Guiding Students Along Their Pathway to Success
The bulk of college financial aid money comes from the federal government; this aid is distributed by colleges using information supplied by families when they complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), available on October 1st. About 400 colleges, universities and scholarship programs, however, use an additional form, the CSS Profile, to … Read More
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the primary form used by colleges to determine eligibility for need-based aid. In some cases, colleges will not consider an applicant for merit aid unless that student has first submitted a FAFSA. The FAFSA should be filed as soon as possible after October 1st of … Read More
Before students leave for college, families need to have a conversation about reasonable spending expectations. Parents need to be aware of the costs of books, clubs, activities and midnight pizza runs. But students shouldn’t assume there is a limitless debit card at their disposal. Most would agree that parents owe it to their children … Read More
Media stories about the rising cost of a college education and student debt, combined with the lingering economic effects of the recession, have led many people to question whether it still makes financial sense to attend college. The answer is a resounding yes, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. … Read More
Now that the heavy-lifting is done on college applications and the students have had a bit of a break from sharing their innermost thoughts in college essays, it’s time to gear up and start searching for ways to pay for their dreams. One of the biggest college admissions misconceptions that parents enjoy discovering is … Read More
You’ve probably seen the headlines suggesting that debt for college students is out of control and getting worse. But, is it really? New data from the research arm of the College Board provide some answers. Since 1983, the College Board has analyzed data gathered from both the U.S. Department of Education and colleges to … Read More
Applying to college can be a costly proposition. According to U.S. News and World Reports, the average college application fee charged by colleges is $42, with more than a quarter of schools charging $50 or more. Add in the cost of standardized test score reports and, at some high schools, fees for transcript requests, … Read More
If your child has turned or will turn 18 before college begins, she is legally an adult, and you, her parent, lose the legal authority to make decisions on her behalf. That means that you have no legal right to see her grades, manage her finances (although you remain responsible for paying her college … Read More
A few months before your child starts college, you’ll receive a bill from the college for your child’s first semester (or quarter) of expenses. The college will deduct any financial aid or scholarships, and the bill will show the amount you – the parent – will need to pay before school starts. If you … Read More
If your first choice college offers everything you want but the price tag is making you waiver, don’t give up hope. Instead, consider appealing to the college’s financial aid office for more money. While colleges and universities won’t encourage it, you are within bounds. Individual financial aid officers are empowered to make adjustments if … Read More