FAFSA

Applying and paying for college feels complicated and oftentimes, overwhelming to families and students alike. That’s why February is National Financial Aid Awareness Month across the U.S., thanks to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). Throughout the month, there is always a concentrated effort to help individuals understand more about financial aid at every level. February is a great time to educate yourself and your family. Education is empowering! Take advantage of information circulating this month to become more confident about filing the FAFSA forms this year. Failure to complete these forms can result in a loss of thousands of dollars in financial aid for your student.  During National Financial Aid Awareness Month, look for information about these specific topics to help guide your financial aid applications and decisions for college!  #1: Financial Aid Did you know there’s different types of financial aid? Learn about the differences between scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Frankly, each plays a key role in the college financial world, but they are all very different from one another. Not understanding the variety of options you have could cause your family to miss opportunities and rely too heavily on only one of your many options.  #2: Eligibility One of the most common mistakes we see is that people assume they won’t qualify for any aid. Never assume that you earn too much or too little for aid! Honestly, completing your financial aid applications are the only way to know for sure! Make every effort you can to complete them on time and accurately.  #3: The FAFSA The Free Applications for Federal Student Aid is often the gateway to substantial financial support. It can feel overwhelming, even with the new changes to make it more simple. Take the time this month to understand what you need to complete this application thoroughly and accurately.  #4: Other Applications Applying for financial aid is not a one-size-fits-all proposition among colleges. Some require the FAFSA, some use the CSS Profile, and some have their own forms. Certain states may require additional information to confirm eligibility for their programs. Make sure your student understands exactly what each college on their application list requires. Knowing the colleges’ needs in advance will save your entire family stress during the application process!  #5: Student Loans  Student loans can make the financial component of college easier – in the moment. However, it’s important to avoid overburdening your family or your student’s future with excessive borrowing. To accomplish this, you and your student should understand the variety of loans that are available. It is important to look at their repayment options. Discussing the implication of borrowing money should be part of the conversations you have with your student.  #6: Scholarships Scholarship searches can provide additional funding for your student – from the cost of attendance to simply covering books. Your student should be looking for scholarship opportunities every year in an effort to find that additional cash. Many students fail to invest the necessary effort to locate, understand and apply to pertinent scholarship opportunities, so talk with your student about their importance and value.  #7: Unique Populations Students in certain categories may be eligible for additional financial aid assistance. This may include adult learners, students with physical or mental challenges, refugee and asylee students, current service members and veterans, students with criminal convictions, undocumented students, homeless students, and victims of natural disasters, war, or terrorism. Talk to the financial aid office at each college if you might qualify. The financial aid office can help determine what provisions might be available for your student. Sometimes this additional financial aid option may be the difference between attending the school your student wants – and not.  Don’t let a lack of knowledge keep your student from being able to afford the college of his or her dreams. February is a great time to do additional research, ask more questions, and try to understand the world of financial aid. While it may feel like a lot of work now for your family, it is worth it! Undemanding these systems can make college more affordable and realistic for your family. Who is CFFA? CFAA 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 CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails. Don’t forget to check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.  

The start of the new year is always filled with our resolutions and plans for another successful year. While you’re thinking about financial goals for the next year, don’t forget to consider your child’s financial future. Too often, parents don’t plan for their child’s education because they don’t know how to. Unfortunately, that leaves them scrambling or crossing their fingers (and toes!) while completing financial aid applications during senior year. We’ve got three easy resolutions you can follow this year to help save for college now!  #1: Start a college savings plan THIS YEAR. There’s a misconception that college savings plans need to be started early on to be useful. Another common misconception is that if you can’t save hundreds of dollars a month, these accounts are useless, too. But that’s also wrong. No matter how old your student is or how much you can save, open a college savings plan this year. Like any other project you’re saving for, little amounts add up over time. Start now – and you’ll be thanking yourself later.  Many of plans can also receive contributions from family members – so when birthdays and holidays roll around, consider asking family members to send money to the college savings accounts instead of gifts! Consider talking to a financial advisor if you’re unsure how to approach amounts to save or the kind of college savings plan that’s best for your family.  #2: Start teaching your children about the value of money.  Unfortunately, many students reach their college applications without truly understanding the concept of a dollar. They’re unfamiliar with how it’s earned, how it should be spent, and the value. Make a goal this year to work with your student to begin understanding the value of money. Children who don’t understand the value of money become college students with heavy student loans. Instead, it’s our responsibility to teach our children what money really means!  #3: Involve your child in college-related money discussions.  I meet many parents who don’t want to discuss numbers with their college-aged students. But the reality is that your family’s ability to afford a school or program shouldn’t be a secret within the family. Instead, help your child understand the reality of your situation. Money talks allow students to be more prepared when it comes to college decisions. Some conversations may not be easy, but understanding what works (or what won’t) for your family and your child is really important for everyone involved.  Learning about the value of money and being a part of financial discussions are some of the best ways to help your student prepare for college decisions. Honestly, teaching fiscal responsibility and saving more for college are two of the best ways to stay out of student loan debt. Let’s make these three resolutions this year to help make paying for college a more realistic option for your family!  More Resources… Want to learn more about saving for college? Check out my book: Secrets of a Financial Aid Pro. This book contains information on completing the FAFSA, applying for financial aid, paying for college, and repaying student loans. Order it now and find out how to make your college journey easier!  Who is CFAA? CFAA 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 CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails. Make sure to check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter, too. plan it plan it

