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How to Decide Which College Campuses to Visit Before Applying in the Fall

How to Decide Which College Campuses to Visit Before Applying in the Fall

Financial Aid, Pay for College / By

One of the most exciting parts of the college application process is actually deciding where to apply. There’s so many options! As spring break and summer vacation arrive, it can be a perfect time of year to schedule college visits. College visits are a great way to actually see which campuses might be a good fit for you, and to be able to talk to current students, the financial aid office, and visit the cities the schools are in. The first thing to do is narrow down your list and decide which college campuses to visit.  In general, there are three types of colleges you should consider applying to in the fall – dream, target, and safety. The target schools are those that fit most of your criteria, and where you are most likely to be accepted. They are also likely to be the schools which have costs in line with what your family expects to pay for college. Dream schools might seem like they are out of reach, but they still have some type of appeal to you because of their reputation, location, academic programs, or campus environment. Oftentimes these schools can be more expensive, but you’ve still got a possibility of acceptance and with financial aid, you could likely manage to go there.  Safety schools are those which are most likely to accept you, and that you will probably be able to afford. These might be schools with campuses close to your home town, or public universities in states which offer a high amount of tuition assistance.  With all of this in mind, it’s time to decide where to plan college visits. Here’s what to consider:  Think about the cost of attending Figuring out how much you are going to pay for college might seem like it is a long way down the road. It can be helpful to do some rough calculations before deciding where to visit. Take a close look at the websites of the colleges on your list. From there, try to determine what the average student pays after financial aid. Sometimes in this process, you may realize your “dream” schools are more affordable than you realized. When you’ve got those calculations done, plan to visit the ones that will be most realistic for your budget and are high on your interest list.  Find more ways to pay for college You might have a few schools in mind, but they seem out of reach financially for your family. Look into ways that you might be able to make those schools more affordable. If the cost of travel is too high, search for ways to lower those expenses. If the campus is in a city, try to find out how current students keep their daily expenses low. Scholarships and other opportunities to earn money that might provide the necessary funds to reach a particular financial level. Again, cross examine your lists of financially acceptable schools and the ones that are of most interest to you.  Talk to others Remember, you are not the first person to ever apply to college. Look for social media pages of the colleges you want to attend. Talk to some of the current students about their experiences.  Find out what it realistically costs to attend this school, so that you will know whether it should be a target or a dream. Don’t forget about students who may have graduated and are attending from your own circle of friends and family!  By the end of these reviews, you’ll have a smaller list of schools that will be worth the time to take a closer look. Once you have the list and have made travel plans with your parents, be prepared to get the most out of each campus visit by putting together a list of questions to ask professors, students, admissions, and financial aid. It might seem like a lot of work now – and it is. But finding the schools that could be right for you will make applying to college much easier!  More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. 

3 things to know about financial aid for high school juniors shared by Jodi Okun of College Financial Aid Advisors

3 Things to Know About Financial Aid for High School Juniors

Financial Aid / By

Students of all ages know that attending school is about learning new things! College is a chance to focus on a specialized area of study. But, before you can begin this new adventure, there’s a lot to do. There’s an application process and forms you need to file to pay for your college education. Whether your family is paying for part of your college degree, or you’re covering it all yourself, there’s a good chance you’ll need to rely on financial aid. Before you begin applications this fall as a high school junior, there’s a few things you should know!  Start with FAFSA  If you are not yet familiar with the term FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), now’s the perfect time to learn about it all! Filing the FAFSA is the first stop to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and most institutional college financial aid. Some schools might require you to complete a CSS Profile as well, so check requirements carefully. The application for the 2025-2026 cycle should be online October 1, 2024. Be prepared to file as soon as possible so you can give yourself the best opportunity of receiving all of the financial aid you qualify for.  Finally, don’t make assumptions that you won’t qualify for any aid. File anyway!  The early bird gets the money!  When it comes to applying for college, getting financial aid applications completed and filed early is always better. Right now, you should be narrowing down your college list. Then you can get a good handle on the application and financial aid deadlines. State deadlines could be as late as October and November of your senior year – but finish paperwork as early as you can. In addition to being the first to qualify for aid, an early application leaves you time to correct errors or submit any additional information required.  Be prepared for the possibilities  Applying for admissions and financial aid is a lot like many of the other situations – sometimes things will go your way and sometimes they won’t. The best thing to do is to be prepared for whatever might come your way and have backups in place. I encourage students to avoid being fully committed to any school until financial aid offers come in. Sometimes their dream school just isn’t feasible. Don’t forget to look for scholarships throughout the entire application process. Any extra money you find will come in handy to fill gaps or cover other costs, like books or supplies.  Applying to college is full of many deadlines and lots of paperwork to file, but it’s also such an exciting time! Although it may feel early to start this process and think about college, now is the perfect time to begin planning and preparing for the application process. Continue to review other resources on my blog about financial aid and you’ll be ready to go this fall!  More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

