Adding Schools After Completing FAFSA

Adding Schools After Completing FAFSA

Adding schools after completing FAFSA? This is the best way to add additional colleges and universities to the FAFSA application.

We know filling out your FAFSA, especially for the first time, can be a confusing process. Add to that the pressure of picking a college to attend, and you may be so overwhelmed that you fail to include a potential school. In some cases, you may even change your mind altogether and choose to apply to a college altogether.

If you need to add a college after submitting the FAFSA, simply log into your FAFSA online and add a new school or school code. Just be sure to make any FAFSA corrections as soon as possible so that you don’t hinder your chances of receiving the maximum amount of aid possible.

To update your school codes, access your FAFSA® online and follow the steps below.

  1. Login with an FSA ID or with student information at fafsa.gov.
  2. Find and select the option to “Make FAFSA Corrections.” Then, enter your FSA ID or personal information.
  3. Depending on whether you logged in using your FSA ID or your personal information, you will be prompted to enter your FSA ID and create a save key or just create a save key.
  4. Click “next” on the FAFSA correction home screen.
  5. Locate the “School Selection” page with the school codes and enter the school’s name in the search bar to bring up its code in the database.
  6. You will need to know the state in which the college is located as well as its full name or city to bring up an accurate result.
  7. Click on the appropriate code and make sure the school is displayed in your list of schools before submitting the corrections. After you’ve verified that the information is correct, click the ‘next’ button.

    Note: If you log into your FAFSA.gov account and you see that your form is “still processing,” as pictured below, you will have to wait until your form finishes processing before you can add schools. (Learn more about how long it takes FAFSA to process here.)
  8. Click on “Sign & Submit” in the top navigation, preview your changes, and click submit. After you submit the new school, you will see a notification that your application is processing.
  9. When your FAFSA updates finish processing, you will get an email notification, and then when you log in, you will see the option to add correction.

Important Limit Of 10 Colleges

No more than 10 colleges can be listed on the FAFSA at any given time, so adding more than 10 will overwrite a previous code.

If you feel you need to apply to more than 10 schools, there is a way to get around the limit by choosing which school codes to delete when adding additional ones.

When filling out the FAFSA, we recommend you add in-state public colleges first,
as this is the best way to be considered for state grants.

  1. Follow up with any colleges that have earlier financial aid deadlines.
  2. Submit your FAFSA.
  3. Wait for your Student Aid Report (SAR), as this indicates the colleges
  4. you listed have received your information.
  5. After receiving the SAR, log in to your FAFSA and delete the original
  6. school list.
  7. Create a new school list and then re-submit your FAFSA.
  8. If you’re applying to more schools, wait to receive your SAR again,
  9. Repeat the process for a new batch of schools.

You can also add colleges using the data release number (DRN) located on your SAR. Simply supply this number to the college’s financial aid department, and the school will pull up your FAFSA® information.

The FAFSA process makes it easy to add schools to your application even after submitting it. No matter how many schools you add, be sure to reach out to each financial aid department directly to see if you need to supply additional documentation before receiving your award letter.

College Aid Consulting Services is a full-service financial aid advisor as FAFSA preparers and CSS profile consultants. We help our clients qualify for more college financial aid and lower out-of-pocket expenses for families. Contact us today for a FREE consultation to show you how we can help you.

2022 College Scholarship Scams

2022 college scholarship scams. These scholarship cons hook victims with the promise of money, but upfront “fees” never actually materialize into those needed funds. For students who are struggling to pay tuition and other college expenses, an unexpected offer of a scholarship can seem like a wish come true.  However, the majority of the time, it is bait for a scam.  

I have always preached to students and their families over the years that they should be wary of websites, seminars, or other schemes that promise to find scholarships for a fee.

Scammers typically claim to represent the government, a university, or a nonprofit organization. The details vary, but the con is the same.  The scammer will pose as a financial aid representative using words like “National” and “Federal” to sound more official.  In a more recent twist, the representative claims to help with student loan forgiveness.  They also may claim you have won a scholarship or a grant (without ever applying) and ask for payment of a one-time “processing fee.”

In another version, the scammer pressures you into applying for a “guaranteed” scholarship or grant. However, there is a fee to apply.  Once the fee is paid, time goes by, and the money is never sent.  When attempting to contact a representative, it is quickly discovered that the company has set so many conditions that it is almost impossible to receive a refund.  For example, when a family does not secure a scholarship(s) from a list that they paid for, they are informed that unless they apply to all of the scholarships listed (which could be hundreds), they do not qualify for a refund.

In summary, beware of unsolicited offers and never, never pay a fee for an outside scholarship service.

College Aid Consulting Services has been helping students get more financial aid since 1990. We are the top-rated independent full-service college financial aid consultants on the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and other financial required forms. No other financial aid consulting services has the experience we do in assisting families in obtaining more money. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about our services.