CFAA has been talking to high school then-juniors/now-seniors about college application deadlines since the beginning of the year. We have stressed many times the importance of meeting all college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines in order to get the best shot at attending a great college with a substantial financial aid package. Despite our best efforts, however, sometimes we get desperate calls from students in December who have already missed some of their deadlines. Maybe they were overwhelmed, maybe they faced some type of unforeseen event in their lives, or maybe they just fell behind. Whatever the reason, these students are now in a panic about what to do. My advice is to catch your breath, and reevaluate your current situation. It is not too late to take action, but you do have to get organized and work quickly. Here are some steps you can take to catch up with your peers, so you will be attending college in the fall of 2023, too: Admissions Deadlines: Although you have probably missed many early decision or early action deadlines, you can still apply to most colleges. Regular admission deadlines usually fall anywhere from early January to mid-February. Some colleges also have rolling admissions, where they accept and evaluate applications until their freshman quota is met. Check the website for each of your colleges to find out their final deadlines, and schedule your time wisely during the winter break to work on those applications first. If you had extenuating circumstances that caused you to miss a deadline for a favored college, contact the admissions office directly to explain your situation and find out what their policy is for late applications. Financial Aid Deadlines: You may have already missed some state financial aid deadlines, and some colleges have limited funds available to award, but you can still complete the FAFSA until June of next year for the fall semester. Be prepared that your financial package might not be as substantial as you would have liked, but you will still need the FAFSA completed if you plan on using federal student loans to fill in any funding gaps. CFAA can help students who have missed certain deadlines complete their financial aid applications in a timely manner to make sure you remain eligible for any amount of support that might still be available. Scholarship Deadlines: Most scholarships do have an end-of-year deadline, but there are still plenty of opportunities with deadlines that fall at the beginning of the year. You might have to work a bit harder to find and apply to these scholarships, but you should still look for them, especially if your financial aid will be less because of your application delays. Even if you are too late for your favorite college, you can still make plans to stay on track for a higher education. Perhaps you can apply for the spring semester of 2024, you might be accepted into one of your alternative colleges, or you could decide to apply to a local community college. These should help to keep you in the routine of attending classes and studying until you can apply and transfer to another school. Some students might decide that it is still too much pressure to apply now, and may decide to take a gap year instead. Talk this over with your parents, and be sure to use your time wisely during this period, so you will have something impressive to show on applications when you do decide the time is right. Next time, though, make a schedule and keep to it! CFAA guides families through 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 CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails and check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.