3 Tips to Discuss the Reality of Paying for College - College Financial Aid Advisors

3 Tips to Discuss the Reality of Paying for College

Financial Aid, Pay for College / By

How to Talk with Your Child About Funding their College Education One of the most difficult parts of a college education is figuring out how to pay. The college experience is not cheap! In fact, the question about who is going to pay for college is one of the hardest questions for many families to answer. There are parents who want to shoulder the burden – to eliminate debt for their child, give them a path of success for life, and who can afford to do so. There are also families where they want to do all of those things but doing so would cause a huge financial burden to the family, too. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, it’s important to sit down with your child(ren) and discuss who is responsible for paying for college. Having money talks – especially with your children – can be a super difficult thing to do But, the reality is that many students assume their parents will pay for college if that’s the path they choose. However, many of those same parents know that they can only contribute a certain amount of money to their child’s education. That disparity leads to frustration throughout the application process. Instead, it’s important to sit down and have a money talk with your family. Here’s my top three tips for talking about the reality of paying for college: Let your child know whether you have saved any money Most children don’t understand the reality of family finances, and might just assume that there is some type of college fund available, if they even know what those are. Let your child know early on whether you have been able to start a 529 Savings Plan, or have put money aside in other ways. This will go a long way towards finding and attending an affordable college. Plus, that’s the first money available to them to pay for school and should be highlighted right away in the calculations. Think carefully about taking money from your retirement account It’s so tempting to use your own retirement fund to cover college loans. But, you put money into retirement accounts for your own purposes, and withdrawing anything could adversely affect your financial stability in later years. It’s not just the principal amount you’re putting on the line; it’s the interest that will not accrue, too. You might think you are withdrawing just $5000 from your retirement, but that could end up being $7000 or $8000 less in your account, depending on your investment plan and time until retirement. There could also be tax consequences for an early withdrawal. It seems like an easy solution but is often anything but that! Know why costs go up for college educations Many families don’t have an adequate understanding of why college costs increase between schools and even between years. Discuss the cost differences between public and private, two and four-year, or in-state and out-of-state colleges. Learn about financial aid, and roughly calculate how much you will have to pay out of pocket or borrow through student loans. Start budgeting early, and look for scholarships that might be able to draw costs down. Remember, loans HAVE to be paid back. So, while you’re chatting about the options – determine who would be responsible for paying those in the future, too. Parents should not get disparaged or feel entirely responsible about paying for college. In many households, it’s a joint effort from the student and parents. It’s important to strike a balance between helping and overburdening your student and having clear discussions to set expectations should make it easier for everyone! More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

Borrowing Smartly for College: What High School Juniors Need to Know - College Financial Aid Advisors

