have discouraged her from applying and steered her toward more affordable options.

With the rising costs of higher education, understanding the true financial implications of attending college has become increasingly crucial for students and their families. Net price calculators, often available on college websites, offer valuable insights into the actual cost of attending a particular institution after factoring in financial aid and scholarships. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to utilize these calculators effectively:

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FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning

When Your Financial Aid Award Isn’t What You Expected

financial aid award

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.

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