Some high school seniors get all their college admissions and financial aid applications completed on time. Some pinned all their hopes on one college with an early decision application, while others hedged their bets with an early action application. The hope was that there would be a quick acceptance by the end of the year, and the student could relax and enjoy the holidays, without college unknowns hanging over their head. Unfortunately, the chips don’t always fall as we would like. For many students, the end of the year brings with it the crushing defeat of a rejection letter from a favored college. While it can be disappointing, an early application rejection does not have to be the end of the college hunt. Give students some time to get over the let-down, but don’t spend too much time trying to find a reason for the rejection. Instead, help them get back on the path to college acceptance for the fall semester of 2023. Here are some steps to take: Ascertain whether it is a rejection or a deferral: A rejection means that the college is not interested in your student for some reason, but a deferral means they might be interested. They have just decided to put off making a final decision as they assess the full range of admissions applications received. Your student might still be offered an acceptance as part of the regular admissions process, but don’t rely solely on this possibility. Read the letter carefully to determine if there are any steps you need to take to stay in their application pool. Look at an ED II Option: Your student might have two colleges at the top of the list, but could only apply to one for an early decision. If that application is rejected, it might be possible to apply to a college with an ED II option. The deadlines are later, but there is the same commitment to attend if accepted. Reconsider your college list: Just in case your deferred student still does not get accepted, they should also take steps to apply to other colleges by their regular admissions deadlines. Make sure to include at least one good match in this process. At this point, it is not a good idea to aim higher than a college which rejected your student because they will most likely be rejected there as well. Reassess the admissions application to make sure it presents the strongest picture of your student. Deciding to attend one college does not have to be a lifetime commitment. Your student could attend another college for a year or two, and then reapply to the one which rejected them earlier. Reconfirm financial aid requirements: Your family should already have submitted a FAFSA, but make sure any new colleges are added to the list. Read the financial aid pages on any new colleges’ websites to determine whether you also have to complete a CSS Profile or other financial aid requirements. Think about a different approach: Maybe your student did not make a favorable impression during the first go-round at getting into college, but that doesn’t mean college has to be off the table entirely. It might be worthwhile spending some time in a junior college or community college to work on academic skills before reapplying to a four-year college. If your student gets accepted with an early decision application, follow the required steps carefully to complete enrollment. If your student was accepted with an early action application, but you are not satisfied with the financial aid package, you can still apply to other colleges. CFAA guides families through 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 CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails and check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.

We have been hearing a lot about FAFSA simplification for the past few years now, but so far have not really seen anything public except a few minor changes. Work is being completed behind the scenes, however, which will be rolling out in the next few years. At a recent industry conference, CFAA had a chance to preview potential changes to the 2024-25 FAFSA. Although that is quite some time down the road (we are currently working on the 2023-24 version), here are some changes in the works: Replacement of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI) from Award Year 2024-25 forward. The Student Aid Index is a number that will determine students’ eligibility for certain types of federal student aid. SAI formulas will be based on a student’s dependent or independent status, and number of dependents for independent students. Independent students will no longer provide parent data. Changes in federal Pell Grant eligibility. The FAFSA Simplification Act modifies the questions that students and their families must answer on the FAFSA form. This will result in changes to FAFSA Form Field and Data Elements. Whenever possible, the FAFSA will prefill information to minimize the number of questions that need to be answered. Questions will be added to capture data for each person’s role who is completing the FAFSA, including student, student spouse, parent, and parent spouse. Additional demographic and financial information might be collected for these various roles. The Verification process will use only a random selection methodology for both financial and identity verification. Students will still be able to file a paper application. Users will need an FSA ID to access the FAFSA application. There will no longer be the ability to start a FAFSA form with just student identifiers; however, new procedures will allow users without an SSN to acquire an FSA ID. The list of colleges to receive the information will be expanded to 20, increased from the current 10. The IRS DRT (Data Retrieval Tool) is being replaced by a new direct data exchange with the IRS. Data provided by the IRS will continue to be masked. Consent will be required to retrieve and distribute this information. Keep in mind this is early in the development phase, and there may still be changes as the final version is completed. CFAA will continue to monitor the situation, and provide updates as new information is received. CFAA 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 CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails and check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.

At this time of year, many parents of high school seniors are happily watching as their student applies to various colleges. You are thrilled that your student is interested in earning a higher degree, and know that this will help lay a great foundation for future success. You smile as they apply to the college of their dreams, and even applaud loudly when the acceptance letter arrives. But a thought might be lurking somewhere in the back of your mind about how you are going to pay for all of this. Unless your student has exceptional academic, artistic or athletic skills, it is probable that you are going to have to pay for at least some part of their educational expenses. Even with generous scholarships and grants, sending a student to college can sometimes put an extraordinary burden on a family’s financial structure. Many families are concerned about other students, caring for their own parents, and building retirement savings. With inflation impacting every area of life, some budgets are already stretched to the maximum. So, the question arises, “How much should parents really be expected to pay for college?” That is why the 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. Here are some important points to cover during your money talk: What it could cost to attend the colleges on your student’s list: Look at 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. What kind of budget your student might have: You should 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, especially in light of current inflationary pressures. Will your student work: 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. Are there scholarships available: If your family does not have sufficient liquid resources to cover college costs, make sure your student is searching for every available scholarship to help defray some of the costs. Who will repay student loans: This is another key conversation to have now, not after graduation. Look at the total amount you are planning to borrow to pay for this college, and then look at student loan calculators to see what future repayment costs might be. If you expect your student o make these payments, say so now, and discuss what impact that will have on their future budgetary capabilities. Do you really want your student living with you again after college, while repaying those loans? 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. Families with younger students can also share the wisdom of these conversations, so they can start their college planning process as well. CFAA 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 CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails and check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.