Borrowing Smartly for College: What High School Juniors Need to Know

Financial Aid, Pay for College / By

How to Start Preparing for College Applications in the Fall High school juniors are now halfway through their junior year of high school. For 6 months, they’ve been balancing your scholastic, athletic, family and personal activities. Now, it’s time to start thinking about college admissions and financial aid. As of this moment, they have only eight or nine months left to complete preliminary activities before your application. Today, I’m sharing what high school juniors can do now to be ready for college applications in the fall. re your application. Today, I’m sharing what you can do now to be ready for college applications in the fall. Organize Your Financial Paperwork Keep track of all those end-of-year financial statements/W-2 forms that are starting to arrive in the mail. If you’re working, you’ll need your own W-2 or financial statements in addition to your parents. Carefully document all changes in your family’s financial situation from last year to this year. File Your 2023 Federal Income Tax Return You’ll need it when you go to complete the FAFSA in the fall. Knock it off the list as soon as possible, so it won’t get in the way of your other tasks later on – and just keep it on hand. This may be something that your family has on file, so make sure to let your parents know you’ll need easy access to it. Have a Financial Discussion With Your Parents Talk about how much money is available for your college education, and mutually agree on comfortable price ranges. Ask your parents if they are willing to help repay any portion of student loans you may borrow. This will give you an idea of colleges that are in your price range. You also want to start thinking about what kind of budget you may be living on during your college years. Start Your College Wish List Think about what you want in a college education, and then start looking for schools that can meet your needs. Talk to classmates from your area with similar interests and ask about schools they are researching. You want to have a list of about eight to ten schools. One or two should be a stretch for your academic record and financial situation, and four to six should be a reasonable expectation for students with your capabilities. Add one or two safety schools where you have a very high probability of being accepted. Study Cost Calculators Look at websites from preliminary schools on your list, and check their net cost calculators. While this is not an exact amount, it does give you a pretty good indication of what it costs a typical student to attend each college. Think About Future Earning Potential While cost should not necessarily rule out a favored school, you do not want to rely on a heavy student loan burden. Think ahead to what students graduating with your degree from your college can earn, and balance that against what future loan payments might be. It’s important to be realistic about what you may earn and what you may owe. While a college education is amazing, you don’t want to be set up for financial burdens after graduation. Finally, one big deadline to be aware of is filing your FAFSA by 1 October. You want to put that high on your priority list! The sooner you complete the FAFSA, the more financial aid you’ll be eligible for. By the time that you complete your FAFSA, you’ll have a good grasp on possible colleges, and know whether you want to apply for early decision, early action or regular admission, so you’ll be in great shape. I know it can feel like a lot but this is truly the start of a great journey for you and your family! More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. Twitter: Now is the time for high school juniors to begin thinking about which colleges they might want to apply to. Here’s what else you should be thinking about! Facebook Tip: Getting into college and paying for it is a complicated process for high school juniors. Now is the perfect time to start thinking about what you want out of your college experience – and we know just where to start! Instagram: High school juniors are now halfway through their junior year of high school. For 6 months, they’ve been balancing your scholastic, athletic, family and personal activities. Now, it’s time to start thinking about college admissions and financial aid. As of this moment, they have only eight or nine months left to complete preliminary activities before your application. Today, I’m sharing what high school juniors can do now to be ready for college applications in the fall.

