Covid-19 dramatically changed the landscape for college students during the Spring of 2020. What will happen in the fall?  If your financial circumstances changed, you may be eligible for more financial aid. In these wildly uncertain times, it’s crucial to stay informed. For the most up to date information about plans the colleges have for the fall semester, check the …

Student loan borrowers may find relief from making payments on their loans during the Coronavirus Crisis.  The most important first step is to know your lender: the federal government under the Federal Direct Loan Programs or a non-federal lender, a.k.a. Private lenders. This differentiation is critical because the relief programs offered are very different. Here are four tips to help …

Federal and state governments, colleges, and private third-parties offer grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike other parts of the financial aid package, grants and scholarships are free money that do not have to be repaid like loans or earned such as a work-study award.  Grants are typically awarded based on calculated financial need. High school seniors may …

If you’re a grandparent helping to save for your grandchild’s education, you’re not alone. Recent surveys showed that nearly 40% of grandparents make some contribution to their grandchild’s college education. 529 college savings plans, where earnings are tax free if used for qualified education expenses, are becoming increasingly popular with parents and grandparents alike. If you are a grandparent (or soon to be …

Motivating your kids to save money is awesome, but parents also worry about maintaining eligibility for college financial aid. Let’s take a closer look at how to manage savings and build a healthy financial habit for life. The number one way for students to begin saving early for college is to actually do it. The very act of putting money …

The excitement of a college acceptance letter can be quickly replaced with anxiety and concern if the financial award package is not what you expected.  Here are some tips to evaluate the financial aid package and what to do if it falls short. Th financial aid package may consist of one or more of these three types of aid: Free …

That sounds odd, doesn’t it, “to win the financial aid game.”  You don’t have to stretch very far to see that the financial aid process has characteristics of a game: there is a rulebook, a referee (the U.S. Department of Education), a defined time period and rewards at the end for the winners.  Unfortunately, as we’ve recently learned, there are …

On October 1, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (“FAFSA”) will be available. High school seniors and college students continuing into Academic Year 2020-21 will need to file a new form to be eligible for aid. The FASFA allows students to participate in federal student aid programs, including the Direct Student Loan Program, the Pell Grant Program, Work-Study, and …

By the end of Junior Year or very early in the Senior Year of High School, some students have identified their dream college and want to apply much earlier than standard admissions deadlines. These “Early Decision” or “Early Action” students often file their applications before November 1 of their senior year with the hope of knowing that they’ve been admitted …

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) officially opened October 1st for the 2019-2020 academic year. The FAFSA is used by the federal government, states, colleges and other organizations to award financial aid; including free money like grants and scholarships as well as work-study and federal student loans. The FAFSA must be completed every year and the deadlines vary …