Keep on your toes after you submit the FAFSA, as you might receive a Request for Verification. This is simply a request for further documentation to support the answers you provided in your application. You might see a note on your SAR (Student Aid Report) or an asterisk next to the EFC, saying you’ve been selected for verification. One of your colleges might contact you directly to inform you that you need to provide additional information. Don’t get upset or assume you are being accused of doing anything wrong. Some people are selected for verification at random, some are selected because there was a mistake on the application or they want to look more carefully at certain information, and some schools actually verify all applicants’ FAFSA forms. All you need to do is provide the documentation asked for by the given deadline. About 17-20%% of FAFSA forms are usually selected for verification, but the Department of Education has been working to decrease overall verification rates in recent years. When you complete the FAFSA, you are giving permission to verify any statement on the form. During verification, college financial aid administrators ask the applicant to supply copies of documentation, such as income tax returns, W-2 statements, 1099 forms, and financial account statements, to verify the data that was submitted. if you fail to comply with the verification request by the given deadline, your student could lose out on financial aid. In fact, the National College Attainment Network found that 7% of students selected for verification lose out on federal grants, loans and institutional aid. Here are some quick tips to keep in mind about verification: Review Your Verification Notice: Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) carefully. The school may also send you a notification that you’ve been picked for verification. Gather the Requested Documentation: Adjusted gross income. If you did not use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool for your FAFSA, and entered your own information, you may be asked to submit copies of your tax returns or W-2 forms. Income taxes paid. You may be asked to provide complete copies of your tax returns. Household size. You will be asked to submit a signed statement that lists the name, age and relationship to the student of each person in the home. Number of household members in college. Most often, you can submit a signed statement, but sometimes you may need to submit a statement from each college’s registrar confirming each person’s enrollment. Tax-exempt interest income. Tax-exempt interest income, such as income from municipal bonds or mutual funds, is included on your tax return. If issuers paid you $10 or more in interest, the interest is reported on Form 1099-INT, which you can submit for verification purposes. Non-tax Filers: If you did not submit a federal tax return, you may have to submit a statement to that effect, along with other supporting documentation, such as a W-2 or 1099 forms. You may also have to submit a “verification of non-filing” letter from the IRS. Fill Out the FAFSA Verification Form: Fill in all requested information on the FAFSA verification worksheet; do not leave any sections blank. Be sure to sign and date the form before mailing it in. Correct FAFSA Mistakes: There are some FAFSA mistakes that can only be corrected if you have been selected for verification. Watch your verification deadlines closely. If your financial aid package was adjusted based on your FAFSA verification and you need more aid, talk to the financial aid office about your options. You might be able to appeal their decision, and request additional aid if your financial situation has changed. CFAA helps with the entire 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 CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails and check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.