3 New Year’s Resolutions to Make College More Affordable for Your Family - College Financial Aid Advisors

3 New Year’s Resolutions to Make College More Affordable for Your Family

Financial Aid / By

How to Save More Money for Your Student’s College Education Happy New Year! 2024 has arrived – and with it, the chance for resolutions that will help you improve your life, finances, and family’s well-being. One of the most common areas of financial stress for families is figuring out how to pay for college. Many families often forgo saving money from the start in the hopes that financial aid will provide them great options. I see families complete the FAFSA with great expectations but they’re often disappointed when they don’t qualify for as much aid as they’d hoped. Less financial aid often means their student isn’t going to be able to pay for their first choice college – or they’ll have to take out way too many loans to make it possible. To keep this from happening to your family, I’m sharing three New Year’s resolutions to help your family get a head start on college costs! #1: Start a college savings plans this year It doesn’t matter how old your child is, or how much you can save. Just start by creating a college education savings fund for your student(s). Small amounts add up over time and will provide more future financial flexibility for your family. College savings plans are also a great gift option to share with family and friends! If you have more substantial amounts of money to invest, look into the tax-advantaged 529 plans available in your state. When deciding on the type of savings plan, you should definitely talk to a financial advisor who can help find a plan that is best for your family’s needs. #2: Teach your children more about the value of money this year Too many students reach college age without having any concept of the value of money. They don’t know how it is earned, and how it should be spent. Some parents think the responsibility is theirs, or don’t even understand these concepts themselves. But youngsters who don’t understand the value of money grow up to be college students who graduate with heavy student loan debt. It’s important to have a money talk with your student(s) early on. This will help them build healthier money habits for their entire life. See our top 5 Money Lessons here! #3: Involve your child in college money discussions The amount of money you can afford to pay for college should not be some type of family secret. Instead, take the time to talk with your children about what you can realistically afford. You don’t want to tank your household budget because you overcommitted what you can pay for their school. Plan to have the conversation every year to discuss your real-life money circumstances and project how they could impact college expectations for that year. Teaching fiscal responsibility to your child as a life-lesson and implementing plans to pay for college yourself are two of the best ways to stay out of student loan debt. Learn more about saving for college in my book, Secrets of a Financial Aid Pro, which also contains information on completing the FAFSA, applying for financial aid, paying for college, and repaying student loans. More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. Twitter: I’m sharing three New Year’s resolutions to help your family make college a reality! See them on the blog today! Facebook Tip: One great way to avoid student loan debt in the future is by making a serious effort to save money for college now. Learn our top resolutions to help you save more money for college and how to help your student build a positive relationship with money now. Instagram: Happy New Year! 2024 has arrived – and with it, the chance for resolutions that will help you improve your life, finances, and family’s well-being. One of the most common areas of financial stress for families is figuring out how to pay for college. Many families often forgo saving money from the start in the hopes that financial aid will provide them great options. But that isn’t always the reality. In fact, receiving less financial aid often means their student isn’t going to be able to pay for their first choice college – or they’ll have to take out way too many loans to make it possible. That’s why I’m sharing 3 money resolutions that you can focus on for 2024 to make funding college a reality!

Updates to the 2024-2025 FAFSA Will Help Maximize Your Financial Aid - College Financial Aid Advisors

Updates to the 2024-2025 FAFSA Will Help Maximize Your Financial Aid

Financial Aid / By

How the FAFSA is Making Financial Aid More Accessible to Families Nationwide In the last year and a half, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – or FAFSA – has undergone major changes to make the application easier to complete for students nationwide. This is the first major update that the FAFSA has experienced in 40 years. Not surprisingly, these changes have impacted the opening of the application for the fall. Now, the FAFSA is supposed to be released sometime this month by 31 December. As we wait, it seems like the perfect time to review changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA that will help you maximize financial aid -and your time filling out the forms! Who should file the FAFSA? One thing that has not changed about the FAFSA is that any current high school senior who plans to attend college in the fall and any current college students should still file the FAFSA. As a reminder, the FAFSA gathers information about your financial needs so your student can be offered work-study, grants, and student loans. All colleges and universities will want the FAFSA from your student as part of their application. Some scholarships may even require the form to be completed. The money and aid is limited – and often on a first-come, first-serve basis so it’s in your benefit to file the FAFSA as soon as you can. Changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA While we’re still waiting for the new application to be released, the Department of Education has stated that the application will be shorter and less complicated than ever before. The 110 questions have now been reduced to about 40. That’s a huge change! Many families avoid applying for financial aid via the FAFSA because the application has been confusing and long. With that problem hopefully eliminated, I encourage all families to apply for financial aid… even if they think they may not be eligible. Another big change to the FAFSA is that it will now be available in 11 languages, including Russian, Arabic, and Vietnamese. Previously, the application was only available in Spanish and English. This will make it easier for all families to complete the FAFSA and maximize their financial aid. Finally, the Department of Education has waived the drug conviction questions and the requirement to sign up for selective service. How do I prepare for the FAFSA? Until the application opens this month, all families can do is get prepared. Gather financial documents, review our guide to completing the FAFSA, and make sure your list of colleges is complete. Once the application opens, sit down and complete it quickly and accurately as soon as you can. After your application is submitted, be patient with your colleges and their financial aid offices. The colleges and universities cannot access the applications for 30 days and then have to create packages for potential students. Their timelines are also going to be impacted this year – so be patient and give them grace. If you have any questions about how to complete the FAFSA or your family’s specific financial situation, reach out to Jodi at College Financial Aid Advisors. Don’t delay – as that only makes the process more stressful for everyone involved! Good luck! More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

