Tag Archives: completing the FAFSA

FAFSA, financial aid, financial planning

FAFSA Frustrations and Questions

FAFSA

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.

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FAFSA, financial aid, parenting

FAFSA Tips, Reminders, and Mistakes to Avoid

 

fafsaIt’s FAFSA time. “Yuck”, as one parent said. “Dreading, dreading, dreading” from another. “It’s my least favorite time of year (other than income taxes)”, said another. I get it. Nobody likes filling out federal forms, especially when money is on the line. And with the FAFSA, money is on the line.

Today I am sharing some of the best FAFSA advice I’ve found online. If you have a college bound teen, this information will be invaluable. Don’t just skim it, however; you need to read every last word. Not knowing can mean the difference between receiving aid and receiving a big fat zero. Trust me, I have learned from experience and listened to so many parents that neglected to do the research before completing the form.

Avoid These FAFSA Mistakes

My first piece of advice comes from Lynn O’Shaughnessy of The College Solution blog. Her advice is spot on and goes into great detail about some key points regarding marital status, household size, and reporting assets. It’s an easy to understand guide for parents and breaks the government lingo down into simple language.

Read more . . .

10 Tips to Prepare for the FAFSA

I wrote this article for TeenLife.com giving parents tips on what they need before completing the FAFSA. You want to be the first in line for financial aid. Students who complete the government form early are more likely to receive funds set aside by the colleges for financial aid. If you don’t complete the FAFSA, you won’t receive any aid. Everyone should file the FAFSA, even if you think you won’t qualify for federal aid.

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False FAFSA Assumptions

Jodi Okun of College Financial Aid Advisors wrote this piece for AboutMoney.com. One of the most common statements I hear from parents is, “I’m not going to file because we won’t qualify for financial aid”. Jodi points out the huge mistake in making this assumption and others.

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7 Legal Ways to Squeeze More Money Out of the FAFSA

It makes perfect sense, just with your taxes, that you should receive what is owed you. With the FAFSA, this affects your student’s financial aid award. Kim Clark of Time.com/Money shares her best advice on how to complete the form properly to ensure you get the most financial aid.

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Do me a favor and pass this information along to other parents. The more you know, the more you will maximize your financial aid. And…sharing is caring!