Congratulations if you are one of the prepared families that have already submitted your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. This is the first step in determining eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. The next step is that you will receive a Student Aid Report, or SAR. You can view your SAR by logging in to your FAFSA form and selecting “View SAR” from the “My FAFSA” page. You might receive an email link to an online copy if you provided an email address on your FAFSA form, or a paper copy might be mailed to you. Schools receive this information relatively quickly, but applicants usually have access to the online form in about 3-5 days after the FAFSA is processed. Paper forms take a little longer. This document is based on the information in your FAFSA. It provides preliminary insights into your eligibility for federal financial aid. The information is sent to each college on your list, and the financial aid office at each institution determines your eligibility to receive the financial aid they have available to offer you, based on their specific criteria. Each college may make different financial aid offers. It is important that you review your SAR, and also correct certain mistakes that may have been made: Expected Family Contribution (EFC): This number appears in the upper right-hand corner of the SAR. If there is no EFC, your FAFSA is not complete. The EFC is an index that is used to help colleges gauge your family’s ability to pay for education costs. Keep in mind that this is not the final determinant, and does not include your eligibility for state and institutional financial assistance. Verification: Look for an asterisk next to the EFC to determine if your application has been selected for verification purposes. This does not mean you have done anything wrong. Some selections are random, and some colleges verify a good majority of applications. It does mean that additional information is required, and should be submitted as soon as possible. Data Release Number (DRN): Use this number to communicate with college financial aid offices or the Federal Student Aid Information Center if you need to make changes to your mailing address, or have the SAR sent to a college. What You Must Do Now: Look here, especially if your FAFSA is incomplete, to find information about what you need to do to complete your application. There may also be instructions on what to do if you’ve made an error in your FAFSA. FAFSA Data: This is a summary of your answers to the FAFSA questions. Review this information to make sure it accurately reflects your financial situation. School Information: This is where you will see the colleges you designated on your FAFSA to receive your SAR. You’ll also find information about graduation rates, retention rates and transfer rates. You can add colleges if you submitted more applications after completing the FAFSA. Financial Aid History: If this is not your first year in college, you will see a summary of any outstanding federal student loans, any reported aid you shared in your FAFSA, as well as your estimated eligibility for Pell Grants and federal student loans for the upcoming year. If you find a mistake when reviewing your SAR, you will need to correct or update your FAFSA form. You can correct your Social Security Number, update contact information and dependency status, and add or delete schools. Some information can only be changed if you are selected for verification. You cannot update financial information. If your situation changed, contact schools directly and provide supporting documentation they can use in making their final decision. CFAA is there for the entire financial aid process, from completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options. Schedule a CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails and check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.

October is the beginning of the financial aid season, but when does it end? What are your deadlines when it comes to college applications? There are two main types of deadlines families have to keep in mind: admissions and financial aid. These intertwine with each other, so it is important to understand both of them. College Admissions Deadlines These are deadlines when your student needs to have the admissions side of the college entrance process completed. It means that the tests, letters of recommendations, and admissions package all have to be in order. Various types of admissions deadlines include: Early Decision: Early decision deadlines are usually applicable when your student is very sure about which college to attend. You apply to only one college, and acceptance is binding, so you agree to enroll if admitted and withdraw applications at other colleges. These deadlines are frequently quite early – usually in November, so there is not much time left to complete this process. Early Action: Early action has a similar early application deadline, but it is non-binding. Deadlines traditionally fall around November as well, but the student is still free to apply to other colleges. You don’t have to commit to a particular school if admitted. There may be some distinctions like Early Action I and Early Action II, depending on the college. Single Choice Early Action: Not quite as common, this option is non-binding but exclusive. Students apply on an early basis to only one college, but they do not have to enroll if accepted. Here again, deadlines will be quite early. Regular Decision: These are the standard admissions deadlines, which are non-binding and non-exclusive. Deadlines usually occur between December and January, but some can occur in November, so check your college’s website information. Rolling Admissions: Some colleges have made the process a little easier with a non-binding rolling admissions process. This means there are no exact deadlines, and students can apply well into their senior year and even as late as the summer before the fall semester begins. The warning here is that colleges will only accept candidates until their class is filled, so your student may lose a spot if the class fills early. College Financial Aid Deadlines There are different types of financial aid and different types of deadlines. The best advice is to always apply early, so as not to miss out on any opportunities. Although the FAFSA can actually be completed until June of the year before the semester begins, some programs have limited funding availability. Types of financial aid deadlines include: Institutional: Many students are surprised to find that their college has a financial aid application deadline. This may be based on the type of admissions application. If your student has applied for early decision admissions, the college may have an early financial aid deadline as well. Check the college’s financial aid web page to be sure you understand the deadlines. State: States have their own financial aid programs and set priority deadlines by which you must submit the FAFSA form to be considered for the aid programs they administer. Although some might go into the next calendar year, a surprising number of states also want you to file the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1. Be aware that the college might require the CSS Profile or additional financial aid information by the stated deadline as well. Another type of deadline is the scholarship deadline. This is also important in finding money to help pay for college. Scholarships comes in all shapes and sizes, and have deadlines that start early in your student’s educational career, and run right through the college years. CFAA is there for the entire financial aid process, from completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options. Schedule a CFAA new client free strategy session or a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college. To get the latest financial aid information and college application to-do lists, look for my bi-weekly JustAskJodi emails and check out my monthly CFAA e-newsletter.