How the New Student Aid Index Impact Your Financial Aid Offers - College Financial Aid Advisors

How the New Student Aid Index Impact Your Financial Aid Offers

Financial Aid / By

Maximize Your Financial Aid By Understanding the New Student Aid Index One of the biggest updates to the FAFSA is the introduction of the Student Aid Index (SAI). The Student Aid Index is replacing the Expected Family Contribution, which was the amount a family would have to pay out-of-pocket for college expenses. Now, the SAI will help colleges and universities determine how much funding a student can receive. Like any change, there’s always pros and cons – so we’re breaking down how the new Student Aid Index might impact your family and student’s ability to pay for college. Who will see an increase in financial aid? Perhaps one of the biggest pros of the SAI is that more students will be able to receive access to Pell Grants. Access to Pell Grants is typically based on family size and the federal poverty line. Starting this year, applicants who don’t qualify for a max Pell Grant if their SAI is less than the maximum grant amount. Single-parent households will be impacted positively with the new SAI, as well. The poverty line thresholds are higher for single-parent households, meaning more of them will qualify for the Pell Grants. This is a great improvement for families in this situation! Who will see a decrease in financial aid? In the past years, families with more than one student in college received benefits. Starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA cycle, that will no longer be the case. Families with several students in college at the same time will qualify for less aid overall. Instead of “splitting” the income across the children, the new SAI will not account for siblings in school at the same time. Additionally, families who have small businesses with a sizable valuation may see a decrease in available aid with the new SAI and FAFSA. In the past, smaller businesses were not considered an asset on the FAFSA but they now will be. Will the new Student Aid Index impact me? The answer is most likely “yes”, but we can’t completely say how your family and student will be impacted by the new SAI. The financial aid you’re offered is based on a variety of factors, including your family size, assets, and income levels. If your student is still gearing up to apply for college, now would be a good time to start saving for future college expenses – just in case! More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. Twitter: The new Student Aid Index is replacing the Expected Family Contribution on the 2024-2025 FAFSA and will likely impact how much aid you receive. Learn more here! Instagram: One of the biggest updates to the FAFSA is the introduction of the Student Aid Index (SAI). The Student Aid Index is replacing the Expected Family Contribution, which was the amount a family would have to pay out-of-pocket for college expenses. Like any change, there’s always pros and cons – so we’re breaking down how the new Student Aid Index might impact your family and student’s ability to pay for college. Facebook: The Student Aid Index is replacing the Expected Family Contribution moving forward on the FAFSA. This new system will change how families receive aid – some will receive less and others are going to get access to more money. Learn how your family might be impacted in today’s blog!

