The College Unraveled Blog
As your high schooler prepares for college, navigating financial aid can feel confusing. Here’s a guide to avoid common financial aid pitfalls.
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is missing financial aid
deadlines. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on...
After months of anticipation, your child’s college admissions decisions have arrived with great news. Congratulations! But, before making a college choice, many families still have one more very important thing to do: compare the financial aid offers from all of the colleges to which their...
For many families, financial aid is crucial to affording college. The first step in applying for college aid, including college work-study, scholarships, and grants—funds that do not have to be repaid—is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
This year, a...
A is for the bank account you’ll want to open. Choose a bank with offices near both your home and your college, so your parents can easily add money.
B is for the budget. Create a realistic one that allows for unexpected expenses.
C stands for credit rating. Be wary of building up balances...
As financial aid packages arrive, families are faced with just how much college will cost. At many schools, self-help is up and gift aid is down. That means that colleges are offering less in the way of tuition discounts or grants, and expect families to assume a greater part of the college...
If your first choice college offers everything you want, but the price tag is daunting, don’t give up hope; consider appealing the award. While colleges and universities won’t encourage it, the financial aid officers are empowered to make adjustments, if warranted.
To appeal,...
If you’ve applied for financial aid and filed all the paperwork by the appropriate deadline, an award letter outlining a college’s offer of financial assistance should arrive close on the heels of your notification of acceptance. Here’s a guide to understanding what that package...
Money should never stop anyone from attending college! Yes, college can be expensive, but there are resources available to help you and your family pay for college. Major sources of financial aid for college include:
Grants
Grants are “gifts” from the government and from individual...
Money often plays a significant factor in pursuing a college degree, but hopefully, it will not stop anyone from attending college! Yes, college can be expensive, but aid is available to help you and your family pay for college. Significant sources of financial aid for college include:
Grants...
The bulk of college financial aid money comes from the federal government; this aid is distributed by colleges using information supplied by fam when they complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), available on October 1st. About 240 colleges, universities, and scholarship...
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the primary form used by colleges to determine eligibility for need-based aid. A small number of colleges will not even consider an applicant for merit aid unless that student has first submitted a FAFSA. The FAFSA should be filed as soon as...
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