7 Tips On Lowering College Costs In 2023

7 Tips On Lowering College Costs

Here are our 7 tips on lowering college costs in 2023 that families can use to save money. We all know that the cost of a college education is off the charts, and for many families affording a college education can be a real challenge. Make a conscious effort to work on these, and it will lower your out-of-pocket costs.

  1. Compare housing options
  2. Don’t buy new textbooks
  3. Consider dual enrollment
  4. Get a tuition discount
  5. Attend a college with fixed-price tuition
  6. Utilize a work-study program
  7. Graduate on time

Two bonus tips…

  1. Consider a community college in the first year or two
  2. Consider being a resident advisor. Many colleges will offer free or reduced room and board

Explore all of your aid options. With that said, parents need to be savvy when it comes to the financial aid process. The more they know about the process, the more likely they will retain more gift-aid. The more gift-aid, the fewer loans needed. Regarding loans, never turn down a subsidized loan(s) is offered and, more importantly, if needed.

Parents should consider retaining professional guidance. A trained expert will assure the family will retain the most financial aid possible. Also, students should always pursue outside scholarships which will help to lower their out-of-pocket costs for a four education. Once on campus, the student should walk into the financial aid office to ask if there are any “in-house” scholarships that they can apply for. Parents should set up a 529 plan early on.

If you wish for more tips or information on how to lower college costs, please contact our office for a free consultation to see if our team can help.

Why Student Campus Visits Are An Important Factor In Choosing A College

Student Campus Visits 2023

There is no question in our experience that student campus visits are an important factor in choosing a college or university for the 2023-24 academic school year.

A campus visit allows the student to experience the trip involved to get to the school, the people who are there, and the actual learning environment on campus. Seeing the dorms and dorm rooms, the library, the career center, the fitness center, the bookstore, tasting the food, and walking around the campus.

All of these factors are important to understanding if a student will actually be happy once he or she is a student there. Take a moment to read my blog “10 Things You Have To Do Before Going Off To College” to really get a good plan together as you make visits. 

A great college campus visit starts with preparation. Before you head out to meet with admissions officers, take time to plan ahead. We also recommend that you attempt to meet with the financial aid office. Ask questions about filling out the FAFSA and CSS profile, but try and disclose as little about your financial situation as possible.

Get ahead of the game now!  We have helped hundreds of families like yours since 1990 to lower their out of pocket costs. Contact our office for a complimentary review of your financial aid options. we can review the EFC and make other observations as a professional FAFSA preparers.

FAFSA Changes For 2024-25

Here is an update on the FAFSA Changes For 2024-25. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will see the majority of changes starting in the 2024-25 academic year and not in the 2023-24 year that was originally planned.

The U.S. Department of Education delayed most of the changes to the 2024-25 academic year due to the fact that 52% of higher education schools have not yet begun to prepare for the significant modifications coming to FAFSA.

The Department of Education said it will phase in the significant impacts to college students’ FAFSA by the 2024-25 academic year. However, the new FAFSA application will be released on Oct 1, 2022.

Here are some of the key changes:

  1. Drastically reduces number of questions on FAFSA form from 108 to a maximum of 36.
  2. EFC changed to SAI to accurately reflect how aid is calculated to determine aid eligibility rather than expected family contribution. The EFC can drop to -$1,500 compared to the EFC’s low of $0.
  3. Students can see if they are Pell Grant eligible based on income and family size before applying for financial aid.
  4. Income protection allowance is changed, which shields part of students’ and parents’ income from being counted with determining how much can be put toward college. It now protects a greater percentage of earned income.
  5. Restores Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students and aid eligibility to students with drug convictions.
  6. Removes the requirement for male applicants to register for the Selective Service before age 26.
  7. Restores Pell Grant eligibility for those who didn’t graduate because their school closed down.
  8. Makes the application process easier for former foster children or students experiencing homelessness.

As I stated in a blog last year on this topic, we don’t know how the College Board will react to these changes pertaining to the CSS Profile. We will continue to update you as we get closer to Oct 1.

College Aid Consulting Services is full-service FAFSA Preparers with a mission to maximize your financial aid with 32 years of experience. You are invited to take advantage of our FREE FAFSA/CSS Review. Just contact us for more information or learn more about our services.

High School Families Should Start Planning Scholarships Now

college scholarships for high school juniors

High school families should start planning for 2023 and 2024 scholarships now.  Juniors should start applying for outside scholarships immediately.  We know many students don’t even think about applying for these scholarships until they are into their senior year.  Big mistake!  For many of these sources of financial aid, the deadline will expire at that point.  College bound families should start planning campus visits as time permits.

It is important to know that families should never cross off expensive colleges on their list because of the “price tag”.  These colleges have more good money to tap into which will result in a lower your EFC or expected family contribution.  Know what financial aid forms are required at the colleges the student is applying to.  Families can start submitting the CSS Profile and FAFSA as of this October 1st.

Parents, start having a discussion now with your sophomore students and your high school guidance counselor regarding your future education. Planning ahead will make a big positive difference.