5 Topics for Your Family’s College Money Talk - College Financial Aid Advisors

5 Topics for Your Family’s College Money Talk

Financial Aid, Scholarships / By

Help Your Student Make an Educated Decision About How to Fund College For many families, the joy of college applications and future dreams is starting to form as your students fill out applications, complete college visits, and make lists for next year. Despite all of the joy, it’s not uncommon to feel anxiety or worry about how your family might be able to pay for college. The reality for many students and families is that they’ll likely be paying something out of pocket in order for their child to attend college. Even with generous scholarships and grants, sending a student to college can sometimes put an extraordinary burden on a family’s financial structure. The question naturally arises about how much a parent should be expected to pay for their student’s college degree. That is why the college money talk is so important! Before accepting any college offer, it is crucial to have a frank financial discussion with your student. Have an open conversation about the family’s financial situation, and then discuss the costs of college together. Money talks are always tough, so… Here’s 5 points to cover during your college money talk with your student! What it could cost to attend the colleges on your student’s list? Not all college costs are created equally! Sit together and review the Net Price Calculator for each college, to determine what the average student is likely to pay out-of-pocket. Then, add in all the miscellaneous costs such as travel, food, entertainment, and data plans. If you don’t have financial resources to cover these amounts, you might have to rely on student loans and it’s important to see the full picture. What kind of budget will your student have? When chatting about college finances, discuss now how much money you will be able to supply for your student’s living expenses. Keep in mind that you still have to run your own household. You don’t want to rely on credit cards to cover ongoing expenses and your student shouldn’t float a credit card either. Take the time to lay out what their extra funds might look like during college. Will your student work during college? Some students might have to apply for the federal work-study program, or find a job on their own. While many students can juggle work hours and class time, some students have difficulty achieving a workable balance. They might also need to work during the summer and various breaks, while their peers are enjoying great vacations. However, if you’re trying to create extra money in the budget for college costs, a job can be a great option. Can you find any scholarships? If your family does not have sufficient resources to cover college costs, make sure your student is searching for every available scholarship to help defray some of the costs. There are scholarships available year round from private and public organizations. Don’t forget to look for scholarships every year during college – they aren’t just for freshmen! Scholarships are money you do NOT have to pay back, so they’re invaluable to close the gap between your funds and payments. Who will repay student loans? I recommend that families have the discussion of who is responsible for which parts of the student loans now – not after graduation. There are some fantastic student loan calculators to determine what future payments might look like, so that you can have an educated conversation about the funds needed to repay any student loans borrowed. This part of the money talk can be tough but it’s an important reality that students should understand before agreeing to take on any loan. If the numbers don’t work, it is best to make hard decisions now about which college to attend, rather than waiting until your student starts attending classes, and the bills become overwhelming. This is such an exciting time, but it’s important to remain grounded and honest about what your situation is so that everyone can make an educated decision about the future. More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi helps with the financial aid process, from completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. Still Want More Help? Get more information on financial aid in my book, Secrets of a Financial Aid Pro – it makes a great holiday gift! You’ll find information on everything including admissions deadlines, financial planning, filling out the FAFSA, award letters, searching for scholarships, and comparing student loan options. Order it now, and get the information you need to successfully navigate the financial aid journey.

Understanding FAFSA Verification: Maximizing Your Chances of Receiving Financial Aid - College Financial Aid Advisors

Understanding FAFSA Verification: Maximizing Your Chances of Receiving Financial Aid

FAFSA, Financial Aid / By

Why You Should Respond to Financial Aid Verification Requests Quickly Throughout the college admissions and financial aid application season, one of the most worrying emails you can receive is a request for more information. But, I’m here to tell you that a request for extra documentation is not a reason to panic! You might see a note on your Student Aid Report saying you’ve been selected for verification, or your school might contact you to inform you that your application has been selected for review. This does not mean that your student’s application has any issues. Instead, it’s a chance for verification from the Department of Education or college so that they can make the best decision possible. Usually this indicates they don’t have all of the information they need. Here is what to do if you receive a request for verification for your FAFSA: Stay alert Review your Student Aid Report, check your email, and visit college portals regularly to find out if your application has been selected for verification. Don’t get upset This is a normal part of the financial aid process. It does not indicate that anything is wrong or that you will not receive aid. Understand what information is needed Look closely at the request to be sure you understand exactly what type of documentation is required. If you do not understand, contact the financial aid office immediately for further clarification. Look for indicators as to what documents are acceptable to verify the particular area in question. Respond quickly Don’t let this set you off your financial aid timeline. Gather the information and submit it promptly. Some colleges might ask you to provide the information by a certain deadline. FAFSA corrections If you do realize that you made errors on your FAFSA, fix them before you send in your documentation. You can’t change everything, but correct the mistakes you can. If, and only if, you have been selected for verification, you must update certain household information. CSS Profile Documentation Requests Students who complete the CSS Profile may be asked to submit additional information through the Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). IDOC allows you to submit your financial aid documents online, and the College Board then provides them to all of your IDOC schools automatically. It’s a super easy process! Forms that might be required for IDOC include specific year tax returns, W-2 forms, and other financial aid documents for yourself and all of your parents. Parent documents are uploaded following the same process as the student. In some cases you’ll be required to print and sign a financial aid form. Until you are notified, you cannot sign in to IDOC. After you’ve been notified, you can sign in to IDOC and view and upload the required documents. You can also track the submitted documents, too! Verification during the financial application process can seem scary – but it’s not. It’s simply a way for the college financial aid offices and/or the Department of Education to confirm they have what they need for your financial aid decisions. Take the time to respond quickly and correctly to their requests so that you can keep the process moving! The simple act of completing their verification will help you qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid possible. More about Jodi Okun of College Financial Aid Advisors Jodi helps with the financial aid process, from completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.

A Full List of College Admissions and Financial Aid Application Deadlines for High School Students - College Financial Aid Advisors

A Full List of College Admissions and Financial Aid Application Deadlines for High School Students

FAFSA, Financial Aid / By

Learn Which Deadlines to Track During College Application Season The fall is one of the busiest times of year for high school seniors who are applying to college. There’s normal school work and extracurriculars, as well as the various deadlines for applications and financial aid. It’s a lot for any student to keep track of.  Yet, it’s important to track the deadlines so that you have the best chance of getting your financial aid application in – and then, the best chance of getting the maximum aid available to you. With that in mind, here’s a few deadlines to track for your financial aid and college applications. College Admissions Deadlines There are generally a few types of college admissions deadlines: Early Decision Early decision is important for students who have their heart set on one specific college. Students who receive early decision approval agree to attend that college. Early decision deadlines can be as soon as November 1, so most students should be well on their way to having their application submitted. For most colleges, students who apply early may hear back from schools by mid-December, which means that you might have your plans finalized by the new year (which is so exciting!). Early Action These acceptances have a little more flexibility. The student gets an earlier response, but is not obligated to commit to that college. Again, these deadlines can be as early as November 1, but there is more opportunity to choose between colleges once you receive responses from each. Regular Admissions Regular admission deadlines are usually the latest, sometime in late December or early January. Many colleges will have filled a significant portion of their class by then, so that’s just something to keep in mind. It is better to apply for an early action or early decision at a school, if you have your list finalized. Rolling Admissions Some colleges are flexible about their admissions deadlines, but here again the advantage goes to the early applicants. Rolling admissions are a great way to apply to a school if it’s lower on your list and you’re waiting for other decisions. Financial Aid Deadlines There are many forms of financial aid which can supply funds to help pay for college. This can come from federal, state and institutional resources. Access usually begins with filing a FAFSA. College Deadlines Each college sets its own deadline for financial aid applications. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: check your preferred college and their deadlines. Students may find that they need to submit their financial aid applications as early as November. State Deadlines Many states have their own forms of financial aid for in-state institutions. While most use the FAFSA (which comes live in December), some states do have separate applications. Although timeframes differ, the general recommendation is that you should file as soon as possible after October 1. Federal Deadline Technically you do have until June 30 to submit the FAFSA, but many financial aid funds could be deleted by then. It is best to file as early as possible, which will be in December for the 2024-2025 application cycle. Scholarship Deadlines Some scholarships come from your college, and are awarded based on your FAFSA information. There are also private scholarships which can provide additional money for your education. Scholarships are often based on your personal qualities and abilities. Every scholarship has different rules and different deadlines. Some can be as early as November or December, while some want only applicants who are already in college. The great news is that there is no limit to the amount of scholarships you could receive. The best approach for any deadline is to aim to submit your information before it is due. Last minute scrambles can lead to mistakes and could even cause you to miss out because of silly errors. The earlier you submit your paperwork, the better chance you have at receiving the maximum aid possible – and feeling less stressed about your college application journey.

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