If you would like more information and advice from a professional fafsa preparer and experienced financial aid advisor, please contact our office.

College Financial Aid Awards 2024-2025

College financial aid awards 2022-2023.

It’s time to talk about college financial aid awards 2024-2025. The bulk of college financial aid awards have arrived now for our students who will be attending college in the 2024-2025 year. Many of the awards based on FAFSA and/or CSS Profile they received from the college(s) were not adequate, acceptable, or respectful based on the formula(s) they utilized. We are full-service financial aid consults and can appeal or negotiate for better aid packages for our families, most of them received improved awards ranging from $2,600 to $32,670 in increased gift-aid.

It’s important you know that you likely filled out the FAFSA and CSS Profile incorrectly because you interpreted the question(s) incorrectly, resulting in not receiving all the aid possible. Immediately, you should be asking yourself, are these award(s) fair for my college student? The answer is unless you are awarded 100% of the total college cost, you wouldn’t know. 

The reality is that many families will simply take what is originally offered therefore will spend more for college than they need to, sometimes into the thousands of dollars more.

If you are reading this you must have questions and be looking for the best answers to maximize your financial aid to lower your out-of-pocket cost.  Just like a good tax accountant, it pays to have a professional who knows how to accurately interpret financial aid questions and provide the best answer based on your situation in order to receive more money. College Aid Consulting Services brings 32 years of experience, and our clients are assured, in the end, that they will receive the best aid package possible. Since we have worked with the majority of 4-year state schools and private colleges in the U.S., we know what to expect from a given college.

If you would like one of our staff to review your award letters and the information that was submitted, please contact our office.

Divorced Parents, College Financial Aid & FAFSA

divorced parents college financial aid
Photo Credit: Rajiv Perera

Recently Elizabeth Spiers of Slate.com asked me to comment on one of their readers’ questions on divorced parents, college financial aid, & FAFSA. This advice also applies to step-parents, domestic partners, and others that want to help with the cost of education or don’t know to what extent they are responsible.

Parents in this scenario do have options to better their odds in obtaining more financial aid for the student’s education. Many factors come into play in various situations. Parents need to be savvy and proactive in pursuing college financial aid, especially in this example. How the school will assess the family’s information will differ from college to college. What form(s) is the college requiring? FAFSA or the CSS Profile? If Profile, many will require an additional form called the Non-Custodial Parent. In my opinion, this form is unfair for several reasons. For example, if the ex is remarried, now the system (colleges) is trying to assess three parents instead of two. How about if both parents are remarried? Yes, now they want four parents’ information.

If you have questions about divorced parents, college financial aid, FAFSA, would like more information or clarification, please contact our staff.

Slate.com Article
I’m Worried the Government Will Force Me to Pay for My Stepkids’ College
https://slate.com/business/2022/02/advice-for-step-parenting-how-to-handle-fafsa-when-youre-about-to-divorce.html

Student Loans Relief Until May 2022

College students get Federal student loan relief until May 2022. The current administration extended a student loan moratorium that has allowed families to put off debt payments during the pandemic. Payments on Federal student loans will be paused through May 1, 2022.

Some of the benefits for students and parents are, no mandatory federal student loan payments, no new student loan interest accrual, and no collection of student loans in default. In addition, wage garnishment and the reduction of tax refunds have been prohibited, providing help for student loan borrowers struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even though students have more time to pay off their loans, they should not sit back and relax. Borrowers might want to continue making payments on federal loans if they want to pay down their debt faster.

If you do continue making payments, you won’t pay any new interest on your loans during the forbearance. The 0% interest rate will save you money overall, even though your payment won’t be lower.

The full amount of your payment will be applied to the principal balance of your loan once all interest accrued prior to March 13 is paid. The student loans relief until May 2022 could be extended, but don’t count on it. Now is a great time to make extra payments if you are able.

If you are looking to lower your out-of-pocket cost for college and want options other than student loans. Contact us now for a FREE consultation. We are full-service financial aid consultants and can act as your fafsa preparer.

FAFSA / CSS Profile Deadlines 2022-2023

FAFSA / CSS Profile Deadlines 2022-2023

Update on FAFSA / CSS Profile Deadlines 2022-2023. As of October 1st, families can submit their FAFSA’s and the CSS Profile for the 2022-23 academic year. The earliest deadline that some families are not aware of is November 1st. If the student is pursuing early decision (which I do not recommend for most students), many colleges will require the families to submit the form(s) by the November date.

Regarding early action or regular decision, the deadlines are in 2022 starting in January. In addition, many families are told they need to submit their forms on October 1st or ASAP in October. This is not good advice for many. If you would like to know more, and why Early Decision is not good, and how the CSS profile is different compared to FAFSA, and why it is not user-friendly to obtain financial aid, please contact our office for a complimentary review. We can help you with the FAFSA / CSS Profile Deadlines 2022-2023.

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